This one might ruffle some feathers, but I’m OK with that. I think we NEED to disclose the usage of AI in creative work more. It’s less about signaling that you cheated in some way — on the contrary, I don’t think using AI is de-facto cheating. It’s about honesty, integrity, and transparency.

So my policy is simple: if you use AI to write, record, or produce something, it should be disclosed in the same way affiliate links or paid promotion has to be disclosed.

And today, I explore why I feel so strongly about that.

Top Takeaways

• Establish Clear Guidelines for AI Disclosure: I tell my readers how and when I use AI. If it contributes more than 5% of an article’s total word count, I write it at the bottom of the piece.
• AI Produces Mediocrity: As Jason Snell said**,** AI tends to average out content, making most of it mediocre at best. If you want to stand out, you can’t just rely on AI.
• Human Connection is Irreplaceable: In a world where AI threatens to erode personal connection, it’s up to us to keep our content human.

Show Notes

• My AI Manifesto: We Must Disclose the Use of AI
• My AI Disclosures Page
• Send Feedback

Halfway through writing nearly 24 articles for my Podcast Advent project, I started to wonder if I was wasting my time. Is this worth it? Am I writing what people actually want to read?

You’ve probably fallen into the same trap: spending hours creating content, unsure if it’s resonating with anyone. It’s frustrating, exhausting, and can feel like shouting into the void. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Today, we’re exploring a few things you can try to come up with content that resonates with your audience — plus I’ll tell you about my GAPS framework for content in 2025.

Top Takeaways

1. Let data lead the way: Your analytics are a treasure trove of insights. Tools like Google Analytics and Search Console can show you what content performs well so you can double down on those topics.
2. Ask your audience: Your audience is your best resource. Invite questions through email, social media, or a dedicated feedback link, and turn their questions into valuable content.
3. Experiment, but evaluate: Testing new ideas is important, but don’t forget to review the results. If something doesn’t work after a few tries, let it go.

Disclosure: ChatGPT has contributed more than 10% to the description and takeaways for this text, fully using the episode’s transcript.

Links

• Leave Feedback at https://streamlinedfeedback.com

It's time for 2025's yearly theme. While The Year of Control didn't go as planned, I'm excited to have a much better plan in place for this year's theme, The Year of Being Present.

Want even more podcast content, giving you a behind the scenes look at being a busy, solopreneur parent? Sign up for my free, private podcast at casabona.org/notes

Show Notes

• My 2025 Yearly Theme
• Joe's Audio Notes 
• Why We Need to Disclose AI Usage
• The Brick
• Focus App

Send your feedback at streamlinedfeedback.com 

• (00:00) - Intro
• (00:50) - Housekeeping
• (02:27) - Grading The Year of Control
• (13:31) - The Year of Being Present
• (24:13) - Helpful Tools
• (31:25) - Wrapping Up

I knew from a young age, I wanted to play the drums. I got my first small kit when I was five and when my friends and I started a "band," heavy quotes, I played paint buckets. When I was 15 years old, I knew I needed a real kit.

This is the story of how I got it, and how one man's incredible kindness had a profound effect on me.

Show Notes

• Read the Story at Casabona.org
• Rate: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Podchaser
• Get Unstuck in 2025

2024 has been a transformative year for me. I learned a ton about myself and my business, and for the first time in a while I feel like I’m not flailing. I’ll have the clearest plan I’ve had in a long time in 2025 — one that’s reinforced by conversations I’ve had, not just hunches. So for the last episode of the year, I wanted to do a quick year in review where I talk about my biggest success, my biggest failure, and the lessons I learn.

Plus, some feedback from last week’s episode on using AI.

My Biggest Success

This was definitely ranking #1 in Google for “Podcast Coach”. It shows that my work to grow this area of my business is working out!

Biggest Failure

My Be everywhere strategy. I made a big deal about it and abandoned after 4 months, since it was very clearly not working. It was basically all downsides. It also resulted in two other outcomes:

• Going to stop publishing on Medium in 2025
• Shutting down my membership

Lessons

• Know your niche. I thought I knew mine but it got a lot clearer the back half of the year, and I saw a positive impact because of it.
• Don’t discount SEO/Google, and even ChatGPT, which is being used for search more. As social media is fracturing further,
• Focus on one thing at a time. My Be Everywhere strategy left me trying to do too many things at once, and none of the succeeded.

Links

• PodMatch
• Maker and Moxie
• Podcast Advent
• My Experiment with Substack and Being “Everywhere”
• My Be Everywhere Strategy was an Incredible Failure
• How to be a Scrappy Researcher (to Actually Sell Products) with Becky Pierson Davidson
• I’m Shutting Down my Podcast Membership
• We Need AI Disclosures
• Matt Medeiros
• The Podcast Setup
• Mike (Bagel) Barugel

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:32) - My Biggest Success
• (06:01) - My Biggest Failure
• (09:34) - Social Media is Fracturing
• (11:30) - 3 Lessons from 2024
• (16:25) - Feedback on Using AI

It’s been two years since ChatGPT went mainstream, and AI has completely transformed how we work. While I maintain some hesitancy and skepticism in using AI, it has made it’s way into my daily life for certain tasks. While I’ll tell you all about that, I also talk about why the human touch will always matter, no matter how advanced these tools get.

So strap in (yes, I wrote these words without any intervention from AI) for a look into how I’ve been using AI as a solopreneur. And don’t worry — I’ve mostly edited out the rambling rants.

Top Takeaways

• AI tools like ChatGPT have improved significantly, especially with features like custom GPTs and web-connected capabilities, but there’s room for growth in personalization.
• AI has become an essential tool in my workflows, particularly for providing fresh perspectives during ideation and research, and “rubber ducking.”
• As we move forward, it’s important to balance efficiency with authenticity, using AI for support while ensuring it doesn’t replace meaningful human interactions and creativity.

Links

• Apple's Definition of a Photo
• The Coming Wave
• I'm on Bluesky
• Send your feedback 

• (00:00) - Intro
• (01:52) - I'm AI Hesitant
• (05:49) - How I'm Using AI
• (09:41) - ChatGPT is Replacing Google
• (12:48) - My Thoughts on Apple Intelligence
• (13:58) - What is a Photo?
• (18:53) - Feedback — How You're Using AI!
• (22:31) - The Future of AI
• (25:41) - Wrapping Up

“Build your authority” feels like advice that’s often given without a solution attached. And it’s SO important to solopreneurs, especially since social media is no longer the best place to build a proper audience. 

That’s why I sat down with Jessica Lackey, a business and operations strategist who’s all about helping solopreneurs like us build real authority.  We talked all about what you actually need to do to build authority – from understanding who you’re talking to, to the medium you use to get your message out. 

Top Takeaways

• Develop a Clear Premise, Process, and Body of Work: Building authority begins with a well-defined message and positioning (your premise), a unique approach to your work (your process), and a public body of work that showcases your thinking and differentiates you from others.
• Focus on Patterns and Behaviors Over Demographics: When identifying your niche or audience, prioritize the patterns, behaviors, and values of those you serve best, rather than just their demographic details. This leads to more meaningful connections and effective authority building.
• Create a Cohesive Body of Work Outside of Feed-Based Platforms: Relying solely on social media can be limiting due to its ephemeral nature. Building authority is more effective on platforms you own—like blogs, newsletters, or podcasts—where your content forms a cohesive and accessible body of work.

Finally, pick the medium you’re most comfortable with – or as Jessica puts it – pick the method for authority building that you’ll actually use.

Show Notes

• Jessica Lackey

In this bonus episode, I share a gratitude-inspired look at the tools and habits that have shaped my year, including my favorite apps, services, and hardware. From time-saving actions to game-changing tech, this episode offers a sneak peek into my “favorites of the year” and how they’ve helped me reclaim time and focus.

Links

• Obsidian
• Blank Spaces App
• The Brick
• I'm on Bluesky
• Audible
• ChatGPT
• Kindle Colorsoft
• My iPhone Home Screen 

Have you ever been playing with your kids or trying to relax, but your mind keeps drifting back to work? Trust me, you’re not alone! It can feel frustrating – and it can feel like you’re failing to achieve “work/life balance.” 

That’s why I brought on Lindsey Carnick, a licensed clinical social worker and owner of Onward Psychological Services.

We get into how our minds work, the importance of aligning with our personal values, and practical strategies to stop overthinking – BUT ALSO why there’s no shame in those random work thoughts. 

If you’re done feeling shame for work thoughts hijacking your free time, and want to learn how to be more in control of your reaction to them, this is a perfect episode for you. 

Something that puts my mind at ease with work is knowing things are still chugging along, even when I’m sleeping, thanks to my automations. Want a head start? Download my free automations database at https://streamlined.fm/freebie

Top Takeaways

• Accept the Mind’s Wanderings: It’s natural for your mind to think about work during personal time. Instead of resisting or feeling guilty about these thoughts, acknowledge them without judgment.
• Align Actions with Personal Values: Understanding and prioritizing your personal values helps in making decisions that lead to a fulfilling life.
• Write to Manage Thoughts: Writing down thoughts can help clear your mind and prevent intrusive ideas from occupying mental space. Plus, once you write things down, the words on the page won’t change!

Show Notes

• Lindsey Carnick
• Lindsey on Linkedin
• Lindsey on Instagram
• The Black Swan

It’s the annual gift guide episode! Except, instead of just talking at you for 40 minutes, This year, I’ve teamed up with my good friend Cat Mulvihill to bring you the ultimate 2024 Gift Guide for solopreneurs and anyone working from home. We talk home goods, tech, productivity, EDC, and more.

Our main goal fits perfectly with the mission too: we want to help you solve a problem…not just spend money unnecessarily.

Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking for the perfect gift for the solopreneur in your life, we’ve got you covered with thoughtful, problem-solving recommendations that’ll make the work-from-home experience smoother and more enjoyable.

And let us know, what’s something you can’t live without? Leave a message at streamlinedfeedback.com

Find Cat

• Cat Mulvihill
• Cat on LinkedIn
• Cat’s YouTube Channel

Want a special discount on all the Elgato stuff we mentioned? Use Cat's link and discount code: 

• https://elgato.sjv.io/catmulvihill
• Rebate Code at checkout: ZZ-CatMulvihill

Home and Office

• Dual Basket Air Fryer
• OXO Coffee Grinder (I incorrectly said “Bonavita” during the show, which is my coffee maker)
• Tea Kettle
• Lamy Fountain Pen
• Joe’s Pen Buyer’s Guide
• Oofos Sandals

Tech

• Rocketbook
• Rock Paper Pencil
• Doc Popps
• Kindle Colorsoft
• Kobo eReaders
• Stream Deck Plus
• Stream Deck Neo
• Cat’s Stream Deck Essentials Course
• Elgato Prompter 
• Elgato Light Remote 
• Brick
• Philips SmartSleep Alarm Clock
• iFixIt Kit
• RØDE Micro Mobile Wireless Mics
• DJI Mic
• External Hard Drive

EDC

• The James Brand Folsom Knife
• Shady Rays Sunglasses
• Nomad Watch Bands
• Beats Case for iPhone 16 Pro
• Bellroy Wallet
• Oura Ring

Software

• Ecamm Live
• Tella.tv

Contains affiliate links

• (00:00) - Introductions and Advice
• (04:06) - Comforts of Home
• (15:32) - Tech and Gear
• (42:07) - Everyday Carry Essentials
• (47:48) - Software Recommendations for Black Friday
• (55:07) - Removing Friction in Daily Life

Bringing a VA into your business can free up your time and help you focus on growth, but finding and effectively working with the right VA requires clarity on what you need, a structured hiring process, and simple, ongoing communication.

Many solopreneurs are overwhelmed by the process of hiring and working with a VA. You may not know where to start, what tasks to delegate, or how to ensure the VA’s work aligns with your business goals. This leads to hesitation, missed opportunities, and often burnout from handling too many tasks alone.

So today, I’m going to tell you how I work with my VA, and give you a 4-step process for finding and successfully working your VA.

Want that VA Notion template I mentioned? Head on over to https://streamlinedfeedback.com/  and leave a message!

Top Takeaways

• Define and Delegate Key Tasks: Start by identifying tasks that take up the most time but don’t require your direct involvement. Using the “perform, evaluate, and remove” framework helps clarify which tasks are best suited for delegation to a VA.
• Select and Test Multiple Candidates: To find a suitable VA, post a job on platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, or onlinejobs.ph, then test a shortlist of candidates on the same task. Evaluating each VA’s work on a small project helps gauge their skills and attention to detail.
• Create Videos for Each Task: Use video tutorials to record yourself completing each task, explaining each step clearly. Have the VA transcribe these instructions and write out steps, creating a documented process that they can refer back to as they work.