The Important Thing
The Important Thing is a podcast hosted by Michael ('Rands') Lopp and Lyle Troxell. Each episode focuses on a single meaningful topic, inviting listeners to spend a few minutes learning about something important. The show offers thoughtful insights and reflections on various subjects.
Episodes
The Promotion Paradox
In our 101st episode, we kick off a new era of episode titles as your best engineer becomes the interim manager of their own team — delegation, one-on-ones, the three-year rule, a visit from Chili Palmer, the Cadillac of minivans salesman himself, and the only question that matters: do you actually want this job? Down the rabbit hole: Sometimes Your Job is to Stay the Hell Out of the Way, the wo
The One About The Important Thing
One hundred episodes. For this occasion, years in the coming, Lyle and Rands talk about the thing itself — the nuts and bolts of the podcast, including how the robots now do an alarming amount of the work, what a hundred episodes taught us, and why we use the "The One About…" naming convention. 🎁: the show has a home at importantthing.show. Deep-link a favorite or just scroll through a hundred epi
The One About the Pro Leisure Circuit (Again)
In our 99th episode, Rands is back on the Pro Leisure Circuit — infinite time, a suspicious amount of Arc Raiders, and no wind in the sails — and we wrestle with what actually motivates a person when the engine of work goes quiet. The usual suspects: Arc Raiders, absorbing ten-hour days like it's a job Rands Leadership Slack — 35,000 leaders, 7,000 a week Daring Fireball, John Gruber's one-person
The One About The Joy of Bots
In our 98th episode, we list the things we've been building with our robots and figure out who we're really yelling at when it all goes wrong. Mentioned, referenced, or obsessed over: Planetfall, the Infocom game that gave Floyd his name Rands Leadership Slack Managing Humans Railway Supabase Bear Ghostty Cory Doctorow on centaurs and reverse-centaurs Related Important Things episodes: EP 73:
The One About In Real Life
In our 97th episode, we talk about how much more we learn in person and why the last 10% of anything is the most important part. Things we mentioned: Rands Leadership Slack South by Southwest Jony Ive & Patrick Collison at Stripe Sessions Related Important Things episodes: EP 73: The One About Robots
The One About ARC Raiders
In our 96th episode, Rands goes deep (perhaps too deep) on ARC Raiders, an extraction shooter where trust is the real currency. Mentioned, referenced, or obsessed over: ARC Raiders The Last of Us (HBO) Pokemon Go Sea of Thieves World of Warcraft Acquired Podcast Related Important Things episodes: EP 25: The One About the Pro Leisure Circuit EP 2: The One About Destiny EP 55: The One About Dest
The One About Exercise (Again)
In our 95th episode, we again talk about the value of exercise. Lyle paddles an outrigger, Rands used to play hockey, but now he bikes, and we compare peak heart rates. It's a thriller.
The One About The Unfortunates
In our 94th episode, we talk about when Rands goes unhinged and why that is cathartic. Then, we talk about the plight of enterprise software users and why they are so unfortunate.
The One About Fully Formed Humans
In our 93rd episode, we wonder aloud about free will, children, and what makes a good ice hockey team.
The One About Productivity (Again)
In our 92nd episode, we talk about the ongoing battle with productivity tool swirl. Again.
The One About Founder Mode
In our 91st episode, we talked about Founder Mode long after everyone else had moved on.
The One About Exercise
In our 90th epsiode, we walk through all the benefits of improving our exercise strategy.
The One About Fiber
In our 89th episode, we talk about the wires that bring us the bits. And then Derrick the editor time travels.
The One About the Software Developer's Career Handbook
In our 88th episode and WAY AFTER the book was published, Lyle and I talk about the Software Developer's Career Handbook. Yes, this book was published a year ago.
The One About World Building
In our 87th episode, we talk about world-building, but we mostly talk about shows that we love with a minimal amount of spoiler alerts.
The One About Gifts and Bees
In our 86th episode, we talk timepieces (again), and then we somehow segue to bees. Brace for it.
The One About Dapper
In our 85th episode, we talk dapper and how it might be armor.
The One About Rabbit Holes
In our 84th episode, we go deep on the idea of why it's bad to be busy.
The One About Your AI Tools
In our 83rd episode, we revisit the various use cases we've discovered with our favorite AI tools.
The One About Timepieces
In our 82nd episode, we talk watches I mean horology I mean chronophiles or maybe timepieces.
The One About Notifications
In our 81st episode, we BING talk about the BONG important BONG BONG topic of BING BING BING notifications and DING DING DING notifications sounds.
The One About Travel (Again)
In our 80th episode, we talk about travels to last summer. There was a pillow menu.
The One About Losing the Weekend
In our 79th episode, we talk about situations with software that might destroy your weekend.
The One About Sandwiches
In our 78th episode, we're go deep on sandwiches. Great, now I'm hungry.
The One About Magic
In our 77th episode, we discuss why magic is everywhere.
The One About Seven Managers
In our 76th episode, we freestyle a list of the seven types of managers on the planet. There are more, but here are seven.
The One About Shoes
In our 75th episode, we're talking shoes. Only 25 episodes left… and we're talking shoes. Ok.
The One About Powerful Organizations
In our 74th episode, I swear we are only talking about one Important Thing, but I may be AI hallucinating.
The One About Robots
Everyone has AI fever in our 73rd episode where — and you better get used to it — we are talking about those robots again.
The One About Must-See TV
Speed round episode. Things we've been watching that you must not miss. You're welcome.
The One About Mastodon Follow-ups
In our 71st episode, we talk about robots again, and then we follow with a Mastodon chaser.
The One About Mediation
In our 70th episode, the topic is mediation, not meditation, but mediation. Yeah, I had to look it up, too.
The One About Zombies
In our 69th episode, the topic is zombies in the context of The Last of Us and the entire zombie genre. BraaAAaaaaaaaaiAAains. Only 30 episodes left people.
The One About Horror Movies
In our 68th episode, Lopp and Lyle discuss Lyle's performance in a horror movie as well as the role of the producer in different industries.
The One About Performance Reviews
In our 67th episode, the topic is Performance Reviews and how you build yourself by building others. Oh yeah, we talked about ChatGPT, too.
The One About Mastodon
In our 66th episode, the topic is Mastodon and how quickly and efficiently it has replaced our Twitter use cases.
The One About Bags
In our 65th episode, the topic is bags and how much optionality you require of your bag.
The One About the Downturn
In our 64th episode, we discuss proactive things you can do when the sky is falling. Also, we drink wine.
The One About Vigilantism
Our 63rd episode isn't really about vigilantism but more about holding grudges.
The One About Plane Crashes, Privacy, and Police Videos
Our 62nd episode is a little all over the place, but it works.
The One About Privacy
Our 61st episode discusses privacy on the Internet: why we need more education, how much your data is worth, and what parts of privacy need to change.
The One About Jury Duty
In our 60th episode, we talk about the ins and outs of jury duty.
The One About Mice
In our 59th episode, we discuss why when you need to use the mice, there is a good chance you are failing.
The One About Numbers
Our 58th episode discusses the importance of numbers and their value in remembering things. It's better than it reads.
The One About Editing
In our 57th episode, we talk about how editing makes everything better.
The One About the Month of Podcasting
In our 56th episode, we talk about Lyle's recent month of podcasting adventures.
The One About Destiny 2
In our 55th episode, we return to familiar territory with special guest John Siracusa. The topic? Destiny 2 and why many, many years again, we continue to play every single day. Interested in our Destiny Slack? Figure out how to mail me, and I'll send you an invite.
The One About Productivity
In our 54th episode, we revisit the familiar theme of productivity and how we swear... this time... we figured it out!
The One About Learning
In our 53rd episode, we revisit the prior 52 episodes and talk about what we've learned.
The One About Doing the Work
In our 52nd episode, we discuss the question, "Can you effectively manage people doing jobs you don't understand?"
The One About Names... Again
In our 51st episode, we discuss the importance of names… and pronouncing them.
The One About Clothes on the Floor
50 episodes later, we're talking about the clothes on the floor.
The One About Weather
In the rainy 49th episode, we discuss the weather and weather-related detritus.
The One About Media We Love
In our 48th episode, we review the rich landscape of awesome media we're currently consuming. Totally no spoilers. We swear.
The One About Checkboxes
In our 46th episode, we get stuck in a place of talking about doing things. Seems like a good episode to land at the beginning of the year.
The One About Those Shelves
Welcome back. In our 46th episode, we're talking about the new shelves in the cave. They're big. Like huge. It's so good to be talking with you all again.
The One About The Mandalorian
SECRET EPISODE. 45 episodes in and we're talking the Mandalorian. Seismic charges? We have them. Bobo's Boom Stick? Yup. Lopp and Lyle talking about the most important things.
The One about Small Things, Done Well
In our 44th episode, we walk through the first chapters of Lopp's 3rd book. Learning to deal with endless meetings, understanding The Situation™, and learning that people often just want to be seen. Spend 45 minutes with Lyle and Lopp talking about important things.
The One about Bingeworthy Shows
In our 43rd episode, we recommend shows you just gotta binge this holiday season during our end times. (Recorded November 2020)
The One About Charlotte
Our much delayed 42nd episode, which was recorded pre-Pandemic, we giggle a bit because we have not been giggling enough. In this episode, we discuss why Rands names his bikes and cars, which results in some helpful therapy. Also, stickers are discussed. (Recorded in February 2020)
The One About Writing a Book, Pt. 2
In our 41st episode, we continue the discussion regarding how to write a book. Start with a clever name, find a publisher... and then write a lot. That's about it. Ok, it's harder than that. (Recorded on February 24th, 2020)
The One About Networking
In our 40th episode, we are talking about the practice of networking. Who does it, why they do it, and the very expected and random value that sometimes emerges from it. (Recorded on February 24th, 2020)
The One About Verklempt
In the 39th episode, recorded in a pre-COVID world, we talk about love letters, the challenges of speaking, and the timely pause. (Recorded on February 24th, 2020.)
The One About the Little Things
In the 38th, we lighten it up a bit. Not a lot. A bit. Finding solace in very strange times. Finding comfort while the world appears to be shutting down. Ok, it's a little lighter than that. Recorded on March 18th, 2020.
The One About the Pandemic
In our 37th episode, it's a bit dark. Lyle and Lopp talk about the current state of the world. Not much laughing. Hoping that hearing you are not alone might help... it helped us. Recorded on March 18th, 2020.
The One About Disney Follow-ups
In our 36th episode, we're back at Disneyland. Lyle explains why he is a far better Dad, we talk about how to build a proper lightsaber, and we laugh... because we need a little laughing right now.
The One About Country Music
In our 35th episode, Lopp is listening to country and no one is clear why. Eric Church and Mira Goto feature. Also, the Star Wars Rewatch Grade... and more country.
The One About Time Management
In our 34th episode, we discuss the value created by Executive Assistants, explain what a Chief of Staff does, how to build teams, why calendars are hard, and why Lopp keeps rewriting the book.
The One About Names
In our 33rd episode, we're talking names. Domain names, nick names, and... inheritances. Wait, what? That can't be right. Aren't we talking about names?
The One About 1:1s
In our 32nd episode, Lyle and Lopp go tactical on 1:1s. A bevy of small tips and tricks are discussed along with deep religion on the value of continuous feedback and the practice of finding joy in meetings.
The One About Meetings (Pt. 1)
In our 31st episode, Lyle and Lopp discuss who does what in a well-run meeting. Roles and responsibilities, the value of feedback, and remember that meetings aren't punishment, but a useful tool in the hands of responsible humans.
The One About Management (Pt. 3)
30 episodes! Whoa. We're still talking about management. In this third part, we talk about what managers do all day, which probably more than you think.
The One About Beginnings
In our 29th episode, we walk through the perils and challenges of starting a new gig, how to change a culture, and formative stories.
The One About Judgment Errors
In our 28th episode, Lyle's Lopp visit continues and we learn about various judgment errors in our lives and the resulting lessons. Happy New Year.
The One About Christmas Updates
In our 27th episode, Lyle visits Lopp's house and we talk mountain living, dowsing, and various Christmas updates. Happy Merry.
The One About Christmas Trees
Secret episode. In our 26th episode, we briefly talk about the trials and tribulations of Christmas trees.
The One About the Pro Leisure Circuit
25 episodes in. In this episode, we briefly talk about Lopp's founding of the Pro Leisure Circuit and how stress is hard to measure and different than worrying.
The One About Disney
In our 24th episode, we talk Disney. The new Star Wars Experience, flying the Millenium Falcon, Disney+, the Mandalorian, space blacksmithing, and those jerk Stormtroopers.
The One About Chainsaws
23rd episode. A short one about the joys of chainsaws, poison oak problems, why madrones are weird, and how there is always a system.
The One About Updates
In our 22nd episode, we update you on all the things: Lyle's job status, superheroes, books, iPads, avocados, and beets. It's a bit of a beautiful yard sale.
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