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
#247: Getting Intentional, with Chris Bailey
January 13th, 2026 · 69 minutes
Chris Bailey is back to talk about his new book, The Intention Stack, fundamental human values, and why S.M.A.R.T. goals aren't very smart.
#246: A Cleansing Palette of Joy
December 30th, 2025 · 81 minutes
David & Mike reflect on everything that happened in 2025 and set their intentions for the new year.
#245: Fashionable & Functional, with Patrick Rhone
December 16th, 2025 · 82 minutes
Patrick Rhone is back to talk about his love for calendars and why curiosity is essential if you want to become a knower of things.
#244: You're Holding It Wrong
December 2nd, 2025 · 72 minutes
David & Mike catch up on listener feedback and discuss productivity myths, focus struggles, and their favorite episodes from the last year.
#243: The Single Source of Truth is On the Fridge, with Thom Gibson
November 19th, 2025 · 81 minutes
Social Media Content Specialist Thom Gibson joins us to talk about Sunday meetings, journaling in broad strokes, and the struggles that come with working from home.
#242: The Case for Analog
November 4th, 2025 · 70 minutes
David & Mike revisit the role of analog in their focused workflows and share some of their favorite analog tools.
#241: Less But Better, with Austin L. Church
October 21st, 2025 · 74 minutes
Freelance business coach Austin L. Church joins us to talk about avoiding burnout and building more sustainable systems.
#240: Q4 Planning
October 7th, 2025 · 86 minutes
David & Mike attempt to end 2025 on a high note by reviewing the last quarter and planning the next one. Also, Mike made a planner.
#239: How to Focus Like a Roman Emperor, with Donald J. Robertson
September 23rd, 2025 · 93 minutes
Cognitive-behavioral psychotherapist & author Donald J. Robertson joins us to talk about ancient philosophy as a tool for focus.
#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?!?