

Tool Use - AI Conversations
Mike Bird
The latest AI tools and strategies, featuring top builders, entrepreneurs, and researchers.
Every Tuesday, get actionable knowledge about AI services that you can use today.
- Conversations with AI builders and founders
- Practical tips for applying AI immediately
- Live demos of cutting-edge AI products
- Deep dives into open-source projects
Join us as we explore the rapidly evolving AI landscape and discover tools that transform productivity, creativity, and business.
Subscribe now and stay ahead of the AI curve
Every Tuesday, get actionable knowledge about AI services that you can use today.
- Conversations with AI builders and founders
- Practical tips for applying AI immediately
- Live demos of cutting-edge AI products
- Deep dives into open-source projects
Join us as we explore the rapidly evolving AI landscape and discover tools that transform productivity, creativity, and business.
Subscribe now and stay ahead of the AI curve
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2025 • 42min
A.I. For Non-Technical Founders (ft Marnie Wills)
Marnie Wills, an AI strategist and founder of Business With AI Strategist, shares her insights on empowering non-technical founders to harness AI effectively. She discusses framing AI as a strategic partner rather than a technical hurdle, advocating for personalized AI operating systems to enhance intelligence. Marnie elaborates on preventing AI hallucinations with custom instructions and emphasizes the importance of a 'human-in-the-loop' approach for automation. She also reveals innovative workflows, including voice-driven productivity and grant application automation.

6 snips
Sep 23, 2025 • 46min
Are AI Agents Ready for the Internet? (ft Bobbie Chen)
In this discussion, Bobbie Chen, a product manager at Stytch focused on AI agent detection, navigates the future of AI authentication and web security. She delves into how OAuth can allow safer agent permissions without exposing user passwords. Bobbie introduces Web Bot Auth, highlighting its cryptographic identity features. The conversation also tackles AI's potential impact on SEO, advertising, and API design, addressing risks like the 'lethal trifecta' of security. Join in for an engaging exploration of the evolving landscape of AI agents on the web!

52 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 50min
Advanced AI Prompting (ft Michael Tiffany & Ty Fiero)
In this conversation, Michael Tiffany, founder and CEO of Fulcra, and AI consultant Ty Fiero, delve into the art of advanced AI prompting. They share insights on crafting tailored prompts to maximize AI performance, including innovative techniques like iterative and meta prompting. The duo emphasizes adopting a 'high agency' mindset, avoiding AI sycophancy, and leveraging multimodal prompting with images. Listeners will discover the importance of playful learning and experimentation in mastering how to communicate effectively with AI for improved results.

Sep 9, 2025 • 50min
Build A Full Stack App With One Prompt (ft. Richard Abrich)
Richard Abrich, an AI consultant and the creator of Fastable, shares his insights on building full-stack apps from just one prompt. He discusses the power of Fastable's tech stack, including FastAPI and Postgres, as a flexible alternative to traditional tools. Richard dives into context engineering, AI hallucination mitigation, and the innovative use of logging to speed up development processes. The conversation also touches on the future of disposable software and how AI is reshaping application development, making coding more accessible for everyone.

52 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 38min
How I Use AI for REAL Productivity Gains
Unlock the secrets to massive productivity gains using AI. Discover how to build a sophisticated 'digital brain' with Obsidian and implement personalized automations. Learn about the powerful role of voice transcription in boosting efficiency. Hear tips on using AI coding assistants for script creation, along with essential terminal utilities. Dive into media tools that can help with tasks outside your expertise. Embrace AI as a thought partner while balancing creativity and caution.

13 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 54min
Fundamentals of AI Tooling (ft Hai Nghiem)
Hai Nghiem, co-founder of AI Ventures Canada and educator in AI fundamentals, dives deep into the world of AI tooling. He explains the concept of context engineering as a superior alternative to prompt engineering. Listeners will explore the distinctions between AI agents and chatbots, and learn about the Model Context Protocol— likened to 'USB-C for agents.' Nghiem also shares practical tips for beginners using coding tools, highlighting the power of deep agents in enhancing productivity and reasoning. Perfect for anyone looking to navigate the AI landscape!

11 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 43min
Why Open Source AI Will Win (ft Alignment Lab)
Austin Cook, CEO of Alignment Lab AI, and Jordan Parker, marketing expert at the same organization, dive into the world of open source AI. They explore how decentralized models can empower individuals against the monopolies of big tech. Discover the benefits of running AI locally on your hardware, the evolution of resource-efficient models, and the significance of data privacy. They advocate for transparency in AI technologies, highlighting how personalized assistants will become more accessible, fostering a future where everyone can innovate.

126 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 48min
Advanced Claude Code (ft Ray Fernando and Eric Buess)
Ray Fernando, a former Apple engineer and AI streamer, joins Eric Buess, an AI coding expert and Anthropoc super fan, to demystify Claude Code. They unveil how to maximize Claude's potential, sharing insights on optimal setups and advanced context management. Topics include clever uses of hooks and slash commands, the significance of thinking modes, and strategies to avoid common mistakes like context rot. Get ready to enhance your coding workflows with their expert advice!

13 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 55min
How to Build Secure MCP Servers (ft Craig McLuckie)
Craig McLuckie, co-creator of Kubernetes and CEO of StackLok, dives into the future of AI infrastructure. He emphasizes the critical necessity for secure Model Control Protocol (MCP) servers to prevent data vulnerabilities. The discussion highlights ToolHive, a secure registry enhancing developer efficiency while managing security risks. McLuckie also explores the shift towards solutions engineering amid AI's disruption, promoting adaptability and community-driven innovation as key factors for success in the evolving tech landscape.

61 snips
Jul 29, 2025 • 58min
The Best AI Advice for 2025
Ryan Carson, an expert in AI development, dives deep into the realm of context engineering, emphasizing its importance in optimizing interactions with large language models. He discusses the evolution of AI practices, from prompt engineering to a focus on context to enhance output quality. Ryan shares insights on the necessity of adaptability and curiosity in a rapidly changing tech landscape. He also highlights innovative trends like using WhatsApp for AI product development, along with practical strategies for empowering small businesses through accessible AI education.