Random Observation/Comment #854: Looks like podcasting will also get disrupted. We’re living in a crazy time.
This is a bit of a meta-post because most of this article is written by NotebookLM to learn more about how to use its features. The Audio Overview (released in Sept 2024) is particularly interesting here because it gives a live conversation between two people that I can just export as an audio file. From there, I took it one step further from my Clembot interviews and created a video conversation in HeyGen.
Here’s the video result:
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NotebookLM’s Article
NotebookLM: A New Tool for Authors
Google launched NotebookLM in May 2023 as an experimental, AI-powered tool to enhance note-taking. While NotebookLM can be used by anyone who works with documents, it offers a range of features that are particularly well-suited to the needs of authors.
Brainstorming and Research
Authors can use NotebookLM to brainstorm new ideas and organize their research. For example, an author could upload their existing notes or drafts to NotebookLM and ask it to brainstorm ideas for their characters' backstories. NotebookLM could also be used to summarize key points or create timelines from research materials. Because NotebookLM grounds its responses in the sources provided by the user, authors can be confident that its suggestions and summaries are relevant to their work.
Repurposing Existing Work
NotebookLM can also help authors find creative ways to repurpose their work. The program allows users to generate a variety of content, including podcasts, social media posts, and emails, from uploaded source material. One of the sources describes how an author used NotebookLM to create a podcast based on a fictional story. The podcast featured two AI voices discussing the story, showcasing the potential for NotebookLM to help authors breathe new life into their work.
Example: Enhancing the Author Experience With NotebookLM's Podcast Feature
One of the sources describes the experience of an author who used NotebookLM to create a podcast based on a fictional story he wrote. The podcast featured two AI voices having a conversation about the key points of the story. This is a great example of how NotebookLM can be used to breathe new life into existing work and reach new audiences.
Tips for Authors Using NotebookLM
The sources highlight a number of best practices for using NotebookLM effectively. These tips include:
Choosing relevant sources. NotebookLM treats fictional and factual sources the same.
Asking clear and specific questions. Vague questions can lead to unhelpful responses.
Experimenting with prompts. Trying different prompts can unlock new insights.
Reviewing and verifying all information. NotebookLM is still in development and can sometimes provide inaccurate information.
By following these tips, authors can maximize NotebookLM's potential.
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NotebookLM’s Audio Overview about Our Life in Lists of 30
This was fully generated by the Audio Overview function:
The “View Chat” and “Notebook Guide” buttons next to the conversation will toggle between the two screens.
Transcript:
Speaker 1: Okay, so you know how everyone makes lists, right? Like grocery lists or things you got to get done. Well, get this. Today's deep dive is about someone who takes list-making to a whole new level. We're talking about Our Life in Lists of 30 by Clemens Juan. And the crazy thing is I actually know Clemens personally.
Speaker 2: Oh, wow. So, you're going to give us the inside scoop?
Speaker 1: You bet. He's always been this incredible list maker, but not just any list. We're talking lists like "30 Life Lessons From Stand-up Comedy" or "30 Things I Learned Building a Treehouse With My Daughter." Really unique stuff.
Speaker 2: That's wild. It's like he's capturing his entire life in these lists.
Speaker 1: Exactly. And that's what makes his book so fascinating. It's like getting a glimpse into how his mind works.
Speaker 2: So, it's not just about getting organized for him. It's more about self-discovery.
Speaker 1: You hit the nail on the head. He actually talks about how list-making is a form of self-reflection for him. Like a more structured, insightful journal in a way.
Speaker 2: I could see that. And with 30 items per list, he's really digging deep into each topic.
Speaker 1: Right, and that's essentially what Clemens is doing with his lists. He's using them as micro-commitments, a framework for celebrating those small wins. It's a really interesting approach. It makes you wonder, have you found certain routines or systems particularly effective in your own life?
Speaker 2: That's a great question. And you know what, Clemens actually walks us through his process in the book. He encourages us to really tap into our own experiences. Forget external research. He says this is about digging deep within yourself.
Speaker 1: He really does. He even has this list called "30 Questions for Professionals." It's amazing. It's like a cheat sheet for making the most of those mentorship moments. He even includes prompts like, "What advice would you give your younger self?"
Speaker 2: Oh, I love that. Those kinds of questions can spark such great conversations.
Speaker 1: I know. It's brilliant. But Clemens also gets into the practical stuff, too. Like how to make a strong impression when you're new to a job.
Speaker 2: Oh, yeah, those first impressions are so crucial. What kind of tips does he give?
Speaker 1: He has this list called "30 Things in the First 30 Days." It's full of really actionable advice.
Speaker 2: Like what? Give us an example.
Speaker 1: Okay. So one of his tips is to create a learning list of your colleagues' names and roles.
Speaker 2: A learning list. That's interesting.
Speaker 1: Right? It's such a simple thing, but it shows you're paying attention, that you're eager to connect with people. I wish I had thought of that for my first job.
Speaker 2: It's almost like he's intuitively grasped those unspoken rules of the workplace. He's taken those subtle social dynamics and turned them into concrete actions.
Speaker 1: Exactly. And of course, Clemens documented the entire experience through his lists. He has lists like "30 Blockchain Buzzwords 2015" and "30 DeFi Buzzwords 2021." It's like a time capsule of this rapidly evolving world.
Speaker 2: I can only imagine how much things have changed even since 2021. It's such a fast-paced environment.
Speaker 1: And it's not just the tech world, you know what I mean? Clemens gets really personal on his lists, too. Like, really relatable stuff. He has lists about, like, healthy habits and finding joy in everyday moments, things everyone can relate to.
Speaker 2: Right? And then there's the one that really got me: "30 Sleep Hygiene Tips." Oh, man, I felt that one. He talks about everything: creating a bedtime routine, like putting your phone away, you know, all that stuff.
Speaker 1: Oh, yeah. The phone thing. Big one. It's like he's giving us a glimpse into his own struggles and triumphs, you know, like we're all in this together.
Speaker 2: Totally. And speaking of struggles and triumphs, he doesn't shy away from those big life events either, like getting married, having kids. He has this one list, "30 Things I Learned In The First Week of Fatherhood." It's hilarious. It's like a crash course in those early days of being a parent. All the sleep deprivation, the funny moments, he captures it all.
Speaker 2: It is. You know, this deep dive into Clemens' book has been so refreshing. It's not every day you get to explore someone's life through their lists.
Speaker 1: It's true. And it really makes you think about how we can use this simple tool, list-making, to kind of understand ourselves better.
Speaker 2: Right? And to find those moments of meaning in our own everyday lives. So to everyone listening, maybe give it a try. Pick a topic and see what 30 things come to mind. You might be surprised what you discover. Until next time.
(Note: The transcription is mostly accurate, but it also misses some things, so it’s always good to double check)
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Tutorial: Generating a Transcript within NotebookLM
I was looking up different transcription tools, but I figured I’d try using NotebookLM directly and it worked really well. To do this, I downloaded the Audio Overview directly and then reuploaded it as a source.
To add the speaker distinctions, I just asked it to label the speakers and it worked perfectly:
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Tutorial: Heygen Video of Podcast Conversation
(Not sponsored by Heygen)
Heygen avatars have gotten better and better with full audio to video conversion. My explorations of this tool was for creating my Clembot Interviews and Clembot zoom backgrounds:
For the Our Life in Lists of 30 Audio overview creation, I decided to use some of their 4k avatars:
The creation of the video is pretty intuitive. You can just upload the audio directly or write out your transcript.
I have the $29/month subscription to Heygen that has a 5 minute limit for video generation, so I needed to do some minor changes:
Split the 6 minute audio to 2 parts
Generate audio for male and female side (total of 4 videos)
Use my video software to align the timing and switch of video from male to female when speaking (this took the most time, tbh)
Finally, I just exported the whole thing and upload to YouTube:
To appeal to those with a shorter attention span, here’s a shorts version:
Let me know if you’d like to learn more! This is incredibly scalable because the plan now allows for unlimited video generations instead of credits.
~See Lemons Love NotebookLM
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ICYMI: Clembot Interviews
If you want to learn more about Clembot interviews, you can find the content I’ve published here:
YouTube shorts publishing: https://www.youtube.com/@ClemensWan
YouTube Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLu-MJ-kMc3bxkwA4w2B3byQJzuorKQHZq&si=g4DX-kI8WgT50sGI
Instagram Reel: https://www.instagram.com/imseelemons/reels/
Instagram Stories —> Add to Highlighted Stories under “Clembot”
LinkedIn highlight: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clemenswan/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@imseelemons