The AI Playbook for Business Transformation with Olga Topchaya
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
Release Date: 04/22/2025
Pitch Like a Billionaire: Forbes Riley on Sales, Survival, and Self-Belief
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt “I’ve grossed over $2.5 billion in sales—but the real pitch is believing in yourself when the world tells you you’re not enough.” ⚡ TL;DR Dr. Forbes Riley joins Rick Meekins to deliver a masterclass in mindset, sales, and surviving the odds. From a horrific bus crash in Iceland to building a fitness empire, Forbes unpacks the psychology of pitching, the cost of not healing your past, and what it takes to dominate your space—at any age. This isn’t a fluffy motivational talk. It’s straight fire for founders who are tired of excuses and ready to win. ...
info_outline
Behind the Curtain: Mental Health and the Entrepreneur
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt "Punishing yourself doesn’t get you to the goal faster. It’s not a strategy. It’s self-sabotage disguised as discipline." ⚡ TL;DR Mental health isn’t just a subplot in entrepreneurship—it’s part of the main storyline. In this episode, I sit down with Bradley Rausch, consultant and mental health advocate, to talk about navigating anxiety, panic, and self-doubt while building a business. We unpack his “CRAFT” method for building confidence without proof, how to tolerate discomfort without spiraling, and why therapy should be considered a baseline resource...
info_outline
Mastering the Pivot: Boardroom to Business Owner with Nicolai Nielsen
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥 Excerpt “When you're ambitious and unfulfilled, it’s not a productivity issue—it’s a clarity issue. You’re climbing fast... but is it even the right ladder?” ⚡ TL;DR Former McKinsey partner turned transformation coach Nicolai Nielsen joins me from Italy to talk about what happens when the success you’ve built no longer fits the life you want. We dive deep into how high performers sabotage themselves with unchecked ambition, why clarity trumps speed, and how to rewire your identity from the inside out. This one’s not about building a business—it’s about...
info_outline
From Hustle to Harmony: Jon Sabes on Mastering the Long Game
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
🔥Thot “If you develop a practice that makes your health and prosperity your number one priority, you radically increase the odds of getting everything you want out of life.” ⚡TL;DR Serial entrepreneur Jon Sabes joins Rick Meekins to unpack the science and strategy behind longevity, prosperity, and sustainable success. From gene expression to journaling, this episode redefines what it means to win the long game. 📄 Show Notes Most entrepreneurs are masters of the hustle—but what if winning the long game required less grind and more intentional alignment? In...
info_outline
The Un-Limitations of Extraordinary with Jacob Lawson
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“Extraordinary isn’t some pedestal reserved for celebrities. It’s just ordinary—with extra effort. Most people never tap into their potential—not because they don’t have it, but because they never define it. That’s the real tragedy.” TL;DR Jacob Lawson, founder of Extraordinary Flooring and author of Make It Extraordinary, joins Rick Meekins to explore mindset, resilience, leadership, and the difference between stress and strength. Discover how to unlock your purpose and live beyond the ordinary. SHOW NOTES Most people live their lives on autopilot—doing...
info_outline
Supply Chain Secrets: Wisdom for Founders with Kerim Kfari
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“The supply chain doesn’t care about your plans. It cares how fast you can pivot when the port shuts down, the costs spike, or the bridge collapses. My job? Stay calm and find a way through it.” — Kerim Kfuri TL;DR In this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning, Kerim Kfuri, CEO of The Atlas Network, shares strategic insights on managing global supply chain disruptions, building resilience as a founder, and leading with optimism in volatile markets. SHOW NOTES When the global supply chain feels like it’s on fire, Kerim Kfuri doesn’t flinch—he grabs his...
info_outline
The 10 WE's that will Drive Excellence in Your Company
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“When I saw that grocery cart drifting in my rearview mirror, I realized—I was still a hypocrite. You can’t live one way at work and another at home and expect anyone to take you seriously.” TL;DR Kyle McDowell joins The Relentless Pursuit of Winning to reveal how his 10 principle-based “We” leadership model transforms toxic teams into high-trust cultures. Learn how to lead with authenticity, drive performance, and build a company that wins—without losing your soul. Show Notes Hey, it’s Rick Meekins, and in this episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning,...
info_outline
Leadership PowerSkills and Heart-Centered Leadership
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“There’s no such thing as job security anymore—only career security. And that’s something you have to build for yourself.” TL;DR: Fired after 23 years in corporate? Lyndsay Dowd turned that gut punch into a leadership revolution. Hear how she built Heartbeat for Hire, became a sought-after speaker, and now drives transformation as CRO at Intry. This episode of The Relentless Pursuit of Winning is your roadmap to career reinvention, powerful leadership, and building resilience that actually works. Show Notes: Let’s get real: getting fired sucks. But for Lyndsay...
info_outline
Sharp Leadership – The Mindset to Overcome Adversity To Lead With Authenticity
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
“Your altitude is someone else’s floor. Learn from the best, start where they left off—and stop trying to figure it all out alone.” - Carl Sharperson TL;DR In this episode, Rick Meekins interviews Carl H. Sharperson, Jr., Marine pilot turned leadership coach, to unpack how adversity, discipline, and feedback form the foundation of authentic leadership. Learn how to lead with purpose, build trust, and create high-performing teams that thrive through challenge. Show Notes: Leadership isn’t about barking orders or having all the answers—it’s about knowing when to shut up, when to...
info_outline
How to start Exit Planning Your Business Without Losing Your Mind: A Real Talk with Eric Grafstrom
The Relentless Pursuit of Winning Podcast
"Entrepreneurship isn't about building an empire. It's about building a life—and sometimes, knowing when it's time to hand over the keys. Eric Grafstrom shows us why exit planning is just as critical as your startup plan—and why your heart better be in it, or you'll never survive the journey." TL; DR: Eric Grafstrom, founder of ExitGuide, joins Rick Meekins on The Relentless Pursuit of Winning podcast to talk about the hard truths of exit planning in small businesses, the emotional cost of entrepreneurship, and how faith plays a critical role in surviving the journey. Show Notes: In...
info_outline“If you’re not doing anything with AI yet—trust me, your competitors are. Start small, solve one real problem, and build from there. But don’t sit this one out.” - Olga Topchaya
TL;DR
Rick Meekins talks with AI strategist Olga Topchaya about how companies are misusing AI—and what they should do instead. Learn how to identify real AI opportunities, avoid common mistakes, and build solutions that actually make your team more effective.
📝 Show Notes
When it comes to AI, too many business leaders are either running headfirst into the hype or sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Both are losing strategies.
In this episode, I sat down with Olga Topchaya—founder of Lapis AI and a rare mix of strategic thinker and generative AI operator. She’s not a coder. She’s not a futurist. She’s a business pro who dove deep into AI, built a team of elite engineers, and is helping companies get real about how they use AI to solve real problems.
We talk about why most AI projects fail before they start, how to find your first real AI use case (hint: start small), and what it means to evolve your team alongside your tools. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “figure out” AI or are wondering whether now is the time to dive in, this one’s for you.
📌 Key Takeaways
- AI isn’t magic—and it’s not plug-and-play. Start with a business problem, not a shiny tool.
- Generative AI creates content—text, images, video, and audio—based on patterns, not understanding. It still needs a human brain in the loop.
- Don’t try to automate everything. Build in layers and solve one problem at a time.
- Prompt engineering isn’t just for developers. Your admin team can 10x their impact if they learn how to talk to AI tools effectively.
- Success isn’t about eliminating people—it’s about elevating them. AI is a multiplier, not a replacement.
- Competitive edge belongs to those who start now. If you’re waiting, your competitors aren’t.
- Guardrails matter. Security, privacy, and ethical use need to be baked into every AI solution you deploy.
Guest Bio
Olga Topchaya is the Founder and CEO of Lapis AI Consults. She leads the way in assisting companies to leverage the transformative power of AI and gain a competitive edge. Having over a decade-long vibrant marketing and product career across various industries has given her deep insights into the practical challenges and opportunities companies face.
She approaches AI innovation with a business-first mindset and ensures clients are making the right decisions in implementing AI – building solutions that are both innovative and pragmatic.
Olga is a proud boy mom and founded her AI company on the same philosophy with which she views parenting: the need for adaptability, continuous learning, and contextual understanding.
Giveaway:
Guests who listen to the show can receive a free 1-hour consultation, normally offered at $325 per hour. Just click the link below to contact Olga for details.
Company Website: Lapis Consultants