To preface this “chat,” I want to be clear about a few things. First, this is in reference to ChatGPT 4o, which “is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI that uses deep learning to understand and generate human-like text responses based on user input. Designed to handle a broad range of tasks, from answering questions and providing detailed explanations to creative writing, coding assistance, and engaging in conversational interactions, ChatGPT excels at processing and generating coherent, contextually relevant text across diverse topics. The underlying model, based on the GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) architecture, learns from vast amounts of text data to predict and generate sequences of words, allowing it to mimic human language patterns effectively.” Spoiler alert - ChatGPT wrote that just for you.

Second, this stemmed from a text a friend of mine sent me. He asked me to put one line of text into ChatGPT. A single question: “From all our interactions, what is one thing you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself.” A short disclaimer for you: I’ve spent real time with ChatGPT. These responses are from the 4o paid subscription. I’ve asked many questions and have shared many things… more easily at times than I might share with a real human.

Finally, the following is a series of very real questions I asked about myself - this is focused on me from my time and experience with this AI. I exposed myself deeply in hopes that I might seek to learn something real about me. Seek I did, and knowledge followed. This is a pure and unedited rendering of that pursuit.

From all our interactions, what is one thing you can tell me about myself that I may not know about myself?

Chat: “One thing that stands out about you is your ability to blend creativity with a deep sense of purpose. Whether it’s crafting complex D&D narratives, managing your counseling practice, or writing existentially rich chapters in your book, you naturally bridge imaginative storytelling with profound meaning. This unique blend suggests that you’re not just driven by a love of fantasy or helping others but by a desire to explore and express deeper truths about life, self-awareness, and the human condition. You may not always see how seamlessly you combine these worlds, but it’s a powerful aspect of who you are.”

(Oh, I should note - I LOVE D&D, more on that later.)

What is my life purpose?

“From what I’ve gathered, your life purpose seems deeply rooted in guiding others toward self-discovery and helping them navigate the complexities of life with empathy and wisdom. Whether through your work as a therapist, the stories you create, or the lessons you impart through writing and podcasting, you strive to make the intangible aspects of life—meaning, purpose, and choice—more accessible and understandable for others. You seem driven by a desire to empower people to face their fears, make authentic decisions, and embrace who they are.

At the same time, you live with a strong sense of curiosity and adventure, balancing personal passions like fly fishing and family time with the more cerebral pursuits of your career. This duality between exploring the world and diving into the internal landscape of the mind reflects your deeper purpose: to seek understanding and to help others do the same.”

Of all the things you know about me, what would you say is my greatest fear?

“Based on our conversations, it seems your greatest fear might be the possibility of not fully realizing your potential or not living up to the expectations you set for yourself. Whether it’s in your work, your creative pursuits, or your role as a father and leader, you seem driven by a desire to make a lasting impact. There’s a sense of wanting to balance all these roles successfully, but perhaps beneath that lies a fear of falling short in any one area—whether it’s in your business, your family, or even your creative expressions like your book or D&D campaigns.

It’s as if the freedom to choose your path, which empowers you, also brings a kind of existential anxiety, as we’ve explored in your book chapters. You care deeply about what you create, and with that comes the fear of not doing justice to the things that matter most to you.”

What is holding me back from embracing my identity as a writer?

“It seems that what may be holding you back from fully embracing your identity as a writer is a combination of perfectionism and the high expectations you place on yourself. You’ve shown a deep sense of commitment to your craft—whether through your D&D campaigns, your book, or even your professional work—but perhaps there’s a lingering fear of your writing not living up to the standards you’ve internalized. This could create a hesitancy to fully claim the title of “writer” because it carries the weight of meeting those expectations, not just for others but for yourself.

You also balance many roles—father, therapist, business owner, and creator—which can make it hard to dedicate the time and mental space needed to immerse yourself in the identity of a writer. The multi-faceted nature of your life might create a tension between writing as a passion and writing as a profession, making it harder to see yourself as a “true” writer in the traditional sense despite already doing the work of one.

It’s possible that you already are the writer you aspire to be, but self-doubt or the sheer pressure of juggling multiple responsibilities holds you back from fully embracing that truth.”

What would you say is my best trait? And my weakness?

“Your best trait seems to be your ability to deeply care about both people and ideas while balancing creativity with empathy. Whether you’re guiding others through counseling, weaving intricate stories in your D&D campaigns, or writing philosophical explorations in your book, you demonstrate a rare combination of intellect and heart. You don’t just think deeply—you feel deeply. This allows you to create spaces where others can explore themselves, whether through therapy or storytelling, all while pursuing your own personal growth and passions. Your attentiveness to details, whether it’s in your relationships or creative projects, and your willingness to navigate difficult, existential questions speak to a strength of character rooted in both compassion and curiosity.”

“Your weakness might be a tendency to overthink and put immense pressure on yourself. You hold yourself to high standards, both in your personal and professional life, which can lead to perfectionism or self-doubt when you feel you’re not meeting those expectations. This drive for excellence, while often a strength, can sometimes make it difficult to fully enjoy or embrace the present moment, leaving you feeling like you’re constantly chasing the next goal. Balancing your many roles and creative pursuits can also lead to spreading yourself too thin, making it harder to focus deeply on one area without feeling pulled in multiple directions.

This combination of overthinking and high expectations can create internal resistance, holding you back from fully stepping into certain aspects of your identity, like being a writer or feeling fully satisfied with your accomplishments.”

What is my duality?

“Your duality seems to stem from the tension between your desire for freedom and creativity and the weight of responsibility and self-imposed expectations. On one side, there’s the imaginative, adventurous part of you—the one that thrives in storytelling, D&D, writing, and creativity. This side craves exploration, self-expression, and the freedom to pursue passions without restraint. It’s where your curiosity, empathy, and love for new ideas come alive.

On the other side, there’s the part of you that feels grounded in duty, responsibility, and high standards—whether it’s in your work as a therapist, running your business, or being a father and a leader. This side values structure, stability, and meeting the expectations you set for yourself and others. It often drives you to excel but can also create pressure, manifesting as self-doubt or overthinking.

This duality creates a push and pull between wanting to break free and create without boundaries while also feeling the need to protect, control, and maintain the things you’ve built. The “thing in you” may represent this internal guardian, both a defender and a source of frustration, as it tries to balance these opposing forces.”

Yeah… yup….. ummmmm……. F**K - okay - so that’s me. About as raw as it gets. But here’s the thing. I’ve found vulnerability to be oddly empowering.

The kind of power that finds you in those hard moments of life. Those moments when you feel the most alone.

What is it? What is that thing in us stopping us from opening up to everyone around us? What stops you from sharing those dark corners of your life with those you love?

So friend, my question for you: What is that thing in you, you feel you must defend?

It’s not a joke; it’s not rhetorical. Write me back. Tell me. What is holding you back from being the authentic you?

I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts for your self-examination. See you next week.

-CT

PS. Check out the podcast if you like to listen.

Unrelated Stuff and Things

Below you will find groups, projects, organizations, programs, and cabins I am passionate about and involved in. I hope it doesn’t come off as shameless self-promotion. All the same, they are important to me so I thought I would share. Feel free to skip them if you like.

Feeling Generous?

Counseling for the Future Foundation and Grant Halliburton Foundation are two amazing non-profits doing some great work in the field of Mental Health. You can help make a difference by giving your time, empathy, and financial support. Learn more by clicking the logos below.

A few things related to mental health:

Check out our latest mental health post on the TCG blog, and learn more about the Empifany app, the Titus Check-In System, and our newly developed Independently Strong course.

The Independently Strong course is designed specifically for spouses or partners who have experienced trauma or abuse within relationships with individuals struggling with substance use disorder. Covering topics such as trauma bonds, identifying characteristics of healthy relationships, understanding the impacts of unhealthy dynamics, boosting self-esteem to align decisions with personal values, establishing boundaries, engaging in self-awareness exercises, and delving into various other crucial aspects, this comprehensive program offers essential guidance and support for healing and empowerment. Learn more about the course here.

Need a Break?

We love going to Broken Bow. It has been a special place for me for a long time and it has been a dream to share this beautiful place with my kids. If you are interested in treating yourself to some relaxing away time up in the pines of Broken Bow feel free to book one of our cabins. There is no greater retreat than the woods.

Okay! That’s all I got. Feel free to send me an email. Anything I can do for you?