Finger on the Marketing AI Pulse with Aby Varma: Community, Curiosity, and the Human Touch

Welcome to another episode of the AICHE AI Curious Human Enthusiast Podcast! Today, host Erich Starrett sits down with Aby Varma, CEO of Spark Novus and founder of ConvergeX, to get his unique perspective on riding the AI wave in the heart of Atlanta’s marketing and technology scene. Known for his passion for bringing people together—both virtually and in person—Aby Varma shares the story behind Spark Novus and the cross-community powerhouse, ConvergeX, which is helping professionals learn, connect, and grow in the rapidly shifting landscape of AI.

In this episode, Aby Varma reveals how his curiosity for AI started pre-COVID, how he leverages automation to eliminate “administrivia,” and why he believes humans—and human connections—will always be at the center of truly impactful innovation. Together, Erich Starrett and Aby Varma break down practical use cases, the “Human-AI sandwich” approach, (don't leave it open-faced!) and what it really takes to stand out as unmistakably human in an AI-powered world.

If you’re ready for real talk on AI, actionable strategies, and a glimpse into the future of human–machine collaboration, tune in for this high-energy, insightful conversation. And if you’re near Atlanta, don’t miss out on the upcoming Marketing AI Pulse event—where innovation and community go hand in hand!

https://sparknovus.com

https://sparknovus.com/convergex

https://sparknovus.com/marketing-ai-pulse

https://www.meetup.com/marketing-ai/

Shoutout Sangram Vajre of GTM Partners - offereing a fractional CMO course the morning of the next Marketing AI Pulse on February 12th 2026.

About our Guest:

Aby Varma - SparkNovus

https://www.linkedin.com/in/abyvarma/

Aby Varma is a dynamic leader in the field of artificial intelligence-driven marketing. As the driving force behind Spark Novus, Aby has helped shape the company into a strategic powerhouse, specializing in AI enablement and implementation for marketing, sales, and service teams in mid-market and enterprise organizations. His journey also includes founding the Marketing AI Pulse community in Atlanta, a thriving network designed to bring together like-minded professionals passionate about the intersection of marketing and artificial intelligence. Throughout his career, Aby’s innovative spirit and collaborative approach have fueled remarkable success and fostered vibrant business communities.

AICHE S1Ep2 E.A.T.ing with John Barrows

Effort, Attitude, and Treating People Right: John Barrows’ Human Centric Approach to AI and Sales

Welcome to Season 1, Episode 2 of the AI Curious Human Enthusiast Podcast (AICHE), “E.A.T.ing with John Barrows.” In this episode, host Erich Starrett is joined by sales powerhouse John Barrows for an insightful conversation that goes beyond sales, diving deep into the intersection of humanity, authenticity, and artificial intelligence.

Kicking off with laughter and a few “Erichisms,” then quickly shifting into some JB-isms, this episode explores the philosophy of E.A.T.—Effort, Attitude, and how you Treat people—an idea John Barrows developed with his daughter and one he lives by, professionally and personally. Together, they discuss the challenges and opportunities AI brings to the workplace, sharing candid stories about adapting to technological change and what it takes to remain relevant as automation ramps up.

Whether you’re navigating career transitions, curious about leveraging AI in your daily grind, or just want to hear what happens when you combine curiosity and emotional intelligence, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, relatable anecdotes, and actionable advice. You’ll hear how John Barrows uses AI for everything from meeting prep to managing rage emails, why emotional intelligence and genuine curiosity matter more than ever, and what the future might hold as humans and AI increasingly collaborate.

Tune in for a blend of humor, heart, and hard truths about the evolving workplace—and leave inspired to focus on what you can control, stay curious, and “be the bread” in your own human/AI sandwich!

About Our Guest:

John Barrows, CEOof JB Sales

https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbarrows/

John Barrows never planned to become a sales expert—he started with a marketing degree, then “fell into sales like everybody else.” Early on, John sold DeWalt power tools and later honed his craft at Xerox, where he learned the fundamentals of selling while convincing the government to buy copiers. Fueled by these experiences, he went on to launch an IT services firm and adopted a sales training program that inspired him so much, he built a career around delivering it to others. With a no-nonsense approach and a knack for spotting opportunities, John has helped companies accelerate their growth and continues to share the techniques that shaped his own success.

Supered Man: Rob Jones on Comedy, Creativity, and Navigating with or without AI

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the AICHE AI Curious Human Enthusiast Podcast! In the kickoff, host Erich Starrett sits down with the endlessly creative and infectiously funny Rob Jones—a man who’s brought humor, audacity, and a unique curiosity for AI into every corner of his career.

Rob Jones shares his unconventional path from behavioral psychology and firefighting to taking the B2B SaaS world by storm—first with viral LinkedIn parodies and now as a passionate product evangelist at Supered. Together, Erich Starrett and Rob Jones explore what it means to be “AI curious,” how humans can partner with AI without losing their creative edge, and the ways technology both challenges and frees us to focus on what truly makes us tick. Along the way, you'll hear personal stories about learning from mistakes, the power of good humor, and why being unapologetically human may be our greatest asset in a world saturated with automation.

So whether you’re here for the laughs or to dive deeper into the ever-evolving relationship between humans and AI, this episode is packed with insights, laughter, and a fresh take on what it means to be an engaged, curious human in the age of AI. Let’s dive in!

About our guest:

Rob Jones, Brand Evangelist - Supered⚡

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-jones-%E2%9A%A1%EF%B8%8F-a9878bb1

Rob always knew his knack for translative thinking and communication could make a difference—so did his employers. Recognizing his strengths, they whisked him away from the grind of client schedules and CRM logs, and into a new creative role. Now, Rob spends his days crafting engaging content, conducting interviews, making videos, and shaping the narrative of his company. His biggest challenge to date? Rewriting the company’s story from the ground up—a task as demanding as it was rewarding, and one that showcased his true talents.