What do failing AI pilots, digital identity, and leadership burnout have in common?

They're all part of this week's bold conversations from Top Voices where change-makers, culture-shapers, and future-focused leaders dive into the challenges and opportunities defining tomorrow. If you're building trust in a tech-heavy world, rethinking how you show up online, or leading teams through uncertainty, this is your weekly spark.

From corporate AI pitfalls to comment strategy wins, this week’s Top Voices edition puts people—not platforms—at the heart of innovation. Whether you're navigating AI adoption in enterprise, leading through burnout, building equity in Web3, or transforming how your content performs on LinkedIn, these conversations highlight the real drivers of impact: trust, safety, and community.

Whether you're an executive navigating transformation or a creator shaping culture, these voices will challenge, equip, and energize you to lead with clarity and courage.

Top Voices Tuesday: The Realities of AI in Big Companies

AI is everywhere but traction is elusive. From healthcare systems to retail chains, enterprises are rolling out sophisticated AI platforms, only to watch them stall in the pilot phase. Despite massive investments, most initiatives struggle to gain real momentum on the ground.

Behind the tech failure is a human reality: most organizations underestimate just how much behavioral change, trust, and psychological safety are required to adopt AI meaningfully. Fear of job loss, lack of clarity, and top-down rollouts create resistance before the first success metric is even measured.

In this insightful episode of Top Voices Tuesday, host Michael Lopez welcomes Jeff Frick, Executive Producer of Work20XX and Turn the Lens, to explore how enterprise teams can move beyond the hype and into sustainable, inclusive AI adoption—where innovation is driven by trust, not urgency.

Takeaways from the Episode

“The data says 95% of enterprise pilots fail. We don’t have a technology problem—we have an adoption problem.” – Jeff Frick

Frick highlights that the failure of enterprise AI often stems from top-down initiatives disconnected from frontline user needs. According to a Capgemini report, only 10% of companies achieve significant business value from AI.

“I can generate insights walking my dog just by speaking into my phone.” – Jeff Frick

Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Bard have unlocked supercomputing-level reasoning using nothing but natural language. Frick views conversational AI as the ultimate equalizer—giving non-technical professionals access to predictive insights and decision-making support.

“You don’t need buy-in from everyone. Focus on the 8% who’ll adopt first—then let them pull others in.” – Jeff Frick

Frick advises leaders to use the Diffusion of Innovations model—target early adopters, then equip them as trainers. Peer learning outpaces compliance-based training. This mirrors successful strategies seen in AI medical imaging rollouts and predictive analytics in retail.

Stat to Support: McKinsey found that companies using social learning groups for AI had 3x faster internal adoption (McKinsey 2023 AI Report).

“We overestimate how fast we can deploy tech, and underestimate how long it takes people to shift their mindset.”
— Michael Lopez, Host of Top Voices Unite

This sets the tone for the entire episode reminding leaders that behavioral change is the real transformation.

“People will change behavior to belong, not because you asked them to.”
— Jeff Frick, Executive Producer, Work20XX

Together, these two statements emphasize that technology adoption is a human journey first, and a systems process second.

This episode isn’t just a conversation—it’s a wake-up call for C-suites, team leads, and innovators navigating the real-world trenches of enterprise AI. As Frick revealed, tech isn’t the hard part—people are. Whether you're implementing AI in healthcare, testing conversational AI, or scaling predictive analytics in retail, your success depends on behavior-first strategies, not hype-driven rollouts.

Adopt slowly, learn socially, and scale what sticks.

Replay + Resources

📺 Watch the Full Episode of "The Realities of AI in Big Companies with Jeff Frick"

• In YouTube

• In LinkedIn: Companies, Teams, Jobs, and the AI Shift: Separating Fear from Fact. with Jeff Frick

Connect with speakers: 

•  Jeff Frick in LinkedIn and 
• Learn more: https://www.work20xx.com/

Join the next episode of Top Voice Tuesday with Jenny Fernandez, MBA on September 16 at 12:00 PM EST on LinkedIn Live. Register here!

📬 Get the most of the insights from our featured Top Voices in this episode!

• Learn from Michael’s latest thinking on change and transformation, along with current topics discussed on the Top Voice Tuesday Podcast and subscribe.

From Views to Value Turning Your Comments into Credibility

Big views. Low results. That’s the trap most fall into on LinkedIn. This week on Blue TV, our host Denise Murtha Bachmann, LinkedIn Top Voice and  Sellovatorz, Inc founder.revealed one of the biggest missed opportunities: how commenting on your own posts can turn fleeting visibility into meaningful engagement and credibility.

“Posts should be the start of the conversation—real visibility happens in the comments.” – Denise Murtha Bachmann

Denise’s 4 Commenting on Your Own Post Strategy

Denise didn’t just talk about analytics—she showed us how to act on them by shifting focus from vanity numbers to purposeful engagement.

🔹 Define Your Intent – Before posting, know the goal of your content and your comments: spark conversation, add depth, or invite responses.

🔹 Analyze Who’s Commenting – A few thoughtful prospects engaging in your comments are more valuable than hundreds of silent views.

🔹 Leverage the First Hour – Commenting within the first 30–60 minutes can be the difference between 500 views and 5,000.

🔹 Quality > Quantity – A strong comment that adds context, a story, or a question can build more credibility than ten shallow replies.

💡 Stats to Know:

47% year-over-year increase in engagement with LinkedIn Newsletters (Social Media Today)

What You Can Do Now

• Add a follow-up question in your own comments to spark dialogue.
• Share quick takeaways or stories below your post instead of cramming everything into the caption.
• Tag people who add genuine value to the conversation.
• Review your top posts: did you show up in the comments, or just hit publish and leave?

Let’s Talk 💬

Do you currently comment on your own posts—or are you leaving that growth opportunity untouched?

Replay + Resources

📺 Replay the Full Episode
Boost Reach: The Art of Commenting on Your Own Posts

🔷 Learn from our Top Voice Denise Murtha Bachmann
→ Company Website: Sellovatorz

🔷 Book a 1:1 Sales Strategy Call with Denise: Motion Task & Scheduling

Top Voices Unite: Building Leadership Culture That Energizes and Endures

Leadership today isn't just about performance metrics—it's about energy, empathy, and evolution. In this compelling episode of Top Voices Unite, host Nikki Estes welcomes Jose Kiggundu, founder of Better Together, to explore what it takes to build leadership cultures that truly endure in high-growth, high-change environments.

Jose brings a people-first lens to transformation, drawing from his background in human-centered leadership and psychological safety. This isn't about burnout-proofing your team, it's about fueling them to thrive.

Takeaways from the Episode

1. Leadership Culture Is a Living System, Not a Static Framework

“Culture isn’t built through strategy decks. It’s built in conversations, decisions, and daily modeling.” — Jose Kiggundu

“When I walk into a company, I don’t look at posters—I watch how people talk when no one’s watching.” — Nikki Estes

Leadership culture evolves with people, not policies. Jose and Nikki stress that the behaviors, tone, and shared values across all levels—especially in unscripted moments—shape what endures.

2. Psychological Safety Fuels Innovation, Not Just Retention

“The cost of silence is higher than the cost of a mistake.” — Jose Kiggundu

“I’ve seen teams become 10x better not by adding more tech, but by allowing one person to finally say what everyone was thinking.” — Nikki Estes

Psychological safety isn't just an HR trend—it’s a measurable performance driver. It empowers team members to speak, challenge, and learn without fear—essential in high-stakes, fast-moving industries.

“You can’t calendar your way out of burnout.” — Nikki Estes

Leaders must stop treating people like machines. Jose and Nikki both highlight energy—not time—as the most critical resource. Autonomy, recovery, and motivation drive long-term engagement.

4. Community-Driven Leadership Is the Future

“Community is the new currency of leadership.” — Jose Kiggundu

“It’s not about being the hero anymore. It’s about building a room where everyone’s a co-author.” — Nikki Estes

Traditional hierarchies are being replaced by ecosystems of trust and contribution. Building culture around shared ownership and inclusive voices leads to deeper connection and innovation.

From Leading to Lasting

Jose Kiggundu doesn’t just talk about leadership, he lives it through community, energy, and enduring values. In this episode, he reminds us that the best leaders aren't the loudest in the room or the busiest on their calendars; they're the ones creating cultures that can sustain momentum long after they’ve left the meeting.

Leadership that energizes doesn’t come from pressure—it comes from presence. Whether you're in retail analytics, AI for customer experience, or enterprise development, your culture is your brand. And your leadership determines whether it thrives—or simply survives.

Organizations need to stop chasing short-term productivity hacks and start investing in long-term leadership infrastructure. That means building systems of psychological safety, decentralized ownership, and cultural clarity—especially in times of rapid tech-driven change.

“Leadership isn't a title or a moment—it's a movement.” — Jose Kiggundu

Replay + Resources

📺 Catch the full Live with Top Voices Unite episode here: Building Leadership Culture That Energizes and Endures

Explore more from our Voices of the Week host and guest speaker in this episode!

• Connect with Jose Kiggundu for more on people-first leadership and culture design.
• Connect with Nikki Estes CEO of Market Me More and founder of Top Voices Unite and Emerging Voices Unite, helping leaders navigate AI, generational shifts, and visibility with integrity.

🗞️ Subscribe for More to get behind-the-scenes leadership insights and community updates from Nikki Estes, Top Voices, Emerging Voices and the Market Me More team.

• Market Me More
• Top Voices Unite
• Emerging Voices Unite

CryptoZombies 7: The Rise of Self-Sovereign Identity and Women in Web3

In a space often criticized for decentralization without direction, Maryam Beria brings clarity, courage, and community. Hosted by Nick Larson. This episode of CryptoZombies goes far beyond NFT hype. It dives into the promise and pitfalls of self-sovereign identity (SSI), the gender gap in crypto leadership, and the real-world use cases that can make or break Web3’s future.

This isn’t about coins or clout, it’s about constructing digital freedom for the next generation.

Top 4 Takeaways

1. Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI) is the cornerstone of next-gen blockchain use

“You cannot have a free internet without having control over your own digital identity.” – Maryam Beria

SSI allows individuals to own and control their digital data without centralized platforms dictating terms. Beria argues that beyond financial transactions, SSI enables trustless authentication in everything from education to healthcare.

2. Web3 won’t scale until it becomes usable and inclusive

Maryam shares that UX is still Web3’s Achilles heel. Complex wallets, gas fees, and clunky onboarding exclude non-technical users—especially women and marginalized communities.

📌 Stat: Only 13% of Web3 startup founding teams include a woman, per BCG and People of Crypto report.

3. Digital freedom must include gender equity

“If we’re building a new internet without women, we’re repeating history with a different interface.” — Maryam Beria

Beria calls out tokenomics, venture capital, and DAO participation models that consistently overlook women builders. She advocates for equity tokens, creator DAOs, and education-first onramps to bridge the gap.

4. Crypto education is the most powerful onboarding tool

Instead of shilling coins, Maryam focuses on teaching how blockchain solves real problems. Her work with educational DAOs helps young people in Africa and Latin America access tools for sovereignty—not speculation.

📌 Stat: In 2025, over 60% of Gen Z in Nigeria and Kenya are exploring blockchain for financial empowerment.

Conclusion: Web3 Isn’t Just Tech—It’s a Test

If Web3 is to fulfill its promise, it must build systems that work for everyone—not just the crypto elite. Maryam Beria reminds us that identity, access, and voice are not side quests—they’re the mission. Leadership in this space must prioritize education, equity, and usability if we want to avoid replicating Web2’s flaws in shinier wrappers.

“Don’t talk about decentralization unless you’re practicing inclusion.” — Maryam Beria

Replay + Resources

📺 Replay the full livestream: CZ 7: CryptoZombies Ft. Maryam Beria

🤝 Connect with our AI Zombies speakers making waves as LinkedIn Top Voices!

• Nick Larson 
  • Company Website: Silicon Zombies
  • YouTube Channel: subscribe here!
  • Need Advice? Book a 1:1 with Nick in Hubble!
    
  • Subscribe to Nick’s LinkedIn Newsletter: Brain Food
  • Join Nick and his Silicon Zombies team as they host Ageless Evolution Longevity Summit 2025 this October 10th in Silicon Valley! Grab your tickets here!

• Follow Maryam Beria for thought leadership in ethical Web3 and inclusive blockchain

The Future of Cryptocurrencies – Exploring Blockchain and Digital Assets

Blockchain is no longer just about Bitcoin. It’s reshaping how we think about identity, wealth, and the very infrastructure of the internet. In Episode 86 of Inspired Money, Andy Wang brings together four of the most influential voices in crypto, Dr. Merav Ozair, Sir John Hargrave, Chris Kline, Nick Spanos to uncover the real future of digital assets—and what’s standing in its way.

From decentralization to the digitization of gold, this episode explores the powerful shift from speculation to adoption, and why understanding these trends is essential for creators, regulators, and retail investors alike.

Top 4 Takeaways from Episode 86

“People won’t adopt crypto because of ideology. They’ll adopt it because it works better.” – Sir John Hargrave

Mainstream users are coming—but only if the technology becomes invisible. This means better UX, real-world use cases like cross-border payments, and integration into familiar apps.

2. Gold-Backed Cryptocurrencies Could Redefine Stable Assets

“We don’t need to wait for a government. Tokenize gold. Back it. Transact with it.” — Chris Kline

As trust in fiat currencies fluctuates, crypto tied to real-world assets like gold may become the go-to for stability. Kline predicts tokenized commodities will rise in popularity for both retail and institutional portfolios.

3. Digital Identity Is the Next Frontier in Blockchain

“With blockchain, we can create trust without the middleman—and that's how you fix broken systems.” — Dr. Merav Ozair

Dr. Ozair dives deep into self-sovereign identity (SSI), explaining how blockchain can allow users to own and verify their credentials without relying on centralized entities. This could disrupt voting, healthcare, and even social media platforms.

4. Regulatory Clarity Will Determine Innovation vs. Exodus

“Developers are leaving the U.S. because they don’t know what rules to follow.” — Nick Spanos

Lack of clear crypto regulation is stifling innovation in the U.S., pushing startups to crypto-friendly regions like Switzerland and Singapore. The guests agree: clarity doesn’t kill innovation—confusion does.

Building the Next Layer of the Internet

The future of crypto isn’t in the charts—it’s in the code, the governance, and the everyday use cases that redefine how value flows online. From tokenized gold to borderless identity systems, this episode is a masterclass in the real-world opportunities and risks shaping blockchain’s next decade.

“Crypto is not just about finance. It’s about freedom, function, and the future of the internet.” – Andy Wang

Replay + Resources

📺 Watch the Full 86th Episode of Inspired Money

• In YouTube: The Future of Cryptocurrencies – Exploring Blockchain and Digital Assets
• In LinkedIn: The Future of Cryptocurrencies – Exploring Blockchain and Digital Assets

🎙️ Listen to past episodes of Inspired Money Podcast in different platforms here: Inspired Money with Andy Wang

🔎 Explore more from our Inspired Money host and guest speakers in this episode!

• Andy Wang
  Company Website: Runnymede Capital Management
  
  
• Dr. Merav Ozair – Responsible AI, blockchain, and fintech trailblazer empowering ethical, inclusive innovation through Emerging Technologies Mastery.
• Personal Website: https://www.doctorblockchain.io/

• Sir John Hargrave– CEO of Media Shower and author of The Intelligent Crypto Investor (Feb 2026). Learn how to invest in crypto the smart way.
• Personal Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/media-shower
• Company Website: https://www.bitcoinmarketjournal.com
  
  
• Chris Kline – Co-Founder & COO of BitcoinIRA, pioneering secure crypto retirement investing since 2016.
• Company Website: https://bitcoinira.com
  
  
• Nick Spanos – Blockchain visionary, founder of Bitcoin Center NYC, and inventor of decentralized tech shaping the future of democracy and finance.
• Personal Website: https://www.nickspanos.com

Stay Rooted in the Voices That Move You

Listen. Share. Lead Boldly.

Whether you're refining your leadership style, rethinking visibility, or shaping the future of tech and trust these conversations are your compass. Share this recap with someone who's building with purpose.

🗣️ Stay connected:

• 📬 Subscribe to Scaling My Impact for weekly highlights and key takeaways from our Top Voices Unite livestreams—your front row seat to emerging leadership.
• 💼 Join Market Me More for expert strategy, behind-the-scenes commentary, and exclusive Top Voice insights that help you stay ahead of the curve—sign up here.
• ✍️ Tap into Voices in Action to get weekly prompts, real-world leadership experiments, and behind-the-scenes insights from Emerging Voices Unite.

Build with intention.
Show up with clarity.
Lead like it matters—because it does.