Austin expresses a preference for the podcast to be shorter, around 1.5 hours, as he finds himself disengaging in the latter half. He explains that the first 1-1.5 hours are typically the most engaging and valuable for him, while the final 30-45 minutes can feel drawn out. John and Amer acknowledge Austin's perspective and are open to exploring ways to structure the podcast to better meet his needs.

The group discusses how their differing schedules and time commitments impact their preferences for the podcast length. John shares that the podcast ends at 9am for him, leaving him with open time before his next obligation, while Austin has a busier Sunday schedule that the podcast can disrupt. They explore potential compromises, such as starting the podcast at 10:30am instead of 9:30am to give John more time to wake up.

The group acknowledges a shared desire for more intentionality and structure in the podcast, including the ability to come prepared with specific topics or questions they want to discuss. They agree that the current approach of each person hoping to cover their own agenda can lead to missed opportunities and disengagement. The group proposes implementing a system where they share their discussion topics and priorities ahead of time.

The group agrees that they strongly dislike small talk during the podcast, preferring to dive directly into substantive discussions. They agree to avoid open-ended questions that tend to lead to unproductive small talk, and instead focus on asking direct questions that drive the conversation forward.

The group discusses the value of committing to specific actions or changes during the podcast, and then holding each other accountable for following through on those commitments in the following weeks. They propose a system where each person shares their current challenges or goals, and the group provides feedback and support.

The group summarizes the key agreements reached, including: 1) Dedicating the next 3 episodes to deep dives into each person's current situation and challenges, 2) Implementing a system for sharing discussion topics and priorities ahead of time, and 3) Avoiding small talk in favor of more intentional, substantive conversations. They agree to iterate on this structure as needed to ensure the podcast remains valuable and engaging for all.