I have about 10 different NotebookLM notebooks right now.

I use them to:

• Write my book

• Fact-check Substack notes against learning science

• Analyze trends in my personal annual reflections over time

• Study new subjects

Here's how to unlock its power in two phases:

Phase 1: Upload Sources Open a new notebook and name it for your purpose. Upload articles, transcripts, textbook chapters, YouTube videos, website URLs, research papers.

Phase 2: Interact & Visualize Use custom instructions instead of generic questions like "summarize this." Anchor new information to what you already know.

This follows the evidence-based principle of elaboration—connecting new ideas to existing ones.

NotebookLM is the most useful free AI tool I use.