04 — Field Notes

Dispatches from the Trail

Thoughts on AI, content, and what's coming next.

Tech & Tools/March 24, 2026/7 min read

I Built My Own Workout Tracker Turned AI Trainer

I had years of health data sitting in Apple Health and workout logs collecting dust in Notion. Titan connects them into a system that actually tells me what to do next.

Tech & Tools/March 3, 2026/7 min read

What a Custom Claude Skill Actually Looks Like (And Why I Built One for My Blog)

Most people use AI to write an email. I built a system that runs an entire content category. Here's what a custom Claude Skill actually looks like, including the parts that broke.

Tech & Tools/February 15, 2026/6 min read

The AI Tool Audit: How to Evaluate If a Tool Is Actually Worth Your Time

Most businesses adopt AI because they think they're supposed to. Here's the 3-step evaluation process that separates tools worth your time from expensive distractions.

Reviews & Recommendations/January 21, 2026/4 min read

Why I Ditched Warby Parker for a Local Eyewear Shop

Warby Parker just killed their home try-on program. I needed new glasses anyway, so I tried a friend's recommendation. He nailed my frames on the first try and proved that expertise beats algorithms.

Local & Community/December 16, 2025/5 min read

Small Business Spotlight: Bones and Beans Creative

A look at Bones and Beans Creative Studio... 11 years of perfect reviews, custom craftsmanship, and a founder who actually cares. Here's why Monica Baker's small business is worth knowing.

Marketing & Strategy/December 11, 2025/5 min read

What I Learned Managing Social Media for Big Brands That Small Businesses Get Wrong

Big brands aren't doing anything magical with their marketing. They just don't skip the basics. Here's what I learned at Canon, Scholastic, and Accenture that applies to any size business.

Tech & Tools/October 20, 2025/9 min read

AI Slop Is Killing Consumer Trust—And Here's How Smart Businesses Can Fight Back

AI-generated content is flooding the internet, and consumers can tell. Here's how small businesses can use AI as a real tool without creating the “slop” that's killing brand trust.

Tech & Tools/October 1, 2025/1 min read

The AI Customer Experience: Are You Ready for a New Standard?

Most AI copy falls flat. Learn the anti-slop checklist for using AI tools to create authentic business content and build real connections.

Tech & Tools/September 22, 2025/6 min read

From Tutoring to Creativity: What 700 Million ChatGPT Users Reveal About Real-World AI Adoption

Still think AI is just for tech nerds? Half of ChatGPT's 700 million users are women, and most aren't using it for work at all.

Marketing & Strategy/August 6, 2025/6 min read

The Collapse of Social Media Isn't a Crisis. It's a Reset.

The breakfast posts are gone. The algorithms won. But something new is emerging—and it looks a lot more human than what we're leaving behind.

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