Born Before the Algorithm

Victory Igberase
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Education
  • Weekly

Born Before the Algorithm is a podcast about people who grew up before social media, smartphones, and AI—and are now navigating a rapidly changing digital world. Through honest conversations and personal stories we explore technology, work, relationships, culture, and what it means to adapt when the future arrives faster than expected. Whether you’re keeping up or catching up, this podcast is for anyone learning to thrive in the age of algorithms.

  1. Oct 24

    Before the Interpretation — Dror Ben Ami on Hebrew, Biblical Metaphors, and Stories We Think We Know

    What if the stories we think we understand hold meanings we’ve never considered? Long before search engines, digital libraries, and artificial intelligence, ancient texts carried ideas across generations. But how much can language, translation, and tradition influence the way we interpret them? In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, we welcome Dror Ben Ami, an author and researcher whose books, The Vineyard and The Final Jubilee, explore biblical metaphors, Hebrew language, and alternative interpretations of familiar religious stories. Drawing on his studies in comparative literature and the influence of scholar and mystic Maurice Nicoll, Dror challenges readers to reconsider established interpretations of biblical passages. We explore his approach to Hebrew, the symbolic meanings he identifies in biblical narratives, and his arguments about figures such as Jesus, Moses, Aaron, and the Pharisees. Our conversation also examines the importance of historical context, the difference between textual evidence and personal interpretation, and how readers can evaluate ideas that challenge long-standing religious traditions. We discuss the role of artificial intelligence in studying ancient texts, including its potential to help compare interpretations and the risks of accepting answers without independently checking the evidence. Dror’s interpretations differ from established Jewish and Christian perspectives, making this an opportunity to explore how alternative readings are developed, questioned, and evaluated. Because understanding an ancient text involves more than finding a translation or accepting a familiar explanation. It requires curiosity, careful examination, and a willingness to ask better questions. In a world where AI can deliver answers in seconds, this conversation reminds us that information is not the same as understanding—and critical thinking remains our responsibility. 📬 Guest Details Guest: Dror Ben Ami
Profession: Author and Researcher
Books: The Vineyard and The Final Jubilee 📚 Book — The Vineyard:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HH1GXZB1 🌐 Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1HA3f56zqb/

  2. Oct 24

    Love, Loyalty, and Finding Unity in Marriage with Pesa Shayo

    Marriage brings two people together, but building a strong relationship can become challenging when family expectations, cultural differences, and outside pressures begin to create division. In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, we welcome Pesa Shayo, an author and co-founder of Live Your Best Marriage, who helps cross-cultural Christian couples navigate in-law pressure, loyalty conflicts, and cultural differences while building stronger, more united relationships. Drawing from his own cross-cultural marriage and his work supporting couples, Pesa shares practical insights into communication, healthy boundaries, and the importance of facing challenges as a team. We explore what happens when one partner feels caught between their spouse and their family, how cultural expectations can affect a marriage, and how couples can protect their relationship without creating unnecessary conflict with the people they love. Together, we discuss how couples can stop treating each other as the problem, rebuild trust, and develop a united approach to the challenges they face. Whether you’re married, preparing for marriage, or simply interested in understanding relationships better, this conversation offers valuable lessons about partnership, loyalty, and growing together. Because a healthy relationship isn’t about agreeing on everything. It’s about learning to communicate, respect each other’s differences, and stand together when outside pressures threaten to pull you apart. 📬 Guest Details Guest: Pesa Shayo
Role: Author and Co-Founder of Live Your Best Marriage 🌐 Website:
https://unitedfrontmarriage.com

  3. Oct 17

    Keeping It Real in an Algorithmic World | Victor Jones on Authenticity & the Power of Conversation

    In a world where algorithms influence what we see, AI makes content easier to create, and everyone is competing for attention, what does it take to have a voice that people genuinely want to hear? Going viral might bring attention, but building meaningful connections takes something more. In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, we sit down with Victor Jones, podcast host, storyteller, entrepreneur, and creator of the Liquor Talk Podcast. Through years of conversations with creators, entrepreneurs, entertainers, and everyday people, Victor has built a platform exploring culture, relationships, business, creativity, and life. Victor shares lessons from his journey in podcasting, from finding his voice and connecting with guests to staying consistent when growth is slow. We explore what makes a conversation memorable, how to create an environment where people feel comfortable being themselves, and why authenticity matters in a digital world increasingly shaped by engagement metrics and online trends. We also discuss the growing role of AI in podcasting, including how creators can use technology to save time without losing the personal touch that makes their work distinctive. As producing content becomes easier, we ask a bigger question: what will make people choose to listen to one human voice over another? This conversation is a reminder that building a successful platform isn’t just about views, downloads, or going viral. It’s about curiosity, consistency, genuine connection, and giving people a reason to return. Because even as technology evolves, the power of an honest conversation remains deeply human. 📬 Guest Details Guest: Victor Jones
Profession: Podcast host, storyteller, and entrepreneur
Podcast: Liquor Talk Podcast
Website: https://www.liquortalkpodcast.com/ Areas of Expertise: Podcasting and content creation Storytelling and interviewing Authenticity and personal branding Entrepreneurship and independent mediaAudience engagement and community buildingUsing AI and technology in creative workBuilding consistency and resilience as a creatorKey Episode Themes:Finding your voice before the algorithmThe realities of building and maintaining a podcastCreating authentic, meaningful conversations Balancing entertainment with substanceNavigating algorithms and AI as a content creatorGrowing a community rather than chasing numbersStaying consistent when progress is slowKeeping human connection at the heart of digital storytelling

  4. Oct 17

    It’s Always Too Soon to Quit |Jay Setchell on Resilience, Grit & Taking Responsibility in the Future

    What does it take to keep going when life knocks you down? In a world where technology promises instant answers and AI can help us solve problems faster than ever, are we losing touch with the patience, discipline, and resilience that help us grow? In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, we sit down with Jay Setchell, a Marine, entrepreneur, corporate leader, husband, father, and grandfather whose life has been shaped by hard work, personal responsibility, faith, and perseverance. From growing up on a working farm to serving in the Marine Corps, building businesses, facing failures, and adapting to significant physical challenges, Jay has continued to find ways to move forward. Jay shares the philosophy that has guided him throughout his life: “If it is to be, it is up to me.” We explore what it means to take ownership of our choices without blaming ourselves for circumstances beyond our control, how to find purpose through different stages of life, and why helping others can be just as important as achieving personal success. We also examine what his generation can teach us about resilience in the age of AI and automation. As technology increasingly handles tasks that once required time, effort, and patience, Jay challenges us to consider what we should never outsource: our responsibility, our discipline, our ability to adapt, and our willingness to keep learning. This conversation is a reminder that setbacks don’t have to define us, age doesn’t have to end our ambitions, and meaningful progress rarely happens overnight. Because sometimes, the most important skill we can develop isn’t learning how to make life easier—it’s learning how to keep going when life gets difficult. 📬 Guest Details Guest: Jay Setchell Website: https://neverquittrying.com Background: Marine Corps veteranEntrepreneur and corporate leaderHusband, father, and grandfatherLifelong learner focused on resilience, personal growth, and helping othersAreas of Expertise: Resilience, grit, and perseverancePersonal responsibility and accountabilityPurpose and personal developmentLeadership and entrepreneurshipFaith and service to othersAdapting to setbacks and physical challengesBuilding resilience in an increasingly technological worldKey Episode Themes: Lessons learned from growing up on a working farmThe discipline of the Marine CorpsWhy it’s always too soon to quitLearning from failure without being defined by itTaking ownership of your futureFinding purpose at every stage of lifeResilience, personal responsibility, and the age of AIWhat younger generations can learn from life before the algorithmWhy age should not determine when we stop contributingJay’s Guiding Philosophy:
“If it is to be, it is up to me.” A Message to Remember:
It’s always too soon to quit trying.

  5. Oct 5

    The Game of Awareness: Leadership, Fear, Intuition & High Performance — with Steve Barton

    What happens when external success doesn’t automatically create internal peace? In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, Steve Barton explores the internal game that shapes how we lead, make decisions, and perform under pressure. With more than 47 years of real-world business experience, Steve shares lessons from helping grow his family’s retail floral business from $200,000 to $2 million in annual revenue—and what he discovered about success, fear, self-doubt, and fulfillment along the way. Steve introduces The Game of Ten®, an awareness-based coaching framework designed to help leaders move from reactive patterns toward greater clarity, intentionality, intuition, and inner stability. We also explore leadership in the age of AI: what happens when technology can analyze more data and make decisions faster, and why human awareness, intuition, emotional intelligence, and judgment may become even more important. This is a conversation about high performance without losing yourself—and why sometimes the biggest breakthrough isn’t learning how to do more, but learning how to operate differently. 📬 Guest Details Name: Steve BartonRole: High-Performance Executive Coach & AuthorCreator: The Game of Ten®Website: https://www.stevebartoncoaching.comExperience: 47+ years of real-world business experienceBusiness Background: Helped grow his family’s retail floral business from $200,000 to $2 million in annual revenueFramework: The Game of Ten® — an awareness-based coaching process focused on clarity, intentionality, intuition, and inner stabilityExpertise: Executive coaching, leadership, emotional intelligence, awareness, intuition, high performance, decision-making, personal developmentKey Themes: Fear, self-doubt, guilt, shame, reactive patterns, leadership under pressure, inner stability, sustainable performance, AI and human judgmentFocus: Helping executives, entrepreneurs, and high performers understand the internal patterns influencing their decisions and performanceProfessional Background: Decades of personal development work influenced by Gestalt psychology; coaching process presented to the Harvard Business School Case Study Team

  6. Oct 5

    Stop the Leaks: Life Energy, the Ego Robot & Living Like a Human — with Karen Bentley

    What if one of the most valuable things we have isn’t money, time, or technology—but our life energy? Karen Bentley joins Born Before the Algorithm to explore what happens when we move through life automatically, constantly reacting, consuming, working, and giving our attention away without consciously deciding where our energy should go. Her philosophy challenges us to recognize the ways we “leak” energy and learn to become more deliberate about how we live. Karen introduces the concept of the “ego robot”—the automatic part of ourselves that can react predictably to disappointment, rejection, disrespect, or conflict. She also shares her three core skills: stopping, harmlessness, and extreme self-care. The conversation connects these ideas to the modern technological world, asking whether algorithms, notifications, automation, and AI are making life easier—or making humans more automatic. Ultimately, Karen challenges us to protect our ability to stop, choose, create, and live intentionally. 📬 Guest Details Name: Karen BentleyRole: Bestselling Award-Winning Author & EducatorCreator: WarriorSTRONG Training ProgramsCreator: LOVE Experience & The Sugarfree Miracle Diet SystemBook: The WarriorSTRONG ManifestoWebsite: karenbentley.comCore Framework: Life energy as an asset that can be conserved, accumulated, deliberately used, or wastedThree Core Skills: Stopping, Harmlessness, and Extreme Self-CareKey Concept: The “ego robot” — automatic patterns and reactions that can influence behaviorExpertise: Personal development, discipline, self-awareness, life energy, behavior patterns, self-care, personal power and intentional livingKey Themes: Automation, AI, technology, attention, discipline, conscious choice, emotional reactions, personal responsibility and living deliberatelyAdditional Resource: Karen’s 7-Day Stopping Challenge

  7. Oct 5

    The Years We Were Never Guaranteed: Reinvention, Relationships, the Human Side of Life-Gaylen Wilson

    What happens when life forces you to start over—and then gives you more time than you ever expected to have? Gaylen Wilson joins Born Before the Algorithm to talk about repeated reinvention, sobriety, relationships, resilience, technology, and the unexpected gift of a second chance. From farming and stockbroking to alcoholism and 20 years of sobriety, computer consulting, entrepreneurship, serious heart failure, and ultimately a heart transplant, Gaylen’s life has been shaped by moments that demanded he rebuild. After his heart transplant in 2018, Gaylen began looking more deeply at relationships and the emotional challenges couples face, particularly around shame, intimacy, communication, and erectile dysfunction. Alongside his wife, Heather, he co-founded The Monument Method Institute, focusing on emotional safety, conflict repair, intimacy, personal responsibility, and relationship readiness. In this conversation, Gaylen reflects on what it means to live with time you were never guaranteed, how technology is changing relationships, and what we should never outsource to algorithms. Because technology can optimize connection—but trust, vulnerability, commitment, and love still require human beings. 📬 Guest Details Name: Gaylen WilsonRole: Certified Thriving Relationship Coach, Author & Heart Transplant SurvivorCo-Founder: The Monument Method InstituteCo-Founder: Heather WilsonWebsite: monumentmethodinstitute.comExperience: 20 years of sobriety and a heart transplant survivorBackground: Farming, stockbroking, computer consulting, computer repair, field-service technologyExpertise: Relationships, emotional safety, conflict repair, intimacy, relationship readiness, personal responsibility, resilience and reinventionFocus: Helping individuals and couples build stronger, healthier relationships and navigate the emotional challenges that can affect intimacy and connectionKey Themes: Reinvention, sobriety, resilience, relationships, technology and dating, emotional safety, intimacy, second chances, purpose and making the most of the time we’re given

  8. Sep 27

    The Brain Behind the Leader: Neuroscience, Leadership & Leading with Intention — Dr. Marcia Ruben

    In this episode of Born Before the Algorithm, Vicz sits down with Dr. Marcia Ruben, executive coach, organizational consultant, graduate leadership professor emerita, and author of The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead. With more than three decades of experience working with leaders, Dr. Ruben explores what happens inside the brain when people are under pressure, why intelligent and capable leaders can still fall into unhelpful patterns, and how self-awareness can change the way we lead. The conversation also examines leadership in an increasingly algorithm-driven world, including the effects of constant notifications, information overload, AI, and automated decision-making on human attention and judgment. Ultimately, great leadership isn’t only about having the right skills or access to better technology. It’s also about understanding our own patterns, learning to pause, and becoming intentional about how we respond. 📬 Guest Details Dr. Marcia Ruben
Executive Coach | Organizational Consultant | Graduate Leadership Professor Emerita | Author Book: The Neuroscience of Leadership: Rewire. Untangle. Lead. Book: https://bit.ly/4dRAJDi

See All (61)

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Born Before the Algorithm is a podcast about people who grew up before social media, smartphones, and AI—and are now navigating a rapidly changing digital world. Through honest conversations and personal stories we explore technology, work, relationships, culture, and what it means to adapt when the future arrives faster than expected. Whether you’re keeping up or catching up, this podcast is for anyone learning to thrive in the age of algorithms.

Information

  • Creator
    Victory Igberase
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Victory Igberase
  • Show Website
    Born Before the Algorithm