278: Meet the AI Operator That Runs My Business

I spent years in the online course world thinking ChatGPT was basically the whole AI story. It wasn't. In this episode, I talk about what changed when I finally went deeper and built a personal AI operator that helps run my business 24/7. I share what it actually does, why it has been such a game changer for me, and why I think this shift is going to matter for every digital product creator.

I went from using ChatGPT like a chatbot to building an AI operator that now runs parts of my business every single day. In this episode, I break down what changed, how I got out of the "ChatGPT bubble," the 4 levels of AI, what Rocky is actually doing for me now, and why I think this is where things are headed for digital product creators. If you want help building this in your own business, you can learn more here: https://aioperatorbootcamp.com

What does it actually look like to build a seven-figure course business that doesn’t depend on you being “on” all the time? In this episode, I sit down again with Lauren Bateman to talk about what’s changed since her last appearance—and how she’s grown to over $1M per year while keeping her workload lean. We break down her YouTube consistency, simple but powerful A/B testing wins, how she structures her funnel, and why chasing viral content can distract you from the audience that actually buys. If you want a more predictable, sustainable course business, this conversation is packed with practical takeaways. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/VbDIaN68h_E Lauren's Website: https://www.laurenbatemanguitar.com/  🎓 Check out the free workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingWatch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshopFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

Most course creators think the path to success is to go wide first — build a big audience, create a big course, launch to the masses. But what if that’s actually the slowest way to build momentum? In this episode, I sit down with John Meese from Sell Your Smarts to unpack his “Go Wide, Go Deep, Go Long” framework — and why starting with depth (not scale) is often the smartest move. We talk about how to land your first high-ticket clients without ads or social media, how to craft a 10x promise that cuts through the noise, and why we’ve officially entered what John calls “The Age of Insight.” If you’re building (or rebuilding) your online course business in 2026, this conversation will challenge the way you think about offers, audiences, and growth. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1zvGy_pI1NE John's Website: meese.gift/course 🎓 Check out the free workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingWatch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshopFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

If you’ve ever found yourself answering the same questions over and over and thinking, “I should just turn this into a course,” this episode is for you. In today’s conversation, I sit down with Stephanie Gaffney, a live wedding painter who transformed a decade of experience into a premium online program — and did it in a way that actually serves her students and her life. We dig into how Stephanie built The Wedding Painter’s Blueprint, how she priced it confidently at a premium level, and what really went into launching a high-touch course while juggling family life, client work, and a growing business. This is a behind-the-scenes look at what it actually takes to turn creative expertise into a sustainable, scalable offer — without cutting corners or burning out. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/cZsNzcrGv2A Stephanie's Education Website: https://stephaniegaffney.com/ Stephanie's Artist Website: https://torregrossafineart.com/ 🎓 Check out Genesis: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/genesis Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingWatch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshopFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy  

What if you could create 8 long-form videos a day and over 100 pieces of content daily with just a few minutes of your own time? That’s not a hypothetical — it’s exactly what my guest, Julian Goldie, is doing using AI, systems, and some pretty bold experimentation. In this episode, we dig deep into AI avatars, content systems, SEO in the age of ChatGPT, and what authenticity even means anymore. I’ll be honest — I have mixed feelings about some of this. But Julian brings a thoughtful, transparent approach that made me seriously rethink how AI might fit into a modern course business. Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or somewhere in between, this conversation will definitely stretch how you think about content, scale, and leverage. Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/lNP1_N8nP1g Julian’s Website: https://www.skool.com/ai-profit-lab-7462/about Join the AI Profit Boardroom: https://oc.show/aigroup Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingWatch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshopFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

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You’ve probably heard it a thousand times: “Use AI or get left behind.” But if you’re a course creator, that advice can feel like a trap, because the fastest way to “use AI” is also the fastest way to sound generic and lose your voice. In this episode, I sit down with Dan Cumberland, who helps founder-led brands scale with AI without losing their soul, and honestly, this conversation felt like a giant exhale. We dig into how to use AI in a way that keeps your content human, especially when it comes to marketing (the place most course creators get stuck). Dan shares a simple framework to help AI actually sound like you, plus practical examples of using AI inside your course experience to support students at a higher level, without turning your brand into “AI slop.” Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/inOBNS15RfQ Dan's Website: https://dancumberlandlabs.com/   Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy  

In this episode, I sit down with Benny Lewis from Fluent in 3 Months to talk about what it really takes to stand out in a crowded online course space. We dig into how he turned a simple PDF into a global brand, why timing isn’t the barrier people think it is, and what creators should focus on right now to grow. We also get into positioning, pricing, viral content, and the mindset that’s helped Benny stay relevant for over a decade. If you’re wondering how to differentiate yourself or how to start today without feeling “too late,” this conversation is for you. Watch the episode: https://youtu.be/uQqYSBXpZH8 Benny's Website: https://www.fluentin3months.com/ Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coaching Watch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshop Free Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/ Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy

Ever feel like you're building a course based on what everyone else is doing instead of what actually fits your life and your students' needs? In this episode, I chat with speech coach Mike Pacchione—who’s worked with the likes of Amy Porterfield and Donald Miller—about how he’s built a high-impact, low-complexity program that prioritizes feedback and alignment over scale. We explore what it looks like to run a hybrid course, why he doesn't offer a standalone version, and how to design offers around what actually works for you. Watch the Free Workshop: https://oc.show/workshop Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9uRLFc0Di5M Mike's Website: http://speechclub.club/ Sign up for Jacques’ Journal: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/Apply for Coaching: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/coachingWatch the Free Workshop: https://www.theonlinecourseguy.com/workshopFree Kajabi Course and 1 month Trial: http://everyclickkajabi.com/Free Skool Course and 14 day Trial: https://www.skool.com/refer?ref=c725cf8892fe42c8bb37dd7e5ffc2575Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theonlinecourseguy/Threads: https://www.threads.net/@theonlinecourseguyX: https://twitter.com/onlinecourseguy