Stop Searching, Start Solving: Introducing the Pocket Coach
A new, AI-powered way to use the Backstory & Strategy archive.
Not that long ago, a reader asked me a question I think about every day: “How can you get these ideas seen by more people?”
My goal for this Substack has always been to make strategic insights accessible, not to hide them behind a paywall. It’s also a place for me to experiment. In that spirit, I’ve been thinking hard about how to make my content more useful, especially since Substack’s own search tool leaves a lot to be desired.
So, I built something new for you.
I’d like to introduce the Backstory & Strategy Pocket Coach.
What It Is
The Pocket Coach is designed to help you translate strategy into action. It’s an AI-powered coach that instantly searches my entire archive to find the frameworks and insights you need. I wanted to create a safe place for people in journalism and nonprofits to stop searching for answers and start solving their biggest challenges.
How to Use It
Using the coach is as simple as having a conversation.
Go to the site and ask a question: Just type your challenge into the search bar. You can even try one of the suggested topics to get started.
Get your answer: In seconds, the coach will provide a comprehensive response, starting with the most important takeaways.
Go deeper: Scroll down to find the most relevant articles from the archive, each with a brief explanation of why it’s a good fit for your question.
Why You’ll Love It
⚡️ Get Instant Clarity, Not Just Links: Instead of just a list of articles, the Pocket Coach delivers immediate value. You’ll get:
🎯 Key Takeaways: The most actionable insights at a glance, perfect for when you’re short on time.
A Synthesized Summary: A concise, custom answer based on ideas from multiple articles.
Links to the Full Posts: Direct links to go deeper into the original writing.
💡 Become a Strategic Sparring Partner: Use the coach to brainstorm ideas, prep for a meeting, or think through a tough decision. It’s a powerful way to pressure-test your thinking.
💎 Uncover Hidden Gems: The coach will help you discover relevant posts and connect ideas you might have missed, making the entire archive more useful.
This is a new experiment, and I’m incredibly excited about its potential. I invite you to give it a try:
P.S. After you get a response, you can save the conversation to your inbox. And if the coach can’t find what you’re looking for, use the “Submit your question to Yoni” link. It’s the best way to let me know what’s on your mind for future posts.
P.S.S. - If you found this post helpful, would you please consider restacking it and sharing it with your audience?
This spreads the word and keeps me writing the types of content that you have enjoyed.