Beyond The Prompt - How to use AI in your company

• Rebuilding from Inside: How John Waldmann Led an AI Shift Without Breaking His Team

  In this episode, John Waldmann, CEO of Homebase, shares how the 10-year-old SaaS company blew up its roadmap and rebuilt around AI—from culture to code. He walks us through the shift from 20-page PRDs to lightning-fast demos, reclaiming product leadership, and pushing teams into their “oh shit” moment with AI.We explore the leadership reckoning, cultural resistance, and practical playbook behind the transformation—and what it means for the future of SaaS, small businesses, and human-centered AI. If you're leading (or bracing for) an AI shift, this one’s packed with hard-earned lessons and honest insight.Key Takeaways: You Can’t Wait for Buy-In—Leadership Means Pushing the Shift — John didn’t wait for excitement or alignment—he took back product leadership and forced the move toward AI. It wasn’t about consensus, it was about momentum. If you’re leading a team through this kind of shift, your job isn’t to ask for permission—it’s to create urgency before it's obvious.Speed Over Specs — Prototypes Are the New Strategy — Homebase moved from 20-page PRDs to live demos built in hours. That switch didn’t just make shipping faster—it changed the way teams learn, think, and listen to customers. The takeaway? Stop planning in the abstract. Ship something real, now.Culture Is the Real AI Roadblock — The hardest part of going AI-first isn’t tech—it’s trust, fear, and inertia. From engineers to support teams, John had to help people reach their “oh shit” moment with AI. That’s when change sticks. Until then, it’s just optional homework. Leaders need to make adoption inevitable.AI Should Bring You Closer to Your Customers, Not Farther — This episode isn’t about chasing shiny tools. It’s about using AI to reduce the noise—so your team can focus more on humans, not less. For John, pragmatic AI is about freeing up time, getting closer to customer problems, and making the org feel smaller, not colder.LinkedIn: John Waldmann | LinkedInHomebase: All-in-one Employee Scheduling, Time Clocks, Payroll, & More | Homebase00:00 Introduction and Initial Reactions to AI00:31 Meet John Waldmann and the Story of Homebase00:53 Reinventing Homebase as an AI-First Company01:46 From PRDs to Prototypes: Building Faster, Learning Smarter05:02 How AI Is Reshaping the Customer Experience09:19 Culture Shock: Resistance, Skepticism, and AI Adoption14:03 The End of SaaS as We Know It?19:34 Leading Through Disruption: Ownership, Urgency, and Org Design25:12 Forcing the Shift: Getting Teams to Embrace AI27:50 Hiring the Unemployed—and Other Nontraditional Talent Bets28:56 Curiosity > Credentials: What to Look for in AI-Ready Teams31:57 New Expectations, OKRs, and Holding Teams Accountable37:10 Serving Small Businesses Better with AI44:52 Final Thoughts: Team Dynamics, Founder Risk, and What’s Next📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of Rebuilding from Inside: How John Waldmann Led an AI Shift Without Breaking His Team |  For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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• Why HR not CTOs Will Lead AI Augmentation - with Joshua Wöhle

  In this episode, Joshua Wöhle, co-founder and CEO of Mindstone, shares how AI can go beyond automation to truly augment thinking, strategy, and workflows. He walks us through the personal rituals and frameworks he uses to spot high-leverage opportunities, and why iteration—not speed—is the real unlock.We explore how non-technical teams can build custom tools without code, why HR is the real AI driver in most orgs, and how the shift from SaaS to tailored internal solutions is reshaping the future of work. Packed with practical insights for anyone ready to move beyond the buzzwords and into real AI-powered productivity.Key Takeaways:AI’s Real Value: Augmentation Over Automation — Joshua explains why the biggest win with AI isn’t cutting tasks—it's using AI to amplify your thinking. If you’re only automating, you’re missing out on AI as a creative and strategic partner.Crack the Code on the "Utility Threshold" — AI should save you time or improve outcomes. If it doesn’t, you haven’t hit the utility threshold yet. Joshua shares how to spot when AI becomes truly useful—and how small tweaks can unlock massive gains.Why You Should Build, Not Buy (No Coding Needed) — Forget pricey SaaS tools. Joshua reveals how anyone—yes, even non-tech teams—can quickly build custom AI solutions that fit their workflow, saving time, money, and boosting flexibility.HR: The Unexpected Hero of AI Adoption — It’s not your CTO driving AI success—it’s HR. Joshua makes the case for why empowering people, not just deploying tech, is key to creating AI-augmented teams that thrive in the future of work.LinkedIn: Joshua Wöhle | LinkedInMindstone: Mindstone - Empower Your Team with Practical AI Skills00:00 Introduction to Joshua Wöhle and Mindstone01:10 Personal Practices for Automation02:35 Early Wins in AI Automation11:23 Levels of AI Proficiency14:59 Utility Threshold in AI24:51 AI in Organizational Structures33:21 Introduction to the Early Space and AI Integration33:45 Joshua's Entrepreneurial Journey and AI Augmentation34:37 Challenges and Breakthroughs with AI35:32 The Evolution of Building with Generative AI37:56 The Future of SaaS and Internal Development40:34 Practical Examples of AI Implementation50:14 The Importance of Iteration and High-Value Tasks54:56 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of Why HR not CTOs Will Lead AI Augmentation - with Joshua Wöhle | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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• What AI Can't Replace – How The Atlantic Deals with Disruption

  In this episode, Nicholas Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic, shares a personal and expansive look at how AI is reshaping creativity, leadership, and human connection. From using ChatGPT in marathon training to rethinking journalism in the age of agents, Nicholas explores AI not just as a tool—but as a thought partner.We dive into cognitive offloading vs. augmentation, the ethics of AI-generated content, and why preserving “unwired” intelligence still matters. He also reflects on leading through disruption, building analog habits, and fostering team-wide experimentation. A rich conversation on staying human in an increasingly automated world.Key Takeaways:Your “unwired” intelligence is your AI superpower — The more human skills you build—like deep focus, emotional presence, and analog thinking—the better you’ll be at wielding AI. Thompson argues that cultivating these unwired abilities isn’t just about staying grounded—it’s about unlocking the full potential of the tools.Don’t fight the storm—gear up and adapt — AI is already transforming media and creative industries. Thompson compares it to a coming storm: you can’t stop it by yelling at the clouds. Instead, embrace it, understand it deeply, and make strategic decisions based on where it’s heading.Leadership means showing, not just telling — As a CEO navigating disruption, Thompson doesn’t just advocate for AI exploration—he models it. From training staff on GPTs to walking the halls and testing ideas live, he treats leadership as a practice of visible experimentation and continuous learning.AI relationships can’t replace real connection—but they can confuse it — Whether it's logging meals with a bot or losing a personalized Enneagram coach to a reset, Thompson highlights the emotional pull of AI and the dangers of relying on digital companions over human ones. Staying socially connected, especially through “third spaces,” is more important than ever.LinkedIn: Nicholas Thompson | LinkedInThe Atlantic: World Edition - The AtlanticWebsite: Home - Nicholas ThompsonX: nxthompson (@nxthompson)Strava: Cycling & Biking App - Tracker, Trails, Training & More | StravaCaitlin Flanagan – Sex Without Women: Article:SexWithoutWomen-TheAtlantic00:00 Introduction to Nicholas Thompson00:11 Navigating the Information Overload01:10 Daily Tech Insights and Tools02:10 Using AI for Content Creation04:39 AI as a Personal Trainer08:02 Emotional Connections with AI12:12 The Risks of AI Relationships16:17 Preparing for AGI and Cognitive Offloading30:26 AI's Impact on Leadership31:10 Navigating AI Competitors32:01 Internal AI Strategies32:49 Ethical Considerations in AI Usage34:07 AI in Journalism and Writing36:32 Practical AI Applications40:27 Balancing AI and Human Skills49:27 Future of AI in Media53:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of What AI Can't Replace – How The Atlantic Deals with Disruption | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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  1:00:45
• Prompting for Originality: How Devin McNulty Is AI-Enabling His Workshop Business

  In this episode, Devin McNulty, founder of Funmentum Labs and creator of Funware, shares how he’s turning fun into a serious engine for creative work. After 15 years of running workshops for Fortune 500s, Devin built an AI-powered facilitation tool that helps hybrid teams generate better ideas—without needing a pro in the room.We explore how he treats AI like a co-facilitator, not a thought partner, and what it means to “pre-train” AI the way you'd brief a human. Devin also unpacks how to turn creative intuition into scalable software—and why levity, timing, and rough ideas can unlock big breakthroughs. A smart listen for anyone building tools, workshops, or teams that need to think more boldly.Key Takeaways:Fun Is a Strategic Tool—Not a Distraction – Devin challenges the assumption that “fun” and “serious work” are at odds. His facilitation method uses play to unlock alignment, compress timelines, and spark better ideas—especially in rooms that normally resist creative approaches.AI Can Facilitate, Not Just Assist – Most teams use AI as a solo tool or sidekick. Devin flips the script—designing AI to act like a group facilitator. Funware injects prompts, rephrases challenges, and even drops well-timed bad ideas to shift group dynamics and drive progress.Pre-training Your AI Is Like Prepping a Human Teammate – One of Devin’s biggest insights: treat your AI agents like collaborators. Build them with clear intent, layer in prompting strategy, and fine-tune them for the moment they’ll be used—just like you’d brief a co-facilitator before a workshop.Productizing Yourself Is the New Playbook – Devin’s journey is a case study in AI-first entrepreneurship—turning deep craft into software. His advice? Start with your workflow, atomize it into repeatable components, and build tools that deliver value with the push of a button.Website: Funmentum™ LabsLinkedIn: Devin McNulty | LinkedIn00:00 Intro to Funmentum Labs & Funware00:38 Why Fun Is a Powerful Work Strategy01:41 Overcoming Skepticism in Serious Workplaces02:27 Techniques to Engage Resistant Teams06:32 Can AI Be Funny? Humor in Corporate Settings08:03 How Funware Uses AI to Drive Group Creativity11:43 Automating Workshops with AI-Powered Prompts14:04 Devin’s Path from Facilitator to AI Builder16:21 Advanced Prompting Techniques in Funware28:34 Creative Prompting: Logos, Personas & Play30:04 Exercises to Push Beyond Obvious Ideas31:35 How AI Unlocks Group Innovation36:55 Pre-Training AI for Better Collaboration43:35 Using AI as Muse, Challenger & Focuser48:46 Final Thoughts📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of Prompting for Originality: How Devin McNulty Is AI-Enabling His Workshop Business | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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  55:50
• How Mihir Shukla Is Reimagining Work With 300 Million AI Agents (and Counting)

  In this episode, Mihir Shukla, CEO and Chairman of Automation Anywhere, shares how he’s building an autonomous enterprise—where AI doesn’t just assist work, but performs it. With over 300 million AI agents in action, Mihir argues the future of work is already here.We dive into how Automation Anywhere automates everything from tax to customer service, how to spot high-impact use cases, and why culture—not tech—is the biggest blocker. Mihir also zooms out to explore the global productivity crisis, the shrinking workforce, and the moral imperative to upskill at scale. A powerful episode on what work can look like when AI is truly embedded.Key Takeaways:Don’t Wait for the Future of Work—Build It - Mihir’s team is already running 300 million AI agents across global enterprises. From automating 90% of tax operations to generating CEO-ready briefings on the fly, he shows how much of today’s work can be autonomous—and how fast it’s scaling.Stalled Productivity? AI Is the Only Way Through - Despite $40 trillion in global IT spend, productivity hasn’t improved since 2008—and now the workforce is shrinking. Mihir argues that doubling productivity isn’t a moonshot—it’s an economic necessity, and AI is our best shot.Change Doesn’t Come from the Top—It Starts with Teams - Transformation doesn’t begin in the boardroom. Mihir shares how just 2 out of 10 employees experimenting with AI can ignite org-wide momentum—if they’re given ambitious goals, proper training, and permission to lead.Upskill the World, One Community at a Time - From the Mississippi Delta to Nepal, Mihir’s upskilling efforts prove that AI fluency doesn’t require a degree—just access. With the right training, someone flipping burgers can land a $120K AI job in three months. Talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn’t.LinkedIn: Mihir Shukla | LinkedInAutomation Anywhere: The Leading Agentic Process Automation System | Automation Anywhere00:00 Introduction to Mihir Shukla & Automation Anywhere01:20 Vision for Autonomous Enterprises03:03 Reimagining Work Processes04:17 Principles of Automation06:12 Challenges and Solutions in AI Adoption09:15 The Importance of AI in Modern Workplaces21:31 Studying and Rethinking Work26:55 The Challenge of Adapting to AI-Powered Workflows27:55 The Impact of AI on Task Management31:24 AI in Customer Service and HR Operations33:03 The Strategic Value of AI in Finance37:30 The Social Impact of AI and Upskilling Initiatives40:40 Final Thoughts and Takeaways 📜 Read the transcript for this episode: Transcript of How Mihir Shukla Is Reimagining Work With 300 Million AI Agents (and Counting) | For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelinJeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.

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  48:47

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