
Writing Is Thinking: AI Slop Is Killing Your Credibility — with Joe Lazer
From Expert Intelligence with Paul Estes by Paul Estes
November 11, 2025 · 40 min · Episode 26
About this episode
Joe Lazer discusses the importance of authentic storytelling in an AI-saturated world and shares insights on using AI ethically in the creative process.
In a world drowning in AI-generated content, Joe Lazer is betting his career on the one skill machines can't replicate: authentic storytelling. The author of The Storytelling Edge and creator of a popular Substack newsletter walked away from an executive role at a fast-growing startup to pursue what he calls humanity's most essential superpower. In this candid conversation with Paul Estes, Joe reveals why he left stability to write his second book, how he built and sold his first media company, and why the "vortex of mid" is sucking the soul out of modern content. Understanding which skills will matter when machines can do almost everything else is crucial. Joe shares his framework for using AI ethically in the creative process, explains why neural coupling makes storytelling our most powerful business tool, and offers a radically different vision for preparing the next generation. From the neuroscience of oxytocin to the reputational damage of AI slop, learn why mastering storytelling might be the ultimate competitive advantage in an AI-saturated world. You'll Learn: Why AI creates a "vortex of mid" that traps content creators in mediocrity and how to avoid it The…
People in this episode
Host: Paul Estes
Guest: Joe Lazer
Topics covered
- AI-generated content
- storytelling
- content creation
- neuroscience
- ethical AI
- business skills
Keywords
- AI slop
- storytelling
- neural coupling
- content creators
- competitive advantage
- media company
- creative process
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Substack
Books & works: The Storytelling Edge
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