Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
*Get our AI Video Guide with 5+ prompts and real results:* clickhubspot.com/bdm
Episode 89: How big of a leap is the latest generation of AI video models—and do they really live up to the hype? Matt Wolfe (https://x.com/mreflow) and Maria Gharib (uk.linkedin.com/in/maria-gharib-091779b9), an AI writer and newsletter creator, dive into hands-on testing and candid discussion about the brand-new Runway 4.5, Kling AI, and more.
In this episode, Matt and Maria put early-access Runway 4.5 through its paces, experiment with quirky video prompts, and compare outputs from the top AI video tools including Kling's latest models. Is Runway 4.5 a massive leap forward, or just playing catchup with Veo and Sora? What kinds of content can creative teams actually produce with these new generative video AIs? Plus, Matt and Maria get real about the mixed reactions to AI-driven brand ads—like the recent McDonald’s spot—and discuss where this fast-evolving field is headed.
Check out The Next Wave Podcast if you’re on the go and want to listen to the show: lnk.to/thenextwaveyt
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Show Notes:
(00:00) AI Video Innovations Podcast
(03:53) Monkey on Roller Skates
(07:22) AI Prompt Success Evolution
(12:00) Nano Banana: Still Superior
(13:56) Incremental Update, Limited Impact
(17:32) AI Video & Image Editing
(20:27) Lip Sync Test Analysis
(25:50) Domino Effect Gone Awry
(27:29) Kling's Dragon Feels Cinematic
(31:21) Image-Based Video Generation Preference
(34:02) Drone Flight Through Watch
(37:38) Why Can't Video Models Work?
(39:20) Rubber Hose Tap Dance Fail
(44:30 AI as Assistive, Not Primary
(46:03) Podcast Feedback Wanted
—
Mentions:
Nano Banana Pro: https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/
Sora: openai.com/sora
Runway 4.5: runwayml.com/research/introducing-runway-gen-4.5
Kling: klingai.com/global
Midjourney: midjourney.com/home
Veo: https://gemini.google/overview/video-generation/
ModelScope: modelscope.ai
Get the guide to build your own Custom GPT: clickhubspot.com/tnw
—
Check Out Matt’s Stuff:
• Future Tools - futuretools.beehiiv.com
• Blog - mattwolfe.com
• YouTube- youtube.com/@mreflow
—
Check Out Nathan's Stuff:
Newsletter: news.lore.com
Blog - lore.com
The Next Wave is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Production by Darren Clarke // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
*Get our AI Video Guide with 5+ prompts and real results:* clickhubspot.com/bdm
Episode 89: How big of a leap is the latest generation of AI video models—and do they really live up to the hype? Matt Wolfe (https://x.com/mreflow) and Maria Gharib (uk.linkedin.com/in/maria-gharib-091779b9), an AI writer and newsletter creator, dive into hands-on testing and candid discussion about the brand-new Runway 4.5, Kling AI, and more.
In this episode, Matt and Maria put early-access Runway 4.5 through its paces, experiment with quirky video prompts, and compare outputs from the top AI video tools including Kling's latest models. Is Runway 4.5 a massive leap forward, or just playing catchup with Veo and Sora? What kinds of content can creative teams actually produce with these new generative video AIs? Plus, Matt and Maria get real about the mixed reactions to AI-driven brand ads—like the recent McDonald’s spot—and discuss where this fast-evolving field is headed.
Check out The Next Wave Podcast if you’re on the go and want to listen to the show: lnk.to/thenextwaveyt
—
Show Notes:
(00:00) AI Video Innovations Podcast
(03:53) Monkey on Roller Skates
(07:22) AI Prompt Success Evolution
(12:00) Nano Banana: Still Superior
(13:56) Incremental Update, Limited Impact
(17:32) AI Video & Image Editing
(20:27) Lip Sync Test Analysis
(25:50) Domino Effect Gone Awry
(27:29) Kling's Dragon Feels Cinematic
(31:21) Image-Based Video Generation Preference
(34:02) Drone Flight Through Watch
(37:38) Why Can't Video Models Work?
(39:20) Rubber Hose Tap Dance Fail
(44:30 AI as Assistive, Not Primary
(46:03) Podcast Feedback Wanted
—
Mentions:
Nano Banana Pro: https://gemini.google/overview/image-generation/
Sora: openai.com/sora
Runway 4.5: runwayml.com/research/introducing-runway-gen-4.5
Kling: klingai.com/global
Midjourney: midjourney.com/home
Veo: https://gemini.google/overview/video-generation/
ModelScope: modelscope.ai
Get the guide to build your own Custom GPT: clickhubspot.com/tnw
—
Check Out Matt’s Stuff:
• Future Tools - futuretools.beehiiv.com
• Blog - mattwolfe.com
• YouTube- youtube.com/@mreflow
—
Check Out Nathan's Stuff:
Newsletter: news.lore.com
Blog - lore.com
The Next Wave is a HubSpot Original Podcast // Brought to you by Hubspot Media // Production by Darren Clarke // Editing by Ezra Bakker Trupiano
