How I Built It

I talk a lot about the wrong ways to use AI. But a rainy weekend gave me a few free hours and two pet projects that I used Claude Cowork for— and the results actually impressed me.The first: I used Claude to vibe-code a custom Obsidian theme from scratch. No CSS, no digging through the inspector — just a few prompts and some back-and-forth until it looked exactly the way I wanted.The second: a Claude skill that plans trips for me end-to-end — packing list, budget, Todoist project, calendar entries, the works. It's now maybe my favorite thing I've ever built in Claude.Does all of this sound interesting, but you're not sure where to start with your systems? Grab the free Solopreneur Systems Starter Kit — including the trip planning skill from this episode — at streamlined.fm/kitLinksHandcrafted Obsidian ThemeObsidian Theme ScreenshotTrip Template Screenshot (00:00) - Intro (01:28) - What AI is actually good at (and what it's not) (04:22) - Vibe-coding a custom Obsidian theme (11:00) - A Claude skill that plans trips end-to-end (17:42) - Wrap-up ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

This week I talk about why summarizing everything isn't actually reading more — summaries rob you of the experience, the context, and the ability to form your own opinion, and I'd rather read one primary source than 14 summaries I'll forget. Then a heavy but admirable piece from The Dispatch on Ben Sasse facing terminal cancer with poise, and what it teaches us about being present with our families, and a recommendation for Lou Gehrig's Luckiest Man speech on YouTube.Links:Don't Let AI Steal Your LifeBen Sasse Is Teaching Us How to Die—And Live—Well (The Dispatch)Lou Gehrig's Luckiest Man SpeechIf you enjoyed this, consider joining my newsletter at https://streamlined.fm/wrap. You'll get an additional Automation of the Week, as well as regular emails on how to approach building systems that help you take time off, worry-free.View the episode transcript (00:00) - Introduction (00:31) - On My Mind: What's the point of summarizing everything? (08:34) - Recommended Reading (13:57) - Recommended Media (15:30) - Outro ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I left work early recently to volunteer at my daughter's ice cream social and sit through her spring concert without checking my phone once. And if you're a solopreneur, you know that's a big deal. It's all thanks to my startup and shutdown routines. And I know I've talked about them on the show before, but something interesting has happened over the last year.As LLMs and AI tools have been able to connect to more services through MCP, I've been doing my shutdown routine differently. It's MUCH more automated now. As a result, I have an even better picture of what I've gotten done, and what I need to do…you know, the next time I'm at my desk.I cover:The weekly plan I rely on mostThe daily three-task journal that replaced my startup routineHow I use Whisper Memos, Todoist Ramble, and a Claude Cowork in this processIf you want to find where your own time is leaking, try the Task Audit Matrix at https://streamlined.fm/matrix. You input your tasks, label them planned/reactive and focused/processed, and get back a report showing what you can move off your plate.LinksTiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le CunffObsidianAudioPenWhisper MemosTodoistEp. 530: How I Achieve Inbox Zero SystemStreamlined Feedback ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

This week I talk about my surprisingly productive Saturday mornings — and why I'm hoping that same quiet, distraction-free focus carries into summer with all three kids out of school. Then The Creative Act by Rick Rubin, which pulled me out of a months-long reading slump in just a few days, and a recommendation for my early-to-mid 2000s pop punk discography playlists on Apple Music.Links:We're trying to summer camp again (Ep. 479)The Creative ActJoe Casabona on Apple MusicIf you enjoyed this, consider joining my newsletter at https://streamlined.fm/wrap. You'll get an additional Automation of the Week, as well as regular emails on how to approach building systems that help you take time off, worry-free.View the episode transcript (00:00) - Introduction (00:29) - On My Mind: Working on Saturday Mornings and Summer (07:12) - Recommended Reading: The Creative Act (11:44) - Recommended Media: 2000s Pop Punk (13:42) - Outro ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have you ever gone to the grocery store without a list? You walk down every aisle, grab whatever looks good, spend way more than you planned — and somehow still get home without the one thing you actually needed.Running a one-person business without a real task capture system feels exactly the same.When everything falls on you, important work slips through the cracks. And without a plan, it's easy to spend your day on something that feels productive instead of something that actually moves the business. (Anyone who's let AI build them a thing they didn't need knows what I mean.)In this one, I'm walking through the three ways I capture tasks now — each one a little more automated than the last:Quick capture — making it stupid easy to get something out of your headSpeech-to-text to sort — why Todoist's Ramble feature replaced an entire Zapier flow for meAutomating task capture with AI agents — pulling tasks out of emails, call summaries, and notes without lifting a fingerIf you've ever said, "If it's important, I'll remember it" — I have bad news. Solopreneur productivity isn't about a better memory. It's about better solopreneur systems for capturing everything so you can actually plan your week.If you want help getting your tasks in order, I put together a free resource over at https://streamlined.fm/tasks.Show NotesFree Task Capture ResourceTodoist RambleWhisper Memos (00:00) - Intro (01:38) - Why "I'll remember it" fails solopreneurs (02:54) - Make quick capture as easy as possible (04:29) - Speech-to-text to sort (Todoist Ramble) (07:12) - Automate task capture with AI agents (10:33) - Why capturing everything matters (11:58) - Free resource and wrap-up ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

This week I talk about how I used 4 hours of solo driving to and from a mastermind retreat in Baltimore — and why I chose to turn everything off instead of grinding through business prep. Then a wholesome story about a teen umpire who handled a coach's meltdown with poise, and a recommendation for SNL's The Rundown series on YouTube.Links:Solopreneurs and forced downtimeA teen umpire tossed a baseball coach in a now-viral video. Here's his side of the story (The Athletic) SNL: The RundownIf you enjoyed this, consider joining my newsletter at https://streamlined.fm/wrap. You'll get an additional Automation of the Week, as well as regular emails on how to approach building systems that help you take time off, worry-free.View the episode transcript (00:00) - Intro (00:26) - On my mind: How do you use driving time? (04:07) - Recommended Reading: A teen umpire tossed a baseball coach (06:34) - Recommended Media: SNL's The Rundown (08:24) - Outro ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Have you ever seen a 5-digit notification badge? It's most stressful things I see on someone's phone. And I get it — as a solopreneur, email feels urgent. What if a client needs something? What if you miss a deal?But after nearly a decade of refining my approach, I've built a technical system that keeps my inbox at (or close to) zero — without having to check it constantly.In this episode, I walk through the full setup: how SaneBox automatically sorts what actually needs my attention, how I route newsletters out of my inbox entirely using Feedbin, how I handle task management without leaving a trail of flagged emails, and how intake forms and text expansion let me process requests in seconds instead of minutes.I also share what I'm experimenting with using AI to handle the data-crunching side of inbox management — so I can still show up as a human when it counts.If you're sitting there thinking, 'yeah, that's me but I don't even know where to start? Check out my Solopreneur Sweep method at https://streamlined.fm/sweepShow NotesHow I Keep my Email at Inbox ZeroEmail Boundaries for Solopreneurs: 3 Steps to Stop Letting Your Inbox Run Your LifeMimestreamSaneBoxTodoistFeedbinGoodLinksGravity FormsRaycast ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Welcome to the Friday Wrap-Up for May 15, 2026. This is a short newsletter where I talk about 3 things: What's on my mind this week, Recommended Reading, and Recommended Media. Here's what's on my mind...Earlier this week I found myself fighting Claude on something I felt was a pretty basic problem — one that I had used it to solve before. I kept going back and forth with Claude. I would ask it questions. It would then do things I didn't even remotely ask it to do. I started to form a weird theory in my head that Opus 4.7 is designed to waste tokens. But I'm actually worried it's worse than that. Recommended Reading: The colorful impact of Spike Lee's red Yankees hat request 30 years ago: I'm a chronic Yankees hat collector. I suspect my collection pales in comparison to some, but I have over a dozen hats emblazoned with the classic Interlocking NY that has persisted for over 100 years. In other words, I love a dope hat. Recommended Media: I Tracked Down the Hidden Workers Secretly Powering ChatGPT: And now for something totally different. This video talks about companies that recruit people who train LLMs. The problems it highlights is twofold: the predatory nature of recruiting experts in a way that's dehumanizing, and the chilling mindset behind AI companies who basically want to own knowledge and sell it back to us. Get the full article and a free automation of the week by signing up for the newsletter: https://streamlined.fm/wrapView the episode transcript (00:00) - Intro (00:31) - What's on my mind: Are LLMs employing variable rewards? (05:24) - Recommended reading: Spike Lee's red Yankees hat (08:22) - Recommended media: The hidden workers powering ChatGPT (12:29) - Outro ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Does having a mailing list feel like too much for you? Like it's adding “one more thing” to your list as a one-person business?That's what I hear constantly when I coach solopreneurs. Either they don't have a newsletter because it feels like too much work, or they have one, but they're paying for a plan they don't actually need. And in almost every case, it's not a strategy problem. It's a tool problem.That's why I'm making the case for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) — not because it's the flashiest option, but because it removes work instead of adding it. In this episode, I break down four specific reasons Kit is my go-to for solopreneur automation: easy setup, powerful evergreen automations, direct integrations with the tools you already use, and RSS-to-email that turns your podcast or blog into a newsletter without lifting a finger.I also share how I saved my client Laura to a bunch of money thanks to Kit's free plan.If your newsletter has been sitting on the back burner, this one's for you.Wondering if you're leaving money on the table with tools you're not using or overpaying for? Learn how to find them with the free Solopreneur Sweep: streamlined.fm/sweepShow NotesKit (formerly ConvertKit)Growth in Reverse — Chenell Basilio's newsletter growth resourceHow I Saved Laura Brazan More Than She Spent on My Coaching ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Are you so concerned with FOMO that you're Missing Out On What's There, rendering your real life MOOWT? That's what's on my mind today. Plus, a great article about why it might actually be bad that you're storing every little thing in your second brain, and a fantastic performance from SNL. Finally, a pay small tribute Yankees legend, John Sterling, who passed away earlier this week. Get the newsletter version at https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/wrapShow NotesI Deleted My Second Brain by Joan WestenbergTrading Highlights for Voice NotesOlivia Rodrigo's performance of drop dead on SNLRIP John SterlingSend feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.comView the episode transcript (00:00) - Intro (00:33) - What's on My Mind: MOOWT and digital disconnection (09:11) - Recommended Reading: I Deleted My Second Brain (11:29) - Recommended Media: Olivia Rodrigo on SNL (13:02) - RIP John Sterling ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

The most overwhelming room in my house is the sunroom. Three small kids, all their toys, total chaos. One day, I was sitting in there feeling overstimulated and realized it would take about five minutes to clean it up. So we did — and suddenly it was a great place to hang out again.A lot of solopreneur businesses are like that sunroom. They're not broken. They don't need a massive overhaul. They need a quick sweep — a reset of your time, your tasks, and your tools.That's exactly what I walk through in this episode. I'm breaking down the full Solopreneur Sweep, a three-step process I built after my own business stress led to a panic attack back in 2020. Since then, I've used this system to save 12 hours a week and help hundreds of solopreneurs do the same.Here's what we cover: How to take control of your schedule so meetings stop eating your weekHow to get your to-do list down to 15 tasks maxHow to audit your tools so you stop paying for things that don't earn their keep. It's the starting point for anyone running a one-person business who wants to automate what doesn't need their attention and reclaim real time off.Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepShow NotesThe Solopreneur Sweep (free download)How I Saved Laura Brazan More Than She Spent on CoachingSolopreneur Sweep Video WalkthroughUnderstanding How You Work with Task JournalingAt Your Best by Carey Neiuwhof (00:00) - Intro (04:25) - Manage your schedule (07:57) - Get your to-do list under control (15:10) - Organize your toolbox (19:49) - What's at stake ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I have a confession to make: The first Star Wars movie I ever saw was Episode 1: The Phantom Menace. I was 13, and it just hit the dollar theater when my friend invited me to see it with him. He realized I had never seen the Original Trilogy when I was surprised that Qui-Gon Jinn died (spoiler, I guess). We fixed that quickly, but this movie, despite being considered the worst Star Wars movie of all time (maybe bottom 2 now), started my love of the franchise.So I thought, in honor of May the Fourth, I'd share with you what you can learn from Star Wars...particularly from a solopreneur systems and automations point of view. Writing advice from Trey Parker and Matt StoneView the episode transcript (00:00) - I have a confession to make... (01:51) - Lesson 1: Do the Work (08:57) - Lesson 2: Nothing Is Permanent (13:48) - Lesson 3: You Can't Do It Alone (16:55) - May the Fourth Be With You! ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Are single-purpose apps going to replace SaaS? I've been building small, focused tools with AI to replace subscriptions that solve my problem, just not quite my way, and I'm not the only one. Also: a well-researched piece on why AI isn't actually coming for your job, and some very good news for Ted Lasso fans.On My Mind: Single purpose apps/the age of personalized software.Recommended Reading: The task is not the jobRecommended Media: Ted Lasso Season 4 TrailerWant to get these wrap-ups delivered straight to your inbox, along with a bonus Automation of the Week? Sign up here: https://streamlined.fm/wrapListener feedback: https://streamlinedfeedback.com(00:00) - Intro (00:38) - On my mind: single-purpose apps and vibe coding (04:53) - Recommended reading: The Task Is Not The Job (11:22) - Recommended media: Ted Lasso Season 4 (12:09) - Outro and newsletter ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

Using AI to write your book is like using a car to run your marathon. Sure, you covered the distance — but nobody's impressed.Here's what I'm seeing with solopreneur automation right now: people are handing off their most important work to AI without thinking about what that signals. When you let a language model write your first draft, come up with your ideas, or do your thinking for you, you're telling your audience that a lesser version of you is good enough. And if you can't be bothered to think through the problem you solve, why should anyone hire you to solve it?The reason most of us reach for AI isn't laziness. It's that running a one-person business leaves you feeling too busy to do the creative work. So I break down how to speed up your creative process without removing yourself from it: building an idea capture system so you never start from a blank screen, using AI for editing and feedback instead of drafting, and delegating the publishing busywork to a VA or tool like Claude Cowork.I also talk about how to automate your business in a way that frees up time for the work that actually matters — the writing, the thinking, the stuff that keeps your solopreneur systems running on your ideas, not some average of an LLM's training.Want a better understanding of how you spend your time? Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepShow Notes3 Lessons Solopreneurs Should Take From the OlympicsThe First Draft is Where The Magic HappensIs AI Making Your Podcast Easier to Skip? (Insider Secrets to a Top 100 Podcast)The 3 Question Test for Using AI Effectively ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

This week I've been deep in my SEO and content strategy, and it got me thinking: am I just trading one algorithm for another? I left social media to stop chasing feeds, but now I'm optimizing for Google, YouTube, and even AI search. Here's where I landed. Also: Cal Newport's take on Claude Mythos (spoiler: no, it's not terrifying), Ryan Holiday's Discipline is Destiny and what it has to say to solopreneurs, and a behind-the-scenes Architectural Digest video about the Scrubs revival that made me think hard about where it's actually worth spending your time.On My MindAre we beholden to algorithms no matter what we do?Recommended ReadingIs Claude Mythos Terrifying? | AI Reality CheckDiscipline is DestinyRecommended MediaHow the Scrubs team rebuilt Sacred HeartView the episode transcript (00:00) - It's Friday, April 24, 2026 (00:26) - What's on my mind: Are we beholden to an algorithm? (08:20) - Recommended listening: Cal Newport on Claude Mythos (11:26) - Recommended reading: Discipline is Destiny (12:17) - Recommended video: The Scrubs Sacred Heart rebuild (15:56) - Wrap-up ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

What if the best business advice you ever got came from a book about ancient philosophy?I've been on a bit of a reading bender this year — physical books, old ideas, things written long before the age of notifications and hustle culture. And when I picked up Ryan Holiday's Discipline Is Destiny, I wasn't expecting it to hit so close to home as a solopreneur.But it did.Here are 3 lessons I took away from the book — specifically things solopreneurs need to hear.If you're not sure what you actually do each day — and most of us aren't — start there. Head to streamlined.fm/app to grab my free task journaling system. It's the first step to building the kind of order that actually frees you.Show NotesDiscipline Is Destiny by Ryan HolidayStreamlined Solopreneur Task Journal App (00:00) - 00:00 – *Intro* (00:00) - 02:07 – Lesson 1: Build Systems (00:00) - 06:35 – Lesson 2: Protect Your Time (00:00) - 11:47 – Lesson 3: Delegate (00:00) - 14:31 – Recap and closing ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

AI brain is when you've come to rely on AI for even the most basic things -- and after a week deep in Claude Max, I felt it creep back in. I'm sharing the three warning signs I've identified so you can catch it early, plus how bad sleep and brain fog made it worse. I've also got recommended reading from Mike Schmitz on using Claude to script YouTube videos (not my approach, but a thoughtful one), and a More Perfect Union video that exposes Polymarket's prediction markets for what they really are.On my mindAI BrianGood SleepHow much are we really on our phones?Recommended ReadingHow Claude Helped Me Make the Videos I Want to MakeRecommended MediaPolymarket Asked To Work With Us. We Exposed Their Scam Instead.Scrubs RevivalView the episode transcript (00:00) - - What's on my mind (08:03) - - Recommended reading (12:14) - - Recommended media ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I understand the temptation of using AI to write your own apps. I'm sick of the endless subscriptions, feature bloat, and raising the subscription price to accommodate the feature bloat. But it may not be all it's cracked up to be.It can definitely be a huge timesaver (I've used it to build WordPress plugins and write Obsidian Dataview code), but it can also be a huge time suck.It can be hard to know if it's worth trying. That's why in this episode, I give you a simple 5-question framework to help you decide when building your own software makes sense — and when it's just a shiny distraction.If you've ever thought about vibe coding your way to the perfect tool, this one's for you.Have you tried vibe coding something for your business? I want to hear about it — head over to Streamlined Feedback and leave me a voice note.And if you want to try the iOS app I built, join the beta at streamlined.fm/app. In this episode, I cover:Why the death of single-purpose software is making us all want to build our own toolsThe 3 things you still need to understand even when AI is writing the codeQuick wins: where AI-assisted coding actually saves timeMy cautionary tale of building an iOS app with AIA 5-question decision framework for solopreneurs considering building software3 pieces of advice if you do decide to go for itHow to use your app as "sawdust" — and turn it into a lead magnet ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I'm trying a new format this week called the Friday Wrap-up, where I tell you what's on my mind, and recommend some articles and videos. The hope here is to curate some more timely resources to help you think about your solopreneur systems, and how to work better so you can take more time off! Here's the Wrap-Up for April 10, 2026. On my mindUsing AI to do all of the writing for you.Using Claude MAXRecommended ReadingRethinking RSS, newsletters, and how I read every morningThe 3 Question Test for Using AI EffectivelyRecommended MediaI Made a Network of Every Home Run in MLB HistorySend feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com (00:00) - Why I started this (01:12) - What's on my mind (08:20) - Recommended Reading (10:45) - Recommended Media (11:41) - Wrapping up ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

I can't imagine something more overwhelming than sitting down on Monday and having no idea what to work on, despite knowing you have a bunch of work to do. But that's how many solopreneurs start their week.Even worse, when you don't know what to do, it's easier for other people to hijack your time, you waste time by deciding in the moment, and it's hard to measure success.I've spent years refining a system that takes just 20 to 25 minutes every Sunday, but saves me hours of "buffer time" and decision fatigue during the week. By the time I walk into my office on Monday morning, I already know exactly which three tasks I need to accomplish.Today I'm going to share that system with you.Want to try my new Daily Three app for iOS? Join my mailing list to here: https://streamlined.fm/appShow NotesThe Sidekick NotepadThe Plus/Minus/Next ApproachSend feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com ————Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health. Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweepIf this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/

My absolute favorite task manager is Todoist. I've been around the block and used all the major ones — from Remember the Milk to OmniFocus and everything in between. Todoist is the best for me.But a task manager only tells part of the story — it tells us what we got done.It doesn't tell us anything about how we were feeling that day. How many tasks did we move or ignore? How many have we checked off just so we'd stop seeing them?And it shouldn't. That's what task journaling is for.Here's how to get started:Pick three and only three tasks for the dayCheck in with yourself at middayAssess at the end of the day — what worked, what didn't, and whyDo this for two weeks, and you'll have a clearer picture of how you actually work — and what it takes to protect the time that matters most.Want some help?Try the Daily Three Task Journal app (currently in beta on TestFlight) or grab the free Notion template at streamlined.fm/app. And if you already use some form of task journaling, I'd love to hear about it — head over to streamlinedfeedback.com and let me know.Show NotesTodoistAt Your Best by Carey Nieuwhof (00:00) - What Is Task Journaling? (04:26) - The Daily 3 Task Journal System (06:59) - Understanding Your Green Zone and Red Zone (11:04) - How I Built an iOS App for This Method (13:17) - Where to Find the App and Notion Template Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I loved watching the Olympics this year — more than usual. Part of it was the great stories and incredible performances. But a big part of it was that it was a celebration of human accomplishment.I believe firmly that AI can't replace the actual good, worthwhile work we do…and the Olympics is a shining example of that. So for this episode, I wanted to share 3 lessons I think every solopreneur should learn from the Olympics.You need your own “taper day”: Why working harder actually makes you worse at running your business.Lasting gratification is better than instant gratification: Using technology and AI to polish your work, not replace your unique human contribution.Friction Management: How to "sweep" your business like a curler—removing obstacles to your goals while adding healthy barriers to distractions.Want to reduce the friction in your business? Take the free tools audit: https://streamlined.fm/toolsShow NotesWhy “Working Harder” Is Making You a Worse SolopreneurBeyond Box-Ticking: How to Build an Olympic-Caliber BusinessWhy Curling, and Your Business, Relies on Friction ManagementHave thoughts? Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com (00:00) - — Lessons for solopreneurs from the Olympics (01:35) - — Lesson 1: Why elite performers prioritize recovery over 100% effort (02:56) - — Debunking the "hustle culture" myth of being always available (05:57) - — Lesson 2: Going beyond box-ticking and the limits of AI shortcuts (08:19) - — Using technology to automate the boring stuff, not the high-leverage work (09:48) - — Lesson 3: Friction Management (Lessons from Curling) (11:54) - — How to strategically apply and remove friction in your daily workflow (13:49) - — Small adjustments that lead to a smoothly running business (15:59) - — Closing thoughts and where to send your feedback Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I remember getting annoyed at my mom in 1998 because she didn't understand how to "right-click." I just assumed technology was intuitive. But it was intuitive to me because I grew up with it. It's not easy for everyone – a lesson I learned that day.Luckily, I took that lesson to heart and now I'm a much more patient teacher…much like today's guest.In this episode, I'm joined by tech confidence coach Avital Spivak to talk about the mental hangups that keep solopreneurs from mastering their systems. We look at why "I have a need" doesn't always mean "I need a new tool," and how to treat your software and hardware like a team rather than a chore. If you've ever felt like your computer was working against you, this episode will help you turn that chaos into clarity.Tired of fighting your tools? Grab my free tools assessment to start reclaiming your time athttps://streamlined.fm/toolsShow NotesAvital SpivakConnect with Avital on LinkedInHow I helped Laura Brazan save money on toolsWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

What will really happen if you don't respond to that email right away? I used to work at an agency where I thought "dedication" meant being reachable 24/7. I skipped concerts, missed date nights, and even took a work call on Christmas Day. I was convinced that if I didn't respond immediately, I was failing.The turning point? A pair of tickets to see Hamilton on my anniversary.When my project manager told me I had to work through the weekend just to get my paycheck on time, I said no. I didn't log back in until Monday. I didn't get fired, and I still got paid.Now that I work for myself, I see so many solopreneurs doing the same thing with their clients, their customers, their communities. If you're afraid to turn off your phone at the movies or leave your laptop behind on vacation, you've got strong Main Character Energy.In this episode, I share the three-step framework I used to transition from a burnt-out employee to a streamlined solopreneur: Managing Expectations, setting Physical Boundaries, and shifting your Mindset. Your business should support your life—not take it over.Is your tech helping your boundaries or hurting them? Take my free Tools Audit at https://streamlined.fm/tools to find out which systems will help you reclaim your space and keep you away from your inbox.What We Cover:The "Main Character" Trap: Why we overestimate how much our clients (or bosses) are actually thinking about us.The Brick: The physical tool I use to lock myself out of work apps and stay present with my family.Working Anywhere vs. Everywhere: Why the "freedom" of solopreneurship often leads to working 24/7.Show NotesThe Intentional Vacation: How My Systems Delivered True Family TimeHow I'm Staying Checked Out for a Week's VacationHow Solopreneurs Can Take More Time Off in 2026Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I had Strep Throat this week, and when I got sick of being cooped up in bed, I decided to do something interesting: use AI to code an iOS app.I have a lot of thoughts that probably require a part two to this note, but for now, I walk through the requirements, how the process was, and why this could be worth my time. Screenshots from the appSend feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com. Join my mailing list to get first dibs on a beta: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/hello-there/  Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Some of the results we seek benefit from repetitive work. Physical training, memorization, cooking, and practicing a big speech. But repetitive work can also limit us — especially if it keeps us from doing our most important, highest leverage work.I recently found myself stuck in a cycle of repetitive work that was keeping me stuck and wasting my time. Here's how I'm getting out of it, and how you can recognize and fix when you're in a similar cycle.Tired of overpaying for tools that do the same thing? Grab my free Tools Audit at https://streamlined.fm/tools and start cutting the clutter today.Show NotesThe First Draft is Where the Magic HappensThe Automation QuizHave thoughts? Send your feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I bought a modern iPod — not because I needed one, but because I realized I didn't actually own most of the music I thought I did.It began with my daughter's intense love of music. I'm committed to keeping smartphones out of my kids' lives until they're teens, and that meant finding a way for her to enjoy music without an internet-connected deviceRead more over at https://paperandsmoke.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I remember when Nextel first launched its "push-to-talk" walkie-talkie feature back in the late 90s. It mostly resulted in people yelling into their phones at the mall, and it honestly made me hate the idea of talking to my phone in public for decades. But things have changed.Between the rise of asynchronous communication and the power of AI transcription, I've found that talking to my phone is actually one of the best ways to stay productive while I'm away from my desk.In this episode, I'm breaking down why I've embraced talking to my phone. I'll share the two specific apps that have simplified my workflow—Whisper Memos and Todoist's Ramble feature—so I can capture context, brain dump my shutdown routines, and turn spoken ideas into actionable tasks without losing a single thought.Is your tech stack helping you or just adding to the noise? Take my free tech stack assessment to see if your tools are actually worth it at streamlined.fm/tools.Show Notes**Whisper Memos:** The iOS app I use for high-quality transcription and custom summaries.**Todoist:** My go-to task manager, specifically using the new "Ramble" feature for voice-to-task entry.Video: Todoist Killed My Favorite Automation (and I'm Happy About It)Streamlined Feedback: Share how you use voice notes at streamlinedfeedback.comTech Stack Assessment: Get clarity on your tools at streamlined.fm/tools Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I tested the reMarkable 2 with the Type Folio keyboard hoping for a distraction‑free, E‑ink writing experience. It's a great device but I found it wasn't great for my workflow. Here's why. Plus, a new experiment. Let me know your thoughts at https://streamlinedfeedback.com.  Visit https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/ for more insights.  Is your tech stack helping you or just adding to the noise? Take my free tech stack assessment to see if your tools are actually worth it at https://streamlined.fm/tools Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I was recently stuck in an airport for 6 hours while my flight got more and more delayed. But instead of being mad about it, I realized something: this was a blessing of forced downtime.And while I'm usually really good about taking time off, I know many solopreneurs who aren't. We feel like we need to work or the business will crumble. I was there a few years ago.But the good news is it's not true. You can take time off and still have a thriving business. And in today's episode, I tell you how.Want to start creating more space in your business? Check out my free tools audit so you can make sure the apps and gear you use to run your business are actually helping you, not hurting you: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/What do you think? Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

Memberships and Communities are a great way to stop selling hours for dollars. But you need to do it right. I recently sat down with my good friend Becky Pierson Davidson to talk about why so many communities fail and how she helps solopreneurs turn "ghost town" memberships into thriving, seven-figure assets It hinges on this: people don't want a library of 150 hours of video; they want to solve a problem.If you've ever felt like your membership is a "traffic circle with no signs," this conversation is the GPS you need to create a clear member journey and build a business that supports your life instead of consuming it.Looking to create even more time and space? Check out my free tools audit so you can make sure the apps and gear you use to run your business are actually helping you, not hurting you: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/LinksBecky Pierson DavidsonBuild with BeckyHow to be a Scrappy Researcher (to Actually Sell Products) with Becky Pierson DavidsonWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I picked up reMarkable 2 to see how I liked typing on an eInk device. I share some initial impressions, but am facing a bigger, more interesting problem: how to I make it play nicely within my current writing ecosystem? Get all of the episodes at https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.comIs your tech stack helping you or just adding to the noise? Take my free tech stack assessment to see if your tools are actually worth it at https://streamlined.fm/tools Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

What do Michelangelo, Shakespeare, Marie Curie, Ben Franklin, and Virginia Woolf all have in common? They all created long-lasting, humanity-impacting work…without the use of AI.See, there are lots of people who will tell you that you need to use AI or get left behind. Those people are wrong.In fact, I think the way to stand out is to not use AI. At least, not in the way everyone else is using it. While most people are using it to create for them…trying to get ChatGPT to “sound just like” them, I think you what you really need to do is create time and space to do good work.AI can help you do that. I talk about how in this episode.Looking to create even more time and space? Check out my free tools audit so you can make sure the apps and gear you use to run your business are actually helping you, not hurting you: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/What do you think? Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.comAnd finally, if you need Girl Scout Cookies and haven't had someone come to your door, check out the video Teresa made for you at https://teresacasabona.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

It's the end of January and my Year of Digital Detox is in full swing. Here's how I'm doing with it so far. Read about The Year of Digital Detox: https://casabona.org/2026/01/2026-yearly-theme-digital-detox/Subscribe to Paper & Smoke: https://paperandsmoke.comSubmit feedback: https://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★

I was recently trying to do something that should have been simple: sharing my work calendar with my wife so she knows when I'm actually free for family time. I found myself digging through "secret" settings pages, checking her phone, then mine, and getting increasingly frustrated.It made me realize how often we settle for "fighting" our tools instead of letting them support us.You've probably heard me say that gear doesn't matter. If you're a new podcaster trying to drop $2,000 before you've hit "record," I stand by that. But when it comes to the daily operations of your business, the right gear—both hardware and software—matters immensely.Every minute you spend wrestling with a slow laptop, a glitchy hosting provider, or a manual process is a minute taken away from your family or your core mission.In this episode, I'm breaking down the "Gear" pillar of my GAPS framework. I'll share the specific tools that save me hours every week and give you a practical framework to audit your own toolbox.It's time to stop letting bad systems eat your time so you can finally focus on your important work.Stop guessing which tools you need and start streamlining. Download my free Tools Audit at streamlined.fm/toolsShow NotesWhen is it Time to Switch Tools?TodoistMy Stream DeckRodeCaster Pro 2Ecamm LiveTella.tvHave a question or a favorite tool? Share it with me at streamlinedfeedback.com. Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I'm deeply worried about humanity losing our critical thinking skills. We've seen it degrade in the social media era, and now we're seeing people wholesale outsource it in the AI era. But what if we can actually enhance our critical thinking with AI? I'm too much of a skeptic to tackle this topic on my own, which is why I brought in Christian Ulstrup, who's doing some truly interesting things in the AI space. We talk about how AI is changing the education space, how we work, and why we should look to classic philosophers, like Aristotle, for the answers to how we should approach AI.The Walk and Talk FrameworkWant a great way to use AI? Use Christian's Walk and Talk Framework: Gather Your "Digital Exhaust": First, collect the raw data you've already produced. The AI Prompt: Copy and paste your text into a large-context model (like Google AI Studio) and use this specific prompt:"I want you to pose to me three extremely precise, very hard-hitting questions, all of which are independent and have different coverage, that if sufficiently answered, would yield some kind of transformative, genuinely novel, impactful insight. Please make reference to the primary source material where appropriate in the context of the question."The "Thinking" PhaseDon't look at the questions yet.Copy them into a mobile notes app and go for a wayRead only the first question. Open a Voice Memo and monologue your answer. Don't worry about being polished—mumble, ask yourself follow-up questions, and grapple with the idea until you feel you've reached a breakthrough. Repeat for the remaining questions. Distill the InsightLinksChristian Ulstrup on LinkedInThe First Draft is Where the Magic HappensHow Much is AI Harming Our Ability to Connect?Deep Questions Ep. 380: ChatGPT is Not AliveAristotle's Four CausesGSD at WorkRadiant Meeting RecorderGoogle AI StudioMailmeteorWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

“What's your exit strategy?” Someone actually asked me this when I was starting my business. I didn't have one. I'm not in it for the exit. But the question went to something deeper: how are you going to make actual money? Because the problem is most solo business owners charge hourly. Or they need to hire to scale. OR they need to sell the business. But there's a better way: Value-Based Pricing. And Jonathan Stark is here today to tell us about it. Want to see how you're spending your time so you can do more value-based pricing? Download my solopreneur self-assessment: https://streamlined.fm/impact LinksJonathan StarkValue Pricing BootcampHourly Billing is NutsWhat do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★

I am no Luddite. I have three pieces of technology that monitor my health and wellness. I've come to rely on many devices.That is why I am doing a digital detox.This is Paper and Smoke. It's a look at how real-world craft happens, through the lens of a technologist going through digital detox. In a society increasingly online (and outsourcing thinking to AI), Paper and Smoke celebrates the real, the tangible, and the analog.Learn more at https://paperandsmoke.com ★ Support this podcast ★

There comes a time in everyone's life when they've consumed too much of something, and they find the very notion of consuming more sickening. This is the very basis for my yearly theme. 2025 was finally the year were I felt my overconsumption of technology was getting the best of me. So this year, my theme is digital detox. Read the full article here: https://casabona.org/2026/01/2026-yearly-theme-digital-detox/Show NotesMy 2026 Yearly ThemeMy 2025 Yearly ThemeYearly Theme ArchiveMy Interview with Amanda Goetz (It was 496, not 498!)My Favorites of 2025Paper & SmokeMy AI ManifestoLeave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ Chapters00:00 Introduction03:30 Grading The Year of Being Present11:27 What I Learned from The Year of Being Present14:57 My 2026 Yearly Theme17:06 Goal 1: Using my Devices Less22:55 Goal 2: Live in the Analog World27:35 Wrapping Up (00:00) - Introduction (04:09) - Grading The Year of Being Present (12:06) - What I Learned from The Year of Being Present (15:36) - My 2026 Yearly Theme (17:45) - Goal 1: Using my Devices Less (23:34) - Goal 2: Live in the Analog World (28:14) - Wrapping Up Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at  https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

We're almost at the end of Christmas break and I decided to record a quick update on how it's going...plus test my new camera. Check out the (somewhat unflattering) video here: https://youtu.be/HvSTnzOP01g Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at  https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

It's one of my favorite episodes of the year: my Favorites of the year! I'll go through all of my favorite media and tech of the year, as well as some close runners up and honorable mentions. Links below! My Favorites of 2025When is it Time to Switch Tools?Paper & SmokeBook: Fahrenheit 182Runner-up: The Anxious GenerationHonorable Mentions: Neverwhere, Tiny Experiments, Listening to the LawTV Show: Alex vs. A-RodPodcast: The Rest is HistoryPodcast Honorable Mentions: Central Air, How We Made Your MotherMusic: SadMovie: Wicked: For GoodVideo Game: Hogwarts: LegacyApp: Tella.TVEcamm LiveBear Notes Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at  https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

Knowing when to get help is so, so, so crucial to prevent burnout. Laura Brazan knew this, which is why she decided to hire me for coaching. During our few months together, I was able to save her a ton of time, help her create process automations, and consolidate her tech stack. She even said that she's saving more than she paid me! In this interview, we look at where she was before she hired me, the changes we made, and what she's able to do now with the extra time she has.Want to see how you can improve your systems and prevent burnout? Try my self-assessment: https://streamlined.fm/impact LinksGrandparents Raising GrandchildrenPodlaunchPodmatchInterested in Coaching? Go here.What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

I knew from a young age, I wanted to play the drums. I got my first small kit when I was five, and when my friends and I started a "band," heavy quotes, I played paint buckets. When I was 15 years old, I knew I needed a real kit.This is the story of how I got it, and how one man's incredible kindness had a profound effect on me.Show NotesRead the Story at Casabona.orgSubmit feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at  https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

I started my Christmas vacation the minute my kids got out of school. I can do that because I've built a business that doesn't chain me to my desk. But if I'm being honest, I don't take those two weeks off just to bake cookies and watch movies—I use that downtime to make next year even better.When the house is quiet, I run a full self-assessment on my business to figure out how I can further improve my processes, workflows, and systems. Think of it like a required annual car inspection for your business. You might uncover some unwanted "bills," but fixing small issues now prevents massive breakdowns later.In this solo episode, I'm walking you through the three crucial things I review before the new year: Tools, Workflows, and Systems. I'll share how a tools assessment saved a client more than she paid me for coaching, the three use cases I have for my writing apps, and the single bottleneck I look for to make sure my team is running smoothly. This isn't about adding more work; it's about strategically refining what you already do to create more space and impact in the coming year.*Want to do this self-assessment? Get my template at https://streamlined.fm/impact*Submit feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites.Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★

It's a soon-to-be classic Pick 2 episode, where I pick 2 apps or tools I'm using and tell you about them. I say soon to be classic because I've wanted to do this for a while, and I'm finally going through with it!This week, it's 2 apps I've used before and stopped using, but I'm revisiting. They are:Bear NotesBlinkistThanks to AppStories for the ideaWant to get the tools, apps, and automations I use delivered to your inbox? Join my mailing list. Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★

It's no secret I'm a full-on AI skeptic. And while I still use it, I'm very, very worried about the long-term effects of overuse. I saw a number of stories over the summer that point to us losing our ability to connect with other people.We've decided that efficiency and productivity are more important than everything, including accuracy and trust. That we've decided to implicitly trust something made wholly by other people, some of whom don't fully understand what their creation does.Here's my approach to AI, how we can be better, and my hopes for 2026.And if you want to save time without giving up your humanity, check out my automations at https://streamlined.fm/quizShow NotesWe're giving up too much to AIDon't Rely on AI for Human Growth and HealingParents of teenager who took his own life sue OpenAIMeta's AI rules let bots hold ‘sensual' chats with childrenWe are rushing into the same mistakes we made with social mediaFaster Doesn't Mean Better. Faster Means FasterThe AI Trap: Why Over-Reliance will Cost You Time (and Your Voice)The Urgency of InterpretabilityIt's Been 2 Years Since ChatGPT Came Out. How do Solopreneurs Use It? Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites. ★ Support this podcast ★

Save 30-50% on Learn Dash, GiveWP, The Events Calendar, and more: https://streamlined.fm/fridayWhat if your business could support your life instead of consuming it? That's exactly what Liz Wilcox has built — a $9/month membership that supports her family, her sister, and three other families… all while she takes summers off.In this conversation, Liz shares how she built a half-million-dollar lifestyle business that aligns with her values — without sacrificing her time, her sanity, or her kid's beach days.We talk about launching imperfectly, setting clear expectations, and building a business that runs with your life, not against it. Liz's energy and honesty are unmatched, and her story will change how you think about pricing, productivity, and purpose.Top TakeawaysA low-ticket offer can be high value — if you set clear expectations and deliver consistently.Don't wait for perfect — Liz launched her $9 membership using Google Docs and built from there.Transparency builds trust. Tell your audience what you're doing, why you're doing it, and when they can expect it.Liz's signature $9 membership is here: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/liz  — hit the hot pink button to grab her free email templates (and sneak a $1 trial of the membership).

I'm reading Amy Coney Barrett's book, Listening to the Law, and it struck me that instead of writing using AI, we should write more like the Supreme Court…at least if we care about our audience.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Save 30-50% on Learn Dash, GiveWP, The Events Calendar, and more: https://streamlined.fm/fridayEvery year, I put together a massive gift guide for small business owners — but this year, I wanted to do things differently. Instead of rattling off every gadget and tool I've ever tried, I'm sharing the handful of products that actually made my life easier in 2025.From sleep earbuds that help me get more rest (even with kids and a dog) to the smart home lights that let me skip climbing into bushes every December, these are the gifts that save time, reduce friction, and make running a solo business just a little more fun.If you're shopping for yourself or a small business owner in your life, you'll find something here that genuinely improves work and home life — without adding clutter or complexity.Want to check out a written version of the gift guide? Head here: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/Show NotesGift Guide for Small Business OwnersA Fantastic EpisodeKindle ColorsoftTRMNLSoundcore Sleep A20 EarbudsI Bought, and Returned, the Ozlo SleepbudsFull Review – Soundcore Sleep A20 EarbudsDJI Mic Mini (2 TX + 1 RX + Charging Case)Zoom PodTrak P4 Podcast RecorderBose SoundLink Max Bluetooth SpeakerPhilips Hue Indoor/Outdoor Holiday 130-Foot Festavia String LightsAqara Zigbee Motion Sensor P1Eve Aqua Smart Water ControllerGitryin 10-in-1 Desktop Charging StationAnker Nano Charging StationAnker 9-in-1 Charging StationHoverBar DuoSee HoverBar Duo SetupUGREEN NASync DXP4800 4-Bay Desktop NASPost-it Super Sticky Easel PadProfessional Grade Gaffer TapeKeeping Equipment in PlaceAnalog Card Bar by UgmonkCalDigit E5 – Thunderbolt 5 Element 5 HubTwelve South HiRise 3 DeluxeMotorola razrSanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSDBellroy Tech Kit (Tech Accessories Organizer Pouch)Tella.tvObsidianGling.aiGoodLinksMasterClassSenja ★ Support this podcast ★

Well, we're in the holiday gauntlet now. I've gotten several emails from small, service-based business promoting Black Friday sales, and I'm not sure that's a very good approach. I share my experience with successful, and less successful BF/CM deals I've run. I also talk about my approach to affiliates,  and what I'm thinking about for that strategy in 2026. Check out the 3 tools I'm actually promoting for Cyber Week: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ Here's my 2025 Gift Guide: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/ ★ Support this podcast ★

Save 30-50% on Learn Dash, GiveWP, The Events Calendar, and more: https://streamlined.fm/fridayMy oldest daughter loves asking me to tell her a funny story about my wife from when we were dating... and I almost always freeze. It's not because there aren't any funny stories. It's because there are too many to pick from.This is exactly what happens when you open Zapier without a plan. You're faced with a "blank canvas" and endless possibilities, so you freeze and do nothing.You've heard about "triggers" and "actions," but you're not sure what your triggers or actions should be. Zapier isn't a sandbox for people starting out. The secret is to look at the work you're already doing.I'll walk you through my simple, three-step process to get started. It starts with documenting your tasks, listing your apps, and then using one specific (and often overlooked) page on Zapier's website that will show you exactly what's possible for you.Stop staring at the screen, wondering where to begin. Let's get your first automation built.Want to see some real-world examples tailored to your biggest struggles? Take my free quiz at https://streamlined.fm/quiz and I'll email you four automation ideas you can use today.Show NotesTake the Automation Quiz: streamlined.fm/quizExplore the Zapier Apps Page: zapier.com/appsWatch the Zapier Apps Page Walkthrough VideoLeave feedback: streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★