Join us as Miriam Schwab shares her impressive evolution from freelancing and agency ownership to joining Elementor, along with her innovative approaches to using AI in web development. Whether you're an agency owner or interested in AI's role in the future of websites, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiring stories.Key Topics:

• Miriam Schwab's transition from agency founder to corporate innovator at Elementor
• Lessons learned from managing agency life and re-entering the corporate world
• The strategic use of AI tools like Claude for building and optimizing websites
• How websites remain critical in the AI era, emphasizing content importance
• Practical workflows combining AI with WordPress development
• Impact of AI on agency business models and project pricing
• The significance of documentation and organized AI workflows
• The evolution of WordPress and its integration with AI, including future-proofing strategies
• Static site generation and AI’s role in improving performance and security
• Addressing AI exhaustion and maintaining mental health in a tech-driven environment

Timestamps:

• (00:00) - Intro: Deep insights from Miriam Schwab, from agency to Elementor
• (02:24) - Miriam's journey: From freelancing to agency ownership to corporate role
• (03:17) - Shift from agency to corporate: motivations and lessons learned
• (08:24) - Managing large organizations like Elementor: navigating new scales
• (12:15) - Why websites are still vital in 2026: content and AI intersection
• (13:52) - Building Miriam’s personal website with AI for creativity and control
• (15:54) - The role of agencies and their evolving value with AI tools
• (16:45) - Using Claude to customize website architecture and design workflow
• (20:00) - Documenting AI projects: lessons learned and future strategies
• (26:33) - Why Miriam prefers Claude over AI tools inside Elementor for initial builds
• (29:15) - WordPress and AI: emerging partnerships, dependencies, and future outlook
• (32:12) - The new era of static WordPress sites powered by AI
• (34:04) - Static sites, caching, and security considerations in an AI-driven web
• (36:14) - Preparing hosting infrastructures for high AI demand and resource management
• (41:14) - How clients will demand AI integration and the importance of ownership
• (43:12) - Shifting agency pricing models: from hours to outputs with AI
• (45:18) - Strategic planning and documentation for AI-enhanced website projects
• (50:20) - Legacy WordPress features still vital: customizer, post types, and custom fields
• (55:12) - The future of web development: no-code, low-code, and AI abstractions
• (62:48) - Miriam's thoughts on the role of PHP and emerging no-CMS sites
• (66:36) - Practical advice: combating AI exhaustion with pauses and reflection
• (69:11) - The importance of financial management via QuickBooks Online for agencies
• (73:46) - The importance of shutting down and taking breaks for sustained creativity

Resources & Links:

• Miriam Schwab’s Website – ( https://miriamschwab.me/ )

Connect with Miriam Schwab:

• Twitter – ( https://twitter.com/MiriamSchwab )
• LinkedIn – ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/miriamschwab/ )

In this episode, Robbie & Roger go on the scene in Denver, Colorado to gather intel from Anna Rogert (Acquia), Jamie Abrahams (FreelyGive), Paul Roetzer (Marketing AI Institute), and Dries Buytaert (Acquia / Drupal) about the Acquia AI Initiative, the new Source and Source CMS products, AI governance and security, and what AI means for agencies, the next generation of workers, and the future of the open web. Discover why this Drupal-led conversation is as much about business strategy and community collaboration as it is about technology.

Key Topics:

• Why 90% of enterprise AI projects fail, and how to be in the 10%
• The Acquia AI Initiative: what open, sovereign AI looks like for Drupal
• Source and Source CMS as Acquia’s AI-powered site builder play
• Reframing AI as “giving humans back time,” not replacing them
• Why governance, security, and the right experts in the room matter when shipping AI to production
• The shift from technical deep-dives to business-level AI adoption conversations
• Marketing AI Institute’s framing that we’re only halfway through the AI shift
• AI’s impact on employees, customers, and the next generation of students
• Breaking down the walls between WordPress, Drupal, Joomla, and other CMS communities
• Why owning your own website still matters when AI training data is the new currency
• Where agency marketing budgets, energy, and strategy are heading next

Timestamps:

00:00 - Cold open: AI is the topic, not just a topic

00:44 - Setting the scene: Acquia Engage Denver 2026

01:04 - Anna Rogert (Acquia) on her first Engage and the production value

01:21 - Dries Buytaert on the shift from one big Engage a year to a smaller traveling roadshow

01:43 - Jamie Abrahams on why 90% of enterprise AI projects fail

02:15 - Paul Roetzer (Marketing AI Institute) on a smart, challenging audience

02:53 - Robbie on AI being woven into every single talk

03:14 - Jamie Abrahams inside the Acquia AI Initiative: open, sovereign, community-driven

03:47 - Paul Roetzer on having the right experts in the room for AI governance

04:24 - Anna Rogert on AI giving humans back time, not replacing them

04:43 - Dries Buytaert: “My agents are very busy back in my hotel room”

04:56 - Business front-and-center: practicality over technical weeds

05:53 - Anna Rogert on Source, Source CMS, and why GEO/AIO is the agency hot topic

06:24 - Clearing up the “out of budget” misconception about Acquia

06:41 - Dries Buytaert on how Source lowers the barrier to running a Drupal site

07:14 - Paul Roetzer on Acquia’s security-first approach to AI

07:43 - Jamie Abrahams: AI is no longer a proof of concept, it’s shipping real value

08:45 - Why Paul Roetzer’s keynote and Marketing AI Institute course matter

09:54 - The one question Paul Roetzer wishes executives would ask sooner

10:47 - The conversation we’re not having: AI’s impact on the next generation

11:26 - AI is breaking down the walls between WordPress, Drupal, and other CMS communities

12:18 - Own your website: where do you think AI training data comes from?

13:24 - The marketing through-line from PressConf to Engage

14:02 - Closing optimism: find your energy and start collaborating

Resources & Links:

• Acquia Engage (https://www.acquia.com/about-us/events/acquia-engage)
• Drupal (https://www.drupal.org/)

How AI is Disrupting Modern Agencies with Brent Weaver

In this episode, Roger Williams and Robbie Adair sit down with Brent Weaver, CEO of E2M Solutions and founder of Vistara, to explore the seismic shifts AI is bringing to the digital agency landscape. Brent shares practical insights on how agencies can leverage AI for scaling, building trust, and maintaining profitability amid rapid technological change.

Main topics covered:

• The current AI revolution and its impact on agency operations — from offshoring to AI-powered workflows.
• How the "combine model" of generalists and specialists is reshaping agency service offerings.
• The importance of building trust and authenticity in an AI-driven business environment.
• Practical strategies for integrating AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT into client management and content creation.
• The shift from hyper-specialization to capability expansion—why agencies should think "mile wide, foot deep."
• The future of agency roles—builders versus orchestrators—and the rise of AI as an orchestrator.
• Why a focus on results over inputs (keywords, tasks) provides a competitive edge.
• The necessity of authentic client relationships and transparent processes in an AI age.
• Practical tips for managing Slack, and other organizational tools, to streamline agency-client communication.
• Personal finance tips for agency owners—saving for retirement with the "Double Down" strategy.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro - Mythos news

02:51 AI's Impact on Agency Operations

08:06 Comparing AI to Previous Tech Shifts

12:15 Implementing AI in Agency Services

17:40 The Role of Account Management in AI Agencies

22:12 The Future of Agency Roles in a Complex Landscape

24:54 The Challenges of Junior Developers

26:06 In-House vs. Outsourcing: The Agency Dilemma

29:15 AI-First Agencies: A New Paradigm?

32:23 The Race to the Bottom: AI in Digital Marketing

33:13 Rapid Fire Insights: Tools and Trends

38:32 The AI Revolution: From Science Fiction to Reality

41:22 The Role of Offshore Teams in AI Integration

42:10 Roger That

42:15 The Burden of Authenticity Debt

43:29 Navigating the AI Revolution with Honesty

45:09 Robbie’s Radar

45:15 Structuring Slack for Success

45:47 Effective Channel Naming Conventions

48:11 Optimizing Channel Participation

52:00 Managing Notifications and Client Communication

54:04 R&R

54:39 The Value of Hiring Help

58:11 Navigating Personal Finances

59:22 The Double Down Savings Strategy

01:02:23 Investing and Risk Assessment

Resources & Links:

• E2M Solutions – (https://e2msolutions.com/)
• Brent Weaver on LinkedIn – (https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentweaver/)
• Vistara Event – (https://joinvistara.com/)
• N8N Automation Tool – (https://n8n.io/)

Upcoming Events:

• Vistara Conference in Austin, May 11-13, 2023

Note:

For the latest on AI tools and agency strategies, stay tuned to Agency Intel and follow the links provided!