From Tech Journalism to Psychedelics: Reinventing the Self EP104

In this deeply honest and wide-ranging conversation, veteran tech journalist and author John Biggs joins host Constantin Kogan to explore creativity in the age of AI, the collapse of traditional media, impostor syndrome, mental health, and the transformative power of self-confrontation.

From writing 28 posts a day at Gizmodo to witnessing the death of tech journalism…
From battling depression and standing on the edge of a bus in Chicago…
To rebuilding himself through discipline, writing, philosophy, and psychedelics —

This is a conversation about reinvention.

John Biggs Reveals:

💡 Why AI can generate content — but cannot replace lived experience
💡 The “guerrilla cell” model of journalism: writer + editor + AI
💡 How blogging destroyed legacy media — and how influencers replaced it
💡 Why aspiring writers should produce 30–50 pieces of content daily
💡 Impostor syndrome after writing 10+ books
💡 How psychedelics helped him confront grief, depression, and suicidal thoughts
💡 Daoism vs. Stoicism — and the balance between surrender and discipline
💡 Why “be kind — everyone is fighting a battle” may be the meaning of life

💡 Why Watch?
If you are:

• A creator navigating the AI era
• A writer questioning your voice
• An entrepreneur rebuilding after failure
• Or someone struggling quietly

This episode explores what it truly means to confront yourself — and keep going.

“AI can build the house. But you have to paint it.” — John Biggs

“Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

Follow John Biggs:
🌐 Website & Podcast: https://www.keepgoingpod.com
💻 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johndbiggs/
✖️ X (Twitter): https://x.com/johnbiggs
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnbiggs/

✉️ For business inquiries: [email protected]

🎧 Listen to the full podcast here:
https://anchor.fm/constantinkogan

Follow me on socials:
🌐 Website: https://ckogan.com
📲 Telegram: https://t.me/constantinkogan
📸 Instagram: / constkogan
💻 LinkedIn: / constantin-kogan
✖️ X: https://x.com/constkogan
🎙 Podcast: https://anchor.fm/constantinkogan

Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro
01:05 – Writing a novel in high school & early obsession with building “something good”
03:00 – Impostor syndrome after 10 books
04:00 – Writing for a “nebulous audience”
05:40 – AI, entry-level writing & the need for editors
07:30 – The “guerrilla cell” model: writer + editor + AI
08:30 – Why you must write 1,000 words a day
09:40 – Where human voice still matters in an AI world
12:10 – How blogging destroyed legacy media
14:20 – The death of Gizmodo, TechCrunch & the rise of influencers
15:50 – If you were 25 today: produce 50 pieces of content daily
18:05 – Distribution everywhere: TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn
20:30 – Who John reads: history, philosophy & William Gibson
23:20 – Life-changing book: Catcher in the Rye
25:45 – Why writing should share a world, not just information
26:30 – Depression, grief & standing in front of a bus
29:30 – Psychedelics as self-therapy
31:30 – Weaning off antidepressants & confronting anxiety
33:30 – Brain vs. consciousness: are psychedelic experiences “real”?
35:05 – The meaning of life: kindness, Daoism & Stoicism
37:15 – Failure, vulnerability & why people avoid talking about struggle
39:20 – Where to find John

AI #Creativity #Journalism #Psychedelics #MentalHealth #ImpostorSyndrome #FutureOfMedia #ConstantinKogan #HolisticInvestments #JohnBiggs