Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Watch the full episode here: inspiredinsider.com/cj-bruce-interview
CJ Bruce is the Founder and CEO of The Missing Ingredient, a Sacramento-based food marketing agency that helps healthful and sustainable food and beverage brands grow. The agency specializes in performance marketing, paid media, influencer campaigns, and AI-driven strategies. Since 2016, CJ has led a team of 15, working with brands like Amy’s Kitchen, Sumo Citrus, Baskin-Robbins, and Milk Bar. A certified plant-based chef and former food influencer, he combines his passion for food and technology to help brands stand out, connect with consumers, and scale.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with CJ Bruce, Founder and CEO of The Missing Ingredient, to discuss mastering food and beverage brand growth in the digital era. They explore how CJ uses AI to streamline campaigns, the strategies behind viral influencer marketing, and how to tap into emerging food trends for rapid growth. CJ also shares practical tools and workflows that help brands scale while staying agile.
Watch the full episode here: inspiredinsider.com/cj-bruce-interview
CJ Bruce is the Founder and CEO of The Missing Ingredient, a Sacramento-based food marketing agency that helps healthful and sustainable food and beverage brands grow. The agency specializes in performance marketing, paid media, influencer campaigns, and AI-driven strategies. Since 2016, CJ has led a team of 15, working with brands like Amy’s Kitchen, Sumo Citrus, Baskin-Robbins, and Milk Bar. A certified plant-based chef and former food influencer, he combines his passion for food and technology to help brands stand out, connect with consumers, and scale.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with CJ Bruce, Founder and CEO of The Missing Ingredient, to discuss mastering food and beverage brand growth in the digital era. They explore how CJ uses AI to streamline campaigns, the strategies behind viral influencer marketing, and how to tap into emerging food trends for rapid growth. CJ also shares practical tools and workflows that help brands scale while staying agile.
![[SaaS & AI Series] Why AI Still Needs a Human Sherpa With Gil Makleff](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/j_5L55LHwnE/mqdefault.jpg "[SaaS & AI Series] Why AI Still Needs a Human Sherpa With Gil Makleff
Gil Makleff is the CEO and Co-founder of Sembly AI, a platform that helps teams turn meetings and conversations into actionable insights and work-ready outcomes. Under his leadership, Sembly AI has advanced tools for AI-assisted collaboration, workflow automation, and human-AI interaction. Before founding Sembly AI, Gil achieved two successful exits to Microsoft and Ernst & Young, where he later served as a Partner. With decades of experience building and scaling technology companies, he is known for championing human-centered AI that empowers people rather than replaces them.
In this episode… Technology is advancing rapidly, but as AI becomes more capable, how can businesses embrace automation without losing the human judgment that drives meaningful work? What does it take to keep people at the center of innovation?
In Gil Makleff’s view, successful AI is not about removing humans from work but helping them create better outcomes. He highlights the importance of designing AI systems that collaborate with humans, allowing professionals to maintain control while automating repetitive tasks. By transforming conversations into actionable business deliverables, AI can improve productivity without sacrificing critical thinking or decision-making. Gil also shares how his entrepreneurial journey shaped his approach to leadership, from navigating company acquisitions to building empowered, high-performing teams. He explains why values-driven decisions and a culture of trust are essential for long-term success in both business and technology.
In this episode of the Inspired Insider Podcast, host Dr. Jeremy Weisz sits down with Gil Makleff, CEO and Co-founder of Sembly AI, to discuss building human-centered AI that empowers professionals instead of replacing them. They explore the vision behind Sembly AI, the role of AI agents in transforming workplace productivity, and lessons from scaling and exiting technology companies. Gil also shares his leadership philosophy for building loyal, high-performing teams.")
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Travis Cody is the Founder of Bestseller By Design, where he helps founders, consultants, and experts turn their knowledge and experience into bestselling books. With a background in Hollywood screenwriting, copywriting, and journalism, he is the author of 19+ books and has worked with leading marketers, including Russell Brunson and Brian Kurtz. He has helped clients achieve #1 Amazon rankings and raise millions in funding through strategic storytelling and publishing. Travis is also known for his creative approach to relationship-building, direct response marketing, and his perspective on the ethical use of AI in writing and publishing.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
• [0:00] Intro
• [2:08] Travis Cody shares how Russell Brunson’s trilogy serves as a blueprint for building a successful business
• [4:35] Doberman Dan’s $1,000 direct response book experiment and pricing psychology
• [5:34] Why Perry Marshall’s 80/20 Principle continues to shape modern marketing strategy
• [9:19] Travis on authoring over 20 books while managing multiple creative and publishing projects
• [13:22] The hero’s journey framework transforms copywriting and storytelling
• [22:49] The impact of Gary Halbert’s legendary letter and its lasting influence on marketing
• [27:12] Strategies for building meaningful connections with top industry figures
• [47:50] Travis breaks down the ethical use of AI in writing and publishing for greater creativity
In this episode…
Breaking into a new industry is often a mix of strategy, persistence, and relationships. While skills and credentials matter, real opportunities usually come through trust and connections built over time. How do entrepreneurs and creators establish credibility and grow meaningful relationships from the ground up?
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