Episode 10

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Published on:

20th Mar 2025

From Burnout to Breakthrough: Deanna Leonard on How AI Can Help You Reimagine Your Future

In this episode of Empowered by AI: The SLAI Effect, we sit down with Deanna Leonard, a marketing and product development expert turned AI advocate, who shares how AI is revolutionizing the way women—especially those 50 and beyond—are stepping into their next chapter. From leaving corporate life to embracing AI as a tool for business, creativity, and personal empowerment, Deanna’s story is one of reinvention and resilience.

Whether you're navigating burnout, looking to rediscover your creativity, or simply curious about how AI can fit into your life, this conversation will inspire you to take action. Tune in to hear how AI is leveling the playing field for women reimagining their work and legacy.

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

[00:00] – Welcome and introduction to Empowered by AI: The SLAI Effect

[01:00] – Deanna’s career journey from corporate America to AI-powered entrepreneurship

[03:30] – The hidden workload women carry and its impact on burnout

[05:00] – How a personal health crisis forced Deanna to reassess work-life balance

[06:45] – Discovering AI and why it reignited creativity for women in midlife

[09:00] – How AI is helping women reimagine their possibilities—personally and professionally

[11:30] – Breaking the myth: You don’t need to be tech-savvy to use AI

[14:00] – Practical ways entrepreneurs can integrate AI into their business

[16:00] – Common fears about AI (Will it replace jobs? Is it ethical?) and how to overcome them

[18:30] – Why midlife women are embracing AI faster than expected

[21:00] – Deanna’s advice for getting started: The 90-minute AI learning sprint

[25:00] – Joy, confidence, and AI: How tech can actually bring creativity back

[28:00] – The power of community: Women lifting each other up in the AI space

[31:00] – What’s next for Deanna and her mission to help more women harness AI

[34:00] – Final words of encouragement and how to connect with Deanna


AI isn’t about replacing us—it’s about empowering us. As Deanna shares, AI can be the tool that helps you rediscover creativity, streamline your business, and reclaim time for the things that truly matter. If you’ve ever felt like technology is moving too fast, this episode is your reminder that you’re not too late—you’re right on time.

🚀 Ready to explore AI in your own work and life? Visit innovativeaistudio.com/podcast to listen and download the free resource tied to this episode.

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About the Podcast

Empowered by AI
Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Way
Welcome to Empowered by AI, where women entrepreneurs harness the power of AI to transform their businesses, break new ground, and lead confidently. Hosted by Michelle Muncy-Silva, founder of Innovation AI Studios, this podcast is your go-to resource for stories, strategies, and tools that help women combine creativity with cutting-edge technology to build the brands of tomorrow.
In each episode, we sit down with trailblazing women who are not just embracing AI—they’re unapologetically ensuring a place at the table in leveraging AI to redefine their industries, spark innovation, and elevate their businesses. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting your journey, Empowered by AI delivers real talk and actionable insights from women who have been where you are, tackled the challenges, and demanded that AI be a tool for women’s progress.
This isn’t just a tech podcast—it’s a platform for women looking for like-minded collaboration and support to build standout brands, gain clarity on how AI serves their strategy, and discover the tools to take their businesses to the next level. We dive deep into topics like AI-enhanced storytelling, using AI to streamline and scale, and the future of creativity in a world where technology is rewriting the rules.
Join us for:
Conversations with women leaders at the forefront of AI and entrepreneurship.
Practical advice on how to integrate AI into your business, even if you’re not a tech expert.
The latest AI tools and resources you can use to build a brand that stands out.
Empowering stories from women who are balancing the demands of running a business with navigating the world of AI.
Each episode is packed with actionable takeaways that you can put into practice right away, whether you’re automating your workflows, enhancing your visual branding, or discovering the next big AI tool that will give your business a competitive edge.
We’ll talk about:
How AI and creativity collide to drive innovation.
The real-life stories of women paving the way in AI, who prove that you don’t need a tech background to master the future.
How AI can help you build a strong, memorable brand.
The AI tools every entrepreneur should have in their toolkit.
The power of mentorship, community, and women supporting women in the AI space.
Our goal? To empower you with the knowledge and tools to embrace AI confidently—no tech degree required—and inspire you with the voices of women who are actively participating in shaping the future of AI - all so we can collaboratively create AI-driven solutions that empower you to transform your business into something that not only thrives but leads the way in your industry.
Ready to take your business to the next level? Tune in, get inspired, and learn how to use AI to amplify your creativity, streamline your processes, and build a brand that’s not just innovative, but unstoppable.
And every episode ends with the same question to our amazing guests: What’s next?
Empowered by AI is more than just a podcast—it’s your community, your resource, and your weekly dose of inspiration to become a leader in the future of entrepreneurship.
Hit subscribe, and let’s transform your business together!

About your host

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Michelle Muncy-Silva