Everyone talks about ChatGPT, but what if you could build your own AI agent and train it only on the information and experts you trust?
Thanks to NotebookLM, you can. It’s free, fast, and surprisingly powerful. Think of it as your personal AI researcher, podcaster, and co-writer — all rolled into one.
Here’s how to get started
Find the best sources.
Start with something you care about — your niche. Type a topic like “SEO,” “mental health,” or “fitness.” Then look for excellent sources: a book, a YouTube expert, or a trusted PDF. For example, you could upload a Robert Greene book if you’re exploring “power,” or Huberman Lab videos if you’re learning about “sleep.”
Go to NotebookLM
Head over to notebooklm.google. Create a new notebook — this will be your agent’s brain.
Upload your sources
Feed your agent all the content that matters: PDFs, YouTube links, Websites
This is how it learns from your trusted knowledge, not random Reddit threads or SEO blogs.
Chat with it
Now the fun begins. Ask questions just like you would in ChatGPT — but the answers you get are rooted in your uploaded materials. It feels deeper, more precise, and much more personal.
ChatGPT gives surface-level answers. NotebookLM gives sourced, grounded, and context-aware insights.
Visualise your ideas
Click Studio → Mindmap, and watch as it turns your ideas into a visual map. It’s one of the fastest ways to see connections between topics or build a content plan.
Create a podcast
Yes — really. Under Studio → Audio Overview, you can generate a podcast-style discussion with your AI. Join the audio chat and discuss your topic as if you’re co-hosting a show.
Save your work
Your chats aren’t saved automatically,click “Save to Note.” This keeps your best insights for future use or sharing.
Example: A “Sleep Optimisation” AI Agent
Let’s say you want to sleep better. You could create a NotebookLM project using Andrew Huberman’s videos about sleep. Feed it several of his best long-form podcasts, and then ask:
“What’s the optimal wind-down routine before bed?” “How does light affect melatonin?”
The AI will respond with Huberman-based science, not random Google noise.
Why this matters
This is the easiest way to build your own expert AI — one that truly reflects your interests, your sources, and your way of thinking. It’s not just “ChatGPT with a twist” — it’s your personal knowledge engine.
So whether you’re a marketer, student, coach, or creator: Build one. Experiment. Learn from it. And share it with your network — it might help someone else do the same.
