John Wilson, PhD – How AI is Changing Entrepreneurship and Education
SUMMARY:
GT Freeman sits down with Dr. John Wilson for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, purpose, and the future of work.
John shares the origin of his now well-known “$10 million question”—a simple but powerful prompt that asks: What would you do if money weren’t the constraint? Over time, he’s used this question with thousands of people to help uncover what they truly want to build, create, or pursue—and to challenge the belief that those things require massive resources to begin.
A major focus of the episode is how AI is reshaping both entrepreneurship and education. John discusses his early adoption of tools like ChatGPT in the classroom, why he encourages students to use AI rather than avoid it, and how these tools are becoming “thinking partners” that can accelerate learning, creativity, and execution.
He also introduces the concept of the “accidental entrepreneur”—someone who doesn’t initially see themselves as an entrepreneur but has an idea, skill, or passion worth pursuing.
Throughout the episode, John returns to a central idea: the future of work will require people to navigate uncertainty, think creatively, and take ownership of how they create value in the world. Entrepreneurship, in that sense, isn’t just a career path—it’s a mindset.
GUEST BIO:
John Wilson, PhD, is an entrepreneur, educator, and professor of entrepreneurship at Drexel University’s LeBow College of Business. He teaches courses on entrepreneurial leadership, new venture creation, and emerging technologies, helping students develop the mindset and skills needed to launch and grow businesses in an increasingly complex world.
John began his career in technology sales and leadership, where he played a key role in scaling a software company from early growth to a multi-billion-dollar public organization. During that time, he pursued a PhD in organizational leadership, focusing on entrepreneurship and innovation.
He is the creator of The Entreprofessor, a content platform focused on helping individuals think differently about work, leadership, and opportunity. John is also an active entrepreneur and advisor, currently involved in multiple startups, including ventures in the AI space.
Learn more about John: https://www.lebow.drexel.edu/people/john-wilson
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhwilsonphd/
HELPFUL LINKS:
The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth https://thelincolncenter.com
Drexel University – LeBow College of Business https://www.lebow.drexel.edu
John Wilson – Faculty Profile https://www.lebow.drexel.edu/people/john-wilson
John Wilson – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnhwilsonphd/
SPONSOR:
The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise headquartered in the Greater Philadelphia Area and operating in multiple states. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing K-12 education, behavioral health care, outpatient therapy, wellness coaching, professional development, and grant management services.