In this show, we share the struggles and challenges of growing and building stuff.
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August 7, 2026Episode 701 min
Building in Public: A Big Podcasting Day and Spokane Fire Relief
Summary Today was a big podcasting day, with updates about the BE Podcast Network and its search for new hosts. Jethro also shares an update from Spokane, where wildfires have displaced about 650 people, and highlights Matt Brunner's Fire Relief effort connecting people displaced from their homes with people who can help. Chapters 00:00 — A big day of podcasting 00:08 — The BE Podcast Network and new hosts 00:33 — Spokane wildfires and Fire Relief 00:51 — Connecting displaced people with help 01:09 — A call for help and prayers 01:16 — Wrap-up Show Notes Project Spokane Fire Relief: https://projectspokane.com/fire-relief Transcript The full transcript is included with this episode.
August 6, 2026Episode 691 min
AI Doesn't Reduce the Work, It Moves the Work
Summary Jethro shares a quick August 5 update after a full day of client conversations and podcast interviews. He also explains the idea behind his new long-form video: AI does not make the work disappear; it moves the work into judgment, orchestration, verification, and getting ideas into the world. The episode closes with a reminder to check out My Bonus Money, including the conversation with Dan Ye about investing. Chapters 0:00 - A big day of client work and interviews 0:15 - AI moves the work 0:22 - A 22-minute long-form video 0:44 - My Bonus Money and investing with Dan Ye 0:56 - Closing the August 5 update Show Notes Watch the long-form video: AI Does Not Reduce Work - It Moves the Work My Bonus Money: https://mybonusmoney.com The episode mentions Jethro's conversation with Dan Ye about investing.
August 5, 2026Episode 684 min
Building in Public: Animal Escape Hits TestFlight
Summary Jethro shares an August 4 building-in-public update: an AI-assisted story video is finished, Animal Escape has reached TestFlight, client and workshop work moved forward, and AI helped make a 26-family DocuSeal signature process more accurate. He also reflects on the limits of unattended agent workflows after a frustrating day trying to keep a Claude-led gauntlet loop on task. The episode closes with an invitation to try Animal Escape through TestFlight. Chapters 0:00 - Building in public on August 4 0:13 - An AI-assisted product story video 0:26 - Animal Escape reaches TestFlight 0:47 - Client work and Building a Second Brain invitations 1:28 - Using AI to improve 26-family DocuSeal signatures 2:21 - Why the Claude-led gauntlet loop is hard to trust 4:10 - Google's Antigravity completes the video task 4:26 - Try Animal Escape on TestFlight Show Notes Try Animal Escape on TestFlight Jethro mentions client AI work, Building a Second Brain, DocuSeal, and the challenge of making multi-agent development reliable.
August 2, 2026Episode 675 min
Solving Software Problems by Voice After LASIK
Summary Jethro shares a productive August 1 update after a LASIK follow-up left him mostly unable to use his eyes. A voice agent on his computer was not perfect, but it was good enough to help him keep moving and get real work done. He also walks through a production problem in P-Day Emails: oversized photo attachments were causing repeated delivery failures, and the lack of error feedback made the experience confusing. With Codex, he improved the flow so photos, attachments, and shared Google Photos albums can be handled more gracefully, with clearer delivery summaries for users. The day wraps with worker-agent experiments for cheaper bounded tasks and an iPhone game moving toward TestFlight. Chapters 0:00 - Welcome and August 1 update 0:09 - Recovering from a LASIK follow-up 0:18 - Using a voice agent when screens were hard to use 0:59 - Debugging oversized email photo attachments 1:30 - Fixing the delivery pipeline with Codex 1:51 - Improving error reporting and sender feedback 2:05 - Making attachments, embedded photos, and links all work 2:30 - Delivery summaries and future attachment exports 3:15 - Creating cheaper worker agents for bounded tasks 3:59 - Why software problem-solving feels fun 4:40 - Resting Sunday and iPhone game TestFlight progress Show Notes Voice agents can be useful even before they are perfect, especially when normal computer use is temporarily hard. The P-Day Emails fix focused on oversized photo attachments, Google Photos album links, clearer delivery feedback, and better handling of media. Jethro is experimenting with bounded worker agents to save tokens and improve handoffs. The iPhone game is still in progress and moving toward TestFlight.
July 30, 2026Episode 662 min
Building an iPhone Game With AI Agents
Summary Jethro shares today's build-in-public update: testing a "gauntlet loop" approach for AI-assisted game development after hearing about similar workflows being used to create Call of Duty-style projects. He started the project in Claude Code, hit token limits, and then moved work over to Grok and Codex subagents to keep the build moving. The big takeaway is that AI coding is powerful, but it still is not truly hands-off. Even with a PRD and a hoped-for one-shot workflow, the process required repeated check-ins, course correction, and supervision. The game is now running in the simulator, with the next step being a real-device test on Jethro's phone. Chapters 0:00 — Starting a gauntlet-loop app build 0:17 — Running into Claude token limits 0:31 — Switching to Grok and Codex subagents 0:53 — Why one-shot AI coding still needs supervision 1:28 — Keeping the AI responsible for the changes 1:58 — Simulator success and next device test Show Notes Project: AI-assisted iPhone and iPad game build Tools mentioned: Claude Code, Grok, Codex, subagents Key lesson: A detailed PRD helps, but AI coding still needs active oversight Next step: Install and test the game on a real phone
July 28, 2026Episode 655 min
I Replaced My Virtual Assistant With AI Agents
Summary Build in Public Daily is back, and the shape of it is changing. Jethro talks through a full day of building Optimization Doc, using OpenClaw and Hermes agents to log and execute work, and the strange shift from hiring a virtual assistant to having AI assistants generate hundreds of lines of daily work history. This first revived episode covers the Ryan Ray AI brain conversation, a Thinkering Collective partnership opportunity, updates to jethrojones.com, the new What I Built Today process, faceless TikTok automation ideas, and the early positioning for GrantMemory and Scholar Second Brain. Chapters 0:00 - Restarting Build in Public Daily 0:32 - Daily logging, AI agents, and 646 lines of work 1:40 - Virtual assistants vs. AI assistants 2:14 - Ryan Ray and an AI brain vault prompt 2:59 - Thinkering Collective and podcast network opportunities 3:23 - AI disclosure and the What I Built Today process 4:09 - TikTok automation, GrantMemory, and Scholar Second Brain 4:55 - A full day of building and token usage Show Notes Optimization Doc is Jethro's new business focused on helping companies improve operations with AI automation. OpenClaw and Hermes are doing meaningful background work: scripts, jobs, logging, and task execution. Jethro reflects on the difference between hiring a virtual assistant and building AI assistants that can actually keep up with his operating system. The Ryan Ray conversation led to a custom AI brain vault prompt based on how Jethro is using his own vault. The Thinkering Collective may bring fellows into shows on the BE Podcast Network. Jethro is rebuilding jethrojones.com with explicit AI disclosure and a What I Built Today feed. GrantMemory and Scholar Second Brain are being positioned as second-brain setup services for academics. Added/created/modified by OpenClaw on 2026.07.27 20:15 on ombee.
March 15, 2024Episode 633 min
What Limitations?
It's Adam W. Barney , Energy Coach again - today I talk about limitations based on this quote: “All limitations are self-imposed.” ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes If there’s one thing humans are great at, it’s setting up illusory boundaries for ourselves that don’t actually exist in reality. You can… do anything you want. The only limits are those you place upon yourself. I'm also hitting the checkbox on revisions for the introduction and chapter 1 of Make Your Own Glass Full. Let's get inspired!
March 1, 2024Episode 624 min
Feedback Friday (at least it's not Fire Drill Friday)
It's Friday and Adam W. Barney , Energy Coach just got introduced to his revisions editor for Make Your Own Glass Half Full. This brings him around to talk about feedback, and how to take feedback, and he even bungles a reference to Jay-Z by saying it was Snoop Dogg. Who needs a nap? Anyway, feedback can feel overwhelming, but a structure and plan for how you take that feedback and evolve can decrease the weighty feeling.
March 1, 2024Episode 612 min
EduNews
Reflecting on my experience with the cold plunge after a hiatus, I admit it's not my favorite activity. Nonetheless, avoiding it due to a minor back wound was perhaps just an excuse to evade the discomfort. The cold water never fails to challenge me, making me wonder about its benefits beyond mere weight loss or physical health improvements. What I do appreciate about such challenging tasks, however, is how they fortify my ability to tackle other difficult endeavors with greater resilience. Recently, I embarked on a new project called EduNews, which was born out of a sudden idea. Rather than idly contemplating its potential, I decided to set a timer and dedicate 45 minutes to developing it. The result is EduNews, a platform accessible at Edune.ws, where individuals can stay updated on the latest developments in K-12 education and actively contribute their own insights. The platform is open to all, free of charge, with the aim of fostering a vibrant community passionate about education. Building EduNews was not only a fulfilling task but also a testament to my love for creating meaningful projects. I take pride in the simplicity of the domain name, Edune.ws, as it encapsulates the essence of what EduNews stands for. This venture is driven by a desire to provide a space where education enthusiasts can come together, share valuable information, and engage in fruitful discussions. I encourage everyone interested in the field of education to explore EduNews and become part of a community dedicated to empowering and informing others. The process of crafting this platform has been immensely rewarding, reaffirming my belief in the power of creation and collaboration in enriching our lives. (00:00) - Cold Plunge Reflections (00:50) - Finding Strength in Challenges (01:14) - Introducing EduNews
February 27, 2024Episode 603 min
Imposter Impostures
Adam W. Barney , Energy Coach, is back after a long break and he talks about his experience with finishing up the presale for the upcoming fundraiser event, Make Your Own Glass Half Full. He also shares some tips on how to get back into the swing of things after kids have been on break for a week. This recording was made during a morning walk with his two dogs, Welly and Winter, on a beautiful late-February day that feels like spring. You might hear a slight jangle of dog tags in the background.
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