Host Sam Kilmer looks back at the year’s most quoted hallway moments—packed with real-world takes on AI (purposeful, not buzzwordy), stablecoins (watch the fiat on/off-ramps), data activation (from “we have it” to “we use it”), and go-to-market alignment. Highlights include an AI reality check from a startup CEO, pragmatic stablecoin guidance from an investing leader, compliance and fraud implications for the AI era, organizing sales + marketing around bookings, and why community FIs must aim for personalization beyond product silos. Plus a few road-warrior stories (Grace Potter sighting, sun-safe merch) to cap a big year.

Links

• Sam Kilmer (LinkedIn): https://www.linkedin.com/in/samkilmer/
  
• Fintech Hustle (Cornerstone site): https://www.crnrstone.com/gritty-insights/podcasts/fintech-hustle/
  

Key Moments

00:04 Flashback setup: a “greatest-hits-ish” reel—AI, stablecoin, data, GTM
01:23 AI culture shift: a CEO’s take on leaders who hoped to “retire before it hits”
03:06 Stablecoin sanity check (rooftop chat): focus on fiat ↔ stablecoin conversions now
05:07 AI’s compounding edge: “It’s the dumbest it will ever be today”—early adopters win on efficiency, profitability, M&A leverage
07:18 Purposeful AI: define the outcome first (ops efficiency, intimacy, personalization), then pick the tech
08:25 GTM org design: marketing + sales co-own accounts and bookings; content ≠ handoff forms
10:48 Data to action: banks have data—now align strategy, frontline, and offers to actually use it
12:03 Sign-off: community, road notes, and gearing up for 2026’s guest slate