Focused

David & Mike consider their use of tasks and calendars and share their workflows for how they tie these two essential productivity tools together to get things done.

Ugmonk founder Jeff Sheldon is back to talk about designing and building physical products, how our environments shape our ability to focus, and finding joy in the analog.

Jason Snell is back to talk about staying focused as an indie and his unique spin on off-site personal retreats.

David & Mike consider Cal Newport's philosophy on organizing knowledge work in a sustainable and meaningful manner.

Bestselling author & Zen Buddhist teacher Haemin Sunim joins David & Mike to talk about gratitude, mindfulness, compassion, and dealing with disappointment when things don't go your way.

David & Mike celebrate 200 episodes by sharing their favorite productivity hacks.

Jim Eager joins us to talk about how to navigate the 4 phases of retirement with meaning and purpose.

David & Mike revisit the topic of journaling for personal growth and share how their workflows have evolved.

David & Mike consider the role of happiness & joy in meaningful productivity.

Cognitive neuroscientist and reading warrior Dr. Maryanne Wolf joins us to talk about the science of reading and how what we read changes our brains.

After several years in production, the Productivity Field Guide is here! Mike interviews David about what's in it, how much went into it, and why it's so important to David.

David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2023 and share their intentions for 2024.

Chef, creator, and entrepreneur Justin Khanna joins us to share focus lessons from the culinary world.

David & Mike consider the benefits of the flow state and what we can do to achieve it more consistently.

David & Mike unpack the concept of multi-scale planning and share how they are both using it to live in alignment with their vision and values.

Process Consultant Karl Staib joins us to talk about process design, delegation, and the power of gratitude.

David & Mike consider how various AI tools can help protect our focus and share what they're using to boost their productivity & creativity.

David & Mike revisit the topic of toxic productivity, discuss choosing apps & tools that support your intentions, and share their plans for the last quarter of 2023.

Jesse J. Anderson is back to talk about troubleshooting productivity systems and his new book for helping adults with ADHD find focus.

The Focus Course creator and small business owner Shawn Blanc is back to talk about margin, sabbaticals, and focusing like a boss.

David & Mike discuss the satirical self-help book How to Be Miserable by Randy J. Paterson and share the dysfunctional skills they are particularly good at.

Jay Clouse of Creator Science joins us to talk about the sawdust problem, the focus benefits of community, and finding the balance between quality and quantity.

David & Mike discuss how they inject focus into their workdays & Mike shares about his tiny house retreat experience.

ConvertKit CEO Nathan Barry joins us to talk about the power of focus and how it helped save his company.

Sponsorship coach Justin Moore joins us to talk about his journey from medical devices to Creator Wizard founder, avoiding the comparison trap, and finding your niche.

David reflects on 18 months of freedom, Mike reports back from Craft + Commerce, and they both share their best advice for teaching kids how to focus.

David & Mike discuss the process of planning (and attempting to live out) their ideal weeks.

Mike is finally a Free Agent. In this episode, he & David talk through the process and share some tips for those considering making revolutionary change.

Mike Rohde is back to talk about the role of analog and digital tools in maintaining creative focus.

David & Mike revisit the importance of saying no and discuss how to prevent taking on too much.

David & Mike get caught up on listener feedback as they discuss journaling data, power naps, and choosing the things you aren't going to do.

Computer scientist & author Cal Newport joins us to talk about the impact of technology and culture on productivity and shares what we can do to protect our ability to focus.

Business lawyer Mark Metzger joins David to talk about false urgency, the power of having a coach, and getting back on the wagon when life happens.

David & Mike dive deep into the topic of journaling and share their workflows for making it stick.

David & Mike discuss communication, project management, and managing expectations to protect your focus.

Tim Stringer joins us to talk about mortality, reinvention, and the fight to live a focused life.

Chris Bailey is back to talk about dopamine, burnout, and finding calm in these anxious times.

David & Mike share their words for the year and discuss their plans to live out the first quarter of 2023 with intentionality and focus.

David & Mike reflect on the last year and share what went well, what could have gone better, and their lessons learned.

David & Mike walk through their planning processes and make their best case for leaving social media altogether.

Chris Upchurch joins us to talk about his recent career change from metropolitan transportation planner to whitewater rafting guide.

David & Mike consider the focus benefits of mind mapping and discuss the tools and methods they use to think beyond the outline.

Baron Fig CEO Joey Cofone joins us to talk about creativity, embracing constraints, and finding your own way.

David & Mike discuss perfectionism, procrastination, and overcoming the urge to get everything just right.

Jean MacDonald joins us to talk about social media, the M.E.O.W. system, and reading books.

David & Mike compare calendars and task lists, the jobs to be done by each, and the resistance that will inevitably appear in your quest to get things done.

David & Mike consider note-taking and its role in the creative process.

Rob Krecak joins us to talk about the psychology behind email, the importance of communication norms, and tips from his experiences helping organizations move to a 4-day work week.

Mike Vardy is back to talk about the rhythm of work and why some people feel "productivity" is becoming a dirty word.

Inspired by a Cal Newport article on Getting Things Done, David & Mike go through an audit of the (in)famous productivity system.