In Pursuit of Signal w/ Jose Angel Castro

A Refreshing Perspective: A Conversation with Photographer/Videographer Joyce Caba

For Episode 11 of In Pursuit of Signal, I sat down with my good friend and colleague Joyce Caba to get her take on how technology is affecting our lives today, and I have to say, she offered up a perspective that was so surprising and refreshing.

In Pursuit of Signal’s main theme, the social impacts of technology on our every day lives, is a virtually endless well of topics. I work to approach it from from as many angles as possible, but what tend to happen is that conversations often mainly focus on the problems we are facing due to our growing dependence on our technology especially since the advent of things like smartphones and social media apps. It can and often does skew dark. That is never the intention.

What’s amazing about this chat with Joyce is that her POV feels like a truly balanced one. She tells us about how she tries to see things from as many sides as she can. Her perspective is very much an and perspective as opposed to the much more common either/or way many of us view the world and life.

Joyce’s take is non-judgmental exactly because she considers both sides of the coin. Even when projecting into her own possible future of how she might consider allowing her kids (who have not been born yet) to interact with technology, it occurred to her to consider the opinions of her future husband in determining what those parameters might look like. FASCINATING!

We covered a lot of ground, and I’m so proud to know Joyce and to have her as part of my circle. I really hope you enjoy the epsiode.

Tell your people to subscribe and join the conversation.

Jose Angel

Technology is moving fast, but the real question is: what happens to us when we let it do all the thinking? In this episode of In Pursuit of Signal, José Ángel Castro and Adriel explore how artificial intelligence and other technological advancements are changing education, creativity, relationships, and the way we understand the world.

Adriel shares his experience working with autistic individuals as a registered behavioral technician and explains why human guidance still matters. AI can make certain activities more accessible, such as helping someone create music, but technology should support real connection—not replace patience, empathy, hands-on learning, or community.

The conversation also looks at the importance of questioning the information AI gives us. Instead of accepting the first answer we see, we can check different sources, listen to opposing views, and form our own conclusions. Critical thinking matters more than ever in a world where convenience can easily be mistaken for truth.

Most importantly, this episode is a reminder to make choices on purpose. Use technology to connect, not just to watch other people connect. Protect your creativity, make room for play, and look for the possibility that something good could happen. Signal is connection—to other people and to yourself.

Social Engineering, AI, and the Technology We Trust… or Should We?

Social engineering is no longer limited to phishing emails and suspicious links. It now includes deepfake video calls, AI-powered manipulation, and the quiet abuse of trust inside organizations.

In this episode of In Pursuit of Signal, José Angel Castro sits down with Alain Haug, an IT professional and cybersecurity specialist with System Crew, to explore how modern cybercrime increasingly targets human behavior rather than the cliche images we might have of the lone hacker breaking into hardware and software systems. The conversation begins with a look at social engineering: how bad actors manipulate people into taking actions that benefit the attacker. Alain explains why so many successful cyberattacks involve a human somewhere in the chain, and he shares a shocking case from Hong Kong in which attackers used LinkedIn research, a fake video meeting, and deepfake colleagues to persuade an employee to transfer millions of dollars.

From there, José Angel and Alain expand the discussion to the way artificial intelligence is being introduced and normalized. They examine how AI has been marketed through fear, convenience, gamification, and the suggestion that its adoption is inevitable. They also consider why chatbots can feel so personal and persuasive, how users may begin trusting them with sensitive information, and what happens when convenience replaces the effort required to research, remember, and form our own conclusions.

The episode then takes a philosophical turn as José Angel and Alain explore the surprising parallels between technology, religion, and belief. They discuss how people increasingly turn to AI and online systems for information, guidance, and even answers about meaning and existence. Together, they ask what it means to place faith in systems we do not fully understand—and whether data centers, algorithms, and artificial intelligence are becoming modern structures of authority parallel to those found in religious practices.

You will also hear a practical and personal discussion about creating healthier boundaries with technology. Alain shares why he stopped using a health tracker, how notifications affected his anxiety, and why he uses digital “Do Not Disturb” settings to protect his rest and attention. José Angel and Alain consider the difference between using technology as a tool and relying on it as a crutch, while looking ahead to the possible social impact of humanoid robots and increasingly immersive artificial intelligence.

Warm, curious, and wide-ranging, this conversation is for anyone interested in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital habits, human behavior, or the future of our relationships with machines. Rather than arguing that technology is simply good or bad, José and Alain ask a more useful question: Are we using these systems deliberately, or are they quietly making choices for us?

José Ángel Castro

hosts In Pursuit of Signal, a podcast exploring the social impacts of technology on our lives and the ways it shapes our relationships with one another and ourselves. Jose Angel's Site

Alain Haug

is an IT professional from Switzerland specializing in cybersecurity and social engineering.

In Pursuit of Signal S 1.5 Ep. 8 is a conversation with my dear friend (brother from another mother) John Banks, master salesman and voracious learner. John and I have known each other for a long time and have a great talk on the show about a variety of subjects the “big sale” sales tactics of AI companies in today’s Wild West race to be first in the artificial intelligence.

When you start a podcast about the social impact of technology, you quickly realize there is material everywhere—especially with how fast artificial intelligence is growing. To be honest, the crazy speed of all the breakneck changes is why I took a step back from the show recently. The current “tech race” to push out new products is creating this intense feeling like we’re falling behind. Trying to keep track of every new tool and trend was overwhelming, so I had to catch my breath for a second.

But I couldn’t stay away for long, mainly because this is probably one of the most important topics shaping society and the ways we relate to each other right now. We see technology’s effects constantly, from how it shifts verbal and written language to how more and more of us feel painfully isolated. Just the other day, I was at a restaurant and saw a baby—maybe four months old— glued to her mom’s phone at the table. It really hit me how many fundamental cues and skills she was missing out on that are key to our development as social beings.

This spring, I taught a seminar for middle schoolers, and the experience shifted my perspective. Spending time with these brilliant, Gen Alpha kids— who are true digital natives—taught me to pay close attention to my generational biases and judgment. Older generations complain that young people lack traditional social skills, but we forget they are just navigating the world we handed them. We can’t really wag our fingers at kids for being glued to screens when we’re the ones who gave them these isolating devices in the first place. Kids don’t go out and pay thousands of dollars for these machines themselves.

That realization is a huge part of why I’m getting back behind the microphone. My name is Jose Angel Castro, and I’m officially recommitting to this conversation with Season “1.5” of In Pursuit of Signal. I think about these issues all the time, and I want to carve out the space to explore them with you consistently. Over the next few episodes, I’ll be sharing more of what I learned from my students, focusing on how we can approach our digital habits with more intention and understanding and less blame.

Up next is Episode 8, which features a great conversation I recorded a few months back with my good friend John Banks. Moving forward, I plan to bring on a variety of guests to share how technology affects their daily lives, their work, and their personal connections. We’ll be looking at everything from mobile apps and AI to shifts in medicine, transportation, and even space exploration. Everybody has a story about how tech is changing their world. I’m so excited to get back into these conversations, and I hope you’ll join me In Pursuit of Signal.

-Jose Angel

After what turned out to be a very challenging January 2026, In Pursuit of signal is back with its 7th episode which was recorded in collaboration with Nucleus Hub at the Art of Hip Hop Museum in Miami during Art Basel Miami Week 2025.

The episode features Alain Haug and Marty Davis as my guests. Alain is a cyber security specialist from Basel, Switzerland now based in Miami, and Marty is host of the Marty Davis Show.

Takeaways

* Technology shapes our society in unprecedented ways.

* We have developed emotional connections with our devices.

* The impact of technology touches everyone socially.

* Creating a community to discuss technology’s effects is essential.

* Personal experiences with technology can lead to deeper insights.

* The relationship with technology is evolving across generations.

* AI is a significant area of study and concern.

* Human connections are being replaced by digital interactions.

* Unsupervised time for children is diminishing, affecting their development.

* It’s important to examine the implications of our technology use.

In this episode of ‘In Pursuit of Signal’, host Jose Angel Castro explores the profound impact of technology on our daily lives and social interactions. He discusses the emotional connections we form with our devices, the importance of community discussions around technology, and the generational shifts in how we interact with digital tools. Castro reflects on his personal experiences with technology, emphasizing the need for balance and understanding in our tech-driven world. He invites listeners to consider the implications of these changes on human connection and the future of our society.

TURKEY DAY DROP!

In Pursuit of Signal Ep. 5: Peace In Mind w/ Ariella Shanti Laden is a special Thanksgiving day drop.

You can listen/watch will you cook, when T-giving boredom sets in, or when everybody is watching a parade or game you have no interest in. Ha!

Ariella Shanti Laden is a Psycho-Spiritual Life Coach. Her approach to helping her clients through critical life transitions is masterfully tailored to the needs of the individual. She describes her methodology as the marriage of her academic background in psychology and her passionate foreground in spirituality. She infuses her work, traditionally seen as rather serious, with levity and an unmistakeable warmth. She’s a real one who believes that going deep to uncover a way forward doesn’t always need to be heavy. In fact, she clearly encourages laughter and maybe a little frolicking to shed light into the corners of self-discovery and growth.

We really get into it in this episode covering everything from the frighteningly exciting growth of AI to her 3 A’s (+ a few :) for welcoming quiet into the noisy technological world we live in. We EVEN spontaneously ended up doing a mini coaching session for ME. It was INCREDIBLE. This is a gooood one, y’all.

NOTE:

I’m shifting my In Pursuit of Signal episode release days to Thursdays from this point forward. I will still be posting other content and notes on other days of the week.

ANOTHER NOTE:

Episode 6 of the podcast will be a very special one! I will be recording a two-guest, 1-hour episode as a part of the broadcasting line-up at Nucleus Hub Wynwood during Miami Art Basel Week on Wednesday, December 3 from 12-1PM. I’ll broadcast live on my Instagram and release the episode here the next day. Keep an eye out for details. My guests will be Alain Haug, cyber security special, and Marty Davis, business transaction lawyer, podcast host, and master connector.

Subscribe to the In Pursuit of Signal Substack today!

You can find the podcast on:

YouTube (video): https://youtube.com/@inpursuitofsignal?si=v7KK1KV3c2mgqlzW

Apple Podcasts:

Spotify:

You can reach Ariella Shanti Laden through her website:

https://www.ariellashanti.com/

Episode 4 of In Pursuit of Signal Is the 3rd episode in a 4-part arc called “Then to Now” where I talk with former students of my 2012 class called My iWorld which is the origin story of In Pursuit of Signal. My guest Odduachi and I cover a lot of ground in this one.

We discuss our shared My iWorld experience, some key takeaways Oddu applies in his current life, and the influence of science fiction on our technological landscape today. So, pull up and strap in!

*Please share In Pursuit of Signal with your friends. This is THE most important social topic of our time. People should join in the discussion.

Subscribe Today!

DISCLAIMER: THIS EPISODE CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL BELIEF. THE OPINIONS SND BELIEFS DISCUSSED ARE EXPRESSLY THOSE OF THE HOST AND GUEST AND ARE NOT, IN ANY WAY, EXPRESSED TO DISPUTE, CONTRADICT, OR DISPARAGE ANY OTHER RELIGIONS OR BELIEF SYSTEMS. HOST, JOSE ANGEL CASTRO, ASKS THAT AUDIENCE MEMBERS PLEASE RESPECT THESE OPINIONS, AND IF COMPELLED TO OFFER FEEDBACK, PLEASE OFFER IT RESPECTFULLY. ANY FEEDBACK OFFERED WHICH IS DEEMED UNPRODUCTIVE TO THE OVERALL DISCUSSION WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DELETED.

Summary

In this conversation, Jose Angel Castro and Justin Wiggins explore the intricate relationship between technology and faith. They discuss how rapidly evolving technology impacts human behavior, relationships, and societal norms. The dialogue delves into the ethical implications of technology, the quest for immortality through advancements like AI, and the challenges of reconciling faith with a digital world. The speakers emphasize the importance of understanding these dynamics as we navigate an increasingly complex technological landscape.

Key Takeaways

Technology is evolving rapidly, impacting human behavior and relationships.

The intersection of faith and technology raises complex questions.

Social media has transformed how we connect and communicate.

The concept of immortality through technology challenges traditional beliefs.

Ethics in technology use is crucial for societal well-being.

Human relationships are becoming more one-sided due to technology.

The future of AI may redefine our understanding of consciousness.

Technological advancements can lead to both positive and negative outcomes.

The balance between faith and technology is a personal journey.

Understanding the implications of technology is essential for future generations.

Chapters

00:00 The Intersection of Intelligence and Faith

40:45 Exploring the Nature of AI and Humanity

43:24 The Emergence of Autonomous Digital Beings

45:26 The Ethical Dilemma of Technological Advancement

48:10 The Impact of AI on Human Relationships

48:52 The Future of AI and Human Dependency

51:59 Navigating Faith and Technology

56:01 The Evolution of Personal Faith

01:00:42 Conscious Choices in a Digital World

01:02:41 The Importance of Presence

01:04:32 Closing Thoughts and Future Conversations

01:19:14 PURSUITOFSIGNAL_GENER_OPEN.mp4