TOPIC : Publix Hustle This week, Dan and Merlin talk about grocery store promotions, transactional help, the racket of school photos, Occam's Razor for public schools, Time Machine troubleshooting, the scourge of The Crackle, and BMO the salesman. The boys help a lot of people by responding to listener questions about the state of Siri, making friends after college, and the seeking of universal truth. Links for this episode: OmniFocus for iOS 11 Adds Extensive Drag and Drop and Siri Support – Ma...
Sep 26, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast After some Followup and Front Matter, your hosts dive into iOS 11. (Spoilers: it's really good.) Links for this episode: Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann Video: Those 'Shot on iPhone' ads are not what they seem: Digital Photography Review Checkmark 2 on the App Store Is MSG Bad for Your Health? - Science Friday iOS 11: The MacStories Review – MacStories iOS 11 review iOS 11 review: Smarter, better, faster, bolder | iMore Here Come the iOS 11 Updates Snapseed on the App Store Me...
Sep 19, 2017•1 hr 21 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dan and Merlin convene to talk about today's big Apple event. Links for this episode: Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann MERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By Friday, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, September 21st to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.” It's free and it's fun. Just Press Record on the App Store ESPN launches rebranded Apple TV app w/ new design,...
Sep 12, 2017•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dan has useful updates on Windows backup options and answers questions about building a Hackintosh . Both of your hosts extoll the virtues of their new Apple TV remote case dinguses. The big topic this week is Nintendo Switch, and Dan has a lot of great stuff to share about his family's first weekend with their new console. (Spoiler: everybody likes it!) Your hosts respond to listener questions about iOS wishlist items and how to freshen up a moribund OmniFocus setup. Links for this e...
Sep 05, 2017•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Don't provoke Dan. This week, Dan and Merlin (once again) complain about what works and what just kiiiinda works with smart devices. Who's winning the voice control game, and who's struggling to play catchup? Ecosystems! Next up, the boys talk about some surprisingly handy and useful cases for that befuddling Apple TV remote. Also, Dan needs your help to back up Cash's Windows box. Merlin has an important request, too. Also provided are scientific updates on how much a scale weighs. Fina...
Aug 29, 2017•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : It's like elevator buttons. This week, Dan and Merlin talk a lot about komodo dragons. Also, homework sucks, seed codes rule, and @Movesapp drools. How do we get so scared about things? How cool did flying used to be? Your hosts respond to listener questions about the state of self-tracking, and the scourge of extraneous device notifications. Links for this episode: Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann MERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, Do By F...
Aug 22, 2017•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : How do you know when you're legitimately overwhelmed? This episode, your hosts catch up on Florida, schedule and sleep consistency, ladders vs. walls, travel mania, and the fraught landscape of personal device security. Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding feeling overwhelmed and dealing with dumb clocks. Links for this episode: As You Climb the Ladder of Success, Be Sure It’s Leaning Against the Right Building | Quote Investigator iOS 11's SOS Feature All...
Aug 18, 2017•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Keep your hand away from the giant's mouth! This week, Dan and Merlin look back on summer and forward to the new school year. Also, some excellent ad hoc Business Analysis about the past and future of malls and other retail outposts. Your hosts respond to listener feedback and questions regarding domain name speculation and options for tracking multiple currencies Links for this episode: Mailinator Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #18 — Merlin Mann Magic Calculator on the Mac App Store Episode 653...
Aug 18, 2017•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Start treating yourself like a dummy today. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about iOS 11, the trade-offs of running betas, and waking up to how we're using devices differently. Merlin has thoughts on the usefulness of the will to live. Dan has a new approach to dealing with PR pitches, and the boys undertake an exciting new social experiment. Your hosts answer listener questions about the mechanics of calendar scheduling and best practices for building new habits. Links for this episode: ...
Aug 01, 2017•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Mapping Your Focus and Motivation This week, Dan talks about a cool new addition to his Fireside.fm service, and Merlin interviews him about how he likes to choose, plan, and evolve the features of an app. Two questions this week, both from Listener Jonathan. First, your hosts address the era of Peak TV, including how they choose their TV services and how they recommend narrowing in on finding the best stuff to watch (and when). Next, the evergreen topic of calendars and todos returns. H...
Jul 25, 2017•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Help! My bosses are doing a really dumb thing! This week, Dan and Merlin help a listener and his youngster get started with Spider-Man. Also, hey, support your Local Comic Shop ! Listener Molly asks how to help prevent a terrible, damaging change from happening inside her company. Dan talks about War for the Planet of the Apes , and Merlin knows when to exit on a good bit. Links for this episode: Instant Pot Spider-Man: Homecoming's Lack of Spidey Sense Explained | Collider How Do I...
Jul 18, 2017•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Making the spice flow. This week, Dan and Merlin dive into the thriving ecosystem of Florida's ad hoc roofing and lawn care professionals. Merlin gets The Boeing Contract, and Dan leaves a check under the mat. Your hosts admit they don't really understand the big kerfuffle over 1Password, but they admit to feeling the pain of being an indie developer today. Dan just wants the beef ribs he'd been promised. Around 1:19:30 , the spoiler horn fires off for a squee-filled celebration of Spide...
Jul 11, 2017•2 hr 41 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Time Tetris in Difficult Mode This week, Dan and Merlin do a VERY deep dive on one listener's question about life with an excruciating shared Google Calendar. Merlin, unsurprisingly, has a lot to say about this. No. Like, really. A lot a lot . Other topics include Food Lion bleach meat, God's only sandwich, Adventure Time Mashup Pack (Finally!), Agape love, and, importantly, " What’s Happening To Sleep Train? " Links for this episode: Fits + Starts: 18: Eventually it sucks less (with Mer...
Jul 07, 2017•2 hr 31 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Drawing effective water. In this week's tight and bright episode, Dan and Merlin do dome followup on food bars and CBD oil, then discuss how to get better at letting people just enjoy what they like. In this week's main topic, your hosts address how to think more productively (and more realistically) about what you need from a task management app. Links for this episode: 195: Existing as a Curiosity with Merlin Mann Merlin Mann, podcaster, man about the internet, and devastatingly handso...
Jun 27, 2017•1 hr 2 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Thirty cable boxes. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about beloved late night talk shows, Planet of the Apes , and the future of TV. Dan introduces his new thought technology about "Protoforms." Your hosts also respond to listener questions about using Chromecasts and how to start the day. Links for this episode: Mindfulness Meditation: The Basics — 10% Happier Minecraft Adventure Time Mash-Up pack! - YouTube Item 17233 - Oral Dispenser with Tip Cap, Comar®, 1mL - Amber David Letterman Fir...
Jun 20, 2017•2 hr 51 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Asterisks and Question Marks. This week, Dan and Merlin cover corgis (and other pets), asking for lettuce wraps, high-floor sandwiches, bread in a tube, John Wick (no spoilers), and the wonderful comic infographics of Kate Willaert . There is some ecosystem talk regarding ride sharing statistics and Apple's announced addition of podcast listening analytics. How many bits of identifying information are you sending? Your hosts answer Listener Tim's question about when to accept that you ca...
Jun 13, 2017•2 hr 43 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : She was only 15 years old! This week kicks off with some thoughts on yesterday's WWDC Keynote and some potentially promising signs for Apple's future. Dan declares YouTube videos from The Trip to be the greatest thing Merlin has ever shown him, and he is correct. Merlin is infatuated with Nebo. Then, the boys answer listener questions about calendars, GTD and Buddhism, and how to choose a browser. Links for this episode: Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #17 — Merlin Mann MERLIN MANN (Back to Work,...
Jun 06, 2017•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : "The results have been increbidle." This week, Dan and Merlin opine about various Apple feelings and wondering where the heck things are going. Merlin is sanguine. Merlin is mad at KFC, and Dan reminds us how great 1974 was for movies. Finally, your hosts respond to listener feedback. Links for this episode: A fascinating graphic novel about the origins of Dungeons & Dragons | Ars Technica Canvas #36: Wishes for iOS 11 - Relay FM This week Fraser and Federico welcome special guest Me...
May 30, 2017•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Again with the motivation. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about what motivates the companies who make set-top boxes vs. the providers of the content for those dinguses. What attracts fans to a given platform, and why are we getting so resistant to straight-up buying movies and TV shows? ("I learned it by watching you!") In listener feedback, your hosts examine whether and how various apps and services can be deployed in the service of building better habits. Links for this episode: Quoti...
May 23, 2017•1 hr 22 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Odds 'N Sods In this sprawling "odds 'n sods" episode, Dan and Merlin discuss: superheroes, scary movie trailers, (yes, more ) egregious package delivery drama, customer service Buddhism, some excellent kids books, updates on the pretty good Hulu Live TV service, commercials for prescription drugs, politics and blood pressure, the joys of Nuzzel.com, auditing your online authorizations, why Meh.com are jackals, spray-on hair, delivery tracking services, and, yes, some deep updates on ema...
May 16, 2017•2 hr 33 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Lady in a tube. This week, Dan and Merlin unexpectedly end up doing a pretty deep dive on Amazon voice products and the evolving ecosystem around them. Which is way more interesting than it sounds. Deep dive. Links for this episode: QI - "No Such Thing As A Fish" Podcast "A weekly podcast in which the QI researchers share their most interesting recent discoveries." Chumby - Wikipedia SMALT-The smart home device that elevates your dining experience Introducing Echo Look - Hands-...
May 09, 2017•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Curiosity before fear. This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the experience of Apple stores and repairs, The Handmaid's Tale , Dan's invertebrate-sensing skills, and some follow-up on "look left, go left." Listener Molly asks about how to become a morning person, and Listener Lance wants help with the anxiety of moving someplace new. Links for this episode: Dan's CBD Oil Recommendation Brought to you by: Casper (Visit Casper.com/itsyourshow and use the code ITSYOURSHOW for $50 toward...
May 03, 2017•1 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Velocity! This week Dan and Merlin talk about lice, Kenny Rogers, strange memory phenomena, an intriguing new oil, and popcorn nugs pricing. A question from Listener Ben leads to suggestions for finding velocity. Links for this episode: Desire path - Wikipedia "A Lie Agreed Upon: David Milch's Deadwood" | MZS | Roger Ebert Why Walking through a Doorway Makes You Forget - Scientific American Can CBD Oil Help Cure Anxiety? Understanding The Differences Between Hemp and Canna...
Apr 27, 2017•1 hr 29 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Triangles Everywhere! This week, Dan and Merlin shuck and/or jive about stealing, Publix, airlines, driver’s ed, douchebagerié, Twitter bots, and more. Main topic this week is a question from Listener Brian about project management. Merlin expounds at length at this dark art and what it can teach us about life. Links for this episode: Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #16 — Merlin Mann Facebook Fraud - YouTube Project management triangle - Wikipedia The Project Management Triangle (called also Trip...
Apr 25, 2017•2 hr 50 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : Oh my GOD, this is torture . This week, Dan and Merlin talk about—amongst other odds and sods — the Mean FedEx Guy, the weird future of gig economies, and Adventure Time . Then, there's some handy tips on how to leverage iOS Accessibility settings for a better and more efficient experience on your device. Listener Michelle writes in to ask about dealing with colleagues who use the hallway as an ad hoc one-on-one meeting. What strategies can we employ to be civil and collegial about carel...
Apr 11, 2017•1 hr 26 min•Transcript available on Metacast After some brief shucky-jivey, the boys resign themselves to discussing the big Apple announcement. They ponder why and how the message was delivered in the way it was as well as what it means . Dan has thoughts on modularization and Merlin reveals a new unified field theory. Then, yay, lots more responses to excellent questions from listeners. Links for this episode: Weezer - Paranoid Android - YouTube Upgrade #135: Trashed The Can - Relay FM Occam's razor - Wikipedia Among competing hypot...
Apr 05, 2017•1 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast After some very important follow-up, and more than a little shucking and jiving, your hosts answer questions from listeners. This is a good one! Links for this episode: Brian Regan - Stand Up Comedy Full HD - Best Comedian Ever - YouTube Bacon Ray - “Tomfoolery” 7-inch (AAJ Records, 1995) Source of that song "Sundays in a Row" AND the Back to Work closing theme. Download 'em for free! Hard Boiled Eggs | Wilcox Farms Oberto Amazon.com : Oberto All Natural Original Beef Jerky, 3.25-Ounce Bag (Pack...
Mar 31, 2017•1 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, Dan and Merlin have one of their beloved "odds and sods" episodes. Something for everyone in this diverse and bewildering episode. " Same day delivery! " Links for this episode: Bacon Ray - “Tomfoolery” 7-inch (AAJ Records, 1995) Source of that song "Sundays in a Row" AND the Back to Work closing theme. Download 'em for free! Sorry for the Delayed Response - The New Yorker A Prairie Home Companion Highlights — Overcast GitHub - kdeldycke/awesome-falsehood: Curated list of falsehoods p...
Mar 21, 2017•1 hr 11 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : "Delivery Attempted." This week, Merlin struggles with his coffee-making options, and Dan recalls his days of fishing lures. USPS deliveries, several TV shows, and Wolverine's disturbing bone claws are also discussed. Listener Jackson writes in to ask about dealing with failings of self-discipline. Links for this episode: Stop Auto-Play Videos from Annoying You in Your Browser on macOS | Kirkville Online Grey Noise Generator | Hearing Calibrated Sound of My Voice - Wikipedia Scott Pilgri...
Mar 14, 2017•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast TOPIC : "Remember this film is supposed to be a comedy." This week: Dan struggles with his progressive lenses, but he really liked the movie, Logan . Merlin's daughter has made four piles, and he finally accepts that he really should be watching more movies for his "work." Then, there's follow-up on that crazy S3 typo and some pretty poor Oscars® OPSEC. Then we're on to answering listener feedback via two futurist hats and a parenting hat: Listener Andrew, on self-driving cars and the mainstream...
Mar 07, 2017•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
