Technology education that builds capability, not dependency.

Lucid Mentality™ helps people develop better judgment in a world shaped by technology. Through education, software, and mentorship, we equip families, students, and teams to think clearly, act deliberately, and use technology as a tool rather than be directed by it.

See the work Work with our Founder

What Lucid Mentality does

Whether through books, software, mentorship, or partnerships, the goal is the same: develop capability, not dependency.

Publishing

Children's books that teach real programming languages through real recipes. Written for families to work through together.

Software

Learning tools built for beginners and developers alike — apps for kids, and a custom Linux system designed to teach as you use it.

Mentoring & internships

For students and early-career builders who want to understand why things work, not just make them run. Structured around the L.U.C.I.D. method.

Partnerships & community

Working with schools, libraries, community organizations, and businesses that want practical technology education — including charitable and outreach work.

The properties

Three distinct properties, each designed to develop capability in a different way.

Eat Like a Programmer™
Books 1–4 available

A five-book series teaching kids real programming languages through real recipes. No coding experience required — no culinary degree either. Four books are available now; the fifth, Season's Eatings, is on the way.

eatlikeaprogrammer.com
Artie Fitchel™
Live

Apps, projects, and things built with AI. Artie is the face of everything Lucid Mentality™ builds for kids — a character with a universe being built around him. Better with a parent along for the ride; the fun's in building it together.

artiefitchel.com
Lucid Mentality™ Linux
In development

A custom Linux build made for learning — safe enough for total beginners, capable enough for developers. Built for new users, vibe coders, and anyone who wants their machine to actually teach them something.

Julian A. Fuentes
Founder, Lucid Mentality™ LLC
Author and developer

I'm Julian Fuentes — a parent, builder, and lifelong learner. I founded Lucid Mentality™ to make AI and technology more approachable for families, students, and creators.

Everything I build runs on my L.U.C.I.D. methodology: Logical, User-Centered, Iterative, Design — a human-first way of working with AI over time. It treats AI as an assistant to reasoning, not a replacement for it: sessions that connect and compound, not conversations that reset.

AI should make people more capable, not more dependent. That's the whole point.

Get in touch Open to mentoring, partnerships, and outreach.

Stay informed

Books 1 through 4 are live. Season's Eatings and new projects are in the works — leave your email to hear when something new ships.

For parents, educators, and anyone building something. No spam; unsubscribe any time. Check your junk folder and mark us as safe.
Questions? julian@lucidmentality.com