Median User

ChatGPT Maxxing: Prompting Tips, Custom Instructions, Voice Mode, and More

Ramsey Shallal and Ahmad Kadhim — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 15:28:42 +0100

After an unexpectedly long summer hiatus, Median User is back with a dive into getting the most out of ChatGPT, covering essential features, advanced prompts, and productivity hacks.

We walk through how model selection has become nearly automatic with GPT-5, discuss what “reasoning” really means, and share real-world prompting habits: negative prompts, research-first priming, and a clever “expert insights primer” trick.

We also unpack less-known features like Custom Instructions, Memory, Voice Mode, Projects, and Docs, sharing how these matter more than switching between the latest models. The conversation ends on philosophical notes about reliance, kids and AI, and how prompts might become the new apps.

Whether you're a daily user or just getting started, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to elevate your ChatGPT experience.

(00:00) - — Getting the Most from ChatGPT
(03:13) - — Models, Reasoning, and Pattern Matching
(06:30) - — Prompting Like a Pro
(15:24) - — Priming, Roles, and Meta-Prompting
(24:56) - — Threats, Praise, and Asking Better Questions
(27:33) - — Custom Instructions, Memory, and Voice Mode
(39:31) - — Projects, Docs, and the Future of ChatGPT
(43:03) - — Closing Thoughts

AI for Productivity: The best AI apps for email, meetings, diagrams, slides, and more

Ramsey Shallal and Ahmad Kadhim — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 14:33:40 +0100

In this episode, we explore how AI tools are transforming everyday productivity—from managing email and writing documents to generating diagrams and pitch decks. They break down which tools are actually saving time today, which ones still fall short, and tips to get the most out of AI apps.

Whether you’re a founder buried in emails, a marketer cranking out content, or a team leader mapping out workflows, there's a useful change you can make today to get work done faster and make your life easier.

Chapters

(00:00) - Welcome + Episode Overview
(01:08) - Why Productivity Tools Feel Broken
(03:03) - AI for Email: Superhuman & Fixer
(10:45) - AI-Powered Note-Taking Tools
(16:33) - Writing with AI: Tools and Tactics
(19:47) - Prompting Tips & Personalization
(27:28) - AI for Diagrams
(33:47) - Slide Decks with AI: What Works & What Doesn’t
(40:37) - Assembling Your AI Workflow
(43:00) - Wrap-Up + What’s Next

Resources & Tools Mentioned

Email & Inbox Management

Superhuman – AI-enhanced email client with personalized replies and summaries
Fyxer – Email + meeting assistant with tagging and note-taking

Meeting Notetakers

Spinach – AI meeting assistant with full video, transcripts, and action summaries
Otter, Fireflies – Meeting note tools
Crisp – Real-time feedback on call tone
Chorus – AI insights during sales calls

Writing & Content Creation

Byword – SEO-optimized long-form content from prompts
ChatGPT – General-purpose LLM
Claude – Strong writing model alternative
Blaze – Social media AI trained on your voice
Jasper – Marketing content generator
Grammarly – Real-time grammar and AI writing assistant

Diagramming & Visual Thinking

Miro – Whiteboard + diagramming with AI generation
Whimsical – Diagrams, wireframes, and docs with AI support
FigJam – Figma’s collaborative diagramming tool

Pitch Decks & Presentations

Pitch – Collaborative pitch deck tool with evolving AI features
Gamma – Narrative-first slide decks with AI
Templates & storytelling strategy discussion throughout

Vibe Coding: Talk to AI to Build Sites/Apps!

Ramsey Shallal and Ahmad Kadhim — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 13:42:18 +0100

Vibe Coding has been one of the buzziest and most exciting trends of 2025. We get into the kind of apps and sites you can build with vibe coding tools, and how it can empower you to launch an idea you may have been feeling blocked from pursuing.

We explore:

Tools like Cursor, Bolt, Lovable, Replit, and v0
Real examples of apps built using these tools (like a DJ music triage app)
Why the first 80% of an AI-built app is easy — and the last 20% is hard
Tips for debugging with AI (including how tone affects AI behavior!)
Who can benefit from these tools — from developers to total beginners
Where vibe coding falls short (e.g., large-scale or secure apps)
The future of rapid prototyping and AI-assisted entrepreneurship

Chapters

(00:00) - What Is Vibe Coding?
(02:05) - From Matrix Moments to Mundane Realities
(05:24) - Why the Last 20% Is So Hard
(09:26) - Building a Real App with AI
(15:53) - Does the AI Care About Praise or Pressure?
(17:25) - Who Can Actually Use Vibe Coding?
(22:24) - When Simplicity Isn’t Enough
(26:00) - The Vibe Coding Revolution
(32:41) - Wrapping Up

Tools & Resources Mentioned

Got Questions?

Send them to human at medianuser dotcom — we’d love to hear from you!

AI Ouroboros: Content Slop and Dead Internet Theory

Ramsey Shallal and Ahmad Kadhim — Thu, 29 May 2025 13:58:46 +0100

We kick off Median User with a look at how AI is changing your social media feeds, Google search results, and killing the incentives for original human content. R.I.P. Internet?

Chapters

(00:00) - Introduction & Hosts
(03:24) - AI in Social Media: Creativity and Slop
(09:35) - Email, Content Creation, and Brand Voice
(17:12) - AI Ouroboros / RIP Internet?
(30:06) - Wrap Up & Next Episode

Mentioned in This Episode

ChatGPT – conversational AI assistant
Runway – generative video + creative tools
Sora by OpenAI – AI video generation
Superhuman – AI-powered email client
Perplexity AI – AI-powered research and search engine

Hosted by Ramsey Shallal and Ahmad Kadhim

Click here to view the episode transcript.