I'm recording from Kit Studios in Boise while attending conferences, which got me thinking about something crucial to my business success—my travel system. As someone who travels frequently for networking and conferences, I've developed a streamlined approach that keeps me organized and stress-free on the road.

My system revolves around two essential apps: Flighty for flight tracking (which often knows about delays before airlines do) and Apple Notes for keeping all trip information in one easily accessible place. But the real magic happens with my "New Trip" shortcut that automates the entire trip planning process—from creating calendar events to generating custom packing lists based on trip length and type.

I also swear by checking bags instead of dealing with carry-ons, mainly because I travel with items that can't go through security, but also because it lets me move through airports quickly with just my backpack. Plus, I share some thoughts on Southwest's recent policy changes and how they might affect family-friendly travel.

Special thanks to Kit for letting me record in their Studios! I highly recommend them for email and newsletters!
Get my free automations database at https://streamlined.fm/automation (powered by Kit, natch)

Top Takeaways:

• Flighty is a game-changer for frequent travelers — it provides real-time flight tracking with AI forecasting that often alerts you to delays before airlines do, plus it tracks connections and terminal transfer times
• Create a "New Trip" shortcut to automate trip planning — mine calculates trip length, adds calendar events, generates custom packing lists, and creates project templates in one tap
• Set up dedicated travel and conference focus modes — customize your home screen with essential widgets (time at home, flight info, maps) and silence non-essential notifications

Links

• My iPhone Focus Modes
• Flighty - Flight tracking app with AI forecasting
• Apple Notes - For trip organization and quick reference
• Widgetsmith - For custom widgets (QR code display)
• Whisper Memos - Voice note recording
• Ticci Tabs - Bookmark manager app
• Todoist - Project management for work tasks
• Apple Reminders - For packing lists and personal tasks
• MacSparky - David Sparks' site (source of packing list shortcut inspiration)
• Send Feedback

I've been on a mission to use my phone way less this year, sparked by reading The Anxious Generation and that magical Disney World trip where I barely touched my phone. The solution? iPhone focus modes - my secret weapon for controlling the fire hose of information instead of letting it control me.

Think about it: you finally sit down to get some real work done, and your phone starts buzzing with calendar alerts, group chats going off, and random notifications. It's enough to make you want to throw it out the window.

Focus modes let you take back control by choosing exactly who and what can reach you in different contexts.

I've crafted focus modes for every part of my day - from the gym to my ultra-strict "Green Zone" mode for deep work (where I can literally only see time tracking widgets). Each mode has custom home screens, specific apps, and even changes my Apple Watch face to match what I'm doing.

*Want a peek into how I’ve created more time? Check out my free automations database and AI swipe file at https://casabona.org/streamlined*

Top Takeaways

• Focus modes are custom "Do Not Disturb" profiles that let you control which people and apps can interrupt you based on what you're doing - think of them as digital boundaries for different parts of your day.
• You can automate focus modes to turn on based on time, location, or when you open specific apps, so you don't have to remember to switch them manually (my fitness mode turns on when I get to the gym, personal mode kicks in at 6 PM).
• The goal isn't to be unreachable, it's to be present - focus modes help you context switch with intention instead of fighting your phone for the ability to concentrate on what matters in that moment.

Show Notes

• Screenshots: Lock Screens | Home Screens | Focus Modes
• The Anxious Generation
• ScreenTime+
• Opal
• Flighty
• FitBod
• Ecamm Live
• Fantastical
• The Brick
• My 2025 Yearly Theme
• Leave Feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com
• Check out all of my shows at https://network.streamlined.fm

Last year, my wife and I made the somewhat terrifying decision to skip summer camp for our kids to save $9,000-$10,000 and spend more intentional time together. It wasn't perfect—I gave myself a solid B—but we survived, and more importantly, we're doing it again this year.

The financial savings were huge, but the real motivation was recognizing we're in a limited window where our kids actually want to hang out with us. Since we have the flexibility as solopreneurs to create our own schedules, why not use it? Last year taught me some hard lessons about communication, boundaries, and realistic expectations.

This time around, I'm better prepared with clearer work boundaries, more structured activities for the kids, and honest conversations with my wife about what we both need to stay sane.

Want a peek into how I’ve created more time? Check out my free automations database and AI swipe file at https://casabona.org/streamlined

Top Takeaways

• The real cost of summer programs goes beyond money—it's about recognizing the limited time window when your kids actually want to spend time with you, and leveraging the flexibility that comes with being self-employed.
• Structure matters for everyone—kids need predictable routines to avoid emotional meltdowns, and parents need clear work boundaries to prevent every meeting request from hijacking their already limited schedule.
• Time blocking becomes non-negotiable when you have less time to work—protecting your green zone (peak productivity hours) and limiting meetings to one day per week helps maximize focused work time.

I'll be honest—I don't officially do web development anymore. But when a nonprofit asked for help, I thought I could knock out a simple WordPress portal in 25 hours using no-code tools like Zapier and Advanced Custom Fields. Boy, was I wrong.

What started as a straightforward project quickly turned into a nightmare of under-scoping and tool limitations I never saw coming. Zapier didn't work with WordPress custom post types the way I expected. Advanced Custom Fields still requires custom coding for Gutenberg blocks after seven years. Google Sheets automation had quirks I'd never encountered. It was starting to look more like 60 hours, not 25.

That's when I reluctantly turned to ChatGPT for help—and it completely saved my butt. Instead of writing custom code from scratch or going back to the client with double the budget, I started "vibe coding." I'd describe the problem, ChatGPT would write the solution, and we'd iterate together. It wrote nearly 2,000 lines of code for me, handled complex features I would've needed premium plugins for, and let me stay flexible when the client requested changes.

The result? A 30-hour project instead of 60, a happy client, and a reminder that sometimes the tools we resist most can be the ones that save us.

*Want 40+ automations plus my AI swipe files? Head over to https://casabona.org/streamlined*

Top Takeaways

• Vibe coding can be a massive force multiplier, even if you're not a developer—ChatGPT walked me through everything and cut my project time in half
• Always scope projects more carefully by testing tool limitations upfront, especially when assuming "obvious" features exist (spoiler: they often don't)
• AI coding made me more flexible and agreeable to client requests because I wasn't emotionally attached to hand-written code

Show Notes

• I built an app with AI and now I’m scared for WordPress
• How to vibe code: 11 vibe coding best practices to start building with AI

When I first started using AI in my business, I was hesitant — it felt like a shortcut that might strip away my voice. But in this conversation with Corey Koehler, I learned that when you set it up the right way, AI can actually amplify your voice and make your work better — and faster.

Corey shares how he went from spending hours grinding through client work and side projects to building an AI-powered system that slashed his production time, boosted his income, and gave him more time with his family. 

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to create consistent content or build your business while keeping your family first, this episode will give you a clear, practical blueprint for making AI actually work for you — without losing your soul along the way.

I want to hear from you! Send your feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com.

Top Takeaways

• AI isn’t just for shortcuts — it’s an amplifier for your creativity and problem-solving if you build the right systems around it.
• Setting up "projects" inside ChatGPT (or Claude) lets you preload important context — like your business model, ideal customer, and writing style — so you're not starting from scratch every time.
• Authenticity still matters: letting AI write for you without human editing risks sounding bland and disconnected — “human in the loop” is key.

Show Notes

• Corey’s Freebie
• Redefining Retirement
• Corey on LinkedIn

Check out my other shows at https://network.streamlined.fm 

My therapist recently asked if anyone had ever talked to me about ADHD. While I've never been formally diagnosed, that question sparked a journey into understanding how our brains work—especially when running a business. That's why I was thrilled to chat with Skye Waterson, an ADHD strategist who helps entrepreneurs build "brain-friendly" systems.

Skye discovered her own ADHD during her PhD studies and has since developed an approach called "Unconventional Organisation" that works with your natural thinking patterns instead of against them. 

If you've ever found yourself with 30 browser tabs open, jumping between half-finished projects, or creating elaborate systems you abandon by Tuesday, this conversation might be exactly what you need. Skye's practical approach cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually moves your business forward while leaving room for you to be present with your family.

I want to hear from you! Send your feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com.

Top Takeaways

• Most of us genuinely have fewer than five truly urgent tasks each day—learning to identify what has actual external consequences versus what just feels urgent can instantly reduce overwhelm
• Create systems that match your natural processing style rather than forcing yourself to use tools that don't work for your brain
• Find dopamine sources outside your business—hobbies and interests prevent you from creating unnecessary complexity just to keep things exciting

Show Notes

• ADHD Focus Filter
• Skye on Instagram (message “streamlined”)  

Check out my other shows at https://network.streamlined.fm 

One of my favorite things to do at Disney World growing up was get on attractions and press all the buttons. They really made it feel like you were accomplishing things. Maybe that’s why I like the Stream Deck so much.

I've been using Stream Decks for about five years now, starting with a 15-key model before expanding to a 32-key XL and adding two more devices to my setup. These programmable button panels have become an essential part of my workflow, helping me control everything from video production to home automation.

While many see Stream Decks as tools just for streamers, I've integrated them deeply into my daily work—managing focus sessions, tracking time, controlling my lights, and executing shortcuts that save me dozens of clicks every day. They've become my personal control room that helps me work more efficiently and stay focused, whether I'm recording podcasts, creating videos, or doing deep work.

Top Takeaways

• Stream Decks aren't just for streamers—they're incredibly versatile productivity tools that can automate repetitive tasks across your entire workflow, from video production to time tracking and home automation.
• Custom buttons with visual icons make actions more memorable than keyboard shortcuts, especially for complex or infrequently used commands that are hard to remember.
• Controlling my environment (like turning lights on/off, changing colors, or setting focus modes) with a single button press helps me transition between different work modes instantly, saving mental energy and reducing friction.

I solemnly swear I’ve never worked on a family vacation. Can you honestly say that? I can’t.

From checking emails in Magic Kingdom to recording podcasts at the beach, I've been guilty of putting work before family time, even on vacation. After some not-so-great experiences (including a previous Disney trip that didn't go as planned), I've decided my upcoming Disney vacation with my family will be different.

This time, I'm setting firm boundaries by not bringing my laptop, using devices like Brick to physically prevent me from checking emails in the parks, and setting clear expectations with clients. The truth is, most of us aren't handling truly mission-critical work—the world won't end if we're unreachable for a week. My kids are excited about this trip, and I refuse to be that parent staring at my phone while standing in "the happiest place on earth."

Top Takeaways

• I'm leaving my laptop at home and only bringing an iPad with keyboard for genuine emergencies, making the "pain" of working greater than the "pain" of the emergency itself.
• Using tools like the Brick app and Focus mode lets me physically block myself from checking work communications while at Disney, helping maintain boundaries during family time.
• Setting proper expectations with clients in advance is crucial—I've already notified everyone I'm actively working with that I'll be completely unavailable and explained why.
• Practicing "willful forgetfulness" about work matters helps reduce anxiety—most things that feel urgent aren't truly emergencies, and my business is designed to function if I step away briefly.

Show Notes

• Brick App - App used to block distractions during vacation
• Joe's Audio Notes - For follow-up thoughts after returning from Disney
• Newsletter Signup - To stay updated with the latest content
• Streamlined Feedback - To share how you handle work during vacations

You’ve probably seen Rube Goldberg machines — those ridiculous setups where a marble rolls down a track, flips a switch, lights a match, and somehow makes toast. They’re fun to watch… but terrible for actually getting anything done.

That’s how most automations feel when you’re first starting out: over-engineered, fragile, and hard to maintain. But real business-saving automations? They don’t need to be complicated. In fact, some of the ones that save me the most time are stupidly simple.

In this episode, I walk through three automations I actually use — starting with a single-app setup inside Notion, moving to a form-to-database connection, and ending with a wild (but wonderful) workflow that ties together a whole bunch of tools. And yes, that last one does feel like a Rube Goldberg machine… but it works beautifully.

If you want to see how these work or grab templates, head to casabona.org/automation.

Top Takeaways

• Start with simple, single-app automations. You’ll reduce points of failure and make it easier to trust your systems.
• The best automations evolve. I’ve been tweaking some of mine for years.
• Don’t build for complexity. Build for clarity, reliability, and ease.

Show Notes

• Watch on YouTube
• My Automations Database
• Zapier
• Make
• Notion
• Tella
• Hazel

Send feedback here!

The last time I went on vacation, I told people I wasn’t bringing my laptop. You know what they said? 

“Good job! That’s great.” 

The proper reaction should have been, “Obviously. Why would you bring work on vacation?”

But that’s not the culture we live in here in the USA. Overworking and hustling is glorified. That’s why I’m excited to talk to Maegan Megginson.

Maegan is a licensed therapist and holistic business mentor who believes every solopreneur can and should take sabbaticals—not just to rest, but to actually create a healthier, more sustainable business. 

In fact, she’s made sabbaticals a cornerstone of her business model and helps others do the same.

We talked about how solopreneurs can actually make time for a sabbatical (even if you’re the breadwinner), what it looks like to step away without disappearing, and how to come back stronger, while avoiding burnout. This wasn’t some woo-woo talk about “finding yourself.” It was a practical, grounded look at how to create space in your business when it feels like the last thing you can afford to do.

I want to hear from you! Send your feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com.

Top Takeaways

• Sabbaticals aren’t vacations—they’re intentional periods of rest and reflection, more like a “season of winter” in your business.
• A four-week sabbatical gives your nervous system time to truly settle, with the first two weeks decompressing and the second two weeks offering space for clarity and creativity.
• Planning is key: figure out your financial needs and start saving so you can pay yourself while you're off.

Show Notes

• Maegan Megginson’s Website
• Deeply Rested Podcast
• Join the Deeply Rested Newsletter
• Stephen Hackett’s Sabbatical
• My 2025 Yearly Theme

Check out my other shows at https://network.streamlined.fm