Growth Sold Separately

Tony Lee
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Personal Journals

Growth Sold Separately is a narrated podcast about the questions the dashboard leaves out. Each episode follows one study, one story, or one decision and asks what actually happened versus what we assumed. Hosted by Tony Lee, a growth marketer who is reflective, self-deprecating, and still chasing answers that don't come in the box. Narration uses a synthetic version of Tony's voice; his commentary is recorded by him. Formerly Welcome to Sheckiiville (2020). Also a Substack of the same name.

  1. Oct 3

    Episode 101 // Another Version: Is AI Helping Me Think?

    I built an AI team to help me make a podcast. Then I heard the episode and wanted to start again. The research was interesting. The script had been fact-checked. There was even a model of my voice reading it. But it didn't feel like me. Was AI helping me find the story—or helping me keep improving a version I didn't actually want? For the first episode of Growth Sold Separately, I follow that question through classrooms, an MIT essay-writing study, and experiments in creative work. Better results with a tool, what we can do without it, and whether we like what we've made turn out to be different questions. Making this episode put me right in the middle of them. I'm Tony Lee. This is a story about the work I wanted to hand off, the decisions I wanted to keep, and the version I finally wanted you to hear. CHAPTERS 00:00 The monster is pointing at me 02:09 Close the laptop 05:38 What MIT measured 10:01 Make it sound like me 13:03 Another version 16:24 Good by whose measure? 18:28 The missing Tony 21:58 What I want to keep PRODUCTION This episode combines my own recordings with AI-generated narration using a model of my voice. I developed the script with AI, reviewed the research and approved the finished episode. Instrumental music was generated with ElevenLabs. SOURCES AND FURTHER READING The studies below examine particular tasks and settings. They do not establish whether making this podcast made me smarter or dumber. Bastani et al. (2025), Generative AI without guardrails can harm learning. Mathematics practice and the exam without AI: Source Kosmyna et al. (2025), Your Brain on ChatGPT. Essay-writing, EEG and recall; a preprint, not an intelligence test: Source Kestin et al. (2025), AI tutoring outperforms in-class active learning. Physics tutoring and immediate assessments: Source Thoeni and Fryer (2026), AI Chatbots in Higher Education. Why twelve weeks of availability is not twelve weeks of use: Source Hou et al. (2025), The Double-Edged Roles of Generative AI in the Creative Process. Help at different stages of design: Source Wadinambiarachchi et al. (2024), The Effects of Generative AI on Design Fixation and Divergent Thinking. The chatbot-avatar experiment: Source Doshi and Hauser (2024), Generative AI enhances individual creativity but reduces the collective diversity of novel content. Creative ratings and similarity in short fiction: Source Baird et al. (2012), Inspired by Distraction. Returning to previously encountered creative problems after a break: Source Later counterevidence: Murray et al. challenged the proposed mind-wandering benefit. The explanation remains unsettled: Source Coverage discussed in the episode: Rael Hornby, Laptop Mag (July 2025): Source Erik Ofgang, Tech & Learning (July 2025): Source Questions or a source I should examine? Leave a comment on the episode.

  2. 12/03/2021 ·  Bonus

    Episode 013 // What Have I Been Up To?! (Update on Life, Podcast Direction)

    Well, I'm back! Haha. Nothing life threatening or any health issues that prevented me from this. Thought I'd share not only what has been going on since, I'd assume, about a year ago. TL;DR, I fell in love; changed jobs; traveled to Korea and Hong Kong; and realized a couple interesting things about myself. Oh, and I was on my favorite podcast of all time, bamboo & glass! Thank you to both Da Eun and Sophia for letting us tell our story. (Us? Yeah you're going to have to tune into episode 137.. hehe)  But, meanwhile, I am back. And it feels so good!

  3. 08/28/2020

    Episode 012 // Ogo Adegboye, Investor & Former U.K. National Team Point Guard (Day 4 of 7 of My Birthday Week Celebration)

    Ogo's life story was fascinating in college, but it's even more impactful post Bonnies career. I got to cover him in college, but importantly built a friendship and followed his journey. If his story of overcoming adversity doesn't get you up this morning, not sure what will. Humbled to have another St. Bonaventure University alum on sheckiiville! As always, text me at (213) 214-0970. Would love to chat about this episode with y'all :)

  4. 07/02/2020

    Episode 011 // Minji Chang, Actor, Producer, 'First Of All' Podcast Host (Day 3 of 7 of My Birthday Week!)

    Some people claim to be real, and some are Minji Chang. The actor, producer, ‘First Of All’ podcast host came on sheckiiville to not only talk about her journey in Hollywood, but much needed discussion about racism and sexism. Just to get you prepared, the word “should” is a main theme of our chat. Can’t wait for y’all to meet Minji on sheckiiville today on day 3 of 7 on my birthday week. Text me at (213) 214-0970 if you want to chat about this personally :) And yes, that is my actual number.

  5. 06/29/2020

    Episode 010 // Jay Salim, EVP of People and Culture at Complex Networks (Day 2 of 7 of My Birthday Week!)

    Imagine first stepping into a prospective employer and have the head of HR go, “Where my boy sheckii at?!” That’s how Jay Salim and I met in NYC, and since then I’ve kept in touch with now the EVP of People and Culture at Complex Networks. Jay shared his story about coming back after serving in the military and how that has shaped his career. He shares a story about how he got into the advertising industry after being a doorman and doing multiple hustles to get the right experience. My man dropped some serious knowledge on the second episode during my birthday week, and I’m glad y’all get to know the amazing guy Jay is on sheckiiville. Text me at (213) 214-0970 if you want to chat about this personally! (Not a joke this is really my number.)

  6. 06/20/2020

    Episode 009 // Andy Lam, Amazon FBA Entrepreneur (And Day 1 of 7 of My Birthday Week!)

    Excited to have Andy Lam kick off the birthday week with episode 009! Andy is an Amazon FBA Entrepreneur, and no that's not drop shipping. See how he created a 7-figure business from doing something that many people will want to get started on, but more importantly hear the journey that took him here and how he managed continuing to grow. If you want to chat about this, text me at (213) 214-0970.

  7. 06/18/2020

    Episode 008 // Jessica Jenkins, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach at Providence College

    Jess was the first person I ever did a documentary on. But more importantly, I wanted to have her on as the first St. Bonaventure alumni on this podcast (Go Bonnies!) because her work ethic and perspective as an assistant basketball coach at Providence is great to hear for everyone. We also talked about Kobe Bryant and the legacy he left. Can’t wait for y’all to hear this! If you wanna chat about it, text me at (213) 214-0970.

  8. 05/28/2020

    Episode 007 // William Hung, Chief Champion Creator

    William Hung of American Idol fame (yes, the one who did "She Bangs!") dropped by sheckiville on this episode to chat about what he has been up to. The lasting memory for this episode is the vision he chatted about, when he had the inspiration to do more -- and he did. As a motivational speaker and coach, he has expanded his reach and started to help others out in a meaningful way. Oh, and we talked about bullying and other things in there as well. Hope you enjoy the episode!

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Growth Sold Separately is a narrated podcast about the questions the dashboard leaves out. Each episode follows one study, one story, or one decision and asks what actually happened versus what we assumed. Hosted by Tony Lee, a growth marketer who is reflective, self-deprecating, and still chasing answers that don't come in the box. Narration uses a synthetic version of Tony's voice; his commentary is recorded by him. Formerly Welcome to Sheckiiville (2020). Also a Substack of the same name.

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Lee
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Tony Lee
  • Show Website
    Growth Sold Separately