Discover entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, scaling, and intellectual property strategies from successful founders and industry leaders. Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, co-hosts of the Passage to Profit Show interview literary agent and e-book pioneer Richard Curtis, Rose Marie Iskowitz from RISE Cognitive Blueprint and Yidian Liu from PolyGone Systems. 

AI is transforming publishing, but what does it mean for authors, publishers, copyright, and trust? Legendary literary agent Richard Curtis, who brought more than 10,000 books to publication and pioneered e-books before the Kindle, explains why publishers are increasingly wary of AI-generated writing, how AI can create serious copyright and authenticity problems, and why even AI-assisted books can face rejection. He also shares how he recognized the potential of electronic books decades before they became mainstream—and why knowing when to exit a business can be just as important as knowing when to start one. Read more at: https://richard-curtis.com/

Why are so many young adults struggling to navigate challenges, make mistakes and solve problems on their own? Rose Marie Iskowitz, creator of the RISE Cognitive Blueprint, explores how parenting, social media, comparison and the isolation of COVID may have affected young adults’ resilience and mindset. She shares her science-based RISE framework—Recognize, Investigate, Shift and Evolve—and explains how short, practical lessons can help young people become more resourceful, confident and capable of handling life’s challenges. Read more at: https://risecognitiveblueprint.com/

Microplastics and nanoplastics are increasingly being detected in drinking water and throughout the environment—but what can we actually do about them? Yadine Liu of Polygon Systems explains where microplastics come from, how they can enter our water supply, why bottled water may not be the solution, and how Polygon Systems developed a biomimicry-inspired filtration system modeled after aquatic plant roots that has achieved more than 99% microplastic removal in testing. This eye-opening conversation explores the intersection of entrepreneurship, innovation, environmental technology, water filtration, and public health. Read more at: https://www.polygonesystems.com/

Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur, startup founder, inventor, or small business owner, the Passage to Profit Show is a leading podcast for insights on entrepreneurship, innovation, intellectual property and business strategy. Hosted by Richard Gearhart and Elizabeth Gearhart, the show features industry leaders, investors, and founders who share real-world lessons on scaling companies, protecting ideas, building generational wealth, and navigating today’s evolving business landscape. Visit https://passagetoprofitshow.com/ for the latest episodes, expert interviews, and resources designed to help you grow, protect, and profit from your ideas.

Chapters

• (00:00:00) - Intro and Banter
• (00:00:46) - Everyday Inconveniences and Just Because Day
• (00:04:01) - Preview of Today's Guests
• (00:05:07) - Panel: Career-Changing Decisions
• (00:10:16) - Richard Curtis: AI and Trust in Publishing
• (00:17:44) - AI Writing, Authorship and Copyright
• (00:23:19) - Commercial Break
• (00:25:14) - Richard Curtis: The Rise of Ebooks and Kindle
• (00:29:50) - Ending a Business and the Future of Kindle
• (00:34:04) - Real AI Use Cases Roundtable
• (00:39:52) - Commercial Break
• (00:42:02) - Intellectual Property News: Reverse Confusion Trademark Case
• (00:45:40) - Rose Marie Iskowitz: Youth Mindset and Rise Framework
• (00:57:40) - Yidian Liu: Microplastics and Water Filtration
• (01:06:13) - Commercial Break
• (01:07:24) - Secrets of the Entrepreneurial Mind
• (01:10:47) - Closing Remarks