whims
Joe has done something out of character, updating to iOS 12 and Mojave with quickness. Drew asks why, and the two talk about Siri Shortcuts, dark mode, and a third-party app that makes both of their MacBook Pro setups so much sweeter.
As Joe and Drew both grow their respective businesses, their usual task management talk transitions to a similar topic: team management. Drew gives the floor to Joe, who talks about why he manages projects and not people, and how to find the right system.
Drew bought a coffee shop. He tells the story, and talks about how it’s changing his productivity habits.
Joe turns this episode into a confessional and makes a vulnerable statement: He’s a phone addict. Drew and Joe discuss our modern tendency to spend too much time on our devices, Joe reveals how he’s dealing with it, and Drew covers the ways that iOS 12 provides some ‘app limits’ of its own. Since iOS 12 gets brought up, so too does the other looming Apple beta: Mojave.
An episode dedicated to a singular topic: Joe is back to using OmniFocus.
Drew talks about his new business venture, Keyhouse! After Joe introduced Procourse last week, this conversation continues the same dialogue on freelance work becoming something bigger.
Joe talks about his new business venture, ProCourse! This leads to a conversation about the natural evolution from freelancer to business owner, and all of the challenges that come with it: Setting goals (or choosing not to), getting buried in email, adding yet-another-Slack channel, and telling people IRL what you do in the first place.
Joe transcends the typical mailbox and gets a UPS box of his own. This leads to a conversation about home offices, which leads to a conversation about wanting to appear legitimate, which leads to an unexpected conversation about learning how to take on new roles.
Drew has learned from his past mistakes, but is still trying to make everything a bit more optimized. How many times must his desktop overflow before he sets up a file management script or two? Joe shares his own workflows and methods, and the two discuss the ‘work’ that lets you do work more efficiently.
Drew has some recording difficulties, which leads to a conversation about redundancy and what happens when something breaks. Joe asks some questions brought about from last week’s conversations, and the two reveal their pre-iPhone hardware stances. Then, Joe goes in-depth on his analog task management set up.
A tech glitch Drew experiences leads to a wide-ranging discussion about tech support, automated cars, and the pros and cons of being an early adopter. Joe is not as convinced about living on the cutting edge.
Drew has some chair problems. Standing desks are discussed, which (of course) leads to a conversation about the future of iPads. Then, Joe discusses his new notes app solution.
Drew gives Joe a surprise check-in to see how his pen-and-paper task management system is working. A new distraction-less phone is hitting the market, and it leads to a conversation about what distracts us, and the different ways to avoid it.
An old topic (from episode 1!) resurfaces. Joe’s been testing out Setapp and gives his perspective. Then, the two talk new apps, email, and when distraction turns into addiction.
Drew gets an office that’s juuuust close enough to the street for a passing ambulance to be featured as this week’s special guest. Joe and Drew share their new time banks, talk time-tracking, and distraction.
The morning routines conversation from the last episode prompts a bit of followup. Drew asks a daunting question: Is it good to have goals? Also, Joe asks Drew about his latest online project.
It’s 2018! How are Joe and Drew spending their mornings? Drew shares about a new upgrade to his analogue game, and Joe asks an interesting question: If you’re a book person, how does it feel to want to share that information with others?
Drew needs Joe’s help. It’s about pens.
Right before recording, Drew took a look at his Mac’s desktop. This prompted some discussion. Also, a home automation talk. Joe’s not a fan.
It’s new iPhone season and Joe and Drew both found themselves upgrading to the X. So, what would a technology podcast be without a discussion about home screens?
Joe continues delving into the world of podcasting equipment, Drew continues to delve into the world of paper. More conversation on switching from digital to analog tools, and the many uses of whiteboards.
Joe gets a new podcasting setup. Drew talks about his latest experience working with pen and paper. A book sparks a conversation around the future of reading, note-keeping, and the often-discussed subject of input.
This week Drew and I go into some more depth about paper and why it is becoming a go-to tool for me. Yes, I’m addicted.
Drew went on a cruise, and worked at sea. Joe did NOT enjoy the redesign of a certain productivity app. The two share computer horror stories (though one of them has frustratingly never had any real problems), and Joe reveals a major new ‘experiment’.
Drew thinks “content” is a dirty word. Joe thinks giving two hours every week to pondering questions seems like a whole lot of time. Also, more conversation on space for silence.
Bread followup! Ulysses. Workflows, Launch Center Pro, URL schemes, and the very different ways that Drew and Joe view these tools.
Ulysses and the subscription model for apps. Medium versus Jekyll. Also, Joe bakes some sourdough bread.
Joe and Drew talk about working from home, freelancing, and keeping your own schedule. Also of note: A new package from Joe’s secret admirer.
Joe goes to MacStock and sparks a discussion on the subject of conferences. Drew takes a deep dive into the strength of ‘Input’ and the helpful benefits of personality assessments. Also…Joe considers blacksmithing?
Joe gets a new computer, and the purchase sparks some discussion on the merits of the touch bar. It’s…good? Drew provides some iOS 11 note-taking updates, and brings up the topic of Twitter and the idea of meaningful distractions.
Drew goes to the library, Joe gives an all-important nap update, and the two talk about note-taking habits, memorization, and task managers.
WWDC 2017 is over, and a new iPad may or may not have been bought. Apple’s updates are discussed, along with the future of productivity and how tech like augmented reality and voice assistants might come into play.
Drew learns about soybean breeding and growing up on a farm, Joe learns about long-forgotten 2000s-era technology, and each host considers what got them interested in the topic of productivity and how it’s impacted them today.