95: Face Man of the Empire

Aug 19, 2025 72m

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Episode Description

Ian and Aaron discuss sleep, what's next for Database School, the "Fake Date", and so much more.

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(00:00) - So Freakin Tired
(08:26) - On The Horizon
(16:37) - Aaron's Business Journey
(23:55) - The Death March
(39:16) - A Thought Exercise
(44:56) - Follow Up
(46:31) - Ian's AI Adventure
(57:19) - The Fake Date

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AI-Generated Summary

The Importance of Sleep

Ian and Aaron kick things off discussing their personal experiences with sleep. They touch on Ian’s recent commitment to a sleep routine, where he goes to bed before midnight and still doesn't feel fully rested. They explore the complexities of feeling productive and the nuances of sleep quality versus sleep quantity from a humorous standpoint.

Aaron's Business Journey

The conversation transitions into what’s next for Aaron's Database School. Aaron shares his thoughts on transitioning from one-off projects to building a sustainable business model that includes diversifying offerings, potentially incorporating guest instructors, and focusing on a subscription model for courses. They discuss the challenges and strategies involved in this business evolution.

The Fake Date Concept

The podcast introduces the idea of the 'Fake Date', a low-effort date night alternative for busy parents. Aaron shares how he and Jennifer managed to sneak a dinner out during the week by leveraging their nanny's schedule, eliminating the usual pressure of a formal date night. They emphasize the benefits of this approach for taking a break while being realistic about time and energy constraints.

AI and Programming Productivity

Ian talks about his latest project using AI to generate code and documentation. This segment highlights the efficiencies that AI brings to software development, such as creating detailed specs interactively, as well as some challenges he faced around context retention when using AI across different machines.

Discussion of Work-Life Balance

Throughout the podcast, Ian and Aaron delve into the balance between work and personal life. They evaluate how their families, commitments, and work aspirations all intersect, emphasizing the ongoing quest to optimize their time and productivity.