71: The Quest for Realness in an AI World: Moving Beyond the Duality

Written By Jacqueline Fisch

Finding Your Authentic Voice in the Age of AI

AI isn’t going anywhere. It’s here. And if you haven’t embraced it yet, it could be time. BUT … there’s a way to do it without losing yourself or selling your soul.

I've been thinking a lot about the push for "realness" in an AI world and what it actually means for us as writers and creators. Many people are stuck in the duality thinking, the either-or, where you're either all-in on AI, or all-out.

But AI is a tool, and the key is learning to use it to support and tap into your authentic voice.

For me, that means leaning into speaking my rambling thoughts using a talk-to-text app, getting the transcription, and then using a tool like Claude to summarize, organize, and streamline the text. The words and energy are still mine; I'm not asking AI to write a post from scratch. (I shared a behind-the-scenes video of me actually talking out a Substack essay the other day for Studio members).

Some somewhat troubling examples of how some business owners are using AI popped up the other week — recording every word they say all day to train their tool, using ChatGPT to "add warmth" to naturally direct communication, and relying on AI to filter hundreds of newsletters they've subscribed to.

Much of this behavior leads to a performance, not realness, and creates a whiplash experience when you meet the person in real life. True authenticity is about being the same person in your writing, speaking, and in person.

Being real is more about subtraction — unlearning old conditioning from family, school, or corporate life — than addition. The goal is to show up with your true essence in all contexts, even if your first draft is a messy voice memo.

Takeaways:

  • AI as a tool, not a ghostwriter: Use AI (like Claude) to organize and streamline your transcribed thoughts, not to generate your first draft.

  • Be aware of performing: Constant "warming up" your communication for the sake of presentation undermines your authentic self and creates a disconnect with your audience.

  • The power of speaking without a filter: Recording your rambling thoughts captures your genuine energy and allows you to move while creating, leading to faster writing. Treat it like a surrendered first draft (SFD).

  • Authenticity is subtraction: Being real is a process of unlearning conditioning and peeling away layers and expectations.

  • Embrace the authentic draft: Instead of starting with a structure or outline, capture fragments and let them be messy, knowing you’ll edit later.

Links From Today’s Episode:

Timestamps

00:00 Realness in an AI World

00:47 Getting Out of Your Head

01:39 Using AI Without Losing Your Voice

03:37 When AI is Too Much

06:34 Why Authenticity Matters Everywhere

08:52 Craving More Realness

09:48 Unlearning and Subtraction

10:59 Free Moon Writing Workshop

Connect with Jacqueline Fisch: 

Jacqueline Fisch

Jacqueline Fisch is an intuitive writing coach and the founder of The Intuitive Writing School. She helps creative business owners create their authentic voice so they can make an impact on the world through their books and businesses.

Before launching her writing and coaching business, Jacq spent 13 years working in corporate communications and management-consulting for clients including Fortune 500 companies and the US government. As a ghostwriter and coach, she’s helped thousands of clients — tech startups, life and business coaches, creatives, and more — learn how to communicate more authentically and stand out in a busy online world.

After moving 14 times in 20 years, she’s decided that home is where the people are. She finds home with her husband, two kids, a dog, a cat, and a few houseplants hanging on by a thread.

https://theintuitivewritingschool.com/
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70: Kelsey Murphy on How to Write Emails That Don't Feel Like Noise