In this heartfelt episode of And We Feel Fine, Beth Rudden and Katie Smith dive deep into what it means to belong, to care, and to be human in an age of artificial intelligence. From personal stories of caregiving to the systemic challenges of modern healthcare, this conversation explores how community, ritual, and resilience shape us—and how AI could support rather than replace the emotional intelligence that caregiving demands.

With humor, insight, and empathy, Beth and Katie unpack the evolution of caregiving, the intersection of tech and tenderness, and why the economy of the future must prioritize connection. Whether you’re a caregiver, a technologist, or someone craving more meaning in this digital age—this episode is for you.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Creating belonging through caregiving
• How AI can support human connection
• Self-care and emotional intelligence
• Cultural competence in healthcare
• The future of tech in caregiving and mental health
• Personal rituals and professional resilience
• Puppies, parenthood, and taste (yes, really)

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Belonging is foundational for personal growth.
• Caregiving, though hard, can be transformative.
• AI should enhance—not replace—human connection.
• The future of caregiving is deeply communal.
• Emotional literacy is just as vital as technical skill.

⏱️ Chapters (Timestamps):

Full chapter breakdown included in show notes on YouTube and Spotify. Start with:

• 00:00 Navigating Caregiving and Community Support
• 14:36 Understanding the Human Experience
• 31:52 Financial Impacts on Care and AI Solutions
• 43:35 Socioeconomics and Quality of Life
• 49:41 The Importance of Taste in AI and Life

In this episode of And We Feel Fine, Katie Smith and Beth Rudden navigate the deeply personal and radically political terrain of emotional intelligence, moral imagination, and the soul of our systems. Through vulnerable reflection and philosophical exploration, they ask: What does it mean to be a good person in a society built for profit, not people?

They discuss how capitalism distorts our values, why education must evolve to prioritize virtues, and how community shapes identity—especially for those living at the margins. As AI reshapes power and possibility, this conversation calls for a new kind of literacy—one rooted in empathy, integrity, and the courage to reimagine everything.

If the world we knew is ending, what do we want to begin?

🔑 Topics Covered:

• Emotional intelligence and the processing of pain
• The role of moral imagination in a capitalist society
• Education as a vessel for values, not just knowledge
• Queer identity, community, and cultural belonging
• AI’s potential to support justice—or perpetuate harm
• Redefining wealth, success, and personal agency
• Healing through human connection
• Rewriting the story of society, together

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Emotional intelligence helps us hold pain without passing it on.
• We must re-center morality and values in education and tech.
• Community is foundational to identity, safety, and resilience.
• AI is powerful—so we must guide it with purpose and care.
• Capitalism without conscience erodes our humanity.
• The world is changing—and we have a say in what comes next.

⏱️ Chapters (Timestamps):

• 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
• 02:08 Emotional Intelligence and Pain
• 08:03 The Balance Between Capitalism and Morality
• 20:01 Personal Experiences with Education and Community
• 31:46 Exploring Identity in the Queer Scene
• 38:21 The Promise and Perils of AI
• 49:14 The Moral Dilemma of Wealth and Success
• 57:32 Transitioning to a New World

In this premiere episode of And We Feel Fine, Beth Rudden and Katie Smith crack open the big questions: Who owns your data? What does ethical AI look like? And how do we reclaim digital spaces for safety, joy, and human connection?

Through stories, sharp critique, and vision-casting, they explore how ontologies shape AI systems, the hidden harms of bias in tech, and why personalization can be a force for good—if driven by care, not clicks. They call for a future where technology supports thriving communities, not extraction.

This is not just a conversation about AI. It’s a conversation about us—what motivates us, what we value, and how we build a more humane internet from the ground up.

🔑 Topics Covered:

• How Big Tech extracts and profits from your data
• What ontologies teach us about understanding people and systems
• Cognitive bias in AI—and how to design for cultural nuance
• Data privacy, ethical marketing, and digital safety
• Reimagining social media beyond toxic engagement loops
• The future of work and the call for a care-centered economy
• Everyday miracles, digital dignity, and collective power

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Data isn’t neutral—it’s powerful, and it’s personal.
• Cultural bias in AI can be mitigated with better ontologies and diverse input.
• We need a new digital economy grounded in human connection and care.
• The business model of the internet must shift from extraction to trust.
• Personalization can be beautiful—when we drive it, not algorithms.
• Reclaiming our online lives means rethinking the system itself.

⏱️ Chapters (Timestamps):

• 00:00 Understanding (as an example) Palantir and Big Tech's Data Extraction
• 07:34 The Role of Ontologies in AI and Human Understanding
• 21:00 The Future of AI and Its Societal Implications
• 33:55 Safety and Moderation in Online Spaces
• 40:17 The Pursuit of Happiness and Community
• 46:52 The Need for a New Economy56:56 Building Genuine Relationships Online