Back to Work
1,203 episodes - English - Latest episode: 25 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2K ratingsBack to Work is an award winning talk show with Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin discussing productivity, communication, work, barriers, constraints, tools, and more.
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Episodes
Episode 553: Bioavailable Chambers of Flexibility
November 02, 2021 19:15 - 1 hour - 44.9 MBThis is what happens when Merlin stays up til 2 a.m. watching a movie and then has to record a podcast at 9 a.m. Because, your day is a continuum. Links for this episode: YANSS 218 – How anxiety hides in our unhealthy habits, why you can’t think your way out of it, and science says you should do instead – You Are Not So Smart Dr. Brewer teaches us map our brains to discover our triggers, defuse them with the simple but powerful practice of curiosity, and to train our brains using mindfuln...
Episode 552: Youth is the Anomaly
October 27, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBDan has all the waiters singing at him, and Merlin tries to buy the non-existent SIMS 4 for the Mac. Main topic is considering how best to set up a device that provides structure and motivation without all that beeping, beeping, beeping. Links for this episode: On the Internet, We’re Always Famous | The New Yorker What happens when the experience of celebrity becomes universal? Jane Jacobs Versus The Kardashians - by Steven Johnson - Adjacent Possible Is talking to strangers on the Inter...
552: Youth is the Anomaly
October 27, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 62.9 MBDan has all the waiters singing at him, and Merlin tries to buy the non-existent SIMS 4 for the Mac. Main topic is considering how best to set up a device that provides structure and motivation without all that beeping, beeping, beeping.
Episode 551: Life Is for Using
October 19, 2021 19:30 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBDISCUSSED: Your hosts talk about music, Apple Watch, and getting out of your kid's way. Also: life and MacBooks Pro. Links for this episode: Michael Penn - Try - YouTube Michael Penn – Try Lyrics | Genius Lyrics I would choose to accuse you Strike the fire Issue a decree Ask you why Watch you take the fifth as I Give you the third degree Michael Penn: Try (Video 1997) - Reference View - IMDb Music video for Michael Penn's 'Try', shot by Paul Thomas Anderson and other cast...
551: Life Is for Using
October 19, 2021 19:30 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBDISCUSSED: Your hosts talk about music, Apple Watch, and getting out of your kid's way. Also: life and MacBooks Pro.
550: Ampersands and Raisins
October 12, 2021 19:30 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and his son are up to Daniel Craig in their Bond journey, and this leads to an exploration of how our feelings about movies and their characters can change over time; considering the media you're scared to rewatch since it's probably not as good as you remember; your hosts dive further into browser extensions and why they're so critical to filtering your world. The Leftovers Neil Breen License to Clown
Episode 550: Ampersands and Raisins
October 12, 2021 19:30 - 1 hour - 68.9 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and his son are up to Daniel Craig in their Bond journey, and this leads to an exploration of how our feelings about movies and their characters can change over time; considering the media you're scared to rewatch since it's probably not as good as you remember; your hosts dive further into browser extensions and why they're so critical to filtering your world. The Leftovers Neil Breen License to Clown Links for this episode: StopTheMadness StopTheMadness Test Tweaks fo...
Episode 549: A Typical Feisty Boy Child
October 06, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBDISCUSSED: Exploring rural voices; the things that kids (and we) have had stolen away over the past couple years; what movie would get your butt back into a cinema seat?; an opinionated dive into Safari's new approach to tabs (and why it feels so concerning); and, finally, Merlin shares a bunch of Safari extensions that do new stuff—or do old stuff in a cool or interesting way. Links for this episode: Safari Keyword Search hits 2.0, comes to iOS – Six Colors Using Safari at night gets eas...
549: A Typical Feisty Boy Child
October 06, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MBDISCUSSED: Exploring rural voices; the things that kids (and we) have had stolen away over the past couple years; what movie would get your butt back into a cinema seat?; an opinionated dive into Safari's new approach to tabs (and why it feels so concerning); and, finally, Merlin shares a bunch of Safari extensions that do new stuff—or do old stuff in a cool or interesting way.
Episode 548: The Results of This Dog
September 27, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin considers a black market medical purchase; the anatomical anomalies of the problematic sleeper are considered; some favorite YouTube finds are discussed; and, finally, your hosts begin scratching the surface of iOS 15's many clever and life-enhancing new features. Links for this episode: Safari Keyword Search hits 2.0, comes to iOS – Six Colors Using Safari at night gets easier with Noir – Six Colors Safari Keyword Search Safari Keyword Search is a simple extension for ...
548: The Results of This Dog
September 27, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin considers a black market medical purchase; the anatomical anomalies of the problematic sleeper are considered; some favorite YouTube finds are discussed; and, finally, your hosts begin scratching the surface of iOS 15's many clever and life-enhancing new features.
547: Backyard Butt Doctor
September 22, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBDan and Merlin almost talk about iOS 15.
Episode 547: Backyard Butt Doctor
September 22, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 47.6 MBDan and Merlin almost talk about iOS 15. Links for this episode: The Different Types of Twilight, Dawn and Dusk Blues Traveler - Hook - LIVE! - YouTube iConnectHue | The essential Philips Hue Lights App for iPhone and iPad "If I Leave Here Tomorrow" - Netflix Mom and Daughter Libby Adame, Alicia Galaz Killed Adult Star Karissa Rajpaul With Butt Implants, LAPD Says
Episode 546: Snow Day for Nerds
September 13, 2021 18:00 - 56 minutes - 39.5 MBReporting live from the show floor and looking at options for time tracking. Links for this episode: Toggl: Time Tracking, Project Planning and Hiring Tools to Help Teams Work Better Reliable time tracking software loved by 5M users Timery for Toggl Timery for Toggl: The MacStories Review - MacStories RescueTime rknightuk/TrackerZapper: Menubar app to remove link tracking parameters automatically TrackerZapper is a Mac app that sits in your menubar and silently removes tracking parame...
546: Snow Day for Nerds
September 13, 2021 18:00 - 56 minutes - 39.5 MBReporting live from the show floor and looking at options for time tracking.
Episode 545: The Cat's Fine
September 07, 2021 16:30 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBDISCUSSED: The rules of "Rabbit Rabbit"; exploring the magic of Domino's probability-altering powers; forests versus trees and past versus future; Chevy Chase and a familial ninety-ten inversion; and, finally, praise for Lulu Miller's mind-blowing thoughts on the downsides of imposing "order" onto chaos. Links for this episode: Organizing Chaos — On the Media — Overcast Organizing Chaos | On the Media | WNYC Studios Why Fish Don't Exist | Book by Lulu Miller | Official Publisher Page | S...
545: The Cat's Fine
September 07, 2021 16:30 - 1 hour - 44.6 MBDISCUSSED: The rules of "Rabbit Rabbit"; exploring the magic of Domino's probability-altering powers; forests versus trees and past versus future; Chevy Chase and a familial ninety-ten inversion; and, finally, praise for Lulu Miller's mind-blowing thoughts on the downsides of imposing "order" onto chaos.
Episode 544: Tentpole of Nostalgia
August 31, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBLinks for this episode: Scotch-Mount™ Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape | 3M United States Community (TV series) - Wikipedia Magneto | Marvel Database | Fandom Story Structure 101: Super Basic Shit | Channel 101 Wiki | Fandom (10) Blade Runner 2049 Cells Interlinked Scene 1080p - YouTube Matter List of James Bond films - Wikipedia
544: Tentpole of Nostalgia
August 31, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 45.2 MBLinks for this episode: Scotch-Mount™ Extreme Double-Sided Mounting Tape | 3M United States Community (TV series) - Wikipedia Magneto | Marvel Database | Fandom Story Structure 101: Super Basic Shit | Channel 101 Wiki | Fandom (10) Blade Runner 2049 Cells Interlinked Scene 1080p - YouTube Matter List of James Bond films - Wikipedia
543: Clownitentiary
August 24, 2021 22:45 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBDISCUSSED: Nicholson movies; Synology yums and yucks; difficulties of shows about music; upcoming rabbit rabbit plans.
Episode 543: Clownitentiary
August 24, 2021 22:45 - 1 hour - 49.4 MBDISCUSSED: Nicholson movies; Synology yums and yucks; difficulties of shows about music; upcoming rabbit rabbit plans. Links for this episode: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest What’s Up With the Epigraph? | Shmoop 1962–1966 - Wikipedia a/k/a "The Red Album" 1967–1970 - Wikipedia a/k/a "The Blue Album" The Beatles’ RED & BLUE Albums - Their BEST Compilations? - YouTube The Chaotic Story of Dexys Midnight Runners & "Come On Eileen" | New British Canon - YouTube Dexys Midnight Runners - "...
542: MRSA Mann
August 17, 2021 18:15 - 1 hour - 54 MBDISCUSSED: Catching up; Merlin's Travel Results; praise for Best in Show, SCTV, and public libraries; Dan has a new computer.
Episode 542: MRSA Mann
August 17, 2021 18:15 - 1 hour - 54 MBDISCUSSED: Catching up; Merlin's Travel Results; praise for Best in Show, SCTV, and public libraries; Dan has a new computer. Links for this episode: Reconcilable Differences #162: A Pile of Bed - Relay FM Remembering various animal actors, enumerating genres that need a name, considering the philosophies behind "bag in a bag," and contrasting college with the ordinary crucibles of post-adolescent life. Home | Nanoleaf » USA » Consumer IoT & LED Smart Lighting Products Best in Show (film...
Episode 541: Proprietary Escape Key
July 27, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 39.2 MBA celebration of M1 devices, the benefits of learning how to learn, and considering when a new learning curve might be worth the climb. Links for this episode: Gordon Solie - Wikipedia Final Cut Pro - Wikipedia 2022 Mac Pro Rumored to Use Intel's Ice Lake Xeon W-3300 Chips - MacRumors System Of A Down - Chop Suey! (Official Video) - YouTube Descript | All-in-one audio/video editing, as easy as a doc. All-in-one audio Aldus Pagemaker - The Interface Experience: Bard Graduate Center S...
541: Proprietary Escape Key
July 27, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 39.2 MBA celebration of M1 devices, the benefits of learning how to learn, and considering when a new learning curve might be worth the climb.
Episode 540: Extreme Medical Sloth
July 20, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 32.3 MBFind the tool you need—but, keep asking yourself, "Soooooo…now what?" Links for this episode: The paradox of abundance – Jon Udell Could Gen Z Free the World From Email? - The New York Times Difference Between Temples, Synagogues & Shuls | JewishBoston School Lunches, P-Hacking and the Original “Pizzagate” — Maintenance Phase — Overcast 469. The U.S. Is Just Different — So Let’s Stop Pretending We’re Not — Freakonomics Radio — Overcast Tony Buzan | Inventor of Mind Mapping How To Min...
540: Extreme Medical Sloth
July 20, 2021 21:00 - 1 hour - 32.3 MBFind the tool you need—but, keep asking yourself, "Soooooo…now what?"
539: Where the Ghosts Live
July 13, 2021 22:30 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBThings get pretty silly, yet somehow land on some extremely Back to Work points about time management, compression, values, and moving your own goalposts. For some reason, McDonald's becomes an important controlling metaphor.
Episode 539: Where the Ghosts Live
July 13, 2021 22:30 - 1 hour - 54.7 MBThings get pretty silly, yet somehow land on some extremely Back to Work points about time management, compression, values, and moving your own goalposts. For some reason, McDonald's becomes an important controlling metaphor. Links for this episode: Could Gen Z Free the World From Email? - The New York Times “It’s actually crazy how outdated it is.” People born after AOL Mail was invented seem to prefer to communicate in almost any other way. Is work from home working? White-collar worker...
Episode 538: Tossed Salad of Remembrance
July 06, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBDISCUSSED: Dan begins a journey into new worlds of voice control and home automation. Links for this episode: Run Farther, Faster: tips from Endure author Alex Hutchinson. To run farther and faster, you must first train your mind. Macdrifter Dan Moren Inside The Cameras Of Wes Anderson’s “The Grand Budapest Hotel” | by NYU Local | NYU Local J.F. Sebastian | Off-world: The Blade Runner Wiki | Fandom Eve | evehome.com 4 more victims found in rubble; death toll rises to 32 Spoon - "Gim...
538: Tossed Salad of Remembrance
July 06, 2021 20:00 - 1 hour - 63.1 MBDISCUSSED: Dan begins a journey into new worlds of voice control and home automation.
Episode 537: Insane Corner of My Own Design
June 29, 2021 22:30 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBDISCUSSED: Some ups and downs of living the smart speaker lifestyle. Also: the dramatis personae of The Land of Make Believe; feeding the demon dogs; and learning to be careful with the words we put in front of other words. Links for this episode: I Midwest Hate Myself | Do By Friday This week’s challenge: explore smart lighting.
537: Insane Corner of My Own Design
June 29, 2021 22:30 - 1 hour - 48.5 MBDISCUSSED: Some ups and downs of living the smart speaker lifestyle. Also: the dramatis personae of The Land of Make Believe; feeding the demon dogs; and learning to be careful with the words we put in front of other words.
Episode 536: Fonzie Slap
June 22, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin and his wife realize the moment they crossed a line; in Follow-Up, your hosts celebrate the late great Fred Willard; in further Follow-Up, the state of the union in smart voice devices is considered; and, finally, the long arc of calendar talk starts to wind down with some hard talk on disambiguation and actually really getting real. Links for this episode: BusyCal - The Best Calendar App for Mac Flexibits | Fantastical | The calendar and tasks app you won't be able to l...
536: Fonzie Slap
June 22, 2021 15:00 - 1 hour - 55.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin and his wife realize the moment they crossed a line; in Follow-Up, your hosts celebrate the late great Fred Willard; in further Follow-Up, the state of the union in smart voice devices is considered; and, finally, the long arc of calendar talk starts to wind down with some hard talk on disambiguation and actually really getting real.
535: Long-Term Play Value
June 16, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBDISCUSSED: Dan finally gets more three-six-five, and Merlin gets extremely deep in the stack. Also, just a little more calendar talk, including a model for deciding where something goes.
Episode 535: Long-Term Play Value
June 16, 2021 01:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MBDISCUSSED: Dan finally gets more three-six-five, and Merlin gets extremely deep in the stack. Also, just a little more calendar talk, including a model for deciding where something goes. Links for this episode: Most Days on Vimeo I'm Merlin, and I'm making a video most days. Sometimes. S. I. Hayakawa - Wikipedia Amazon.com: Language in Thought and Action: Fifth Edition (9780156482400): S.I. Hayakawa, Alan R. Hayakawa, Robert MacNeil: Books Watch Special When Lit: A Pinball Documentary |...
Episode 534: Manga and Others
June 09, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin runs into some problems reporting live from the show floor; is social media making us as happy as we'd like to think?; thoughts on pro wrestlers and the films of John Carpenter; finding the triggers for action that you didn't know you needed; recommendations for videos and Firefox extensions; why we use the web browsers that we use; your hosts dive into their favorite announcements coming out of WWDC; how exactly do you decide where something should go?; Dan reveals he has ...
534: Manga and Others
June 09, 2021 00:00 - 1 hour - 79.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin runs into some problems reporting live from the show floor; is social media making us as happy as we'd like to think?; thoughts on pro wrestlers and the films of John Carpenter; finding the triggers for action that you didn't know you needed; recommendations for videos and Firefox extensions; why we use the web browsers that we use; your hosts dive into their favorite announcements coming out of WWDC; how exactly do you decide where something should go?; Dan reveals he has b...
Episode 533: A Container for Your Future Plans
June 01, 2021 23:45 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBDISCUSSED: Part one of a deep dive into calendars. Links for this episode: 206 - Narcissism — You Are Not So Smart — Overcast Dark triad - Wikipedia In psychology, the dark triad comprises the personality traits of narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy. Increase Apple TV screen contrast - Apple Support In Settings on Apple TV, go to Accessibility > Increase Contrast > Focus Style, then choose High Contrast. Kaleidoscope (software) - Wikipedia Larry Miller (comedian) - Wikipedi...
533: A Container for Your Future Plans
June 01, 2021 23:45 - 1 hour - 73.1 MBDISCUSSED: Part one of a deep dive into calendars.
Episode 532: That's Not My Ghost
May 25, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is full of beans this week. Links for this episode: Adam Neely - YouTube Once More, With Feeling Thread Benefits HomeKit over Thread | evehome.com Bacon Ray - "Sundays in a Row" (1995) Wrong Tools Cost Lives — Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford — Overcast Sublime Text 4 - News - Sublime HQ Mr Show - Thrilling Miracles! - YouTube (see if you can spot a young Judd Apatow in the audience) Company Broadway revival starring Raul Esparza Great Performances 2006 - YouTube...
532: That's Not My Ghost
May 25, 2021 19:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is full of beans this week.
Episode 531: Where Grog Got Eaten
May 18, 2021 19:45 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBDISCUSSED: A classic, old-school “Odds ’n Sods” episode that includes: Apple’s audio upgrade announcement; AirTags and the promising future of UWB; lots of thoughts on anxiety; caffeine weaners; tongue-rolling; and a salt and pepper of media recently enjoyed (and now recommended). Links for this episode: PSA: AirTag can be used as an NFC tag for Shortcuts automation - 9to5Mac ts1/BLEUnlock: Lock/unlock your Mac with your iPhone, Apple Watch, or any other Bluetooth LE devices AmazonSmile ...
531: Where Grog Got Eaten
May 18, 2021 19:45 - 1 hour - 51.3 MBDISCUSSED: A classic, old-school “Odds ’n Sods” episode that includes: Apple’s audio upgrade announcement; AirTags and the promising future of UWB; lots of thoughts on anxiety; caffeine weaners; tongue-rolling; and a salt and pepper of media recently enjoyed (and now recommended).
Episode 530: Nouns in America
May 11, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has been cracking nuts, and Dan is enjoying a beverage; in Follow-Up, Dan has made great progress with his new voice assistant; Merlin has thoughts on choosing a dingus ecosystem that’s right for you; words mean things, and often you want the right “procedure word”; Merlin has some good Back to Work-adjacent media recommendations; do we really want to rebuild The Embarcadero Freeway? Really?; and, Dan has some new scholarship on the films of Stanley Kubrick. Links for this...
530: Nouns in America
May 11, 2021 22:00 - 1 hour - 47 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has been cracking nuts, and Dan is enjoying a beverage; in Follow-Up, Dan has made great progress with his new voice assistant; Merlin has thoughts on choosing a dingus ecosystem that’s right for you; words mean things, and often you want the right “procedure word”; Merlin has some good Back to Work-adjacent media recommendations; do we really want to rebuild The Embarcadero Freeway? Really?; and, Dan has some new scholarship on the films of Stanley Kubrick.
Episode 529: Different Flavors of Fear
May 04, 2021 20:45 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBDISCUSSED: Dan is actively gaslighting Merlin, and this can be proven; please stop stealing focus; praise for Ferris Bueller in general and the knees of Sloane Peterson in particular; passing thoughts on fear, procrastination, impostor syndrome, and solving the right problem; Merlin is delighted to discover a much-improved Little Snitch; Dan has thoughts on his Ford’s weird button; in gadget updates, Dan has found some useful headphones and has thoughts on trying to use his new Google dingus...
529: Different Flavors of Fear
May 04, 2021 20:45 - 1 hour - 59.7 MBDISCUSSED: Dan is actively gaslighting Merlin, and this can be proven; please stop stealing focus; praise for Ferris Bueller in general and the knees of Sloane Peterson in particular; passing thoughts on fear, procrastination, impostor syndrome, and solving the right problem; Merlin is delighted to discover a much-improved Little Snitch; Dan has thoughts on his Ford’s weird button; in gadget updates, Dan has found some useful headphones and has thoughts on trying to use his new Google dingus;...
Episode 528: Half a Parachute
April 27, 2021 18:30 - 1 hour - 83.6 MBMerlin has a whole new setup, and Dan has a whole new TV. Links for this episode: My Secret Sauce of Blogging This is where I give away all of my blogging secrets. I’ve decided to divest myself of any advantages Macdrifter has built over the past 12 years. The Technium: 99 Additional Bits of Unsolicited Advice I have another birthday, and another bunch of unsolicited advice. How to overcome impostor syndrome. I’m Great at My Job. So Why Do I Feel Like a Fraud? How to overcome impostor...