--- title: "AI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AI" podcast: "Modem Futura" episode: "Episode 52" hosts: "Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard" date: 2025-10-07 audio: https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/51c3ff9a-f48f-41e9-a66b-59071f2ca401/audio/937f95c2-d228-4539-9e4e-273d6121aaff/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN mirror: https://text.futureofbeinghuman.com/modemfutura/52-ai-and-the-art-of-being-human-how-to-thrive-with-ai.html --- # AI and the Art of Being Human: How to Thrive with AI Modem Futura · Episode 52 · October 7, 2025 · 73 min · Hosts: Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard Listen: [MP3 audio](https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/51c3ff9a-f48f-41e9-a66b-59071f2ca401/audio/937f95c2-d228-4539-9e4e-273d6121aaff/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN) · [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ai-and-the-art-of-being-human-how-to-thrive-with-ai/id1771688480?i=1000730541778&uo=4) · [Spotify (show)](https://open.spotify.com/show/3eFl4hY4t1qTCWE2Bxotrg) · [YouTube (video)](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura) --- This week, Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard welcome venture capitalist and AI Salon founder **Jeffrey Abbott** to launch the new book ***AI and the Art of Being Human***—a practical, hands‑on guide to thriving with AI while rediscovering what matters most. Together, they unpack where the idea came from, why they fast‑tracked the project, and how they **co‑created with AI** (moving from ChatGPT to Anthropic’s Claude) using a “shared compass,” voice training, and a living “lore book” to keep characters and story arcs consistent. Instead of dry case studies, the book uses vivid, cinematic **global vignettes** and **21 simple tools** (from reflection prompts to the “**conductor triangle**” of data–context–intuition) to help readers shift away from competing with AI and toward value rooted in **relationships, meaning, and personal dharma**. The team also explores the four‑posture compass—**Curiosity, Clarity, Intentionality, and Care**—and how compassion and responsible innovation thread through every chapter (right down to a physical pocket card). Beyond writing, the episode pulls back the curtain on **indie publishing** (Waymark Works), the realities of e‑book production, and why the book is available via Amazon and mainstream book channels—alongside a call to grow intentional communities through **AI Salon’s 70+ chapters** worldwide. It’s an honest, practical, and hopeful conversation about building **protopian** futures with AI—without losing yourself. **Learn more about the book:** - [Book Launch Website [Web]](https://www.aiandtheartofbeinghuman.com) - [Pre-Order on Amazon [Web]](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FSTD5NMN?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_ud_dp_7REP9VT1PBKD1WX6XJTE&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_ud_dp_7REP9VT1PBKD1WX6XJTE&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_ud_dp_7REP9VT1PBKD1WX6XJTE&bestFormat=true&language=en-US) - [Jeffrey Abbott - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydabbott/) -----Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - [https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/)Subscribe to our [YouTube Channel: @ModemFutura](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura)Follow us on Instagram: [@ModemFutura](https://www.instagram.com/modemfutura/)**Host Bios:****Sean M. Leahy, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/3183014)\ Sean is an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is the Executive Director for the [Future of Being Human Initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/) and Research Scientist for the [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/) and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the [Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory](https://globalfutures.asu.edu/) at [Arizona State University](http://www.asu.edu/).**Andrew Maynard, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/2670673)\ Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/). He is the founder of the ASU [Future of Being Human initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/), Director of the ASU [Risk Innovation Nexus](https://riskinnovation.org/), and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU [College of Global Futures](https://collegeofglobalfutures.asu.edu/).----- --- *These are the show notes for this episode of Modem Futura (), a podcast hosted by Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard and part of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative (). This file is a text mirror of the episode’s show notes — not a transcript. Listen to the full episode via the links above, or watch it on YouTube ().*