

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

Jan 9, 2018 • 1h 4min
38: Knit Your Parachute on the Way Down, with Thom Zahler
David and Jason talk to artist and writer Thom Zahler, an independent creator for 15 years in indie comics (Love and Capes, Warning Label), licensed comics (My Little Pony), and animated television (Spider Man: Web Warriors, Knights of the Zodiac), about his journey from art school student to freelancer to full-on free agent, and how his business has grown and changed over the years.
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.
Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to save 10% on your purchase.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Guest Starring: Thom Zahler
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Thom Zahler Art Studios Warning Label Love and Capes

Dec 26, 2017 • 54min
37: The Twelve-Week Year
We wrap up the year with a discussion of navigating holidays and vacations, David's thoughts about getting projects to completion in the new year, Jason's update to his Not-To-Do List, setting the bar high for taking on new clients, end-of-year appreciation gifts for clients, and holiday seasonality.
This episode of Focused 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.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Amazon.com: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months eBook: Brian P. Moran, Michael Lennington: Kindle Store Shawn Blanc Photos: A Take Control Crash Course | Take Control Books

Dec 12, 2017 • 40min
36: My App Story, with John Voorhees
John Voorhees of MacStories is a brand-new free agent, a lawyer who left his job in Chicago to set out on his own as a writer and app developer. He tells us how he decided to leave the legal profession and go full time as an independent worker.
This episode of Focused 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: John Voorhees
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership John Voorhees (@johnvoorhees) | Twitter My App Story – MacStories John Voorhees' website

Nov 28, 2017 • 59min
35: I Guess I'm Felix Unger
David and Jason discuss the importance of prep time, resetting your balance, gauging the value of your work, time tracking, managing ongoing commitments, getting sick and keeping clients happy, and the value of uncluttered office space.
This episode of Focused 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.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Photos: A Take Control Crash Course | Take Control Books Photos — MacSparky

Nov 14, 2017 • 51min
34: I Think I Just Got Fired, with Marco Arment
App developer, podcaster, analyst, and secret entrepreneur Marco Arment joins us to discuss his journey from college to Tumblr, building Instapaper, getting quit-fired, setting out on his own, and working in bursts of productivity.
This episode of Focused 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: Marco Arment
Links and Show Notes: This episode was audio-synced by a tool Marco wrote, encoded with a tool Marco wrote, includes ads managed with a tool Marco wrote, and might be being played by an app Marco wrote. Thanks, Marco!
Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership Under the Radar - Relay FM Accidental Tech Podcast Overcast

Oct 31, 2017 • 54min
33: When You Say Yes to Everything
On Halloween, David and Jason revamp the podcast with a new format. David struggles with how he's spending his time. Jason tries to figure out when to say no and gets a better perspective about how well his business is doing, prompted by a job inquiry from a former co-worker.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Podcast Listener Survey: We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership My App Story – MacStories Under the Radar #102: Procrastiworking - Relay FM

Oct 17, 2017 • 47min
32: It's Scary, Dude! with Kathy Campbell
Unicorn Sidekick Kathy Campbell joins us to discuss how she ended up becoming a Free Agent while behind a desk at her "real job," when having her new career discovered her.
This episode of Focused 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: Kathy Campbell
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership The Unicorn Sidekick

Oct 3, 2017 • 38min
31: Being Selective About Clients, with Aleen Simms
Relay FM Host and App Launch Map founder Aleen Simms joins us to talk about her accidental fall into freelance work and setting high standards for her clients.
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.
Podcast Listener Survey: We rely on advertising as a way to support this show. If you could do us a favor and answer a few short questions, it would be really helpful to us.
Guest Starring: Aleen Simms
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 19, 2017 • 47min
30: Tito Needs to Pay the Rent
So you're working in a house full of kids. Or a partner who is there all the time. It can make working from home difficult to say the least. We discuss the good and bad of working around kids (and others) who are in your house with you.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Timing: The automatic time tracking app for macOS. Use this link to get 10% off your purchase of Timing.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership

Sep 5, 2017 • 40min
29: The Spreadsheet
So you're thinking about going out on your own. It's time to build The Spreadsheet, a tool to let you gauge your potential income and expenses and give you a realistic view of what it will take to succeed.
This episode of Focused is sponsored by:
Eero: Never think about WiFi again. Use code FREEAGENTS for free overnight shipping.
Freshbooks: Online invoicing made easy.
Links and Show Notes: Support Focused with a Relay FM Membership