The ChatGPT Experiment - Simplifying AI For Curious Beginners

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 i...

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,...

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 c...

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 u...

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 mi...

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...

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...

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...

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 epi...

Episode Summary In this solo episode, Cary talks about a simple idea that can make AI tools way more useful: teaching them who you are. He explains that if ChatGPT, Claude, or another tool does not really know your personal and professional context, the answers you get will stay generic and can miss what matters most to you. Cary walks through how to check what the tool already knows, how to spot...

Episode Summary Cary Weston welcomes back Greg Howe, founder of Gimme Info, to hellp explain what two common AI terms are: agents and vibe coding. Greg breaks both down in a really practical way, using simple examples instead of technical jargon. He explains agents as purpose-built AI "job doers" that can handle tasks and make basic decisions along the way, and he describes vibe coding as building...

Episode Summary Cary shares a quick follow-up to last week's episode about using a scoring matrix for writing. After a listener asked for a real example and template, he put together a sample document and article that listeners can download from the website or find in the show notes. In this episode, he walks through the five areas included in the sample matrix and explains how writers can tweak i...

In this solo episode, Cary introduces a practical way to use ChatGPT as a consistent review and scoring tool for work you produce or evaluate over and over again. The idea is simple: most of us review things on instinct and experience, but if you can articulate what you're actually looking for, you can build that into a reusable editor inside ChatGPT or Claude. Cary walks through his four-part fra...

Episode Summary In this episode, Cary sits down with Nancy Marshall, also known as the PR Maven and founder of Marshall Communications, celebrating 35 years in business. Nancy shares stories from her early days in public relations - literally driving press releases and VHS tapes across snowy Maine - and connects that experience to today's AI-driven world. They dig into how PR has evolved from mime...

A message from Cary - he's away for a couple weeks so there's a gap in podcast episodes. Also -a  reminder to sign up to win the free ticket giveaway to AI Business World, taking place April 29th & 30th in Anaheim, California. Info on the event and the form to enter to win is on the homepage of www. ChatGPTExperiment.com Stay Curious!

Episode Summary In this solo episode of The Chat GPT Experiment , host Cary Weston dives into two real conversations he had with business owners—one looking to implement AI into their operations and the other trying to pivot into AI consulting. Cary offers straight-up, no-fluff advice: don't start with AI. Start with your business needs, your strengths, and the problems you're actually trying to s...

Episode Summary In this episode, host Cary Weston checks in from Atlanta after his travel plans were disrupted by snow on the East Coast. He had just wrapped up presenting at a transportation and logistics conference and shares two foundational takeaways that continue to resonate with people learning to use ChatGPT. The core message? Talk to it. Cary explains that many people still don't realize C...

Episode Summary In this solo episode, host Cary Weston shares updates on two major announcements from OpenAI: the launch of ChatGPT Health and the upcoming integration of ads into ChatGPT. Cary breaks down what these updates might mean for users, especially in terms of privacy, personalization, and trust. He also answers listener questions on using ChatGPT for book writing, maintaining motivation,...

Episode Summary  In this solo episode of The ChatGPT Experiment , host Cary Weston breaks walks through a real-world example where he helped a trade advocacy group automate and streamline their time-consuming research process using ChatGPT's Projects feature. Cary shares his 4-part framework for setting up successful prompts and emphasizes the importance of engaging ChatGPT in dialogue, not just h...

Episode Summary In this solo episode, host Cary Weston rings in 2026 by sharing his annual tradition of choosing three guiding words for the year ahead. Instead of making resolutions, Cary focuses on building intentional habits and goals that align with both his personal and professional growth. He reflects on last year's words— Connect, Routine, Smile —grading himself on each and offering insight...

Episode Summary In this "from the vault" episode originally released in March 2024, Cary dives into how to use ChatGPT for document creation, editing, and analysis . This is one of the most frequently asked topics he encounters, and even with new platform updates, the core principles remain solid and useful. Cary walks through real-world use cases—like responding to RFPs, summarizing long research...

Episode Summary From the Vault: Originally recorded in February 2024 In this episode from the vault, Cary Weston walks listeners through a structured and practical framework to help ChatGPT write in your voice. With writing being one of the top use cases—and frustrations—for users, Cary shows you how to define and train ChatGPT using your own writing samples, audience details, and repeatable promp...

Episode Summary From the Vault: Originally recorded in December 2023 In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment , Cary pulls a powerful conversation from the archive with Chris Duprey , partner at The Question First Group . Chris is a leadership coach with a unique background—former Army officer, business leader, and someone who's deeply passionate about helping people grow. Together, Cary and Chri...

Episode Summary In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment , host Cary Weston welcomes listener-turned-guest Jon Accamando , a former corporate retail executive who made a dramatic life shift to become a full-time Uber and Lyft driver in San Diego. But Jon didn't just change jobs ... he reinvented his life. Driven by the desire for more freedom and family time, Jon leaned heavily on ChatGPT (which...

Episode Summary In this episode, Cary talks with Keven Ellison, Vice President of Marketing at AIS, a technology company that evolved from selling office equipment to providing IT services, telecom, security solutions, and now AI tools. Keven shares how, even at age 63, he's fully embraced the potential of AI and has become the self-appointed "AI Ambassador" at his company. His excitement and curi...