When I was a kid, I said things like, “I won’t forget,” or “When I’m a dad, I won’t get mad.” Or…”I’m bored.”
But as you get older, and life puts you in various, unforeseen situations, it’s easy to get blindsided and react in a way you hoped you wouldn’t.
I think about this a lot when I consider what’s changed between turn 20 and turn 40. And there’s a common theme that has cropped up: pruning.
Letting go of what doesn’t work. Of where you used to spend your energy. About making more space in your life for the things that matter.
And I thought that there was no better person to bring on to talk about this than my friend, fellow freelancer, and fellow father, Austin L. Church. He’s a deep thinker, committed family man, and wants to help people.
Looking to prune what’s stealing your energy? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
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★ Support this podcast ★Episode 500 of the show came out on Monday. Here’s I I put it together using Google NotebookLM
★ Support this podcast ★Nine years. 500 episodes. And one big question I've asked since the beginning. Do you have any trade secrets for us?
When I started this show (back when it was How I Built It), I was a newly married web developer with a side hustle and a curiosity for how others built their businesses. Ten years and three kids later, I’ve realized the mission has always been the same — helping solopreneurs build a business that supports their life, not consumes it.
In this special milestone episode, I’m sharing the story behind the show’s evolution, the real “trade secret” I’ve learned from hundreds of conversations, and how the GAPS Framework — Gear, Automation, Playbooks, and Support — is guiding my next experiment.
Want my systems delivered directly to your inbox for free? Join my mailing list at https://casabona.org/streamlined
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💬 Send me your thoughts: streamlinedfeedback.com
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★ Support this podcast ★Am I overthinking how to approach episode 500? Plus, I got an android phone.
Send feedback to https://streamlined feedback.com
★ Support this podcast ★We turned productivity into a fantasy draft! 🏆
Four small business owners battle it out, picking the apps and tools we cannot live without — with some surprise steals, hot takes, and even a bonus round for our favorite analog gear.
Looking for new ways to save time, systemize your business, and actually enjoy the tools you use? This draft is packed with ideas you’ll want to steal.
Draft Order:
Wondering how you can manage your time to find the perfect balance? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
Show Notes
What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com
I just wrapped up a Social Growth for my friend Chenell’s community where I posted on LinkedIn for 40 days.
Here’s what I learned and what’s next.
Send your feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com
★ Support this podcast ★Can you really delegate out when you are your business? Don’t people hire you to work with…well, you?
That’s the question Justin Moore and I wrestle with. We talk about the challenge of running personality-driven businesses, why it’s so hard to step away, and how to build a company that serves your life instead of consuming it.
Justin shares how he’s built a coaching business with a team he trusts, why impact is his North Star, and the mindset shift that helped him let go of control.
We also get real about balancing work with family time, the guilt that comes with stepping away, and why building a lifestyle business is just as valid as chasing a big exit.
Things get real – it’s something all business owners need to think about.
Wondering how you can step away from your business? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
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★ Support this podcast ★It seems like every day there’s a new tool designed to help us be more productive. They promise to help us to more, faster, better, with fewer resources. And it’s easy to get shiny object syndrome. So how do you know when it’s time to switch, or when it’s a waste of time and energy?
Luckily, as a chronic tool switcher, I’ve thought a lot about this very problem. And I have a framework to help you decide.
We’ll go through the 4 questions you should ask yourself when evaluating whether or not to switch. Then we’ll apply these tests to case studies so you can see how they work with actual examples.
Wondering if you should switch? Go to https://shouldyouswitch.com to apply this framework!
What do you think? How do you decide when to switch tools? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com
I’m considering a membership again, but this one is different! I’m going to do a paid newsletter, powered by Memberful and Kit.
★ Support this podcast ★Running a business while raising kids feels impossible some days. Between checking emails at the playground and working after bedtime, it's easy to feel like you're failing at both. But what if there was a better way?
Amanda Goetz has cracked the code on building an authentic business without the hustle culture nonsense. As a single mom of three who's built multiple six-figure income streams, she's learned that success isn't about doing more—it's about doing the right things at the right time.
In this conversation, talk about her surprisingly simple systems that keep her business running while she stays present for her kids. Amanda shares the real strategies that work when you can't afford to waste time.
But we also cover how to be authentic in an AI world, and she gives me the single best piece of advice I’ve personally gotten for how to balance both better.
Are you worried about burning out? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
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★ Support this podcast ★It’s new iPhone Day! It was a big year for me as it was time to upgrade several of my devices. Here’s what I got, and why.
★ Support this podcast ★Ever go to do something – a task for your business, yard work, cooking – and suddenly realize you’re not sure where to start?
It’s not that you don’t know what to do…you just need a little help organizing your thoughts. It would be a lot easier if everything is written down, step-by-step. That’s where SOPs come in.
Most solopreneurs think SOPs are only for big companies with teams of 50+. But the truth? Even if you’re a business of one, SOPs (standard operating procedures) can save you time, reduce errors, and keep your business running smoothly—especially on the days when your energy or focus isn’t there.
In this conversation with Layla Pomper of ProcessDriven, we dig into how SOPs can simplify your work, help you automate and delegate, and even free up more headspace for the creative stuff you actually enjoy.
Trying to figure out which SOPs you should create first? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
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★ Support this podcast ★Ever stumble into entrepreneurship by accident? Dylan Redekop did — and he’s built a business that lets him spend time with his family, stay fit, and still grow his newsletter.
We get into freelancing vs. solopreneurship vs. contracting, why balance matters more than hustle, and the little systems that keep ideas from slipping through the cracks (while still allowing us to be present parents).
Looking for a way to find balance to run your business and get the restorative time you need? Take the Business Overwhelm Quiz.
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★ Support this podcast ★Ever feel like your business eats up every free moment? The truth is, you don’t need Taylor Swift-level fame or Hormozi-style hype to succeed. What you actually need is space—room to create, promote, and step away without guilt.
That’s why I use the GAPS framework: Gear, Automations, Playbooks, and Support. It’s the system that helped me reclaim 10–12 hours a week, even during one of the busiest summers of my life. In this episode, I break down how you can use GAPS to stop fighting with your tools, cut the manual busywork, and finally get your time back.
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★ Support this podcast ★I've had a few conversations with parents lately about how it feels like our kids are being pushed through, "the machine." When we get that personal touch, it's notable — even unexpected.
I fear AI is killing personal touch in the name of reach. If you want to stand out, keeping the personal touch is quickly becoming the easiest way.
Have thoughts? Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com
This description was not written by AI. I'm going to stop doing that.
★ Support this podcast ★What happens when you’re a dad of 3, working a full-time job, and still running not one but two side hustles? That’s the question I put to my friend Matt Medeiros — fellow podcaster, WordPress veteran, and all-around content machine.
We talk honestly about what it takes to juggle parenting, work, and multiple projects without burning out (or completely losing your mind). From managing sponsorship revenue to choosing the right tools, to figuring out when to reinvest vs. cash out, Matt shares what’s working for him — and where he’s still figuring it out.
If you’ve ever wondered how to balance family life while chasing creative business ideas, you’ll take away some real strategies (and a few good laughs).
Wondering how you can manage your time to find the perfect balance? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic.
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Contains affiliate links. ChatGPT helped with writing this description.
★ Support this podcast ★I’ve been testing Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude to see which one actually helps me. Claude felt forgetful, so I dropped it. ChatGPT is still great at structured stuff, like rewriting transcripts. But for things I didn’t know how to start—like turning an outline into a flowchart or converting a school calendar into an ICS file—Gemini nailed it.
My takeaway? AI shines when I need guidance and structure. When I’m just being lazy, it gives me junk and reminds me I should probably just do the work myself.
Incidentally, ChatGPT did a better job at writing this summary…
★ Support this podcast ★Sometimes running a business can feel a bit like the curse of Sisyphus — pushing a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again. Futile labor…because we dared to find life’s loopholes. But the difference between us and Sisyphus is we’re not cured. And our problems are totally fixable.
Today, I’m going to tell you about my D.A.D. Framework: how to Document, Automate, and Delegate your way out of overwhelm. Then I’ll tell you about a resource to help you figure out where to start.
What You'll Learn:
Wondering how the D.A.D. Framework can help you? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic
Show Notes
I'm calling out something that's been bothering me since ChatGPT-5 launched - people are getting upset about AI "changing its voice" and referring to these tools as teammates. This kind of personification is dangerous because it gives AI agency it doesn't actually have.
Just like you wouldn't call a hammer your teammate, we need to remember AI is simply a tool that gives statistically likely responses.
This description was written by Claude AI.
Ready for the ultimate tech setup tour? After getting tons of questions about my gear and tools, I'm pulling back the curtain on EVERYTHING I use to run my business - from my $3000+ recording setup to the analog tools that keep me organized.
In this comprehensive walkthrough, I cover my entire recording studio (Sure SM7B, RoadCaster Pro 2, Sony A6400), the software that powers my business (Kit, Notion, Todoist), my Spartan travel setup, and even my favorite pens and notebooks.
Plus, I'll share why I'm considering going "AI vegan" and which tools are worth the investment vs. the ones you can skip.
Whether you're building your own podcast setup, looking to streamline your solopreneur business, or just love geeking out over productivity tools, this episode has something for you.
Are you overwhelmed by the number of tools you have? Not sure what you can eliminate vs. which you need? Get the, take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic
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Want the full list with links? Everything mentioned is at https://casabona.org/uses
What's your essential business tool? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com
