{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Never Ask A Cat For Financial Advice with Alex Joonto","description":"\u201cYou have a moral duty to yourself to go after the thing\u2014even if you have to go alone at first.\u201d In this episode, writer and blogger Alex Joonto joins from the border of Spain and Portugal, where he\u2019s about to move into a new countryside home. He shares how writing has always been both his calling and his rebellion\u2014leaving university against the advice of his family, diving into technical writing, and now pursuing life as a full-time author. This episode is sponsored by my new book BRANDJITSU, helping you find, shape, and share your story with the world. In this episode Alex talks about experimenting with AI by creating a parody of Jordan Peterson\u2019s 12 Rules for Life. He asked ChatGPT to generate its own rules, resulting in surprising gems like, \u201cNever ask a cat for financial advice.\u201d The process showed him that while AI is a useful tool, what gives writing its true value is the human effort, vulnerability, and even suffering poured into it. He also discusses his debut book, Thank You President Corona, written in the heart of the pandemic. Instead of despair, Alex found growth\u2014embracing fitness, therapy, and journalling while reframing adversity as opportunity. He shares his belief that even in the darkest times, silver linings can be found. This conversation weaves through his love of journalling as daily practice, thoughts on Medium vs. Substack, his favourite typeface (Verdana), and the family lasagna secret of adding nutmeg to the sauce. His advice for rebels-in-waiting is bold and simple: expect resistance, especially from those closest to you, but pursue your dream anyway. You have a moral duty to yourself to walk the difficult path. Quoteable Quotes \u201cNever ask a cat for financial advice.\u201d \u2014 Alex Joonto \u201cA piece of art is as valuable as the suffering the artist puts in it.\u201d \u2014 Alex Joonto \u201cYou have a moral duty to yourself to go after the thing\u2014even if you have to go alone at first.\u201d \u2014 Alex Joonto \u201cIt just made the vein on my head pulse a little\u2026 a wasted opportunity to actually say something that matters.\u201d \u2014 Michael Dargie \u201cLife can be a big joke\u2014you don\u2019t need to take yourself so seriously all the time.\u201d \u2014 Alex Joonto Episode Highlights Portugal vs. Spain | Why Alex calls Portugal home but keeps returning to Spain. Becoming a Writer | From technical manuals to novels. AI Experiment | Creating \u201c12 Rules for Life\u201d through ChatGPT. Rule #1 | \u201cNever ask a cat for financial advice.\u201d Going Against the Grain | Dropping out of university to pursue work and writing. Technical Writing | Manuals nobody reads and why it mattered. Spain\u2019s Inspiration | Its cultures, history, and lifestyles. Thank You President Corona | A rebellious pandemic book. From Push-Ups to Therapy | How pandemic habits reshaped his life. Medium vs. Substack | Pros, cons, and plans for publishing. AI and Art | Why suffering and vulnerability matter. Filling the Bucket | Journalling as mental training. Favourite Typeface | Verdana for clarity. Life Philosophy | Don\u2019t take yourself too seriously. Food Corner | Salads, olive oil, and lasagna with nutmeg. Books to Recommend | Atomic Habits and Jurassic Park. Advice for Rebels | Go despite resistance; a moral duty to yourself. Links from Episode Alex Joonto Website (https:\/\/www.alexjoonto.com\/12-rules-for-life-according-to-chatgpt) Alex on LinkedIn (https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/alessandro-giuntini-85014a5a\/) Alex on Instagram (https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/alexjoonto\/) Get Your Copy of Michael's Book: "BrandJitsu\u2122: Move Your Brand From 'Meh' To Memorable" Indigo | Barnes & Noble | BrandJitsu.com ","author_name":"The RebelRebel Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.therebelrebelpodcast.com","html":"