Ever feel like the internet is blasting you with information at full pressure, leaving you more frazzled than informed? You’re not alone. In this episode, we wrangle the wildest threads from recent tech news, blog think-pieces, and cultural trends-distilling them into practical, human-centered insights you can actually use.
Drawn from everything I’ve been reading between May 1 and May 15, 2025, this episode is my way of grounding what I’m learning-and letting you in on the surprising connections that pop up when you look across industries. It’s a chance to slow down, process the flood of ideas, and discover practical threads tying tech, culture, and neurodiversity together. Think of it as a guided walk through the latest digital landscape, with plenty of curiosity and a focus on insights you can actually use.
What’s Inside
AI Reality Check:
Why 75% of AI product launches flop, and how building trust (not just cutting costs) is the secret sauce for success. We unpack the “trust loop,” the importance of memory (“state as the new UX”), and why emotional connection is a competitive moat-even for chatbots.
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Six AI Product Principles No One Tells You—And How I'm Applying Them in My Build | Nate B. Jones])(Link: [Substack-Paid | How to Prompt with Wake Words in ChatGPT: One Word Callouts Save Hours Prompting on Common Tasks | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [Substack | What I tell my Mom about AI | Nate B. Jones])(Link: [Substack | Where Are You On Your AI Journey? | J Wynia])
Human at the Center:
From Klarna’s chatbot missteps to the risks of seeking emotional support from AI, we explore where tech helps-and where it can’t replace real human connection.(Link: [Substack-Paid | Six AI Product Principles No One Tells You—And How I'm Applying Them in My Build | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [WSJ | Apple to Support Brain-Implant Control of Its Devices | Rolfe Winkler])
Neurocomplexity & Burnout:
We dive into the emerging science linking childhood giftedness, autism, and ADHD, especially during burnout. Learn why supporting neurodivergent folks means ditching micromanagement and embracing autonomy.
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Gifted Then, Autistic/ADHDer Now? | Lindsey Mackereth])(Link: [Substack-Paid | Having a Boss Without Losing Your Neurocomplex Marbles |Lindsey Mackereth])
Emerging Tech, Real Impact:
USB eGPUs on Macs, brain-computer interfaces, and the messy world of AI agent protocols-what’s hype, what’s hope, and what’s just plain hacky.
(Link: [Tom’s Hardware | 'World's first' AMD GPU driven via USB3 — Tiny Corp tests eGPUs on Apple Silicon, Linux and Windows also supported | Hassam Nasir])(Link: [Raz’s Blog | A Critical Look at MCP | Rasmus Holm])
(Link: [Google Github | Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol])
(Link: [WSJ | Why Moderna Merged Its Tech and HR | Isabelle Bousquette])
Digital Safety & Ethics:
The latest on digital imposter scams, why job scams are on the rise, and how to stay one step ahead. Plus: the ongoing debate around AI-generated art and who really owns creativity.
(Link: [Business of Fashion | AI Is Coming for Fashion’s Creative Class | Sheena Butler-Young])(Link: [Wired | Deepfakes, Scams, and the Age of Paranoia | Lauren Goode])
(Link: [Substack | is AI art truly art? | Under the Obvious])
Brand Stewardship & Visibility:
What it means to be a custodian of your brand’s soul, and how feedback changes as you gain visibility online. Pro tips for aspiring speakers and creators.
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Brand Stewardship | Ana Andjelic])(Link: [Substack | Don’t like it? Thank you! | Casey Von Newmann])
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Engineer’s Guide to Freelance Work | Gregor Ojstersek])
(Link: [Substack | Hints on getting to speak at conferences | Oskar Dudycz])
(Link: [Substack | The cost of crying on ChatGPT’s shoulder | Julia Christina])
Global Tech Politics:
From Singapore’s diplomatic AI bridge-building to the complexities of global trade and the ethics of international diplomacy.(Link: [Wired | Singapore’s Vision for AI Safety Bridges the US-China Divide | Will Knight])
(Link: [Business of Fashion | Chinese E-Commerce Exports Plummet in Face of Tariffs, Despite Rise in Sales to EU | Lisa O’Carroll])(Link: [Substack-Paid | Conclavecore and Ego Scrolling | Casey Lewis])
Featured Articles & Further Reading
Below you’ll find the key articles that shaped today’s discussion. For each, add your own quick summary and the link for easy reference:
AI Product Launches & Trust:
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Six AI Product Principles No One Tells You—And How I'm Applying Them in My Build | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [Substack-Paid | How to Prompt with Wake Words in ChatGPT: One Word Callouts Save Hours Prompting on Common Tasks | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [Substack | What I tell my Mom about AI | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [Substack | Where Are You On Your AI Journey? | J Wynia])
Emotional Support & AI:
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Six AI Product Principles No One Tells You—And How I'm Applying Them in My Build | Nate B. Jones])
(Link: [WSJ | Apple to Support Brain-Implant Control of Its Devices | Rolfe Winkler])
Neurocomplexity & Burnout:
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Gifted Then, Autistic/ADHDer Now? | Lindsey Mackereth])
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Having a Boss Without Losing Your Neurocomplex Marbles |Lindsey Mackereth])
AI Agent Protocols:
(Link: [Tom’s Hardware | 'World's first' AMD GPU driven via USB3 — Tiny Corp tests eGPUs on Apple Silicon, Linux and Windows also supported | Hassam Nasir])
(Link: [Raz’s Blog | A Critical Look at MCP | Rasmus Holm])
(Link: [Google Github | Agent2Agent (A2A) Protocol])
(Link: [WSJ | Why Moderna Merged Its Tech and HR | Isabelle Bousquette])
Digital Safety & Deepfakes:
(Link: [Business of Fashion | AI Is Coming for Fashion’s Creative Class | Sheena Butler-Young])
(Link: [Wired | Deepfakes, Scams, and the Age of Paranoia | Lauren Goode])
(Link: [Substack | is AI art truly art? | Under the Obvious])
Brand Stewardship & Feedback:
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Brand Stewardship | Ana Andjelic])
(Link: [Substack | Don’t like it? Thank you! | Casey Von Newmann])
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Engineer’s Guide to Freelance Work | Gregor Ojstersek])
(Link: [Substack | Hints on getting to speak at conferences | Oskar Dudycz])
(Link: [Substack | The cost of crying on ChatGPT’s shoulder | Julia Christina])
Tech Politics & Diplomacy:
(Link: [Wired | Singapore’s Vision for AI Safety Bridges the US-China Divide | Will Knight])
(Link: [Business of Fashion | Chinese E-Commerce Exports Plummet in Face of Tariffs, Despite Rise in Sales to EU | Lisa O’Carroll])
(Link: [Substack-Paid | Conclavecore and Ego Scrolling | Casey Lewis])
Key Takeaways
Tech should empower, not overwhelm. Trust, clarity, and accessibility are non-negotiable.
Neurodiversity isn’t a buzzword-it’s a blueprint for more resilient, creative teams.
The future of AI isn’t just about smarter algorithms, but about building systems that foster genuine trust and connection.
Curiosity and kindness are your best tools for navigating both tech and life’s complexity.
Reflection Prompt
What single area from today’s episode felt most relevant-or most disruptive-to you? What new questions does it raise about your own work, creativity, or wellbeing? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Tune in for a joyful, judgment-free journey through the digital maze-where we turn overwhelm into insight, and complexity into clarity.
