That’s what I’ve felt. Literally every single day since AI dropped. Or, more appropriately, since I really started to understand the implications of AI on all of our lives. It’s such a strange combination of emotions. Terrified I’m being left behind. Terrified of being irrelevant. Terrified of obsolescence. All mixed up with a level of excitement that makes me feel like I’m going to burst. Excitement for all of the opportunities I can see (and even those I don’t see yet). It’s enough to drive someone crazy. So, I did what all of us do now when we need someone to talk to. I talked to ChatGPT. (Fun Fact: From the very beginning the #1 use of generative AI has been therapy.) The conversation didn’t start with much direction other than I just didn’t want to be so afraid anymore. I’m already a neurotic, armchair “doomsday prepper” so big shifts like this are designed to agitate the part of me that needs to be ready. The problem is, I didn’t know what to get ready for. So I started asking Chat for analogies (which is wildly ironic for reasons you’ll learn if you keep reading the articles I plan on posting). From an economic perspective, what times in human history are analogous to what we’re experiencing today? I was looking for the frameworks, the mental models, the “if this, then that” equations that would help me understand what to do. The problem: There really weren’t any. In fact, I think that’s where the terror and excitement come from. We have nothing to compare this to. So, I went further back. What times in history (removing the “human” qualifier) are analogous to what we’re experiencing today. You’re not going to like the answer. However, please stick with me past the initial shock. I promise, there’s light at the end of the tunnel. You’ve probably already guessed what Chat said (with a little coaxing and then a lot of disclaimers)… Extinction events. Uh oh. There have been five major extinction events in earth’s history (that we know of).

Hey y'all, I'm thinking of hosting some in-person events. They'd be paid (probably around $2k or so). If you're interested in hearing more please fill out the form and I'll reach out. Otherwise, I don't want to spam the community with paid offers so I'll stay quiet about it. Form: https://forms.gle/1h2axqezYVAGCzY47

Yesterday, while engaging in a fun conversation about the meaning of the word CONTEXT, my head was swirling. I used to use ‘context’ all the time to make clear points in my work, but now… I couldn’t remember! I felt my heart rate pick up as I tried to pull up in my mind the relevance of the word ‘context’ in my world… … and couldn’t. Context is what determines what becomes possible. The pH level in blood that either encourages or discourages the growth of cancer cells. The temperature in an oven that bakes a cake or doesn’t. The level of warmth and trust in a relational field that supports a significant agreement to exchange value or not. In yesterday’s conversation, the context didn’t allow me access to my typical use of the word ‘context’. If a context can make it possible for me to forget a core aspect of my work, what else is it making possible, both as individuals and as a collective, beneath our conscious awareness? Context is the water we’re swimming in. We don’t notice it as it shapes every possibility. Our stories are only stories because of our context. In the world of the Story of Separation (term coined by Charles Eisenstein), we observe a particular context that allows for specific conditions to proliferate: 🔸 scarcity 🔸 extraction 🔸 fear In the world between stories, we can observe a context as well: 🔸 curiosity 🔸 generosity 🔸 interconnection Right now, if you’re sensing both worlds, like many are, the experience is quite conflicting. It can feel very dissonant as these two contexts vie for our attention. And once we see what’s actually controlling possibility, we can’t unsee it.

We’re looking for a host for the AEO Show, a podcast focused on the future of search and AI-driven discovery. You will interview founders, marketers, and technical experts about the shift from SEO to Answer Engine Optimization (AEO). Details - Pay: $100 per hour - Expected schedule: ~4 episodes per month - Production, editing, and logistics are fully handled for you - The show will receive significant promotional support - The entire Smart Marketer team is behind this project - This will be a high-visibility opportunity for the host Profit share may be available on paid ad placements accepted by the show Important: You do not need SEO or AEO knowledge to apply. The ideal host is someone who can ask great questions and guide conversations with technical experts. Technical curiosity helps, but the role is to represent the non-technical audience while interviewing technical guests. Apply here: https://forms.gle/RS5pWYaxEePpxJjR8

We closed out the year with this one live on December 31 as our final session of the year, and it felt like the right way to reset before 2026. This framework is about reclaiming your time and building an operating system for your life, not just setting goals and hoping motivation shows up. You’ll learn why goals fail without structure, how to build empty time containers that actually work, and how to protect your time without asking permission. This isn’t about productivity hacks. It’s about designing your time so freedom becomes inevitable. If you’ve ever felt busy but not moving forward, start here. You’ll find The Installing Your Operating System Framework now in the Classroom.