In this episode of The Unscripted Leader, host Steve Margerin sits down with Dustin Bruzenak, CEO of Modern Logic, to talk about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the business landscape—especially for small and mid-sized companies. Dustin shares how AI is democratizing technology, freeing up teams from repetitive tasks, and empowering leaders to focus on creativity, innovation, and purpose-driven growth. If you’ve been curious (or even skeptical) about how to actually make AI work in your organization, this conversation breaks it down with clarity, humor, and hard-earned experience.
Guest Introduction:
Dustin Bruzenak is the CEO and co-founder of Modern Logic, a digital innovation firm specializing in helping small and mid-sized businesses leverage AI and automation. With over 15 years of experience leading technology ventures—including five startups he’s founded—Dustin’s passion lies in making emerging technologies accessible, ethical, and actionable for everyday business leaders.
Key Takeaways:
AI is not just for big tech—small businesses can see real ROI within months by automating repetitive work.
The most effective leaders are those learning how to apply AI strategically, not just tactically.
“Human-in-the-loop” workflows are essential to keep authenticity and prevent what Dustin calls work slop—AI output without human empathy.
Use frameworks like ICE (Impact, Confidence, Ease) to prioritize where to apply AI in your business.
The next revolution is agentic AI—systems that act on tasks autonomously—but we’re not there yet. Start simple, start now.
AI adoption isn’t about replacement; it’s about reallocation—freeing people to do more meaningful, creative work.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – Welcome and Guest Introduction
2:20 – Why AI is the “Industrial Revolution” of our time
5:20 – Dustin’s entrepreneurial journey and founding of Modern Logic
8:00 – Making AI accessible for small and mid-sized businesses
10:00 – The real-world impact of AI on jobs and creativity
13:30 – How AI empowers small teams to scale faster
17:00 – Rapid ROI: How businesses are saving hours (and headcount) with automation
20:00 – The ethics of AI and the role of human oversight
23:00 – Preparing the next generation of talent for an AI-driven economy
26:00 – Practical advice for business leaders starting with AI
28:00 – Top 3 AI use cases moving the needle today
31:00 – The future of agentic AI and where it’s headed next
33:00 – Human creativity, authenticity, and “work slop”
36:00 – Closing reflections on leadership in the age of AI
 
Keywords:
Steve Margerin, Dustin Bruzenak, The Unscripted Leader, Modern Logic, AI for business, artificial intelligence, small business automation, AI strategy, human-in-the-loop, digital transformation, leadership podcast, business innovation, agentic AI, AI consulting, AI workflow automation

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Unscripted Leader! In this episode, I sit down with Steven Rothberg, founder and chief visionary officer of College Recruiter, a powerhouse in matching over 12 million students and grads with great jobs. We dive into his wild ride from printing campus maps in 1991 to pivoting through dot-com bubbles, recessions, and tech revolutions—all while staying true to helping young talent launch amazing careers. Steven shares how EOS transformed his business, why he's a recovering lawyer turned entrepreneur, and the tough decisions that scaled his company. If you're a leader navigating change, building teams, or just love inspiring stories of grit and innovation in recruiting, this one's packed with insights. Hit play, subscribe, and let's connect—drop your thoughts in the comments!
 
Guest Introduction:
I'm excited to feature Steven Rothberg, founder and chief visionary at College Recruiter, where he pioneered matching employers with college talent. A recovering lawyer turned recruiting expert, Steven's 34-year venture has been spotlighted in outlets like CNN and The Wall Street Journal. As of 2025, he's still driving innovation, appearing on podcasts discussing 2025 recruiting trends and AI in job boards—perfect for our dive into entrepreneurial resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Small starts spark big wins: Steven began with campus maps but embraced the internet pivot, building a recruiting powerhouse that's thriving into 2025.
Survival through adaptation: Dumping print for digital pre-dot-com bust was clutch—lessons that echo in today's AI-shifting recruiting landscape.
EOS for the win: Structuring with visionary and integrator roles brought clarity, especially post-'08 recession, and it's still powering teams today.
Mission matters: Focusing on great careers for every student and easy hiring for employers keeps the business laser-sharp—don't veer off course.
Build or buy evolves: License early for testing, but own core tech as you grow to cut risks, a strategy holding strong in 2025's market.
Customer-driven growth: One key shift to performance pricing quadrupled results—aligning wins that fuel ongoing success in high-volume hiring.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
00:00:10 Guest Introduction and Background
00:03:02 Origins of College Recruiter: Maps to Magazines
00:06:03 Internet Pivot in the '90s
00:09:33 Dot-Com Bubble and Transitions
00:11:24 EOS Implementation and Roles
00:15:59 From Lawyer to Entrepreneur
00:20:07 Mission for Student Careers
00:22:27 Future Tech and Risk Management
00:25:59 Build vs. Buy Decisions
00:28:27 MVP and Feedback Loops
00:31:01 Upside-Downside Decision Making
00:35:16 Performance Pricing Scale
00:38:13 Closing and Contacts
 
Keywords:
Steve Margerin, Steven Rothberg, The Unscripted Leader, college recruiting, entrepreneurial journey, EOS system, visionary leadership, dot-com bubble, college recruiter, job matching, recruiting technology 2025, AI in recruiting, business pivots, leadership lessons, student careers

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Unscripted Leader! In this episode, I sit down with Steven Rothberg, founder and chief visionary officer of College Recruiter, a powerhouse in matching over 12 million students and grads with great jobs. We dive into his wild ride from printing campus maps in 1991 to pivoting through dot-com bubbles, recessions, and tech revolutions—all while staying true to helping young talent launch amazing careers. Steven shares how EOS transformed his business, why he's a recovering lawyer turned entrepreneur, and the tough decisions that scaled his company. If you're a leader navigating change, building teams, or just love inspiring stories of grit and innovation in recruiting, this one's packed with insights. Hit play, subscribe, and let's connect—drop your thoughts in the comments!
 
Guest Introduction:
I'm excited to feature Steven Rothberg, founder and chief visionary at College Recruiter, where he pioneered matching employers with college talent. A recovering lawyer turned recruiting expert, Steven's 34-year venture has been spotlighted in outlets like CNN and The Wall Street Journal. As of 2025, he's still driving innovation, appearing on podcasts discussing 2025 recruiting trends and AI in job boards—perfect for our dive into entrepreneurial resilience.
Key Takeaways:
Small starts spark big wins: Steven began with campus maps but embraced the internet pivot, building a recruiting powerhouse that's thriving into 2025.
Survival through adaptation: Dumping print for digital pre-dot-com bust was clutch—lessons that echo in today's AI-shifting recruiting landscape.
EOS for the win: Structuring with visionary and integrator roles brought clarity, especially post-'08 recession, and it's still powering teams today.
Mission matters: Focusing on great careers for every student and easy hiring for employers keeps the business laser-sharp—don't veer off course.
Build or buy evolves: License early for testing, but own core tech as you grow to cut risks, a strategy holding strong in 2025's market.
Customer-driven growth: One key shift to performance pricing quadrupled results—aligning wins that fuel ongoing success in high-volume hiring.
 
Chapter Markers:
0:00 Intro
00:00:10 Guest Introduction and Background
00:03:02 Origins of College Recruiter: Maps to Magazines
00:06:03 Internet Pivot in the '90s
00:09:33 Dot-Com Bubble and Transitions
00:11:24 EOS Implementation and Roles
00:15:59 From Lawyer to Entrepreneur
00:20:07 Mission for Student Careers
00:22:27 Future Tech and Risk Management
00:25:59 Build vs. Buy Decisions
00:28:27 MVP and Feedback Loops
00:31:01 Upside-Downside Decision Making
00:35:16 Performance Pricing Scale
00:38:13 Closing and Contacts
 
Keywords:
Steve Margerin, Steven Rothberg, The Unscripted Leader, college recruiting, entrepreneurial journey, EOS system, visionary leadership, dot-com bubble, college recruiter, job matching, recruiting technology 2025, AI in recruiting, business pivots, leadership lessons, student careers

Hey, folks! Steve Margerin here with The Unscripted Leader, and I’m pumped to kick off our first episode with Pete Steege, bestselling author of Radical Clarity. We dive deep into the challenges accidental CEOs face—those brilliant experts who wake up leading a business without a playbook. Pete shares how to find your true story, align your team, and scale without losing your soul. From tackling myopic thinking to building a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with insights for founders and leaders. If you’re ready to lead with authenticity and purpose, hit play and join us! Check out Pete’s resources at b2b-clarity.com/unscripted. Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments!
 
Guest Introduction:I’m thrilled to have Pete Steege on today’s show! A rewired engineer turned leadership guru, Pete’s the bestselling author of Radical Clarity: How Accidental CEOs Unlock Meaning and Lead with Purpose. With years of experience coaching B2B tech CEOs, he’s a master at helping founders scale their businesses while staying true to their vision. His insights on authentic leadership are pure gold!
 
Key Takeaways:
• Accidental CEOs often try to do too much—focus on what matters by cutting the noise.• Your product won’t sell itself; connect with customers by solving their real problems.• Find your true story to align your team and unlock engagement across the business.• Use customer journey mapping to spot friction and prioritize what’s blocking growth.• Purpose-driven leadership means clarity, shared meaning, and actionable initiatives.• Scaling requires humility—embrace a growth mindset to let go without losing control.
 
Chapter Markers:0:00 -  Intro0:26 - Guest Introduction2:02 - The Making of Radical Clarity3:23 - Top Challenges for Accidental CEOs5:24 - Overcoming Myopic Thinking9:38 - The Power of a Leadership Story12:00 - Customer Journey as a Diagnostic Tool15:08 - Defining Purpose-Driven Leadership22:49 - Scaling Without Losing Control28:36 - Where to Find Pete’s Book30:30 - Closing
 
Keywords:Steve Margerin, Pete Steege, The Unscripted Leader, Radical Clarity, accidental CEO, leadership, authentic leadership, purpose-driven leadership, business scaling, founder challenges, B2B tech, customer journey, team alignment, leadership story, business growth

Hey, folks! Steve Margerin here with The Unscripted Leader, and I’m pumped to kick off our first episode with Pete Steege, bestselling author of Radical Clarity. We dive deep into the challenges accidental CEOs face—those brilliant experts who wake up leading a business without a playbook. Pete shares how to find your true story, align your team, and scale without losing your soul. From tackling myopic thinking to building a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with insights for founders and leaders. If you’re ready to lead with authenticity and purpose, hit play and join us! Check out Pete’s resources at b2b-clarity.com/unscripted. Don’t forget to subscribe and share your thoughts in the comments!
 
Guest Introduction:I’m thrilled to have Pete Steege on today’s show! A rewired engineer turned leadership guru, Pete’s the bestselling author of Radical Clarity: How Accidental CEOs Unlock Meaning and Lead with Purpose. With years of experience coaching B2B tech CEOs, he’s a master at helping founders scale their businesses while staying true to their vision. His insights on authentic leadership are pure gold!
 
Key Takeaways:
• Accidental CEOs often try to do too much—focus on what matters by cutting the noise.• Your product won’t sell itself; connect with customers by solving their real problems.• Find your true story to align your team and unlock engagement across the business.• Use customer journey mapping to spot friction and prioritize what’s blocking growth.• Purpose-driven leadership means clarity, shared meaning, and actionable initiatives.• Scaling requires humility—embrace a growth mindset to let go without losing control.
 
Chapter Markers:0:00 -  Intro0:26 - Guest Introduction2:02 - The Making of Radical Clarity3:23 - Top Challenges for Accidental CEOs5:24 - Overcoming Myopic Thinking9:38 - The Power of a Leadership Story12:00 - Customer Journey as a Diagnostic Tool15:08 - Defining Purpose-Driven Leadership22:49 - Scaling Without Losing Control28:36 - Where to Find Pete’s Book30:30 - Closing
 
Keywords:Steve Margerin, Pete Steege, The Unscripted Leader, Radical Clarity, accidental CEO, leadership, authentic leadership, purpose-driven leadership, business scaling, founder challenges, B2B tech, customer journey, team alignment, leadership story, business growth