Episode 70: ChatGPT Is My Second Wife – A Therapist’s Hybrid System With Avrum Nadigel
Episode Summary
In this episode, Cary Weston sits down with Avrum Nadigel, a seasoned marriage and family therapist, author, musician, and self-proclaimed productivity nerd from Toronto. Avrum shares how he combines analog and digital tools—particularly ChatGPT—to track, reflect, and improve both his personal and professional life. From crafting a “board of directors” in ChatGPT made up of his favorite productivity thinkers to uploading journal entries and getting tailored weekly reviews, Avrum offers a fascinating, detailed look into a highly personalized system of digital reflection and growth. His enthusiasm for combining technology with introspection shines, making for a lively and thought-provoking conversation.
3 Key Takeaways
- Analog + AI = Powerful Reflection Tool: Avrum blends handwritten notes with AI to track patterns, enhance his weekly reviews, and combat recency bias, creating a living system of self-awareness.
- Productivity Meets Personality: He built a “virtual board of directors” within ChatGPT—including personas like David Allen and Stephen Covey—that debates his weekly performance, adding humor and insight.
- Start with Curiosity: For beginners unsure how to use ChatGPT, Avrum recommends starting with a quirky question or a real-life problem and letting curiosity guide the conversation.
About Avrum Nadigel
Avrum Nadigel is a marriage and family therapist with over 30 years of experience, an author of three books (one co-written with his psychiatrist wife), and a passionate musician and urban sketcher. His deep interest in productivity and systems thinking led him to explore creative ways to use AI to better understand his own patterns and behaviors. Avrum is also a dedicated journaler who uses both analog tools and ChatGPT to keep track of personal growth, ensuring fun is always part of the process.
Avrum’s website: https://www.nadigel.com
Resources Mentioned In Show
These are notes shared from Avrum to illustrate the concepts and habits he discussed on the show.
