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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with marketing strategist and former attorney Nina Cleere to unpack one of the biggest visibility shifts happening right now: how people are being found through AI instead of traditional search.

Nina shares her unconventional journey from public defender to corporate counsel to digital marketing expert—and how her background in law sharpened her edge in research, positioning, and strategic communication.

Together, they explore:

• Why AI-generated content can’t be copyrighted (and what that means for creators)
• How platforms like ChatGPT and Claude are changing buying behavior
• The rise of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)
• The small but powerful website fixes that instantly boost trust and reach
• Why your content needs to mirror how people actually ask questions
• How backlinks, testimonials, and media features now help AI recommend you
• The hidden visibility killers like broken links and inconsistent business info

This conversation is a must-listen for speakers, coaches, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who want to stay discoverable, credible, and competitive in a rapidly changing digital world.

✨ Key Takeaways

1. AI is the new search engine
   More people are finding experts through ChatGPT and Claude—not just Google.
2. GEO is the future of SEO
   Generative Engine Optimization helps AI tools recommend you as the answer.
3. AI content isn’t copyrightable
   Use AI to support your thinking, not replace your original voice.
4. Simple tech fixes boost visibility fast
   SSL, clean links, schema markup, and consistent business info matter more than most realize.
5. FAQ-style content wins now
   Write the way people actually ask questions for better SEO and AI discovery.

👤 Guest Bio – Nina Cleere

Nina Cleere is a marketing strategist, AI visibility consultant, and former attorney who helps entrepreneurs get found in both search engines and AI platforms like ChatGPT and Claude.

After working as a public defender, corporate counsel, and VP of a Fortune 500–level company, Nina pivoted into digital marketing—bringing her legal research and strategic expertise into modern visibility strategies.

She’s the founder of HaroHelper.com, where she helps business owners land media mentions, build authoritative backlinks, and future-proof their discoverability through Generative Engine Optimization (GEO).

Nina is known for her direct, practical guidance that cuts through hype and helps smart professionals stop being invisible online.

🔗 Connect with Nina Cleere
🌐 Website:
https://harohelper.com/
📸 Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/netc23/
💼 Facebook:
https://w

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!

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In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Amy Jenkins — estate planning and probate attorney — for an honest, eye-opening conversation about what really happens after a loved one passes away.

After navigating the loss of her own father, Elaine shares firsthand how having power of attorney, medical directives, and a DNR still didn’t prepare her for the realities of probate, frozen bank accounts, and the overwhelming number of decisions families are forced to make while grieving.

Amy brings clarity, compassion, and real-life stories from her legal practice to explain why estate planning is about far more than paperwork — it’s about protecting relationships, preserving peace of mind, and preventing unnecessary stress for the people you love.

She shares:

• What actually happens to assets after someone passes away
• Why bank accounts can be frozen — and how long probate can really take
• The myth that everything automatically goes to the surviving spouse
• Why power of attorney stops working the moment someone dies
• When trusts can help families avoid court and long delays
• The true cost of probate — emotionally and financially
• Why personal items and heirlooms often cause the biggest family conflicts

This episode is packed with real stories, practical explanations, and compassionate guidance for anyone who wants to spare their loved ones from confusion, court delays, and unnecessary heartache.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Power of attorney ends at death.
Once someone passes away, power of attorney immediately becomes invalid and cannot be used to manage assets or accounts.

2. Probate is a court process — and it takes time.
In many cases, probate can take anywhere from 9 to 18 months, leaving families waiting to access funds while bills continue.

3. Bank accounts can be frozen quickly.
When a financial institution is notified of a death, accounts may become inaccessible until legal authority is granted.

4. Assets don’t always transfer automatically.
Even spouses may need probate to properly transfer ownership, especially when real estate is involved.

5. Trusts can help families avoid court delays.
A revocable living trust can allow assets to pass more quickly, privately, and with less stress — though not everyone needs one.

6. The emotional toll is often greater than the financial cost.
Grief, uncertainty, and pressure can strain families far more than legal fees alone.

7. Heirlooms and personal items cause more conflict than money.
Without clear guidance, sentimental items often become the source of major family disputes.

👤 Guest Bio — Amy Jenkins

Amy Jenkins is an estate planning and probate attorney based in Texas, known for her calm, compassionate, and no-BS approach to helping families plan ahead and navigate life’s most difficult transitions.

Amy helps individuals and families create wills, trusts, and estate plans

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!

Send us a text

In this episode of Captivate the Mic, Elaine Williams sits down with Mickey Fitch-Collins, a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and former teenage professional bass fisher whose unconventional journey shaped her powerful voice on stage.

Mickey shares how becoming the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S. at just 14 years old unexpectedly launched her into public speaking—teaching rooms full of men twice her age. That early stage experience built confidence, resilience, and a deep understanding of storytelling that still fuels her work today.

The conversation weaves through:

• Finding confidence through early stage time
• Why authenticity matters more than polish in speaking
• How storytelling creates real human connection
• Using AI as a modern presentation coach
• Preventing burnout through leadership and feedback
• Why everyone has a voice worth hearing

Mickey also reflects on her transition from higher education leadership into corporate learning and development, her work at Learn It, and why owning your narrative is the foundation of impactful communication.

This episode is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t born — it’s built, and the sooner you step on stage, the faster you grow.

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Stage time builds confidence faster than theory
   Speaking early—even imperfectly—creates resilience you can’t learn from books.
2. Authenticity beats polish every time
   Audiences connect with real humans, not rehearsed facades.
3. Storytelling is the fastest way to build trust
   Facts inform, but stories move people emotionally.
4. Confidence comes from competence
   When you know your material deeply, nerves become excitement instead of fear.
5. AI can be a powerful speaking coach
   Recording yourself and using AI feedback accelerates growth.
6. Feedback is fuel, not criticism
   Regular positive feedback prevents burnout and strengthens teams.
7. Your background is your advantage
   What makes you “different” is often what makes you memorable.

👤 Guest Bio — Mickey Fitch-Collins

Mickey Fitch-Collins, PhD, is a leadership development expert, professional facilitator, and human skills trainer at Learnit. She began public speaking at just 14 years old as the youngest professional bass fisherman in the U.S., teaching packed rooms of seasoned anglers and industry leaders.

After earning her PhD in leadership and spending over 20 years in higher education administration, Mickey transitioned into corporate learning and development, where she now helps professionals strengthen communication, prevent burnout, and lead with authenticity.

She is also the host of The Learnit Library, where she explores learning, leadership, and human connection at work.

🔗 Guest Links & Contact

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mickeyfitchcollins/
• Learnit Page: https://www.learnit.com/mickey

Connect with your Host, Elaine Williams:
Check out Captivate the Mic Podcast on Elaine's YouTube Channel
Check out the Captivate the Crowd Website
Follow Elaine on Social- LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok
Want to schedule a free chat with Elaine? Click here to book a zoom date!