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.
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.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
Mike's Amplify Cohort
Focused #260: Quarterly Planning and Riding Roller Coasters
Focused #259: Nobody's Perfect, with Kathy Campbell
The Score by C. Thi Nguyen
Happy Scale
Insta360 Luna Ultra
Macstock Conference
Insta360 Mic Pro
Insta360 Mic Air
Ugmonk Analog
Field Notes
Apple: The First 50 Years by David Pogue
Mac Power Users #839: Fifty Years of Apple with David Pogue
Women of Walt Disney Imagineering by Ginger Zee
Focused #257: I Go By Vibes, with Stephen Robles
Read Between The Lynes
On B.S. by Harry Frankfurt
Don't Call it Art by Austin Kleon
David & Mike look back on Q2, share their plans for Q3, and talk about the ups and downs that come with being marginally challenged.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
Productivity Field Guide | MacSparky
Robot Assistant Field Guide | MacSparky
Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide | MacSparky
Circle
Intentional AI | Relay
The Growth Intensive
LifeHQ
Craft + Commerce
How I Run My Whole Life Out of Obsidian | YouTube
CreatorBot | Practical PKM
MacSparky's YouTube channel
Analog Travel Case (Walnut) | Ugmonk
Oura Ring
The Morality of Happiness by Julia Annas
Bandersnatch: C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings
Kathy Campbell joins us to talk about building systems, the art of delegation, and what to do when things don't go your way.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Guest Starring:
Kathy Campbell
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video version of this episode
The Unicorn Sidekick
Kathy Campbell | Chief Awesome Officer
Conduit | Relay
Conduit Live Show
Roboism | Relay
Dragonmount
The Wheel of Time | Wikipedia
The Envelope System
Museum of Failure
Endel | Focus, Relax and Sleep
Bullet Journal
NotebookTherapy | Japanese + Korean Stationery Shipped Free Worldwide
Tsuki Lunar Unicorn Limited Edition Bullet Journal | NotebookTherapy
The Unicorn Sidekick | YouTube
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
STARTRC Gimbal Protective Cover for DJI Osmo Pocket 3 | Amazon
Canon SELPHY CP1500 Wireless Compact Photo Printer
A Crown of Swords by Robert Jordan
War of the Dragon: The Wheel of Time® by Dire Wolf | Kickstarter
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
How to Try Again by Steve Kamb
Nerd Fitness
The Morality of Happiness by Julia Annas
David & Mike discuss protecting your capacity, honoring your chronotype, and changing your personal defaults.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video version of this episode
Intentional AI
Robot Assistant Field Guide
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Deep Work by Cal Newport
Dekáf Coffee
Oura Ring 5
Focused #257: I Go By Vibes, with Stephen Robles
Range by David Epstein
Inside the Box by David Epstein
Dying Every Day by James Romm
Stephen Robles joins us to talk about reading, intentional technology use, directing AI, and the golden era of the generalist.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Stephen Robles
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Focused 257 on YouTube
Stephen's website
Riverside.fm
Stephen's YouTube channel
Treo 755p | Wikipedia
Engadget | Technology News & Expert Reviews
Mac Power Users | Relay
Range by David Epstein
The Gap and The Gain by Dr. Benjamin Hardy and Dan Sullivan
MKBHD on his 100th video | YouTube
The Talk Show Ep. 447, with Adam Lisagor
Hovercraft
The Rise of the Creative Tastemaker | Practical PKM
The Light Phone
FL Studio
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk
I Am Not a Robot by Joanna Stern
Your Brain on Art by Susan Magsamen & Ivy Ross
100 Rules for Living to 100 by Dick Van Dyke
Creativity by John Cleese
Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman
The Other Side of Sadness by George Bonanno
The Violin Maker by John Marchese
Foundation | IMDb
Stillness Is the Key by Ryan Holiday
Last Meals | YouTube
Reconcilable Differences | Relay
Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
Unreasonable Hospitality: The Secret to an Audience That Never Leaves | Nathan Barry Show #127
On B.S. by Harry Frankfurt
The Odyssey by Homer, Emily Wilson translation
Shark Slider Pico | iFootage
Plaud Note Pro
Govee Smart Cordless Table Lamp Classic | Amazon
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Keeper: Get 60% off personal and family plans.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video version of this episode
Focused #250: Planning Your Week
Don't Plan Your Week, Design It | Practical PKM
The Deep Life by Cal Newport #316: Weekly Templates
David's Ideal Week Template
Mike's Ideal Week Template
Plan Your Ideal Week | Free Tool by Mike Schmitz
Timery
Day One
Obsidian
Keychron K2 HE Wireless Keyboard
Mike's guitar
What You're Made For by George Raveling
The Morality of Happiness by Julia Annas
In this feedback episode, David and Mike discuss slowing down, complicated second brains, and the minimum viable productivity system.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video Version of This Episode
Focused #254: Battling Burnout
Mike's Newsletter on The Amateur Advantage
Focused #87: Nerds Like Us, with Myke Hurley
The Pen Addict
Obsidian
NotePlan
I Deleted My Second Brain by Joan Westenberg | Medium
Why You Should Write Every Day (Even if You’re Not a Writer) by Joan Westenberg | Medium
Mac Power Users #845: Intentional Technology with Patrick Rhone
NextLevel Pulsar Brewer
Ruby Coffee Roasters
How to Live a Meaningful Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Designing Your Life by Bill Burnett & Dave Evans
Good Eye | Lost Art Press
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Vitally: Your Copilot for AI-Powered Customer Success. Get a free pair of AirPods Pro when you book a qualified meeting.
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
Mike's Book Summary Channel | YouTube
How Claude Helped Me Make the Videos I Want to Make | Practical PKM
Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) | Mind Garden
The End of Burnout by Jonathan Malesic
Bookworm #243: The End of Burnout by Jonathan Malesic
LARQ Bottle PureVis™ 2
Insta360 Wave | Professional AI-Powered Speakerphone
Insta360 Link 2
The Way of Excellence by Brad Stulberg
Harry Potter Full-Cast Editions | Audible.com
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
David Roth
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
David Roth | Attorney & Technologist
Remember The Milk
Getting Things Done®
OmniFocus
Things | Cultured Code
NotePlan
Obsidian
Mac Power Users #756: Exploring NotePlan with David Roth
Claude Cowork | Anthropic
Robot Assistant Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides
Enchiridion of Epictetus | Wikipedia
Readwise
Cleft Notes
Leatherman ARC Multi-tool
MacBook Neo | Apple
MacBook Pro | Apple
Basecamp Orange - iPhone 16 Pro | Ridge
Wallet for MagSafe - Basecamp Orange | RIdge
Power Bank - 10k mAh - Basecamp Orange | Ridge
MV88 USB-C | Shure
Sponsor Games
Apple in China by Patrick McGee
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni
The Score by C. Thi Nguyen
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
Robot Assistant Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides
Save 10% with code FOCUSROBOT
LifeTheme Cohort
Did the AI Job Apocalypse Just Begin? (Hint: No.) | Cal Newport's AI Reality Check
OpenClaw
Claude
The Ultimate AI Masterclass For Businesses in 2026 | The Nathan Barry Show
Claude for Chrome
Obsidian
FreshBooks
DJI Osmo Pocket 3
The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr
By Hand & Eye
Podcast coach and Streamlined Soloprenuer founder Joe Casabona joins us to talk about building systems, effective delegation, and when to actually automate.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Joe Casabona
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Joe's Website
Joe Casabona | LinkedIn
Focused #249: What if This Were Easy? with Ernie Svenson
Toggl
Focus app | App Store
Brick | Take Back Control of Your Screen Time
Sponsor Games
Balatro
A World Without Email by Cal Newport
Streamlined Solopreneur #520: 3 Steps to Reclaim Your Life from Email
Onlinejobs.ph
Tella
SaneBox
The End of Burnout by Jonathan Malesic
Zapier
OpenClaw
David's OpenClaw video
reMarkable Paper Pro Move
reMarkable 2
Supernote Nomad
USB Hub | Elgato
Keychron Q3 QMK Custom Mechanical Keyboard
Keychron K2 HE Wireless Magnetic Switch Custom Keyboard
The Iliad by Homer
The Odyssey by Homer
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
David & Mike discuss how to plan your week and share their own weekly planning workflows.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Productivity Field Guide 2026 (Pro Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides
The 4 Disciplines of Execution
Supernote Nomad
Analog Weekly Cards | Ugmonk
The End of Burnout by Jonathan Malesic
The Peace Of Wild Things by Wendell Berry
David's personal Yoda is back to talk about curiosity, creativity, and the role of AI in focused work.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Ernie Svenson
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Ernie the Attorney
Circle | The complete community platform
Creativity by John Cleese
Wispr Flow | Effortless Voice Dictation
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield
The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday
The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Writing Without Teachers by Peter Elbow
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
The Pathless Path by Paul Millerd
Alchemy by Rory Sutherland
Influence by Robert Cialdini
Day One Journal App | Your Journal For Life
OpenClaw
The Overthinker's Guide to Making Decisions by Joseph Nguyen
The Tools of Excellence by Nicholas Bate
The Science of Storytelling by Will Storr
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novick
David & Mike discuss the Hero's Journey and how focus can help in your own epic quest.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video version of this episode
Productivity Field Guide 2026 (Pro Edition) | MacSparky Field Guides
Use coupon code FOCUSEDPFG for 10% off.
Die Empty by Todd Henry
How many career changes in a lifetime? | The University of Queensland
Hero's Journey Overview | Wikipedia
Joseph Campbell and The Power of Myth | BillMoyers.com
From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
The Library Community
The Personal Retreat Planner
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Guest Starring:
Chris Bailey
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Focused on YouTube
Chris' website
Intentional by Chris Bailey
Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values
Overcoming Procrastination (Chris' course)
The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey
Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
Proust and the Squid by Maryanne Wolf
Reader, Come Home by Maryanne Wolf
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
How to Calm Your Mind by Chris Bailey
David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2025 and set their intentions for the new year.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
The Practical PKM Cohort is Now Open!
David's Newsletter
Mike's Newsletter
Building a Master Content Calendar in Obsidian with Bases
Introduction to Obsidian Bases
Mike's Video on moving from Dataview to Obsidian Bases
Sublime
Plotter Leather Binder Refills
Intentional by Chris Bailey
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Guest Starring:
Patrick Rhone
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
YouTube video for this episode
Patrick's website
Enough by Patrick Rhone
Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things
Whoa to Wow
BusyCal
Pocket Briefcases | Levenger
Analog™ | The original to-do system by Ugmonk
Nanami Seven Seas Tomoe River Notebooks
GTD Guided Mindsweep
Patrick's Now page
The Nathan Barry Show | How To Live a Meaningful Life Using Design Thinking
The episode Mike mentions where the authors tell us to "stop shoulding ourselves."
Trello
ProWritingAid: The Storyteller's Toolkit
YearCompass
Excalidraw Obsidian plugin
Sketch Your Mind
Derek Sivers
Hunter Gatherer 21C
How to Beat ChatGPT by Nicholas Bate
Daily MEDS by Nicholas Bate
The Notebook by Roland Allen
David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Video for this episode
Focused YouTube channel
Give the Gift of Relay
The Focused Calendar
Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Time Timer
The Personal Retreat Planner
The Blanc Media 8-Week Work Cycle with Sabbaticals
Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson
Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Focused #232: Useful Not True, with Derek Sivers
Focused #242: The Case for Analog
1911 KOP Ebonite Naginata-Togi Fountain Pen
Pen Review: Pilot Custom Heritage 912 with PO Nib | The Gentleman Stationer
Diamine Writer's Blood Ink Review | The Pen Addict
Why My Platinum Century 3776 Fountain Pens Have Architect Grinds | Chicana Writes
Ink Review #189: Robert Oster Bondi Blue | Mountain of Ink
Rolls MS111 Mic Switch Latching or Momentary Microphone Mute Switch | Amazon
Toxic Grit by Amanda Goetz
Apple in China by Patrick McGee
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Guest Starring:
Thom Gibson
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Work-From-Home Dads
Kolbe A™ Index
Takes Two
Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff
Hyperfocus by Chris Bailey
Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Plus Minus Next Journaling | Ness Labs
Moleskine Notebooks
Pilot G2 0.7mm Black Fine Retractable Gel Ink Pen Rollerball | Amazon
Day Pass by Sling TV
Explore Stream Deck | Elgato
Sparky's BIonics | YouTube
The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom
Make Time by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday
Focused #239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson
Notes on Being a Man by Scott Galloway
The WFH Dad’s 6-Hour Workday Playbook
David & Mike revisit the role of analog in their focused workflows and share some of their favorite analog tools.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide (Expert)
Apple Productivity Suite Field Guide (Essentials)
The Pen Is Mightier Than the Keyboard | Pam A. Mueller, Daniel M. Oppenheimer, 2014
Focused #83: Ideas Over Art, with Mike Rohde
The Sketchnote Handbook by Mike Rohde
Focused #196: Focus & The Reading Life, with Maryanne Wolf
The Brain vs. The List
A Guide to Sketchnoting on iPad (using GoodNotes) | The Sweet Setup
The Personal Retreat Planner
The 2026 Focused Calendar
Obsidian
Morgen
The Capture System | Ugmonk
Goodnotes
reMarkable 2
Plotter
Mildliner
Analog | Ugmonk
Field Notes
Day One
Blackwing pencils
rOtring 800+
Kuru Toga mechanical pencils
Mitsubishi Pencil K9852EWHB
Weekly Schedule Refill 2026 PLT0002 (A5 Size)
Hobonichi Techo 2026 Official Website
Otoño Blend | Intelligentsia Coffee
Ruby Coffee Roasters
Ottomatic® 2.0 | Chemex
Made to Stick by Chip & Dan Heath
Switch by Chip & Dan Heath
Decisive by Chip & Dan Heath
Wisdom Takes Work by Ryan Holiday
Freelance business coach Austin L. Church joins us to talk about avoiding burnout and building more sustainable systems.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Guest Starring:
Austin Church
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
The 2026 Focused Calendar
Freelance Cake
Content Entrepreneur Expo
Free Money by Austin L. Church
Essentialism by Greg McKeown
Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau
Who Not How by Dan Sullivan & Dr. Benjamin Hardy
Full Focus Planner
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
Duolingo
FC™ 26
Mildliner
$100M Money Models by Alex Hormozi
Sponsor Magnet by Justin Moore
Austin L. Church | LinkedIn
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Gusto: Payroll, HR, Benefits. Simplified. Get 3 months free.
HelloFresh: Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life!
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
The Personal Retreat Planner
The 2026 Focused Calendar
Mike's essay on Cranking vs. Creating
Productivity Field Guide 2025 (Standard Edition)
Mike's Personal Book Notes Obsidian Vault
Content Entrepreneur Expo
Lulu | Online Self-Publishing Book & Ebook Company
Tilt Publishing
Bookworm #232: Published by Chandler Bolt
Anderson Pens Closing Announcement | YouTube
Cardinal Pens & Paper (formerly Anderson Pens)
Plotter
Quartet app
iReal Pro
The Beauty of Everyday Things by Soetsu Yanagi
Time Anxiety by Chris Guillebeau
Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist & author Donald J. Robertson joins us to talk about ancient philosophy as a tool for focus.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
1Password: Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend.
Guest Starring:
Donald Robertson
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Donald's Substack (Newsletter + Podcast)
How to Think Like Socrates by Donald J. Robertson
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald J. Robertson
All of Donald's books
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Miracle of Mindfulness by Thich Nhat Hanh
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?!?
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Nexos.ai: All-in-one AI platform for enterprises. Get a 14 day free trial now.
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
HelloFresh: Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life!
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Relay for St. Jude
Practical PKM (Mike's Newsletter)
David's Newsletter
The No List (David's app)
Knitting Your Parachute | MacSparky
Focused #237: Everything is Figureoutable, with Max Roberts
Mike's YouTube channel
Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort
The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey
Eat That Frog! Fourth Edition by Brian Tracy
ChatGPT's Impact On Our Brains According to an MIT Study | TIME
Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners
The Capture System | Ugmonk
Numerics
Zapier: Automate AI Workflows, Agents, and Apps
The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul
Focused #146: The Extended Mind, with Annie Murphy Paul
Nintendo Switch 2
Zelda Breath of the Wild Upgrade Pack
How to Think Like a Roman Emperor by Donald Robertson
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.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
1Password: Discover SaaS applications, automate lifecycle management, and optimize SaaS spend.
Guest Starring:
Max Roberts
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Point of Curvature
Max Frequency
Max Roberts Video Essays
Max's Podcasts
Obsidian Field Guide (Plus Edition)
Practical PKM Hybrid Cohort
Google NotebookLM
ChatGPT
Grammarly
Claude
Lex.page
Singin' In the Bathtub by John Lithgow
How to ADHD by Jessica McCabe
How to ADHD | YouTube
Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story | Jessica McCabe | TEDxBratislava - YouTube
Business Made Simple
Extra Focus by Jesse J. Anderson
Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners
The Library Community
TaskForge | Obsidian Tasks Made Easy
From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
Dark Age by Pierce Brown
Somebody And The Three Blairs by Marilyn Tolhurst
Lake of Souls by Ann Leckie
The Unknown Craftsman by Soetsu Yanagi
David & Mike talk about focus traps, consider the ones they tend to fall into, and discuss how to create systems to help avoid them.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
HelloFresh: Get 10 Free Meals + a Free Item for Life!
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Tot
Drafts
Field Notes
Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans
Postcard Cabins
NotePlan
Ecamm Live
Miro
Powerbeats Pro 2 | Electric Orange
BLE caberQU
The Complete Works of Epictetus
AI Snake Oil by Arvid Narayanan & Sayash Kapoor
Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick
Freelance WordPress developer and spiritual director John Chandler joins us to talk about the pursuit of practical wisdom and being intentional about being intentional.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Guest Starring:
John Chandler
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
John's website
John's YouTube Channel
Macstock Conference & Expo
Foundation | Apple TV+
Personal Socrates by Marc Champagne
Focused #149: Asking Questions, with Marc Champagne
From Strength to Strength by Arthur Brooks
Bookworm
Mac Power Users #82: Cooking Ideas
John's journaling video
Day One Journal App
How to Know a Person by David Brooks
The Perfect Edge by Ron Hock
Moonshot by Mike Massimino
Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station
The Capture System | Ugmonk
Micro.blog
David & Mike discuss the role of friction and where they choose to add it into their own focused workflows.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code FOCUSED.
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended ad-free episodes with bonus deep dive content.
David's Whiteboard
Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans
Field Notes | Memo Books, Notebooks, Journals & Planners
Drafts | Where Text Starts
Mike's Note-Making Video
Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Nathan Barry's Podcast with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Mac Power Users #799: The State of Apple, with Jason Snell
Insta360 Link
Mike's Video on Tiny Experiments
Kara Monroe joins us to talk about creative problem solving, the power of coaching, and why you should have a Facts of Life book.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Guest Starring:
Kara Monroe
Links and Show Notes:
I Wanna Be Me When I Grow Up
The Library Community
Kara's Facts of Life Book course
Bookworm podcast
The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser
Ultralearning by Scott Young
Ultraspeaking | The best way to learn public speaking
Stream Deck
Keyboard Maestro
AirFly Pro 2 | Twelve South
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
Walden by Henry David Thoreau
The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
Derek Sivers joins us to talk about personal agency, idea ownership, saying no, and (of course) journaling.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code FOCUSED with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.
Indeed: Join more than 3.5 million businesses worldwide using Indeed to hire great talent fast.
Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
Guest Starring:
Derek Sivers
Links and Show Notes:
Deep Focus: Extended episodes with bonus deep dive content.
Derek Sivers
CD Baby
Hell Yeah or No | Derek Sivers
How to Start a Movement | TED Talk
Useful Not True | Derek Sivers
Anything You Want | Derek Sivers
Your Music and People | Derek Sivers
How to Live | Derek Sivers
How to do what you love and make good money | Derek Sivers
One big choice shapes a hundred more | Derek Sivers
Vim
Scripting News
The Confident Mind by Nate Zinser
Mark Twain by Ron Chernow
The Political Thought of Xi Jinping
Book I've Read | Derek Sivers
Pandoc
What I’m doing now | Derek Sivers
What I’m Doing Now | MacSparky
Contact | Derek Sivers
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