Podcast Summary: The Difference Maker Revolution Podcast

Episode: Highlights of 2025 and Looking Forward to 2026

Released: January 4, 2026
Panel: Ronan Ryle (A), Steve Saporito (B), Jeanine McLeod (C), Jonathan Ryle (D)

Overview

This high-energy episode wraps up 2025 and looks forward to 2026 by reflecting on personal and professional milestones, with a special focus on the transformative role of AI in the photography industry and how the Difference Maker Revolution community is evolving to meet these changes. The panel discusses the shift from traditional coaching to results-focused, high-touch implementation, shares personal stories, and expresses excitement for what AI-driven innovation will bring to photography in the coming year.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. 2025 Highlights for Each Panel Member

Steve Saporito – Workshops & AI Energy

• Timestamp 00:54
  • Steve’s biggest highlight is creating workshops and seeing members thrive with new skills and ideas.
  • "I've loved, loved, loved creating the workshops and seeing what people do once they come back from the workshops. The last couple of months just embracing AI... it has just sparked so much energy in our members and getting them prepared for a new era." (B, 00:54)

Jeanine McLeod – Practical Implementation & Seeing Results

• Timestamp 02:03
  • Jeanine stresses how this year, with hands-on checklists and practical tools, members started actually implementing long-pushed advice—finally embracing concepts like their “why” and ideal client avatars.
  • "Some things we've been trying to get people to do for years... they’re now doing. And I love it." (C, 02:03)

Jonathan Ryle – Shift to Implementation & Community Support

• Timestamp 03:39
  • Jonathan notes a major highlight is the community’s shift from just consuming education to collaborative, done-with-you implementation, made possible with AI tools.
  • "Nobody wants to sit down and watch 10 hours [of] videos... They want help with actually getting it done and making it happen." (D, 03:39)

Ronan Ryle – Scaling Personalized Coaching with AI

• Timestamp 04:40
  • Ronan celebrates their strategic shift—members want results, not more “drill”—and the team's ability to provide high-touch, round-the-clock guidance via AI-powered systems.
  • “People don't want to drill, they want a hole in the wall… what we've been able to do… [is] build done-with-you 24/7 availability coaching.” (A, 04:40)

Data-Driven Proof of Success

• Timestamp 06:46
  • Jonathan shares data showing Inner Circle members spend 3.5x more with 3XM (a vendor), indicating more clients, bigger sales, and validation that the program gets real results.

“Inner Circle members spend on average three and a half times more than people who are not in the Inner Circle.”
(D, 06:46)

2. Personal Highlights from 2025

Jeanine McLeod – Milestone as a Parent

• Timestamp 08:33
  • Jeanine’s daughter, Erin, went off to college, a poignant life change that made her rethink her marketing to senior clients by empathizing more with parents.
  • "It's given me a whole new understanding of my clients... I've shifted completely since last year how we market our high school seniors." (C, 08:33)

Jonathan Ryle – Family Weddings & Returning to Tennis

• Timestamp 12:02
  • Celebrated two sisters’ weddings and being able to play tennis pain-free after a long recovery.

Steve Saporito – Family, Work, and Being Present

• Timestamp 12:36
  • Moving between Ireland and Australia, Steve appreciates the “family first” philosophy and being present for his parents’ health needs while still working with the group.

Ronan Ryle – Family Successes and Community

• Timestamp 14:11
  • Ronan expresses gratitude for family achievements (another child graduating and excelling at university) and being part of a supportive, innovative team.
  • “I think the biggest highlight is really how lucky I am to be surrounded with all the people I’m surrounded with, including you guys.” (A, 14:46)

3. Embracing AI and the Shift in Industry Mindset

The Rocket Ship Analogy

• Timestamp 23:55 & 26:08
  • The panel repeatedly likens AI’s impact to a “rocket ship”—faster, transformative, and offering unprecedented opportunity, especially for those willing to embrace change.
  • “You can either choose to get on this rocket ship because it’s not a boat, it’s a rocket ship... it’s going to allow you to really make a difference to your clients.” (A, 23:55; 26:08)

AI as Necessary, Not Optional

• Timestamp 19:20
  • Jeanine asserts that adopting AI, while exciting for her, is a business necessity: “If you don’t stay on or ahead of the curve, then you will not have a photography business.”

Industry-Wide Impact

• AI as “Bigger Than Photoshop” (00:00, 25:47):
  • The panel repeatedly refers to current changes as even more significant than the invention of Photoshop, underscoring the transformative potential of AI.
  • “What’s coming in the world of Difference Maker Revolution for our members is something that the industry has not seen since the invention of Photoshop. And this is bigger than the invention of Photoshop.” (A, 00:00, 25:47)

4. Looking Ahead—2026 Excitement

Personal & Professional Anticipation

• Jeanine: Energized by change, especially how AI and technology are making it easier to connect with and serve clients with more relevant content. (C, 17:23)
• Jonathan: Most excited about opportunities that haven’t even been imagined yet: “I don’t think 99.9% of the world know what AI can do and what it’s going to be capable of doing next.” (D, 21:54)
• Steve: Thrilled by uncertainty and potential—the “boom” for those who embrace the journey and remain open-minded. (B, 22:29; 23:55)

Reassurance for the Community

• AI is not a replacement for the one-on-one mentorship and connection, but a means to scale guidance and make more meaningful client interactions possible. (A, 04:40, 23:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Steve, on member success:
  “A lot has clicked in their minds for them. So it’s really exciting for me to see what’s happening right now.” (B, 00:54)

• Jonathan, on implementation:
  “No one wants coaching or training. They want implementation and they want results.” (D, 03:39)

• Jeanine, on personal and professional growth:
  “All my language has shifted... It gives you a deeper understanding of some of the things that you do and helps you slow down as well with your own family.” (C, 08:33)

• Ronan, on collective impact:
  “Even when we’re sleeping, we’re helping people. That’s just unbelievable.” (A, 04:40)

• AI as a rocket ship:
  “It’s just fuel on a rocket ship. And you have to make the choice whether you want to be on this rocket ship or not.” (A, 26:08)

• Jeanine, on adapting or being replaced:
  “If you don’t figure out how to adapt AI into your business... those that do will replace you.” (C, 19:20)

• Steve, on optimism:
  “There’s so much I think I’m excited about not knowing what we don’t know yet.” (B, 22:29)

Timestamp Guide to Key Segments

• [00:00] – Opening: AI in 2026, setting the stakes
• [00:54] – Steve’s 2025 highlight: Workshops & AI
• [02:03] – Jeanine’s 2025 highlight: Practical implementation
• [03:39] – Jonathan on implementing (not just teaching)
• [04:40] – Ronan on scaling impact, “hole-in-the-wall” analogy
• [06:46] – Data: Inner Circle members’ financial outperformance
• [08:33] – Jeanine’s personal highlight: Daughter off to college
• [12:02–14:46] – Personal highlights from Jonathan, Steve, and Ronan
• [17:23] – Jeanine on excitement for AI changes in 2026
• [19:20] – AI: passion and necessity
• [21:54–23:55] – What excites the panel about 2026
• [25:47–26:08] – Comparing AI’s impact to Photoshop; Star Trek analogy
• [26:59–27:12] – Closing remarks and New Year wishes

Tone & Energy

The episode is upbeat, conversational, and encouraging, combining personal vulnerability with confident optimism. The hosts frequently joke, riff on each other’s comments, and display genuine camaraderie, all while maintaining a clear, direct focus on actionable results for photographers.

Takeaways for Listeners

• AI is a game changer for the photography industry (and beyond), with creative and business impact bigger than Photoshop’s revolution.
• Implementation, not just information, is key—the Difference Maker Revolution is emphasizing "done with you," not just “done for you” learning.
• Personal stories shape professional empathy and innovation—the hosts are deeply invested both in their own growth and in helping members reach diverse goals.
• Adapting to change is not optional if you want to thrive in 2026 and beyond; AI integration is now a business necessity as well as an exciting opportunity.
• Joining a visionary community can provide resources, mentorship, and a sense of collective journey through transformative industry shifts.

Closing Vibe:
The panel leaves listeners with encouragement and an urgent call to action—to embrace change boldly, join the Difference Maker Revolution community, and prepare for a wildly creative, opportunity-filled 2026.