American Dream Factory (ADF)

AI, Storytelling, & San Francisco w/ Julian Guthrie


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In this inspiring and wide-ranging episode, Nick sits down with Julian Guthrie, a Pulitzer-nominated journalist, bestselling author, and now AI startup founder, who calls Hayden, Idaho home.

Julian opens up about:

  • Her path to the San Francisco Chronicle, covering the tech boom, interviewing billionaires and astronauts, and telling underdog stories that matter.
  • How her deep empathy, resilience, and pursuit of excellence shaped her storytelling and life choices.
  • What she learned from Larry Ellison about Kaizen and how that daily discipline drives her today.
  • Her leap from journalism to tech with the creation of Alphy and HarmCheck, a tool using AI to reduce harm in digital communication.
  • Why she believes leadership can be powerful and kind, and how she’s leading with authenticity rather than aggression.


This is a conversation about words, power, purpose and why story matters more than ever.


🧠 What You’ll Learn:

  • Why Julian believes every person has a powerful story to tell.
  • The state of journalism, what went wrong in San Francisco, and whether journalism can bounce back.
  • How tech and storytelling intersect — and why AI might be the next great tool for empathy and accountability.
  • What feminine leadership looks like in the world of startups.
  • The origins of HarmCheck and how it helps companies communicate ethically and effectively.


🌎 Guest Links:

  • 💡 HarmCheck – Julian’s AI company that detects harm in digital communication.
  • 📚 Books by Julian Guthrie
  • 🧭 Alphy – Parent company to HarmCheck.


🏗️ Join the build_ Community:

Julian is a proud build_ member and mentor, actively collaborating with AI experts and fellow builders. Want to connect with incredible people like her?

📍 Become a member at buildjournal.club

🌐 Attend events, find mentors, and build your vision with us.


05:31 Optimism and Resilience in Life

10:52 Morning Routines and Systems for Success

14:19 The Importance of Personal Stories

17:45 The Evolution of Journalism

22:31 Tech's Impact on Journalism and San Francisco

27:19 Empathy and Action in Addressing Urban Issues

33:00 The Future of Journalism: Balancing Tradition and Technology

40:01 From Journalist to Founder: Julian's Journey with Alfie

47:41 Empowering Communication: The Role of HarmCheck

55:15 Finding Your Story: The Importance of Narrative


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American Dream Factory (ADF)By A build_ cities podcast hosted by Nick Smoot and Joe Toney

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