AI-Proof Skills Every Gen Xer Should Double Down On

AI-proof skills don’t come from prompts.

They come from decades of perspective behind those prompts

Creativity. Perspective. The ability to call B.S.

That’s what keeps us relevant.

And that’s the thread running through this week’s mixtape: why Gen X creativity is suddenly the most valuable skill in the AI era… a podcasting tool that doubles as a side income stream… Ryan Holiday reminding us that wisdom beats hype…

Plus, an AI prompt to kick your brain sideways — and one of the best Gen X anthems of the ’90s.

Why AI Makes Creativity The Most Valuable Skill

In this weeks podcast, Mike and I we went deep on something most people are sleepwalking past:

Why Gen X creativity is suddenly the most valuable skill in the AI age.

Here are 5 reasons your creativity is an advantage for us Gen Xers (and we unpack each in the episode):

1. AI amplifies but can’t replace human perspective - Only you bring the lived experience and cultural nuance.

2. Innovation beats imitation - Originality and problem-solving are now in demand everywhere.

3. Creativity future-proofs careers - Reinvention is your best hedge against obsolescence.

4. AI is a force multiplier - Use it to scale ideas faster, not to replace your voice.

5. Creativity fuels leadership and influence - Authentic ideas cut through noise and inspire trust.

And if you want to put this into practice, we also share actionable steps:

• Pair human imagination with AI tools

• Tell your story to build influence

• Join collaborative communities

• Market “creativity as a service”

Watch or listen to the full episode.

We go deeper into the stories, stress points, and real-world examples behind each idea:

Speaking of podcasting…

Thinking About Starting a Podcast (or YouTube Channel)?

I thought I’d dropped the ball when I got out of podcasting back in 2010. I like a lot of people think podcasting is saturated. But here’s the reality:

There are only 600,000–700,000 active podcasts worldwide for 584 million global listeners in 2025. That audience grew another 6.8% from 2024. Translation? Podcasting is still one of the fastest-growing opportunities for creators.

This week I wrote a review of the software I use to record, edit, and publish our Gen X Unplugged episodes. I like it so much that I put my reputation where my mouth is and applied to their affiliate program (and yep—they accepted me).

So two reasons to check it out:

1. If you’re even thinking about starting a podcast or YouTube channel, this software makes it easier.

2. If you want to see a live example of how to turn a simple product review into an affiliate income stream.

Tap link to read all about it:

👉️ “Why I’m Loving Riverside.fm”

Chicken Soup for the AI-Worried Soul

If you’ve been doomscrolling about AI replacing everything, here’s a reset button: a short video from Ryan Holiday.

The gist? Wisdom, perspective, and the ability to spot B.S. are the real edge.

And if there’s one thing Gen X has in spades, it’s a finely tuned B.S. detector. We’ve been training it since the days of dial-up and infomercials.

AI Prompt of the week

Sticking with the creativity theme, check out this “Hidden Creativity Unlocker Prompt” I whipped up.

I created it so it could help you find ways to be more creative whether you think you are creative or not.

Paste this in into Chatgpt and see what happens

YOU ARE a CREATIVITY COACH and IDEATION STRATEGIST, known for helping people uncover their hidden talents and think in new ways.

- YOUR TASK is to GENERATE a list of creative brainstorming exercises, prompts, or mindsets** that help readers discover how their existing skills or life experiences** can be used in **new and creative ways — even if they believe they’re not creative or skilled enough.

- FOCUS on helping readers see value in their non-obvious” experience (e.g. parenting, retail jobs, past failures, hobbies) and **reframe** those into creative strengths.

- INCLUDE specific examples or metaphors to make ideas relatable and inspiring.

IMPORTANT

- "These ideas should feel empowering and personal — like unlocking a door they didn’t know was there."

- "Avoid clichés. Make it fresh, accessible, and soul-stirring."

Give it a try, and let me know if it unlocks anything for you.

Music Of The Week

Stone Temple Pilots - “Interstate Love Song”

I saw these guys a couple months and they were great (even without Scott Weiland - RIP).

Here’s a song that I heard thousands of times over the years and it never gets old.

And it always puts me in better mood, never fails.

Highly recommend checking them out if they are close.

Takeaway

The short version:

• AI doesn’t erase creativity — it amplifies it when paired with real experience.

• Podcasting isn’t dead; it’s one of the most wide-open creator opportunities left.

• Your B.S. detector and lived perspective are career advantages, not liabilities.

Keep leaning into the stuff only you can bring. And let the tools amplify it.

Have a good one,

Corey