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Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Michael Pierce
104 episodes
1 week ago
Welcome to Voice First AI — the show where small businesses, founders, and creators learn how to turn conversations into growth systems.

Hosted by Michael Pierce, CTO of SmartOptimize, each episode blends AI innovation, real-world case studies, and mindful leadership to show how conversational AI unlocks freedom for business owners.

Inside, you’ll discover how Ava Protocols and ChatGPT-powered teams can:

Capture every call, lead, and opportunity without burnout.

Automate communication while keeping the human touch.

Transform voice, text, and chat into structured data, insights, and action.

Build a business operating system that scales — and frees you to focus on what matters most.


Whether you’re an entrepreneur tired of missed calls, a tech innovator exploring agent ecosystems, or a leader balancing growth with well-being, this podcast gives you the playbooks, tools, and inspiration to automate the ordinary and pursue the extraordinary.
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Technology
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All content for Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary is the property of Michael Pierce and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Welcome to Voice First AI — the show where small businesses, founders, and creators learn how to turn conversations into growth systems.

Hosted by Michael Pierce, CTO of SmartOptimize, each episode blends AI innovation, real-world case studies, and mindful leadership to show how conversational AI unlocks freedom for business owners.

Inside, you’ll discover how Ava Protocols and ChatGPT-powered teams can:

Capture every call, lead, and opportunity without burnout.

Automate communication while keeping the human touch.

Transform voice, text, and chat into structured data, insights, and action.

Build a business operating system that scales — and frees you to focus on what matters most.


Whether you’re an entrepreneur tired of missed calls, a tech innovator exploring agent ecosystems, or a leader balancing growth with well-being, this podcast gives you the playbooks, tools, and inspiration to automate the ordinary and pursue the extraordinary.
Show more...
Technology
Episodes (20/104)
Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
SmartOptimize AI Adoption Roadmap
In this episode of the Voice First AI podcast, host Michael introduces listeners to SmartOptimize's unique six-phase approach to transforming businesses using AI automation. The podcast discusses how AI can capture and route calls, improving efficiency and ensuring no opportunities are missed. It underscores how AI can convert leads, dispatch responses, and follow-ups, leading to more efficient operations and increased revenue. The podcast also elucidates how AI increases customer retention and collects invaluable customer feedback to drive better business decisions. A highlight of the podcast is the discussion about how AI can automate repeatable workflows and reduce human needs. The concluding part emphasizes the SmartOptimize Difference, which revolves around voice-driven AI automation and gradually integrating AI into operations.
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2 weeks ago
16 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
AI Is Stress-Testing America’s Power Grid — And Nobody’s Ready
In this episode of Voice First AI, hosted by Michael Pierce, listeners explore the physical realities behind AI technology, including its massive energy consumption, the impact they have on global energy policies and the consequent real-life issues that large data centers present for communities. The conversation dives into the significant energy demand of AI hubs which process AI computations, compared with more gradual energy demands from other disruptive technologies like electric vehicles. The growing priority of data centers due to its intense energy needs is shown to be significantly affecting global energy policy and supply distribution. This episode also discusses the international competition for AI leadership, with the significance of cheap and reliable power in gaining the upper hand in AI advancements. Amidst these concerns, it also highlights the potential benefits of AI in optimizing energy infrastructure. Each AI development comes at a cost, making the conversation about AI power consumption crucial in discussing its future. Listeners are reminded that AI scalability depends on current energy and infrastructure investments. This episode ends with a call for potential interviewees for future episodes.
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2 weeks ago
17 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
GPT-5.2 Drops Tuesday: What This Means for You, Your Business, and the Future of AI
In this episode of Voice First AI, host Michael Pierce discusses the latest advancement in artificial intelligence – GPT-5.2. The discussion centers around how this new version of AI will change the game by displaying improved reasoning, faster responses, long-context memory, better understanding of voice and images, and more autonomous behavior. While it is a promising development for small businesses, it will also have a significant impact on the search industry. Ethical considerations and implications related to AI applications also make an important part of the conversation. The episode concludes with a comprehensive checklist to help listeners prepare for the GPT-5.2 update and a final thought on the importance of adaptability in the rapidly advancing landscape of AI technology.
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1 month ago
20 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
How AI Adds $20 Million to Your Business: The Aiva Protocol Suite Valuation Blueprint
The podcast provides a compelling look at how artificial intelligence can significantly improve a franchise's valuation. The central focus was the integration of the Aiva Protocol Suite into a franchise's operations. By automating various elements like after-hours answering, reactivation of customers, lead qualification, follow-ups, online reputation management, and customer care services, businesses can boost their efficiency and reduce operational costs. With real-world examples, it shows how businesses incorporating AI have seen improved bookings, fewer missed opportunities, faster lead qualification, and significant increases in revenue. Such advancements lead to rise in the valuation of a franchise, attracting investors who seek predictable returns and efficient systems. The Aiva Protocol Suite allows the franchises to scale their operations while supercharging their revenue, offering a higher leverage to franchisors and a smoother operation for franchisees.
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1 month ago
18 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
The 90-Day AI Transformation: A Strategic Plan for the Modern Pet Grooming Business
In this episode of Voice First AI, the host Michael guides listeners through the critical role of AI in revolutionizing the pet grooming industry. Detailing the ongoing challenges in the industry, from unmanageable schedules to heightened client expectations, Michael underscores the necessity of embracing advanced AI solutions for modern businesses. He highlights the comprehensive benefits of integrating AI, such as 24/7 client capture, automated client education, uninterrupted productivity, and data-driven decision making. Further, a 90-day AI implementation roadmap is outlined, guiding pet groomers through the process of reclaiming time, increasing revenue, and achieving market dominance. Michael emphasizes that the strategic adoption of AI not only ensures survival but promises market leadership in the rapidly evolving pet grooming industry.
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1 month ago
11 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Understanding the After-Hours Challenge in Pet Care and the AI Solution
In the Voice First AI podcast, hosted by Michael, the challenging issue of maintaining 24/7 availability in the modern pet care industry is discussed. The podcast delves into the importance of answering client calls instantly to build trust and stay competitive in the industry, while highlighting the substantial cost of unanswered calls to the business, the clients, and the operations. With these challenges in mind, the podcast introduces the listeners to the Ai Pet Care Command Center™, an AI-driven assistant named Aiva that handles round-the-clock client interactions without replacing the human staff. Aiva’s benefits, from always-on support and smart resolution to seamless CRM integration and continuous optimization, are detailed. The financial advantages of integrating Aiva, including the potential gross monthly savings and the high ROI it brings, are also explained. Finally, the strategic benefits of the Ai Pet Care Command Center™, such as improved customer experience, trust building, and market leadership, are discussed.
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1 month ago
13 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Is AI Becoming Too Smart for Humans?
The podcast episode hosted by Michael Pierce on Voice First AI addresses the riveting topic of whether artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming too smart for humans. Michael shares his awe-inspiring personal experience with AI’s advanced capabilities in data analysis, hinting at how it's intelligence surpasses human's linear learning. The podcast further explores AI’s rapid learning curve evident in sectors like coding, legal reasoning, design, math and voice AI. While acknowledging AI’s exponential growth and impact on society, the podcast stresses the need for human reskilling, reiterating that AI is here to augment us, not to replace us. Intriguing examples of AI outperforming humans - in medical diagnosis, trading and forecasting, customer service, and conversational design - are also discussed. As the podcast ponders on the future of human-AI coexistence, it emphasizes that albeit AI’s impressive advancements, there are unique human qualities like creativity, emotion, and intuition it cannot replicate.
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1 month ago
19 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Case Study: How ‘Reliable Roofers’ Fixed Its Business in 90 Days with AI
This episode of the Voice First AI podcast focuses on the journey of Reliable Roofers, a roofing company that faced a myriad of challenges as it grew. As the business scaled, they struggled with ineffective lead capture systems, poor sales processes, and a tarnished customer reputation. These issues threatened the business's bottom line and reputation. To resolve these issues, Reliable Roofers turned to Aiva's 90-Day AI Business Transformation program, designed to streamline business operations. The transformation covered three main areas: capturing every lead and eliminating missed calls, increasing sales efficiency and effectiveness, and automating reputation management and relationship-building activities. As a result, the company managed to stabilise its lead capturing process, improved sales conversions, and built a strong customer reputation. Key takeaways from the episode include the importance of automating key business processes, fixing underlying issues before scaling, and the role efficiency plays in scalability.
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1 month ago
7 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
How Automating the Ordinary Makes Room for Human Magic: A Café Story
In this episode of Voice First AI, Michael paints a fascinating picture of how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are revolutionizing the food and beverage industry and beyond. He discusses the modern phenomenon of QR codes replacing traditional menus in cafes, coming up with the concept of these codes doing additional duties like personalized recommendations, direct ordering, and special deals. Michael goes on to elaborate on the potential of AI to create a fully interactive, dynamic, personalized, and conversational experience for customers while simplifying upselling and improving overall service. As AI handles the mundane tasks, it frees staff to focus on building genuine human connections with patrons, sprucing up the hospitality aspect. He also hints at how this transformation from transaction-focused to relation-focused service applies not just to the food and beverage industry, but across varied service businesses. The show closes with Michael's encouraging words about tech freeing us to focus on creating real magic through human interaction.
  • Be Our Guest
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1 month ago
14 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
THE SMARTOPTIMIZE x AMARA COLLECTIVE BRANDING MANIFESTO
In this episode of Voice First AI, Michael delves deep into the mission, vision, and ethos of the company. Centered on the blend of automation with emotional intelligence, Voice First AI aims to provide meaningful, seamless experiences that free up valuable time and boost the enhancement of the human touch. Michael talks about their AI systems, which not only efficiently automate tasks but also show an understanding of human emotions. Besides this, Voice First AI focuses on providing fast implementation, a ruling aspect for entrepreneurs. With tools such as qualification AI and reactivation squads, they work to provide small businesses with big-league skills. Michael also emphasizes the company’s commitment to simplicity, creativity, and generating 'magic' in the context of automation. Ultimately, Michael elaborates on the company’s mission to provide human freedom — time, voice, and the ability to lead a fuller life.
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2 months ago
19 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Designing Your AI Workflow: How to Turn ChatGPT into Your Daily Business Partner
In the newest episode of "Voice First AI", host Michael Pierce delves into the key ways AI can streamline mundane tasks and facilitate business operations specifically, through the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Outlining the concept and potential impact of AI workflows, Michael helps listeners understand the possibility of transforming monotonous tasks into automated system activities. From initiating the process of mapping daily tasks to building prompt systems and syncing business tools, the podcast provides a comprehensive guide to effectively delegate and automate routine operations. Using real-world examples from diverse industries, the discussion highlights how AI like ChatGPT can enhance productivity and efficiency. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to integrate AI workflows into their business operations, starting with simple tasks and progressively moving to more complex workflows.
  • SmartOptimize • Redirecting…
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2 months ago
18 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Rise of the AI Agent: How ChatGPT Is Evolving from Assistant to Operator
In this episode, Michael Pierce explored the shift from chatbots to autonomous AI agents' impact on small businesses. The discussed AI agents can perceive data, make reasoned decisions and act autonomously, unlike chatbots which only generate human-like text in response to prompts. These AI agents can handle customer service, inventory management, and other tasks. The advantages of integrating AI agents into businesses were highlighted, indicating a positive impact on productivity, customer satisfaction, and cost efficiency. Practical steps on how businesses can implement AI agents, including auditing of tasks, building human-AI hybrid workflows, and training staff were given. Additionally, the technology behind AI, such as ChatGPT Alpha, APIs, and automation tools, was also discussed. Michael concluded with a call-to-action for businesses to start identifying tasks AI agents can take on and witnessing the transformative power of AI when implemented. This episode of Voice First AI explores the exciting potential of AI agents in the business world.
  • SmartOptimize • Redirecting…
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2 months ago
13 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Unlocking ChatGPT Alpha: The Next-Gen AI That Changes the Game
The podcast discusses ChatGPT Alpha, an experimental version of the AI model line that comes with advanced capabilities, such as deep context memory and the ability to launch data-fetching tools. It suggests that deploying this innovative technology allows businesses to operate on a level of efficiency and scale that replaces many tasks once needing a human touch. It also highlights that adopting this technology ahead of your competitors could provide a significant market advantage. It then provides a step-by-step plan on how to prepare your business workflows for integration with ChatGPT Alpha. Lastly, it acknowledges potential limitations of the technology, including its experimental nature, implementation costs, and safety and ethic concerns. Despite this, it stresses the importance of early adoption in gaining a competitive advantage.
  • OpenAI tests ChatGPT Agent upgrades powered by new models
  • New ChatGPT o3-alpha model hints at coding upgrade
  • SmartOptimize • Redirecting…
  • How To Use ChatGPT Alpha - UMA Technology
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2 months ago
10 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
The AI Receptionist Revolution: How Smart Businesses Handle Every Call, Every Lead, Every Time
In this episode of the podcast Voice First AI, host Michael introduces Aiva, an AI receptionist designed to efficiently handle incoming calls and disruptions, thereby freeing up time and resources for business owners. Aiva utilizes the Aiva Answering Protocol powered by ChatGPT, an AI that understands the context of conversations and intelligently writes follow-ups. Several success stories illustrate the potential of this technology to eliminate missed opportunities, from scheduling appointments to answering queries after business hours, drastically enhancing customer satisfaction and business efficiency. Michael goes on to discuss the integration of AI receptionist with ChatGPT, emphasizing the massive potential of AI in transforming everyday tasks into opportunities for business growth and efficiency. He concludes by urging listeners to adopt AI systems in their businesses in order to achieve enhanced customer interactions and overall productivity.
  • 🧠 The AIVA Protocol Suite
  • SmartOptimize • Redirecting…
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2 months ago
11 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
ChatGPT for Business: The AI Upgrade Every Company Needs
In this episode of the Voice First AI podcast hosted by Michael Pierce, listeners learn about how ChatGPT -- an AI for automating mundane tasks – is revolutionizing business operations. Michael discusses real-world examples of ChatGPT’s impact, demonstrating how it can improve efficiency, provide consistency, and facilitate business scalability. Specific use cases include automating customer service functions, drafting emails, capturing leads, and developing marketing workflows. Michael also explores tactics for optimizing ChatGPT use in daily workflows, and addresses its potential in increasing business’ ROI by saving employees’ time that can be channeled into strategic activities. The podcast ultimately argues that the combination of AI automation with the human touch can revolutionize business functions, freeing time for strategic, creative pursuits.
  • SmartOptimize • Redirecting…
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3 months ago
13 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
An Agentic AI System that Answers, Revives, and Retains Customers Automatically.
In this episode of Voice First AI, the host, Michael, takes listeners on a deep dive into Ava's 90-Day Business Transformation Plan. The plan, designed to automate and elevate businesses, is broken down into three phases: Stop the Bleeding, Multiply Sales, and Build Long-Term Trust. It aims to automate everyday tasks using agentic voice AI, reducing administrative costs, and improving efficiency. Through the use of AI protocols, Ava seeks to ensure no lead is missed, rekindle interest in old leads, and intelligently gauge new ones. The AI allows for disparate aspects such as handling inbound calls, following up on leads, and even nurturing relationships with customers. By the end of this 90-day plan, businesses can expect to have an agentic system that not only captures and converts potential customers but also retains them. Three special offers including Phase 1 Launch, Full 90-Day System, and the Enterprise Custom package are available as per different business needs. The goal is to provide service-based businesses with a cost-effective tool that allows for scalable efficiency and business growth.
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3 months ago
14 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
The episode of "Voice First AI" podcast covers the importance of automation in saving time and increasing productivity in businesses. The host discusses the potential of voice technology to automate routine administrative tasks, which can free up business owners to focus on growth and innovation. The host shares his personal story of using Ava Protocols, a voice technology tool, to manage client communications and schedule meetings, thereby reducing burnout and reclaiming time for creative thinking. The tool's ability to categorize calls and trigger workflows based on the conversation's context is also discussed. A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to highlighting the transformative power of conversation as a new operating system for businesses. The host concludes the episode by encouraging listeners to check out their free training to optimize AI implementation in their businesses.
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3 months ago
13 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Business as a Path to Service: From Transaction to Transformation
In Michael's episode of Voice First AI, the focus is on transforming business from transactional to transformational approaches. The episode starts with the idea of viewing business as an act of service, shifting from just selling to solving client's problems, emphasizing the importance of enhancing community and well-being. Next, the concept of shifting from hustle to flow is discussed, with suggestions on how to attract clients who align with your value, grounded by clearly defined purpose. The podcast then moves on to talking about spiritual sales, a soul-centered model of selling that focuses on genuine transformation, reflecting true value in pricing, and redefining success. Combining technology with human aspects, the podcast explores using AI to amplify human connections, creating efficiency without losing the personal touch. Lastly, the show encourages listeners to think about their legacies, transforming daily chores into inspiring acts of kindness, and how this impact and influence could outlast them. The podcast suggests combining all these factors to create a service-oriented, purpose-led, and legacy-driven business.
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3 months ago
11 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
How I Taught a Robot to Pay My Rent (And Other Lucrative AI Hustles)
The first episode of the Voice First AI podcast explores the fascinating intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and cryptocurrency. It uncovers AI's journey in finance, highlighting its early use in trading algorithms in the 70s and 80s and its more recent adoption in the volatile crypto market. The podcast looks at how AI, particularly deep learning, can analyze data beyond human capabilities for better market predictions. A review of current tools like Google's DeepMind and IBM's Watson offers a glimpse of how these resources are shaping crypto trading. The host also speculates about future tools likely to leverage advancements like quantum computing. The episode additionally discusses AI's role in risk management and provides examples of its real-world applications, such as fraud detection and market analysis. The podcast urges caution in investing, warning against over-reliance on AI due to its fallibility during market anomalies. Further, it emphasizes the importance of choosing credible AI tools, maintaining a healthy skepticism, and making informed decisions.
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3 months ago
15 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Why Every Small Business Needs an AI Answering Agent Now
The podcast episode from Voice First AI, hosted by Michael, discusses the serious impacts of missed business calls and offers an innovative solution: an AI-powered voice assistant named AIVA. Michael starts the episode by emphasizing how missed calls translate directly to financial losses and even potential long-term customers. Then, he introduces listeners to AIVA, an AI assistant that never sleeps and efficiently manages every call, even providing a personalized experience for customers. Michael elaborates on how businesses, especially high-impact sectors such as service professionals, realtors, and stylists, could greatly benefit from AIVA's capabilities and efficiency. He compiles real-world success stories, compares traditional voicemail with AIVA, and explores how AI answering services can increase conversion rates, recover bookings, and reduce stress. Ultimately, Michael encourages listeners to leverage AIVA's services, noting that missed opportunities can be eliminated, leading to better revenue growth and a significant reduction in lost leads.
  • Michael Pierce | Linktree
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4 months ago
13 minutes

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary
Welcome to Voice First AI — the show where small businesses, founders, and creators learn how to turn conversations into growth systems.

Hosted by Michael Pierce, CTO of SmartOptimize, each episode blends AI innovation, real-world case studies, and mindful leadership to show how conversational AI unlocks freedom for business owners.

Inside, you’ll discover how Ava Protocols and ChatGPT-powered teams can:

Capture every call, lead, and opportunity without burnout.

Automate communication while keeping the human touch.

Transform voice, text, and chat into structured data, insights, and action.

Build a business operating system that scales — and frees you to focus on what matters most.


Whether you’re an entrepreneur tired of missed calls, a tech innovator exploring agent ecosystems, or a leader balancing growth with well-being, this podcast gives you the playbooks, tools, and inspiration to automate the ordinary and pursue the extraordinary.