Month: June 2025

  • June 30, 2025

    When AI Writes Your Code: Success, Horror Stories, and What’s Next with Susan Boles

    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 underscoped client project, Susan’s journey with Google Scripts was more of a write-test-fail-repeat cycle. We explored how this technology is reshaping not just how we build things, but potentially eliminating entry-level programming positions while creating new challenges around security and best practices.

    The conversation took an interesting turn when I shared my recent Claude horror story — what started as a simple quiz creation turned into building an entire WordPress plugin, only to realize I should have just used Gravity Forms from the beginning. Sometimes the smartest tool isn’t the shiniest one.

    Special thanks to Kit for letting us use their studios! Learn more about them here

    Want my AI Swipe file? Go here: https://streamlined.fm/automation

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  • June 26, 2025

    Why “Just Ask AI to Code It” Doesn’t Work

    Back when I was a web developer, every week a friend or acquaintance would come up to me and say, “Joey, I have a great idea for an app.”

    They would then explain some brilliant app to me that would make a ton of money. I’d patiently listen, then ask them 4 questions:

    • Who would use this app?
    • How will it make money?
    • What competition is out there?
    • What do you see as the partnership for this app?

    Ultimately, they’d say:

    • “Everyone”
    • “I don’t know yet but it will”
    • “There is none”
    • “I was thinking 50-50”

    …which were all terrible answers to those questions. Mostly because it showed they did zero work outside of having the idea.

    And partially because 50% for an idea wasn’t exactly my favorite business model. Even if it was 50% of nothing.

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  • June 23, 2025

    How Google Workspace Saved my Life with FamousAshley Grant

    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 dinner?” 

    Now she has a full system inside Google Sheets – and you’re going to learn exactly how it works. 

    Want access to my database of 40+ automations and AI prompts for free? Get it here: https://casabona.org/streamlined 

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  • June 23, 2025

    Are you Stretching Yourself too Thin?

    Over the weekend, Clark Schmidt, a starting pitcher for the New York Yankees, flirted with a no-hitter. 

    This is a feat so rare that in the last 10 years, it’s only been done 21 times by a single pitcher. That’s about 0.08% of all games. There have also been 6 combined no-hitters in that same time span.

    Interestingly enough, if we look at the time span between 1970-2014, there were 109 single pitcher no-hitters (about 0.11% of all games), with 4 combined no-hitters. 

    Not only have we seen a drop in the percentage of no-hitters in the last 10 years, but we also saw 6 combined no-hitters in 10 seasons vs. just 4 in the previous 45. 

    Why is that? Managers today are much more concerned about pitch count. 

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  • June 22, 2025

    Trying superwhisper as my Voice Notes App

    I’m trying a new voice notes app.

    I’ve used Whisper Memos for a while now, and really, truly loved it. But the last four or five notes I’ve tried recording with it were completely lost. No transcript, no recording, no summary.

    When I rely so heavily on a tool that becomes this unreliable, it’s time to move on. So after a brief stint with Whisper Transcription, I’ve decided to look at superwhisper.

  • June 19, 2025

    Ask Me Anything: Automation Questions Roundup

    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://streamlined.fm/automation (powered by Kit, natch)

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  • June 17, 2025

    The Humanity, Stupid.

    Back in 1991, George HW Bush was hugely popular — like 90% approval rating popular.

    But in 1992, that changed dramatically, shifting to a 64% disapproval just months before the presidential election. The economy had a lot to do with it.

    That shift was even worse because it was an election year, and he was running against a charismatic young Democrat named Bill Clinton.

    So in order to keep Clinton (a relative newcomer to national politics) on track during the campaign, his strategist James Carville wrote 3 sentences on a poster.

    One of them was The economy, stupid.

    Assuming today’s politicians are anything like those of 30+ years ago, it’s easy to want to react to every opinion that comes across your desk. It’s easy to get distracted, which is why Carville picked only 3 topics Clinton should focus on.

    Almost as divisive as US politics are opinions about AI and its use. They range from “it will save the world” to “everyone will be jobless this time next year.”

    But being at Jay Clouse’s Lab Offline event, followed immediately by Craft + Commerce, solidified for me our greatest strength in the face of AI.

    The humanity, stupid.

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  • June 16, 2025

    My 4-App Travel System That Saves Hours of Trip Planning

    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

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  • June 9, 2025

    My iPhone Focus Modes

    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

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