
Show overview
The Important Thing has been publishing since 2017, and across the 9 years since has built a catalogue of 97 episodes. That works out to roughly 35 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 14 min and 25 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Leisure show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 2 months ago, with 3 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2019, with 26 episodes published. Published by Michael Lopp.
From the publisher
The Important Thing with Michael ("Rands") Lopp and Lyle Troxell. Let's spend a few minutes of your life listening and learning about an Important Thing.
Latest Episodes
View all 97 episodes
The One About In Real Life
In our 97th episode, we talk about how much more we learn in person and why the last 10% of anything is the most important part. Things we mentioned: Rands Leadership Slack South by Southwest Jony Ive & Patrick Collison at Stripe Sessions Related Important Things episodes: EP 73: The One About Robots

The One About ARC Raiders
In our 96th episode, Rands goes deep (perhaps too deep) on ARC Raiders, an extraction shooter where trust is the real currency. Mentioned, referenced, or obsessed over: ARC Raiders The Last of Us (HBO) Pokemon Go Sea of Thieves World of Warcraft Acquired Podcast Related Important Things episodes: EP 25: The One About the Pro Leisure Circuit EP 2: The One About Destiny EP 55: The One About Destiny 2

The One About Exercise (Again)
In our 95th episode, we again talk about the value of exercise. Lyle paddles an outrigger, Rands used to play hockey, but now he bikes, and we compare peak heart rates. It's a thriller.

The One About The Unfortunates
In our 94th episode, we talk about when Rands goes unhinged and why that is cathartic. Then, we talk about the plight of enterprise software users and why they are so unfortunate.

The One About Fully Formed Humans
In our 93rd episode, we wonder aloud about free will, children, and what makes a good ice hockey team.

The One About Productivity (Again)
In our 92nd episode, we talk about the ongoing battle with productivity tool swirl. Again.

The One About Founder Mode
In our 91st episode, we talked about Founder Mode long after everyone else had moved on.

The One About Exercise
In our 90th epsiode, we walk through all the benefits of improving our exercise strategy.

The One About Fiber
In our 89th episode, we talk about the wires that bring us the bits. And then Derrick the editor time travels.

The One About the Software Developer's Career Handbook
In our 88th episode and WAY AFTER the book was published, Lyle and I talk about the Software Developer's Career Handbook. Yes, this book was published a year ago.

The One About World Building
In our 87th episode, we talk about world-building, but we mostly talk about shows that we love with a minimal amount of spoiler alerts.

The One About Gifts and Bees
In our 86th episode, we talk timepieces (again), and then we somehow segue to bees. Brace for it.

The One About Dapper
EIn our 85th episode, we talk dapper and how it might be armor.

The One About Rabbit Holes
In our 84th episode, we go deep on the idea of why it's bad to be busy.

The One About Your AI Tools
In our 83rd episode, we revisit the various use cases we've discovered with our favorite AI tools.

The One About Timepieces
In our 82nd episode, we talk watches I mean horology I mean chronophiles or maybe timepieces.

The One About Notifications
In our 81st episode, we BING talk about the BONG important BONG BONG topic of BING BING BING notifications and DING DING DING notifications sounds.

The One About Travel (Again)
In our 80th episode, we talk about travels to last summer. There was a pillow menu.

The One About Losing the Weekend
In our 79th episode, we talk about situations with software that might destroy your weekend.

The One About Sandwiches
In our 78th episode, we're go deep on sandwiches. Great, now I'm hungry.