As a seasoned business and leadership coach, Kari Lotzien takes listeners behind the curtain of 2025 to reveal the real patterns shaping small business and where the biggest opportunities (and caution flags) lie in 2026. Drawing from private coaching sessions, the Anchored Leadership Academy, and her trusted membership community, Kari brings together powerful insights from across industries.

If you're a small business owner looking for clarity, connection, and direction as you plan for the year ahead, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.

Key Topics Discussed:

2025 in Review:

• The 3 phases of AI adoption Kari observed in business (curiosity → chaos → cautious strategy)
• How AI created both a surge in innovation and a “trust recession”
• The slow, strategic buyer: why trust-building took longer and how to adapt

What’s Coming in 2026:

• The 4-part strategy Kari believes small businesses must embrace to thrive:

1. Get Real – authenticity over polish
2. Get Clean – simplify your offerings and processes
3. Amplify Human Connection – bring back personal touch in a digital world
4. Collaborate – leverage aligned partnerships without growing your team

AI + Human Synergy:

• Why 2026 isn’t about “AI vs. people,” but how well you balance automation with deep personal service
• Real examples of how AI can support both life and business (from meal planning to creative brainstorming)

Small Business Advantage:

• How staying small and nimble allows for deeper trust and customization
• Practical insights from Kari’s work with real leaders inside her Anchored programs
  

It's clear that small business success in 2026 won’t be about doing more, it will be about doing what matters, better. By embracing simplicity, leading with authenticity, leveraging AI thoughtfully, and building trusted partnerships, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to thrive in a rapidly shifting landscape. This is your moment to step into leadership, refine your strategy, and reconnect with the human side of business. The future belongs to those who are willing to evolve and do it with heart.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you.

Work with Kari:

• Anchored Leadership Academy
• Private Business and Leadership Coaching

Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:

• Website: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd
• Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Linked In: Kari Lotzien

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this eye-opening episode of Be the Anchor, Kari is joined by Meg Clarke, founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency helping small businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. If SEO has ever felt overwhelming or if AI feels like it’s changing too fast to keep up, this conversation is your new best friend.

Meg breaks down the shifts from traditional Google search to AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. More importantly, she explains how AI is holding us accountable to show up consistently and authentically across platforms and how that's actually great news for small business owners who are just being themselves.

From personal branding to practical visibility tips, Meg and Kari dive into real strategies that help you get found without needing to game the system.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why AI is not replacing SEO but how it’s changing the game.
• How to show up in a way that earns trust from AI (and your audience).
• The surprising role LinkedIn, podcasts, and YouTube play in visibility.
• Why personal Instagram content may actually confuse AI.
• How custom GPTs can simplify and amplify your business operations.
• Real-life examples of using AI as a team member not a threat.
• Meg’s favorite visibility hacks you can implement today.
• What “authenticity” really means when it comes to online presence.
  

Whether you’re just beginning to explore SEO and AI or you’ve been navigating the digital landscape for a while, this episode is a powerful reminder that visibility doesn't have to mean overwhelm. As Meg so beautifully shared, showing up consistently, clearly, and authentically is not only enough, it's exactly what both your audience and AI are looking for.

Meg Clarke is the founder of Clapping Dog Media, an SEO and AI visibility agency that helps local businesses get found by Google and recommended by AI. Based in Northern Virginia, she leads a team that blends strategy, data, and heart to help clients grow online. A sought-after speaker and former Wheel of Fortune contestant, Meg is known for making SEO approachable, effective, and even a little fun.

Connect with Meg and learn more about her incredible work here:
www.clappingdogmedia.com
www.linkedin.com/in/clappingdogmedia

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you.

Work with Kari:

• Anchored Leadership Academy
• Private Business and Leadership Coaching

Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:

• Website: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd
• Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Linked In: Kari Lotzien

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this powerful and timely episode of Be the Anchor, Kari Lotzien dives into a conversation that many are having behind closed doors but it’s time to bring it into the light.

Are we raising and employing a generation that lacks grit, resilience, and accountability? Or are we missing a deeper opportunity to lead differently?

Kari explores the cultural shift from hyper-independence to overprotection and how both employers and young professionals are caught in the middle. Drawing from her 25 years of experience working with youth and leaders, Kari challenges business owners and leaders to reflect on their own relationship with discomfort and how that directly impacts their teams.

This episode will spark self-reflection, uncomfortable truths, and ultimately, a new way to support growth, resilience, and leadership in both ourselves and others.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why resilience doesn’t grow in comfort
• The leadership challenge of holding space for discomfort
• How cultural shifts have changed the resilience landscape
• The 4-quadrant model of support vs. challenge (from Challenging Coaching)
• Why avoiding conflict leads to business stagnation
• The dance of high support & high challenge leadership
• Questions to ask instead of giving quick solutions
• How to build true grit in your team without micromanaging
  

Growth isn’t supposed to be comfortable but it is worth it.

If this episode sparked something in you, whether it was a nudge of recognition, a moment of truth, or a new perspective then you’re exactly where you need to be.

The Anchored Leadership Academy was built for business owners and leaders just like you, those who are ready to stop reacting and start leading with purpose. In this 12-week, high-impact program, you’ll develop the tools to lead with clarity, confidence, and courage. No fluff - just practical, tested strategies that work in real life and real business.

The next cohort starts in January. Spots are limited.

🔗 Learn more and book your discovery call here.

Listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—start building a business that works for you—not just because of you.

Work with Kari:

• Anchored Leadership Academy
• Private Business and Leadership Coaching

Contact Kari Lotzien | Be the Anchor:

• Website: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Facebook: BeTheAnchorLtd
• Instagram: BeTheAnchor.ca
• Linked In: Kari Lotzien

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.