Meet Brian
Genealogist. AI Researcher. Storyteller.
Based in Salt Lake City, the genealogy capital of the world, Brian is the creator and host of Ancestors and Algorithms, a podcast that has surpassed 19,000+ downloads with listeners spanning 68 countries and more than 1,934 cities worldwide.
Each episode is a hands-on masterclass in using today's most powerful AI tools to break through brick walls, decode historical documents, and bring your ancestors' stories to life. From ChatGPT to Claude, Perplexity to Google Gemini, every tool is demonstrated with real genealogy research scenarios.
Host of Ancestors and Algorithms
“AI is your research assistant, not your researcher.”
Brian's guiding philosophy for every episode
From Curiosity to Community
How a passion for family history and a fascination with technology converged into something unexpected.
The Spark
What started as a simple question about family roots turned into an all-consuming passion. Brian dove into the world of genealogy, spending countless hours in archives, decoding handwritten records, and piecing together the stories of ancestors long forgotten.
The Discovery
When AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity began emerging, Brian saw something most genealogists missed: these were not replacements for researchers, they were the most powerful research assistants the field had ever seen. The key was learning how to use them responsibly.
The Podcast
Ancestors and Algorithms was born from a simple idea: show, do not just tell, how AI can transform family history research. Every episode became a hands-on masterclass, demonstrating real tools with real genealogy scenarios, never hypothetical examples.
The Community
What started as a solo project quickly became a global movement. Within months, listeners from dozens of countries and hundreds of cities were tuning in, sharing their own breakthroughs, and proving that the intersection of AI and genealogy was not just a niche, it was the future.
The Mission
Today, Brian is on a mission to democratize AI-powered genealogy. Through free episodes, companion guides, and a thriving online community, he is making sure every genealogist, from first-time researchers to seasoned professionals, can harness the power of artificial intelligence.
Topics and Expertise
AI Tool Tutorials
Live, practical demonstrations of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity, NotebookLM, and more with real genealogy research.
DNA + AI Analysis
Privacy-first techniques for using artificial intelligence to decode DNA matches without compromising your family's genetic data.
Historical Records
Decoding 18th-century handwriting, church parish records, census documents, Civil War pensions, and probate files using AI.
Prompt Engineering
Custom prompt strategies built specifically for genealogy research that transform generic AI responses into research breakthroughs.
International Research
AI-powered techniques for breaking through language barriers and navigating international archives across the globe.
Storytelling + Bios
Turning raw genealogical data into compelling ancestor biographies and family narratives with the help of AI writing assistants.
Send Me a Message
Have a question about an episode, a topic you would like me to cover, or just want to share a research breakthrough? I would love to hear from you.
Drop Me a Line
I read every message and do my best to respond personally.
Start Listening
Ready to transform your family history research with the power of artificial intelligence? Join me for another journey into the past, powered by the future.