Start Small, Think Big is your practical guide to AI, automation, data, analytics, and business process improvement hosted by Brad Groux (CEO), and Robert Groux (CTO) from Digital Meld. Each episode explores actionable insights, real-world applications, and expert advice, featuring guest interviews, the latest industry news, and engaging discussions. Join us as we demystify technology and share strategies that can help any business innovate, scale effectively, and stay ahead in a rapidly changing business landscape.
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What is Start Small, Think Big - A podcast and newsletter that guides you on your AI and Automation journey.?
Start Small, Think Big - A podcast and newsletter that guides you on your AI and Automation journey. is a technology podcast hosted by Digital Meld, with 37 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.
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Digital Meld hosts Start Small, Think Big - A podcast and newsletter that guides you on your AI and Automation journey., a technology show with 37 episodes published.
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Episode #37
AI Still Needs Your Judgment, with Doug Gabbard | Episode #0037
Sep 3, 202656 minS1
AI can help you finish the work. It cannot take responsibility for whether the work is right. Doug Gabbard, Principal Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft and the creator behind Practicing Photography, joins Brad Groux and Robert Groux to talk about using AI where it actually helps: learning unfamiliar creative tools, finding buried knowledge, improving scripts, and turning experience into better requirements. Doug shares how he uses screenshots to get help in Photoshop and Lightroom, builds agents around departmental SharePoint knowledge, and brings engineering discipline to his photography workflow. We also get into the limits: confident wrong answers, missing security requirements, the future of entry-level learning, and why people skills still matter. The question to take back to your next project: What did I miss? Takeaways Start with a real task you understand, not a tool you want an excuse to use. Give AI the relevant context: source material, desired outcome, constraints, and what failure looks like. A script that runs is not automatically secure, scalable, or ready for other people to use. Ask for criticism and missing requirements, then check the response against evidence. Use AI to repurpose your own ideas without handing over your point of view. Keep learning the fundamentals—and learn to explain them to people. Resources discussed Microsoft Adobe Photoshop Adobe Lightroom ChatGPT Gemini Claude Microsoft Copilot SharePoint Backblaze Azure Blob Storage Synology n8n Supabase OpenClaw PowerShell Microsoft Sentinel Microsoft Agent Builder quick start (PDF) Follow Doug Practicing Photography YouTube LinkedIn Follow Start Small, Think Big Find the podcast, newsletter, and our other channels: https://linktr.ee/digitalmeld More episodes and articles: https://digitalmeld.io/podcast/ Recorded February 19, 2026. Product availability, pricing, and policies discussed reflect the conversation at that time. Doug shares his own experience; this is not an official Microsoft product announcement. Recorded and edited using Riverside — https://go.sstb.ai/riverside (affiliate link). Affiliate disclosure: Some links above are affiliate links. Digital Meld may earn a commission if you purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
The AI Operating Model: Governance, Brand Experience, and Execution for Business | Episode #0035
Feb 27, 20261h 3mS1
<p>Follow the SSTB Newsletter. Special thanks to Allen Martinez , and check out BXAIOS.</p><p><br></p><p>Summary</p><p>In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad Groux and Allen Martinez delve into the intricate relationship between AI, governance, and brand experience. They discuss the importance of coherence in AI systems, the necessity of establishing a solid governance framework, and the role of accountability and receipts in AI operations. The conversation also touches on the challenges of shadow IT, the significance of capturing corporate knowledge, and the evolving landscape of AI in business processes...
Vibe Coding vs Real Systems: The Truth About Shipping AI and AI Agents in Production | Episode #0034
Feb 20, 202655 minS1
<p>Follow the SSTB Newsletter. Special thanks to Matt Dorman, and check out NDEVR.</p><p><br></p><p>Summary</p><p>Building scalable digital systems doesn't require reinventing the wheel—it requires understanding what problem you're actually solving. In this episode, Brad Groux talks with Matt Dorman, co-founder of NDEVR, about the intersection of AI, automation, and business process optimization. They explore how mid-market companies can punch above their weight class by choosing the right tools, establishing process maturity before implementing automation, and navigating the gap between hype and delivery. From vibe coding as a proof-of-concept tool to governance fr...
How a Non-Tech Entrepreneur Uses AI 100 Times a Day, with Randy Gage | Episode #0033
Jan 27, 202652 minS1
<p>Follow the SSTB Newsletter. Special thanks to Randy Gage.</p><p><br></p><p>Summary</p><p>In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, host Brad Groux welcomes Randy Gage, an entrepreneur and author with a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and personal growth. Randy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled youth, including time spent in jail, to becoming a successful coach and advocate for entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the transformative power of AI, not just as a technological tool but as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Randy discusses how he has...
AI Automation That Pays Off: Speed-to-Lead and Reactivation with Michael Elliott | Episode #0032
Jan 23, 20261h 2mS1
<p>Follow the SSTB Newsletter.</p><p>Special thanks to @michaelelliottai.</p><p><br></p><p>Summary</p><p>In this episode, Brad Groux and Michael Elliott discuss the transformative power of AI and automation in business. Michael shares his personal journey from struggling with depression to becoming a successful entrepreneur managing multiple seven-figure businesses. They explore the importance of authenticity in content creation, the need for business leaders to embrace automation, and practical advice for non-technical teams looking to implement AI solutions. The conversation emphasizes the significance of focusing on impactful actions and leveraging technology to streamline processes and enhan...
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