How I Use AI

From AI Sceptic to AI Trainer: Vaida Stone's Transformation

Have you ever thought AI just wasn't for you?
Vaida Stone said the same thing. A solo entrepreneur who turned 40 and decided to lean into change rather than away from it, she went from fearing a wrong button click to building her own suite of custom ChatGPT assistants.
In this episode, she shares how she automated her entire lead magnet system, got a personalised makeup lesson from a photo upload, and even used AI to spot a heart condition her doctors had missed.
Vaida is a financial clarity coach, holistic coach, and AI trainer who works with women navigating midlife, burnout, and big life changes.
Her mantra is simple: curiosity defeats fear. If you're dabbling with AI but not sure where to go next, this conversation will give you the nudge you need.
 
"Curiosity defeats fear, practice creates skills and skills save time." - Vaida Stone
 
You’ll hear about:
Why AI scepticism can serve you well
Adapting to AI in midlife
Getting an AI makeup lesson
Automating your business as a solo founder
Building custom ChatGPT accountability buddies
Using AI to track and protect your wellbeing
When AI spotted an undiagnosed heart condition
 
Connect With Vaida Stone:
 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/vaidavstone/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vaidastone
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/msvaidaacademy
 
Vaida’s Always Enough Workbook - https://always-enough-4djtfug.gamma.site/
Vaida’s 6 week group programme - https://always-enough-foundation-d97cg09.gamma.site/
Vaida’s Moneywiser Academy - https://msvacademy.com/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
AI For Non Techies on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-for-non-techies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Become an AI trainer - https://nontechies.ai/become-an-ai-trainer/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

AI and Indian Classical Dance: Bharatanatyam Meets Technology

Could AI actually transform an ancient art form? That's exactly what this episode explores.
Neha Roygupta is a Bharatanatyam dancer with 23 years of training and a HR technologist on a mission to bring AI into the world of Indian classical dance.
She shares how she's using tools like Google MixBoard, Suno, NotebookLM and Perplexity to reimagine everything from costume design and lighting to music creation and movement analysis.
What I love about Neha's approach is how grounded it is. She's not replacing the art, she's expanding it. And she's actively bringing her entire dance community along for the journey.
You'll leave this one seeing AI creativity through a completely fresh lens.
"AI is your co-creator, not your replacement."- Neha Roygupta
You’ll hear about:
Neha's journey: dance, HR tech and AI
Google MixBoard for mood boards and costumes
Making AI music with Suno for performance
Movement analysis and injury prevention in dance
AI hallucination risks in classical arts
NotebookLM and Perplexity for accurate learning
Shifting dancer mindsets towards AI
Neha's vision for AI in live performance
Episode Resources:
Dancers AI Instagram: www.instagram.com/thedancersai 
Dancers AI Website: www.thedancersai.com 
Google MixBoard: www.lhttps://labs.google.com/mixboard/welcome 
Suno AI Music: www.suno.com 
NotebookLM: wwhttps://notebooklm.google.com/
Perplexity AI: www.perplexity.ai 
Connect With Neha Roygupta:
 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/neharoygupta/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nia_rg/
 
Connect With Me:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
AI For Non Techies on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-for-non-techies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Become an AI trainer - https://nontechies.ai/become-an-ai-trainer/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

From Cat Instagram to MIT: One Woman's AI Journey

Have you ever started something just for fun and ended up completely changing the direction of your life?
That is exactly what happened to my guest Erika Gianni. What began as a creative branding workshop to build an Instagram page for her cat led to building a Notion life management dashboard with Claude, studying AI at executive level through MIT, and becoming an AI trainer herself through our AI for Non-Techies programme.
In this episode, we talk about how she got started, how she uses AI tools day to day, and what she has learnt about operations, visibility, and human-centred AI adoption along the way.
If you have ever felt overwhelmed by templates, unsure where to start, or wondered how to use AI in a way that fits your life, this one is for you.
Erika is warm, practical, and brilliantly honest about what works and what does not.
"Creation is so important in somebody's AI journey” — Erika Gianni
You’ll hear about:
How a cat started her AI journey
A creative workshop that covered AI ethics
MIT theory vs hands-on generative AI
Building a Notion dashboard with Claude
Voice tools for on-the-go brain dumps
Why visibility drives better decisions
AI output vs talking to real humans
From AI learner to AI trainer
 
Episode Resources:
Notion  https://www.notion.so
Claude  https://claude.ai
Midjourney  https://www.midjourney.com
Gamma  https://gamma.app
Letterly (voice notes app)  https://letterly.app
Whisper Flow  https://whisperflow.app
Zapier  https://zapier.com
Make (formerly Integromat)  https://www.make.com
 
Connect With Erika Gianna:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikagianni/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
AI For Non Techies on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-for-non-techies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Become an AI trainer - https://nontechies.ai/become-an-ai-trainer/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

How to Use AI for Job Searching: Getting Past HR Screening Tools

Ever send dozens of job applications and hear nothing back?
AI is screening your application before any human sees it. But you can use AI to get past those filters.
I'm chatting with Dr. Kara Elam, a health policy expert who's been using ChatGPT to navigate a tough job market. She shares how she trains AI to sound like her, writes cold emails that get executive responses, and tackles the blank page of death problem we all face.
This is honest, practical advice for job hunting, which can be so useful when you're juggling applications, family, and save time wherever you can.
"The blank page is scary. AI gives you a starting place." — Dr. Kara Elam
You’ll hear about:
Why both job seekers and HR departments are using AI
How to train ChatGPT to understand your unique voice
Getting past AI screening tools with keyword optimisation
The blank page problem and why AI helps overcome it
Catching AI mistakes before hitting send on applications
Writing cold emails that get responses from executives
Using AI to evaluate if jobs will make you happy
Episode Resources:
ChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com
 
Connect With Dr. Kara Elam:
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-kara-elam-ab661922/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
AI For Non Techies on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/ai-for-non-techies/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Become an AI trainer - https://nontechies.ai/become-an-ai-trainer/
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

AI for an Intergenerational World, From Work to Wellbeing with Simon Long

My guest today made me stop and think about AI in a completely different way.
We talk about what it really means to live in an intergenerational world, why people over 50 are so often underestimated with technology, and how AI can act as a powerful leveller rather than another barrier.
Simon Long describes himself as an “age astronaut” and once you hear him explain why, it makes perfect sense.
We explore deeply human topics, from dementia and Alzheimer’s to loneliness, social isolation and mental health. We look at how voice-based AI, natural language tools and simple interfaces could help people stay connected to family, memories, music and community, without pretending that AI should ever replace real human connection.
Simon also shares the AI tools he uses day to day, how he thinks about boundaries with AI, and why curiosity matters more than age.
This is a hopeful, thoughtful conversation about where AI fits into real lives, not just work.
Could AI help us feel more connected, rather than less?
“AI should help people feel connected, not replaced.” – Simon Long
You’ll hear about:
What an age astronaut really means
Why over 50s are underestimated with AI
AI as a leveller across generations
Voice interfaces and natural conversation
AI and loneliness risks
Safeguards and mental health boundaries
AI tools Simon uses daily
Avoiding AI overload and screen fatigue
Prompting tips that improve results
 
Episode Resources:
 
ChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com
Perplexity AI - https://www.perplexity.ai
Claude by Anthropic - https://claude.ai
Gamma AI - https://gamma.app
Notion - https://www.notion.so
WhisperFlow - https://whisperflow.ai
Pi (Personal AI) - https://pi.ai
 
Connect With Simon Long:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-r-long/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/

How A Finance Manager Uses Copilot To Fix Payments And Save Hours with Sirajuddin Mohammed

Ever stared at an error message with no clue how to fix it? Me too…
In this episode, I talk to finance manager and ACCA accountant Sirajuddin Mohammed about the moment Copilot helped him fix a failed BACS payment and turn panic into pure relief.
Siraj shares how he uses Copilot safely at work, from debugging Excel formulas to building PowerPoint skeletons. He also talks about how Copilot has helped him become more confident with his email writing in English, as it is his second language. How amazing is that?!
We dig into why those “tiny” 5–10 minute time savers add up to meaningful hours back each week, and why AI is less a robot overlord and more like a friendly teammate sitting beside you.
We also talk about the reality of AI adoption in finance teams, why so many accountants are still stuck in manual processes, and how small experiments with tools like Copilot, Power Automate and Power Apps can quietly transform the way finance works. If you’ve ever thought “AI isn’t for me” or “I don’t have time to learn this,” this conversation might just change your mind.
If you’re in finance, buried in manual tasks or nervous about trying AI at work, this one’s for you.
“Time is money, so use AI to save both.” – Sirajuddin Mohammed
You’ll hear about:
 
Using Copilot for emails• Fixing Excel formula errors• Creating PowerPoint skeletons• The BACS payment file moment• Why finance teams avoid AI• Encouraging small workflow changes• Tools Siraj wants to learn next
 
Connect With Sirajuddin Mohammed:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sirajuddinmohammed/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

How a Yoga Teacher Uses AI to Book Global Retreats & Run Her Business with Georgia Palmer

Ever feel like AI sounds great in theory… but hard to actually use day to day?
 
That’s exactly what my guest, Georgia Palmer, figured out how to do  in two completely different worlds. She’s a medical editor by day and a yoga teacher by night, and she’s found smart, practical ways to make AI save her time in both, without losing her voice or her values.
 
Georgia shares how she uses tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for writing, research, and creativity,  plus how she built her own custom GPTs “Sally the Substantiator” and “Polly the Prompt Partner” to make her work faster and more accurate.
 
We talk about the good stuff, the messy bits, and the reality of using AI in industries where accuracy and trust matter.
 
If you’ve been wondering how to bring AI into your workflow without it taking over, this episode will give you a ton of ideas to start testing right away.
 
“Good prompts make AI feel genuinely collaborative.” - Georgia
 
You’ll hear about:
 
Real-life examples of AI in creative and regulated work
Building custom GPTs like Sally and Polly
How to write prompts that actually work
Using deep research tools safely
Avoiding the “AI voice” trap
Making AI images that look like what you imagined
 
Connect With Georgia Palmer:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgia-palmer57/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

Overcoming the fear and embracing AI with Ingrid Brown

Is this your business life?
Mountains of post-it notes are cluttering your desk, flip charts galore, your phone full of notes you’ve jotted down, in short – it’s chaos.
For Ingrid Brown, my guest in this episode, this was her daily experience. But it didn’t stay that way…
Ingrid is a seasoned brand and culture adviser with experience in B2B consultancy across the UK and Europe. She opens up about the initial fear many she and professionals face when approaching AI, and how gaining just a little knowledge can unlock game-changing results — especially for small businesses.
You’ll hear how she uses tools like Otter.ai, Perplexity, and Custom GPTs to turn qualitative research into meaningful brand narratives, freeing her to focus on the strategic work she loves.
Whether you're a consultant, strategist, or small business owner, this episode is packed with practical examples of AI supporting growth, improving productivity, and enhancing creativity — without losing the human touch.
Ready to go from curious to confident with AI? Hit play and learn how to make these tools work for you.
 
“I was drowning in insights” - Ingrid
 
You’ll hear about:
How AI can be an enabling tool rather than a fear-inducing technology.
The ways AI can help distil large amounts of data, and save time for strategic tasks.
The reasons AI should augment human knowledge, not replace it.
It being essential to critically analyse AI-generated content and data.
AI tool serving as virtual assistants to enhance workflow and efficiency.
Authenticity in communication remaining crucial despite AI's capabilities.
 
Connect With Ingrid:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brown-ingrid/
 
Bright Space - https://www.brightspacecomms.co.uk/
Bright Space on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brightspacecommsuk/
Bright Space on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bright-space-communications/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

AI in Action: Transforming Financial Planning with Alasdair Walker

I know AI can help but where do I start?!
The conundrum of many a small business owner.
With so many tools, it can be hard to know where to begin, but good old experimentation is still the best way to find the right ones for you.
In this episode I am joined by Alasdair Walker, Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director of Optimum Path Financial Planning. Alasdair shares the surprising tool that has been a life saver for him in creating cash flow reports: Copilot!
He also shares the problems he has faced using AI and how note takers like Fireflies make his meetings more efficient and enhance the time he spends with clients.
There is a lot to learn here from Alasdair for any small business owner looking to find the right tools to start on your AI journey!
 
"Copilot made life so much easier!”- Alasdair
 
You’ll hear about:
 
How AI significantly enhanced Alasdair’s business efficiency.
Transcription tools like Fireflies save time in client meetings.
Experimentation is key to finding the right AI tools.
AI can assess client vulnerabilities through data analysis.
Why automation allows for more focus on client interactions.
A Copilot success story in automating data management tasks effectively.
AI is not about replacing humans but enhancing their work.
 
Connect With Alasdair:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialwalker/
Optimum Path Financial Planning - https://optimumpath.co.uk/
 
Alasdair’s Linktree - https://linktr.ee/financialwalker
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks Media Productions - https://www.betweentracks.com/ 

AI The Invisible Army For Your Business with Neha Kirpalani

AI is like having a super smart intern, working for you 24/7
This is how my guest in this episode, Neha Kirpalani, describes the impact AI has had on her brand consultancy business.
Chat GPT and Claude are Neha’s go to AI tools that helped her productivity skyrocket. From creating pitch decks in 2 days, to supporting her with everyday life decisions, Neha couldn’t run her business without it now.
Neha also shares the big lessons she has learned from using AI, such as start small and always check the results you get.
Whether you're overwhelmed by AI hype or just starting to explore the tools, Neha offers a grounded, expert take on how to get value without getting lost.
 
Tune in to hear how Neha uses AI as her behind-the-scenes business partner — and how you can too.
 
"AI is like a secret co-founder”- Neha
 
You’ll hear about:
 
The essential tools in Neha’s AI stack (and why ChatGPT and Claude top her list)
How she used AI to turn around a pitch deck in two days
Why you should never copy-paste blindly
What business owners get wrong about replacing marketers with machines
Why AI is best seen as a collaborator — not a crutch
 
Connect With Neha:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehakirpalani/
Neha’s newsletter - https://nehakirpalani.kit.com/marketing-macarons-2
Neha’s Linktree - https://linktr.ee/nehakirpalani
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nehakirpalani
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@NehaKirpalani
 
Find out more about Neha’s resources on timeboxing and time management:
Neha’s Harvard Business Review piece: https://hbr.org/2021/09/whats-the-1-productivity-tool-for-me-its-timeboxing
Neha’s New York Times feature: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-ai-scheduling-apps/
 
Connect With Me:
 
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/accessible-ai/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/heather_aifnt/?hl=en
AI for Non-Techies - https://nontechies.ai/home
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@aifornontechies
 
Join my Academy - https://nontechies.ai/ai-academy
 
Produced by Between Tracks Media Productions - https://www.betweentracks.com/