David Sparks and Mike Schmitz are not nearly as productive as they’d like to be. Join these fellow travelers (and a bunch of special guests) as they share the best ways to get focused, and talk through their successes and failures along the way. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
Reading the feed…
Cat Mulvihill joins us to talk about building momentum, the immunity to change framework, and dealing with our dreaded identity so we can finally focus on what's really important.
David & Mike discuss owning your ideas and staying sharp with the values-based application of AI.
David & Mike discuss Goodhart's Law, why effort matters more than outcomes, and how to maintain a healthy relationship with the numbers you use to keep score.
David & Mike look back on Q2, share their plans for Q3, and talk about the ups and downs that come with being marginally challenged.
Kathy Campbell joins us to talk about building systems, the art of delegation, and what to do when things don't go your way.
David & Mike discuss protecting your capacity, honoring your chronotype, and changing your personal defaults.
Stephen Robles joins us to talk about reading, intentional technology use, directing AI, and the golden era of the generalist.
David & Mike discuss the difference between task triage and time architecture when designing your week and using rituals to help you transition from one task to the next.
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.
