

Focused
Relay
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. Hosted by David Sparks and Mike Schmitz.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 16, 2018 • 1h 11min
58: A Better Path, with Joe Buhlig
Podcaster and programmer Joe Buhlig shares his free agent journey, from bean field to office to family room. He joins David and Mike to talk about his experience solving problems, how to let things go, and finding your own definition of success.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase. Check out the Timing blog for articles for independent workers.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Guest Starring: Joe Buhlig
Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership ProCourse | Professional Discourse Consulting and Development Bookworm | Podcast Book Club Whims That Work Joe's Blog Joe Buhlig (@JoeBuhlig) | Twitter

Oct 2, 2018 • 1h 1min
57: Chef = Boss
This episode is all about space. Mike and David discuss the role of Mise-en-place ("Everything in its place") with a successful free agency. Also, David talks about the effect of dedicated spaces on production, Mike is thinking about leaving his co-working space, and David is plotting a sabbatical, for more "space".
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Work Clean: The life-changing power of mise-en-place to organize your life, work, and mind: Dan Charnas: 9781623365929: Amazon.com: Books Amazon.com: The Dreadful Objects eBook: Chris Cooper: Kindle Store Use Siri Shortcuts - Apple Support Siri Shortcuts Field Guide | MacSparky Field Guides The Omni Group OmniFocus - task management for Mac, iPad, and iPhone - The Omni Group OmniFocus Field Guide, Third Edition | MacSparky Field Guides Free Agents #42: Learning Your Creative Rhythms, with Shawn Blanc - Relay FM Free Agents 55: The Math Works - Free Agents - MPU Talk54:27 - Feedback on David sans vehicle.
Free Agents #55: The Math Works - Relay FM54:27 David explains how he no longer has a car.
Free Agents #53: The Value of Your Time - Relay FM Free Agents #56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe - Relay FM seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals Mac Power Users #442: Workflows with Joe Buhlig - Relay FM Playing for Fun #7: The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild - Relay FM The Legend of Zelda™: Breath of the Wild for the Nintendo Switch™ home gaming system and Wii U™ console – Official Site Membership - Relay FM Free Agents - Relay FM Free Agents (@freeagentsfm) | Twitter Mike on the Web David on the Web Latest Free Agents topics - MPU TalkA collection of Free Agents talking about the show and sticking it to the man.

Sep 18, 2018 • 1h 19min
56: Iterate in Public, with Sean McCabe
Sean McCabe started his free agent journey as a designer doing hand lettering, and has built a successful online business through teaching what he knows. He joins David and Mike to talk about the lessons he's learned along the way, including the power of rest and why he takes a sabbatical every 7 weeks.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Guest Starring: Sean McCabe
Links and Show Notes Support Free Agents with a Relay FM Membership Overlap – Start a Business While Working a Full-Time Job 380: Recovery From Depression (Part 1) | seanwes podcast Seventh Week Sabbaticals seanwes - Business Community for Creative Professionals Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Twitter Sean McCabe (@seanwes) | Instagram

Sep 4, 2018 • 1h 24min
55: The Math Works
Mike and David cover a variety of Free Agent topics including getting enough sleep, staying motivated, and David makes a big decision about his transportation.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Casper: The Internet’s favourite mattress. Get $50 off select mattresses with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’.
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes The Free Agents Forum Sleep Cycle alarm clock

Aug 21, 2018 • 1h 26min
54: I Have to Try It, with Casey Liss
Podcaster and programmer Casey Liss joins David and Mike to talk about his Free Agent journey, what caused him to take the leap, the tendency to do too much, and his desire to pull the thread which has led to him becoming an Accidental YouTuber.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Guest Starring: Casey Liss
Links and Show Notes Liss is More Casey Liss | YouTube Accidental Tech Podcast Analog(ue) | Relay FM Casey Liss (@caseyliss) | Twitter Casey Liss (@caseyliss) | Instagram

Aug 7, 2018 • 1h 12min
53: The Value of Your Time
David and Mike talk about protecting your most valuable resource and how to figure out what you shouldn’t be doing anymore. Mike gets inspired during his personal retreat and learns how to say “no.” David learns the hard way from his recent travels but has a plan for what to do differently next time.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Hover: Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes Unique Ability® 2.0 by Catherine Nomura, Julia Waller, Shannon Waller Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport Timing (Mac app)

Jul 24, 2018 • 1h 1min
52: You Can't Be What You Can't See with Ann Shen
Ann Shen started her career as a grant writer and realized the ladder she was climbing was leaning against the wrong wall. She then took the courageous step of going to art school and starting over again. Since then, with a combination of skill, grit, and newfound faith in herself, she's gone a long way as a Free Agent.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Hover: Show the world what you’re passionate about with 10% off your first purchase
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Guest Starring: Ann Shen
Links and Show Notes Ann Shen • Illustration & Design Ann on Twitter The War of Art: Winning the Inner Creative Battle Ann on Instagram Ann's Books The Free Agents ForumThe new Free Agents forum.
Automators - Relay FM

Jul 10, 2018 • 55min
51: Freedom Frogs
David and Mike talk about why “eating your frog” is an important Free Agent survival skill. David talks through a pivot in his approach to book publishing. Mike shares his struggles with “Imposter Syndrome” and how he overcomes it.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy The Productivity Project by Chris Bailey The Accidental Creative by Todd Henry The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy Overlap: A simple strategy for closing the gap w/ Sean McCabe (Podcast) Headspace - Meditation and Mindfulness Made Simple Calm - Meditation Techniques for Sleep and Stress Reduction Day One - A simple and elegant journal for iPhone, iPad, and Mac Mike's Reflection Workflow Herman Miller Embody Office Chair

Jun 26, 2018 • 45min
50: Bet on Yourself
Mike Schmitz joins as the new Free Agents co-host. In this episode, we get to know Mike better, learn about his journey, and discuss the show format going forward.
This episode of Free Agents is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Casper: The Internet’s favorite mattress. Get $50 off select mattresses with the code ‘FREEAGENTS’.
Links and Show Notes MIke's website Mike on Twitter The New Free Agents Discourse ForumAfter recording the episode, we ended up moving the Facebook group to Discourse after all. Free Agents has a room on the Mac Power Users Discourse forum. Go check it out!

Jun 12, 2018 • 48min
49: Panting to the Finish Line
Family members with employment issues remind Jason about just how far he's come; David grapples with letting go of control and working with an assistant; and Jason hands in his resignation and participates in an "exit interview" with David.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Squarespace: Make your next move. Enter offer code FREEAGENTS at checkout to get 10% off your first purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership