Streamlined Solopreneur: Helping Solopreneurs Take Time Off Worry-Free
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I BOUGHT A MODERN IPOD — NOT BECAUSE I 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 device Read more over at https://paperandsmoke.com Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. http://streamlined.fm/tools SHOW NOTES __ __ Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/ What do you think? Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/ LINKS __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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.com 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 https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 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. https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/tools/ What do you think? Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com And 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 https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. __ __ Submit feedback: https://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. https://www.google.com/search?q=https://streamlined.fm/tools&authuser=1 SHOW NOTES __ __ Have a question or a favorite tool? Share it with me at streamlinedfeedback.com https://streamlinedfeedback.com/. Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 Framework Want a great way to use AI? Use Christian’s Walk and Talk Framework: __ __ __ __ Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com/ Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
“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 Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Simplify your tech stack at HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/TOOLS https://streamlined.fm/tools?utm_source=streamlined-solopreneur&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=preroll ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 NOTES __ __ Leave feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com/ https://streamlinedfeedback.com/%20 CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction 03:30 Grading The Year of Being Present 11:27 What I Learned from The Year of Being Present 14:57 My 2026 Yearly Theme 17:06 Goal 1: Using my Devices Less 22:55 Goal 2: Live in the Analog World 27:35 Wrapping Up __ (00:00) - Introduction (04:09) - Grading The Year of Being Present (12:06) - What I Learned from The Year of Being Present (15:36) - My 2026 Yearly Theme (17:45) - Goal 1: Using my Devices Less (23:34) - Goal 2: Live in the Analog World __ Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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! __ __ __ ____ Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 NOTES __ __ Submit feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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 https://streamlined.fm/stellar. Get your free Time and Tools Self-Audit at https://streamlined.fm/impact ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It’s a classic Pick 2 episode, where I pick 2 apps or tools I’m using and tell you about them. I say soon to be classic because I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and I’m finally going through with it! This week, it’s 2 apps I’ve used before and stopped using, but I’m revisiting. They are: __ __ Want to get the tools, apps, and automations I use delivered to your inbox? Join my mailing list https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/join. Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
It’s no secret I’m a full-on AI skeptic. And while I still use it, I’m very, very worried about the long-term effects of overuse. I saw a number of stories over the summer that point to us losing our ability to connect with other people. We’ve decided that efficiency and productivity are more important than everything, including accuracy and trust. That we’ve decided to implicitly trust something made wholly by other people, some of whom don’t fully understand what their creation does. Here’s my approach to AI, how we can be better, and my hopes for 2026. And if you want to save time without giving up your humanity, check out my automations at https://streamlined.fm/quiz SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Save 30-50% on Learn Dash, GiveWP, The Events Calendar, and more: HTTPS://STREAMLINED.FM/FRIDAY https://liquidweb.i3f2.net/aOqzzb What if your business could support your instead of consuming it? That’s exactly what Liz Wilcox has built — a $9/month membership that supports her family, her sister, and … all while she takes summers off. In this conversation, Liz shares how she built a half-million-dollar lifestyle business that aligns with her values — without sacrificing her time, her sanity, or her kid’s beach days. We talk about launching imperfectly, setting clear expectations, and building a business that runs your life, not against it. Liz’s energy and honesty are unmatched, and her story will change how you think about pricing, productivity, and purpose. Top Takeaways __ __ Liz’s signature $9 membership is here: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/liz — hit the hot pink button to grab her free email templates (and sneak a $1 trial of the membership). 🎧 Listen on: streamlinedsolopreneur.com https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
I’m reading Amy Coney Barrett’s book, , and it struck me that instead of writing using AI, we should write more like the Supreme Court…at least if we care about our audience. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Every year, I put together a massive gift guide for small business owners — but this year, I wanted to do things differently. Instead of rattling off every gadget and tool I’ve ever tried, I’m sharing the handful of products that made my life easier in 2025. From sleep earbuds that help me get more rest (even with kids and a dog) to the smart home lights that let me skip climbing into bushes every December, these are the gifts that save time, reduce friction, and make running a solo business just a little more fun. If you’re shopping for yourself or a small business owner in your life, you’ll find something here that genuinely improves work and home life — without adding clutter or complexity. https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/ SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Well, we're in the holiday gauntlet now. I've gotten several emails from small, service-based business promoting Black Friday sales, and I'm not sure that's a very good approach. I share my experience with successful, and less successful BF/CM deals I've run. I also talk about my approach to affiliates, and what I'm thinking about for that strategy in 2026. Check out the 3 tools I'm actually promoting for Cyber Week: https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/3-black-friday-deals-on-tools-i-cant-live-without/ Here's my 2025 Gift Guide: HTTPS://STREAMLINEDSOLOPRENEUR.COM/2025-GIFT-GUIDE/ https://streamlinedsolopreneur.com/2025-gift-guide/ ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
My oldest daughter loves asking me to tell her a funny story about my wife from when we were dating... and I almost always freeze. It's not because there aren't funny stories. It's because there are to pick from. This is exactly what happens when you open Zapier without a plan. You're faced with a "blank canvas" and endless possibilities, so you freeze and do nothing. You've heard about "triggers" and "actions," but you're not sure what triggers or actions should be. Zapier isn’t a sandbox for people starting out. The secret is to look at the work you're doing. I'll walk you through my simple, three-step process to get started. It starts with documenting your tasks, listing your apps, and then using one specific (and often overlooked) page on Zapier's website that will show you what's possible for . Stop staring at the screen, wondering where to begin. Let's get your first automation built. Want to see some real-world examples tailored to your biggest struggles? Take my free quiz at https://streamlined.fm/quiz and I'll email you four automation ideas you can use today. SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Our inboxes are about to be inundated with sales emails and affiliate-link riddled round-ups. Should I contribute to the noise? I'm thinking yes...but I want it to feel different. What do you think? Let me know at https://streamlinedfeedback.com ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Remember diagramming sentences back in school? I always thought it was pointless, but the real goal wasn't the diagram itself—it was understanding the structure of a good sentence. The same exact logic applies to building automations. It's tempting to just jump into a tool like Zapier or Make and start connecting things, but that's like throwing a bunch of random words on a page and hoping it makes sense. If you want to build automations that actually save you time (and don't break), you need to understand the structure first. I'm breaking down the four essential components every automation has—the two that are required, and the two "optional" ones that make your workflows truly powerful and intelligent. We'll walk through the difference between a Trigger and an Action, how to use Conditions to make your automations smarter (like "only do this if X is true"), and when to use specific Timing to batch your work. Are you unsure what you should even automate first? I built a brand new quiz to help you pinpoint your biggest bottleneck. Answer four simple questions, and I'll send you personalized automation recommendations to solve your most crucial problem. Take the quiz now at: streamlined.fm/quiz – https://www.google.com/search?q=https://streamlined.fm/quiz&authuser=1 SHOW NOTES __ __ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Ever wonder if your newsletter should be the product…or just promote the product? I’ve been treating mine more like a magazine than a sales tool — and it’s cost me. So I sat down with Dylan Bridger, who helps course creators and coaches turn their newsletters into profit machines. We talk about: __ __ But we also get into the impact becoming a new dad had on Dylan’s workflows, and a short-lived side project that taught him big lessons fast. This conversation helped me clear up a ton of issues with my own newsletter, and I think it’ll do the same for you. Seeking clarity in your business systems? Take the Business Overwhelm Diagnostic https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm. Links __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to streamlinedfeedback.com http://streamlinedfeedback.com Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
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. https://streamlined.fm/overwhelm TOP TAKEAWAYS __ __ LINKS __ __ What do you think? Send your feedback to STREAMLINEDFEEDBACK.COM http://streamlinedfeedback.com/ Read to build your perfect site? Check out StellarSites https://streamlined.fm/stellar. ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
Episode 500 of the show came out on Monday. Here’s I I put it together using Google NotebookLM ★ Support this podcast ★ https://casabona.org/buy-me-coffee/
