Grief & Pizza

In this episode we spoke with one of our favorite makers Joel Hooks on the challenges of course creation, platform development, and AI. We also explore software development, music creation, and social media while Joel shares his fitness journey and its impact on his life and work. Links * Badass Courses [https://badass.dev/] * CourseBuilder [https://www.coursebuilder.dev/] * Egghead.io [https://egghead.io/] * @joelhooks.com on Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/joelhooks.com] * _noise_complaint on Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@_noise_complaint] Takeaways * The importance of owning one's platform for course creation and delivery * Challenges and considerations in building and maintaining course platforms * The impact of platform limitations on course delivery and content creation * The use of AI in content creation and its potential impact on course development * The significance of tool choice for course creation and delivery  * The importance of prioritizing the local work environment in software development * The impact of personal preferences and opinions on file format and software development * The significance of data portability and interoperability in building software tools * The joy and creativity involved in music production and exploration * The evolving landscape of social media platforms and the role of community engagement in programming and creative endeavors The decision to prioritize fitness involves a significant mindset shift and commitment. * Hiring a coach and committing to a fitness routine can lead to unexpected enjoyment in fitness activities. * The evolving landscape of online platforms presents challenges and opportunities for content creators. Creators & Guests * Marie Poulin [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-poulin] - Host * Benjamin Borowski [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/benjamin-borowski] - Host * Joel Hooks [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/joel-hooks] - Guest

In this episode, we spoke with fellow Notion pro, educator, and project management expert Monica Lim about productivity and life including strategies on handling and recognizing burnout. Check out this episode if, like Monica, you love learning and making things happen! Links * MonicaLim.co [https://monicalim.co/] * @MonicaLim on Twxtter [https://twitter.com/monicalimco] Takeaways * Volunteering in high-pressure situations, such as firefighting, can help build resilience and reduce nervousness in other areas of life. * Teaching experience can provide valuable skills for public speaking, as it involves helping others understand and learn. * Managing ADHD requires finding strategies for prioritization and focusing on important tasks. * Developing principles for decision making can help in prioritizing and avoiding distractions. * Helping others can be fulfilling, but it's important to set boundaries and prioritize personal well-being. Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive or prolonged stress. * Recognizing the signs of burnout and implementing strategies for recovery is crucial in managing and preventing burnout. * Creating ideal days and rituals can help maintain balance and prevent burnout. * AI can be a valuable tool in offsetting burnout, particularly in research and decision-making. Curiosity can lead to a deeper understanding of AI and automation. * Automation can make tasks feel like magic and increase productivity. * Learning to code can provide more control and power in automating processes. * It is important to identify areas that can be automated and find the entry point to automation. * Prioritizing learning and having a specific goal or project in mind can help determine the value of learning to code. Creators & Guests * Marie Poulin [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-poulin] - Host * Benjamin Borowski [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/benjamin-borowski] - Host * Monica Lim [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/monica-lim] - Guest

Thomas Frank has been leveraging his learning through multiple businesses and media channels. Today he joins the Oki Doki team to talk about Notion, life, and his new knowledge capture tool, Flylighter. Links * Flylighter [https://flylighter.com/] * Thomas Frank on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@Thomasfrank] * Thomas Frank Explains on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@ThomasFrankExplains] * Learn Notion with Thomas [https://thomasjfrank.com/] Takeaways * Transitioning from content creation to software development can be challenging, and it's important to recognize your strengths and delegate tasks that are not in your wheelhouse. * Building a team and finding the right people to work with is crucial for the success of a business. * When pricing a software product, it's important to consider the value it provides to users and gather feedback to determine the optimal pricing model. * The future of software development lies in modular and flexible tools that can adapt to users' needs and integrate with various platforms. * Structured play is an effective way to learn and explore new topics, allowing for experimentation and discovery. Breaking the habit of checking the phone first thing in the morning can lead to a more productive start to the day. * Living without smartphones for a significant part of one's life can provide perspective on the need for constant connectivity. * Changing focus and obsessions can lead to new creative outlets and a shift in mindset. * Being closer to family and having a sense of community can be important factors in making decisions about where to live. Creators & Guests * Marie Poulin [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-poulin] - Host * Benjamin Borowski [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/benjamin-borowski] - Host * Thomas Frank [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/thomas-frank] - Guest

In this episode, Mariah shared her unique approaches to content creation, exploring the ease and effectiveness of podcasting as a marketing channel. She reflects on her business pivots and the transition to a new business structure that allows for more spaciousness and personal growth, discussing her transition from a CEO role to a Creator-Founder role. She also shares her desire to experiment and try new things, which led her to downsize her team and focus on her own creativity. So much amazing learning in one episode; what a treat! Links * MariahCoz.com [https://mariahcoz.com/] Chapters * (00:00) - Mariah Interview * (00:13) - Building a neurodivergent friendly business * (02:25) - How do you know when you're in a good or bad creative cycle? * (04:31) - How do you evaluate where a project or idea might fit in your business? * (12:34) - How Mariah made a podcast be an easy lift * (17:48) - How did Mariah land on podcasting as her main platform? * (21:43) - What is the structure of Mariah's current business? * (36:10) - How did you learn that you wanted to be a creator and not a CEO? * (46:31) - Being a destroyer and not always a creator * (50:55) - What does your current iteration look like? * (54:29) - Why would you intentionally avoiding big opportunities? * (01:05:56) - Do you use any AI tools in your work currently? * (01:07:07) - What's the best way for people to find out more about Mariah Coz? Takeaways * Creating a neurodivergent-friendly business involves designing processes and systems that accommodate individual needs and mental health challenges. * Focusing on substance over aesthetics in content creation can lead to faster and more efficient production. * Podcasting can be an easy and effective marketing channel, providing a platform for sharing ideas and connecting with an audience. * Transitioning from ads to podcasting can offer more freedom and flexibility in content creation and delivery. * Reevaluating roles and creating spaciousness in business can lead to personal growth and a more sustainable approach to work. Transitioning from a CEO role to a creator role requires making changes to the way programs are delivered and the structure of the business. * Embracing change and experimentation is essential for personal and professional growth. * There is a difference between a "Creator" founder and a CEO, and it's important to understand one's own strengths and desires. * The creator CEO role requires elasticity and the ability to transition between different roles and responsibilities. * Fear of visibility can hold back growth, but saying yes to new opportunities can lead to personal and professional development. Creators & Guests * Marie Poulin [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-poulin] - Host * Benjamin Borowski [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/benjamin-borowski] - Host * Mariah Coz [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/mariah-coz] - Guest

Marie Ng, founder of Llama Life, shares her journey from advertising to software development and the challenges and successes she encountered along the way. She discusses the importance of building a customer base and the resonance of her product with the ADHD community. Links * LlamaLife.co [https://llamalife.co/] * Marie on Twitter [https://twitter.com/threehourcoffee] Chapters * (00:00) - Living the Llama Life with Marie Ng * (00:28) - What has your journey been thus far? * (04:50) - How long did it take to get to the first sale to another person? * (10:57) - The perfect storm of COVID and everyone suddenly working from home * (15:43) - The benefits of being funded vs bootstrapped * (26:29) - What did you hire for when you got funded? * (33:57) - Life as a founder with ADHD * (01:05:18) - What are you excited about? What's coming up next? * (01:08:35) - Why Llama?   Takeaways * Transitioning from one career to another requires dedication and a willingness to learn new skills. * Building a customer base requires effective marketing strategies and resonating with a specific target audience. * Seeking funding can provide opportunities for growth and expansion. * Hiring the right team members is crucial for filling skill gaps and supporting the growth of the business. Hiring is a challenging and time-consuming process, but having prior experience working with someone can help ensure a good fit. * Design and branding play a crucial role in creating a distinct and enjoyable user experience. * Creating a supportive team environment with open communication and low ego is essential for managing ADHD as a founder. * Entrepreneurship allows for more control over one's work environment and the ability to solve personal problems. * Building and scaling a product involves making decisions and managing tech debt, but it's important to prioritize and focus on the customer experience. Creators & Guests * Marie Poulin [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-poulin] - Host * Benjamin Borowski [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/benjamin-borowski] - Host * Marie Ng [https://podcast.weareokidoki.com/people/marie-ng] - Guest