Tech Leader John Porter explains what AI actually does for business and how companies are really using artificial intelligence to optimize workflows, improve scalability, and solve operational problems. Luckily for us, he has joined us for the 31st episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast!!

In Episode 31 of the Plant Your Flag podcast, Mike Bean sits down with John Porter to discuss using AI tools safely and responsibly in businesses. They also discuss the business John Porter founded, Squared Sigma, which helps other businesses optimize work processes, solve business problems, and improve scalability for large clients and small solo entrepreneurs.

John Porter is a veteran in the tech industry, working for major companies like Oracle, SAP, DecisionLink, and Xfactorio. Now he has founded his new business, Squared Sigma, where he provides AI solutions to everyday business problems to give entrepreneurs and employees their time back and to improve efficiency for everyone.

In this episode, we'll discuss:
- How businesses are actually using AI today
- Common mistakes companies make when adopting AI
- How AI improves productivity and scalability
- Why AI isn’t replacing jobs the way people think
- How entrepreneurs can leverage AI without technical experience

Thank you for joining us on episode 31 of the Plant Your Flag podcast. If you want to see more of the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

—-===CHAPTERS===—

00:00 - Intro
01:06 - Building business solutions
03:53 - Optimizing value opportunities
05:42 - AI in the tech industry
06:47 - How to correctly use AI in your business
07:42 - What John Porter and Squared Sigma does for technology and business
09:58 - Not using AI recklessly
11:44 - Becoming an entrepreneur
13:06 - Solving problems and optimizing work processes
14:53 - What motivates John Porter
16:08 - Helping businesses thrive
18:34 - Curiosity and corporate tech
21:45 - The support system behind a successful entrepreneur
25:58 - Being stuck in the corporate world
26:59 - AI is not causing layoffs in tech
28:11 - The good and bad ways to use AI in business
30:04 - Why should I use a solution
31:30 - How to contact John Porter about leveraging AI
33:22 - Outro
33:57 - Outtakes

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

Bill Neu, an entrepreneur, real estate agent, and now family hero, is our newest addition to our collection of outstanding entrepreneurs on the Plant Your Flag Podcast! On the 30th episode of the podcast, old coworkers and friends Bill Neu and Jer speak about Bill's new business, Gramma's house.

Gramma's house isn't your regular construction business. Bill started this concept to help the elderly age in place by making modifications to their homes. Bill Neu is adamant that no one wants to go to a nursing home, and through his business, he can help your grandparents live in their homes much longer and much safer.

Starting a business is a very hard thing to do, but if you do something you love that gets you out of bed each morning that truly matters to you, there is nothing more rewarding.

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast if you liked the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

To find out what really happens when you bet yourself, you may have to try to find success the hard way. Starting your own business might be the riskiest and hardest thing you can do. On the Plant Your Flag podcast, we seek out these incredible entrepreneurs who bet on themselves and take that leap to plant their flags.

On the 29th episode of the Plant Your Flag Podcast, Mike and Jer discuss the most recent business owners, entrepreneurs, and flag planters who told their business startup stories.

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast if you liked the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Want to be a guest on PYF? https://youtu.be/53spFvBjlJk

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

Depression and mental health have long been stigmatized in America. Dan Lukasik is here to share his depression journey on the 28th episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast. He has gone through his own battle with depression as a lawyer and has made it his mission to help those with mental illness all over the country.

He has made two documentaries about depression and mental illness, one about his brother, "My Brother Lost in Time: a Bipolar Life," and another about a young boy Dan Lukasik mentored titled "Travels with George: A Journey Through Depression Connection and Friendship."

Dan Lukasik is now the NYS Judicial Wellness Coordinator, Lawyer, a Filmmaker, a Law Professor, a Well-Being Advocate & CLE Presenter, and a Keynote Speaker who addresses problems with mental illness and depression in the legal world and far beyond.

Dan sat down with Mike today to tell his story of his journey with depression, but also to share the motivation and making of his two films, as well as how businesses can and should care about mental health in the workplace. Dan also shares many more insights, stories, and more on the 28th episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast.

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast if you liked the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

The Plant Your Flag Podcast returns in 2026 with our newest guest, Nic Lalich! Nic is the founder and business owner of 86400 Entertainment. A company focused on producing shows for concerts and musicians.

Nic has been a long-time ally for us at Bean Media Productions, so its an honor having him on to talk about how he started his business. Nic has worked in many roles in his life, including being a representative for Meta, and he has translated his skills and his relationships into his business.

This is another long one, so get strapped in and stay tuned for another amazing story about business, success, achieving your dreams, and planting your flag!

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast if you liked the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

The business podcast of Buffalo is back! This episode is a compilation of the best moments from all of our guests and all of the diffrent episodes from 2025.

We look forward to seeing how the podcast evolves in 2026, and we hope you'll join us for more business stories, expert advice, and exciting Buffalo action!

Thank you for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast. If you liked this podcast, be sure to check out our other episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Do you want to be a guest on the podcast? https://youtu.be/53spFvBjlJk

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

Will AI steal our jobs?!? Digital Marketing Experts discuss their unique insights into AI and business on the 26th episode of the Plant Your Flag Podcast. There is so much to unpack with AI in business and digital marketing. What can AI do for me?

Organic and paid ads both rely on AI tools to put the right content in front of the right audience for conversion. You can see this with Google's AI Max, previously Performance Max, and now with Meta's Andromeda.

These AIs are designed to make the job of digital marketers easier, but will the computer intelligence end up ruining their jobs entirely? Will AI destroy advertising altogether?

These questions and much more are discussed in this colossal episode of The Plant Your Flag Podcast. Mike and Jer are here to teach you what to be wary of and what to take advantage of for your business.

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/762c1F00LAMJXBSTATQ8gL?si=7695a335d2044918&nd=1&dlsi=85f6ed7dae244c6f
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plant-your-flag-with-bean-media/id1736171111

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!

Welcome to Episode 25 of The Plant Your Flag Podcast. Our guest is Kate Glaser! TV Journalist, Entrepreneur, Founder of Hope Rises News Non-Profit, Hope Rises Network, and a Western New York Community Leader!

Kate Glaser is our biggest star to date on The Plant Your Flag Podcast, and we're very glad she decided to come on and share her story with us! Jer is also back in the host seat, bringing us good questions and good times.

Special Guest Kate Glaser tells us her story of how she got started and how she founded her nonprofit Hope Rises News, a station dedicated to telling stories of uplifting deeds and spreading kindness and care in the community. In the episode of the Podcast, Kate shares with us her philosophy for doing good and keeping up with running her nonprofit, as well as who she is and what inspired her to "plant her flag" and start her mission

Thanks for joining us on another episode of the Plant Your Flag podcast if you liked the podcast, be sure to check out our other podcast episodes on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

=== Find Us! ===
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeanMediaProductions
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beanmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bean-media-productions/
Website: https://www.beanmediaproductions.com/

Watch the video on YouTube on the Bean Media Channel!

This podcast will be dedicated to the fearless ones who decided to stick their flag in the ground and start their venture. We will continue to talk about the entrepreneurship world and feature guests who inspire us and keep us going. Stay tuned!