How I AI

How this former NYT columnist uses ChatGPT to brainstorm, do research, and find the perfect metaphor

Farhad Manjoo, a former New York Times and Wall Street Journal columnist, reveals his AI-enhanced writing workflow, from research to finding the perfect metaphor, and how these tools have transformed his creative process without replacing his unique voice. What you’ll learn: • How AI evolved from a simple tool to an essential writing companion • Using ChatGPT as a research assistant with web search capabilities • The “super-thesaurus” technique for finding the perfect words and idioms • How AI helps brainstorm ideas and refine arguments • The benefits of having an “always-on” writing partner in a remote work world • Using AI as a first reader to evaluate drafts in progress • Why AI enhances rather than replaces a writer’s unique voice • Practical tips for getting unstuck when AI doesn’t deliver • How AI speeds up the writing process while improving quality • The future improvements that would make AI even more valuable for writers Brought to you by: • Enterpret—Customer SuperIntelligence Platform for Product and CX teams: http://enterpret.com/howIAI • Vanta—Automate compliance and simplify security with Vanta: https://www.vanta.com/howiai Where to find Farhad Manjoo: • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farhad-manjoo-161229/ • X: https://x.com/fmanjoo Where to find Claire Vo: • ChatPRD: https://www.chatprd.ai/ • Website: https://clairevo.com/ • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairevo/ • X: https://x.com/clairevo In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Intro (02:40) Farhad’s journey from skepticism to adoption of AI tools (04:20) Brainstorming with ChatGPT (06:54) Assessing the quality of AI-sourced information (08:34) How ChatGPT helps identify new angles and perspectives (10:52) Using ChatGPT to find alternatives to clichéd expressions (16:44) The “super-thesaurus” technique for finding perfect words and idioms (20:12) Using AI as a first reader for draft evaluation (22:15) Lightning round Tools referenced: • ChatGPT: https://openai.com/chatgpt/overview/ • Cursor: https://www.cursor.com Other references: • New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/ • The Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/ Production and marketing by https://penname.co/. For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email jordan@penname.co.

CVClaire VohostFMFarhad Manjooguest

Apr 28, 2025·25m·Watch on YouTube ↗

📖 CHAPTERS

1. 1

   Why Farhad adopted ChatGPT as a writing companion (not a replacement)

   Farhad describes his initial skepticism when ChatGPT launched and how rapid improvements turned it into a practical writing aid. He explains how it moved from occasional use to a constant “second window” alongside his draft.

2. 2

   Brainstorming without Google: using ChatGPT with web search

   Farhad shows how he starts idea formation by asking ChatGPT broad, argumentative questions and letting it surface the landscape of commentary. This replaces time-consuming Google searching and manual synthesis at the start of an article.

3. 3

   Live demo: tariffs query → sources, names, and angles in minutes

   In a practical example, Farhad queries commentary on Trump’s tariffs and asks follow-ups (e.g., automotive industry reactions). He emphasizes how quickly the model delivers a structured starting point plus reading links.

4. 4

   Evaluating source quality and reducing hallucination risk

   Claire probes whether AI-surfaced sources are as reliable as Google. Farhad explains how citations and ‘things it consulted’ improve trust, while still requiring verification.

5. 5

   Deeper exploration: AI as a research assistant you can interrogate

   Farhad explains that the biggest benefit isn’t just speed—it’s depth. By asking “real questions” in sequence, he can uncover angles and arguments he might not have considered.

6. 6

   The ‘newsroom in a chat box’: remote collaboration vibes without the social cost

   They discuss how ChatGPT mimics newsroom back-and-forth, especially in a post-remote world. Farhad notes the Slack-like interface and the freedom to be blunt without worrying about feelings.

7. 7

   Finding the perfect idiom/metaphor: replacing clichés like ‘pay the piper’

   Farhad demonstrates his signature technique: paste a cliché idiom or rough sentence and ask for fresher, more precise alternatives. This goes beyond what Google or a standard thesaurus can provide.

8. 8

   From perfectionism to flow: speeding micro-decisions while keeping authorship

   Farhad argues AI reduces time spent stuck on phrasing, letting him keep writing and return to polish later. He emphasizes the result still feels like his voice—AI supplies options, not final authority.

9. 9

   Word-level precision: ChatGPT as a ‘super-thesaurus’ with intent categories

   They move from idioms to word choice, using “alternatives to outrage” as an example. Claire notes the tool can organize suggestions by tone (dramatic, colloquial, ironic), helping writers match intent.

10. 10

    Checking shades of meaning: ‘Does this word actually fit here?’

    Farhad shows how he tests a questionable substitution (e.g., “public grief”) and asks the model to critique it. The AI explains connotation differences and offers rewrites that preserve the desired meaning.

11. 11

    AI as a first reader: structural feedback on early paragraphs

    Farhad describes feeding 6–7 draft paragraphs to ChatGPT to see if the piece is moving fast enough and whether structure needs tightening. He treats it as iterative feedback while writing, before involving a human editor.

12. 12

    Wish list and prompt strategy: memory, screen-sharing, and being blunt

    In lightning round, Farhad shares what he wants next (better persistent memory and less copy/paste via screen/app awareness). He also explains his troubleshooting style: direct, sometimes harsh, and knowing when to stop using AI.