Streamlined Solopreneur: Helping Solopreneurs Take Time Off Worry-Free

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/ (00:00) - Introduction (04:12) - Grading The Year of Being Present (12:09) - What I Learned from The Year of Being Present (15:39) - My 2026 Yearly Theme (17:48) - Goal 1: Using my Devices Less (23:37) - Goal 2: Live in the Analog World (28:17) - Wrapping Up Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ 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 Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ 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 Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ 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.Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ 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 Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ 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.Simplify your tech stack at  https://streamlined.fm/tools ★ Support this podcast ★