270. Is AI Quietly Killing My Creativity?

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Jan 5, 2026

Explore how AI subtly undermined creativity and originality in the creative process. Discover the shift from trusting instincts to relying on AI for content, leading to self-doubt and a creativity block. Hear about the decision to stop using AI for brainstorming and the push to return to real-world inspiration and personal creative practices. The conversation delves into the ethical implications of AI in content creation and the importance of nurturing creativity as a skill, not just a shortcut.

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INSIGHT

AI Creeps In Quietly

AI can creep into your workflow subtly and then erode your creative confidence without you noticing.
Sam Vander Wielen discovered the slowdown and loss of creative joy only after it had already affected her work.

ANECDOTE

Viral Reel Sparked This Episode

Sam describes a viral Instagram reel that began a larger conversation about AI's negative impact on creativity.
That reel prompted her to expand the discussion into this podcast episode for more nuance.

INSIGHT

Use AI To Repurpose, Not Create

AI works well as a repurposing tool to transform your original content into other assets.
Sam uses AI to convert her own words into platform-specific posts without letting it create original content for her.

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Let’s talk about the thing I didn’t even realize was happening until it had already messed with my head: AI was quietly killing my creativity.

If you’ve ever opened your laptop, told yourself you’re “just getting a little AI help,” and then suddenly noticed your ideas feel watered down, your content feels off, and you’re second-guessing everything—you’re not alone. When I posted about this on Instagram, you confirmed that this little creep has been slipping into your business too… and not in the cute, helpful way we hoped.

So today, I’m getting brutally honest about how AI slowly started impacting my creativity, confidence, workflow, and even the way I approached this podcast. This episode is your reminder that your most valuable business asset is your brain—your original ideas—not a robot’s outline telling you how you should create.

In this episode, you’ll hear…

How AI slowly crept into my creative process without me realizing it
The dangerous shift from “this helps” → “this must know better than me”
How AI’s feedback made me doubt my instincts and dry up my idea well
The moment I realized AI was contributing to a huge creativity block
What happened when I quit using AI for outlines, brainstorming, and feedback
The difference between using AI as a repurposing tool vs. as a creator
The creative habits and practices I’m returning to in 2026
How to rebuild your originality in a world obsessed with shortcuts

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