Prompting Curiosity

Dr. Shanté Cofield aka The Maestro

Prompting Curiosity is a podcast for the AI-curious, no coding background required. Join Dr. Shanté Cofield, also known as the Maestro, to explore what these AI tools actually are, how to use them, and what they might mean for how we think, work, create, and move through life. Tune in every Thursday to get your fix. Stay curious.

  1. 1d ago

    Ep. 55: Weight, What? An Introduction to Open Source AI Models

    In this episode I dig into open weight and open source AI models: what they actually are, why they keep showing up in AI news, and why I think they’re central to future-proofing our AI usage. I cover a bit of the technical aspect, the economic factors at play, and make the case that open weight models are a true hedge against getting stuck forever paying whatever a handful of AI companies decide to charge while simultaneously worrying that access could just be stripped away at any moment. Main Topics Covered What open weight and open source models actually areWhy open models matter: market pricing and individual sovereigntyOpen weight vs. open source definitionsWhy it's called "open weight" (parameters refresher)Who's releasing open weight modelsWhy companies release open weight modelsWhy individuals would choose an open modelHow to try an open weight model yourselfNvidia CEO Jensen Huang's open letter and Anthropic's responseHow I used AI this week: Claude's Scheduled Tasks feature Links & Resources for This Episode Listen to Ep. 17: Will ChatGPT Get Old Navy'd?Read this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Promoting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - Requiring Curiosity(00:01:07) - Open Source vs Open Weight(00:01:56) - Open Weight Models: Do They Even Work?(00:08:05) - What is an Open Weight Model?(00:12:43) - What are the Open Weight Models(00:14:16) - Open Weight vs Frontier: The Differences(00:17:14) - Open vs Closed PPT: The Pricing(00:18:59) - On OpenAI and its "free" models(00:21:11) - Choosing the right cloud provider(00:22:09) - Local vs. Hosting: More Tech, More Privacy(00:23:13) - Open Weight Models: How to Try them(00:26:02) - Nvidia's CEO on OpenAI and the Future of AI(00:28:51) - How I Used AI This Week(00:31:25) - Coming Soon: The Curious Companion

    Ep. 55: Weight, What? An Introduction to Open Source AI Models

  2. Jul 30

    Ep. 54: An Introduction to Perplexity, the Answer Engine

    In this episode I get curious about Perplexity, a name I'd heard used a ton in the AI space but never actually knew what the heck it was. I break down what it is, how its citation-first approach set it apart from ChatGPT early on, and what it can actually do today: Deep Research, Labs, and its push into the agent space with Computer, Brain, and Comet. I also cover the legal issues that are serving as a sneak peek into the future of agent wars, and give my honest take on whether Perplexity is worth using. Main Topics Covered Why this episode What Perplexity actually is Pro and Max pricing tiers Who Perplexity is actually for Perplexity's launch and the citations angle The lawsuits over copyright infringement Live search, Deep Research, and Labs Computer: Perplexity's move into agents Brain, Comet, and the Amazon lawsuit Should you bother with it How I used AI this week: Building a custom content tracker Links & Resources for This Episode Listen to Ep. 52: AI Agents Explained (For Non-Coders) Read Curious Companion Ep. 52: AI Agents Explained (For Non-Coders)  Read this episode's Curious Companion Subscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletter Submit a Question Visit the Website Feeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - Perplexity(00:01:49) - Beyond the Chatbot: Perplexity's Real-Time C(00:07:43) - Microsoft's Computer: An AI Agent in Microsoft 365(00:10:59) - Brain and Comment: Perplexity's AI(00:11:49) - Amazon Is Suing Perplexity Over AI-Backed Browser(00:15:11) - How I Used AI to Build a Content Creation Tracker (Again)(00:19:10) - PODCAST: Help Me Find The Podcast(00:19:37) - Curious Companion

    Ep. 54: An Introduction to Perplexity, the Answer Engine

  3. Jul 23

    Ep. 53: Using Deep Research and Getting the Robots to Do Your Homework

    After years of not knowing what to do with it, I finally decided to give deep research mode a try. In this episode I break down what deep research actually is, how it works under the hood, and how ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, and Grok stack up against each other. I also walk through real use cases, prompting tips for getting a better report, and a safety reminder about hallucinations and bad citations. Main Topics Covered What deep research actually isRelease datesHow deep research worksPrompting tipsExample use cases for deep researchThe tool landscape: ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, GrokHow to use Research modeSafety reminder: hallucinations and bad citationsHow I used AI this week: Identifying podcast topics in the AI space Links & Resources for This Episode Listen to Ep. 52: AI Agents Explained (for Non-coders)Listen to Ep. 25: The Best AI Tool You’ve Never Heard OfRead this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - prompting curiosity(00:01:26) - Deep-Research and the Future of AI(00:02:06) - Deep Research: What is it?(00:07:12) - Examples of Deep Research Use Cases(00:08:22) - Examples of Things You Can Use AI to Research(00:14:17) - Writing a Legally Literate Report(00:15:08) - How I Used To AI(00:16:27) - The Curious Companion: A Podcast About AI

    Ep. 53: Using Deep Research and Getting the Robots to Do Your Homework

  4. Jul 16

    Ep. 52: AI Agents Explained (For Non-Coders)

    In this episode I break down what AI agents actually are and how they differ from regular chat tools. Before diving in, I run through the recent flood of new model releases from Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI, including the full story on the Fable 5 suspension and reinstatement. The episode ends with a practical mini cheatsheet on when an agent is actually the right tool for your workflow. Main Topics Covered The eleventy billion releases: Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAIFable 5: the jailbreak, the suspension, and the fixGPT-5.6, Grok 4.5, and what this means for everyday usersSo WTF is an agent?"Building an agent" and "spinning up agents" explainedIs regular Claude an agent?Human-in-the-loopYou're probably already using oneDo you need an agent? (mini cheatsheet)How I used AI this week: Tom's Switzerland itinerary Links & Resources for This Episode Listen to Ep. 11: WTF is a Custom GPT?Listen to Ep. 48: When the Most Powerful Model Comes With a BouncerRead this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - Caution: Agents in the AI World(00:02:41) - AI Wars: The Race to AGI(00:03:24) - Amazon's Fable 5 and Mythos 5: What Happened(00:05:27) - OpenAI and Anthropic: The Fight for C# Talent(00:07:17) - Grok 4.5.0 Review(00:10:05) - An Agent in the Machine Learning World(00:13:02) - Building an agent: Low-(00:14:04) - Spinning Up Agents: What Is It?(00:15:19) - Cloud: Is Regular Claude an Agent?(00:18:24) - ClAUDE: Permission vs. Planning in the Cloud(00:21:31) - ChatGPT: An Agent for the World(00:22:57) - Agents: Their Use Cases,(00:25:55) - Using AI For Fun

    Ep. 52: AI Agents Explained (For Non-Coders)

  5. Jul 9

    Ep. 51: WTF is MCP?

    In this episode I break down MCP (Model Context Protocol): what it is, why Anthropic created it, and why it matters for anyone using AI tools. I cover MCP servers, the two-party connection, the API relationship, and the three main concerns to keep in mind when using MCPs. Fair warning: this one is mildly techy, far less than past episodes, but I do believe MCP is a term we're going to start hearing a lot more, so we’re getting curious and talking about it now. Main Topics Covered Model Context Protocol broken down simplyWhy MCP was developedWhy MCP became the industry standardOpenAI adopts MCPMCP servers explainedMCP client and MCP server termsAPIs and what MCP actually doesThree main concerns with MCPsHow I used AI this week: Learning about MCP! Links & Resources for This Episode Listen to Ep. 45: Stop Tying, Start Speaking: Wispr Flow Explained Get a Free Month of Wispr Flow Pro (Affiliate Link)Read this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:04) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - What the MCP is, Explained(00:01:49) - What is MCP? (Model Context Protocol)(00:03:32) - MCP: The Standardization of Connection Rules(00:09:43) - MCP: The Protocol ((00:14:12) - MCPs: The AI Gateway(00:18:00) - MCPS Explained in 3 Minutes(00:19:06) - A AI Prompt Injection(00:20:28) - How I Used AI to Learn This Week(00:23:36) - Curious Companion

    Ep. 51: WTF is MCP?

  6. Jul 2

    Ep. 50: The AI Price Hike Is Coming

    This entire episode is dedicated to discussing a prediction I've brought up eleventy billion times: AI prices are gonna go up, and it's not a matter of if, it's a matter of when. I break down Microsoft Copilot Cowork's usage-based pricing rollout, what it signals for the rest of the industry, the concept of tokenmaxxing, and how Anthropic's existing usage limits and Fable 5's pay-per-usage model are early signs of what's ahead. Main Topics Covered Episode 50 celebrationMicrosoft Copilot Cowork's usage-based pricing announcementUsage-based billing vs. flat-fee subscription modelsPrediction: other companies will follow suitAnthropic's existing usage tiers and Fable 5's pay-per-usage modelTokenmaxxingEnterprise users and the end of "costs be damned" AI usageWhy the most basic model is likely more than enoughGetting ahead of the AI price hikeHow I used AI this week: JCode saves his Mac with ChatGPT Links & Resources for This Episode Read Microsoft’s Cowork release announcementRead this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:37) - A Year in the Life of The AI Podcast(00:01:31) - The impending AI Price Hike(00:04:38) - Claude Fable 5: When Will Other Companies Follow?(00:06:32) - Token Maxing: The Future of AI(00:12:32) - How I Used AI to Save My Mac(00:13:57) - A New Review for "

    Ep. 50: The AI Price Hike Is Coming

  7. Jun 25

    Ep. 49: Stop Asking AI to Write for You

    In this episode I make a direct ask: stop asking AI to write for you. I cover what makes AI writing bad, why it's a bad business move for client-facing copy, and how to use AI as a thought partner instead of a ghostwriter. Main Topics Covered The ask: stop using AI to write for youThe dopamine appeal of AI writingWhat to use AI for (ideas, outlines, organizing thoughts)What makes AI writing badFeelings and EQUsing AI as a thought partner, not a ghostwriterWriting as a skillThoughts on AI acceptanceHow I Used AI This Week: A big-time shed door repair Links & Resources for This Episode Read this episode's Curious CompanionSubscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletterSubmit a QuestionVisit the WebsiteFeeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - Stop Asking AI to Write For You(00:03:15) - The Problem With Writing With AI(00:09:31) - How I Used AI to Fix My Shed Door(00:11:54) - The Curious Companion(00:12:42) - A message for my friends

    Ep. 49: Stop Asking AI to Write for You

  8. Jun 18

    Ep. 48: When the Most Powerful Model Comes With a Bouncer

    In this episode I cover Anthropic's latest model release, Fable 5, the publicly available version of their most powerful tech to date. I get into what it is, why it probably isn't for most people, how the safety features actually work in practice, and the backstory on why the rollout was so carefully controlled in the first place. Worth noting: Fable 5 was taken offline by the US government shortly after this post was written. The information provide still stands however, and honestly, the shutdown just adds another layer to the story. Main Topics Covered Fable 5 overview and full disclosure Why this model probably isn't for you The 30,000-foot view Name decoder: Mythos vs. Fable The backstory: controlled rollout and Project Glasswing Guardrails and classifiers What Fable 5 is actually good at Who actually needs this model Access and costs How I Used AI This Week: Fable 5 researching Fable 5 Links & Resources for This Episode Read Anthropic's official statement Read this episode's Curious Companion Subscribe to the Prompting Curiosity newsletter Submit a Question Visit the Website Feeling curious AND generous? Click here to support the podcast. Chapters (00:00:05) - Prompting Curiosity: The AI Curious(00:00:38) - Anthropic Fable 5(00:01:35) - Anthropic's 'Mythos 5' Is Here...(00:07:40) - Fable 5: The Most Capable AI Model(00:10:16) - Fable 5: When Will It Cost to Play?(00:11:15) - Fable 2.8: Is it expensive?(00:12:07) - Will Frontier Put a Brake Pedal on AI?(00:13:29) - How I Used AI This Week(00:14:10) - Curious Companion

    Ep. 48: When the Most Powerful Model Comes With a Bouncer
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About

Prompting Curiosity is a podcast for the AI-curious, no coding background required. Join Dr. Shanté Cofield, also known as the Maestro, to explore what these AI tools actually are, how to use them, and what they might mean for how we think, work, create, and move through life. Tune in every Thursday to get your fix. Stay curious.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Shanté Cofield aka The Maestro
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Movement Maestro LLC
  • Show Website
    Prompting Curiosity

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