Episode 105: Joey and Jeremy

Episode 105: Joey and Jeremy

Author: Jeremy Nagel August 20, 2025 Duration: 35:03

🎧 Welcome to Episode #105 of the Focus and Chill Podcast!

Jeremy and Joey are back—breaking down what it really takes to stay productive, sane, and playful as neurodivergent adults navigating life, work, and boring responsibilities like taxes and job hunting.

They dive into DUMB goals (a cheeky reframe of SMART goals), how automation can help with hard tasks, and why optimizing systems too much can actually hold you back.

👤 Your Hosts:
Jeremy – AuDHD founder of Focus Bear, software developer, and master of routines
Joey – Creative productivity coach, psychology nerd, and LLM tinkerer with big heart energy

đź§  In This Episode, We Cover:
What are DUMB Goals and why they might suit neurodivergent brains better
The “optimization trap” and how to escape it
Joey’s automated job application system using LLMs + doc generators
Jeremy’s spreadsheet-based second brain for managing email burnout
Tactics for doing hard, boring tasks like tax returns
Replacing Evernote: digital tools that actually work
Rethinking email, task systems, and communication overload
Why delight, play, and imperfection matter in long-term motivation

🕒 Episode Timeline 
00:00:00 – Intro + What We’re Covering
00:02:00 – DUMB Goals vs SMART Goals
00:05:00 – The Optimization Trap (Pros & Cons)
00:08:00 – Automating Job Applications with LLMs
00:14:00 – Grant Scoring & Task Prioritization
00:16:00 – Jeremy’s Low-Dopamine Email Management System
00:21:00 – Rethinking Email, Labels, and Replies
00:24:00 – Layers of Communication (Email, Slack, Calls)
00:25:00 – How DUMB Goals Fit Creative Projects
00:27:00 – Resistance Training, Momentum & Reigniting Joy
00:28:00 – Coloring Books, Cold Outreach, and Tax Returns
00:31:00 – Second Brains, Note Apps & Evernote Replacements
00:34:00 – OneNote vs Evernote + Final Reflections

Connect with Jeremy:
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/nageljeremy
Email: jeremy@focusbear.io

Connect with Joey:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joeycorea/
Newsletter: https://thepluckyjester.com/newsletter/

More from Focus Bear:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-bear/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@focusbearapp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/focusbear1

#ADHD #Neurodivergent #Productivity #DUMBGoals #Automation #FocusBear #MentalHealth #LLMHacks #CreativeDiscipline #SecondBrain #NoteTakingTools


Finding a rhythm that works for your unique brain can feel like an endless puzzle. Focus and Chill-productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks is a space where that puzzle gets pieced together through real, lived experience. Host Jeremy Nagel steers conversations away from generic, one-size-fits-all advice, diving instead into the practical systems and compassionate tactics that actually stick for neurodivergent minds. Each episode features guests who aren't just experts by profession but by life-people navigating AuDHD and other neurotypes who have forged their own reliable paths through the chaos of daily tasks and big ambitions. You’ll hear honest breakdowns of what works, what fails spectacularly, and how to build a sustainable sense of accomplishment without the burnout. This podcast lives in the intersection of Education, Fitness, Health, and Mental Self-Improvement, recognizing that true productivity is holistic. It’s about managing energy, not just time; it’s about creating habits that bend and flex with you. Tune in for a blend of strategic insights and empathetic support, all designed to help you craft a more focused and chill life. The podcast is sponsored by FocusBear, a tool built with these very principles in mind.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Focus and Chill - productivity tactics for AuDHDers and other neurodivergent folks
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