This is one of my favorite AI tools... and you should steal my workflow.

NotebookLM has been one of Google’s most unexpectedly delightful hits lately, and the new mobile app pushed it into daily-driver territory for me. It’s a fast, fun way to learn anything: feed it documents, sites, and videos, then listen to a polished podcast where two AI hosts walk you through the topic. It feels like magic 🤯... and it works really well.

My use case: get someone’s life story before I meet them

I meet a lot of folks around Pittsburgh (s/o Biddle’s, Commonplace, Tazza D’Oro). I’m usually walking or biking there, so I want something I can listen to on the way that gives me context and a few memorable anecdotes.

Before I head out, I drop a handful of sources about the person and their company into a Notebook. Sometimes an agent I use for meeting prep does the gathering (website, LinkedIn, interviews, podcasts, articles). By the time I’m rolling, NotebookLM has already stitched those sources into an engaging, ~10–20 minute podcast.

The outcome:

• I get their backstory and current focus... without doom-scrolling.

• I arrive with better questions and a couple of fun, specific references.

• After the meeting, I send them the podcast link. Great follow-up... zero extra work.

The workflow (copy this)

1. Create a new Notebook and title it with the person/company.

2. Add sources (public only): homepage/About, LinkedIn, recent interviews or talks, a news article or two, and any long-form piece they’ve written.

3. Seed your intent in the Notebook:

   • “Make a 12–18 minute podcast where Host A (curious product lead) interviews Host B (well-read researcher). Prioritize facts from the sources, cite them conversationally, and flag any contradictions.”

4. Generate the podcast in the mobile app. Ask for two versions if you like: a 3-minute “elevator” and a 15-minute “deep dive.”

5. Make a one-pager: “From these sources, create a prep sheet with: (a) 5 fast facts, (b) 3 recent initiatives, (c) 5 thoughtful questions, (d) 3 warm openers tied to their work.”

6. Listen on the way. Pin any surprising bits so you can skim later.

7. Follow up: Share the Notebook/podcast link with a quick “thought you’d enjoy this” note.

A prompt you can paste into NotebookLM

Tips that make it sing

• Mix mediums. A talk + one article + their LinkedIn is often richer than five similar blog posts.

• Ask for source call-outs. “When you cite something, mention which source and the line/section if possible.”

• Keep it respectful. Stick to public info; don’t upload private docs without permission.

• Use it post-meeting. Ask NotebookLM to draft a follow-up email with three specific references pulled from the conversation and sources.

Not sponsored... just a tool that consistently makes my prep better and my conversations more human. Have you tried NotebookLM? I’m curious how you’re using it.