Podcast Summary: The ChatGPT Experiment - Ep 85

Title: The Simple, Four-Part Framework You Can Use To Get Better Results From ChatGPT
Host: Cary Weston
Release Date: September 9, 2025

Main Theme & Purpose

In episode 85 of The ChatGPT Experiment, Cary Weston tackles one of the most common frustrations faced by new and experienced ChatGPT users: not getting the results you want. Cary introduces his practical, four-part framework—a strategy he personally uses—to transform ChatGPT from a “guessing machine” into a reliable thinking partner. Designed for curious beginners and everyday professionals, this episode breaks down the art of prompting into manageable steps to help listeners get clearer, more actionable, and relevant responses from ChatGPT.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Core Problem with ChatGPT Usage

• Many users express that ChatGPT’s answers often feel generic, vague, or miss the mark.
• Cary shares feedback from listeners:

  “I keep trying different prompts that I find online, but ChatGPT still feels like it’s guessing at what I want. I waste more time fixing its responses than if I’d just written it myself.” (04:08)

• Core mistake: Treating ChatGPT like a search engine or taskmaster, rather than as a conversation partner that needs onboarding.

2. Introducing the Four-Part Framework

• Cary’s sticky-note formula transforms results from ChatGPT:
  1. What are we doing? — State the exact task clearly.
  2. Why are we doing it? — Provide context or the objective.
  3. What does success look like? — Define a successful result/output.
  4. Do you have any questions for me? — Invite clarifying questions for better collaboration.
• Quote:

  “This four-part framework is going to help you a lot... it’s something that I use all the time and it gives me tremendous value.” (01:03)

3. Framework Breakdown & Practical Examples

1. What are we doing?

• Avoid making ChatGPT guess; clearly state the specific task.
• Examples:
  • “I’m putting together a short overview of our company for a new team member.”
  • “I need help reviewing a customer transcript and pulling out key insights we could use in training.”
    (07:10)
• Quote:

  “When you don’t clearly state what you’re trying to do, just like a person, ChatGPT sometimes has to guess. And when it guesses, you know what you get? Generic, confusing, or completely off track irrelevant answers.” (06:31)

2. Why are we doing it?

• Context helps ChatGPT make better decisions about tone, focus, and format.
• Examples:
  • “I'm writing this company overview so I can reuse it in future marketing materials.”
  • “I’m reviewing this transcript because I want to improve how we train new members.”
    (08:07)
• Quote:

  “Context is what turns a generic response into a useful one.” (08:07)

3. What does success look like?

• Define the desired output type, style, or format.
• Examples:
  • Success is “a table that compares the last three years of data, organized by region.”
  • “A first draft response that sounds like it came from a real person, not a robot.”
    (09:58)
• Quote:

  “You stop getting technically correct answers and you start getting formats and outputs the way you want it.” (09:59)

4. Do you have any questions for me?

• This prompts ChatGPT to clarify gaps and avoid misunderstandings.
• “You catch the misunderstandings before they happen, and your first response becomes your final response.” (10:37)

4. Practical Application: The Before-and-After Scenario

• Scenario: Creating training materials for a customer support team struggling to answer common software questions.
• Typical Prompt:
  • “Help me create training materials for customer support questions and reporting for our software company.”
    Result: Generic, rambling answers, not tailored to the real problem.
• Four-Part Prompt:
  1. State task: “I need to create a training document that helps our customer support team handle the most common questions we get about our software’s reporting features.”
  2. Give context: “I’m creating this because our new team members are struggling... it’s creating longer response times and some frustrated customers. I want something they can reference quickly during calls.”
  3. Define success: “A one-page reference sheet with top 5 reporting questions, clear answers, troubleshooting tips, formatted for quick scanning.”
  4. Ask for questions: “Do you have any questions for me to help you do your best work?”
• Outcome: More targeted, actionable, and usable output with far less back-and-forth.
• Quote:

  “Those are the four parts right in place. What are we doing? Why are we doing it? What does success look like? And do you have any questions for me?” (13:13)

5. Final Advice & Encouragement

• Cary emphasizes framing your prompts as an ongoing conversation.
• Having the four-part framework as a mental checklist quickly becomes second nature.
• Quote:

  “It’s not about the perfect prompt, it’s really talking to it like you would talk to a person.” (15:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “This isn’t a computer software. This is a conversation.” (05:14)
• “ChatGPT...is a new team member who needs proper onboarding.” (05:25)
• “I literally, by the way, have a post it note on my computer that has these four steps.” (13:42)
• “The more you become comfortable in giving it context and details, and quite frankly, asking it if it has any questions, the better off you’re going to be.” (15:18)

Important Segments & Timestamps

• Problem Introduction & Listener Frustration: [04:08 – 05:14]
• Unveiling the Four-Part Framework: [06:10 – 06:31]
• Detailed Step-By-Step Breakdown: [06:31 – 10:37]
• Applying the Framework - Worked Example: [11:52 – 13:13]
• Summary of Key Steps and Mindset: [13:42 – 15:18]

Resources & Next Steps

• Free workshop for marketing professionals and business owners on using ChatGPT as a marketing partner. Details and registration on chatgptExperiment.com (14:20)

Summary

This episode provides a simple yet powerful structure to dramatically improve the quality of your ChatGPT interactions—applicable to beginners and seasoned users alike. Cary’s conversational, practical approach helps demystify prompt engineering and turns it into a relationship-building tool for more productive AI conversations. The four-part framework (task, context, definition of success, and clarifying questions) is a handy, repeatable tool for anyone looking to boost the impact of their AI outcomes.

Takeaway:
Treat ChatGPT like a thoughtful new teammate instead of a magic box, and you’ll consistently get better results. Stay curious!