Episode 99 | Unlock Human + Machine Potential | Zac Engler
In this conversation I sit down with Zac Engler, founder of Bodhi AI, to talk about turning generative-AI hype into practical wins for smaller companies, and why “shadow-AI” bans often backfire.
We cover:
● The moment Zac realised a recruiter could build a full-stack product in three weeks for < $1 k.
● Tactical first steps for any team: discovery sprint → 30/60/90 quick-win plan → agentic workflows.
● The trifurcation of work (AI-only, human-in-loop, human-only) and how to spot the right bucket.
● Why vertical, hyper-niche agents will beat one-size-fits-all models.
● What an 18-month adoption window really means—and how to avoid being “automated chaos.”
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Machine Minds Show Introduction
06:17 Massive Opportunities to Help Business
13:33 Policy that’s Going to Work for the Organization
19:07 Blanket Bans on AI Don’t Work
28:32 Hallucination From an AI System
36:31 The Connection That the Building is Rapport
42:46 Personally Stay Sharp and Avoid Burnout
47:09 Focused on Business Development Using AI to Enhance Business
Guest Links:
Bodhi AI – https://bodhiai.io
Forbes feature: “AI’s Trifurcation of Work” – https://bit.ly/ZEForbes-AITrifurcation
Turning On Machines (Zac’s forthcoming book) – https://www.zacengler.com/buy-book
MN AI Tools directory – https://mnaitools.com
Connect with Zac: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacengler/
Machine Minds:
Samson Rose: https://samsonrose.com/
Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/machine-minds/id1697983733
Google Podcast: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0
Let’s Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/machinemindsshow/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregtoroosian/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/machinemindsshow/