In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Andy Nadal, Founder and CEO of Pausa, to explore a deceptively simple idea: what if the gateway to mindfulness isn’t meditation - but just one intentional breath?

After navigating his own journey with anxiety, Andy set out to build a wellness app that removes intimidation, choice fatigue, and complexity. Pausa focuses on breathing as the first step toward mental clarity - especially for people who don’t see themselves as “meditation types.”

Solomon and Andy unpack the science behind breathing techniques like box breathing, the challenges of building engagement in wellness tech, and the startup realities of creating something intentionally simple in a noisy app market. They also explore how AI is shaping the next wave of mental wellness tools - while reinforcing why authentic human connection still matters most.

If you’re curious about building calm into your daily routine or building a startup rooted in simplicity and impact - this conversation offers grounded inspiration and practical perspective.

Key Learning :

• Why breathing is a powerful entry point to mindfulness
• Reducing anxiety through simple, repeatable habits
• The role of box breathing and evidence-backed techniques
• Why removing features can improve user engagement
• The startup realities behind wellness apps
• How AI can support but not replace human-centered design
• Making mental wellness accessible to non-meditators

Key Moments:

00:00 Pausa: Breathing App for Anxiety

04:34 Navigating Uncertainty in Creation

09:36 "AI Simplifies Problem-Solving"

12:41 "Iterating Entrepreneurship Through Influencers"

14:04 Measuring Success with Pausa

19:05 "Pausa: Productivity Through Relaxation"

22:34 "Balancing AI and Humanity"

23:45 "Being Present and Pausa"

About the Guest :

Andy Nadal is passionate about uncovering the simplest ways to reduce anxiety through practical techniques. After discovering box breathing - a simple method of inhaling, holding, and exhaling breath in four-second intervals - Andy began to research its benefits and noticed that, despite strong scientific support, there wasn’t an accessible, straightforward product dedicated to this technique. Inspired by this gap, Andy set out to transform this timeless, human practice into a simple, easy-to-use solution, believing that simplicity is the key to daily calm in a complex world.

How to connect Andy :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andresnadalsosa/

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/andynadal_

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

Website: https://solonox.net/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/swilliams1992/

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Haim Zlatokrilov, CEO and Co-Founder of autokitteh, for a candid look at the realities behind AI automation.

As AI tools flood the market, many teams assume automation is a shortcut. Haim shares why that mindset often leads to frustration - and how real success depends on clear problem definition, cost awareness, infrastructure discipline, and durable backend workflows.

Together, Solomon and Haim explore the rise of “vibe coding,” the trade-offs between no-code convenience and long-term maintainability, and the evolving expectations around what AI can truly deliver. The conversation unpacks the tension between speed and sustainability - and why managing expectations is just as important as choosing the right tools.

If you’re a developer, startup founder, or business leader trying to navigate AI without falling into the hype cycle, this episode offers grounded insights into building automation that actually lasts.

Key Takeaways :

• Why “throwing AI at the problem” rarely works
• The hidden costs behind AI automation
• Vibe coding vs durable backend engineering
• Managing expectations when adopting AI tools
• Infrastructure realities most teams overlook
• How AutoKitty approaches automation differently
• The future of developer platforms in an AI world

Key Moments:

03:14 "Developer Automation Platform Origins"

07:27 "Vibe Coding Automation Platform"

11:22 "Key Framework Insights for Business"

13:30 AI: Balance Between Fear & Utility

18:54 "AI Integration and Business Strategy"

21:47 Adapting to Prompt-Based Development

24:30 "No-Code vs Automation Confusion"

26:09 Navigating AI Implementation Challenges

31:06 "Streamlining Focus in DevOps"

33:58 "Magic Wand for Future AI"

About the guest :

Haim Zlatokrilov is a thoughtful leader in AI technology and automation, known for his pragmatic approach to implementing artificial intelligence in real-world scenarios. In his journey, Haim has encountered the common misconception that AI can easily solve massive challenges - such as processing thousands of CVs - without considering the steep costs involved. Through firsthand experience, he discovered that creating advanced bots could be prohibitively expensive, especially when scaling up to tens of thousands of tasks. Recognizing this, Haim championed a more strategic approach, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful filtering and precise matching rather than relying on brute AI force. His story reflects a balanced perspective on innovation, always keeping economic feasibility and practical effectiveness at the forefront of technology adoption.

Links to connect Haim :

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/haim-zlatokrilov/

Website : https://autokitteh.com/

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a journey to decode the technologies shaping tomorrow.

Contact Solomon:

In this episode of The AI Advantage, host Solomon Williams sits down with Franco Arza, founding member of Darkroom Engineering, to explore what happens when you remove bureaucracy and build teams on trust, context, and autonomy.

Franco shares his journey from working inside large software factories in Argentina to helping build boutique development studios that challenge traditional project management models. Together, Solomon and Franco unpack why excessive process slows teams down, how direct communication creates better outcomes, and why embracing failure and rapid iteration is essential in modern web engineering.

The conversation dives into Darkroom’s unique approach to project delivery, the role of design technicians, and how AI and no-code tools are removing busywork - allowing small, focused teams to compete with much larger organizations. At its core, this episode is about building human-centric systems where developers do their best work and clients get real value.

If you’re leading a tech team, running a web studio, or rethinking how work should actually get done in an AI-enabled world, this episode offers a refreshing and practical perspective.

Key Takeaways

• Why trust and autonomy outperform rigid process
• How removing bureaucracy unlocks speed and creativity
• The role of context and direct communication in agile teams
• Using AI and no-code tools to eliminate busywork
• Lessons from scaling boutique web studios sustainably
• Why small, empowered teams can outperform industry giants
• Embracing failure and iteration as a competitive advantage

Key Moments:

03:57 Building Boutique Software with Next.js

09:04 "Teal Organizations and Trust"

12:28 "Iterate, Launch, and Adapt"

14:27 "Self-Managed Team Collaboration"

17:32 "Startup Challenges and Workflow Overwhelm"

19:56 Trust-Driven Team Accountability

23:14 "Team Trust and AI Evolution"

28:01 "AI Removes Fear of Learning"

31:19 "Rethinking Roles in Our Team"

33:40 "Improving Team Onboarding Efficiency"

38:17 "Building Tools for Design Technicians"

39:43 Streamlined Web Design with Framer

43:51 "AI's Chat Interface: DOS Era"

About the guest :

Franco Arza’s journey in technology began at a young age, when he started exploring Linux and tinkering with desktop environments. Over a decade ago, he turned his passion into a profession, diving into the world of web development. Franco’s career has seen him working with various software factories in Argentina, where he gained first-hand experience in the challenges of highly structured corporate environments - where even simple requests often required navigating layers of bureaucracy. Despite these obstacles, Franco’s dedication to coding and problem-solving has shaped his expertise and driven his career forward.

How to connect Franco :

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arzafran/

Website: https://darkroom.engineering/

About the host :

Solomon Williams is the founder of Solonox and the host of the podcast "AI Advantage." Dedicated to helping modern leaders navigate the future of technology, Solomon cuts through the noise and hype to deliver clear, insightful conversations about AI and automation. On his podcast, he shares his expertise, sometimes solo, sometimes alongside the brightest minds in tech, offering practical advice on what it really takes to grow smarter in a rapidly evolving digital world. With "AI Advantage," Solomon invites listeners to join him on a jour...