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 get better, faster results from tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. In this episode, I break down how I’m using AI right now, what’s in my swipe file, how it saves me time, and which tools I use to manage everything. I also shared some prompts from listeners about how projects in ChatGPT are starting to replace parts of my swipe file.

If you’ve been meaning to get more consistent with your AI usage—or want to avoid typing the same prompt for the 100th time—this is your sign to start a swipe file.

Top Takeaways

• A swipe file isn’t just for copywriters—it’s a game-changer for AI. Think of it as SOPs for your AI tools: reusable prompts, saved context, and examples that give you consistent results without starting from scratch.
• ChatGPT Projects are starting to replace some of my swipe file needs by storing persistent context and instructions—great for repeatable tasks like show descriptions and editing guidance.
• AI is here to assist, not replace. Let it handle the scaffolding so you can focus on adding your personality and expertise on top.

Want my actual swipe file? You’ll find it in my free automation database: streamlined.fm/join

Show Notes

• TextExpander
• Streamlined Feedback
• Notion
• Obsidian
• Bear Notes
• Simplenote
• Raycast

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 touch. 

We also get really in the weeds with AI-powered workflows that save time, reduce manual work, and help you focus on what matters most in your business.

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

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/468

Top Takeaways

• AI is the next big automation revolution. Just like electricity or the internet, AI is here to stay, and solopreneurs who adapt early will benefit the most.
• AI isn’t a robot—it’s an automation tool for thinking tasks. AI models don’t create original ideas, but they can analyze, summarize, and assist in decision-making.
• The best automation still needs human judgment. AI can process data, but it takes human experience to make strategic decisions and apply insights effectively.

Show Notes

• Macpreneur Podcast & Website
• Joe Casabona on Macpreneur
• Should we use AI to write for us?
• The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman & Michael Bhaskar
• AlphaGo Documentary 
• AI Marketing Institute 
• MindStudio 
• Make.com 
• Zapier 
• Claude AI 
• ChatGPT
  
  

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

Disclosure: ChatGPT generated most of this description from the episode’s transcript

 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, and positioning, leading to a full personal rebrand.

 For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/467

Top Takeaways

• Niching down feels scary, but it makes it easier for the right people to find and hire you.
• Clarity in branding makes decision-making easier, from product offerings to content creation.
• A good brand should reflect your personality and values—mine even incorporates my love for baseball and spaciousness.

Show Notes

• Niching down feels scary, but it makes it easier for the right people to find and hire you.
• Clarity in branding makes decision-making easier, from product offerings to content creation.
• A good brand should reflect your personality and values—mine even incorporates my love for baseball and spaciousness.

Most solopreneurs already have a brand, whether they realize it or not—it's the perception people form about them based on their content, messaging, and presence. But without intentional branding, that perception is left to chance. Holly Arnett breaks down the difference between a personal brand and a business brand, the importance of branding beyond just logos and colors, and how a strong brand makes it easier to market yourself, attract the right clients, and streamline decision-making.

Got something to say? Write in at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/466

Top Takeaways

• A brand is not just colors and logos—it’s the perception people have of you.
• Branding is the process of shaping and controlling that perception intentionally.
• A strong personal brand makes you more recommendable—people should easily be able to describe what you do and who you help.

Show Notes

• Hollie Arnett
• Makers and Moxie

I HATE feeling friction with tech that’s supposed to make my life easier. And I love my iPhone, but I feel the friction sometimes. Apple Shortcuts can help solopreneurs automate repetitive tasks and reduce that friction. Today I break down some of my favorite shortcuts to show you how I make my life easier and help you come up with ideas. Whether it’s streamlining content creation, organizing tasks, or even just cleaning up screenshots, the right shortcuts can save time and reduce friction.

The key takeaway? Look for areas where you repeatedly perform the same actions and build shortcuts to handle them. If you’re constantly adding things to reminders, capturing notes, or planning travel, there’s likely a way to make it easier.

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/465

Top Takeaways

• Apple Shortcuts can automate daily tasks, from capturing notes and managing to-dos to preparing for trips and cleaning up your phone’s clutter.
• The best shortcuts remove friction—if a task feels tedious, it’s a good candidate for automation.
• Experimenting with Shortcuts can help you find simple ways to optimize your work and personal life.

Want to download my favorite Shortcuts (and 40 other automation templates)? Get them here: https://streamlined.fm/automate

Show Notes

• An Introduction to Apple Shortcuts with Stephen Robles
• Organizing Your Digital Life with Mike Schmitz
• MacStories & Apple Frames by Federico Viticci 
• Actions for Obsidian
• Whisper Memos
• Nautomate for Notion Users
• Shortcuts The Make Life Easier for Me

I hate CRMs. I know I need one—I’m doing more coaching, getting more inbound leads, and ranking in the top three organic search results for podcast coaches on Google.

But no matter how many times I’ve tried HubSpot, Zoho, or whatever the flavor of the week is, they’ve never fit into my workflow.

So I did a totally normal, not weird thing: I built my own CRM.

In this episode, I walk through the simple system I set up using Notion, Todoist, Make.com, and my website. I’ll share why I built it this way, how it automates lead tracking and follow-ups, and why reducing friction is the key to sticking with any system.

Plus, I’ll show you how you can apply this same approach to streamline your own processes—without forcing yourself into tools that don’t work for you.

 For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/464

Top Takeaways

• The best CRM (or any tool) is the one you’ll actually use—start simple and build on tools you already know.
• If you struggle with sticking to a system, it’s likely because it doesn’t fit your natural workflow. Adapt the system, not yourself.
• Don’t limit yourself because of past experience. There is lots of flexibility in the apps we use today, and you can take advantage of that.

Show Notes

• Screenshots I posted on LinkedIn
• Automations Database
• Notion
• Todoist
• Make.com
• Gravity Forms
• Want to see the automations I use? Get access to my 40+ Automations Database at streamlined.fm/automation.
• Send feedback to https://streamlinedfeedback.com
• Feeling stuck? Check out my unstuck sessions at https://casabona.org/unstuck

Stephen Robles is not only a Shortcuts and automation expert—he’s also built a successful YouTube channel covering Apple products, smart home tech, and (of course) Shortcuts. But he didn’t just start making random videos. He figured out how to create content that people actually want to watch.

In this episode, Stephen breaks down his YouTube strategy: how he finds content ideas, how he packages videos for success, and why your title and thumbnail might be killing your views. If you’re a creator trying to grow on YouTube, this episode is packed with insights.

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/463

Top Takeaways

• Your packaging (title & thumbnail) is everything. If no one clicks, no one watches—so spend time making them compelling.
• Experiment with content angles. Stephen didn’t review the iPhone 15—he focused just on USB-C, which made his video stand out.
• Consistency matters, but smart workflows matter more. He records multiple camera angles at once, uses AI to edit, and batches content to maximize efficiency.

Show Notes

• Stephen’s YouTube Channel (Shortcuts Playlist)
• Stephen’s Shortcuts Community
• Apple Shortcuts App
• Pushcut (for running Shortcuts automatically)
• Toolbox Pro (adds more actions to Shortcuts)
• Actions (another Shortcuts-enhancing app)
• Lutron Smart Switches
• Meross
• Homebridge (for adding non-HomeKit devices to Apple Home)
• Matt Cassinelli (Shortcuts Expert)
• Federico Viticci & MacStories (Apple & Automation)
• Gling.ai (AI-powered video editing tool)
• Transcriptionist (AI transcription app for Mac & iOS)
• ChatGPT API (for automating title ideas, OCR, and more)
• CleanShot X (for high-quality screen recordings on Mac)
• Ecamm Live
• iZotope RX10 (audio cleanup & enhancement tool)
• DJI Osmo Pocket 3 (compact gimbal camera for video shooting)
• David Sparks (MacSparky) – Focus Modes & Productivity Expert
• CGP Grey (YouTube Creator & Podcast Host, known for productivity & focus mode setups)
• Streamlined Feedback (Submit podcast & automation questions)
• Unstuck Sessions (1-on-1 coaching to get past business roadblocks)
• Want my Shortcuts and 40 more automations? Check out My Automations Database

Send Feedback: https://streamlinedfeedback.com

I’ve been talking a lot about automation this year, and one tool that keeps coming up is Apple’s Shortcuts app. So I brought in Stephen Robles, a YouTuber and podcaster who’s been using Shortcuts since it was called Workflows before Apple bought it.

We get into what Shortcuts actually does, and how you can use it to automate repetitive tasks, eliminate friction, and make your iPhone way more useful. Stephen also shares some incredible automation ideas, from formatting podcast show notes to controlling smart home devices.

If you’ve ever thought, I wish my phone just did this for me, there’s a good chance Shortcuts can make that happen.

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/462

Top Takeaways

• Shortcuts can automate almost anything. Whether it’s formatting text, logging data, or running workflows with a tap, it’s a game-changer.
• The Action Button takes it further. You can assign multiple shortcuts to one button press, making it even more versatile.
• Home automation can be super smart. Stephen shares how his smart shades close when he turns on the bathroom fan and how his patio fans activate when it gets hot.

Show Notes

• Stephen’s YouTube Channel (Shortcuts Playlist)
• Stephen’s Shortcuts Community
• Apple Shortcuts App
• Pushcut (for running Shortcuts automatically)
• Toolbox Pro (adds more actions to Shortcuts)
• Actions (another Shortcuts-enhancing app)
• Lutron Smart Switches

Send Feedback: https://streamlinedfeedback.com

Leah and I might be in different stages of parenting, but we have very similar situations — 3 kids, running a business, spouse who also works. So in part 2 of our interview, we jump into the societal expectations of moms and dads, discussing the stark differences in how each is perceived. Leah shares how she navigated running a business while being a hands-on mom and the challenges of unspoken gender roles in parenting. We also discuss our own anxiety with bringing kids up today vs. when we were kids — and how we’re trying to fix it.

Top Takeaways

• Moms Face More Pressure to “Do It All” – The expectation is still that moms handle home responsibilities, even when they work full-time.
• Balance Looks Different at Different Stages – Leah’s balance shifted as her kids grew older, and Joe’s approach has to be different with younger kids.
• Perfection is the Enemy of Good Parenting – It’s okay to not have Pinterest-perfect parties or homemade treats. Focus on being present instead.

Show Notes

• Listen to Part 1
• Leah Remillet
• Balancing Busy Podcast
• My 2025 Yearly Theme
• The Brick Device
• The Anxious Generation
• Why Over-Parenting Is Creating Anxiety—and What to Do Instead with Dr. Camillo Ortiz

Send feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

Work-Life Balance is a myth! Or is it? In today’s conversation with Leah Remillet, we talk all about our goal as solopreneur parents to have everything – as in “AND,” not “OR.” Leah emphasizes that balance isn’t about equal time for everything but about feeling good in YOUR core areas of life. She explains her framework for achieving work-life balance through priorities, presence, and purpose and offers practical strategies like setting boundaries, system stacking, and discipline to maintain balance.

Top Takeaways

• Set Boundaries with Your Work – Create office hours, shut down your computer, or build whatever boundaries you need to to make that mental shift.
• Perfection is a Myth – Instead of focusing on what’s going wrong, focus on the “bright spots” where things go well and build from there.
• System Stacking is Key – Small, intentional habits (like meal prepping, scheduling breaks, and using alarms) create long-term balance.

Show Notes

• Leah Remillet 
• Balancing Busy Podcast
• My 2025 Yearly Theme
• The Brick Device
• The Anxious Generation
• Why Over-Parenting Is Creating Anxiety—and What to Do Instead with Dr. Camillo Ortiz

Send feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com 

  
This weekend, I completely rearranged my office—and I couldn’t be happier with the results. What started as frustration with my camera framing turned into a full workspace transformation. In this episode, I break down:  

- Why I moved my desk and how it improved my video setup  
- The changes I made to declutter and improve cable management  
- The unexpected number of extra USB cables and extension cords I found (seriously, where did they all come from?)  
- Why I finally got rid of my massive softbox lights  
- My ongoing whiteboard dilemma and plans for even more optimization  

Timelapse of my Office Rearrangement
https://youtu.be/H8Ar19kSBjE

Got questions or office setup tips? Let me know!