Libsyn Directory

#378: Why AI Change Is Happening Faster Than You Think (and What That Means for Writers)

Release Date: 08/13/2025

#388: How to Quickly Go from Messy Transcript to Clear Outline with AI

High-Income Business Writing

Working with transcripts can feel overwhelming. Client calls. Workshop recordings. Interview transcripts. Pages and pages of raw material—good ideas buried under tangents, half-finished thoughts, and off-the-cuff remarks. The problem usually isn’t lack of content. It’s too much of it! In this episode, I walk you through a simple, repeatable workflow I use to turn messy transcripts or rough notes into a clear, usable outline—without losing the nuance that actually matters. If you’ve ever dropped a transcript into AI, asked it to “summarize this,” and felt underwhelmed by the...

#387: The Freelancer Health Reset—5 Micro-Habits That Actually Stick, Including Key Midlife Insights for Women

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers are great at pushing through. We hit deadlines, juggle clients, and squeeze productivity out of thin air. But here’s the truth many of us avoid: Our physical health often pays the price. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the side of freelancing that rarely gets airtime — the slow erosion of our health when the business becomes the only priority. And we’re doing it with someone who brings deep experience, grounded wisdom, and a refreshingly simple approach: my friend Lucie Robazza, a certified health coach, personal trainer, kinesiologist, and founder of . ...

#386: The Packaging Problem—Why Your AI Help Isn't Making You Money (Yet)

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers are giving away their most valuable AI insights, and not getting paid for it. In today’s episode, we’re taking a hard look at one of the biggest blind spots for freelance writers and content pros right now: the failure to package your AI knowledge into a paid offer. Your clients want to use AI. They’re trying. But they’re confused, overwhelmed, and scared of doing it wrong. And guess what? You already have the skills and experience to guide them. But unless you turn that informal help into a structured service, it’s just free advice that goes nowhere. In this...

#385: What to Do When Clients Break Their Promises

High-Income Business Writing

Ever had a client drop the ball? They miss a key deadline, shift direction mid-project, or conveniently “forget” what you both agreed on? It’s maddening, right? Those moments can make even the most seasoned freelancer question everything about their business. But here’s the twist: those “broken promises” might actually be pointing to your biggest opportunities for growth. In this short episode, we’re diving into what really lies beneath client chaos — and how to turn frustration into a roadmap for stronger systems, better communication, and a more resilient business. ...

#384: The Value Shift—Where the Money Goes When AI Makes Content Creation Effortless

High-Income Business Writing

Freelancers everywhere are feeling it. The ground beneath our feet is shifting, because AI isn't just changing how we write. It's also changing where value lives in our industry. In this episode, I break down what few people are talking about: your writing skills might still be world-class, but they're now solving the wrong problem. Much of what I discuss was inspired by the brilliant new book Reshuffle: Who Wins When AI Restacks the Knowledge Economy by . The constraint that once made your writing indispensable has moved. And if you don't move with it, you risk becoming the business...

#383: The Art of ‘Conversing’ with AI

High-Income Business Writing

Imagine walking into a friend’s house and rattling off a 20-minute monologue with every single detail of a challenge you’re facing. No pause. No space for questions. Just a nonstop, 20-minute word vomit. That’s how most of us are using AI. We dump a giant wall of text into a prompt, cross our fingers, and hope for magic. Instead of working with AI, we’re treating it like a command line. No wonder the results often fall flat! In this short episode, I share a better way—one that mirrors the way we’d talk with a trusted colleague. When you approach AI as a conversation...

#382: The Truth About AI and Freelance Writers — What 157 Writers Just Revealed

High-Income Business Writing

The AI adoption picture is nuanced In this episode, I share some fascinating insights about AI usage among writers and the impact it’s having on their business. Last month, I sent out a simple 10-question survey to my community about AI usage, fears, and business impact. I received 157 complete responses from writers across every experience level, from brand-new freelancers to 15+ year veterans. What they shared was, in some ways, congruent with what I’ve been saying for the past few months on the topic of AI integration in our businesses as freelancers. But in other ways, the...

#381: How to Have Better, More Productive Conversations with AI

High-Income Business Writing

AI is changing how we work. But many freelancers are falling into the trap of using it in the least effective way possible: by relying on massive, fully pre-written prompts that remove you from the creative process. In this episode, I share a better, more natural approach that treats AI like a trusted collaborator rather than a black box you dump instructions into. You’ll learn my simple 3R Prompting framework and see how an iterative, conversational workflow can help you get sharper insights, stronger ideas, and better final results. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why...

#380: The AI Writing Debate — Moving From False Dichotomies to Creative Synthesis

High-Income Business Writing

The conversation around AI and writing is heating up. But too often, it’s framed as a false choice: AI is either “bad” and deceptive, or it’s the ultimate shortcut to productivity. In this solo episode, I challenge that binary thinking and unpack the real issues at stake for freelance writers. Sparked by a provocative LinkedIn post from Mariya Delano, CEO of Kalyna Marketing, this discussion dives into the myths and misconceptions that keep us stuck in unproductive debates. I lay out 10 false assumptions fueling the AI writing controversy. And I explain why the future belongs to...

#379: 15 Reasons Why Hourly Billing Is Holding You Back

High-Income Business Writing

Hourly billing is the default pricing model for many writers. But it’s also a hidden trap that can sabotage your growth, undervalue your expertise, and limit your income. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by the ceiling on your earnings or struggled to position yourself as a trusted partner rather than a hired hand, this episode will change the way you view pricing forever. In today’s episode, I break down 15 compelling reasons why hourly billing is actively working against you — and what you can do instead to unlock your earning potential and build trust-based, outcome-focused...

More Episodes

If you're feeling like your freelance business is shifting beneath your feet—but you can’t quite name what’s changed—you’re not alone. Most writers sense something is different… but they don’t know how to respond strategically.

In this solo episode, I dive into what I believe is the real driver behind the changes we’re seeing in the freelance writing space. Yes, the economy has cooled, and that’s still a big factor, since marketing is one of the first areas to get cut when business is slow. But AI is now playing a much bigger role than most writers realize. And the pace of disruption is happening much faster than we’re used to.

I break down the data, the two dominant schools of thought about where AI is taking us, and the five predictions I’m making about the next 18 months. More importantly, I share what I believe you can do right now to adapt and thrive, no matter where you stand on the AI debate.

Whether you’ve been avoiding AI, tinkering with tools randomly, or wondering how to respond to market shifts… this episode will help you make sense of it all and chart a path forward with confidence.

What You’ll Learn

What’s really behind the shrinking pool of freelance writing work, and how AI factors in
The “two schools of thought” on AI’s long-term impact (and which side I lean toward)
Why capability gaps (not talent) are quietly holding writers back
What makes this wave of disruption different from anything we’ve ever faced before
Five bold predictions about AI and the freelance market between now and the end of 2026.

Key Insights and Takeaways

The Economy Isn’t the Whole Story

Yes, budgets are tighter. But the shift we’re seeing in client behavior and referral flow can’t be explained by economics alone. AI is already changing how content is created and reshaping client expectations behind the scenes.

You’re Not Just Competing With Other Writers

You're competing with writers plus AI, and clients don’t always realize that’s what’s happening. But they do notice faster turnaround times, deeper insights, and stronger strategy. That’s the new baseline.

The Problem Isn’t Tools, It’s Random Tool Use

Most writers are reacting to AI passively or using it without a clear strategy. That only leads to frustration and overwhelm. The ones who are thriving are using AI to systematically identify and close capability gaps—areas they previously avoided due to a lack of experience or confidence.

Exponential Change Is Hard to See... Until It Isn’t

We’ve moved from the “gradually” phase to the “suddenly” phase of change. Each new model is doubling the power of the last. If you're still measuring AI by what it could do six months ago, you're behind.

The 18-Month Window

We’re entering a short window where positioning yourself strategically—through capability expansion, not random experimentation—can lead to exponential growth. But that window is closing fast. Writers who miss it may find themselves permanently behind.

Action Steps You Can Take This Week

1. Identify Your Competitive Blind Spot

Is there a type of project, industry, or strategic conversation you avoid because you feel underqualified? That’s your gap. Write it down.

2. Use AI to Explore That Gap

Leverage tools like ChatGPT or Claude to research the format, reverse-engineer a successful project, or role-play a strategic conversation you’d normally avoid.

3. Reframe How You Think About Your Capabilities

Instead of saying “That’s not what I do,” ask, “If I had the right support, could I deliver excellent results here?”

4. Pick One Gap to Work on Systematically

You don’t have to fix everything overnight. But momentum starts with a single capability. Choose one, and take the first step.

Memorable Soundbites

“The disruption is happening faster than most writers can process because our brains aren't wired for exponential change.”
We're not at the beginning of the chessboard anymore. We’re nearly halfway there.”
“You’re competing with writers plus AI, not just with other writers.”
“The tools stay invisible, but the performance gap becomes obvious.”
“This isn’t about learning tools randomly. It’s about using AI systematically to close your biggest capability gaps.”
“Six months from now, you’ll either be expanding your capabilities or watching the gap between you and your competitors widen.”
“You don’t have to become an AI cheerleader to respond strategically. You just have to be honest about what the market is telling you.”
“Hope is not a strategy. Especially when the ground is shifting this fast.”

If this episode struck a chord, I’d be honored if you shared it with a fellow writer or freelancer. Until next time, keep writing, keep adapting, and keep building the business you actually want—not just the one you think you’re stuck with.

Sources Mentioned & Quoted

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