Building a Better Geek

Emmanuella Grace & Craig Lawton
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Welcome to Building a Better Geek, where we explore the intersection of technology, psychology and well-being. For high-functioning introverts finding an audience - if you like humans at least as much as machines - if you want to go deep on leadership, communication and all the things that go into building you. Emmanuella Grace is a communication coach and consultant, working with individuals and organisations to develop and strengthen the skills of voice and communication. Craig is an experienced Technologist and Leader. Connect with us using the details below.

  1. 6D AGO

    TruthAmp: Episode 7 - Build Me Up, AI-tercup: Website in an Hour

    Watch Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeP6SEMkhvQ Craig demonstrates the speed and power of AI-assisted web development by building Emmanuella a professional website (click) in less than one hour—right before her flight to South by Southwest Sydney. What Happened The Challenge: Craig forgot about the topic until an hour before recording, so he used AI tools to quickly build a website, then demo-ed it for Emmanuella as she rushed through the airport. The Tools: Craig used Claude (both the chat interface and Claude Code) to research Emmanuella's professional background, generate prompts, and build a functioning website styled after Brené Brown's site—all running locally on his laptop. The Process: Claude researched Emmanuella's professional history, services, images, and videos online Generated seven specific prompts for website development Built a sophisticated site with animations, accurate credentials (graduate diploma in Psychology, Master's degrees), and integrated multimedia All accomplished in less than one hour Key Insights Prompting is a Skill: Emmanuella observes that effective AI prompting requires specificity and iteration. It's not mind-reading—you need to clearly articulate style, colors, and desired outcomes, sometimes through multiple attempts. Collaboration Over Replacement: Craig emphasizes you still need someone who understands underlying technology to ask the right questions and ensure security. AI accelerates collaboration between developers and clients, enabling real-time changes during consultative sessions. Cost Savings: By dramatically reducing development time, AI tools could significantly lower hourly web development costs for clients. Quality vs. Sludge: While Emmanuella worries AI might "fill the internet with sludge," Craig counters that with proper expertise, AI can actually create more sophisticated and secure websites than traditional methods. Accessibility: People without huge budgets can now build sophisticated websites with integrated products and features—democratizing professional web presence. The Reveal The finished website impressively included: Accurate professional credentials and education Brené Brown-inspired styling and animations Integrated podcast episodes (Building a Better Geek, Truth Amp) Professional history and services All functional elements ready for deployment Takeaway AI tools like Claude Code are transforming web development from time-intensive coding to rapid, collaborative creation—but expertise still matters. The technology amplifies human knowledge rather than replacing it, enabling faster iteration and more accessible professional web presence. Note: This episode was recorded as Emmanuella literally ran through the airport to catch her flight to South by Southwest Sydney, where she's moderating panels on med tech and mentoring tech leadership.

    10 min

  2. OCT 6

    TruthAmp: Episode 6 - Copyright and AI

    Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Y7M4RUC_HU&t=1s Craig and Emmanuella discuss the collision between AI technology and copyright protection for artists. Main Points Artists' Perspective: Emmanuella explains that copyright payments—not just performances—are crucial income for creators. Successful artists earn substantially from songwriting royalties calculated by venue capacity. The Core Problem: Tech companies are training AI models on copyrighted material without permission or payment. Once incorporated, this data cannot be removed without rebuilding the entire model. Artists must police unauthorized use themselves rather than companies providing proactive protection. Legal Landscape: The US has "fair use" doctrine while Australia has stricter rules. Australia's Productivity Commissioner suggests relaxing copyright for AI innovation, but artists strongly oppose this. A middle-ground proposal involves mandatory compensation, though artists would lose control over usage. Media Framing: Australian media uniquely describes AI's use of copyrighted content as "theft"—language that shapes public perception differently than other countries. Unexpected Hope: Emmanuella suggests that as AI contributes to content mediocrity, wealthy tech entrepreneurs might eventually invest in preserving high-quality artistry—reviving historical patronage models. Key Legal Fact: AI-generated content currently isn't copyrightable. Only human-contributed portions of hybrid works can be protected. Takeaway The copyright-AI debate has no clear resolution. While governments lag behind, market forces—and potentially tech philanthropists—may ultimately determine how creators are compensated in the AI era.

    20 min

  3. SEP 29

    TruthAmp: Episode 5 - Would AI Lie to You

    Available in Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOklnPvvDUo TruthAmp Episode 5: How Do I Know If AI Is Lying to Me? In this episode of Truth Amp, communication expert Emmanuella Grace and tech expert Craig Lawton tackle one of the most pressing questions about AI: How can you tell when AI gives you false information? Key Takeaways AI Doesn't "Lie" - It Hallucinates Craig explains that AI doesn't intentionally deceive. Instead, AI models are probabilistic systems that sometimes produce "hallucinations" - confident-sounding but inaccurate responses based on statistical patterns in their training data. The Swiss Cheese Problem AI knowledge has gaps like holes in Swiss cheese. When your question hits one of these knowledge gaps, the AI fills in blanks with plausible-sounding but potentially false information, especially in specialized domains like psychology, medicine, or law. Experts Aren't Immune Even domain experts can be caught off guard. Emmanuella shares how AI nearly fooled her with an incomplete psychology summary that seemed authoritative but was missing crucial information. The Generational Divide Many older users treat AI responses as infallible truth, lacking awareness of AI's limitations. This creates a responsibility gap - who should educate users about AI's fallibility? Practical Tips to Get Better AI Responses Turn on web search in your AI settings so it can access current information Specify timeframes in your prompts (e.g., "information from 2025") Learn better prompting techniques to avoid reinforcing your existing biases Understand AI training bias - models reflect historical data, which may contain outdated information The Bottom Line While the tech industry figures out responsibility and regulation, users need to take charge of their AI education. Media and educational institutions have a role to play in teaching AI literacy, especially around understanding biases, limitations, and effective prompting strategies. Truth Amp explores complex topics through the lens of human communication and technology expertise. New episodes weekly.

    17 min

  4. SEP 22

    TruthAmp: Episode 4 - AI-Generated Music and Soul

    Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f **🎵 Listen to our hilariously bad AI jingle first:** https://www.udio.com/songs/2NQ68f3nBegurCT6TyyiQG?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing In this episode of TruthAmp, Craig and Emmanuella dive deep into AI's impact on songwriting and the music industry. What starts with Craig's cringe-worthy AI-generated jingle (seriously, Emmanuella's ears were bleeding) evolves into a fascinating discussion about authenticity, artistry, and the future of music. ## Key Discussion Points: **The Velvet Sundown Controversy** - AI artist that fooled over a million Spotify listeners - The importance of honesty between artists and fans - Why deception breaks the fundamental trust that drives artistic success **Industry Legends Speak Out** - Nick Cave's brutal take: AI songwriting is "artistic demoralization" that erodes "the world's soul" - Bernard Fanning argues AI removes humanity from art, defeating its very purpose - The tension between artistic idealism and paying the bills **The Platform Problem** - Are streaming services flooding platforms with AI music to avoid paying royalties? - What happens when real artists start withdrawing their content? - Will we just get used to artificial music as background noise? **Technical Evolution** - How audio compression has already changed how we consume music - The irony of AI deliberately adding "authentic" imperfections - From auto-tune perfection back to intentional flaws ## The Bottom Line: While AI tools might help with arrangements and production, both hosts agree that music that truly moves people requires human vulnerability, effort, and soul. As Craig puts it: music needs humanity and effort, not just a 20-word prompt. **Their advice? Get out there and listen to live music. Support real artists. Go pat a cat.** What do you think? Can AI ever replicate the human experience that makes great songwriting? Let us know in the comments!

    17 min

  5. SEP 14

    TruthAmp: Episode 3 - Nano Nana

    Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f This episode of TruthAmp features hosts Emmanuella and Craig discussing AI image generation, with Craig demonstrating through live examples. He shows AI-generated headshots of himself, first in a business suit that he found unsatisfactory, then requesting a "Silicon Valley chic" look that produced a casual sweatshirt and jeans appearance. Craig also creates a whimsical underwater version of their podcast promotional photo, placing both hosts in what appears to be the Great Barrier Reef while still wearing headphones. Emmanuella was initially intrigued by seeing AI-generated videos on social media that could create realistic footage from just one second of source material. The hosts explore how marketing and branding influence AI adoption, noting that catchy names like "nano banana" make advanced technology seem more accessible and less threatening. A key theme emerges around the importance of distinguishing between reality and AI-generated content. Emmanuella draws parallels to how society adapted to understanding Photoshopped magazine images, suggesting we need similar literacy for AI content. She emphasizes the responsibility to use careful language when discussing AI capabilities versus reality. Craig mentions Amazon's competing Nova Canvas tool, which includes IP protection and digital watermarking. The episode concludes with both hosts advocating for critical thinking about AI-generated content, with Craig describing AI as a "lossy encyclopedia" that loses fidelity over time.

    18 min

  6. SEP 10

    TruthAmp: Episode 2 - Deepfakes in Job Interviews

    Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f In this episode, Craig Lawton and Emmanuella Grace tackle the escalating crisis of AI fraud in job interviews, where deepfake candidates and sophisticated bots are creating what Gartner predicts will be 1 in 4 fraudulent job applications by 2028. The hosts explore shocking real-world cases, including "Ivan X" who applied twice to the same security firm using deepfakes, and a government official admitting to hiring someone who used AI to answer interview questions. They discuss how recruitment has become an "arms race" between fraud and detection, with both candidates and recruiters increasingly relying on AI tools. Emmanuella argues this may force a return to in-person interviews, where human intuition and emotional responses can detect the "coldness" of AI interactions. She emphasizes that interviews are fundamentally about cultural fit and human connection, not just qualifications. The conversation reveals how AI-generated communications often trigger subconscious disengagement in recipients. Paradoxically, both hosts advocate for transparent AI use in job searching—using it to tailor CVs and practice interviews while maintaining authenticity. They explore innovative HR technology that creates comprehensive "digital twins" of candidates, incorporating both technical skills and wellbeing factors. The episode concludes with optimism about human creativity and connection driving the future, suggesting that despite technological disruption, people's fundamental need to connect with other humans remains paramount.

    18 min

  7. SEP 8

    TruthAmp: Episode 1 - AI Attachment and Human Connection

    Watch us on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TruthAmp-e1f In the inaugural episode of Truth Amp, hosts Emmanuella Grace and Craig Lawton explore the human impact of AI developments, focusing on OpenAI's GPT-5 launch and concerning attachment behaviors. The discussion centers on why people form emotional bonds with AI systems, drawing parallels to the 1960s ELIZA program where users developed deep connections with a simple chatbot. Emmanuella explains this stems from human needs for connection and validation—our brains struggle to distinguish between human and machine responses when we feel "seen and heard." Key concerns include the risks of anthropomorphizing AI and losing essential human connection skills. The hosts discuss how AI's confident, absolute responses mask its fallibility, noting that it doesn't express uncertainty like humans do. They emphasize the importance of maintaining critical thinking skills as AI becomes more prevalent. Practical insights include treating AI like a "first-year assistant," preserving cognitive function by doing initial thinking before using AI assistance, and setting healthy boundaries around AI use. The episode concludes with warnings about the "soullessness" of AI-generated content and the subconscious human tendency to disengage from machine-generated communications, highlighting the irreplaceable value of authentic human spontaneity and connection.

    20 min

  8. JUL 7

    Know Your Worth: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Paid What You Deserve

    In this episode, hosts Em and Craig explore the concept of "knowing your value" in a rapidly changing workplace where traditional values are shifting due to technology, generational differences, and political influences. Key Discussion Points: Multiple Hats Phenomenon: Em introduces the concept of "wearing multiple hats" - where people, particularly women, often carry multiple roles simultaneously (manager, counselor, organizer, etc.) without recognition or appropriate compensation. She emphasizes the importance of articulating these various responsibilities to make them visible. Gender Differences in Self-Assessment: Em cites research showing the "male hubris, female humility effect," where men systematically overestimate their abilities while women underestimate theirs, despite equal measured intelligence. This impacts salary negotiations and career advancement. Value vs. Self-Worth: Craig emphasizes that understanding your value must start with recognizing your inherent self-worth as a human being, rather than beginning with monetary considerations. This foundational self-respect then informs how you communicate your professional value. Technology's Impact on Value: The hosts discuss how technological shifts (cloud computing, AI) can make established skills obsolete overnight, forcing workers to constantly reassess and adapt their value proposition. Negotiation Strategies: When pay raises aren't possible, they suggest alternative value-adds: Upskilling opportunities Professional development funding Networking event attendance Mentorship programs Lateral moves within the organization Communication Tactics: Craig shares insights from sales about listening first to understand problems before proposing solutions. They emphasize the importance of framing your value in terms of solving the organization's problems, not just listing your achievements. Five Love Languages in the Workplace: Em adapts Gary Chapman's concept to workplace appreciation: acts of service, words of affirmation, quality time, appropriate physical acknowledgment (handshakes), and gifts. Understanding how people prefer to receive recognition can transform workplace relationships. Market Research Importance: Both hosts stress the critical importance of researching your market value globally, not just locally, and understanding the broader context of your industry and role. Intent vs. Impact: They reference the "Difficult Conversations" framework, noting how understanding the difference between what people intend and the impact they have can resolve many workplace value conflicts. Practical Takeaways: Start negotiations by understanding the other party's problems Write down your goals and their needs to find creative solutions Consider taking breaks to gain perspective on your situation Build internal and external networks for realistic market assessment Practice difficult conversations before high-stakes moments Be aware of vocal patterns (upward inflection) that may undermine perceived competence Resource Recommendations: "Let Them Theory" by Mel Robbins (specifically the chapter on salary negotiation for women with male bosses) Vanessa Van Edwards' research on voice and body language Nick Cave's "Red Hand Files" email newsletter Market research through LinkedIn Jobs and industry networking

    45 min
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About

Welcome to Building a Better Geek, where we explore the intersection of technology, psychology and well-being. For high-functioning introverts finding an audience - if you like humans at least as much as machines - if you want to go deep on leadership, communication and all the things that go into building you. Emmanuella Grace is a communication coach and consultant, working with individuals and organisations to develop and strengthen the skills of voice and communication. Craig is an experienced Technologist and Leader. Connect with us using the details below.

Information

  • Creator
    Emmanuella Grace & Craig Lawton
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023-2025 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Building a Better Geek

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