Joel and Aaron tackle the common objection, “We don’t have time,” and show why it usually hides a priority problem. They discuss how to convey the true payoff of process improvements by sharing honest before‑and‑after stories instead of vague promises. You’ll leave with practical ideas for getting buy‑in—whether you’re pitching tests, planning habi…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this compelling return to The Omni Show, Jason Atwood—now CEO of Arkus—dives into how two decades of OmniFocus usage continue to shape his leadership, his decision making, and the team culture. Andrew and Jason explore the evolution of productivity tools in the face of AI, what it means…

Joel and Aaron show how ignoring GET request validation can cause performance issues and open your application to abuse. They highlight the importance of bounding pagination and share tips for using form requests to handle unexpected user input. Now go check out the best/only Laravel validation book (00:00) - Quiz on Laravel’s default pagination li…

Joel and Aaron explore why pushing too many layers of abstraction can backfire in a Laravel application. They highlight the benefits of sticking to the framework’s conventions for long-term maintainability and simpler handoff to future developers. (00:00) - Why framework paradigms really matter (01:00) - When extra abstractions become burdens (03:0…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we join Andrew Canion—manager, podcaster, and basketball commentator—as he reveals how OmniFocus fuels his productivity. Overseeing 16 remote centers in Western Australia while excelling in multiple roles, he shares how sharp task management and streamlined workflows boost his effic…

Joel and Aaron explore the decision-making process behind hiring or consulting an expert for technical challenges. They discuss examples like adding tests to a large codebase and understanding what questions you need to ask. They also reveal how coaching can help teams avoid common pitfalls and reach solutions faster. (00:00) - Determining why you …

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we chat with Lee Garrett, the new owner of ScreenCastsOnline, about how he uses OmniFocus to stay on top of things. Lee takes us through his journey—from IT tech to project manager to business owner—and how productivity tools have helped along the way. He shares how he works OmniFoc…

Joel and Aaron discuss the benefits of having distinct databases for testing and local development. They share how this approach ensures a reliable test suite and avoids conflicts with day-to-day dev work. In the process, they reveal a simpler workflow for setting up new environments and keeping projects stable. (00:00) - Why separate dev and test …

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, we sit down with Rosemary Orchard, a renowned productivity expert and co-host of TWiT.tv’s iOS Today, to explore how she optimizes her workflow with OmniFocus. From batching tasks and contextual computing to leveraging OmniOutliner, OmniPlan, and Omni Auto…

In this episode, Joel and Aaron discuss the struggles of learning new technology on a late-night side project. They share tips for handling frustration and managing expectations. (00:00) - Late-night MicroPython struggles and revelations (02:15) - Overcoming complex hardware and language hurdles (05:15) - Balancing side projects with realistic expe…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, we sit down with Ken Case, CEO of the Omni Group, to dive into this year's 2025 Omni Roadmap Blog Post. Ken shares insights on remote work, automation improvements, and getting the inner-workings in Omni apps ready for Apple Intelligence. We also discuss w…

Joel and Aaron explore the value of using concise video demos instead of long emails or scattered screenshots. They discuss which clients benefit from quick visuals and when text is still best. Want to see us on camera? Join the Mastering Laravel community for our live dev calls. (00:00) - Recording brief Loom demos for updates (02:15) - Considerin…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode, we hear from Robert Pope, IT Director at the Online Learning Consortium (and avid OmniFocus user). Robert shares how he uses OmniFocus to build a comprehensive workflow for task and project management, by applying the principles of GTD (Getting Things Done), and integratin…

Joel and Aaron debate how to structure multi-tenant API requests and tests. They explore the interplay between authentication, tenant headers, and different levels of validation. In the end, they reminisce about old infomercial freebies and wonder if they still exist. (00:00) - Debating authentication vs. tenant header priority (02:15) - Handling u…

Joel and Aaron explore the nuances of when to venture beyond Eloquent in Laravel applications. They discuss specific scenarios where using lower-level database tools might be necessary, while emphasizing the importance of not abandoning Eloquent entirely. The conversation provides practical insights into balancing framework features with performanc…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Rick Manelius, founder of Atomic Form, joins The Omni Show to discuss how he integrates productivity tools like OmniFocus into his multifaceted life as a tech entrepreneur and family man. Rick delves into the innovative work of Atomic Form, which is transforming the way digital art, NFTs a…

Joel and Aaron dive into a friendly debate about the true nature of feature flags in software development. Drawing from their varied experiences across different programming languages and environments, they explore whether feature flags should always be temporary or can serve permanent purposes. The discussion evolves from a simple disagreement int…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode, Victor Savkin, CTO at NX and ex-Googler, discusses his approach to productivity and task management. Get a behind-the-scenes look at how OmniFocus has been instrumental in managing his complex workload and responsibilities. From exploring his passion for tooling to reflect…

Ooh, something new was just announced. And I have this project coming up. It could be perfect! But should I use it? On today's episode of No Compromises, Aaron and Joel share a conversation they had along these lines on a recent client project and considering the new Flux library from the creator of Livewire. (00:00) - Discussing potential Flux ado…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com What do streaks, checklists, and a teensy bit of productivity devotion have in common? They're all part of Bonni Stachowiak, EdD's secret sauce for balancing a whirlwind life as a podcaster, professor, dean, and mom. Bonni shares how she integrates teaching, leadership, parenting, and podc…

Programmers love geeking out and creating specialized terms and vocabulary. Well I can do that too. In today's episode, we talk about "value objects", put our own special definition on it, and discuss when we might use these in a Laravel project. (00:00) - What I mean by "value object" (03:00) - Nicer to do in newer PHP versions (04:00) - Main use …

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we dive deep with Joel Clermont, a web app developer, Laravel framework expert and co-host of the No Compromises podcast. We look into the nuanced ways he's been using OmniFocus (since version 1.0!) to stay organized and focused. Joel breaks down his approach to quarterly goal-setti…

Have you ever struggled working with a third party on one of your developer projects? How do you handle that, keeping it professional and also still able to meet your commitments? In today's episode of No Compromises, Aaron and Joel discuss what happened on a recent project and how they think about handling those kinds of difficulties while still h…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we chat with Amy Zamikovsky, a seasoned financial advisor and licensed attorney who has mastered the art of data organization and retrieval. Amy shares her journey of discovering OmniOutliner, which revolutionized her approach to law school and exams, as well as client management in…

JSON fields can be very useful, but when is a good time to include them in your database design? In today's episode of No Compromises, Aaron and Joel use a couple examples from recent projects to talk through reasons they would and would not use a JSON field. (00:00) - Debating JSON fields in database design (03:06) - Configuration options: JSON vs…

Static types and tooling have increased the quality of our apps, but sometimes certain features in your Laravel app don't play nicely with static analysis. In today's episode, we talk about how we approach the tradeoffs around making a tool happy without changing how you write code. (00:00) - Our approach to static analysis in a Laravel app (01:30)…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Join us as we chat with the multi-talented William Gallagher, deputy chair of the Writers Guild of Great Britain and the creative force behind the 58Keys YouTube channel. William shares how he leverages OmniFocus and other Omni Group products to manage his diverse responsibilities, includi…

I write a lot about testing in the Mastering Laravel newsletter. Ever wonder why it's a topic I care so much about? In today's episode, we discuss that question and come up with a few different reasons. (00:00) - Why do we like testing so much? (01:20) - Looking back at how we learned (02:30) - Making it easier to join a project (05:45) - Tests mak…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we sit down with Lynne Murphy, a professor of linguistics at the University of Sussex, who shares how she uses OmniFocus to deftly manage the demands of her academic career, international travels, and personal commitments. Lynne offers a peek into the methods she relies on to stay a…

What does it really mean when you say you know a particular technology? On today's episode, we discuss this using TypeScript as a specific example. (00:00) - What does it mean to "know" something? (03:15) - Thinking about TypeScript vs strict types in PHP (05:30) - Are you fluent? (06:50) - Silly bit Want help with your Laravel or PHP project? We r…

Programmers are not shy about telling other programmers when they're wrong. But what can we learn in a situation like his? How can we be wrong with style? In this episode, Aaron and Joel talk about times they've been wrong throughout their career and what they've learned. (00:00) - Aaron admits he was wrong (02:00) - What can I learn from this? (05…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, we sit down with Michael Keithley, a seasoned technology leader with extensive experience at the intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley. Michael shares his insights on how he uses OmniFocus to manage his professional and personal life, emphasizing th…

We can't know everything, so throughout each day we inevitably have questions. On today's episode, we discuss different approaches we have used when we need a little help. (00:00) - Where do you go when you need help? (01:30) - Option 1 - search engines (03:30) - Getting the most out of search results (05:00) - Option 2 - talk to AI (07:00) - Using…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, Andrew J. Mason chats with David Sparks, a renowned podcaster, blogger, and author, about the evolution of productivity in the digital age. Sparks shares his journey from a high-stress legal career to full-time content creation at MacSparky. He emphasizes …

The dreaded bug report: this app is slow. Ok, but what is slow? I have so many questions! In today's episode, we discuss our approach to getting more information out of that initial bug report, and a methodical approach to locate and quantify the slowness. If you'd like help setting up tools like Xdebug profiling, send us a message.…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, we interview Brian McCabe, SVP for Global Managed Services at Inoapps. Brian shares how he uses OmniFocus to manage his multifaceted life, from handling 130 clients to maintaining personal tasks. An evolution of his productivity system, he outlines his shi…

Writing tests that communicate with a third party can be a little tricky, but we've found an approach that balances speed and confidence. In today's episode, we share that approach and talk through a strategy of how frequently to run tests that talk to the outside world. (00:00) - Why would your tests ever talk to an external service? (02:30) - Wha…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Balancing the left brain and right brain, this episode features "offlinemark," a multifaceted artist and engineer from Berlin, Germany, who shares his unique approach to balancing creativity and technical prowess using OmniFocus. Learn how Mark manages his professional life at Ableton, his…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of The Omni Show, we're joined by Dr. Luc Beaudoin, adjunct professor of education at Simon Fraser University and head of CogSci Apps. We discuss the importance of contextual computing and the concept of ubiquitous linking, which aims to make the operation of copying and us…

I don't have time to write an API spec. We're not a giant team. We don't have external users of our API. I've said all these things in the past, but in today's episode, we discuss why you should still consider writing a specification for your Laravel API. (00:00) - Should you write a spec for your API? (01:37) - Thinking through the requirements (0…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode of the Omni Show, we have a special post-WWDC roadmap update with Ken Case, the CEO of the Omni Group. Ken expands on his most recent blog post, where shares valuable updates from Apple WWDC developer conference. We also learn the exciting potential of Apple Intelligence fo…

Maybe you've tried to add static analysis to your Laravel app and got scared away by all the errors. In this episode we discuss how we like to introduce PHPStan to large, long-lived projects in a way that doesn't introduce a lot of risk or change. Would you like help introducing Larastan to your project? That's one of many things we can help you wi…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In this episode, we interview Brian Hogan, the Director of Developer Education at Temporal Technologies. He shares how Omni software allows him to manage his workload and template his lesson plans to teach more effectively. We also discuss the value of capturing tasks for accountability, u…

Why isn't this working? It can be frustrating when something doesn't work as expected! In this episode, we talk through a recent issue Joel had with sessions and oauth flows. There are a couple principles that apply more broadly. Next time you're stuck on something, let us help! This episode is sponsored by Mailtrap, an Email Delivery Platform that…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com Today, we have a really smart, inspiring guest, plus we’re excited to share a new experiment we're trying out -- our very first video episode of The Omni Show! We plan to try some more experimental episodes in video format; so, we would love to hear any feedback you might have. If you enjo…

"Magic" methods and properties show up several places in Laravel, as well as third-party packages. They can make certain things easier and less verbose, but there is a trade off. In this episode, we discuss a few different contexts where we like and avoid magic accessors. We'd really appreciate it if you share the show with other Laravel devs. This…

Admins can do everything in the app, right? Today we discuss a couple reasons why you may want to consider not letting an admin have access to every single feature in your app. 🎉️ Episode 100 is a huge milestone for us. Thank you for listening! This episode is sponsored by Mailtrap, an Email Delivery Platform that developers love. Try for Free at M…

Have you ever turned on error tracking in a long-lived app and then got overwhelmed by all the errors happening? We talk through some strategies to not get overwhelmed and make a case that you really should be monitoring this in production. Would you like help with your legacy app? We have a ton of experience making legacy apps a joy to work within…

Full transcript and show notes at theomnishow.omnigroup.com In today’s episode of The Omni Show, we interview Jonathan Sorum, head of Google Cloud's Center for Excellence Telco team. Jonathan shares his journey with OmniFocus and how it became an essential tool in managing his demanding and diverse responsibilities across global telecommunications …

We've talked about coding standards before, but this time we approach it from a slightly different angle. Does the way you're code is formatted affect your ability to understand it? Brains are interesting things. Is your code slower than you'd like? We specialize in Laravel performance optimization and we can help! Contact us to discuss.…