Libsyn Directory

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

Release Date: 08/13/2025

#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...

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

High-Income Business Writing

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...

#377: When a Referral Goes Sideways (and How to Recover)

High-Income Business Writing

What do you do when a dream referral turns into a nightmare-in-the-making? One of my coaching clients recently found herself in a tricky spot. Her best referral partner had sent her what initially seemed like a solid lead. But after a few back-and-forths, things started to feel… off. The red flags were waving, and she could sense this prospect would likely become a difficult client. She wanted out. But she didn’t want to burn bridges with either the potential client or the trusted source who referred them. In this week’s short episode, I share the guidance I gave her — a...

#376: The Capability Revolution: Why You’ve Been Using AI All Wrong (and What to Do About It)

High-Income Business Writing

AI isn’t just a tool for writing faster. It’s the key to systematically expanding your professional capabilities and breaking free from the “experience prison” that’s been capping your income. In this week’s episode, we dive into a powerful shift in mindset for freelancers: moving from viewing AI as a speed or productivity tool to leveraging it as a capability multiplier. I share how I used AI to confidently take on new, high-value projects I would have previously turned down. And how you can do the same to expand your business without months of study or expensive training. ...

#375: The Lies We Carry With Us (and How They Hold Us Back)

High-Income Business Writing

What if a story that’s haunted you for years… was never true? In this short but powerful episode, we dive into a jaw-dropping true story that will make you question the narratives you’ve been carrying — especially the ones that have shaped your identity and decisions for years. It’s the story of Derek Sivers, entrepreneur and author, who spent 16 years believing he had ruined a woman’s life in a devastating car accident. The guilt became part of who he was — until a shocking encounter revealed the truth: the story he’d built his life around was never real. And that...

More Episodes

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

TOPICS