Streamlined Solopreneur: Helping solopreneur parents stop checking email at the playground

I’m wrestling with whether I’m becoming too dependent on AI for critical thinking, especially after it helped me create an entire quiz for my business.

While I don’t use it for actual writing, I’ve noticed I’m defaulting to AI for brainstorming, research, and problem-solving more quickly than I used to. I’m exploring the line between helpful automation and potentially weakening my own thinking muscles.

What do you think? Se...

Remember when coding meant years of computer science classes and debugging late into the night? Well, things have changed. I recently sat down with Susan Bowles, founder and fellow solopreneur, to dive into the world of "vibe coding" — essentially describing what you want to AI and having it write all the code for you.

While I had a nearly flawless experience with ChatGPT writing 2,000 lines of WordPress code for an undersc...

I always say to use what you’ll actually use. For Famous Ashley Grant, that’s Google Workspace. And today, she’s telling us all about how she uses it to manage literally everything in her life – from client work to meal planning.

Ashley's story hit home for me. Before implementing her system, she was constantly working too many hours, missing deadlines, and snapping at loved ones over simple questions like "what's for dinne...

It’s an Automation AMA! From scheduling social media content to making kids' lunches (yes, really), fellow solopreneurs shared their biggest time-wasters. I ended up creating custom automation solutions for everything from podcast guest research to email management.

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://st...

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 a...

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 chat...

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. Sinc...

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 ...

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 h...

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 a...

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 ess...

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'...

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 f...

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 ment...

Remember when late-night hosts went remote during the pandemic and somehow looked worse than your average Zoom call? Even with massive budgets, their setups were rough. Meanwhile, I’ve managed to build a solo video production workflow that looks better than theirs — with no crew.

In this episode, I walk through the tools and tech I use to replicate a full video studio by myself. I share how I record faster, cut editing time...

Video is becoming an essential tool for solopreneurs, and having good camera presence can help you build trust and authority faster. But showing up well on video isn’t just about buying the right camera—it’s about understanding energy, framing, lighting, and how to create an engaging presence. 

I sat down with Luria Petrucci, a longtime video expert, to break down what solopreneurs need to know about looking and feeling con...

I’ve been on a mission to help solopreneurs cut through friction—especially when it comes to using AI. And one major pain point? Staring at a blinking cursor, not knowing what to ask ChatGPT. If you’ve ever wasted time retyping prompts, getting inconsistent results, or forgetting what worked last time, this one’s for you.

I finally built an AI swipe file—a collection of reusable prompts, templates, and context that lets me ...

AI isn’t just a passing trend—it’s a game-changer for solopreneurs looking to streamline and automate their businesses. Or is it? 

I’ve always been AI hesitant, but I’ve also been using it a lot more. So today's guest, Damien Schreurs, and I discuss how AI is shifting from simple task automation to handling cognitive work, why people struggle to accept it, and how solopreneurs can embrace AI without losing their unique touc...

 What started as a rebrand for Podcast Workflows turned into a full re-evaluation of my entire business. After conversations with my mastermind group and some deep reflection, I realized I wasn’t just serving podcasters—I was helping solopreneurs create space in their businesses through automation, systems, and smart workflows. Holly guided me through a brand strategy process that helped me clarify my audience, messaging, ...