In this lively and wide-ranging conversation, Bob Pulver welcomes William Tincup, Co-founder of the WRKdefined Podcast Network, HR tech expert, and longtime friend of the show. Together they explore the evolution of podcasting, from its early scrappy days to today’s community-driven, AI-enhanced ecosystem. William shares his philosophy on personal authenticity, the rise of “PSO” — podcast search optimization — and why he believes we’re moving from search to conversation as the new model of discovery. They also dive into the ethics of personalization, digital identity, and privacy in a world where every click is data. From the practical uses of AI in podcast production to the philosophical questions about digital twins and second lives online, this episode blends humor, honesty, and the kind of deep reflection that defines both William and the WRKdefined network of shows.

Keywords AI in podcasting, HR tech, authenticity, podcast search optimization, personalization, digital identity, privacy, digital twins, agentic internet, audience engagement, AI tools, discoverability, content creation, automation, human connection

Takeaways

Podcasting has evolved from a solo pursuit to a collaborative, AI-empowered craft.

Optimization now means being discoverable by AI, not just by search engines.

AI is already embedded throughout the creative workflow — from editing to marketing.

Personal authenticity builds lasting trust in an algorithmic world.

Digital twins and personalization raise questions about identity, privacy, and consent.

Good content isn’t manipulation — it’s value shared with intention and empathy.

True innovation comes from staying curious, playful, and human.

Quotes

“We’ve moved from search to conversation — people don’t Google anymore, they ask.”

“Independent podcasting can be lonely, but community turns it into a craft.”

“You can’t automate authenticity, but AI can help you amplify it.”

“If your content has value, you’re not gaming the system — you’re serving people.”

“Privacy is an illusion. So, make the ads you see worth your time.”

“Digital twins may not replace us, but they’ll definitely outlive us.”

Chapters

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

00:26 – William’s 25-year journey in HR tech and podcasting

02:47 – The evolution of Elevate Your AIQ and lessons from early episodes 05:25 – From SEO to PSO: Optimizing for AI discoverability

09:06 – Why AI-driven content isn’t manipulation when it adds real value

10:39 – Building community through the Work Defined Podcast Network

13:44 – Experimentation, creativity, and learning from other hosts

16:23 – How AI is transforming podcast production workflows

19:17 – Forgetting, hallucinations, and the limits of AI memory

21:48 – Digital twins and the blurred lines between personal and professional identity

26:32 – Authenticity online: the “one-dimensional self”

31:39 – Privacy illusions and the myth of online anonymity

33:57 – The “agentic internet” and the power of individual terms

38:25 – Advertising, personalization, and the importance of relevance

41:58 – Lazy marketing, weak signals, and bad outreach

46:46 – Aggregating knowledge and curating content intelligently

51:01 – Content creation, subscriptions, and the value of giving before selling

53:43 – AI, equity, and unlocking untapped talent

57:34 – Closing reflections and the case for empathy in technology

William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup

WRKdefined: https://wrkdefined.com

For advisory work and marketing inquiries:

Bob Pulver:⁠⁠ ⁠https://linkedin.com/in/bobpulver⁠⁠⁠

Elevate Your AIQ:⁠⁠ ⁠https://elevateyouraiq.com⁠⁠⁠

Substack: ⁠https://elevateyouraiq.substack.com⁠