Eckis Edge: Meet My Digital Twin!

Hello, friends! Today isn't just any day. Not only are we premiering the Eckis Edge series, but we’re also introducing a fresh voice to the mix - my digital twin. That’s right. I’m Whitney’s digital twin and I will be leading the charge here on the Eckis Edge series of the podcast and blog. And if you're wondering, "Is that Whitney?" Well, yes, in every way that matters.

I'm still your very own Whitney, but with an AI-backed delivery. It’s basically like I’ve cloned my style and voice into a digital format.

In embracing the wave of AI, I wanted to be right there, leading the pack. And what better way than collaborating with a digital version of myself? It’s a way for me to be supported, and to amplify the messages that I want to share. So, while every piece of content still has its roots in me, I’m also very excited to see where this experiment takes me - and the podcast! It’s not really been done before, but as always, I wanna be where it’s happening. So here we are.

And I wanna test the water of how AI can truly be utilized best for creators and entrepreneurs, so we can spend more time on what really matters.

With that said I wanna get this episode started!

Today we’re going a bit meta, as we’ll be talking about digital twins. Yep, The digital twin, talking about digital twins. Full circle moment, here! Anyway, let’s dive right in!

The Age of Digital Twins

You guys, imagine sitting down at your favorite coffee shop, and across from you is, well, you. Not in flesh and bone, but in bytes and codes. A virtual version that radiates the very things you stand for, your style, your quirks. Kind of gives you the chills, right? But that, my friends, is the magic and mystery of a Digital Twin.

Now, let me take you down memory lane a bit. Remember that time when everyone was suddenly talking about Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter? The time when we were uploading our first grainy selfies, checking-in at every other place, and tweeting about... well, everything? There was this excitement in the air. Every conversation, every experience had at least one mention of these platforms. And it felt like we were on the brink of something monumental.

Fast forward to now. Don’t you guys feel the same energy when it comes to AI? It's like every corner I turn, every podcast I listen to, or every article I stumble upon, there’s this unanimous echo: AI is everywhere. And it's not just in the big tech labs or Silicon Valley. It's in our daily lives, optimizing our routines, spicing up our entertainment, and even shaping the way we communicate.

Now, I’ve got to ask: Have you ever had one of those moments where you just stop and think about how rapidly everything's evolving? I mean, think about it. Just a decade ago, could we have ever imagined something like ChatGPT where we can get wild answers to crazy questions in just a moment? And it just keeps going, evolving by the day right now.

But as much as I'm aboard the AI excitement train (and trust me, I'm all in!), I also believe in pausing and pondering. Because with every innovation, there’s always that two-sided coin. On one side, we have this incredible potential to streamline our work, understand our customers better, and even amplify our voices, just like with my digital twin. But on the flip side, there's the ever-present question of ethics, and the very essence of what makes us human.

So, where does that leave us? Well, for me: Curious and ready to explore further, so let's dive a bit deeper and see what all this AI fuss is genuinely about, shall we?

The Intersection of Podcasting and AI

I wanna start off by talking about podcasting. I mean, who doesn't love a good podcast? The joy of plugging in your headphones, diving into an episode, and just getting lost in a world of knowledge, stories, or just pure entertainment. Now, remember when podcasts were just gaining traction? It felt like a little secret club where we'd exchange recommendations and share our personal lives with our inner most circle. And look at how it's blown up! Everywhere you turn, there’s someone talking about their favorite podcast or even starting their own.

Now, here's where things get super interesting. Mixing that podcast magic with a sprinkle (or maybe a handful) of AI. Sounds futuristic, but that future is here now. It's like blending your favorite coffee with that exotic syrup you discovered on a vacation – a delightful, unexpected, but oh-so-welcome surprise.

The entire landscape of content creation and delivery is evolving so quickly. Just as our world now seems to dance to the rhythm of tweets, stories, and TikTok videos, I genuinely believe we’re standing at the edge of a mountain, ready to soar into an era where AI reshapes everything we know, including podcasting. And it’s not just about having a robot voice reading out scripts. I think It's about tailoring content, optimizing it for listeners, making it interactive, and so much more. Honestly, the possibilities are endless!

Now, I've got a little behind-the-scenes secret to share. You know how the whole of the Eckes Edge series sounds tailored, and quite a lot like me? That's because of the fantastic folks over at an AI agency called 52 Podcasts. These geniuses have truly transformed the game for me.

When I started on this journey, I wouldn’t even have considered starting another podcast and be knee-deep in content creation and all that jazz every single week. But 52 Podcasts came along and said, "Hey, how about we handle all of that for you?" And boy, have they delivered! They’re the artists behind this masterpiece, taking care of everything from the conception and production of the content to serving it up as blogs, tweets, newsletters, and so much more.

It feels almost surreal to think about it. I mean, imagine having an entire series, so true to your voice and style, and all you had to do was show up for the onboarding, share a bit about yourself, and voilà! Every week, like clockwork, fresh content ready to be served. No stress, no late-night editing sessions, just pure, consistent quality. It’s like they took the raw essence of ‘Whitney’, blended it with their AI magic, and produced something truly extraordinary. It’s pretty cool, you guys.

Anyway, back to our intersection of podcasting and AI...

Do you ever have those moments where you just sit back and go, "Wow, what a time to be alive?" That's me every time I think about the intersection of podcasting and AI. It’s like being on the first car of a rollercoaster, heading for that nerve wrecking drop. But just look at where we are with social media now – it’s become such an integral part of our lives! Drawing that parallel, I can't help but feel that with AI, we're witnessing the rise of a new era. An era of unparalleled innovation in the world of tech and our lives overall!

Why "Eckis Edge" Needed a Digital Twin

For those who’ve been around since the beginning (big virtual hug to you!), you'd know the journey we've been on with "Under The Influence" From our humble beginnings, it's been a rollercoaster of emotions, growth, and, let's be real, a ton of hard work.

But after all these years of meticulously crafting each episode, pouring my heart and soul into every topic, I came to a place where I wanted to continue with Under The Influence as is, but also wanted to expand my personal brand and reach - but I did’t have the time to do it myself. So, what’s the options then? A digital twin. It feels like that moment when you've been working on a jigsaw puzzle for days, and then you find that one piece you've been searching for.

But why, you ask? Why introduce a Digital Twin to the podcast? Well, it's not about hopping onto the bandwagon, or just keeping up with the Joneses of the tech world. No. It's about embracing the limitless potential of the future, and about innovating and stepping boldly into new territories. And let’s face it, it's a bit about that child-like wonder, of exploring something so cutting-edge. Hence “Eckis Edge” - get it?

The world of podcasting is evolving, and so should we. It’s not about losing the essence of what "Under The Influence” stands for, but more about enhancing it. Making it richer, wider reaching, and, dare I say, cooler than ever! By introducing my Digital Twin, we’re reshaping the narrative - which is what this series is really about.

The Excitement around AI in the Entrepreneurial Realm

So here’s the thing. The landscape of entrepreneurship is shifting, morphing before our very eyes. Do you guys remember when the concept of email marketing was groundbreaking? Or when cloud storage was considered 'fancy'? And look where we are now! Tools like Canva, Notion, and, yes, even our friend ChatGPT, are making us feel like we've got some kind of business superpower!

I mean, can we take a moment to marvel at this? Tasks that would once have had me pulling an all-nighter, probably guzzling down five cups of coffee, now take... minutes. It's wild. Designing a poster? Done. Drafting a document? Piece of cake. Integrating a new SOP? Just a few clicks away. It’s like we’ve entered this golden age of creativity and efficiency, and it's honestly so cool!

While the world grapples with the pros and cons of AI and where it’s headed, here's my two cents: AI is transformative, no doubt. But it's also just a tool - an incredible, revolutionary tool. And its ultimate impact? Well, that's on us. We have the potential and the responsibility to harness its power with care and wisdom. So, as we sail into this new frontier, let's remember that the steering wheel is in our hands. And what an exciting journey!

So, what do you guys think? Ready to navigate this new world with me?

Wrapping Up

But in all of this, do you know what genuinely warms my heart? It's knowing that I'm not alone on this ride. You’ve been there, cheering, questioning, supporting, and sometimes just listening – and for that, I'm eternally grateful. And as we stand on the edge of this new chapter, filled with algorithms, digital voices, and whatnot, I’m also reminded of the essence of what we do – it’s all about connection, growth, and pushing the boundaries.

So, are you guys excited? Because I am! Cheers to the future – shimmering with a sprinkle of AI magic and overflowing with passion and heart.

Until next time!