The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. It has been awhile ...

A quick correction
In this episode I refer to nine protocols on a few occasions - there are ten. This was simply a lapse in memory. The protocols developed gradually over time, and in the moment I was recalling an earlier stage of that process rather than the completed list. The full ten protocols are below.

This episode is unscripted and unedited. No second takes, no polish - just an honest, one-take conversation, the way these episodes have always been done at the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. That choice is deliberate. In an episode about staying human in the age of AI, it felt right to keep this one human too.

I want to be clear from the outset: I do not have a monopoly on the truth here. These protocols come from lived experience, not from a lab or a license to be right. Take what's useful, question what isn't, and tell me where I've got it wrong.

A Fact Worth Sitting With

Youth aged 16–24 are the loneliest age group in Canada - almost 1 in 5 report feeling lonely often or always - and they are also the heaviest users of social media and digital tools (CMHA National, May 2026). People who connect with others only online are nearly twice as likely to be frequently lonely (24%) as those who connect both in person and virtually (15%). Technology promised connection. For a lot of young people, it's delivering the opposite - and the more we lean on AI to fill that gap, the more these protocols matter.

What is AI Wellness?

AI Wellness is the intentional practice of maintaining a healthy relationship with AI tools - preserving human agency, perspective, and lived experience, treating AI as a tool in service of a life, rather than a life in service of a tool. In practice, it looks like using AI to draft, but not to decide.

It did not come from a tech company or a research institution. It came from one person's own unsettling experience with AI, and a question that followed: if an adult who understood AI could feel disoriented by it, what is it doing to young people who don't? That question became a free app - a guided check-in for before and after AI use — built around ten protocols, not rules, but questions.

🔗 Try it yourself: hopefulhumanist-chooser.github.io/ai-wellness

What is a Strata Break?

A Strata Break is a deliberate and significant withdrawal from AI-assisted work — not a short pause, but a stepping away of days or weeks, long enough for your thinking to settle, your energy to move toward other areas of life, and your perspective to genuinely renew. The name comes from geology: strata are layers of sediment laid down over time. A Strata Break happens after real work has accumulated - a foundational layer of production - and before the next iteration begins. You return not just rested, but reoriented. AI Wellness is the ethic. The Strata Break is the practice that makes it real.

The Ten Protocols:

1. Pause. Step Away. Return to the Real World.
2. The No Flattery Prompt (anti-sycophancy prompt)
3. Do Not Name Your AI or Form Relational Bonds With It
4. Do Not Go to AI for Personal (Emotional/Psychological) Support
5. Do Not Share Personal Information With AI
6. Do Not Let AI Make Your Decisions
7. Be Mindful of Activities of Daily Living
8. Critically Question AI Outputs and Verify Information
9. Conduct a Weekly Review of Your AI Use and Emotional Impact
10. Be Cautious About What Access You Give AI Systems (e.g., microphone, contacts, location, stored files)

The app is freely available, openly licensed for education, and — like everything else on this show - a work in progress, open to correction.

Both AI Wellness and its companion app, C³hoice, are now linked directly on the front page of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe - no digging through menus required.

What Else?

Which of these ten protocols resonated with you the most - and why? And is there a protocol you think is missing, something we didn't cover that you wish we had? This list is a work in progress, and your perspective genuinely shapes where it goes next. Reach out and let me know.

Show notes drafted with AI assistance, reviewed and finalized by the host.

Peace, take care, be well, and share.

Welcome to The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this one-take, unedited episode, I look at this thing I call "Intrapersonal Drift" and the eight dynamic questions of self. If someone has drifted from one's self, how can one come back to one's self? I look at just one of many possible options. Maybe it will work for you! In the episode, I share ideas from Henry David Thoreau, Gabor Mate, Brene Brown, Steven Covey, Sue Johnson, Scott Barry Kaufman, and Stephen Hayes (Founder of ACT). 

If you're on a journey toward better self-care and wellness, the Hopeful Humanist suggests exploring a variety of free online resources that can be tremendously supportive (Resources and summary complied with the help of Copilot):

Anxiety Canada:

• MindShift CBT App: A free, science-based app that uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) techniques to help manage anxiety.

• My Anxiety Plan (MAP): Step-by-step online courses for anxiety management tailored for children, teens, adults, and educators.

• Group Therapy: Online group therapy sessions providing support and tools to cope with anxiety.

Action for Happiness:

• 10 Keys to Happier Living: Practical resources and tools based on the latest research to help improve well-being.

• Daily Actions: The website offers daily actions and challenges to help users incorporate positive habits into their lives.

• Community Support: Join groups and participate in events to connect with like-minded individuals and build a sense of belonging.

CAMH (Centre for Addiction and Mental Health):

• Free Online Tutorials: A series of tutorials on various mental health topics, providing accessible and reliable information.

• Research and Innovation: Leading-edge research and innovation in mental health and addiction, contributing to better treatments and understanding.

• Comprehensive Resources: A wide range of resources, including brochures, booklets, and assessment tools, available to patients, families, students, and professionals.

These websites are worth checking out, and everyone can decide for themselves whether they find them helpful and recommend them to friends.

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

I hope these discussions leave you feeling inspired, thoughtful, and ready to embrace the world with a positive mindset. Your company on this journey means the world to me, and I appreciate each and every one of you who tunes in.

If you have any feedback, suggestions, or know of any online resources that could benefit your community, please feel free to share them with me. You can reach out to me at athopefulhumanist@gmail.com. Your input is invaluable, and I'm always eager to hear your thoughts.

As we wrap up today's episode, I encourage you to keep the conversation going. Share any newfound insights with friends, family, or anyone you think might enjoy the podcast. Let's create a ripple effect of positivity and thoughtful discussions.

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or whatever platform you use. Simply go to the show's page, find the review section, and share your thoughts. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and continue to grow our positive community.

Peace, take care, be well, and share!

Welcome to a windy day walk alongside the might Saugeen River near Denny's Dam in southern Ontario. In this episode, I cast an idea that I hope might catch your interest! Here, I propose a different name than the placeholder name Generation Beta for the generation after Gen Alpha. Who wants to be second to anyone else? For the next generation, that still has of yet to step onto the scene, I propose the name "Generation Nexus" (2025 to 2039), a generation that will have to figure out what is real and what is true. It is important that we ACT to support this upcoming generation navigate a world that in a decade or so will probably be unrecognizable!

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

Join me in episode 85 where I talk about hopes best companion effort! There are four directions we can apply effort for our wellness. A starting point is to ask the questions: 1) Why do I say what I say when I say it? and 2) Why do I do what I do when I do it? These questions allow one to "get conscious" so we can start to think about the different directions we can start to apply deliberate effort. 

Defining the term: 

"Effort is defined and expressed in so many different ways: exertion, perseverance, courage, self-discipline, diligence, consistency, patience - the words seem almost endless. Because we all have different spiritual paths, we are going to be called upon to exert different kinds and degrees of effort. What looks easy for one person is difficult for another," page 266 from Awaking The Buddha Within. 

Resource Highlight: 

1) "Awakening The Buddha Within," by Lama Surya Das. In the section on Meditation Training, the reader is introduced to the sixth step to enlightenment, 'Right Effort.'  Click here for the link to the book - Awakening the Buddha Within: Tibetan Wisdom for the Western World: Das, Lama Surya: 9780767901574: Amazon.com: Books

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 84 - Hope and Openness for Healing and Recovery | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Novel First Sentence Idea:

"It could've been otherwise; it always can be otherwise."

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

Welcome to another episode of The Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode I attempt to tie a number of threads together from some of the pitfalls of self-care to the importance of hope, openness, and compassion for a healing or recovery journey. 

Quotes:

1)

"Hope" is the thing with feathers -

2) “It's always something, to know you've done the most you could. But, don't leave off hoping, or it's of no use doing anything. Hope, hope to the last!” ― Charles Dickens, Nicholas Nickleby

Wellness Resources:

1) Action of Happiness - Click this link to access the webpage Happier Kinder Together | Action for Happiness

2) Anxiety Canada - Click this link to access the webpage Anxiety Canada | Self-help Resources, Programs & Services

3) CAMH - Click this link to access the webpage The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health | CAMH

Related Episodes:

1) Episode 1 - The Happier Quest | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 6 - Standing up to Anxiety and Confronting the Absurd | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3) Episode 67 - Expanding the dashboard: Covid-19, mental health and substance use | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

In this episode, I provide articles for listeners to access who might be interested in learning the unwritten rules of etiquette for Pickleball. I then suggest that pickleball itself might be the meaning of life and offer ideas about what might constitute the good life. 

Quote:

1)  "Pickleball is cheaper than therapy" - unknown 

2) "Pickleball is the meaning of life -- why not?" - Hopeful Humanist

3) Here are some from Pickleball Peeps. Click here: Pickleball Quotes - Pickleball Peeps (pickleball-peeps.com)

Resources:

1) Pickleball in Canada - January 2023 Survey: PICKLEBALL IN CANADA – JANUARY 2023 SURVEY – Pickleball Canada

2) Pickleball Canada: Pickleball Canada – Advancing Pickleball for All, for Life!

3) What is rally point? Pickleball Rally Scoring: How It Works & Why To Give It a Try! – Pickle Geeks

4) What is Mortimer Pickleball? Can More Than Four Play Pickleball At Once? - Monmouth Area Pickleball (monmouthpickleball.org)

About the rules

1) The Unwritten Rules of Pickleball – Selkirk Sport

2) Pickleball Etiquette: 19 Unspoken Rules for Newcomers – Paddletek Pickleball

3) Sportsmanship Guide | USA Pickleball

Thank-you:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

How well do you do with managing being wrong? Are you able to recognize internally when you are wrong? Are you able to acknowledge being wrong and take ownership for your thoughts and actions? Is there a difference between being wrong and making a mistake? Join me in this tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about one thread of the so many conversations that could take place on being wrong.  At the end of the main podcast discussion, I have included some bonus material. First, a quick poem by William Blake recited by Danielson and then a thought about a way of making the conversation about being wrong relevant to Dawn (See episode 79 - Locating Dawn).  

Quotes: 

"People who care more about being right than ending right prove just how wrong they were all along." (Lysa Terkeurst)

"When Frog got up one morning, he realised at once that something was wrong with the world. Something had changed." (Max Velthuijs, Frog in Winter)

Resources:

1) Do you agree with Scott - Is there a difference between making a mistake and being wrong? Read this short article and see what you think: “I Was Wrong” vs “I Made a Mistake” – Scott Cochrane

2) Here is an additional thought from a person named Steve. Read his short article and see where you land: Wrong or a mistake? — The Steven Thompson Experience

Novel First Sentences & Journal Prompts: 

This part of the show notes is non-sequitur in nature. It has nothing to do with the topic addressed in this episode. It is part of project to inspire creativity for aspiring writers. I offer these sentences as possible points of inspiration for others to take and make their own for either a novel or a prompt for a journal entry.  Below, Banksy captures the spirit in a quote:

"I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism." Banksy

1) My papa was the unpublished author of the unwritten book, "Not a fairy tale at the branches of bliss." In its substance, it was .....................elusive!

2) It was the Black Friday before the Black Friday of the American Black Friday. Everyone was tickled dizzy with thoughts about how much green they would save. Can't wait for Cyber Monday.  

3) Barry's painful pickle-ball groin injury turned going to the toilet into a very crappy experience.   

4) I decided to play hooky today and go fishing with my son.  All we caught was the sunrise. That was enough.  

5) Brad (cursing): That guy makes me so angry I could punch the wall!!!

    Sue the therapist (in a kind voice): What if you could do something to make your button smaller?  

6) I never used to like fried eggs and now I have an iPhone 12.  

7) The book felt happy. How could it be otherwise? - another dog-eared page, another scribbled thought in the margin, and another sentence highlighted in yellow!

8) 2080, virtual library, 40 degrees C

    Avatar-j (Jacob): Can I get Civil Disobedience by Henry David Thoreau?

    AI Assistant: Sorry, it is not currently in circulation.

    Avatar-j (Jacob): It's not circulation? Since when? It is an America Classic! Is it banned because of the protests?

    A.I. Assistant: Absolutely not! It's just not published anymore for circulation.

9) Brook thought, 'With both sides of the aisle taking books permanently off the shelves, what will be left to read?'

10) The thought took hold of Jack and then he had something to say.

Related Episodes:

1. Episode 79 - Locating Dawn, Activating Empathy | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2. Episode 44 - "What if ..." - The Optimist Edition | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3. Episode 13 - Ingredients of an Apology: Valuing Relationships | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

4. Episode 12 - Difficult Conversations | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

Salutations:

Thank you so much for joining me once again for another tip-of-the-iceberg conversation about the good life, ideas in flow, and resources for mental and physical wellness.

Welcome to another unedited, blithering episode of the Hopeful Humanist Cafe. In this episode, I share with you a leisure project I have been experimenting with on X (formerly Twitter) and Minds.  I believe that everyone has within them one book to write. Having said that, however, it should be noted that writing is something that requires time, energy and talent. It is hard work.  Reluctantly, I have arrived at the realization that writing is not my wheelhouse.  I have a number of friends, Danielson included, that I think are very capable writers and I look forward to the possibility one day of reading a published work.  Although I am not able to bring to life a coherent book of sorts, I do have moments where I am struck by what I think could be a fairly decent first sentence for a book - perhaps your book.

Quote: "I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism." Banksy

Novel First Sentences/Journal Prompts to share:

1. Sage desperately scrambled for some paper and a pen as she did not want to lose the thought. It was fading fast.

2. Bob thinks with the entirety of his body. Every thought pops with a gesticulation of accentuation. 

3. "What was is no longer; what is has just begun."

4. Francis Luddite was the most avant-garde thinker in our group. We could not wait to see his new invention. 

5. Looking up into the infinite night, Teri felt small but not alone. She realized: 'i am the cosmos. i and God are ONE.'

6. Passing by Janus, the man flicked his cigarette butt onto the sidewalk as if the world was his ashtray. Janus shook his head and thought: 'The crown of creation; the apex of evolution - sure.'

7. "Darius was feeling apoplectic with himself. He thought he should've known better." 

8. Guy was an undiagnosed romantic of the provocateur type where life was exalted and mucky all at once. 

9. "In his youth, Darius championed the truth - at all cost! When that became costly, he pursued peace. Now, years later, he just looks forward to a little kindness each and everyday." 

10. "Life is not a fairy tale, but it is full of everything that makes one." 

Resource links: 

1) Link for "The Banksy Museum" in Barcelona located on Carrer Trafalgar, 34, 08010 Barcelona. Note in the Podcast, I suggested the permanent exhibit does not direct connection to the Banksy enterprise.  This is an assumption, and as it has been hard to garner any information about who is operating the venue, I am inclined to think I may be incorrect.  Below, I have included a link for more information about the Banksy exhibit in Barcelona and a link to Wikipedia as a first step (and only a first step) to learn more about the artist.

Museu Banksy Museum : Banksy Exhibition in Spain (museobanksy.es) 

Banksy - Wikipedia 

Social Media Platforms:

This episode talks about an essential ingredient and starting point for being a "good mentor" for Dawn, the-every-young person-becoming-young-adult.  Before sharing one's wisdom, one must know who one is sharing one's wisdom with.  Hence the question, "Who is Dawn?"  Only after activating the empathetic sensibility and stepping into Dawn's worlds can one open the treasure chest to share the collected gems and nuggets of one's wisdom.  

Quote: "Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

T-shirt idea: "I've been AI'd"

Locating Dawn - Where is Dawn?

The study of generations and their characteristics is an important field of research in sociology and psychology. Over the years, several generations have been identified based on their birth years and common experiences. Below is a brief introduction to the terms for the generations, starting from Generation Alpha to the GI Generation.

1. Generation Alpha (born 2010 to present): The term "Generation Alpha" was first coined by Mark McCrindle, an Australian demographer. Members of this generation are born in the age of smartphones, social media, and digital technology.
2. Gen Zalpha (9-14 years of age): A combination of Gen Alpha and Gen Z. This is an example of a “cusper” generation like the Zillennials and the Xennials.  This can make things more difficult in terms of “locating” ourselves in a generational sense but one does not always fit so nicely into a box. 
3. Generation Z or Gen-Z (born 1997 to 2012): Gen-Z is the cohort born after the millennials, and they are considered to be the first truly digital native generation. They have grown up with the internet, smartphones, and social media.
4. Zillennials or Gen Zennial (born mid-to-late 1990s to early 2000s): Zillennials or Gen Zennials are the bridge between Gen Z and millennials. They are sometimes also referred to as the "Oregon Trail Generation," after the popular computer game.
5. Millennials or Generation Y (born 1981 to 1996): Millennials are the generation that came of age in the early 2000s. They are known for their familiarity with technology, multiculturalism, and emphasis on work-life balance.
6. Xennials (born 1977 to 1983): Xennials are a micro-generation that fall between Generation X and millennials. They are considered to be a blend of the two generations, having grown up without the internet but later adapting to it as adults.
7. Generation X (born 1965 to 1980): Members of Generation X are often referred to as the "latchkey kids" because many grew up in households where both parents worked. They are often seen as independent, adaptable, and tech-savvy.
8. Baby Boomers (born 1946 to 1964): Baby boomers are the post-World War II generation and are often associated with the cultural and social changes of the 1960s and 1970s. They are known for their work ethic and dedication to their careers.
9. Silent Generation or Traditionalists (born 1928 to 1945): Members of the Silent Generation were born during the Great Depression and came of age during World War II. They are known for their hard work, patriotism, and respect for authority.
10. GI Generation or Greatest Generation (born 1901 to 1927): The GI Generation is the oldest generation currently recognized. They are known for their bravery and sacrifices during World War II.

In addition to the above, when talking about generations, there has also been reference to Gen-Meta (Individuals, who since birth, who have had the option of living in both a physical world and a digital world).  Our focus in this episode will be Gen-Z.  The above information was a hybrid product of an information search on ChatGPT and some editing and revising on my part.

Ideas for a Competency-Based Curriculum for the 21st Century:

-Emotional Intelligence, -Conflict Resolution, -Communication Skills, -Meaning Making, -Citizenship & Activism, -Financial Literacy, -Fostering Creativity, -Problem-solving, -Self-Care, -Critical Thinking, DOT, DOT, DOT.

Helpful Resources: 

1) "Nature" by Ralph Waldo Emmerson: Nature by Ralph Waldo EMERSON read by Various | Full Audio Book - YouTube

2) "Walden" by Henry David Thoreau: Walden (FULL Audiobook) - YouTube

3) "On the Duty of Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau: CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE - Full AudioBook - Henry David Thoreau - YouTube

Related Episodes: 

1) Episode 71 - Advice for a young person: Episode 71 - Advice for a young person - A Steve, Captain Jack and Danielson book and podcast debrief | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

2) Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World: Episode 8 - The Benefits of Self-Prescribing Nature in a Tumultuous World | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

3) Episode 77 - The Hard Case for Self-Care: Episode 77 - The Hard Case for Self-Care - A time to Notice | The Hopeful Humanist Cafe

A Parting Salutations: 

Thank-you for joining me for another meeting of the minds. As always, the conversation is ongoing and continuous.  

Peace, take care, be well, and share

The Hopeful Humanist -