Focused

In this feedback episode, David and Mike discuss slowing down, complicated second brains, and the minimum viable productivity system.

David & Mike discuss the many different flavors of burnout, why productivity nerds are so susceptible, and what you can do to fight back against this insidious foe of focus.

Corporate lawyer David Roth joins to talk about the challenges of staying focused in a fast-paced profession where small mistakes can cost millions of dollars.

David has a new Field Guide, and both he & Mike discuss the ways they're using AI to have their robot assistants help with the donkey work.

Podcast coach and Streamlined Soloprenuer founder Joe Casabona joins us to talk about building systems, effective delegation, and when to actually automate.

David & Mike discuss how to plan your week and share their own weekly planning workflows.

David's personal Yoda is back to talk about curiosity, creativity, and the role of AI in focused work.

David & Mike discuss the Hero's Journey and how focus can help in your own epic quest.

Chris Bailey is back to talk about his new book, The Intention Stack, fundamental human values, and why S.M.A.R.T. goals aren't very smart.

David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2025 and set their intentions for the new year.

Patrick Rhone is back to talk about his love for calendars and why curiosity is essential if you want to become a knower of things.

David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year.

Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home.

David & Mike revisit the role of analog in their focused workflows and share some of their favorite analog tools.

Freelance business coach Austin L. Church joins us to talk about avoiding burnout and building more sustainable systems.

David & Mike attempt to end 2025 on a high note by reviewing the last quarter and planning the next one. Also, Mike made a planner.

Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist & author Donald J. Robertson joins us to talk about ancient philosophy as a tool for focus.

David & Mike catch up on listener feedback, including how to say no more often, deep vs. shallow work, and when to abandon a focus area. Also, David made an app?!?

Max Roberts is a podcaster, video editor, and technical writer who joins us to talk about using AI in the writing process, video games, and the importance of staying curious.

David & Mike talk about focus traps, consider the ones they tend to fall into, and discuss how to create systems to help avoid them.

Freelance WordPress developer and spiritual director John Chandler joins us to talk about the pursuit of practical wisdom and being intentional about being intentional.

David & Mike discuss the role of friction and where they choose to add it into their own focused workflows.

Kara Monroe joins us to talk about creative problem solving, the power of coaching, and why you should have a Facts of Life book.

Derek Sivers joins us to talk about personal agency, idea ownership, saying no, and (of course) journaling.

In this feedback episode, David & Mike tackle listener questions about their use of AI, reset rituals, quitting books, and a variety of other focus-related topics.

Journaling Guide Joe Moyer joins us to talk getting started with journaling, navigating major life transitions, and the power of a regular reflection practice.

David & Mike revisit some old workflows (time blocking, weekly review, reading, and writing) and talk about what's changed.

Author Paul Loomans joins us to talk about time surfing, a zen approach to keeping time on your side.

David & Mike discuss their quarterly planning processes and share their intentions for the next quarter.

David & Mike discuss the power of review and reflection in your focused productivity system.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff joins us to talk about the value of tiny experiments and how they enable us to live more focused, intentional lives.

Chenell Basilio joins us to talk about cultivating curiosity, finding your people, and avoiding burnout.

Ian Byrd is back to talk about flexibility, focus traps, and finding balance.

David reflects on a year of teaching the Productivity Field Guide, talks about what's new and what's changed, and Mike shares the details of his interesting twist to time-blocking.

David & Mike consider the relationship between productivity & creativity, how focus plays a role in the creative process, and the details of their own creativity systems.

David & Mike reflect on the things that worked (and the things that didn't) in 2024 and set their intentions for 2025.

David & Mike catch up with listener feedback regarding the use of AI, reading workflows, anxious parenting, and what the heck even is a sabbatical.

Stephen Hackett joins us to talk about his recent sabbatical experience and share what he learned from taking an extended break.

David & Mike consider the hidden costs of prioritizing the virtual world over the real world and discuss ways that we can fight for focus in an age of distraction.

Business and life coach Amy Wicks joins us to talk about the Enneagram personality assessment and showing up as our true selves.

David & Mike revisit the topic of AI to consider what's changed in the last year and discuss how it can be helpful for those of us who strive to live a focused life.

Clarke Ching ("The Bottleneck Guy") joins us to talk about finding solutions and fixing systems, both personally and professionally.

David & Mike discuss deliberate practice and the art of skill development — for both fun and profit.

Llama Life founder Marie Ng joins us to talk about the relative time-boxing, the importance of systems, and eating your productivity vegetables.

David & Mike consider the role of Margin, Ownership, and Boundaries in the pursuit of living a focused life.

David & Mike share the different ways they apply intentionality to their media consumption.

Writer Bob Doto joins us to discuss creative systems, connecting ideas, and why you really should care about zettlekasten.

David & Mike revisit the topic of moving the needle to discuss what's working and what's changed.

In this feedback episode, David & Mike revisit scheduling, journaling, delegation, and lots of listener thoughts on slow productivity.

David & Mike read Rapt by Winifred Gallagher and discuss how to protect your attention and cultivate a focused life.