Discover how small AI prompts can transform your productivity. In this episode, Mukundan explains the 80‑20 rule. Mukundan demonstrates AI workflows for scheduling and focus, and introduces a Prompt Wallet to help you beat decision fatigue. Perfect for anyone seeking practical AI and better time management.

Episode Highlights

1. 80‑20 Rule Explained: Most of your progress comes from a few critical actions. Learn how to identify them with prompts.
2. Prompt Structure 101: Context, constraints, desired outcome, and a tiny first step.
3. Classic Prompts: 10‑minute workouts, zero‑based budgeting, Pomodoro study plans, teach‑back outlines, and Power Clean 15.
4. New Productivity Hacks: Time blocking, task prioritization, interrupt handling, focus sprints, and daily review.
5. Live Demo: Mukund feeds tasks into the AI and shows how it schedules a day, orders tasks by impact, manages interruptions, and sets up a focus sprint.
6. Seven‑Day Challenge: Try one prompt per day and track whether you start within 60 seconds. Join the conversation with #PromptWalletChallenge.

Takeaways & Actions

• Start with your context and constraints. Ask for a plan and a micro‑action.
• Most results come from a handful of well‑chosen tasks. Use prompts to find them.
• Commit to the seven‑day challenge. Sign up for the free newsletter and email Mukundan your progress.
• Download the free Prompt Wallet PDF to keep all the scripts handy.
• Support the show by subscribing and leaving a review; tell your friends if you found value.

Links & Resources

• Prompt Wallet PDF: Get your free copy
• Recording Partner: Riverside → Sign up here (affiliate)
• Host Your Podcast: RSS.com (affiliate )
• Research Tools: Sider.ai (affiliate)
• Join the Newsletter: Free Email Newsletter to receive practical AI tools weekly.
• Join the Discussion (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notes
• 🔗 Connect with Me:
  • Website: Data & AI with Mukundan
  • Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475
  • LinkedIn: Mukundan Sankar
  • YouTube: Subscribe

AI, data, numbers—without uploads. Hash, mask, and redact PII, then run data analytics locally for time-saving and privacy.

In this episode, we build a No-Upload AI Analyst that keeps your PII safe: HMAC SHA-256 hashing, masking, and redaction using policy presets and client-side transforms. We’ll: • Reframe the problem (insights > risk) • Set four hard constraints (no uploads, local preferred, policy presets, human-readable audit) • Use rules-first privacy + schema semantics • Walk the 5-step workflow (paste headers → pick preset → set secret → transform → analyze) • Show real-world cases (HIPAA/HITECH-aware analytics, FERPA contexts, product analytics) • Share a checklist + quiz + local Streamlit approach Perfect for data teams in healthcare, finance, education, and privacy-sensitive orgs.

Key takeaways

• Stop uploading customer data. Transform it client-side first.
• Use HMAC hashing to keep joins without exposing raw emails/IDs.
• Mask for human-readable UI; redact when you don’t need the field.
• Ship a data-handling report with every analysis.
• Run the app locally for maximum privacy.

Affiliate note: I record with Riverside (affiliate) and host on RSS.com (affiliate). Links in show notes.

Links

• Blog version: (Free): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/the-no-upload-ai-analyst-v4-secure
• Join the Discussion (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notes
• Tools I use for my Podcast and Affiliate Partners
  • Recording Partner: Riverside → Sign up here (affiliate)
  • Host Your Podcast: RSS.com (affiliate )
  • Research Tools: Sider.ai (affiliate)
  • Sourcetable AI: Join Here(affiliate)
• 🔗 Connect with Me:
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Website: Data & AI with Mukundan
  • GitHub: https://github.com/mukund14
  • Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475
  • LinkedIn: Mukundan Sankar
  • YouTube: Subscribe

AI, data, and analytics pick three cookable dinners from the ingredients and appliances you already have—no grocery run.

We use AI, data, and a rules-first analytics score to rank real meals you can make tonight with what’s in your pantry. A lightweight rules engine avoids AI hallucinations; Chef-AI adds safe swaps and one-line directions. You’ll learn a copy-paste AI prompt, how to reduce waste, and how analytics rank time, fit, and vibe.

3 bullets (skimmable):

• Rules > raw AI for reliable, cookable results
• Analytics score to rank fastest/best-fit meals
• Copy-paste prompt for 3 ideas in under a minute

You’ll learn

• Why a rules engine beats raw AI for reliable, cookable recipes
• How an analytics score prioritizes the best matches fast
• A copy-paste AI prompt that returns 3 make-tonight ideas in under a minute
• How to reduce waste and keep weeknight meals simple & tasty

Try this prompt: I have [3–5 ingredients] and these appliances: [list]. Suggest 3 meals I can make in under 30 minutes. If something’s missing, suggest simple pantry substitutions. Keep it realistic and give one-line directions for each.

Quick quiz True or False — If you only rely on AI, it may assume tools you don’t have and suggest impossible recipes. Answer: True. Start with rules; use AI for riffs and swaps.

Discussion question When you’re deciding on dinner, do you want structure (reliable classics) or creativity (something new)? Reply on Substack or X—I'll share the poll next week.

Resources & links

• Blog Link: https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/pantry-plate-the-aifirst-way-to-decide

Key takeaways

• Put rules before AI for cookable results.
• One clear AI prompt can end dinner indecision in minutes.
• AI is a partner, not the chef.

Affiliate partners (links below):

• RSS: your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.
• Sider AI. AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.
• Riverside FM: Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links may be affiliates. If you use them, I may earn at no extra cost to you.

Answer: True.

Keywords: ai, ai meal planner, data, data analytics, analytics, time-saving tools, pantry, dinner ideas, recipe generator, meal planning

I first built an AI that thinks like an analyst. Now I have built a better AI analyst for the practical use of AI. This episode breaks down the simple rebuild: start with a clear objective, pick 5–8 focus columns, and ship a one-page Markdown brief. You’ll also get a 3-minute quiz (10:33), a Substack discussion (17:04), and a 9-step checklist you can use today.

What you’ll learn

• How to start with a clear business goal (not charts)
• Why focusing on 5–8 columns increases signal
• How a 1-page brief moves work faster than a dashboard

Quiz & Discussion

• Take the Lightning Quiz
• Join the Substack discussion: https://mukundansankar.substack.com/(Tell your day-two story, your one metric, and your 5–8 focus columns.)

Listener Checklist

Copy/paste:

1) Objective (one line)

2) 5–8 focus columns

3) 10 questions + why

4) Quick data health checks

5) Export 1-page brief

6) Share in Slack/Notion/Jira

7) Run 2–3 quick analyses today

8) Log learning + next decision

9) Repeat tomorrow

Links

• Blog version: (with Medium membership): https://medium.com/data-science-collective/i-built-an-ai-that-thinks-like-a-data-analyst-then-it-went-viral-so-i-made-it-smarter-1f3206a8254b
• (Free): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/p/i-built-an-ai-that-thinks-like-a
• Substack Note (comments hub): https://mukundansankar.substack.com/notes
• Tools I use for my Podcast:
  • Recording Partner: Riverside → Sign up here (affiliate)
  • Host Your Podcast: RSS.com (affiliate )
  • Research Tools: Sider.ai (affiliate)
• 🔗 Connect with Me:
  • Free Email Newsletter
  • Website: Data & AI with Mukundan
  • GitHub: https://github.com/mukund14
  • Twitter/X: @sankarmukund475
  • LinkedIn: Mukundan Sankar
  • YouTube: Subscribe

Beat instant rejections. Use an AI resume audit to pass ATS filters and turn silence into interviews—clear steps, a one-week plan, and a free checker.

AI job search without the guesswork. In this episode I use a tiny AI resume & portfolio audit to beat ATS filters—what to highlight, what’s missing, and how to rewrite one project so a hiring manager actually cares. It’s personal, practical, and ends with a one-week plan you can apply today.

You’ll learn • How modern ATS screeners work—and why they’re fast (and unforgiving) • The simple AI workflow behind my ATS simulator (no hype, just outcomes) • Three lessons from failing my own test—and what actually moved the score • How to translate your story so it passes the bots and reaches humans • A one-week action plan to raise your odds on your next application

Key takeaways • ATS = gatekeeper. If you don’t pass it, humans may never see you. • Match keywords exactly from the JD—“close enough” doesn’t count. • ATS-friendly formatting beats fancy templates that break parsing. • Quantify outcomes so machines and recruiters see impact. • Test before you apply with an ATS checker/simulator.

Try this today (no code) Paste into your AI tool of choice: “Here’s my resume + 3 project summaries and the job description I’m applying to. 1) What should I highlight to match the JD? 2) What am I missing? 3) Rewrite one project to emphasize measurable business outcomes in 2–3 bullets.”

One-week plan Day 1: Baseline ATS check; log gaps. Day 2: Map exact JD keywords to your resume/projects. Day 3: Rewrite top project in outcome language (numbers first). Day 4: Fix formatting (simple headings, standard section names). Day 5: Add two quantified wins; remove tool-only bullets. Day 6: Align portfolio links to the role (pin your best two). Day 7: Re-test; apply to three roles; track results.

Resources

• Full story + DIY steps: https://medium.com/data-science-collective/when-an-ai-tool-i-built-evaluated-my-resume-i-learned-what-100-rejections-never-taught-me-8e8eea1f3d8f
• Recommended: use any reputable ATS checker to preview parsing before you apply.

Affiliate Disclosure

This episode may contain affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show.

Affiliate partners (links below):

• RSS: your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.
• Sider AI. AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.
• Riverside FM: Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.

Do this next

Run your resume through an ATS checker this week. Find the gaps. Fill them. If this helped, share with a friend who’s job hunting and follow/subscribe for more real-world AI workflows.

Description: Join Mukundan Sankar as he explores the challenges of delivering an effective elevator pitch and how AI can assist in crafting one. Mukundan shares personal anecdotes and demonstrates AI-generated pitches tailored for different career stages.

Key Takeaways:

The importance of a well-crafted elevator pitch How AI can personalize pitches for different roles Real-life examples of AI-generated pitches

Resources:

1]Elevator Pitch AI Code Mukundan's Blog Post: https://substack.com/home/post/p-170400977

2] Thinking about starting a podcast but worried it’ll take forever to grow? Here’s the thing — you don’t need a huge audience to get started or to earn money.

I run my show on RSS.com, and it’s the simplest way to get your podcast live on Spotify, Apple, Amazon, YouTube, iHeartRadio, Deezer, and more — all in one step. Their analytics tell me exactly where my listeners are tuning in from, so I know what’s working.

And here’s the best part — with their paid plan, you can start earning revenue through ads with as little as 10 downloads a month. That’s right — you don’t need to wait for thousands of listeners to start monetizing.

Start your podcast for free today at RSS.com. (Affiliate link — I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.)

3] 💡 Sider.ai– Your AI Copilot for Productivity: Sider.ai is the all-in-one AI assistant that works inside your browser, letting you research, write, summarize, and brainstorm without switching tabs. Whether you’re prepping for an interview, drafting your next pitch, or refining your business plan, Sider.ai can supercharge your productivity. It’s like having GPT-4 on standby, ready to help you think faster and write better. Try Sider.ai today and see how much more you can accomplish in less time. (Affiliate link — I may earn a commission if you sign up.)

Private AI memory app, built respectfully, to echo my parents’ advice—comfort across oceans today, and someday after they’re gone.

Private AI memory app—ethical, respectful, and comforting. I share why I built a small, private AI that echoes my parents’ advice when distance (India ↔ U.S.) feels heavy—and how I kept it ethical with privacy, consent, and dignity. This isn’t a replacement for real conversations; it’s a quiet anchor for hard days, and a way to preserve the feeling behind their words.

You’ll learn

• Design for comfort over novelty (two simple voice profiles)
• Boundaries: privacy, consent, dignity—and why they matter
• A high-level recipe for a personal AI tool (framework-agnostic)
• A no-code way to try the idea safely today

Build it yourself (guide):

https://medium.com/data-science-collective/what-if-you-could-talk-to-your-parents-long-after-theyre-gone-i-built-an-ai-for-that-62bbaf37236d

If this helped:

Follow the show and share it with someone who misses home.

Affiliate Disclosure

This episode may contain affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting the show.

Affiliate partners (links below):

• RSS.com — Start your podcast, get free transcripts, and earn ad revenue with as few as 10 monthly downloads. Sign up here.
• Sider.ai — Your AI-powered research and productivity assistant for breaking down job descriptions into keywords. Try Sider here.
• Riverside.fm — Record your podcast in studio-quality audio and 4K video from anywhere. Get started with Riverside here.

Turn writing into a clean, editable deck—create slides with AI so you focus on the message, not formatting. Includes a simple presentation workflow.

🎧 Episode Summary:

Create slides with AI—fast, clear, editable. This episode shows how I turned long-form writing (blogs, memos, outlines) into a polished slide deck you can download and edit—without getting stuck in formatting. You’ll get a simple AI presentation workflow, a reusable prompt, and ideas for diagrams that actually support your point.

You’ll learn

• A repeatable blog → slides structure (7–10 slides, title + 3–5 bullets)
• How to keep slides human: clarity over decoration
• When to include a diagram (only for processes/flows)
• A fast export routine so you can present anywhere

Try this (no code) “Convert this article into a 9-slide deck. For each slide: short title + 3–5 bullets, no paragraphs. If a slide describes a process, write a one-line prompt for a simple diagram. Keep language clear and speak to a non-expert audience.”

Do next Generate → lightly edit → export → deliver. The goal is a message people can follow, not a template people admire.

DIY guide https://medium.com/data-science-collective/i-built-an-ai-that-turns-any-blog-post-into-a-polished-slide-deck-with-smart-diagrams-10cbda8010aa