AI Playground: Ghibli Dreams & Talking Avatars
There’s a lot going on in the world of AI right now—but instead of trying to keep up with everything, I picked two playful and practical highlights you can actually try.
Let’s start with something light and a little magical.
You've probably seen these soft, dreamy portraits popping up online—people turned into animated characters that look straight out of a gentle Sunday morning cartoon.
Think: the warmth of a Miyazaki movie, the kind you'd watch with tea in hand and your dog curled up beside you.
Want to create your own? Here’s the exact prompt to try:
“Act as an artist. Transform the uploaded photo of me into a Studio Ghibli-style portrait. Keep my facial features recognizable, use soft and dreamy colors, big expressive eyes, and a natural, whimsical background like a forest or countryside. The mood should be gentle, peaceful, and a bit magical.”
Paste that into ChatGPT (image generation has been really enhanced, over 1 million new users signed up just one hour after launching this new feature), upload a photo, and enjoy the transformation. It's oddly soothing.
Now, shifting from still images to moving faces...
I’ve been testing out Hedra, which lets you create short AI-generated videos from just a photo and a script—or even your own voice recording. It’s perfect for experimenting with video intros or digital storytelling.
That’s what I got:
Here’s what to know:
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It’s super cool... but not perfect.
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I uploaded my own voice (from another video), and while the speech matched, the accent? Not quite. It didn’t capture my far-from-native English tone.
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And cost-wise, a 10 CHF credit will get you 2–3 videos tops.
Still, it’s a fun and surprisingly effective way to start playing with AI video—without a camera or lights.
Whether you’re in it for creativity or curiosity, this tech is opening up some wild new paths. Go, try it!
The Power of "Not Yet"
Let’s talk about growth mindset—specifically, the power of not yet.
I was recently reflecting on Carol Dweck’s TEDx talk where she describes a Chicago school that gives students the grade “Not Yet” instead of a fail. It’s such a subtle shift, but it radically reframes failure—not as a dead end, but as a step along the way.
This is the “G” in our C-H-A-N-G-E framework: Growth Mindset.
In coaching sessions, this shows up all the time. A client says, “I’m just not good at presenting.” And the reframe we explore together is, “I’m not good at presenting... yet.”
See the difference?
That tiny word cracks open the door to possibility. It transforms self-doubt into curiosity. Instead of a problem, it becomes an opportunity. (And no, it’s not toxic positivity—it’s cognitive reappraisal in action.)
Personally, I find this incredibly liberating—realizing I don’t need to be perfect, and it’s completely okay that I’m still figuring things out.
The most powerful shifts happen when we stop judging ourselves by where we are right now, and start leaning into where we’re headed.
Feeling motivated but not quite sure where to start? I get it!
For the past few years, I've been helping leaders like you find their footing, gain clarity, and boost their energy.
And you? You might not be there... yet. But you’re on your way.
P.S. Last week we had a very successful LinkedIn Live Mindset Masterclass where we talked about exactly this. Check out the replay—it’s perfect for a boring commute or while you walk the dog.
Click for the replay button:
LinkedIn Live Mindset Masterclass
Rishikesh feat. Mindset Beyond Borders
I just got back from India after a packed few days at our annual transformation workshop.
And you may say it's easy to work together remotely, the reality is: it takes more than just good intentions and time zones that (sort of) overlap.
It takes mindset.
A mindset that’s curious, not judgmental.
One that assumes difference, not sameness.
One that listens, pauses, asks again.
Because let’s be honest—working across cultures isn’t always seamless. We don’t just speak different languages; we interpret things differently. We plan differently. We debate differently. Even silence can mean something different.
But that’s the point.
When we bring this kind of awareness into the room—especially in high-stakes, high-collaboration moments—something shifts. We stop trying to make others “get us” and start building new ways of working that belong to all of us.
That’s where the real magic happens.
And of course, during the weekends. Check out my reel and get inspired for Rishikesh!
Did you miss our last newsletters?
Inboxes can get a little crazy, right? Just in case you missed them, here are the links to our previous newsletters:
In the meantime, here is a peek at what you might have missed:
- Newsletter #5: I’m sharing the C-H-A-N-G-E framework, a practical mindset model for navigating uncertainty, plus insights on how executive coaching drives career breakthroughs—and a nudge to start experimenting with AI tools today. → LINK HERE
- Newsletter #4: I am exploring the importance of a change-ready mindset and how it helps navigate uncertainty in AI, politics, and the economy. → LINK HERE
- Newsletter #3: I am diving into the latest AI tech breakthroughs reshaping the way we work and create. → LINK HERE
Thanks for reading. Just drop a quick reply if you have any feedback.
Wishing you a great weekend ahead.
Warm regards,
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