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Igniting Souls Podcast with Kary Oberbrunner
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The Most Valuable Companies in the World Leverage a Powerful Secret. Do you?

The majority of entrepreneurs don’t think they have any intellectual property. Truth is, they just don’t know how to find it. The few who do, don’t know how to protect it. Over 90% of your company’s value is linked to your IP. Unless you value your IP, your clients, competitors, and collaborators won’t truly value you.

Kary Oberbrunner and Katherine Rubino team up to help you identify your ideas and protect them the fastest, easiest, and most effective way possible.

Your Ideas are Valuable. Start Protecting Them Today.

This podcast is sponsored by Instant IP and Wiggin(x).

ignitingsouls.com/media/

Igniting Souls Podcast with Kary Oberbrunner

Kary Oberbrunner
Management & Marketing
1185 episodes
S4 Ep72: Deepfakes, Copycats, and Stolen Content—How to Fight Back Fast
In a world where you can’t always trust what you see—or hear—how do you protect yourself? Kary and IP attorney Katie Rubino break down the rise of deepfakes, AI voice cloning, and digital impersonation—sparked by a viral case of a creator’s identity being stolen and used in ads. From scam calls to sophisticated phishing schemes, they reveal how easy it is to fake identity today—and what you ca...
24m • Apr 28
24m
S4 Ep71: Stop AI From Stealing Your Talk (Protect Your Ideas Before You Speak)
Are you worried about AI stealing your ideas, content, or keynote speech? In today’s world of artificial intelligence, AI content scraping, AI copying content, and intellectual property theft are real threats for public speakers, authors, and creators. If you’ve ever wondered how to protect your ideas, protect your content from AI, or stop content theft, this video will show you exactly what’s ...
6m • Apr 23
6m
S4 Ep70: Inside the Trademark Dispute: Why Taylor Swift Is Being Sued
In this episode, Kary and Katie break down a headline-making trademark dispute that puts one of the world’s biggest brands in the hot seat. A Las Vegas performer claims prior ownership—raising a powerful question: Does being first matter more than being famous? Whether you're building a brand or protecting one, this episode is a must-listen reminder: your ideas are only as strong as how you p...
10m • Apr 21
10m
S4 Ep69: Can You Really Prove Idea Ownership in Court—Instantly? (Instant IP Explained)
If someone stole your idea tomorrow, could you actually prove it in court? Most entrepreneurs, creators, and founders assume their intellectual property is protected. But in reality, courts don’t reward ideas—they evaluate evidence. And that’s where things break down. In today’s digital economy, ideas can be copied, scraped, and redistributed globally in a matter of hours. Meanwhile, traditi...
17m • Apr 16
17m
S4 Ep68: Why Every Collaboration Creates New IP
Collaboration isn’t just partnership—it’s a strategy for creating entirely new assets. In this episode, Chad Jenkins, Katie, and Kary explore how combining what you already have with what others bring to the table can generate new IP, unlock new audiences, and accelerate success. They dive into real-world examples, the importance of defining IP ownership early, and why showing up as a “giver” ...
25m • Apr 14
25m
S4 Ep67: AI Is Stealing Your Ideas Faster Than Ever: Here's What To Do About It
What if someone didn’t just copy your content, but cloned your entire website, your courses, and your brand… and started profiting from it? In today’s AI-powered digital economy, intellectual property theft has evolved far beyond simple copy-and-paste. We’re now seeing deepfakes, cloned websites, and pirated digital products spreading at a speed that traditional protection methods simply can’t...
5m • Apr 10
5m
S4 Ep66: Why Matthew McConaughey Says Trademark Yourself in the Age of AI
In this episode, Kary and Katie tackle the high-stakes world of intellectual property in the age of AI. Inspired by Matthew McConaughey’s viral warning to trademark yourself, they dive into “IP Stacking”—using trademarks, copyrights, and blockchain timestamps to protect your name, voice, and unique style. From the pitfalls of unregistered TMs to navigating AI-generated content, they reveal why...
33m • Apr 07
33m
S4 Ep65: Instant IP Teams is the New Answer for Protecting Ideas in the Age of AI
What happens when ideas are created faster than they can be protected? In today’s AI-driven world, innovation happens in seconds, but traditional intellectual property systems still take years. That gap creates a massive risk for creators, founders, and teams building at the speed of technology. Listen in as we break down the growing tension between rapid creation and slow legal protection, a...
19m • Apr 03
19m
S4 Ep64: Marketing Made Simple with Dr. JJ Peterson
Dr. JJ Peterson shares how narrative theory transforms marketing by positioning the customer—not the brand—as the hero. Co-author of Marketing Made Simple alongside Donald Miller, he breaks down the powerful “one-liner” framework (problem, solution, result) to clarify your message fast. Kary and Dr. Peterson also explore protecting your intellectual property and voice in the age of AI and how ...
26m • Mar 31
26m
S4 Ep63: Stop the Steal: Protect Your Brand
Your brand name isn’t just creative — it’s a valuable asset, and if you don’t protect it, someone else will. In this episode, Kary talks with Lynne Modranski about the shocking discovery of a copycat Facebook page impersonating her ministry, and the crucial lessons it taught about defending your identity. Kary introduces the IP Flywheel, showing why securing your name before you publish, promo...
22m • Mar 24
22m
S4 Ep62: Before you Pay for a Trademark: How Entrepreneurs Actually Secure Their Brand Today
Join Kary with IP attorneys, Frank and Katie from Wiggin and Dana, as they unpack the “invisible layer” of intellectual property. Today’s trademark climate is tougher than ever. This episode explores the power of strategic IP stacking, which combines trademarks, patents, copyrights, and trade secrets. You’ll learn what entrepreneurs need to know to truly protect their brand. If you’re buildin...
37m • Mar 17
37m
S4 Ep61: Simplifying the relationship between AI and IP with Tom Lambotte
In this episode, Kary welcomes AI strategist Tom Lambotte to cut through the hype and simplify what AI really means for professionals and creators. They explore overcoming overwhelm, using AI with confidence, and applying it through the lens of intellectual property to enhance productivity, decision-making, and strategic advantage. This practical conversation shows how understanding AI can unl...
26m • Mar 10
26m
S4 Ep60: Good Vibes Club takes Its Intellectual Property to the next level with Instant IP
Are NFTs just a flashy fad—or the future of ownership? In this episode, we’re bringing the good vibes and the real talk. We’re joined by Chris Guyot co-founder of the Good Vibes Club, to break down how art, community, and intellectual property collide in Web3. Chris shares his journey from working with global brands like Google, Meta, and Reddit to building one of the top NFT projects in the s...
40m • Mar 03
40m
S4 Ep59: When is the right time to re-launch a book?
Is your book evolving, or is it frozen in time? In this episode, Kary and Katie explore the strategic relaunch of intellectual property and why staying relevant matters, drawing insights from iconic brands like Apple and Nike. They discuss how updating dated content, signaling new editions through smart branding and cover changes, and properly registering copyrights and trademarks can protect ...
22m • Feb 26
22m
S4 Ep58: IP Harvesting: Smart IP Strategies for Authors
In this episode, Kary and Katie dive into the powerful concept of IP Harvesting and how authors can leverage their books as long-term intellectual property assets. They explore strategic ways to think beyond book sales and begin building scalable revenue streams rooted in your ideas, frameworks, and expertise. From understanding how a single manuscript can evolve into multiple products and pla...
20m • Feb 24
20m
S4 Ep57: How to leverage IP with strategic collaborations the grow your influence, impact, and income
In this episode, Kary and Katie unpack how to protect and leverage your intellectual property in collaborations. They explain the difference between background and foreground IP, why ownership matters, and how clear agreements can prevent costly misunderstandings. If you’re partnering with others, this conversation will help you safeguard your ideas and maximize impact. PROTECT your first id...
9m • Feb 17
9m
S4 Ep56: Jim Gant the American Spartan: How to establish new creative problem-solving strategies to fight new battles in life and business
What happens when unconventional leadership changes the battlefield—and costs everything? In this episode, Kary sits down with legendary Special Forces officer Jim Gant and John Rue, Built To Lead Builder,  to explore the rise, controversy, and redemption of a warrior who redefined modern warfare. From influencing top military leaders to confronting personal failure, addiction, and identity, ...
42m • Feb 10
42m
S4 Ep55: 7 Reasons to Think Twice Before Using a ™ Symbol
Many entrepreneurs casually use the TM symbol without fully understanding what it actually means—or the risks behind it. In this episode, Kary and Katie unpack the confusion around trademarks, the difference between TM and registered trademarks, and why intellectual property isn’t as simple as “staking a claim.” They explore real-world examples, common misconceptions, and the hidden complexit...
15m • Feb 03
15m
S4 Ep54: How singers, songwriters, and musicians should protect their IP in the age of AI
In this episode, Kary welcomes Andrea Olson, founder of Produce Like a Boss, to explore a critical question for musicians: Do you really have intellectual property—and should you protect it? Together, they unpack what IP means for songwriters and artists, why creative ideas are more valuable than you think, and how protecting your music can increase your influence, impact, and income in the ag...
29m • Jan 27
29m
S4 Ep53: Instant IP: Idea Protection at the Speed of Thought
In this episode, we explore why idea protection must happen as fast as idea creation in a world of AI, social media, and constant digital recording. From the meaning of abracadabra (“I create as I speak”) to a new paradigm of protecting ideas the moment they’re imagined, this conversation breaks down the growing risks of IP leakage—and how creators can stay ahead. You’ll learn why traditional ...
19m • Jan 06
19m
S4 Ep52: Why Your Intellectual Property Doesn’t Have to Die When You Do
This episode comes with a warning—it might sound morbid, but it’s said with love. What happens to your intellectual property when you’re gone? In this powerful, deeply human conversation, we explore why your IP doesn’t have to die when you do—and why treating it as a real asset matters more than ever. Through a true story of sudden loss, legacy, and redemption, we unpack how IP fits into estat...
17m • Dec 31, 2025
17m
S4 Ep51: USPTO Changes Position on AI as Inventors with IP
In this eye-opening episode, Kary and Katie dive into one of the most urgent questions of our time: What happens to intellectual property when AI becomes the “inventor”? Fresh off recent USPTO updates, they explore how countries are beginning to recognize AI as inventors, the rise of AI-generated personalities in Hollywood, and the very real implications of machines replacing human work. From ...
25m • Dec 23, 2025
25m
S4 Ep50: How to Create IP as you Write Your Book.
Have you ever had a book that changed your life? On this episode of You Are an IP Company, Kary Oberbrunner sits down with Mark C. Winters, co-author of Rocket Fuel and author of his new book Visionary. Mark shares how his latest book helps driven entrepreneurs get what they want without doing it all themselves. From the ten pillars of being a successful visionary to practical strategies for ...
25m • Dec 16, 2025
25m
S4 Ep49: How AI is Training on all your Private Data Automatically Thanks to Big Tech
In this eye-opening episode, Kary and Katie uncover how major tech companies like Meta and Google are quietly using your private data to train their AI systems—often without you realizing it. From hidden “opt-out” settings to terms and conditions buried in fine print, they reveal how your everyday emails, meetings, and shared files may already be part of Big Tech’s AI learning. The hosts discu...
12m • Dec 02, 2025
12m
S4 Ep48: How to make your IP outlive you and fund future generations
In this episode of You Are an IP Company, Kary and Katie explore how intellectual property isn’t just for you — it’s for your legacy. From Disney to Hello Kitty, C.S. Lewis to Michael Jackson, some of the world’s most iconic brands and creators continue to generate income long after their founders are gone. Kary and Katie unpack how smart IP strategy can create generational wealth, why tradema...
15m • Nov 25, 2025
15m
S4 Ep47: How AI is stealing IP from Industry Icons
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art and the idea of “Resistance” — that invisible force that shows up the moment you set out to create something meaningful. We just spoke with Pressfield in Boston about publishing and protecting IP. Katie and Kary connect this timeless creative struggle of a Resistance to a modern threat: intellectual property theft...
22m • Nov 18, 2025
22m
S4 Ep46: AI Wearables Now Threaten IP Infringement in Brand New Ways
AI wearables are changing everything — and not always for the better. Kary and Katie reveal how smart devices are creating new forms of IP theft and what creators and brands must do to stay protected. If you have a website, a podcast, social media accounts, or even a LinkedIn profile, then you SHOULD be using Instant IP to protect your ideas. If not, AI WILL scrape your content and serve it u...
18m • Nov 11, 2025
18m
S4 Ep45: Why You Should Start an IP Holding Company ASAP
Your intellectual property is one of your most valuable business assets, but most entrepreneurs leave it unprotected. In this episode, we explore how creating an IP holding company can safeguard your trademarks, copyrights, and creative assets from lawsuits and creditors. You’ll learn how separating your IP adds transparency for investors and strengthens your overall business structure. We al...
27m • Oct 28, 2025
27m
S4 Ep44: AI Stole my 3 Books and I Got $9,000 as Payment.
AI company Anthropic used thousands of authors’ books—maybe even yours—to train its model, Claude. Now, a $1.5 billion settlement in Bartz v. Anthropic could change everything for creators. In this episode, we unpack what it means for authors, how to file a claim, and why IP theft is skyrocketing in the age of AI. Listen now to learn how to protect your work and your rights. PROTECT your firs...
12m • Oct 23, 2025
12m
S4 Ep43: Clarity Attracts. Confusion Repels. Why You Must Protect Your IP.
Ever wondered how to protect your ideas without getting lost in legal jargon? Kary takes you behind the scenes of his own IP journey, where he identifies infringement, develops a protection strategy, and leverages trademarks, copyrights, and smart contracts. With insights from IP expert Katie Rubino, they show you how to monitor, defend, and leverage your unique work in today’s fast-moving mar...
21m • Oct 21, 2025
21m
S4 Ep42: Own Your Brand, Own Your Career with Mike Kim
Stand out, get noticed, and take control of your career. Mike Kim, co-author of Own Your Brand, Own Your Career, shares how to build a personal brand that opens doors, creates opportunities, and amplifies your impact, no matter your career stage. PROTECT your first idea FREE ► https://instantip.app/
29m • Oct 16, 2025
29m
S4 Ep41: What does the government shutdown mean for your IP rights?
In this episode, Kary Oberbrunner and Katie Rubino explore the impact of current events on intellectual property and what to do when someone steals your IP. They break down what a government shutdown could mean for your IP rights, including potential delays, protections, and practical steps to safeguard your creations. Protect your first idea free. Go to https://www.instantip.app - no credit c...
30m • Oct 03, 2025
30m
S4 Ep40: The Secret All Entrepreneurs Share (and How to Maximize It)
Kary and Katie are joined by special guest Annabelle Beckwith for a powerful conversation on the one trait every entrepreneur across the globe shares—and how to use it to fuel faster, easier growth. Tune in to discover practical strategies and mindset shifts that can help you unlock your next level of success. Find out more at https://www.instantip.today/
27m • Sep 09, 2025
27m
S4 Ep39: You are an influencer. The first thing you need to do to start protecting your IP
In this episode of You are an IP Company, Kary and Katie dive into the very first thing every influencer needs to do to safeguard their creative work. Whether you’re building a brand, creating content, or growing your audience, protecting your intellectual property isn’t optional—it’s essential. Tune in to learn how to take that critical first step toward securing what makes your influence un...
20m • Sep 02, 2025
20m
S4 Ep38: Brand Like a Billion-Dollar Company: IP Lessons from AI, VC, and McDonald’s
This episode dives into the explosive intersection of AI, branding, and intellectual property. Katie and Kary unpack a recent PitchBook article on VC exits, share insights on market adoption of blockchain-backed IP, and analyze how branding brilliance—like McDonald’s minimalist campaigns—creates massive value. A must-listen for founders, creatives, and IP lovers.
18m • Jul 22, 2025
18m
S4 Ep37: Why IP Needs More Women—and What Ashley Cheung Is Doing About It
 Women make up a small fraction of the IP industry—but Ashley Cheung is working to change that. Hear her discuss the power of female innovation, what resonated most from You Are an IP Company, and how her experiences are lighting the way for future women leaders in tech and law. Ashley Cheung runs her business and personal life by a single motto: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. She founded V...
25m • Jul 15, 2025
25m
S4 Ep36: The Silver Lining for Authors When AI Trains on Your Books
In this episode, Kary and Katie dive into a hot-button topic that’s keeping authors up at night—and stirring up big debates across the publishing world: AI training on books. But instead of sounding the alarm, they’re flipping the script. Is there a silver lining for authors when AI learns from their work? From discoverability boosts to unexpected revenue opportunities, they explore how writers...
16m • Jul 08, 2025
16m
S4 Ep35: Protecting Ideas in the Age of AI: A Conversation with Pete Sacco
Pete Sacco discusses how blockchain and a new IP paradigm are transforming how creators protect and value their work in a rapidly evolving digital world. Pete Sacco is a tech visionary, IP evangelist, and spiritual entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to build value in the modern world. A pioneer in data center innovation, Pete is leading a movement to protect intellectual property on th...
31m • Jul 01, 2025
31m
S4 Ep34: Why Front Stage Influencers Need Back Stage Team Members. An Honest Conversation with World-Class Speaker Tunji Adebayo.
Tunji Adebayo brings raw insight into the reality of being the “front stage” leader—and what it takes behind the scenes to make it all work. With humor and humility, he unpacks his wins, his missteps, and how building the right team has helped him stay focused on the mission.
28m • Jun 17, 2025
28m
S4 Ep33: What I Wish I Knew About IP When I First Started My Businesses with Special Guest Chad Jenkins
This podcast uncovers the hidden IP inside everyday businesses and reveals how naming, packaging, and protecting your process can be your most valuable asset. Join hosts Kary and Katie and their special guest, Chad Jenkins. as they help entrepreneurs recognize, articulate, and monetize their unique genius—starting with “naming the baby.”
23m • Jun 10, 2025
23m
S4 Ep32: How to Turn Your Brand into IP that Pays Cash
In this episode, we’re joined by the unstoppable Randi Brill,  founder of Just Call Randi, a brand design agency built for creators, collaborators, and bold entrepreneurs. Randi shares her journey from corporate burnout to building a business that reflects her unique genius—and helps others do the same. She dives into why your brand is more than just a logo, what most business owners get wrong ...
23m • Jun 03, 2025
23m
S4 Ep31: Can AI Win an Oscar? The Future of AI, IP, and Innovation
In this episode, we dive into the tension between human creativity and artificial intelligence. From headlines about AI winning Oscars and Nobel Prizes to the tricky legal questions around AI inventorship and patents, we unpack the fears, hopes, and big questions shaping the future. Join us as we explore where human ingenuity fits in a world increasingly driven by machines.
24m • May 13, 2025
24m
S4 Ep30: The IP Dam Dilemma: Innovation is Booming, Protection is Backlogged
In this episode of You Are an IP Company, Kary Oberbrunner and Katherine Rubino break down what they call “The IP Dam Dilemma.” As innovation accelerates in fields like biotech, AI, and 3D printing, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office struggles to keep up—with application backlogs slowing critical progress for startups, researchers, and investors. From drug development to product launches, the...
16m • May 06, 2025
16m
S4 Ep29: Is AI Stealing your IP?
AI isn’t the enemy—but if we’re going to coexist, it must respect human intellectual property. The other day, someone told me to check out a new tool. I was nervous to see what I might find. Did Facebook steal my books to train its AI without my permission? I read the article in The Atlantic and entered my name. Sure enough—5 of my 14 books were taken. Used without my consent. I’m not alone....
27m • Apr 29, 2025
27m
S4 Ep28: 1 Million Patents Backlogged at the USPTO
It's the perfect storm. According to Gene Quinn and IPWatchdog Unleashed, at least 800,000 patents are now backlogged. The number is more accurately estimated at 1.2 million. Why?  "As the result of increased fees put into effect by the previous Administration, there was a rush to file continuations earlier this year before the fees increased.... and more than 300,000 continuations were filed b...
21m • Apr 22, 2025
21m
S4 Ep27: How Stolen IP Can Shake Your Confidence
Meet Dan Nicholson. He's a successful author, speaker, and thought leader. Everything was growing and humming along quite well until he discovered someone he trusted was misusing his intellectual property. It spun him into a spiral of shame and blame. Learn how he recovered and came back stronger than ever. He'll share how to protect your IP and what to do when your confidence is shaken.
27m • Apr 17, 2025
27m
S4 Ep26: An Inside Look at IP Franchise Movies
Many people love IP Movie Franchises. Enduring successful ones are a blend of nostalgic and innovation. Great ones embody a delicate blend between honoring the past and reimagining the future. If the IP is ignored , then fans boycott the film. If the IP isn't creative enough, then viewers are bored. Katie and Kary explore the finer points of IP Movie Franchises that top the charts.
15m • Apr 15, 2025
15m
S4 Ep25: Why you need a Chief Intellectual Property Officer (CIPO)
Intellectual property is the most valuable asset of your business. Sadly, most business owners don't know this fact. Even worse, they haven't taken the time to find or protect their IP. As a result, they're losing influence and income. Chief Intellectual Property Officer's can help. Here's how to practically find one and leverage one to maximize your impact.
34m • Apr 08, 2025
34m
S4 Ep24: Rebranding: More Expensive than IP Protection
If you don't protect your IP, your competitor will. It's way more expensive to rebrand after the fact, than to protect your IP up front. Sadly, this is often the case if your competitor beats you to it. I should know. It happened to me. Learn from my mistakes and start leveraging your IP today.
24m • Apr 01, 2025
24m
S4 Ep23: Build your Team of AI Agents Before you Hire People
Meet Personal AI, an innovative company founded before the world knew about AI. Build a network of AI personas, each filling key roles in your organization, trained exclusively on your proprietary data to boost efficiency, streamline workflows, and fuel collaborative intelligence that powers innovation. My friend Suman Kanuganti shares how to use your IP to function as marketing assets.
30m • Mar 25, 2025
30m

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