The ChatGPT Experiment

UPCOMING FREE WORKSHOP: "Creating A Marketing Strategy Project With ChatGPT", 9/17/25 - Register Here Episode Summary In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, Cary welcomes Michael Stelzner, founder of Social Media Examiner and host of the AI Explored podcast. Michael shares his journey from launching Social Media Examiner to becoming a leading voice in helping marketers and entrepreneurs understand and apply AI. They dig into how AI mirrors the early days of social media, the importance of empathy and clarity in podcasting, and how to smartly navigate emerging trends without getting overwhelmed. It’s a deep, honest, and practical conversation for anyone looking to stay ahead in a changing world. 3 Key Takeaways Empathy Leads the Way: Whether podcasting or creating content, always bring it back to the listener’s level. Make things clear, practical, and useful—especially when the topic (like AI) can be overwhelming. Experiment Before You Invest: Michael’s approach to new trends—like AI—is to test, track, and validate before going all in. From podcasts to events, he uses surveys and behavior data to guide decisions. Hire for Strategy, Not Just Tasks: Instead of filling a role with one person, think AI-first. Use tools to handle the busywork, and if you do hire, make it someone who can build AI-enhanced systems and strategy. About Michael Stelzner Michael Stelzner is the founder and CEO of Social Media Examiner, one of the most trusted sources for marketing insights and trends. He's the host of two top-rated podcasts: Social Media Marketing and AI Explored, where he breaks down complex topics into digestible, practical advice. Michael is also the creator of Social Media Marketing World, a major annual event that brings together marketers from around the globe. Known for his deep curiosity and clear teaching style, Michael is a longtime guide for marketers navigating change—now with a strong focus on AI. Explore more of Michael’s work at Social Media Examiner Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: Cary Weston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: The Chat GPT Experiment Newsletter MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear.

Episode Summary: In this solo episode, host Cary Weston dives deep into one of the most commonly asked features about ChatGPT: Memory. As summer winds down and routines return, Cary uses this time to unpack what memory actually is in ChatGPT, how it works, and why it matters. He offers a clear, user-friendly breakdown of how to manage memory settings, the difference between memory and custom instructions, and how to make ChatGPT more helpful and personalized over time. No guest this week—just a practical, detailed walkthrough from Cary to help listeners better use this powerful feature. 3 Key Takeaways: Memory is only available in paid ChatGPT versions and helps the tool remember useful details across conversations—like your name, projects, or how you prefer responses. You can view, edit, or delete saved memory from your settings and even prompt ChatGPT directly to remember or forget specific things. Memory works best when used alongside custom instructions and projects—each serving a different purpose to enhance how ChatGPT supports your goals. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com  Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/

Episode Summary: In this solo episode, host Cary Weston dives into a batch of real listener questions submitted through the podcast’s website. He shares his perspective, tips, and best practices for using ChatGPT effectively—covering everything from voice tone customization to managing complex family schedules. Cary emphasizes the importance of curiosity and how ChatGPT can act as both an intern and a teacher, depending on how you engage with it. Whether you're just starting out or trying to get deeper results, this episode is packed with practical advice.  3 Key Takeaways: Let ChatGPT Play Teacher: You can get better results by asking ChatGPT to evaluate its own work or create prompts for itself—this approach often leads to higher-quality output. Feed It What It Needs: For ChatGPT to sound like you or think like you, provide it with background, examples of your tone, or even let it interview you to get context. Use ChatGPT to Stay Organized: It can help you plan meals, create shopping lists, analyze your calendar, or even act as a personal accountability partner if you give it the right information. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: Cary Weston on LinkedIn LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: The Chat GPT Experiment Newsletter MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear.

Episode Summary  Cary tackles one of the most common questions he hears in workshops: “Can I trust ChatGPT—or AI in general?” He explains that trust in AI depends on what you’re trusting it for, and that the real key is working with AI rather than expecting it to work for you. Using stories, research, and examples, Cary lays out why transparency, verification, and human oversight are essential for responsible AI use. He also shares listener stories of people building AI curriculums for both college students and retirees, showing how curiosity can spread and inspire. 3 Key Takeaways: Trust starts with clarity: Always ask, “Trust it to do what?”—the answer changes how you use and verify AI’s output. Work with, not for you: Treat AI like an eager, capable intern—give it clear instructions, check its work, and add your human insight before using the results. Verification isn’t optional: No matter how smart AI gets, “trust but verify” ensures accuracy, especially in high-stakes or sensitive situations. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/ MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear.

Cary shares a heartwarming story about bonding with his son at a sports card show. He offers practical tips on managing ChatGPT's task scheduling, revealing the importance of clarity in software specs. Insights on the differences between the free and paid versions are discussed, including features like memory and web browsing. Cary emphasizes the power of curiosity and specificity in enhancing user interactions with the AI. He also promotes customized training sessions for those looking to dive deeper into ChatGPT’s capabilities.

n this episode, Cary talks with Bill Gross, CIO of the Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI). Bill shares the story of how his CEO tasked him with preparing their 100+ person organization for an AI-powered future. With a background in computer science but little hands-on AI experience, Bill dove headfirst into learning—and then teaching—ChatGPT use cases across NEI. They dig into OpenAI's "Projects" feature, how NEI structures AI training, and the cultural shifts that come with rolling out a new technology at scale. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Projects in ChatGPT are game-changing: Bill highlights how uploading shared context files to a Project makes it easy to run multiple threads with consistent knowledge, offering more dynamic support than Custom GPTs alone. Champion programs work—but need structure: NEI's internal “JEDAI” champions (cute, right?) helped spread AI adoption, but Bill notes the importance of setting clear expectations and ensuring they get leadership support and time to follow through. Start at the top: Bill prioritized executive buy-in, doing hands-on ChatGPT sessions with leadership early on, which paid off by fostering a culture of experimentation and support from the highest levels. 👤 About Bill Gross Bill Gross is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) at the Nuclear Energy Institute, where he’s leading the charge to integrate AI tools—especially ChatGPT—across the organization. With a technical background and a fresh curiosity about modern AI, he’s become both a student and a teacher, guiding NEI’s staff through training, use-case discovery, and cultural change. Bill’s practical approach—focused on upskilling, real-world applications, and cross-team collaboration—offers a blueprint for any organization trying to responsibly and effectively adopt AI tools. If you want to connect with Bill, you can reach him by email at wrg@nei.org. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/ MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear”.

EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of The ChatGPT Experiment, host Cary Weston brings back Greg Howe, founder of Gimme Info, for a deep dive into how small businesses and solopreneurs can use AI and automation to reclaim their time. Greg specializes in helping non-technical professionals streamline daily operations using tools like Make.com, ChatGPT, and Gmail. Together, they unpack real-world use cases—like email triage, customer sentiment tracking, and task automation—and show how simple automation can free up your day for higher-value work. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS Email Management Can Be Smarter: Greg explains how tools like Make.com can read emails, assess their tone with ChatGPT, and sort them into Gmail folders—automatically separating value from noise. Automation Starts With Understanding Your Process: Before plugging in AI, record your workflow (using tools like Loom or Scribe) to map out your steps. This becomes the foundation for training AI to help you. Use AI Strategically, Not Just Technically: ChatGPT isn’t just a chatbot—it can serve as a thought partner, strategist, and even a SOP (standard operating procedure) generator if you feed it the right context. ABOUT GREG HOWE Greg Howe is the founder of Gimme Info, a consultancy focused on making data and automation accessible to small businesses and solopreneurs. He specializes in integrating AI tools like ChatGPT with platforms people already use—like Gmail, Slack, and HubSpot—to create custom automations that save time and maintain human connection. Greg also runs the AI Automation Launch Pad, a free community where he shares templates and workflows to help people build smarter systems. Find Greg on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/gimmeinfo. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/ MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear.

EPISODE SUMMARY In this solo summer episode, Cary Weston dives into listener feedback, experiments with ChatGPT's task scheduling features, and shares a new approach for improving workflow using what he calls the “employee” or “intern” method. He also announces the winner of the $100 listener survey gift card and previews what's coming next for the ChatGPT Experiment community. 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS The Employee Approach: Treat ChatGPT like a new hire—give it proper onboarding by sharing your goals, audience, and success metrics before expecting quality output. This foundation leads to more meaningful and helpful results. Tasks & Scheduling in ChatGPT: Cary sets up daily scheduled tasks for GPT to pull relevant articles for his podcast. While useful, the current interface has limitations, like the inability to view or edit tasks outside the original conversation. *****UPDATE: Thanks for a listener note, I found out tasks can be managed here: https://chatgpt.com/tasks Renderings and Custom Guidance: ChatGPT can act like an interior designer—Cary used it to generate 3D renderings from 2D floor plans by having GPT ask questions to better understand his vision. This approach works for many tasks, not just design. Resources mentioned in podcast: https://chatgptexperiment.com/chatgpt-guides-and-resources/ ABOUT CARY WESTON Cary Weston is the host of the ChatGPT Experiment podcast, where he explores how to get more value out of ChatGPT for both personal and professional use. With a background in marketing and business development, Cary brings a practical, no-jargon approach to using AI tools and helps listeners think creatively and critically about what’s possible. Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/ MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear”.

In this solo episode, Cary Weston reflects on the responses from the ChatGPT Experiment podcast listener survey and the feedback received from downloadable guides. He walks through a behind-the-scenes look at how he used ChatGPT to analyze listener input, identify common themes, and build new resources to better serve the audience. Cary also shares a new quiz-based prompt resource to help listeners plan their day using ChatGPT, all inspired directly by audience feedback. 3 Key Takeaways Top Listener Priorities Identified: The most common themes from the survey were getting more done at work, improving writing/marketing, and automating everyday tasks. Cary used this insight to shape future podcast topics. Smart ChatGPT Analysis: Cary shows how to use ChatGPT like an intern—by giving it context, purpose, and permission to ask questions—resulting in valuable content ideas based on real user data. New Fill-in-the-Blank Quiz Tool: A new interactive resource was created that helps listeners start their day with ChatGPT support based on their energy level, challenge, and preferred style of help. RESOURCE - PRODUCTIVITY PROMPT GUIDE MENTIONED IN EPISODE Here's the link to the guide I mention in the episode   Link to AI Explored Podcast Episode I Referenced: 🎧 Listen https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-explored/id1740971373   📺 Watch https://youtu.be/xjbWLhj_j3w   📖 Read https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/regain-your-time-with-chatgpt-training-ai-to-assist-you   +++++++++ CONNECT WITH CARY Cary offers customized one-on-one ChatGPT training in 60 minute sessions. Find out more information on the sessions, answers to frequent questions, and how to register at www.ChatGPTExperiment.com   ChatGPT Podcast Website: www.ChatGPTExperiment.com Marketing Podcast: www.PracticalMarketingShow.com Cary's Agency Website: www.CMWeston.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caryweston LINKEDIN NEWSLETTER The Chat GPT Experiment is also a LinkedIn Newsletter and you can find it here: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/the-chat-gpt-experiment-7110348839919702016/ MUSIC CREDITS The instrumental music used in this podcast is called “Curious” by Podington Bear”.

Tom Schwab, Chief Evangelist Officer at Interview Valet, shares his wealth of knowledge on using podcast interviews for marketing growth. He discusses how AI, especially ChatGPT, has transformed referral traffic, making long-form, authentic conversations more valuable. Schwab emphasizes the need for businesses to be clear about their services to boost discoverability. He also highlights the significance of building trust through consistent brand voice and engaging content, advocating for genuine interactions that resonate with both AI and audiences.