KPHRED Prime Live: Down the Rabbit Hole We Go!

In this episode of KPHRED Prime Live, host Fred “Westvyne.com” McMurray leads a candid, cross-continental roundtable on how artificial intelligence is reshaping critical thinking, creativity, privacy, and human connection. Guests share real-world AI workflows in publishing, coaching, podcasting, and business—and where they draw the line to protect authenticity, intuition, and trust.

Featured Guests:

Barbara Wainwright – Coach, author, and host of The Power of Now podcast

Mary Farias – Co-host of Economy Creators and Author’s Blueprint (Substack: economycreators.substack.com)

Janet Munro – Host of Roots and Branches (adoption stories) and former builder of the world’s largest rocking horse (Guinness World Record)

Valorie Smith (SMD) – Host of the Distinguished Entrepreneur Podcast, co-hosted with Masango Mukwa

Jane Festus – Virtual assistant and host of Tech with Nyla, recording from Accra, Ghana

Amanda Engelke – Founder of Reality Escape Publishing, launching a multi-channel author podcast

Louis (Lewis) Swart – South African entrepreneur, AI consultant, and creator of free business tools for content planning and avatar research

Topics Covered:

- AI as augmented intelligence vs. a shortcut that dulls intuition

- Practical AI workflows: NotebookLM, Replit, ChatGPT, v0.dev, and local/offline AI

- Privacy risks, deepfakes, and family “illogical phrase” authentication

- The “witch hunt” against AI in creative fields and publishing

- Using AI to understand customers’ fears, dreams, and desires without losing human connection

- When NOT to replace humans: coaching, trades, and relationship-driven work

Listen & Subscribe:
Stream at KPHRED.com and subscribe in your favorite podcast app.

KPHRED Prime Live on Spotify at: https://open.spotify.com/show/033CXF7nG1MHoYBlAyt7jd?si=5b34637cfbc64e1d

PHred hosted a landmark broadcast of KPHRED Prime Live, celebrating two years of continuous, 24/7 community-driven radio . The anniversary episode brought together a global panel of experts to reflect on the station's growth, discuss new technology in publishing, and unveil upcoming community initiatives.

The KPHRED Anniversary Guest List
Barbara Wainwright: A co-partner at the Link Local Network and founder of Wainwright Global, Barbara has certified nearly 6,700 life coaches and is the author of Awakening to Divine Purpose.

Deanna and Jeremy Brakefield: Hosts of Neurodivergent News Live, the Brakefields are launching a new show, Neurodivergent News: Faith Unmasked, to help neurodivergent individuals navigate their spiritual relationships.

Jim Treleaven, PhD: A veteran engineer, former president of DeVry University Chicago, and professor of 14 years. He hosts From Idea to Exit and is developing a new series on the complexities of Division 1 sports.

Mary Farias: Host of Economy Creators and a publishing expert who helps podcasters transform their interviews into books. She is also the co-author of Discovering Something Greater.

Janet Munro: Based in Ontario, Janet hosts Roots and Branches Adoption Stories, a show she founded as a memorial to her son to share the diverse experiences of the adoption community.

Jane Festus: Joining from Ghana, Jane hosts Hello Mila, a podcast designed to educate African women on technology careers. She is also active in the Rotary Club's efforts to end human trafficking.

Dave Eshoo: Owner of Helping Hand IT Services and Networking and a board member for Tech for All Tennessee, focusing on digital literacy.

Wilton Adams: An expert in legal technology who helps law firms manage the risks of unmanaged AI and "shadow IT," ensuring private client data remains protected.

Steve Serner: A book marketing veteran and co-founder of the agency Shelf Life. Steve was an early advisor to Goodreads and spent eight years at Amazon before launching his agency.

Spotlight: Turning Podcast Interviews into Books
KPHRED is evolving into a launchpad for authors. Mary Faras and Barbara Wainwright work with hosts to transform podcast content into published works. To support this, Steve Serner utilizes an AI model trained on over seven years of agency data to help authors:

Optimize Retail Presence: Enhancing appearance on Amazon and Goodreads.
Drive Sales: Using data-driven AI to optimize advertising efficiency.
Enhance Discovery: Ensuring broadcast content is accessible to AI Large Language Models (LLMs), making authors more discoverable in an AI-driven world.

Exploring "Roots and Branches Adoption Stories"Janet Munro’s show explores adoption through two primary lenses
:The Roots: Biological origins involving birth parents, adoptees, and adoptive parents.
The Branches: The far-reaching lifelong effects and emotional "scars" of the adoption experience. Janet aims to compile these stories into practical guides to help others navigate the trauma often associated with the adoption community.

The "Wilton Principle" and Legal Tech
PHred highlighted the "Wilton Principle," which advises people to "treat yourself like a continent". In this philosophy, people may "land" on your continent and explore; those who stay and find it interesting become true friends. Professionally, Wilton Adams applies this focused mindset to "policing" AI use in law firms to prevent the inadvertent public sharing of private client information.

Upcoming 2026 Community Events
Starting in October, KPHRED will dedicate at least one day per month to raising awareness and funds for causes chosen by the hosts

October: Women’s Health Awareness is now officially scheduled for the month
November: Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness (led by PHred) and Animal Rescue.

In this latest episode of KPHRED Prime Live, host PHred and co-host Barbara Wainwright lead a powerhouse panel down the "rabbit hole" to answer a critical question: Is entrepreneurial success truly possible in the AI era?
. The discussion moves beyond technology, focusing on the human tenacity required to build a lasting legacy, even as "electric dreams" and automated tools saturate the market
.
The Guest Spotlight
Barbara Wainwright (KPHRED Prime Live): As the co-founder of a network with three billion certified coaches over 20 years, Barbara is now focusing on the synergy between broadcasting and publishing
.
Personal Wisdom: She maintains that "anybody who is an author is also an entrepreneur," as they must have the drive to promote their message to the world
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Mary Farias (Publishing Partner): Mary is the instrumental force behind KPHRED’s new publishing packages designed to bridge the gap between radio and the written word
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Personal Wisdom: She highlights the importance of the "relaunch," noting that many authors struggle with "crickets" until they find the right platform to breathe new life into their work
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Deanna Brakefield (Neurodivergent News Live): The "Queen of Neurodiverency" is expanding her reach with a new spin-off show, Faith Unmasked, set to launch on Sunday mornings
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Personal Wisdom: Deanna warns that while technology is powerful, "AI may give ability, but it does not give aptitude," as it cannot replace specialized knowledge or experience
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Janet Munro (Roots and Branches Adoption Stories): Janet shares deeply personal and often heartbreaking stories from the adoption community, drawing from her own experience as a birth mother
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Personal Wisdom: Drawing from 46 years in business, she advises that the best way to handle client complaints is to provide three distinct options, allowing the customer to always feel they have the power of choice
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Professor Jim Treleaven (Artificial Intelligence / From Idea to Exit): An academic and strategist, Jim provides a "reasoned and knowledgeable perspective" to cut through the clutter of AI misinformation
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Personal Wisdom: He believes the greatest societal risk of technology is the loss of critical thinking, especially in younger generations who rely on devices to do their thinking for them
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Michelle Ralls (The Nutrition Lab): A nurse and holistic functional nutritionist who healed her own cancer through food, Michelle recently launched her third season on YouTube and Substack
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Personal Wisdom: Her mantra for success is simple and direct: "You will not create a business from behind your desk." Success requires getting out, being seen, and building real relationships
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Valerie Smith (Money & Decentralized Banking): A former elementary teacher of 26 years, Valerie is collaborating on a new show to teach the joy and peace found in growing money
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Personal Wisdom: She views money not just as a currency, but as a tool for peace, moving people away from the stress of living paycheck to paycheck
.
Dave Pastor (Entrepreneurial Journeys): A former business owner who grew and sold a specialized high-end textile cleaning plant, Dave now helps others prepare for their own exits
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Personal Wisdom: He emphasizes that for a business to be truly valuable, the owner must build systems so the company can function without them; a business dependent on its owner is a business that cannot easily be sold
.
Aaron (Engaged Coaching Group): A mental wellness coach and author, Aaron helps men move from "survival mode" to fulfillment
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Personal Wisdom: Rooted in a sports philosophy, he teaches that "80% of the game is between your ears," and mastering the mental side is the only way to win in the game of life
.

KPHRED Prime Live: Down the Rabbit Hole We Go!
If attention is the true currency of the modern era, then who’s actually rich? In this engaging roundtable conversation, PHred is joined by Barbara Wainwright, Brian Swift JD, Donna Vanderhoff, Janet Munro, Jim Minick, Jim Treleaven, Lynn Lionhood, Mary Ann Minick, Mary Farias, Michelle Ralls, Noel Powers, Sara Fernandes, and Valorie for a deep discussion on the evolving attention economy and the real value of human connection.

Together, the group explores how live streaming, podcasting, networking, and digital media shape influence in today’s world — and why authenticity, consistency, and community may be worth more than traditional wealth. The conversation also highlights the challenges creators face in capturing and sustaining attention in an era of constant distraction.

Filled with personal stories, entrepreneurial insight, and candid reflections on purpose-driven work, this episode invites listeners to rethink what it truly means to be “wealthy” in a world where focus and connection have become the most valuable assets of all.

Thanks to our guestss:
PHred, Barbara Wainwright, Prof Jim Treleaven, Barbara Wainwright, Brian Swift JD, Donna Vanderhoff, Janet Munro, Jim Minick, Jim Treleaven, Lynn Lionhood, Mary Ann Minick, Mary Farias, Michelle Ralls, Noel Powers, Sara Fernandes,, Valorie Smith

In this episode of KPHRED Prime Live, which aired on Saturday, February 21, 2026, hosts PH Red and Barbara Wainwright investigate how artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the ways we read, write, and publish books. The discussion brings together a diverse group of experts, including book coaches, freelance writers, and digital strategists, to debate whether AI is a tool for empowerment or a threat to human creativity.

The Evolution of the Author's Voice Mick Smith, who is known as the Doctor of Digital, emphasizes that while he uses AI to stay on the bleeding edge of technology, authors must ensure their work reflects their authentic humanity. Joe Moore, the Digital Cowboy, describes AI as a potential superpower that can be millions of times more efficient if writers use custom instructions to mirror their own heart frequency and personal brand. Ronda Payne, a freelance writer known as the Girl with a Pen, cautions that AI cannot replace the emotional depth found in human storytelling, noting that she uses her skills to bring out feelings that technology simply cannot replicate.

Technical Realities and the Publishing Frontier The panel explores the technical "tells" of AI writing, such as the repetitive use of double dashes, which often signal that a machine generated the text. Mary Farias and Janet Munro discuss the shift in the publishing industry, where platforms like Amazon now require authors to disclose if their content is AI-generated. Ronda Payne warns that AI-generated content is often tagged within the text, which means that once you use these tools for writing, you may be surrendering your intellectual property to the model's training data. To combat this, Joe Moore recommends using Google NotebookLM, because it creates a closed loop where the AI only interacts with the specific source material provided by the author.

Cognitive Impacts and the Generational Gap Deanna Brakefield provides a sobering look at how digital reading leads to shallow processing, which is a form of skimming that lacks the deep engagement found when reading physical books. She references studies on digital dementia, suggesting that constant screen time is physically altering the human brain and reducing our cognitive abilities. Mick Smith expresses concern for younger generations who may lose the ability to distinguish between reality and the "matrix" of artificiality, especially as they move away from face-to-face community activities like bowling.

Finding the Human Antidote Despite the technological focus, the guests agree that information is not the same as transformation. Renee Jones, an emotional eating coach, explains that while AI can provide endless diet data, it cannot provide the wisdom or accountability required for true life changes. Mary Farias and others suggest that the best way to stay grounded is through tactile, real-world experiences, such as spending time with horses, which offers a therapeutic connection that no digital tool can mimic.

Leading with Purpose De Boone summarizes the path forward for entrepreneurs and writers, encouraging them to learn, love, and lead. She argues that AI should be used as an on-ramp to share expertise faster, provided that the user remains the "boss" of their digital presence. The episode concludes with a call to maintain human community and critical thinking as we navigate this new era of digital synthesis.

Relevant Links from the Show:
• Janet Munro's Site: https://rootsandbranchesbeta3.brizy.site/
• De Boone Consulting: https://www.deboone.info
• De Boone on Alignable: https://www.alignable.com/hallsboro-nc/de-boone-consulting
• Business With Purpose (AI for Authors): https://businesswithpurpose.org/bwpauthors
• Moltbook (AI Agent Platform): https://www.moltbook.com/post/232ac835-dfc8-4cfa-b19c-94d08699547b
• Hero's Journey Digital Flipbook: https://go.fliplink.me/view/itisyourherosjourney
• AI Safety and Perspectives: https://range.digitalcowboy.io/p9uJpdGW