Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
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.
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Latest Episodes
#238: Knitting Our Parachutes
September 10th, 2025 · 90 minutes
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?!?
#237: Everything is Figureoutable, with Max Roberts
August 26th, 2025 · 83 minutes
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.
#236: Focus Traps
August 12th, 2025 · 72 minutes
David & Mike talk about focus traps, consider the ones they tend to fall into, and discuss how to create systems to help avoid them.
#235: Practical Wisdom for Mindful Living, with John Chandler
July 29th, 2025 · 70 minutes
Freelance WordPress developer and spiritual director John Chandler joins us to talk about the pursuit of practical wisdom and being intentional about being intentional.
#234: Intentional Friction
July 16th, 2025 · 58 minutes
David & Mike discuss the role of friction and where they choose to add it into their own focused workflows.
#233: I Wanna Be Me When I Grow Up, with Kara Monroe
July 1st, 2025 · 50 minutes
Kara Monroe joins us to talk about creative problem solving, the power of coaching, and why you should have a Facts of Life book.
#232: Useful Not True, with Derek Sivers
June 17th, 2025 · 76 minutes
Derek Sivers joins us to talk about personal agency, idea ownership, saying no, and (of course) journaling.
#231: Overwhelm, AI, and Life's Balancing Acts
June 3rd, 2025 · 67 minutes
In this feedback episode, David & Mike tackle listener questions about their use of AI, reset rituals, quitting books, and a variety of other focus-related topics.
#230: Journaling & Intention, with Joe Moyer
May 20th, 2025 · 79 minutes
Journaling Guide Joe Moyer joins us to talk getting started with journaling, navigating major life transitions, and the power of a regular reflection practice.
#229: Workflow Check-In
May 6th, 2025 · 63 minutes
David & Mike revisit some old workflows (time blocking, weekly review, reading, and writing) and talk about what's changed.