AI Primer: Seven Confidence-Building Tips

In this episode, host Cary Weston shares seven practical ways to build confidence with AI and start getting real value from tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini. Instead of treating AI as complicated technology, Cary encourages listeners to think of it as an "amazing intern" that can help execute clearly defined tasks. He walks through better prompting, conversational back-and-forth, understanding your audience, personalizing your AI tools, and finding one meaningful task you can improve today.

3 Key Takeaways

• Focus on execution, not just creation. AI can be especially useful when you give it a clear task to complete, rather than asking it to create something from scratch without much direction.

• Talk to AI like you're delegating to a capable intern. Explain what you're doing, why it matters, what a successful result looks like, and ask whether it has any questions.

• Start with one real task. Choose something repetitive, time-consuming, or frustrating and ask your AI tool how it could help. One useful result can open the door to many more ideas.

EPISODES REFERENCED

• Episode 111: AI creation vs. AI execution
• Episode 10: Mastering ChatGPT prompting
• Episode 85: The four-part conversational framework
• Episode 60: How Cary uses empathy and objectivity with AI
• Episode 109: How to personalize ChatGPT and Claude
• Episode 98: Find one meaningful task AI can help with

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.amazingintern.ai Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

Cary sits down with Ryan Thompson, a Colorado real estate business owner who has gone from using AI to write blogs to building AI-powered systems that help run and grow his business. Ryan shares how he uses AI to create websites, generate leads, recruit real estate agents, manage marketing campaigns, research prospects, brainstorm new ideas, and build tools that work even when he is off the grid.

The conversation also gets into the personal side of AI. Ryan talks about using it to explore health goals, build side projects around local events, create custom learning podcasts, and free up more time for biking, travel, friends, and the outdoors. His story is a great example of what can happen when curiosity starts with a simple question: "I wonder if AI can help me do this?"

3 Key Takeaways

• Start with one real problem, not the whole world of AI. Ryan's advice is simple: pick something important that you have been putting off and see how AI can help. You do not need to understand every tool or feature before getting started.

• AI can become much more than a writing assistant. Ryan uses AI-powered agents and systems to research prospects, send personalized outreach, generate real estate leads, support ad campaigns, build websites, and handle work while he is away.

• The time you save can create value outside of work. Ryan is using AI not just to grow his business, but to make more room for the things he cares about, including health, outdoor adventures, learning, friends, and new experiences.

Episode Resources:

• How to get AI to write like me - Episode 21
• How to use projects in ChatGPT- Episode 55
• Talking to AI like a human - Episode 91
• How to create a brainstorming partner - Episode 66
• Is using AI cheating? - Episode 111
• Talking to it with voice - Episode 12
• Having two-way conversations - Episode 47
• Start with one thing - Episode 98

About Ryan Thompson

Ryan Thompson is a Colorado-based real estate business owner and the founder of The Assumable Guy, a real estate team focused on helping buyers access homes with assumable mortgages, including mortgages with lower interest rates than many current market options.

Ryan describes himself as an ideas guy who loves exploring what is possible with AI. What started with using ChatGPT to write real estate blogs has grown into a much bigger set of tools and systems. He now uses AI for lead generation, agent recruiting, personalized outreach, website building, paid advertising support, research, brainstorming, and automation.

Outside of his core real estate business, Ryan is an avid outdoors person who enjoys biking, exploring new places, and spending time in the mountains. He is also building side projects with AI, including a personalized health tool and HappeninCOS, a website designed to help people discover events and things to do around Colorado Springs based on their interests.

Connect with Ryan and explore his work:

The Assumable Guy: www.assumableguy.com

HappeninCOS: www.happenincos.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanthomson111/

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.AmazingIntern.ai

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.AmazingIntern.ai Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

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Episode Summary

In this episode, Cary talks about the difference between work that is created by AI and work that is executed by AI. He shares a personal example of using Claude to take his own recorded thoughts, pull the transcript from Descript, shape it into an article using his own writing rules and style, and prepare it in WordPress for review. His point is simple: the idea, thinking, voice, and final judgment are still his. AI is just helping shrink the "busy middle" so more time can go toward the valuable human part of the work.

3 Key Takeaways

• There's a big difference between "created by AI" and "executed by AI." Cary makes the case that using AI to carry out your own process does not make the work any less yours.
• AI can help shrink the "busy middle." The repetitive, tedious, time-consuming parts of a project can drain energy away from the final polish, where your real expertise matters most.
• Your ideas, voice, and judgment still matter. Cary's example shows AI being used as a tool to organize, draft, and move work forward based on resources, rules, and thinking he already created.

By the way - here's the article: https://chatgptexperiment.com/you-dont-have-to-apologize-for-using-ai/

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

In this listener mailbag episode, Cary answers questions from listeners about how to get more practical with ChatGPT. He talks through where to find useful AI training, how to "just talk to it" using his four-part framework, and how someone working alone can use ChatGPT as a brainstorming partner. The big message is simple: don't overthink the prompt. Treat ChatGPT like a capable coworker, give it context, explain what you need, and invite it to ask questions.

3 Key Takeaways

• Look for AI training that matches your real work. Cary recommends finding resources that are practical, honest, and relevant to your role or industry instead of relying only on broad success stories or random prompt lists.
• Use Cary's four-part framework when talking to ChatGPT: What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What does success look like? Do you have any questions for me?
• ChatGPT can be a brainstorming partner, especially if you work alone. Cary suggests explaining your situation, what you miss from having coworkers, and asking ChatGPT how it can help you think through ideas, decisions, or projects.

AI Institute Link referenced in show: https://academy.smarterx.ai/courses#departments

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, Cary walks through three simple ways to personalize tools like ChatGPT and Claude so they feel more useful, relevant, and tailored to how you work. He covers custom instructions, memory, and connectors or sources, explaining how each one can help you get better answers, cut down on annoying habits, and connect AI tools to the apps and files you already use.

3 Key Takeaways

• Custom instructions are a great starting point. Cary explains how they help shape the way ChatGPT or Claude responds, including tone, length, writing style, and things you do or don't want.
• Memory is worth checking once in a while. Cary compares memory to a backpack and encourages listeners to review what the tool remembers, delete what is no longer useful, and correct anything that feels off.
• Connectors and sources can make AI more useful. By connecting tools like Google Drive, Gmail, Canva, Fireflies, Adobe PDF, or other apps, users can create smoother workflows and get more value from their AI tool.

Resources Mentioned In The Show:

• Find downloadable files to customize your own set of instructions for both ChatGPT and Claude here.
• Link to Episode 93 - the AI Prompt Master - as mentioned in the show

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cary talks about a common pattern he is seeing in workshops and keynotes: people are using AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude, but they are only using them in small ways, like rewriting emails or checking spelling. He describes this as being "stuck in first gear." The bigger opportunity, Cary says, is to treat AI like a capable intern that can help shrink the "busy middle" of work — the part where most of the time and mental energy gets spent. The key is to have real back-and-forth conversations with the tool, give it context, ask questions, and stay curious.

3 Key Takeaways

• Using AI is not the same as benefiting from AI. Cary shares that many organizations have people using AI, but only a small number feel they are getting meaningful results from it.
• AI can help with more than quick fixes. Instead of only using it to polish emails or spell-check documents, Cary encourages listeners to use it as a problem-solving partner.
• The best results come from conversation. Give the tool context, ask how it can help, follow up with "tell me more," and keep exploring. That is where the real value starts to show up.

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cary shares a keynote-style talk about how to think about AI without getting overwhelmed. He compares AI to a capable intern: adaptable, available, and ready to help, but only as useful as the direction you give it. Cary walks through the current AI landscape, why so much money is being invested, and why tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are just the beginning. The heart of the message is simple: you do not need to master every tool or chase every trend. Start with curiosity, find one useful task, and learn how to work with AI in a way that saves time, improves communication, and helps people do better work.

3 Key Takeaways

• Treat AI like an intern, not a magic box. The better the context, direction, and feedback you give it, the better the results will be.
• Start with one thing. Do not worry about what everyone else is doing. Find one repeatable task that eats up your time and see how AI can help shrink the "busy middle."
• Curiosity matters more than certainty. The tools will keep changing, but the habit of asking better questions, testing ideas, and learning as you go will stay valuable.

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, Cary draws a helpful parallel between the anxiety students feel when thinking about college and the anxiety many beginners feel when trying to understand AI. The big idea is simple: you do not need to have the whole thing figured out right away. Just like life, AI is easier to approach one step at a time.

Cary shares five pieces of advice that work for both life and AI: use good communication, find what matters to you, do not expect everything to go perfectly, treat mistakes as learning, and stay curious. The episode is a calm reminder that AI does not have to be scary. The goal is not to master everything. The goal is to learn how to interact with the tools in a way that helps you in your real life and work.

3 Key Takeaways

• You do not need to "learn AI" all at once. Start with one useful thing that makes your day easier, whether that is writing, planning, brainstorming, cooking, travel, work tasks, or something personal.
• Better conversations create better AI results. Cary's simple framework is: What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What does success look like? Do you have any questions for me?
• Mistakes are tuition, not failure. When AI gives you something that misses the mark, tell it what did not work and why. That feedback helps you get better results next time.

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary

In this episode, Cary talks about FOBO — the fear of becoming obsolete — and how it shows up for people who feel pressure to learn AI but do not really know where to start. He explains that a lot of AI anxiety comes from the unknown, not from the tools themselves. Cary encourages listeners to slow down, name what they are actually afraid of, and start with one simple use case from their own life or work. The big message is that tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini are less scary when you stop trying to master everything and start having a real conversation with them.

3 Key Takeaways

• Name the fear first. Instead of letting AI anxiety stay vague and overwhelming, ask yourself what you are actually afraid of. Once you can name it, you can start working through it.
• Start with one thing, not everything. You do not need to learn every button, feature, or setting. Pick one task or challenge in your work or life and explore how AI might help.
• Treat AI like a working partner. The best value comes when you use AI as a brainstorming and problem-solving partner, not as a magic tool that does everything for you.

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".

Episode Summary In this solo episode, Cary shares what it was like visiting St. Joseph's College of Maine, where Dr. Anthony "Dr. G" Girlando built a class around helping students learn ChatGPT in a practical, meaningful way. Cary walks through what he saw on campus, the kinds of student projects being built, and why curiosity matters more than trying to "master" the tool. The big theme of the episode is simple: people get the most value from ChatGPT when they stop treating it like software they have to learn and start treating it like a conversation that can help them move one real goal forward.

3 Key Takeaways

• Curiosity is the biggest advantage when it comes to using ChatGPT well.
• The best starting point is to find one useful way the tool can help you, instead of trying to learn everything at once.
• AI works better when you use it to make communication more human and personal, not more robotic.

Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com

Connect with Dr. G: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antony-girlando-906603102/ St Josephs College of Maine https://www.sjcme.edu

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CONNECT WITH CARY

ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston

LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called "Curious" by Podington Bear".