488 Your First Conversation with AI, w/ Douglas Foltz

The Coach Approach Ministries Podcast

Podcast Notes

Episode 488 Your First Conversation with AI, w/ Douglas Foltz Host: Brian Miller, PCC Guest: Doug Foltz Date: October 23, 2025

In this episode, Brian and return guest Douglas (Doug) Foltz, Head of Product at Church.tech, discuss practical steps for beginning to use artificial intelligence in your work or organization. They explore how to choose a reliable AI platform, protect your data privacy, and start experimenting with prompts. The conversation offers an accessible entry point for those curious about AI, breaking down complex concepts into simple, actionable advice for everyday users.

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Key Highlights

• The best first step with AI is to choose a paid platform to ensure data privacy and better functionality.

• Free AI tools often make you the product, collecting and using your data for training purposes.

• Start by experimenting conversationally—you don't need to understand technical jargon to use AI effectively.

• Learn to refine prompts over time, just as you would adjust your communication when getting to know someone.

• Understanding AI memory and context helps you manage how your conversations and data are stored or remembered.

Takeaways

• Investing a small amount monthly in a paid AI subscription offers greater security and performance.

• You can use AI to simplify complex information—ask it to explain topics at your level of understanding.

• Don't overthink prompts; start with natural conversation and refine as you learn.

• Approach AI as a helpful conversation partner, not a technical system you must master immediately.

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