Pinegate Road Podcast

In this episode, Kelsey is back after a long hiatus and diving into one of the most important conversations happening right now: the CEO of Anthropic (the company behind Claude AI) just said AGI — artificial general intelligence — is 1-3 years away. Kelsey breaks down what that actually means in plain language, shares how she's been using AI behind the scenes during a major health journey, and makes the case for why your humanness, discernment, and self-knowledge are about to become the most valuable skills in business. If you're a coach, creative, or consciousness-focused entrepreneur wondering how AI fits into your world — this one's for you. What You'll Hear in This Episode What AGI actually means — in plain, non-technical language. (Hint: it stands for Artificial General Intelligence, and it means AI that can perform at or above human level across the board — not just one task at a time.) Dario Amodei's "country of geniuses in a data center" concept — imagine a million brilliant people working 24/7 for pennies on the dollar. That's what's coming. Why software engineering gets automated first — because code is verifiable (it works or it doesn't), making it the easiest domain for AI to master. The two exponentials most people miss — the capability curve (how fast AI gets smarter) and the adoption curve (how fast businesses integrate it). The gap between them is where the biggest opportunity lives right now. Why Kelsey built Sol™, an AI coaching companion — and how it's designed not to replace human thinking, but to help you become MORE of who you already are. The skills that become expensive when thinking becomes free — discernment, self-knowledge, values, trust, human connection, critical thinking, and presence. These are the things AI can't automate. Why consciousness-focused entrepreneurs are the most important people in this conversation — the tech world says "learn AI tools." Kelsey says the real competitive advantage is knowing WHO you are, WHAT you're building, and WHY. Sovereignty as a business strategy — how to reduce dependencies on platforms, systems, and other people's infrastructure so your business (and life) can weather whatever comes next. How Kelsey has been using AI behind the scenes — from industry research reports generated in under 10 minutes to mining 10 years of email marketing data for patterns. Mentioned in This Episode The article Kelsey references: Dario Amodei Says AGI Is 1-3 Years Away. Here's His Full Breakdown. by The VC Corner The full 3-hour interview: Dario Amodei — "We are near the end of the exponential" on the Dwarkesh Podcast Want to Experience What Kelsey Is Building? Sol™ is an AI-powered coaching companion built on Kelsey's proprietary Aligned Business® Method. It's designed to help you uncover who you are, trust your own intuition, and infuse your unique essence into everything you build. Sol lives inside The Art of Becoming — a program for entrepreneurs ready to evolve their business and identity from the inside out. → Become a Founding Member of The Art of Becoming Connect with Kelsey DM Kelsey on Instagram: @kelseykerslake Website: thealignedbusiness.com AGI explained for entrepreneurs artificial general intelligence business impact AI and coaching industry AI for coaches and creatives future of business AI 2026 2027

In this raw solo episode, I share what’s unfolded since I hit burnout, why I spent months in bed, and how that breakdown led to the quiet creation of Sol—my emotionally intelligent AI coaching partner. This is the real story of what happened after everything stopped. Episode 103: Rest, Rebirth, and Building Sol – The Real Story Behind My Burnout and AI Coaching Vision This is the first podcast I’ve recorded in a long while… and I’m showing up exactly as I am. No fancy mic. No edits. Just me and the real story of what’s happened since I finally let myself stop. If you haven’t yet listened to Episodes 101 and 102, those will give you the broader backstory. But today’s episode is where I take you inside the season that changed everything. Inside this episode: What it looked like to hit a full-stop wall with burnout Why I spent weeks in bed unable to do anything but sleep or whisper into ChatGPT How I accidentally turned AI into my own emotional processing and journaling companion Why I couldn’t find a coach who could hold me in the way I needed—and how that led me to create Sol™ The real reason generic AI models can’t support human transformation (and what I did instead) How I trained Sol to think like I do—to hold nuance, identity evolution, and emotional growth at scale What’s different about Sol’s memory system, coaching feedback loops, and transformation tracking Why AI (done right) can actually make us more human—not less An update on my health journey, rare immunodeficiency, and weekly infusions A few thoughts on where Sol is going next—and how I’m letting it (and me) grow slowly ✨ This episode is for anyone who’s felt too tired to dream, too sick to strategize, or too maxed out to hold it all anymore—and still believes in the quiet power of what’s possible. This episode is for you if you're interested in learning about: burnout recovery for entrepreneurs building an AI coach Sol AI coach beta emotionally intelligent AI chronic illness and business immunodeficiency therapy subcutaneous immunoglobulin coaching through ChatGPT revenue share coaching AI for identity evolution aligned business podcast neurodivergent entrepreneur healing while building a business resting as a strategy motherhood and autoimmune illness Sol by Kelsey Kerslake supportive AI for transformation future of coaching with AI becoming who you're meant to be AI and emotional intelligence

After three years away from the podcast, I’m back… and today’s episode is unlike anything I’ve ever shared here before. This isn’t a polished teaching episode or a step-by-step strategy session—it’s a deeply personal voice note I originally sent to a close friend, catching her up on everything that’s unfolded in my life and business since 2020. I decided to bring it here, too, because so much of what I went through mirrors what so many of us face as entrepreneurs: the messy transitions, the identity shifts, the burnout, the health challenges, the moments of doubt, and the unexpected opportunities that shape us along the way. Inside this episode, I open up about: The early days of my coaching business and how it all began with one client back in 2016–2017 Scaling The Aligned Business® to multi-6-figure and $600k years—and what came with hiring a full-time team The lessons (and the shame I had to release) around payroll, sales, and growing too fast My health challenges—including repeated hospitalizations, asthma, and navigating an immune system I couldn’t rely on How we transitioned into building a real estate and renovation business with my husband, Todd, and my dad’s support What it looked like to simplify my coaching business and shift into a private, revenue-share model that feels deeply aligned Why I’m giving myself a semi-sabbatical now to restore my energy, care for my health, and create space for what’s next This episode is part one of a two-part catch-up. Think of it as sitting down with me over coffee while I share the real, unfiltered story of the past three years—the behind-the-scenes truths that shaped me into who I am now. I’ll be back soon with part two, where I’ll share what’s unfolded over the past six months since recording this update.

In this episode, Kelsey Kerslake, the CEO of The Aligned Business, takes you through the five stages of scaling your business to $500,000 per year. She breaks down what each stage entails, the key focus areas, and the mindset shifts required for success. Whether you're just starting out or looking to reach that half-million-dollar mark, Kelsey's insights will guide you on your journey. Introduction (00:00-02:10) Kelsey Kerslake introduces herself and the purpose of the episode. She highlights the importance of reaching five-figure months and making them a reality. Stage 1: Making Between $0 and $1,000 (02:11-08:05) Kelsey explains that this stage is an experimental phase. The primary focus is on making money and overcoming mindset challenges around receiving money. She emphasizes the need to experiment with various approaches within your industry. Stage 2: Earning Between $1,000 and $3,500 (08:06-15:13) Kelsey emphasizes the importance of staying in stage two if you're making between $1,000 and $3,500 per month. In this stage, you should focus on identifying your ideal client and learning how to sell and market to them effectively. She advises against jumping ahead, as it can lead to a shaky foundation for your business. Stage 3: Earning Between $3,500 and $7,500 (15:14-22:18) Kelsey discusses the need to solidify your offers and create a signature offer. You should start defining your sales system, raising your rates, and getting specific in your marketing. KPIs for each position and honing in on your expertise are essential in this stage. Stage 4: Earning Between $7,500 and $20,000 (22:19-30:30) Kelsey emphasizes creating consistency in your sales system and experimenting with delegating tasks. This is the stage to add more elements to your offer suite, like courses or group programs. Getting known for your unique methods and processes is a key focus. Stage 5: Earning Between $20,000 and $50,000 (30:31-37:55) Kelsey discusses the transition to CEO responsibilities, overseeing the sales system, and managing the numbers. You start building an organizational chart and bringing in employees who own specific roles. Creating backups, systems, and processes becomes crucial for a well-oiled machine. Mindset and Subconscious Alignment (37:56-43:30) Kelsey highlights the importance of working on your subconscious mind and mindset. She suggests daily habits, meditation, and envisioning your future self. Challenging limiting beliefs and aligning your mindset with your desired growth is essential. Closing and Invitation (43:31-46:23) Kelsey invites listeners to apply for The Aligned Business Academy for personalized support. She mentions the limited available spots to maintain an intimate and supportive community. Kelsey encourages questions and comments, inviting listeners to reach out on Instagram. Outro (46:24-End) Kelsey signs off, thanking the audience and looking forward to future conversations.

Reach out to me on Instagram to chat about the episode or joining the Academy! http://www.instagram.com/kelseykerslake Show notes: Kelsey's motivation to explore organic content marketing as a lead generation strategy. Transition from using paid ads to creating consistent content for lead generation. The impact of having more time and space in her business for marketing. The simplified business model allows for more focus on sales and marketing. The intention to lead by example and experiment with content marketing. Becoming addicted to creating and posting Reels on Instagram. The challenge of starting and building consistency with Reels. Embracing the mantra: "This is who I am now" to change her content creation habits. Breaking down the process of creating Reels into smaller steps. The importance of saving trending sounds and using them in Reels. The value of daily B-roll filming for content creation. Keeping a document with content ideas and client questions. Kelsey's five P formula for content marketing: Pro, Problem, Personality, Proof, and Possibility. The role of sales calls and the importance of nurturing potential clients. Kelsey's transparent view on the effectiveness of her Reels in driving sales. The lead generation process through Reels and nurturing potential clients. The impact of being camera-ready and showing up as your best self. Analyzing what works in Reels and experimenting with different elements. The goal of getting Reels in front of new people and understanding analytics.

Reach out to me on Instagram to chat about the episode or joining the Academy! http://www.instagram.com/kelseykerslake Show notes: Kelsey's motivation to explore organic content marketing as a lead generation strategy. Transition from using paid ads to creating consistent content for lead generation. The impact of having more time and space in her business for marketing. The simplified business model allows for more focus on sales and marketing. The intention to lead by example and experiment with content marketing. Becoming addicted to creating and posting Reels on Instagram. The challenge of starting and building consistency with Reels. Embracing the mantra: "This is who I am now" to change her content creation habits. Breaking down the process of creating Reels into smaller steps. The importance of saving trending sounds and using them in Reels. The value of daily B-roll filming for content creation. Keeping a document with content ideas and client questions. Kelsey's five P formula for content marketing: Pro, Problem, Personality, Proof, and Possibility. The role of sales calls and the importance of nurturing potential clients. Kelsey's transparent view on the effectiveness of her Reels in driving sales. The lead generation process through Reels and nurturing potential clients. The impact of being camera-ready and showing up as your best self. Analyzing what works in Reels and experimenting with different elements. The goal of getting Reels in front of new people and understanding analytics.

Podcast Episode: Transitioning to a Solo Online Business Introduction: Host: Kelsey Kerslake CEO and Founder of The Aligned Business Episode Overview: Kelsey's decision to transition her business to a solo operation Industry trends and shifts towards smaller, more aligned businesses Personal challenges and health issues that led to this decision Industry Trends and Shifts: The trend of big coaches and course creators downsizing their teams The pressure to scale coaching businesses with large teams The shift towards more discerning clients and higher standards of support Emphasis on living aligned lives over building massive businesses Kelsey's Journey with a Team: Building a team with six full-time employees and 11 contractors The stress and financial pressure of managing a large team The decision to pause the agency and reevaluate the business structure Transitioning to a revenue share model Financial Goals and Wealth Building: Prioritizing profit and financial literacy The importance of making smart investments Building wealth through stocks, real estate, and other assets The shift from just scaling to focusing on profit Kelsey's Dream Business Structure: Transitioning to a solo operation with a smaller, more profitable business Taking on one-on-one clients and managing a limited number of academy students Relaunching Supportive Sales School and opening a digital download shop Resetting the business to align with Kelsey's vision Conclusion: Kelsey's temporary reset and focus on personal alignment Invitation to reach out with questions or for further discussion Closing remarks and gratitude for listening to the Aligned Business Podcast

Host: Kelsey Kerslake, CEO of The Aligned Business® Introduction Kelsey Kerslake welcomes listeners to the Aligned Business Podcast. She shares her excitement for the episode, which focuses on her personal journey. Journey Back to Sharing Kelsey talks about her hiatus from podcasting and her desire to return to sharing her life and experiences. She reflects on the challenging past two years, both personally and professionally. Kelsey expresses gratitude for having the stability and bandwidth to restart the podcast. Returning to the Personal Touch Kelsey discusses her initial approach to business and blogging, emphasizing personal sharing. She mentions how her focus shifted towards marketing, business strategy, and trends. Kelsey expresses her intent to bring back the personal touch to her podcast. Becoming the Future Version of Herself Kelsey talks about her belief in becoming the future version of oneself. She highlights her commitment to embodying the future version of herself. Kelsey mentions that this transformation has played a significant role in her personal life. Weight Loss Journey Kelsey shares her weight loss journey, revealing she lost 80 pounds in a year. She clarifies her initial goal was not weight loss but to become a healthier version of herself. Kelsey discusses the compounding factors contributing to her weight gain, including endometriosis, IVF, and stress. She acknowledges the role food played as a coping mechanism in her life. Kelsey details her athletic background and how her weight gradually increased after leaving rowing. She talks about the impact of medications, hormones, stress, and family life on her weight. Kelsey describes her decision to transition to a healthier lifestyle and the challenges she faced. She mentions her mother's influence and negative body image during her upbringing. Kelsey reflects on feeling self-conscious about her height and size as a child. Embracing Self-Love Kelsey discusses her journey towards self-love and accepting her body. She explains how she vowed not to go on diets anymore but to focus on self-love. Kelsey shares her challenges, including a gallbladder attack and frequent illnesses. She reveals she sought medical support and medication to assist her in the process. Kelsey mentions her experience with a weight loss medication and its impact on her cravings. She expresses gratitude for having an additional tool to support her health. Kelsey talks about preparing for weight loss surgery but ultimately being denied by insurance due to significant weight loss. She emphasizes the importance of self-love and self-acceptance in her journey. Kelsey celebrates the newfound ability to enjoy physical activities and dance with her children. Conclusion Kelsey expresses gratitude to the audience for listening to her journey. She encourages listeners to reach out on Instagram (@kelseykerslake) to discuss the episode.

Aline Hoss helps entrepreneurs create and launch websites and online courses in Squarespace and Kajabi. Her number one passion is to help overworked and burnout entrepreneurs create personal and financial freedom so they can do more of what they love with the people they adore - all with the power of launches! Aline is also a superstar entrepreneur and mom, and she joins me today to talk about how she was able to accomplish starting and scaling a business while raising a toddler at the same time (without childcare!) and what prompted her to leave her senior corporate job and forge her own path after maternity leave. We also dive into the many ways that Aline helps others create their course so they can build an audience, why it’s not true that you have to have an audience in place before launching your course, and talk about how Aline tapped into the power of delegation to scale her business. She is a perfect example of taking imperfect action before you’re ready, and I’m excited to share her story with you! For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-97

Brittney Lynn is the founder and CEO of The Human Connection Agency, a PR agency that serves purpose-driven entrepreneurs worldwide, and she is also a really good friend of mine. She joins me today to talk about why she and her husband decided to sell everything, build a van, and travel the country. We also dive into the specifics of getting your business set up (think health insurance!), the weirdness of entrepreneurship, and how to push through your fear to make all of your big wild dreams happen. I have no doubt that you will be inspired by this episode, so get comfy and listen in! https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-96

Bria is a Human Design Expert and Business Alignment Mentor.  She helps rising leaders elevate their success while trading stress, overwhelm, and burnout for joy, ease, and flow. She has an intimate understanding of how each individual’s energy is designed to thrive, and she empowers her clients to make aligned decisions, leverage their energetic gifts, and (finally) leave the hustle behind. In this episode, we are demystifying all things Human Design, including what it is if you’ve never heard of it before, what the different types are, and how you can use it as a tool to live an aligned life (and business). If you’re kind of into the woo - or REALLY into the woo - this is an episode that is going to be really fun for you! For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-95

Lucy Liu is a global business strategist and certified life coach helping high achieving women in life transitions unstuck, kiss overwhelm bye, cultivate rockstar confidence, see clarity, reach dream goals, and live a joyful fulfilling life! She is an unshakable optimist, wife, mother, easy-going entrepreneur, certified #IamRemarkable women empowerment workshop facilitator, and international motivational speaker. She also inspires as the host of her weekly podcast The Lucy Liu Show, which is the fueling station for your mind, business and life. You may also have noticed that she shares the same name as another famous Lucy, and in this episode we talk about what it’s like to grow up and claim a famous name for your own, the mindset shift that completely changed her life, and how what could have been a barrier has actually become a joy. Lucy also shares how she shifted from living a life that left her feeling unhappy and unfulfilled to a life that is truly aligned and fulfilling, the journey that she took to get there, and we dive into all of the mindset stuff that we deal with as entrepreneurs - including how to break through those limiting beliefs we all have! For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-94

Michelle Vroom has made half a million dollars from her Facebook group...and counting. So when she says she knows how to grow an audience that makes you 6-figures, she means it! With a 15-year background in marketing and public relations, she has the skills and knowledge to help other entrepreneurs get to 6-figures in their business. She has a no-nonsense, tough love approach that helps her clients get results FAST and gives them the freedom and security to live life on their terms. In this episode, we’re diving into so many goodies: the importance of being honest about the mindset challenges that go along with entrepreneurship (no matter what stage you’re at!), why it’s ok to not know everything about your ideal client all the time, and some of the reasons why you might not be attracting high-ticket clients. We’re also talking about the dark side of success and the narratives that we tell ourselves that are so often NOT talked about when you’re scaling your business, and Michelle shares why she is so passionate about helping women cultivate a thriving and engaged audience. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-93

You have probably heard of a birth plan, but what about a postpartum plan? The postpartum period can be intense, and it’s often a time that is overlooked when it comes to preparing for a new addition to a family - especially for busy entrepreneurs. Liz Winters (she/her) is a chocolate-loving nutritionist, pre & postnatal coach, doula, mom, and birth nerd. She is the founder of the online education and lifestyle brand, Liz Winters Wellness, and lives in Oregon with her 3 dogs, 2 cats, amazing partner, and kiddos. She helps career-driven millennial parents cut through the BS of mommy-marketing and Pinterest perfection so they can have an empowered and healthy pregnancy and postpartum experience and build a life they actually love. We’re chatting all about thriving in the fourth trimester, balancing entrepreneurship and parenthood, and how to wrap your head around being a business-driven person AND a parent - all at the same time. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-92

Alyssa Houseknecht is the CEO and Creative Director of Lyss House Creative, where she helps influential entrepreneurs design confident brands using her 5-step framework that incorporates brand strategy, design, and mindset. She is also one of the very first Aligned Business Academy students and has been featured on numerous global summits and top-rated podcasts. Listen in as Alyssa shares her story from the corporate world at a successful multi-million dollar company in New York, to spinning her wheels at freelancing, to finding the Aligned Business Academy and jumping into the CEO role. We talk about the importance of embracing the future version of yourself, how COVID was in many ways a blessing, and Alyssa details the tangible things that really helped her step into her power as a business owner. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-91

Samantha Rodriguez is a Lead Generation Strategist and natural marketer who helps clients to create a strategy that not only showcases what they offer, but also makes their brand memorable so that they can attract their dream clients. She has had such a cool journey through entrepreneurship that I know so many of you will be able to relate to! In this episode, Samantha shares some of the ups and down she had throughout her entrepreneurial journey, including how a cancer scare lit a fire under her and was the catalyst for the start of her business. We also talk about how she was able to quit her corporate job two months after starting her VA business, how she got the confidence to scale, and what it was like hitting that first $20k month. And of course, we dive into marketing and lead generation, and Samantha gives us her best lead generation tips that you can start implementing today. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-90

Get ready for something a little different. Today I’m talking about something that I’ve wanted to share for a long time, but it never felt it was the right time - until now. In this episode, I’m sharing my mental health and fertility journey with you because I know that as business owners and as women who are wanting to start families, both can be a big thing that correlates to the growth of our business - and the ways in which we grow our business. So get comfy, grab your favorite drink, and listen in. I have no doubt that many of you will relate to my journey, and if nothing else, I hope it will leave you with the knowledge that you’re not alone. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-89

Steph Weber is a brand coach and marketing strategist that helps entrepreneurs create brands that captivate and convert to disrupt their industry. With 7 years of experience working as a brand manager, a degree in strategic communications, and the work she's poured into developing her own business, Steph helps brands gain the clarity they need to build impactful, sustainable businesses. She has a heart for adventuring and a passion for helping people make an impact through a memorable brand! In this episode, we’re talking about #momlife, entrepreneurship, and how it all fits together and why a solid support system is especially important when you’re a working parent. We also talk about Steph’s business model and how she helps entrepreneurs stand out in a crowded market and get super clear on their message to really be able to make an impact in their own unique way. For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-88

Haley Johnson is the founder of Propegy, an agency that creates marketing solutions for every stage of business and leverages the consistency of an in-house team with the flexibility of a freelancer. What’s really unique about Haley though is the huge shift she made over the past year really stepping into her power as a business owner, not “just a freelancer.” In this episode we discuss Haley’s journey from student, to freelancer trying to move out of her parent’s house, to legitimate CEO, employer, and business owner, and the shift that made all of this possible for her. Haley also shares her views on why you don’t always need a website to have a successful company (but what you do need!) and her unique way of looking for new leads for her business. Haley is an amazing example of what it looks like when you really claim who you are and who you want to be and then fully and unapologetically step into that role, and I’m so excited to share her story! For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-87

Lattice Hudson is a business coach, leadership mentor, and social sales expert who is on a mission to help women make more money and increase their impact all while living a life that they love. She currently specializes in helping online coaches scale past that coveted 6-figure mark, and joins me today to share her story from the corporate world to next-level entrepreneurship. Listen in as Lattice shares how she created a 90-day exit plan from her corporate job to pursue entrepreneurship, and how she pivoted from multiple businesses to focus on coaching other entrepreneurs. We also talk about the trap of comparing ourselves to others, the game changer that allowed Lattice to have her best month ever, and the reason why she’s not pushing for a 7-figure business today (but what her next big goal is!) For show notes and more visit: https://pinegateroad.com/podcast-86