Why Storytellers Are More Valuable in the Age of AI with Joe Lazer
"AI was going to get better at technical skills like coding and data analysis much faster than storytelling, because it's much easier to objectively define what is correct code. With storytelling, it's much more ephemeral. AI researchers have called it absurd, trying to quantify what good storytelling is."
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When ChatGPT launched, the headlines were brutal. Storytellers were cooked, creative work was done, they all said.
Joe Lazer did what any good journalist would do: he started asking questions. What he found, after two years of salons, research, and interviews with AI developers and future-of-work researchers, was the exact opposite.
In this episode, Joe breaks down why AI will make storytelling the most important skill in the new economy.
Joe is the co-founder of Contently, author of the new book Super Skill, and one of the sharpest thinkers on the intersection of AI and human-centered storytelling.
We get into the neuroscience of why storytelling makes us better at leadership, persuasion, and collaboration; why heavy AI reliance causes a measurable 17% drop in skill mastery; and how to avoid the "vortex of mid" that's pulling most brands toward mediocrity. We also get real about how both of us actually use AI day-to-day, and where we draw the line.
In this episode, you will learn how to:
Understand why AI raises the value of storytelling rather than replacing it
Recognize how heavy AI reliance causes measurable skill atrophy
Avoid the vortex of mid and stay out of generic AI-flavored content
Apply the Unlock, Unleash, and Upgrade framework from Super Skill
Build audience trust through transparency about your AI use
“AI was going to get better at technical skills like coding and data analysis much faster than storytelling, because it's much easier to objectively define what is correct code. With storytelling, it's much more ephemeral. AI researchers have called it absurd, trying to quantify what good storytelling is.”
- Joe Lazer
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Some of the highlights of the episode:
00:00 — What If They Got It Backwards?
03:26 — Meet Joe Lazer
04:01 — Why AI Raises the Value of Storytelling
06:21 — The AI Slop Flood
09:50 — The Current Storytelling Hype
12:16 — You Can No Longer Buy Attention
14:46 — Discovery Algorithms and Micro Dramas
18:00 — The Post-Follower Era
22:49 — What Journalism Taught Joe
25:41 — Integrating AI Without Losing Yourself
29:45 — The 17% Drop
33:22 — When AI Falls Apart
36:20 — AI Embedded in Every Workflow
38:43 — Verify My Writing and Transparency
43:14 — Breaking Down Super Skill
47:08 — The Vortex of Mid
49:02 — Building Community Around Your Work
As always, I hope you enjoy the episode!
Rain
🔗 Follow Jon on:
Website → https://www.nourishcommunity.co
Production Company → Variable (New York City)
Film Referenced: The Baltimorons — directed by J. Duplass, starring Michael Strassner (cinematography by Jon Bregel)
For more storytelling tips and strategies,
Visit my website rainbennett.com, or
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