Dwelling
in a Place
of Yes
The Surprising Psychology
Behind Fear, Opportunity, and
Smarter Choices
Shane H. Tepper
Why do we say "no" to the very opportunities that could transform our lives?
In Dwelling in a Place of Yes, Shane H. Tepper explores the psychology behind our default resistance to new possibilities and offers a practical framework for strategic openness.
Drawing from psychological research, real-world case studies, and his own journey collaborating with AI technology, this book provides tools to recognize disguised opportunities, cross the decision bridge from recognition to action, and navigate professional and personal growth with calculated courage.
Written for skeptics by a converted skeptic, this isn't typical self-help—it's a pragmatic guide to making better choices when faced with life's unexpected crossroads, including those presented by life-altering technologies.
The Cave of No
Understanding why we default to reflexive rejection
The Art of The Qualified Yes
Setting boundaries while remaining open to possibility
Opportunity in Disguise
Learning to spot value where others see only problems
Strategic Openness Across Life Domains
Applying these principles beyond your career
The Decision Bridge
A framework for moving from recognition to action
The AI Experiment
Applying the principles of strategic openness to emerging technologies, and what working with artificial intelligence taught me about human creativity, effective communication, and recognizing disguised opportunities
About the Author
Shane H. Tepper is a storyteller, opportunity-seizer, and interdisciplinary brand strategist who has parlayed a series of strategic "yeses" into a thriving career spanning film, advertising, and tech.
After graduating during the depths of the Great Recession, Shane spun an unpaid production assistant gig found on Craigslist into a years-long climb through Atlanta's film industry, eventually founding Just Peachy Pictures, where he created original content for ESPN, Dell, W Hotels, and the Atlanta Braves.
His creative path has taken him through iconic brands including Coca-Cola, Delta Airlines, AT&T, and SoFi before arriving at IDVerse, where he served as Director of Content Marketing and helped guide the company to an acquisition by LexisNexis® Risk Solutions.
Shane's journey from waiting tables to leading content strategy at a top tech company stands as proof of what can happen when you apply strategic openness throughout your life.
Partnering with AI: From Skeptic to Collaborator
This book represents a unique experiment in human-AI collaboration. At first, I approached AI tools with the same reflexive "no" that I examine in these pages—skeptical of the technology's capabilities and concerned about whether or not I could produce something authentic while employing it.
My early attempts were frustrating: vague prompts leading to meaningless generic content that lacked any hint of deep thinking or personality.
But as I learned to communicate more effectively with the AI, providing clear direction, detailed outlines, and proper context, I witnessed a transformation in both the output and my own thinking about this experiment. Using an iterative process of increasingly refined prompting—and plenty of human-made edits directly to the text—I worked with the technology to create the manuscript in less than a week while maintaining my authentic voice, perspective, and experiences.
The process itself thus became a living example of the book's central premise: recognizing opportunity in unexpected places and having the frameworks to say "yes" when it matters. The result is both a fascinating creative case study and a genuinely valuable guide to decision-making in an increasingly unpredictable world.
Follow my publishing journey on LinkedIn as I document the process of bringing this experiment to readers in real time, including all the specific prompting techniques that made it possible.
Be Part of the Journey
Get exclusive insights, behind-the-scenes updates, and early content drops about the book and its ideas—sent straight from Shane, no fluff. You'll also get first looks at new essays, media appearances, and AI-powered experiments around creativity, fear, and decision-making.
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