Do Not Schedule

The Divorce Episode

Sat, 16 May 2026 16:00:00 +0000

OR: Have you checked the spark plugs?

Josh just wants to note that he closed on a car 48 hours after this was recorded. SECRET SPECIAL GUEST CONTENT ENCLOSED. Mike pops a fourth-story pimple and is off Instagram (again). Most of this episode is attacking Josh's psyche--be gentle emailing feedback to DoNotSchedulePod@gmail.com. Quarterly/annual theme talk is included, Josh is pursuing "Good Practice" as inspired by Craig Mod, and Mike is once again focused on "Less Trash."

(Recorded January 17, 2026)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (MikeJosh): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Music: Bloom (Album) by Raynes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pGIZvfsk1Q&list=PLhMQq49dGqfBis1FmiDAh_PqecXpWLCoH Music: Waiting to Die, Harrison Boe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xfuYPMx39w Music: Racing Mt Pleasant https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcyon8CBs1cZYlNhp_bsZFw Music: Silver Deliverer, Aly & AJ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h30XtTv32lc&list=PLwLdWS_ptmgv5tTlVlzapQ5s3HSWbffac App: Beeper https://www.beeper.com App: Readwise Reader https://readwise.io/read Article: Full Days and the Long Walk, Craig Mod https://craigmod.com/ridgeline/217/

My Capacity is Infinite

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 11:48:00 +0000

It's the end of 2025 (or writing this, April 2026 - we're catching up, I swear). Josh is suffering from his stress but is trying to turn things around. Mike has a beautiful interactive media experience (no, not the hospital thing this time) in NYC. Big Questions, Thick and Thin Desires, and Monks in the Casino await 2026.

(Recorded December 29, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us: DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes:

Tool: YearCompass https://yearcompass.com

Event Space: Wonderville NYC https://www.wonderville.nyc

Event: WordHack (monthly at Wonderville) https://toddwords.com/wordhack/

Article: Joan Westenberg, Thin Desires Are Eating Your Life https://www.joanwestenberg.com/thin-desires-are-eating-your-life/

Article: Derek Thompson, The Monks in the Casino https://www.derekthompson.org/p/the-monks-in-the-casino

Article: David Brooks, The Shock of Faith: It's Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/19/opinion/faith-god-christianity.html

Book: David Brooks, How to Know a Person https://bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-know-a-person-the-art-of-seeing-others-deeply-and-being-deeply-seen-david-brooks/19713254

Blog: Tracy Durnell, Big Questions https://tracydurnell.com/questions/

Tool: Readwise Reader https://readwise.io/read

TTRPG: Appendix N https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appendix_N

TTRPG Setting: Ultraviolet Grasslands 2E https://www.exaltedfuneral.com/products/uvg-2e

Fiction: The Tower of the Elephant, Robert E. Howard https://gutenberg.net.au/ebooks06/0600831h.html

Nine out of Ten

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 20:59:00 +0000

Description: We don't have a Patreon. Josh returns from a vacation to southern California and returns to work work work. Mike completes wedding season with minor misadventures, and survives an election. Musings on male loneliness, online friendships, and TTRPG corner. Josh knows his audio is garbled, apologizes, and strives to be better.

(Recorded November 15, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com)

Feedback? Email us (~~Mike~~ Josh): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Travel: Elephant Seal Rookery at Piedras Blancas https://elephantseal.org Comedian: Lara Beitz https://www.instagram.com/larabeitz Travel: Joshua Tree Retreat Center / Institute for Mental Physics https://jtrcc.org Book: Michael Crichton, Travels https://bookshop.org/p/books/travels-michael-crichton/6cb926710a882b70 Mike gets published: Red Wheelbarrow Poets, RWB 18 Launch https://redwheelbarrowpoets.org/2025/10/12/photos-from-rwb-18-launch/ Article: Derek Thompson and Adam Mastroianni, Are You Afraid of Talking to Strangers? https://www.derekthompson.org/p/why-are-we-so-afraid-of-talking-to Commenter: Prof G – Scott Galloway https://www.profgalloway.com Book: Scott Galloway, Notes on Being a Man https://bookshop.org/p/books/notes-on-being-a-man-scott-galloway/2947952030f521b0 Book: Andrew Ross Sorkin, 1929 https://bookshop.org/p/books/1929-inside-the-greatest-crash-in-wall-street-history-and-how-it-shattered-a-nation-andrew-ross-sorkin/923106f6e82cd81e Article: Tracy Durnell, Two Modes of Internet Use https://tracydurnell.com/2025/09/28/two-modes-of-internet-use/ Periodical: Pencil Magazine https://pencilmagazine.bigcartel.com Periodical: Paris Review https://www.theparisreview.org Book: Becky Chambers, Monk and Robot https://bookshop.org/p/books/monk-and-robot-becky-chambers/21752517

Music Corner: Music: Raynes, Goldfish https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQs7Yhpcqqs Music: Desolation Horse, Everyone Was Incredible https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDZOGRHyIOM Music: The Mountain Goats, The Sunset Tree https://themountaingoats.bandcamp.com/album/the-sunset-tree Music: The Mountain Goats, Through This Fire Across from Peter Balkan https://themountaingoats.bandcamp.com/album/through-this-fire-across-from-peter-balkan

TTRPG Corner: TTRPG System: Lancer https://massifpress.com/lancer TTRPG System: Monsterhearts https://buriedwithoutceremony.com/monsterhearts YouTube: Mystic Arts, Multiple GMs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejw6N-nMr4I

A Flavor of Burnout

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 16:36:00 +0000

Josh is overwhelmed. Is that new? It might not be new. Mike is halfway through wedding season, with three more to go. Both of the guys are into football (is that better than AI talk? Probably not.). TTRPG corner is back, with Josh struggling what to do with the aftermath of his Pinkerton Elton John.

Note: We're looking for listener comments and questions ahead of our New Year's recording. Send them all to Mike's home address. If you don't have that, I guess use DoNotSchedulePod@gmail.com.

(Recorded October 11, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: TTRPG: Lancer

Wood and Lies

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 23:25:00 +0000

Mike is recording from his parents' house (with a special guest!) as wedding season looms ahead. He shares some of the shared history between him and Josh, and the internet community that first brought them (and listener Phil) together. At poetry night, Mike has a cathartic, emotional experience. Josh is drowning in copies of The Economist and dreams of an easier life schedule which has yet to come. He also attends a local charity event and has a chance encounter with a local celebrity of the legacy news media. Also, Infrastructure Week Part???

(Recorded September 6, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Podcast: The Town YouTube: Mystic Arts, Make Exploration into a Game to Hook Players D&D Tool: Kobold Plus Fight Club D&D Tool: AdventureLookup.com Periodical: Delayed Gratification Periodical: Pencil Magazine Periodical: The Paris Review Short Story: The Visit, featured in The Paris Review Music Corner: Cataldo, Holding onto Fate Music Corner: Harrison Boe, Teenage FBI

Two Dudes That Don't Really Know What They're Talking About

Sat, 11 Oct 2025 15:09:00 +0000

Description: Season 3 is here - strap in for meta podcast talk and Mike and Josh arguing about AI (they're both wrong and we're banning the topic in future episodes, I swear). We've embedded chapter markers so you can skip through (I think, I don't actually know how that works). Mike is juggling projects and has musings on productivity culture. Josh is building community through Drop-In D&D and DMing for the first time.

(Recorded August 16, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Article: Cult of Hard Mode, JA Westenberg Article: Bag of words, have mercy on us, Experimental History

TTRPG Corner TTRPG Dungeon: Delian Tomb, Matt Colville (via GM Binder) TTRPG Rules: Izirion's Enchiridion of the West Marches TTRPG Book: So You Want to be a Game Master, Justin Alexander TTRPG Setting and System: Ultraviolet Grasslands 2E TTRPG Book: One Shot Wonders TTRPG Book: The Monsters Know What They're Doing, Keith Ammann TTRPG Book: Flee Mortals, MCDM Fiction Book: Roadside Picnic, Strugatsky Brothers Fiction Books: Southern Reach Trilogy, Jeff VanderMeer TTRPG Book: The Lazy Dungeon Master, Sly Flourish TTRPG System: Daggerheart YouTube Channel: Mystic Arts

Careers Are a Jungle Gym

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 12:00:00 +0000

The Season 2 finale of your favorite not a show is here! Just a heads up on this one - spoilers for The Rehearsal Season 2 are ahead. It's not all work talk! It's mostly work talk. Mike moves to a four-story walkup with 30,000 residents. Josh is wrapped up in his own personal public works department and is preparing to travel 2000 miles in less than two days. Congratulations to Listener Kevin on getting Mike's resin printer and Wyrmwood gaming table. Also Mike, you still owe me $5 for my winning the Field Notes bet. It's August 2025. I'm going to start charging interest soon.

(Recorded June 19, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us with feedback, criticisms, or not a show topics: DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Blog: The Blissful Zen of a Good Side Project, Josh Collinsworth Article: Don't Expect Art to Save Us, Current Affairs App: Freedom.To YouTube: I Tried AI as a Life Coach for 365 Days - Here's What I Learned, Ali Abdaal

It's Called Gaslamping

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 02:10:00 +0000

Description:

Unscripted. Delayed. Riddled with errors. Do Not Schedule: The 13th biggest podcast in personal journals. Yes, we know it's Yemeni, not Yemenese. Josh has been crowned champion of arbitrary trivia night, despite almost failing his college philosophy course. Mike is focused on his impending move and is distracting himself by questioning Josh's very acceptable productivity systems. There's a customary amount of work and AI talk.

(Recorded May 17, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Blog: Tracey Durnell's Big Questions Article: My Brain Finally Broke, The New Yorker Book: Art of Gathering, Priya Parker Article: Will the Humanities Survive Artificial Intelligence?, The New Yorker Wikipedia: Medallion Fund and Renaissance Technology App: Freedom.To

A Basket of Trade-Offs

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:07:00 +0000

Description:

Mike contemplates chain smoking his way to the end of the world. Josh discovers OK Go and continues his magazine adventure. Oh, and there's a lot of AI talk in this one - like a lot - along with the usual questioning of various communication media. The guys read some listener emails and may or may not doxx non-listener X.

(Recorded May 2, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes:

YouTube: How Hoover Dam Works

YouTube: Linotype | How One Machine Shaped History | The Real OG of Mass Communication AI Site: Suno AI Music Generation Article: AI models can learn to conceal information from their users, The Economist Article: In Praise of Print, Ed Simon Magazine: Delayed Gratification YouTube: Here It Goes Again, OK Go YouTube: Love, OK Go

I'm Talent

Sun, 11 May 2025 15:32:00 +0000

Mike wants his not a podcast to have more general appeal; unfortunately, that may push the limits of his professional recording skills. Josh returns from speaking in Philadelphia and, gets promoted, and promptly loses his (current) job. Mike recaps his poetry festival experience and the community he's found. Other topics include Craig Mod's talk with Tim Ferriss, Mike's One-Year Anniversary with [GIRL] and family gatherings, Potato Pancake Day, and Mike's dead typewriter.

(Recorded April 18, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) [thetitlegoeshere.com](https://thetitlegoeshere.com/)

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes:

Podcast: Craig Mod #802, The Tim Ferriss Show Podcast: Craig Mod Returns #803, The Tim Ferriss Show Book: Things Become Other Things, Craig Mod Article: The Great Cousin Decline, The Atlantic Instagram: Dai Miyazaki, 3x Grammy Award Winning Guitarist Travel: Barnes Foundation, Philadelphia Instagram: Rashad Wright, Poet Laureate Book: The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker

At Least Then It's Content

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 15:08:00 +0000

(Recorded March 27, 2025) Mike and Josh do life updates, talk about what they've been reading lately, interdependent zoning laws, Josh's new mortal enemy, Mike's Interactive Media Experience, Mike moving into the Big City. I don't know maybe there was some other stuff. But if I tell you everything the guys talked about why would you listen? You know all those beautiful show notes that normally go here. Yeah Josh typically does that. But he decided he wanted to be in charge of email now so now you've got me here and I don't feel like going out and finding links to all the stuff we talked about. If you want that feel free to email donotschedulepod gmail com and I'm sure Josh will triage that appropriately.

Thanks for your understanding,

Management (Mike)

Isaac, Cut That Out

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 16:46:00 +0000

A bit of a meta-sode here. Josh is hit by daylight savings time and feeling torn between two places in his professional role; Mike is struggling with his current development project and is using AI tools to program. Time is spent analyzing and debating the show/not-a-show dynamic, which inevitably shifts to touch on current productivity and content consumption topics. Also, Mike finally checks the DNS Gmail. (Recorded March 13, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes: Blog Article: The Mindset of More, Tracy Durnell Internet Artifact: Turntable FM Blog Article: Big Questions, Tracy Durnell Blog: Experimental History Book: Main Street Millionaire, Codie Sanchez RPG: Urban Shadows

Mike, Barb, and the Dalai Lama

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 22:28:00 +0000

Mike and Josh both have quiet-ish birthdays. Mike talks travel to Costa Rica; Josh has takes on his time in Italy and Spain. Reflections are shared on their cultural experiences, the impacts of travel on romantic relationships, and (of course, sorry Phil) changes in productivity systems and information consumption. (Recorded February 21, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Mike's Travel Links:

- Restaurant: REFUGIO Coffee & Drinks, Tamarindo

Josh's Travel Links:

- Attraction: San Bernardino alle Ossa, Milan

- Attraction: Sagrada Familia, Barcelona

- Restaurant: Madre Taberna Moderna, Barcelona

- Restaurant: Arcano, Barcelona

Book: Travels, Michael Crichton

Newsletter: Main Street Journal

Microblogging Platform: Pika

Ten Happy for Five Time

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 16:12:00 +0000

2.1 Ten Happy for Five Time

Mike and Josh are still recording their semi-regular phone calls and have arbitrarily decided that this is the kick-off to their second season of the "not a show." Topics include spending time doing things in-person (TTRPG nights), divesting from social media (sorry, Phil), reflections on current events, and concepts on themes for Q1 2025. Also, Mike's mom is worried about him. (Recorded January 27, 2025)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes:

Podcast: Deep Questions #336, Cal Newport

Blog Article: You Don't Have to Be There, Alan Jacobs

Journalist: Derek Thompson

YouTube Video: The South Bank of the Rubicon, The Alt-Right Playbook

Article: Everyone Who Was Supposed To Protect You From This Failed Miserably, Rolling Stone

Book: Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport

Notebook: Midori A5 Journal

The Higher Dimensional Me

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:13:00 +0000

1.8 The Higher Dimensional Me

Mike and Josh have a conversation about the past year and their aspirations for the new year, including their personal lives, relationships, and future goals. They discuss their desire for more authentic connections and a better balance between their online and offline interactions, also mentioning their struggles with technology and media. They share their intention to focus on prioritization and reducing distractions, and they explore their creative interests such as reading and video games, alongside plans for their podcast. (Recorded December 30, 2024)

Editing by: Isaac (at) thetitlegoeshere.com

Feedback? Email us (Mike): DoNotSchedulePod (at) gmail.com

Show Notes

Book: Wind and Truth, Brandon Sanderson

Tool: YearCompass

Book: Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman

Blog Article: So you wanna de-bog yourself, Adam Mastroianni

Blog: The New Localism, Bruce Katz

Book: Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport

A Little Marital Embezzlement

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 03:14:00 +0000

Mike and Josh catch up while both feeling under the weather, discussing work stress, digital distractions, and finding clarity in life's priorities. They dive into their experiences with Oliver Burkeman's "Meditations for Mortals," exploring themes of productivity, screen time, and giving yourself grace. The conversation meanders through holiday plans, seasonal depression, and their ongoing efforts to find balance in work and life. (Recorded December 13, 2024) Book: Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman

Podcast: The Productivity Trap (w/ Oliver Burkeman), Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Podcast: Cortex #162 2025 Yearly Themes

Blog: Experimental History Adam Mastroianni's Science House

Blog: Alan Jacob's Micro.blog

Film: ¡Casa Bonita Mi Amor!

Book: Show Your Work, Austin Kleon

As a White Man of a Certain Age

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 22:38:00 +0000

IDK we recorded this forever ago and I forgot what we talked about

[Recorded November 22, 2024]

Tool: YearCompass

Podcast: The Productivity Trap (w/ Oliver Burkeman), Deep Questions with Cal Newport

Book: Four Thousand Weeks, Oliver Burkeman

Book: Meditations for Mortals, Oliver Burkeman

Advent of Code

App: Reeder

App: Readwise Reader

Article: Underrated ways to change the world, Experimental History

Notebook: Traveler's 2025 Weekly Planner with Memo

Fountain Pen: Kaweco Sport

Podcast: Pen Addict

Article: How to drive a stake through your own good heart, Experimental History

Wikipedia: Goodhart's Law

Reddit Post: The X Effect

Book: Atomic Habits, James Clear

Book: Shape Up, Basecamp (Free)

Not a Current Events Show

Fri, 13 Dec 2024 00:14:00 +0000

(Recorded Nov 15)

Josh and Mike discuss processing their reactions to the recent election results, with both focusing on reducing news/social media consumption and finding more meaningful ways to engage locally. They explore Josh's complex job situation involving multiple potential roles and organizational changes. They reflect on building authentic connections, hosting gatherings, and cultivating deeper conversations. The episode ends with both hosts contemplating personal growth and identity as they navigate different decades of their lives.

The Onion, Physical Subscription
Mike's Website: www.selsky.me - Essay: Once More Into the Breach - Essay: Fractured Realities
Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death, Neil Postman
Movie: Network (1976)
App: Reeder
App: Play (YouTube Watch Later)
Book: Digital Minimalism, Cal Newport
Book: One-Shot Wonders, Roll and Play Press
Blog Article: Open Table Manifesto, The Alexandrian
Video: The West Marches, Matthew Colville (Open Table DnD)
Article: The Clubhouse App and the Rise of Oral Psychodynamics, The Insight(Orality vs the Written Word)
Book: How to Know a Person, David Brooks
Blog: Good conversations have lots of doorknobs, Experimental History
Research Article: Do conversations end when people want them to?
Article: The 36 Questions That Lead to Love, NYTimes

Did Josh miss some show notes? Have criticisms for Mike? Have a better name for the show? Email us at donotschedulepod {at} gmail { dot } com

Not a Motto, But Like a Mantra

Thu, 17 Oct 2024 00:04:00 +0000

Josh has a rough day, Mike has a Saga, Josh made a purchase, tangents on tangents. (Recorded Oct 3, 2024) [Fixed Chapters]

You Are a Very Silly Man

Sat, 12 Oct 2024 20:30:00 +0000

Josh and Mike discuss Josh's new e-ink device and his experiences using it for reading and note-taking. They also delve into the importance of community, touching on Bowling Alone, personal reflections on work, and organizing their lives. The conversation moves to family, memories, and their thoughts on potential parenthood, wrapping up with a discussion on the significance of community spaces and how they've found connection through their local bar and other environments. (Recorded September 6, 2023)

Tech: Boox Go Color 7

App: Readwise

Tech: Boox Go 6

Tech: iPad Mini Matte Screen Protector

Tech: Boox 7" Page

Book: Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam (2020 edition)

Book: The Upswing, Robert Putnam

Bellroy Notebook Cover

Field Notes Subscription

Leuchtturm1917 Bullet Journal Edition 3

What are we doing?

Fri, 16 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Mike and Josh are back from the woods. What are they doing? Why is Josh writing online? Why is Mike doing poetry? Have they been doing less trash? All that and more!

Less Trash

Fri, 19 Jul 2024 16:00:00 +0000

Is this trash, can I have less of it please?