Ditching Hourly
Ditching Hourly

Ditching Hourly

Jonathan Stark

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Episodes

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For solo professionals who want to make more and work less without hiring.

Recent Episodes

Genevieve Hayes - Podcasting for Expertise-Based Businesses
APR 28, 2026
Genevieve Hayes - Podcasting for Expertise-Based Businesses
Data science consultant and podcast host Genevieve Hayes joined me on Ditching Hourly to talk about podcasting as a boost for an expertise-based business.Chapters00:00 - Genevieve Hayes and Value-Driven Data Science02:27 - Committing to Start a Podcast05:35 - Simple Production Is Good Enough07:02 - First Guests and Inbound Momentum11:46 - The 100-Episode Surprises15:07 - Relationships Beat Direct Lead Gen18:12 - Pitching Guests and Building Luck Surface Area29:30 - Buyers, Peers, and Referral Paths34:58 - Almost Quitting, Seasons, and Persistence39:00 - Preparation, Editing, and Production Workflow42:18 - Editing as Learning and Content Fuel49:20 - What You Actually Need to Start58:20 - Guest Referrals, Swaps, and Live Formats68:40 - Podcasting vs. Writing for Trust78:30 - Landing Dream Guests and Wrap-UpGuest BioGenevieve Hayes is an actuary and statistician-turned-data scientist who helps organizations improve decision-making by quantifying uncertainty, often when data is sparse. She became a soloist in early 2022 and provides data science consulting services. She also mentors data professionals who want to transform their technical skills into strategic expertise and move from tactical execution to strategic advisory roles. Genevieve hosts Value-Driven Data Science, a podcast for practicing data professionals making that technical-to-strategic shift. Learn more at Value-Driven Data Science.  ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
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86 MIN
Carl Franklin - A Love Letter to Value Pricing
MAR 31, 2026
Carl Franklin - A Love Letter to Value Pricing
In this episode of Ditching Hourly, host Jonathan Stark welcomes Carl Franklin, co-host of the .NET Rocks podcast, to discuss the intricacies and benefits of value pricing. Listeners will gain insights into how value pricing can transform their business approach, moving away from the traditional hourly billing model.The conversation covers key topics such as the differences between fixed pricing and hourly billing, the importance of the "why" conversation with clients, and strategies for handling project changes. Carl shares his experiences with proposal options, client negotiations, and overcoming resistance to value pricing.(00:00) Introduction(00:15) Carl Franklin's Background(02:09) Early Podcasting Days(04:39) The Starbucks Card Story(05:44) Introduction to Value Pricing(07:06) Fixed Pricing vs. Hourly(08:01) The Why Conversation(08:45) First Experiences with Value Pricing(20:39) Proposal Options and Client Choices(23:09) Handling Project Changes(25:02) Partnering and Value Pricing(27:00) Payment Terms and Client Negotiations(40:59) Expertise and Pricing Strategy(41:52) Overcoming Resistance to Value Pricing(44:02) Collaborative Projects and Revenue Sharing(45:44) Carl's Current Projects and Podcasts(48:54) Closing RemarksCarl Franklin is a seasoned podcaster and developer, best known as the co-host of the .NET Rocks podcast, which has been a staple in the developer community since 2002. Learn more about Carl and his work at .NET Rocks. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
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50 MIN
An Insider's Perspective with Pranav Kale: Jonathan’s Productivity System for Soloists
MAR 16, 2026
An Insider's Perspective with Pranav Kale: Jonathan’s Productivity System for Soloists
Pranav Kale returns for another reverse interview — this time grilling Jonathan about his personal productivity and time management system.Jonathan walks through the system he's refined over two decades and used with his private coaching students: from consolidating all your to-dos in one place, to creating SOPs for recurring tasks, to the "event loop" that drives his day. The core idea: when you have the right things on your list and the right things in your calendar, you can just do whatever you feel like — and your business still moves forward.Topics covered include why your calendar is not a to-do list, how procrastination is actually a useful signal, the "love-hate list" for designing your ideal workday, why batching doesn't work for everyone, and the Segovia principle — why one focused hour beats five mediocre ones.This one's especially relevant for soloists who've tried rigid productivity systems and found they don't stick.Chapters00:00 Introduction01:00 The Three Buckets Every Soloist Needs06:16 Get All Your To-Dos in One Place09:14 SOPs and Checklists: Stop Winging It18:23 The Feast-Famine Trigger20:16 Why Your Calendar Is Not a To-Do List25:40 The Event Loop30:20 Procrastination Is a Signal37:37 When You Hate Part of a Task, Cut It42:06 The Love-Hate List49:15 Batching vs. Gardening Your Business56:22 How the System Came Together59:00 The Segovia Principle67:05 Adapting This to Your Personality70:41 Pranav's TakeawaysPranav Kale helps soloists find their one big idea through his Big Idea Sprint. Learn more at pranavkale.com. ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
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73 MIN
Joe Pine - The Transformation Economy
FEB 17, 2026
Joe Pine - The Transformation Economy
Best-selling author, speaker, and management adviser Joe Pine joined me on Ditching Hourly to discuss his new book, The Transformation Economy, why it applies especially well to consultants, coaches, and advisors, and gives some tips on how to price transformations.ChaptersJoe's BioB. Joseph Pine II is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and management adviser to Fortune 500 companies and entrepreneurial startups alike, and he is the cofounder of Strategic Horizons LLP. He is the coauthor of the bestselling book The Experience Economy with James H. Gilmore, as well as Infinite Possibility with Kim C. Korn. His other books include Authenticity and Mass Customization. Pine consults with numerous companies around the world. He is a lecturer in the Strategic Technology Leadership program at Northeastern University's D'Amore-McKim School of Business and a senior fellow with the European Centre for the Experience Economy, which he cofounded.Related LinksJoe's website » strategichorizons.comJoe's previous appearance on Ditching Hourly » podcast.ditchinghourly.com/episodes/joe-pine-on-pricing-experiencesJoe's previous appearance on TBOA » thebusinessofauthority.com/episodes/the-experience-economy-with-guest-joe-pine ----Do you have questions about how to improve your business? Things like:Value pricing your work instead of billing for your time?Positioning yourself as the go-to person in your space?Productizing your services so you never have to have another awkward sales call or spend hours writing another custom proposal?Book a one-on-one coaching call with me and get answers to these questions and others in the time it takes to get ready for work in the morning.Best of all, you're covered by my 100% satisfaction guarantee. If at the end of the call, you don't feel like it was worth it, just say the word, and I'll refund your purchase in full.To book your one-on-one coaching call, go to: https://jonathanstark.com/callI hope to see you there!
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43 MIN