Coaching with Dr. Thrower
The Tech & AI Stack Guide
Every tool used to build, run, and deliver expert courses — what it is, what it does, and when to set it up.
My Stack · Student Recommendations · Platform Guide · Shoestring Budget Edition
How to use this guide
Part 1
My Stack
Every tool in active use to build, run, and deliver the Innovative Expert Lab.
🤖 AI Tools & Assistants
Primary AI assistant. Used for workbook design, synthesis prompts, content drafts, and thinking-partner conversations. Claude Projects store full program context — assessment outputs, frameworks, and briefs — so every conversation builds on what came before.
Used when: Workbook synthesis, content creation, mid-process coaching prompts, document review
Secondary AI assistant and Custom GPT builder. Used alongside Claude for generation tasks and for building GPT-based tools that live inside the student experience.
Used when: Custom GPT builds, alternative synthesis prompts, student-facing coaching bots
AI-powered research and synthesis tool. Upload documents and it creates a private AI that answers questions, finds connections, and generates summaries based only on what you've uploaded. Used extensively during framework development.
Used when: Signature framework synthesis, course content research, cross-document analysis
AI-powered no-code app builder. Describe what you want in plain language and Base44 builds a fully functional web app — with a working interface, database, and integrations — in minutes. Used to build custom student-facing tools, client portals, and interactive experiences. Acquired by Wix in 2025.
Used when: Custom course portals, student intake tools, interactive experiences, anything that doesn't exist as off-the-shelf software
🎬 Content Creation & Video
Quick async video recording. Used for fast screen recordings, team feedback, and anything that needs to be shared quickly without full production setup.
Used when: Quick walkthroughs, async feedback, lightweight screen shares
Video editing via transcript. Edit the text, the video edits itself. Removes filler words, silences, and mistakes. Generates captions automatically. No technical editing skills required.
Used when: All video post-production — trimming, cleanup, captions, transcript generation
Video hosting platform. All program lessons live in Vimeo and are embedded into the course portal. Includes a built-in teleprompter for recording scripted videos.
Used when: Hosting all lesson videos; teleprompter for scripted recordings
AI-powered captioning app for short-form video. Used for social media content, reels, and any short-form video where animated captions are needed.
Used when: Instagram reels, short-form social content, captioned clips
Audio and video editing and mixing tool. Also used for AI image generation that includes accurate, readable text — a known weakness of most AI image tools that Nano Banana handles correctly.
Used when: Audio mixing, video production polish, AI images that need accurate text
🎨 Design & Visual Assets
Design tool for workbook polish, course graphics, thumbnails, branded PDFs, and visual assets. Used for anything that needs brand-consistent design beyond what AI tools generate automatically.
Used when: Workbook design polish, thumbnails, branded graphics, social content
AI image generation. Used for creating custom visual assets, course imagery, brand-consistent illustrations, and any visual that needs to be original and specific.
Used when: Custom course imagery, visual assets, brand illustrations, unique graphics
📁 Organization & Delivery
Primary file storage for all program assets — workbooks, scripts, slide decks, assessment outputs — organized by phase. The source of truth for all document files.
Used when: Storing and organizing every file asset across all three program phases
Master link tracker. Every lesson organized by phase with columns for video link, slides, and workbook link in one row. The central navigation dashboard for the entire program build.
Used when: Tracking every asset — the single source of truth for the whole build
Notes, planning, and internal documentation. Used for strategic planning, meeting notes, and any content that needs to be referenced and updated regularly.
Used when: Strategic planning, program notes, internal documentation
AI meeting notes and transcription. Joins Zoom or Google Meet calls and produces a transcript, summary, and key action items automatically.
Used when: Coaching call transcription, meeting notes, action item capture
Team communication platform. Keeps program-related conversations organized by channel so nothing gets lost in email.
Used when: Team coordination, VA communication, project threads
⚙️ Business Operations
All-in-one platform for course hosting, community, email automation, and CRM. White label available through the Innovative Expert Lab — ask in the portal if you're deciding on a platform.
Used when: Course delivery, community, email automation, student management
Email platform for student communication and list management. Used for onboarding sequences, module completion nudges, and re-engagement emails.
Used when: Student onboarding emails, module nudges, re-engagement sequences
Client and student booking. Used for scheduling coaching calls, discovery calls, and any appointment that needs an automated booking link.
Used when: Coaching calls, discovery calls, student booking links
Payment processing. Used for course sales, one-time payments, and subscription billing.
Used when: Course sales, payment collection, subscription billing
AI-powered SEO and content ranking platform. Optimize course content, blog posts, and program pages for search visibility.
Used when: SEO optimization, content ranking, search visibility for your course and brand
Part 2
Your Recommended Stack
What to set up and when — phased so you're not buying tools you don't need yet.
You don't need all of these before you start
Your Build Plan workbook tells you which tools are relevant for your specific build and when to set them up. The Start Now section is all you need before Lesson 1.
Start with These Now
| Tool | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Claude | Set up a Project before your first assessment. Claude is the primary AI recommendation. | claude.ai |
| Google Drive | Set up your folder structure in the Organization lesson before anything else. | drive.google.com |
| Google Sheets | Duplicate the template from the Organization lesson and update it throughout your build. | sheets.google.com |
Add These During Build
| Tool | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | Workbook design, thumbnails, branded graphics | canva.com |
| Descript | Video editing via transcript — captions included | descript.com |
| NotebookLM | Upload assessment outputs, ask questions, find connections | notebooklm.google.com |
| Midjourney | Custom course imagery and visual assets | midjourney.com |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Student onboarding, module nudges, re-engagement | kit.com |
| Base44 | Custom portals and interactive tools (if relevant) | base44.com |
Platform — Pick One
This is the decision most students overthink. Here's how to choose.
| Platform | Best For | Note |
|---|---|---|
| GoHighLevel (GHL) | All-in-one: course + community + email + CRM | White label available through the Lab — ask in the portal |
| Stan Store | Creators launching a first or simple course fast | Great market tester. Can migrate to GHL later |
| ThriveCart + Learn | Course delivery + checkout in one — strong for sales-focused builders | One-time purchase option available. Learn is the course hosting layer built on top of ThriveCart |
| Base44 (custom portal) | Experts who want a fully branded, custom student experience | Built with Claude MCP — no developer needed |
| Kajabi / Teachable | If you already have one set up and it's working | Don't switch platforms mid-build without a good reason |
Add These During Sell — Not Yet
Payments
Stripe
For course sales, one-time payments, and subscription billing.
Booking
Calendly or TidyCal
For discovery calls and coaching appointments. Calendly is the standard. TidyCal is a one-time purchase (~$29) with no monthly fee — a great budget option with the same core functionality.
Part 3
The Shoestring Budget Stack
A complete, functional course setup for under $20/month — often free. Build something real before you invest in the full stack.
The philosophy here
You don't need a full production stack to validate your course idea and make your first sales. The shoestring stack covers everything you need to build, deliver, and sell — using tools you probably already have. Once your course is selling and you know what you're building, then invest in the upgraded versions.
AI — One Account Only
The one AI to have if you're choosing just one. Claude is the best for the work that actually matters in course building: synthesizing your expertise, writing workbooks, designing assessments, scripting lessons, and building the AI tools that go inside your course. The free tier is genuinely useful. The Pro plan ($20/month) unlocks Projects — which store your course context so every conversation builds on what came before. Worth upgrading when you're actively building.
Shoestring use: Everything — course design, workbook writing, script drafts, AI tool system prompts, feedback on your work
→ Upgrade to Pro ($20/mo) when you start your build for Projects and longer context
Course Build — Free
Your course lives here. Create a folder for each module. Put your video links, workbook PDFs, and supplementary materials inside. Share the top-level folder with students. A pinned Google Doc at the top becomes your "course portal" — a simple page with links to everything, organized by module. Not glamorous. Completely functional.
Shoestring use: Course delivery, file storage, workbook hosting, student access
→ Upgrade to Stan Store or GHL when you're ready for a real platform experience
Your workbooks, scripts, and lesson outlines all live here. Claude writes into Google Docs natively with the Claude for Google Workspace extension. Students can make a copy of any Google Doc workbook and fill it in directly — no PDF needed.
Shoestring use: Workbooks, scripts, lesson outlines, student handouts
Master link tracker. One row per lesson — module name, video link, workbook link, status. Keeps you oriented across the whole build and doubles as a simple content tracker when you launch.
Shoestring use: Build tracker, asset organization, launch checklist
Video — Free
You do not need a production setup to record your first course. Good lighting (face a window), a quiet room, and a phone propped up at eye level is enough. Record directly into your phone's camera app or use Zoom to record to your computer. The content matters more than the production quality at this stage.
Shoestring use: All lesson recordings until you're ready to invest in better equipment
Upload your lesson videos as Unlisted — they won't appear in search, but anyone with the link can watch. Copy the link into your Google Drive course portal. Unlimited storage, no file size limits, works on every device. This is how many serious course creators started.
Shoestring use: Hosting all lesson videos — paste unlisted links into your Drive portal
→ Upgrade to Vimeo when you want a cleaner player, password protection, and a built-in teleprompter
Design — Free
The free tier covers everything you need at this stage: workbook cover pages, module thumbnails, simple branded graphics, and social content. You don't need Canva Pro until you're regularly creating content and need the brand kit and background remover features.
Shoestring use: Workbook covers, thumbnails, basic branded graphics
Email — Free Up to 10,000 Subscribers
Kit's free tier is genuinely generous — up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited broadcasts, and basic automations. Enough to run your onboarding sequence, welcome new students, and send launch emails without paying anything. This is not a trial — it's a real free tier.
Shoestring use: Student onboarding, welcome sequences, launch emails, list building
Sales & Payments — Near Free
The best single-tool option for selling and delivering your first course without a complicated setup. Stan Store handles your sales page, payment processing, and product delivery in one place. No separate Stripe setup required. Particularly well suited for creators who want to go from zero to selling quickly — and it integrates cleanly with your Google Drive delivery setup or can host your content directly.
Shoestring use: Sales page, payment collection, and product delivery in one affordable tool
→ The recommended first platform if you want a real course-selling experience without GHL complexity
For booking discovery calls and coaching appointments. Calendly's free tier gives you one event type — enough to get started. TidyCal is a one-time purchase of around $29 with no monthly fee and the same core booking functionality. Either works at the shoestring stage. Skip the paid Calendly plan until you have multiple event types to manage.
Shoestring use: Discovery calls, coaching appointments, any time you need a booking link
→ Upgrade to Calendly paid tier when you need multiple event types or team scheduling
Zero monthly cost — Gumroad takes a percentage of each sale instead. Good for validating whether your course will sell before committing to a platform fee. Set up a product page, upload a PDF or link to your Drive, and you're selling. Not elegant, but functional for a first launch.
Shoestring use: First launch validation — test if people will buy before investing in a platform
→ Move to Stan Store or GHL once you've validated the course sells
The honest advice
Start shoestring. Validate that your course sells and that students get results. Then invest in the full stack — not before. The tools don't make the course. Your expertise and your students' transformation do. The full stack makes delivery smoother. The shoestring stack gets you to your first sale.
From day one, store everything you build in a way that's easy to move. Keep a Google Sheet or Notion page with links to every document, slide deck, workbook, and video recording — organized by module. When you're ready to migrate to a real platform, you'll know exactly what you have and where it lives. Most people don't do this and pay for it later.
Affiliate note
Some links in this guide are affiliate links. Where noted, Dr. Thrower uses and recommends the tool and may receive a commission if you sign up — at no extra cost to you. These are tools in active use, not paid placements.