Back to Work
1,203 episodes - English - Latest episode: 26 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 502: Lifestyle Billy Butcher
November 03, 2020 20:15 - 1 hour - 64.4 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has a lot to say about the benefits of making lists; this leads to an old-school stemwinder on "Journal" calendars, functional playlists, shared Notes, the lessons of the cutlery drawer, desire paths, arbitrary grids, "Reference" albums, urban bike hooks, auxiliary paper towel holders, and more; praise for The Boys; the magical combination of Halide and Pixelmator Photo; Dan resurrects a beloved podcast; and, finally, Merlin endorses a really weird British weather report th...
Episode 501: You're Sad Wrong
October 27, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 64 MBDISCUSSED: hey, it's an advice episode!; San Francisco has a lot of available office space; a musical unguent for your soul; a cool font that makes accessibility pretty; getting in front of your next wave of depression; the Emotional Police are here to cite you for your numerous infractions; and, finally, Merlin highly recommends a recent podcast episode about why we're all so exhausted and what we might want to do about it. Links for this episode: Visualizing the Vacant Office Space in Sa...
501: You're Sad Wrong
October 27, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 64 MBDISCUSSED: hey, it's an advice episode!; San Francisco has a lot of available office space; a musical unguent for your soul; a cool font that makes accessibility pretty; getting in front of your next wave of depression; the Emotional Police are here to cite you for your numerous infractions; and, finally, Merlin highly recommends a recent podcast episode about why we're all so exhausted and what we might want to do about it.
Episode 500: The Legacy of Guessing
October 20, 2020 18:45 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBDISCUSSED: Sending good vibes to The Dude; Merlin has a couple awesome app recommendations; some Follow-Up on the Apple Event, including what your hosts are ordering and what they're each excited about; which kinds of things your hosts do and do not find useful about the Apple Rumor Industrial Complex; Dan tries on a new iOS camera app; Merlin recommends a clever web cam app; some of our voice friends hear well, others understand well, and some sound good, but none (for now) do it all; final...
500: The Legacy of Guessing
October 20, 2020 18:45 - 1 hour - 80.1 MBDISCUSSED: Sending good vibes to The Dude; Merlin has a couple awesome app recommendations; some Follow-Up on the Apple Event, including what your hosts are ordering and what they're each excited about; which kinds of things your hosts do and do not find useful about the Apple Rumor Industrial Complex; Dan tries on a new iOS camera app; Merlin recommends a clever web cam app; some of our voice friends hear well, others understand well, and some sound good, but none (for now) do it all; finall...
Episode 499: Where the Boulder Lives
October 13, 2020 19:30 - 55 minutes - 51 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is reporting live from the show floor; Dan is due for a new phone; nostalgia for buying a carton of cigarettes; praise for Netflix's "Challenger" series; Merlin shares some updates on his big resource-leveling project; gotta find those big rocks, amirite; interruptions are the death of the tech person's day; remember, your work is part of your life—not separate from it. Links for this episode: "Challenger: The Final Flight" (Netflix) Apple’s new HomePod mini speaker reve...
499: Where the Boulder Lives
October 13, 2020 19:30 - 55 minutes - 51 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is reporting live from the show floor; Dan is due for a new phone; nostalgia for buying a carton of cigarettes; praise for Netflix's "Challenger" series; Merlin shares some updates on his big resource-leveling project; gotta find those big rocks, amirite; interruptions are the death of the tech person's day; remember, your work is part of your life—not separate from it.
Episode 498: Soviet Satellite Hair
October 06, 2020 18:45 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin craves an easy visit with Floyd; Spirit's lawsuit no longer winds on down the road; Question: what obligation does a company have to support their developer tools? And for how long exactly?; when are new film editions not "the good one?"; despite swearing not to do so, a popular service for monetizing indie content is, as they say, put on blast; lot of talk about business things; waiters shouldn't lie to people who used to be waiters; exciting developments in the Drafts eco...
498: Soviet Satellite Hair
October 06, 2020 18:45 - 1 hour - 54.9 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin craves an easy visit with Floyd; Spirit's lawsuit no longer winds on down the road; Question: what obligation does a company have to support their developer tools? And for how long exactly?; when are new film editions not "the good one?"; despite swearing not to do so, a popular service for monetizing indie content is, as they say, put on blast; lot of talk about business things; waiters shouldn't lie to people who used to be waiters; exciting developments in the Drafts ecos...
Episode 497: HBO Plus 98 XP for the Enterprise
September 29, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBDISCUSSED: the boys update one another on some very good media they're enjoying; everybody loves a movie with a big world; Merlin pitches Dan on the improbable magic of Ted Lasso; talk turns to some new features of Apple's recent OS updates; at length, Merlin makes a case for exploring the amazing new functionalities of widgets, complications, and especially the apps of Underscore David Smith; Guardian gets an exciting update and a pro plan; there's some talk of the challenge in finding a VP...
497: HBO Plus 98 XP for the Enterprise
September 29, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 57.1 MBDISCUSSED: the boys update one another on some very good media they're enjoying; everybody loves a movie with a big world; Merlin pitches Dan on the improbable magic of Ted Lasso; talk turns to some new features of Apple's recent OS updates; at length, Merlin makes a case for exploring the amazing new functionalities of widgets, complications, and especially the apps of Underscore David Smith; Guardian gets an exciting update and a pro plan; there's some talk of the challenge in finding a VPN...
496: The Costume Beej
September 22, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBDISCUSSED: Folks, this one is a doozy, and that's all I'm gonna say about that.
Episode 496: The Costume Beej
September 22, 2020 18:00 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBDISCUSSED: Folks, this one is a doozy, and that's all I'm gonna say about that. Links for this episode: Inbox Zero: Merlin Mann's Tips for Managing Your Life Online | GQ “I've come to think of it as more of a philosophy than a methodology,” he says now. “It’s about trying to put a stake in the ground with regard to your attention. It’s a way of saying, ‘Some people are allowed to have some of me, some of the time. Regardless of what the world demands of me, here’s what I’m offering.’” On ...
Episode 495: Even the Mammals
September 15, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is reporting live from the show floor; remember to photograph your kid's room; some bearded dragon updates; some thoughts on pets; Merlin's grandfather was a reluctant dog obsessive; Dan wants to read you a label; Merlin met a fellow cadet; check out Dan's videos; Merlin is loving iOS 14, especially the smarter Siri suggestions; speculation on how machines learn; your hosts still want Macs to be Macs; Big Sur notifications are basically a Bop It; are we getting diminishing ...
495: Even the Mammals
September 15, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 52.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is reporting live from the show floor; remember to photograph your kid's room; some bearded dragon updates; some thoughts on pets; Merlin's grandfather was a reluctant dog obsessive; Dan wants to read you a label; Merlin met a fellow cadet; check out Dan's videos; Merlin is loving iOS 14, especially the smarter Siri suggestions; speculation on how machines learn; your hosts still want Macs to be Macs; Big Sur notifications are basically a Bop It; are we getting diminishing r...
Episode 494: The Sucker’s Sort
September 08, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 50.4 MBDISCUSSED: California has no shortage of crises; Dan's got a brand new bag; thoughts on exercise as prophylactic medicine; extremely anecdotal data on the rise of fake ratings and reviews on Amazon; the return of "A cool thing I learned this week" brings some very neato apps, tips, and whatnot. Links for this episode: TextSniper is a great Mac utility for converting graphics to text - 9to5Mac TextSniper - Capture any text from your Mac's screen LaunchBar Help (Clipboard History) Use Tim...
494: The Sucker’s Sort
September 08, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 50.4 MBDISCUSSED: California has no shortage of crises; Dan's got a brand new bag; thoughts on exercise as prophylactic medicine; extremely anecdotal data on the rise of fake ratings and reviews on Amazon; the return of "A cool thing I learned this week" brings some very neato apps, tips, and whatnot.
Episode 493: Flimsy, but Useful
September 01, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBDISCUSSED: Rabbit, rabbit!; Dan wants to be sedated; at some point, Merlin had most of the optimism bred out of him; a lot of problems and small beefs get overlooked for survival and sanity reasons right now; Dan shares listener recommendations for movies like the Missions Impossible; time was, you went to the weird video store and just hoped you got the good guy; Dan wants to remind you that he signed a letter of agreement—a CONTRACT; maybe it's time we abandon that increasingly meaningless...
493: Flimsy, but Useful
September 01, 2020 19:00 - 1 hour - 49.3 MBDISCUSSED: Rabbit, rabbit!; Dan wants to be sedated; at some point, Merlin had most of the optimism bred out of him; a lot of problems and small beefs get overlooked for survival and sanity reasons right now; Dan shares listener recommendations for movies like the Missions Impossible; time was, you went to the weird video store and just hoped you got the good guy; Dan wants to remind you that he signed a letter of agreement—a CONTRACT; maybe it's time we abandon that increasingly meaningless ...
492: Siracusa Daylight Time
August 25, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has a lot of infrastructure going on; your hosts share strong feelings on time zone discrimination and its attendant big-timing; Dan has more cool videos coming to his channel; some boring nerd talk on voice recording options; Dan needs your suggestions for more movies like the Missions Impossible; in Follow-Up, there's some good news and some bad news related to both COVID and San Francisco; hurricanes are coming!; Merlin figures out why Safari on his Mac got so slow; thoug...
Episode 492: Siracusa Daylight Time
August 25, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 59.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has a lot of infrastructure going on; your hosts share strong feelings on time zone discrimination and its attendant big-timing; Dan has more cool videos coming to his channel; some boring nerd talk on voice recording options; Dan needs your suggestions for more movies like the Missions Impossible; in Follow-Up, there's some good news and some bad news related to both COVID and San Francisco; hurricanes are coming!; Merlin figures out why Safari on his Mac got so slow; thou...
Episode 491: You and Your Hog
August 18, 2020 19:45 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBDISCUSSED: time is hard; X-Men for eight cellos; in follow-up, Dan has some clues for troubleshooting his jumpy screen; it's valuable to understand what problem you didn't solve; then, of course, comes the extended weekly airing of COVID grievances; Merlin needs advice on choosing a Zoom recorder; check out Dan's new thing!; recommendations for Ted Lasso and Ethan Hunt; some lessons to bring home from vacation; plus, some more reckons on life after COVID. Links for this episode: How Dan Re...
491: You and Your Hog
August 18, 2020 19:45 - 1 hour - 46.8 MBDISCUSSED: time is hard; X-Men for eight cellos; in follow-up, Dan has some clues for troubleshooting his jumpy screen; it's valuable to understand what problem you didn't solve; then, of course, comes the extended weekly airing of COVID grievances; Merlin needs advice on choosing a Zoom recorder; check out Dan's new thing!; recommendations for Ted Lasso and Ethan Hunt; some lessons to bring home from vacation; plus, some more reckons on life after COVID.
Episode 490: Penetration Engineer
August 11, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBDISCUSSED: Dan is joining a campaign, and Merlin's eyesight now precludes him from being an AD&D dungeon master; Dan has a concern about his laptop screen and needs your help; then, the boys settle in for a good, old-fashioned recommendations episode; podcasts, pens, video editing apps, a 3D printer, a new SoundSource, hard drives, and even a moisturizing cream for your little patch. Links for this episode: AmazonSmile : MUJI Aluminum Body Fountain Pen - Fine Nib - with 2 Refill Ink Cartri...
490: Penetration Engineer
August 11, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 45.8 MBDISCUSSED: Dan is joining a campaign, and Merlin's eyesight now precludes him from being an AD&D dungeon master; Dan has a concern about his laptop screen and needs your help; then, the boys settle in for a good, old-fashioned recommendations episode; podcasts, pens, video editing apps, a 3D printer, a new SoundSource, hard drives, and even a moisturizing cream for your little patch.
Episode 489: Not a Monkey Man
August 04, 2020 18:15 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBDISCUSSED: the joys of a movie that reveals itself over multiple viewings; good storytelling is difficult but so rewarding; as you know, Bob, a lot of movies have that Walk Hard problem; Merlin has questions about Dan's day-to-day in Travis County; people are cooking the books; why do so many people have the Extremis virus these days?; we could still make a big dent; and, finally, wow, the demands for performance sure can be exhausting. Links for this episode: Fair Play Mystery (Concept) -...
489: Not a Monkey Man
August 04, 2020 18:15 - 42 minutes - 29.5 MBDISCUSSED: the joys of a movie that reveals itself over multiple viewings; good storytelling is difficult but so rewarding; as you know, Bob, a lot of movies have that Walk Hard problem; Merlin has questions about Dan's day-to-day in Travis County; people are cooking the books; why do so many people have the Extremis virus these days?; we could still make a big dent; and, finally, wow, the demands for performance sure can be exhausting.
488: Uncle Dad
July 28, 2020 16:45 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has discovered a unique new voice emerging from the medical and spiritual communities; your hosts interrogate the implications of this new material; Dan and Merlin have media recommendations; as a main topic, your hosts explore the many, intertwined complexities of trying to figure out "the future" right now.
Episode 488: Uncle Dad
July 28, 2020 16:45 - 59 minutes - 41.1 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has discovered a unique new voice emerging from the medical and spiritual communities; your hosts interrogate the implications of this new material; Dan and Merlin have media recommendations; as a main topic, your hosts explore the many, intertwined complexities of trying to figure out "the future" right now. Links for this episode: Stella Immanuel, Trump’s New COVID-19 Doctor, Believes in Alien DNA, Demon Sperm, and Hydroxychloroquine Walls Are Back - The Atlantic Perso...
Episode 487: Nostradamus Pants
July 21, 2020 17:45 - 56 minutes - 39.4 MBDISCUSSED: There's really only one topic right now, and it's not going away any time soon. Many analogies and historical echoes are explored. The future, if it exists, is going to be very weird. Links for this episode: And the Band Played On (film) - Wikipedia Cooter (30 Rock) - Wikipedia And the Band Played On streaming: where to watch online? What teachers really think about school reopening in the fall. Four teachers on their fears and frustrations heading into the 2020 school year. ...
487: Nostradamus Pants
July 21, 2020 17:45 - 56 minutes - 39.4 MBDISCUSSED: There's really only one topic right now, and it's not going away any time soon. Many analogies and historical echoes are explored. The future, if it exists, is going to be very weird.
Episode 486: The Ballad of Danny Knife
July 14, 2020 19:45 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBDISCUSSED: knife talk and flea market nostalgia; a deep dive on state knife law; knife tips from listeners; Merlin reinstalled Homebrew; comfort viewing amidst these challenging times; also, a healthy fear of Australian spiders. Links for this episode: Flea Market | Drive in Movies| Florida Swap Shop California’s Knife Laws – What You Need to Know California Knife Laws - Rules On Possession And Use California Knife Laws 2019 - Is It Legal to Carry One? - Riderz Law Crater C33T Knife | ...
486: The Ballad of Danny Knife
July 14, 2020 19:45 - 1 hour - 51.1 MBDISCUSSED: knife talk and flea market nostalgia; a deep dive on state knife law; knife tips from listeners; Merlin reinstalled Homebrew; comfort viewing amidst these challenging times; also, a healthy fear of Australian spiders.
Episode 485: Travis County, P.I.
July 07, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has flies in his bathroom; Dan's town is really going through some times; there's some COVID talk, duh; Merlin solved a very strange iOS beta bug; main topic involves some thoughts on the Apple betas and the tantalizing future that they imply; Dan has a new keyboard and an accompanying conspiracy theory; leathers men are discussed; and, finally, Merlin needs to use the bathroom—provided the flies will allow it. Links for this episode: European Union - Wikipedia Our Abili...
485: Travis County, P.I.
July 07, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 51.6 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin has flies in his bathroom; Dan's town is really going through some times; there's some COVID talk, duh; Merlin solved a very strange iOS beta bug; main topic involves some thoughts on the Apple betas and the tantalizing future that they imply; Dan has a new keyboard and an accompanying conspiracy theory; leathers men are discussed; and, finally, Merlin needs to use the bathroom—provided the flies will allow it.
Episode 484: Default Settings for America
June 30, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBDISCUSSED: the things we can and cannot do anything about; the things that can and cannot change; and the wisdom to know all of the differences. Links for this episode: Ep. 389: "The New March" - Roderick on the Line - Merlin Mann State Flag - 1845 - Florida Department of State On March 3, 1845, Florida became the twenty-seventh state. Citizens of Tallahassee presented incoming Governor William D. Moseley with a flag that flew at his inauguration. However, because of a controversy surroun...
484: Default Settings for America
June 30, 2020 17:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MBDISCUSSED: the things we can and cannot do anything about; the things that can and cannot change; and the wisdom to know all of the differences.
Episode 483: You Are Free to Leave
June 23, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin take a first look at Apple's recently-announced iOS and iPadOS updates. Links for this episode: iPad Keyboards - Apple Paul Verhoeven - Wikipedia Secure, Fast & Private Web Browser with Adblocker | Brave Browser AmazonSmile : Arlo Pro 3 – Wire-Free Security 2 Camera System | 2K with HDR, Indoor/Outdoor, Color Night Vision, Spotlight, 160° View, 2-Way Audio, Siren | Works with Alexa | (VMS4240P) : Camera & Photo WWDC 2020 Special Event Keynote — Apple - YouTube...
483: You Are Free to Leave
June 23, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 47.7 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin take a first look at Apple's recently-announced iOS and iPadOS updates.
Episode 482: Two Pills Only
June 19, 2020 19:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is nauseated, and Dan has advice on what you definitely should or should not buy at a gas station; Merlin says he'll be brief, but, as usual, it turns into a real stem-winder as…; Merlin addresses the complexity of treating mental illness in a way that doesn't upend your body and life; Dan needs some TV show recommendations, but has very strong feelings about talking animals; Merlin wonders aloud if he's ever met @Darth; case close. Links for this episode: 5by5 | Back to ...
482: Two Pills Only
June 19, 2020 19:00 - 58 minutes - 40.3 MBDISCUSSED: Merlin is nauseated, and Dan has advice on what you definitely should or should not buy at a gas station; Merlin says he'll be brief, but, as usual, it turns into a real stem-winder as…; Merlin addresses the complexity of treating mental illness in a way that doesn't upend your body and life; Dan needs some TV show recommendations, but has very strong feelings about talking animals; Merlin wonders aloud if he's ever met @Darth; case close.
Episode 481: Feelings of Mouth
June 09, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin talk about hot dogs. Links for this episode: Uncured Beef Frankfurters (Natural Casing) | Boar's Head Products - Hot Dogs - Applegate PRODUCTS « Kahns Donate - Howard Brown Health "Howard Brown was established on the premise that healthcare in the LGBTQ community should be a readily accessible right, not a luxury – that those who lack the privilege of adequate health coverage or access to competent medical providers should be able to find care in a confidential...
481: Feelings of Mouth
June 09, 2020 18:30 - 1 hour - 50.5 MBDISCUSSED: Dan and Merlin talk about hot dogs.
Episode 480: A Gracious Dyad
June 02, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBDISCUSSED: not everything can be everything; pain accumulates; getting weepy about a cool teacher; expanding on our new thought technology for reframing negative thoughts and feelings; abstracting that new thought technology to tons of different endeavors; why won't they just let me win this video game?; the scissors and Scotch Tape are wherever you left them; the joys of ritual and control; the importance of infrastructure; break the big thing into a bunch of little things; Merlin performs ...
480: A Gracious Dyad
June 02, 2020 18:15 - 1 hour - 49.1 MBDISCUSSED: not everything can be everything; pain accumulates; getting weepy about a cool teacher; expanding on our new thought technology for reframing negative thoughts and feelings; abstracting that new thought technology to tons of different endeavors; why won't they just let me win this video game?; the scissors and Scotch Tape are wherever you left them; the joys of ritual and control; the importance of infrastructure; break the big thing into a bunch of little things; Merlin performs a...
Episode 479: Use or Avoid
May 26, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBDISCUSSED: Skype struggles; nobody likes parsnips; Dan remotely teaches Merlin to cut his own hair; Dan introduces a new game show, and Merlin is dealing with poop; life is not currently optimized for multiple-event days; Merlin challenges you to remember when exactly eight minutes has gone by; why we'll eventually each discover what the hell happened on our personal Galápagos; the exhaustion of Zoom calls; an omnibus recommendation related to movies; finally, Dan Columbos Merlin with a ques...
479: Use or Avoid
May 26, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 50.1 MBDISCUSSED: Skype struggles; nobody likes parsnips; Dan remotely teaches Merlin to cut his own hair; Dan introduces a new game show, and Merlin is dealing with poop; life is not currently optimized for multiple-event days; Merlin challenges you to remember when exactly eight minutes has gone by; why we'll eventually each discover what the hell happened on our personal Galápagos; the exhaustion of Zoom calls; an omnibus recommendation related to movies; finally, Dan Columbos Merlin with a quest...
Episode 478: Morbidly Obese Clemenza
May 19, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 51 MBDISCUSSED: discussion of The Freshman and thoughts on what makes a movie "hold up"; has anyone ever craved a three-star movie?; what Merlin really wants is a smart friend; Dan is enjoying On Becoming a God in Central Florida; the difficulty of making weird good; I didn't buy it a beer; your mask is not a case for your beard; Dan has follow-up on bikes; Merlin has follow-up on companies and WFH help; thoughts on what we know and don't know about the difficulties of ““reopening””; the benefits...
478: Morbidly Obese Clemenza
May 19, 2020 19:30 - 1 hour - 51 MBDISCUSSED: discussion of The Freshman and thoughts on what makes a movie "hold up"; has anyone ever craved a three-star movie?; what Merlin really wants is a smart friend; Dan is enjoying On Becoming a God in Central Florida; the difficulty of making weird good; I didn't buy it a beer; your mask is not a case for your beard; Dan has follow-up on bikes; Merlin has follow-up on companies and WFH help; thoughts on what we know and don't know about the difficulties of ““reopening””; the benefits ...
Episode 477: The Immediacy Filter
May 12, 2020 17:15 - 1 hour - 51.5 MBDISCUSSED: Here we are in Spain; a lot went on behind the scenes of The Wizard of Oz; also Modern Problems existed; further discussion of 80s movies; they used to make more movies; B-MO gets a show?; secrets of the child whisper network; Saturday morning memories; C19 is making a lot of holes and gaps in kids' lives; what even is the deal with colleges?; wisdom from the great Kevin Kelly; it's one thing to know something, but it's another thing to know something; and, finally, beginning to...