Building a Better Geek

Watch here: https://youtu.be/zobiv1u9oJk Craig and Emmanuella debate whether AI-generated news is more trustworthy than traditional journalism—and what we lose if media dies. The Saturday Morning Shift Craig's Evolution: His Saturday mornings used to mean reading the Financial Review cover-to-cover. Now he starts there but ends up in Claude or Perplexity, asking all the questions journalists didn'...

Watch here: https://youtu.be/NQHTdb5_Af8 Craig and Emmanuella tackle the burning question: Is AI just another dotcom-style bubble waiting to burst? The Bubble Debate Emmanuella has been hearing concerns across industries that AI might be overhyped like the dotcom boom. She wonders if people deep in AI dismiss these concerns because admitting it would hurt them. As an outsider, she wanted an object...

Watch here: https://youtu.be/Je3ynVTQrXs Craig builds a meditation app in 15 minutes to demonstrate how AI is fundamentally changing our relationship with smartphones—and potentially making traditional apps obsolete. The Meditation App Experiment The Problem: Craig was frustrated with his meditation app constantly asking him to log in, share data, and navigate unnecessary features. He just wanted...

Em and Craig dive deep into technology's profound impact on human behaviour, exploring everything from AI-generated images with three-eyed cats to how the printing press revolutionised society. This wide-ranging conversation examines the uncomfortable truth: we're living through a technological shift that's fundamentally changing how humans think, connect, and experience reality. The Historical Co...

Watch on https://youtu.be/4UY2h6pmUK8 Emmanuella returns from South by Southwest Sydney with insights on humanity's role in the AI revolution, while Craig shares productivity hacks and reflections on creative process versus outcome. Key Themes from SXSW Sydney The Human Bookend Principle Emmanuella's biggest takeaway: the "end-to-end experience" must always have humans at both ends. Tech exists to...

Watch Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeP6SEMkhvQ Craig demonstrates the speed and power of AI-assisted web development by building Emmanuella a professional website (click) in less than one hour—right before her flight to South by Southwest Sydney. What Happened The Challenge: Craig forgot about the topic until an hour before recording, so he used AI tools to quickly build a website,...

Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7M4RUC_HU&t=1s Craig and Emmanuella discuss the collision between AI technology and copyright protection for artists. Main Points Artists' Perspective: Emmanuella explains that copyright payments—not just performances—are crucial income for creators. Successful artists earn substantially from songwriting royalties calculated by venue capacity. T...

Available in Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOklnPvvDUo TruthAmp Episode 5: How Do I Know If AI Is Lying to Me? In this episode of Truth Amp, communication expert Emmanuella Grace and tech expert Craig Lawton tackle one of the most pressing questions about AI: How can you tell when AI gives you false information? Key Takeaways AI Doesn't "Lie" - It Hallucinates Craig explains that AI doesn...

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f **🎵 Listen to our hilariously bad AI jingle first:** https://www.udio.com/songs/2NQ68f3nBegurCT6TyyiQG?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing In this episode of TruthAmp, Craig and Emmanuella dive deep into AI's impact on songwriting and the music industry. What starts with Craig's cringe-worthy AI-genera...

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f This episode of TruthAmp features hosts Emmanuella and Craig discussing AI image generation, with Craig demonstrating through live examples. He shows AI-generated headshots of himself, first in a business suit that he found unsatisfactory, then requesting a "Silicon Valley chic" look that produced a casual sweatshirt and jeans appearance....

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f In this episode, Craig Lawton and Emmanuella Grace tackle the escalating crisis of AI fraud in job interviews, where deepfake candidates and sophisticated bots are creating what Gartner predicts will be 1 in 4 fraudulent job applications by 2028. The hosts explore shocking real-world cases, including "Ivan X" who applied twice to the same...

Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f In the inaugural episode of Truth Amp, hosts Emmanuella Grace and Craig Lawton explore the human impact of AI developments, focusing on OpenAI's GPT-5 launch and concerning attachment behaviors. The discussion centers on why people form emotional bonds with AI systems, drawing parallels to the 1960s ELIZA program where users developed deep...

In this episode, hosts Em and Craig explore the concept of "knowing your value" in a rapidly changing workplace where traditional values are shifting due to technology, generational differences, and political influences. Key Discussion Points: Multiple Hats Phenomenon: Em introduces the concept of "wearing multiple hats" - where people, particularly women, often carry multiple roles simultaneously...

In this thought-provoking episode, hosts Em and Craig tackle the complex concept of "truth finding" in the modern digital age, exploring how technology and AI have transformed our ability to discern fact from fiction. Key Discussion Points: Subjective vs. Objective Truth: The hosts explore the tension between objective facts and subjective perceptions of truth. Em notes that what was once consider...

OK Boomer, OK Zoomer: hosts Em and Craig look at solving the Workplace Generation Puzzle, examining how different generational experiences shape values, communication styles, and workplace expectations. Key Discussion Points: Four Generations in the Workforce: Em explains that for the first time, we have four generations simultaneously in the workplace (Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z), eac...

In this episode, hosts Em and Craig explore the important distinction between being "nice" versus being "kind" in workplace and personal interactions, examining how these approaches impact relationships and communication effectiveness. Key Discussion Points: Defining Nice vs. Kind: Em describes "nice" as bland, safer, and more palatable but potentially insincere, while "kind" involves honesty and...

In this episode, hosts Em and Craig tackle the serious topic of workplace bullying, exploring its definition, causes, and strategies for addressing it in modern work environments. Key Discussion Points: Generational Workplace Dynamics: Em explains how having four generations in the workplace (Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z) creates communication challenges, with each generation having diff...

In this episode, hosts Em and Craig discuss the intersection of AI and human communication, exploring how AI is transforming the workplace while emphasising the enduring value of human connection. Key Discussion Points: AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: Craig frames AI not as true intelligence but as "engineered collaboration at scale" that helps distill knowledge from across the internet. He sugge...

In this season opener, hosts Em and Craig explore gender dynamics in tech, focusing on women's unique challenges with imposter syndrome, funding disparities, and opportunities in an evolving industry that increasingly needs diverse perspectives.  Gender Differences in the Workplace: They explore how women often need to feel 94% qualified before applying for jobs, while men apply at around 60%. Em...

In this episode we discussed the importance of setting boundaries and effective time management, particularly for people working in the tech industry and introverts. - Establishing personal values, priorities, and understanding the difference between organisational and individual goals is crucial. - Boundaries are not about building walls or saying "no," but rather about creating psychological saf...

In this episode we discuss the impact of artificial intelligence (AI), specifically large language models, on various aspects of human life. We explore the impact on leaders and creatives, delving into the potential benefits and challenges of AI. Here are the key points: • AI's rapid advancement and democratisation raise concerns about privacy, security, and accountability. • Large language models...

In this episode of BABG we dive in to communication and connection, including how to maximise impact on video calls. Communication and connection are critical for leadership, influencing others, and achieving goals. The ability to communicate effectively starts with listening and builds rapport. Focus communication on creating meaningful connections, not just transactions. Build in opportunities f...

In this episode of BABG podcast, we discuss public speaking. - Hear how Emmanuella finds public speaking more terrifying than singing, despite being an introvert and Craig being more extroverted.  - Understand why effective communication occurs only when the other person receives and understands your message.  - Craig shares a story about accidentally making a witty joke while presenting early in...

In this episode of the "Building a Better Geek" podcast we focused on the importance of health and fitness. Craig and Emmanuella argue that physical wellbeing supports overall wellbeing and brain function. - You'll hear how exercise improves memory and reduces anxiety/depression by increasing synaptogenesis (the formation of new synapses between neurons in the brain). - We discuss the importance o...

In this episode of "Building a Better Geek", Craig and Emmanuella share personal stories of Amygdala Hijacks, what they are, and how to manage them: - The amygdala is the part of the brain that perceives threats and triggers the "fight, flight, freeze, or fawn" response quickly without context.  - Amygdala hijack is when the amygdala reacts strongly, overriding logic and reason.  - Craig shares a...