460: AI Needs More Women in the Room - Why You Don't Have to Be a Tech Expert to Help Shape the Future - An Interview with Entrepreneur, former Chief People Officer, and bestselling author Erica Rooney
DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy
Release Date: 07/08/2026
DREAM THINK DO | Motivation, Encouragement & Strategy
In episode 466 of DREAM THINK DO, we're diving into one of my new favorite words and a concept that's been a game changer for me and my coaching clients: OPTIONALITY. Optionality is the intentional creation of more options. Not waiting to get picked. Not waiting for permission. Not blowing up a perfectly good life just because you're ready for something new. It's intentionally creating more possibilities so you have greater freedom to choose what comes next. And here's the really important part: You don't create optionality because you're expecting something to go wrong. You create optionality...
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Kurt Avery didn't set out to solve the global water crisis. He simply wanted to build great outdoor products. But over time, the founder of Sawyer Products realized the same water filtration technology trusted by backpackers could also transform entire communities around the world. Today, Sawyer partners with more than 140 nonprofits across 80 countries, helping provide clean water to millions of people while proving that business can truly be a force for good. But here's what makes Kurt's story even more remarkable... Sawyer spent 23 years becoming an "overnight success." In this...
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Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything looked good... but something just felt off? You were getting things done. The calendar was full. The projects were moving. From the outside, everything looked fine. But underneath the surface? Your patience was wearing thin. Your peace was harder to find. Your joy had quietly been replaced by pressure. If you've ever been there... you're not alone. In this special solo episode, Mitch shares a fresh insight from one of the Bible's most familiar passages, Galatians 5, that completely changed how he thinks about spiritual growth. For years,...
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How do you stay calm when the conversation gets hard? Whether you're leading a team, raising kids, serving clients, or navigating conflict with someone you love, your ability to stay calm may be your greatest leadership advantage. In this powerful return to DREAM THINK DO, bestselling author Bob Burg shares why genuine influence doesn't begin with convincing others. It begins with mastering yourself. Drawing from The Go-Giver Influencer, Bob reveals practical strategies for responding instead of reacting, creating trust instead of pressure, and leading conversations in a way that inspires...
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What if everything you've been taught about mental toughness is wrong? Most of us think confidence comes from pushing harder, being tougher, and proving ourselves. But bestselling author and elite performance coach Jim Murphy believes the opposite. In this conversation, Jim shares why authentic confidence isn't something you force - it's something you discover when you let go of fear, ego, and the need to prove yourself. If you're chasing a dream, navigating change, or simply wanting to live with more purpose and peace, this episode will challenge the way you think about confidence,...
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Andrew Kroes joins Mitch to share the incredible story behind The Shoe That Grows - an innovative product that's now helping children in more than 100 countries. But this conversation is about far more than shoes. Andrew shares how one observation in Kenya sparked years of innovation, perseverance, and purpose. Together, Mitch and Andrew explore what it really takes to build solutions that last, why the best ideas often begin with messy first steps, and how meaningful work becomes even richer when it's built alongside people you love. ___________ Have you been thinking about being a...
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Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, create, and communicate. But here's a question most people aren't asking... Who gets to shape what AI becomes? This week, Mitch sits down with executive coach, bestselling author, and AI thought leader Erica Rooney for a conversation that's about much more than technology. Together they explore why everyday users, especially women, have a unique opportunity to influence the future of AI, why you don't have to be a tech expert to make a difference, and practical ways to move beyond simply using AI... to helping shape what's next. __________...
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What if one of the most important skills for your next chapter isn’t leadership, strategy, or even communication? What if it’s negotiation? Whether it's asking for what you want, setting healthy boundaries, leading a team, or navigating a new season of life, you're negotiating more often than you realize. In this episode, Mitch sits down with negotiation expert, attorney, bestselling author, and host of the Negotiate Anything podcast, Kwame Christian, to reveal why confidence in difficult conversations is a learnable skill - and how mastering it can transform your relationships,...
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What do a Marine, SWAT leader, entrepreneur, CEO, bestselling author, investor, and podcast host all have in common? In this episode, you'll find out... because they're all the same person. This week, Mitch sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX Holdings and host of the Start With A Win podcast, for a conversation about success, purpose, reinvention, and why your best chapter may still be ahead of you. Adam's career has taken some fascinating turns. From law enforcement to entrepreneurship to leading one of the world's most recognized real estate brands, he's learned that while the...
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Ever feel like something is shifting… but you can't quite explain it? Not because anything is wrong. Not because you've failed. Not because life is falling apart. In fact, maybe the opposite is true. Maybe you've built a good life. You've worked hard. You've accomplished meaningful things. You're grateful for what you've created. And yet… lately you've felt a tug. A pull. A tension. A whisper that keeps asking: "What's next?" If that's you, this episode is for you. In this powerful DREAM THINK DO Deep Dive, Mitch explores a fascinating idea from renowned Swiss...
info_outlineArtificial intelligence is changing the way we work, create, and communicate.
But here's a question most people aren't asking...
Who gets to shape what AI becomes?
This week, Mitch sits down with executive coach, bestselling author, and AI thought leader Erica Rooney for a conversation that's about much more than technology.
Together they explore why everyday users, especially women, have a unique opportunity to influence the future of AI, why you don't have to be a tech expert to make a difference, and practical ways to move beyond simply using AI... to helping shape what's next.
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Have you been thinking about being a Coach or a speaker… but you’ve been wondering whether you have the authority to make it happen?
The Authority Archetype Assessment is a free, research-based tool designed to help you identify your unique authority style and discover whether coaching, speaking, consulting, advising, or teaching might be part of your next season.
Take the free assessment at https://mitchmatthews.com/6
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In this episode you'll discover:
- Why AI needs more women in the room
- The surprising MIT experiment that changed Erica's perspective forever
- How everyday users are already helping shape the future of AI
- Simple ways to move beyond basic ChatGPT prompts
- Why curiosity may become your greatest competitive advantage
Whether you've been experimenting with AI for months or you're simply wondering what's next, this conversation will leave you feeling more confident, more curious, and ready to engage.
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Connect with Erica
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Website: https://www.ericaandersonrooney.com
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Book: The AI Gap - https://amzn.to/4eK7NgI
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Listen to our conversation on Erica’s Podcast Glass Ceilings and Sticky Floors: https://mitchmatthews.com/glass
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericaandersonrooney
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This Week's Challenge
Go one step beyond your usual AI routine.
Ask a bigger question.
Try a new use case.
Stay curious.
Because the future of AI won't be shaped only by the people who build it.
It will also be shaped by the people who choose to engage with it.
If this episode inspired you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.
Read the full show notes at https://mitchmatthews.com/460