1. What Is MacSparky Labs?

MacSparky Labs is where productivity nerds gather to experiment, learn, and actually implement what they’re learning—together.

It’s not just another course or content library. Labs is an active community where we work on productivity experiments, troubleshoot workflows in real-time, attend live sessions, and push each other to use technology better. Think of it as ongoing education with a community that gets what you’re trying to accomplish.

What you get as a Labs member:

Monthly live events (Momentum Club, Jam Sessions, meetups, Deep Dives)
Labs-only experiments and bonus content
The Lab Report podcast (weekly Apple news, delivered every Friday)
Private Discord server for daily discussions and community
Field Guide discounts and early access (varies by membership level)
Access to the complete archive of past sessions and experiments

Join or manage your membership at macsparky.com/join.

2. Membership Levels

MacSparky Labs offers three membership tiers, each with different access levels and benefits. Choose the level that matches how deeply you want to engage with the community and content.

2.1 Membership Tier Comparison

Benefit	Member	Insider	Pathfinder
Monthly Price	$5	$10	$20
Annual Price	$50	$100	$200
Core Content Library	✓	✓	✓
Lab Report Podcast	✓	✓	✓
Labs Book Club	✓	✓	✓
Private Discord Server	✓	✓	✓
Additional Video Tutorials	—	✓	✓
Monthly Interactive Meetups	—	✓	✓
Friends of Dave Conversations	—	✓	✓
Labs Jam Sessions	✓ (attend)	✓	✓
Momentum Club	—	✓	✓
MacSparky Deep Dives	—	—	✓
Quarterly Planning Sessions	—	—	✓
Field Guide Discount	—	10%	20%
Field Guide Early Access	—	—	✓

2.2 Which Level Is Right for You?

Member ($5/month or $50/year):
Perfect if you want access to the core Labs content and community without the live sessions. You get the exclusive content library, Lab Report podcast, Book Club participation, Discord access, and can attend Jam Sessions. Great for people who prefer consuming content on their own schedule.

Insider ($10/month or $100/year):
Adds live community interaction with Monthly Meetups and Momentum Club co-working sessions. You also get additional video tutorials, Friends of Dave conversations, and 10% off all Field Guides. This is the sweet spot for most people who want both content and community.

Pathfinder ($20/month or $200/year):
Everything in Insider plus monthly Deep Dives, quarterly planning sessions, 20% Field Guide discounts, and early access to new Field Guides while they’re in development. For serious productivity nerds who want the full experience and direct access to everything I’m working on.

Annual vs. Monthly:
Annual memberships save you compared to monthly. Both billing options get full access to your tier’s content and events.

2.3 Field Guide Discounts Explained

Standard Discounts (Ongoing):

Insider Members: 10% off all Field Guides
Pathfinder Members: 20% off all Field Guides

Launch Discounts (When New Field Guides Release):
When I launch a new Field Guide, all Labs members typically receive special launch pricing that’s even better than the standard discounts. These launch discounts are time-limited (usually the first week or two) and announced via email and Discord.

Pathfinder Early Access:
Pathfinder members see new Field Guides while they’re still in production. You get to watch the development process, provide feedback, and purchase at member pricing before the public launch.

3. Getting Started

3.1 Your First Week in Labs

Day 1: Set up your access

Log in at https://macsparky.memberful.com/account/
Add your private podcast feed to your podcast app
Join the Discord server (link in your welcome email)
Add the Labs Events Calendar to your calendar app (if Insider or Pathfinder)

Day 2-3: Explore the content

Browse the Labs News feed for recent experiments
Check out a few replay recordings to see what sessions are like (Insider/Pathfinder)
Poke around the Discord channels to see ongoing discussions

Week 1: Jump in

Attend your first live session if your tier includes them (don’t worry about being new—everyone’s friendly)
Introduce yourself in the Discord #introductions channel
Start the current monthly experiment if one’s running

Ongoing:

Momentum Club happens monthly (Insider and Pathfinder)
Jam Sessions explore specific topics as they come up (all tiers can attend)
Check your email for event reminders and Labs updates

3.2 Signing In

Go here and click “Member Login.” Use the email address you subscribed with via Memberful.

Can’t log in?

Check spam for your welcome email with login instructions
Try the “Forgot Password” link
If you subscribed with Apple Pay, use that email address
Still stuck? Email support@macsparky.com with subject “Labs Login Help”

3.3 How Content is Delivered

Member Portal:
All Labs content is accessible through your private member portal. Content is organized by membership tier with easy navigation to current and archived materials.

Email Updates:
You’ll receive regular email updates with links to new Labs videos, posts, and event reminders.

RSS Feeds:
Each membership includes a personalized RSS feed combining public MacSparky content with your exclusive member materials.

Private Calendar:
Calendar subscriptions keep you updated on events and new content releases (especially useful for Insider and Pathfinder members with live events).

4. Core Content (All Membership Levels)

4.1 Exclusive Content Library

Regular videos and blog posts sharing productivity tips, workflow insights, and behind-the-scenes looks at my latest experiments. This isn’t repurposed public content—it’s material created specifically for the Labs community.

Recent examples include:

Shortcuts and Apple Intelligence tutorials
Window management tricks
App experiments and first impressions
Workflow automation demonstrations

4.2 The Lab Report Podcast

Your weekly insider’s guide to the Apple ecosystem, delivered every Friday. This Labs-exclusive podcast is a focused 10-minute format covering curated Apple news and rumors. Beyond headlines, you get candid commentary and handpicked recommendations for useful Labs resources and media discoveries—all without the information overload.

This is the same research and analysis I do for the Mac Power Users podcast, packaged for Labs members in an efficient, standalone format.

4.3 Labs Book Club

A collaborative community experience where all Labs members explore books on technology, productivity, and personal growth. We select each book through community polling, spend six weeks reading, then gather for engaging Zoom discussions.

It’s where curious minds connect to share perspectives, challenge ideas, and learn from fellow members. Recent selections are always posted in the #book-club Discord channel.

4.4 MacSparky Labs Private Discord Server

Join our exclusive Discord community where Labs members connect, collaborate, and share insights around the clock. This private server creates genuine relationships through dedicated channels covering:

Applications and software
Hardware and gear
Productivity strategies
Workspace setups and inspiration
Off-topic conversations

The community energy peaks during Apple Events when members gather for live reactions and real-time discussion, turning major announcements into shared experiences.

4.5 Labs Jam Sessions (All Tiers Can Attend)

Live, themed Zoom gatherings focusing on specific topics like AI, careers, automation, or specific apps. These informal sessions showcase the brilliant minds in our community as members share knowledge and learn from each other.

Recent Jam Sessions have covered Mac mini servers, AI workflows, and app deep dives. All members can attend live, though replays may be limited to Insider and Pathfinder tiers.

5. Enhanced Community Access (Insider & Pathfinder)

5.1 Additional Video Tutorials

Insider and Pathfinder members receive in-depth video tutorials that go beyond the core content. These detailed walkthroughs cover advanced workflows, app configurations, and productivity techniques developed through experimentation.

Topics include mastering automation setups, optimizing your digital workspace, and implementing sophisticated task management systems.

5.2 Monthly Interactive Meetups

Regular Zoom conversations where I share my latest projects while you contribute your favorite apps, workflows, and ideas. These casual, interactive sessions create genuine community connections around our shared interests.

Meetups happen monthly and are more free-form than structured presentations—think of them as gathering with friends who happen to be productivity nerds.

5.3 Friends of Dave Conversations

Edited recordings of my discussions with industry friends about what’s new and exciting in productivity and technology. These insider conversations, available in video and audio formats, give you access to perspectives and insights you won’t find elsewhere.

Past guests have included app developers, fellow podcasters, and productivity experts.

5.4 Momentum Club

Regular co-working sessions where members gather on Zoom for focused work time. During these few-hour sessions, everyone works independently while sharing the group’s motivating energy.

It’s accountability and camaraderie combined—perfect for tackling lingering projects and making real progress with like-minded peers. We check in at the beginning about what we’re working on, work quietly together, then reconvene at the end to celebrate progress.

6. Premium Benefits (Pathfinder Only)

6.1 MacSparky Deep Dives

Monthly in-depth sessions where I share detailed workflows and advanced techniques in live Zoom format. These comprehensive deep dives are recorded and professionally edited, typically published within two weeks for convenient viewing.

Recent Deep Dives have covered Focus Modes, iPad workflows after iPadOS updates, and digital minimalism strategies. These are more structured and tutorial-focused than Meetups.

6.2 Quarterly Planning Partnership

Join me for dedicated quarterly planning sessions to structure your goals and priorities. These include mid-quarter check-ins to maintain momentum and accountability throughout each planning period.

This is where we get serious about actually accomplishing the things that matter, not just staying busy.

6.3 Field Guide Early Access Program

Exclusive access to new Field Guides while they’re still in production, complete with member pricing discounts. You’ll see and influence content before its public release, becoming part of the development process.

This means you can start learning new material months before the public launch and provide feedback that shapes the final product.

7. Field Guides & Labs

7.1 Your Member Benefits by Tier

Member Tier:
No Field Guide discount, but you’re part of the community and get all the core Labs content.

Insider Tier:

10% discount on all Field Guides (Foundation and Expert editions)
Access to launch-day special pricing (often better than 10%)

Pathfinder Tier:

20% discount on all Field Guides (Foundation and Expert editions)
Early access to new Field Guides during development
Access to launch-day special pricing (often better than 20%)
Behind-the-scenes updates as new courses are created

7.2 Finding Your Discount Codes

Discount codes are posted:

In the Labs News feed on the member portal
In email announcements for new Field Guide launches
In the #announcements channel on Discord

Can’t find a current code? Email support@macsparky.com with subject “Labs Discount Code” and we’ll get you sorted.

7.3 Launch Pricing (All Tiers)

When new Field Guides launch, all Labs members typically get special launch pricing for the first week or two. These launch discounts are better than the standard tier discounts and apply even to Member tier subscribers.

Watch for launch announcements in your email and Discord.

7.4 Labs + Field Guides = Better Learning

Here’s the pattern I see: People buy a Field Guide, work through it, join Labs to get community support for implementation, then use their discount codes to grab the next Field Guide at a discount. The Field Guides give you structured learning, Labs gives you the community and accountability to actually use it.

You don’t need to own any Field Guides to get value from Labs, but the combination works really well.

8. Live Events Schedule

8.1 Regular Event Calendar

Monthly (Insider & Pathfinder):

Monthly Interactive Meetup (typically first Wednesday)
Momentum Club co-working session
MacSparky Deep Dive (Pathfinder only)

As Scheduled:

Labs Jam Sessions (all tiers can attend live)
Friends of Dave Conversations
Book Club discussions
Apple Event viewing parties (Discord)

Quarterly (Pathfinder):

Quarterly planning sessions
Mid-quarter check-ins

8.2 How to Attend Live Events

Event links are posted on the Labs Dashboard
You’ll get email reminders 1-2 days before each session
Add the Labs Events Calendar to your calendar app (iCal link on the dashboard)
All times listed in Pacific Time (PT)
Events are typically on Zoom, links provided in the reminder emails

First time attending?

You can turn your camera on or off, your choice
Questions can be asked via chat or audio (we’ll let you know which during the session)
Don’t worry about being new—we all were at some point
Sessions are recorded, so if you miss something you can catch it later

8.3 Recordings & Replays

Live sessions are recorded and posted to:

The Labs Dashboard (usually within 24-48 hours for most events; Deep Dives take up to two weeks for professional editing)
The private podcast feed (audio only)

You can watch/listen on your schedule if you can’t make it live. The archive goes back years, so there’s a lot to explore.

Access by tier:

Member: Can watch Jam Session replays
Insider: All Insider and Member content replays
Pathfinder: Everything including Deep Dives and quarterly planning

9. The Labs Podcast Feed

9.1 What’s in Your Feed

Your private podcast feed includes:

The Lab Report (weekly Apple news, every Friday)
Audio from live events (based on your membership tier)
Labs-only commentary and updates
Friends of Dave conversations

9.2 Adding Your Private Feed

Find your unique feed URL on the Labs Dashboard under “Podcast Feed” or in your welcome email.

Popular apps and how to add private feeds:

Apple Podcasts: File → Add a Show by URL (Mac) or Library → Add a Show by URL (iOS)
Overcast: Settings → Add URL → Paste feed URL
Pocket Casts: Discover → Search → Enter feed URL
Castro: Add → Add RSS Feed → Paste URL

Important: Don’t share your feed URL—it’s unique to your account and gives access to members-only content.

9.3 Podcast Feed Troubleshooting

“Feed Not Authorized” or similar errors:

Re-add your unique feed URL from the Labs Dashboard
Some apps require manual entry under “Private Feeds” or “Add by URL”
Try a different podcast app if problems persist
Contact support@macsparky.com if you’re still stuck

10. The Discord Community

10.1 What Happens in Discord

The Discord is where the daily magic happens. Channels include:

#general – Main discussion area
#introductions – Welcome new members
#apps – Specific application discussions
#hardware – Gear and equipment talk
#workflows – Share and troubleshoot productivity systems
#workspaces – Show off your setup
#book-club – Book discussions and selections
#apple-news – Breaking news and rumors
#off-topic – Because we’re humans, not robots
#tech-support – Help with Labs access or technical issues

10.2 Apple Event Viewing Parties

The Discord comes alive during Apple keynotes and events. Members gather in real-time to react, discuss, and analyze announcements together. It’s one of the best parts of being in Labs—experiencing Apple events with people who care as much as you do.

10.3 Discord Access

Your Discord invite link is in your welcome email. If you can’t find it:

Check the Labs Dashboard for the current invite link
Email support@macsparky.com for a fresh invite
Make sure you have a Discord account (free to create at discord.com)

10.4 Discord Etiquette

Be respectful and helpful
Stay on topic in specific channels
Use threads for extended discussions
Don’t spam or promote commercial products
Have fun and share what you’re learning

11. Managing Your Membership

11.1 Upgrading or Downgrading Tiers

You can change membership tiers anytime:

Log in at the Labs Portal
Click “Manage Subscription”
Select “Change Plan”
Choose your new tier

Changes take effect at your next billing date. If upgrading mid-cycle, you’ll be charged a prorated amount immediately.

11.2 Switching Between Monthly and Annual

You can switch between monthly and annual billing through your Memberful account. The change takes effect at your next billing date.

11.3 Pausing or Canceling

You can pause or cancel anytime from your Memberful account:

Log in at Labs Portal
Click “Manage Subscription”
Choose “Cancel,” “Pause,” or “Switch Plan”

If you have any problem, send an email to support@macsparky.com

What happens when you cancel:

You keep access through the end of your current billing period
You can rejoin anytime at the current membership rate
Your archive access remains available until your period ends

Taking a break: Some people cancel during busy seasons and rejoin later. That’s fine—no hard feelings. Labs will be here when you’re ready to come back.

11.4 Updating Payment Information

Update your payment method or billing address through your Memberful dashboard under “Manage Subscription.”

11.5 Receipts & Invoices

Receipts are emailed after each payment. You can also download them from your Memberful account anytime.

12. Technical Support

12.1 Login Problems

Can’t access the Labs Dashboard:

Verify you’re using the email from your Memberful subscription
Check if you have multiple accounts (common if you switched email addresses)
Try the password reset link
Contact support@macsparky.com if still stuck

12.2 Event Link Issues

Zoom link not working:

Make sure you’re logged into your Labs account first
Copy and paste the link directly into your browser
Try opening it in a different browser
Check your spam folder for the reminder email with the link

Missed a live session:

Don’t worry—recordings are posted within 24-48 hours (up to two weeks for Deep Dives)
Check the Labs Dashboard for replays
Listen to the audio version in your private podcast feed

12.3 Can’t See Content for My Tier

If you can’t access content that should be available at your membership level:

Log out and log back in
Verify your current tier in your Memberful account
Check that your subscription is active and payment processed
Contact support@macsparky.com with “Content Access Issue” in the subject line

12.4 Discord Access Issues

Can’t join the Discord server:

Make sure you have a Discord account (create one at discord.com)
Use the invite link from your welcome email or Labs Dashboard
If the link expired, email support@macsparky.com for a fresh invite
Check that you’re not already in the server under a different account

13. Policies

13.1 Refunds

Labs memberships are generally non-refundable since you get immediate access to all content and events. However, if there’s a billing error or accidental renewal, contact support@macsparky.com within 7 days and we’ll work it out.

13.2 Privacy & Security

Your membership is managed through Memberful with payments via Stripe. Your information is secure and never sold or shared. You’ll only receive emails related to Labs membership and events.

13.3 Content Sharing Policy

All Labs content—videos, recordings, experiments, podcast feed—is for personal member use only. Please don’t:

Share your podcast feed URL
Redistribute recordings or videos
Post Labs-only content publicly
Share event Zoom links with non-members

If you think someone would benefit from Labs, send them to macsparky.com/join to join themselves.

14. Getting the Most Out of Labs

14.1 Your First Month by Tier

Member Tier:

Subscribe to the Lab Report podcast (weekly Apple news)
Explore the exclusive content library
Join the Discord and introduce yourself
Participate in Book Club discussions
Attend a Jam Session if one’s scheduled

Insider Tier:

Everything in Member, plus:
Attend your first Monthly Meetup
Join a Momentum Club co-working session
Watch Friends of Dave conversations
Use your 10% Field Guide discount if you’re interested

Pathfinder Tier:

Everything in Insider, plus:
Attend a Deep Dive session
Join quarterly planning if we’re starting a new quarter
Get early access to any Field Guides in development
Use your 20% Field Guide discount

14.2 Making Labs a Habit

Weekly rhythms:

Listen to The Lab Report on Friday (all tiers)
Scan the Labs News feed for new content
Participate in a Discord discussion or two
Watch new screencasts or tutorials as they’re posted

Monthly touchpoints:

Attend Momentum Club or your Monthly Meetup (Insider/Pathfinder)
Check in on current experiments
Grab your Field Guide discount code if there’s a launch
Join a Jam Session if the topic interests you

Quarterly:

Participate in planning sessions (Pathfinder)
Reassess what you’re actually implementing
Connect with other members about long-term projects

When you need it:

Post workflow questions in Discord
Revisit archive content when working on specific challenges
Reach out during live sessions with questions

14.3 The Real Secret

The people who get the most out of Labs are the ones who actually participate. You don’t need to be in Discord every day or attend every live session. But showing up semi-regularly, asking questions, sharing what you’re learning—that’s where the value multiplies.

Labs works best when you treat it as a community, not just a content library. The recordings and experiments are great, but the real magic happens in the conversations.

15. Common Questions

15.1 “Which membership tier should I choose?”

Start with the tier that matches your engagement style:

Member if you want content and community without live sessions
Insider if you want the live community experience and some Field Guide discounts
Pathfinder if you want everything, including the Deep Dives, planning sessions, and best Field Guide discounts

You can always upgrade later if you want more.

15.2 “There’s too much content. I can’t keep up!”

I get this question a lot, and it’s completely okay. Here’s the thing: I love making content for Labs members, but I don’t expect anybody to consume it all. That would be impossible and honestly kind of exhausting.

The trick is to find the stuff that’s interesting to you and watch that. Ignore the rest without guilt.

Maybe you’re deep into Shortcuts right now, so you watch those tutorials and skip the OmniFocus content. Or you’re interested in hardware reviews but not Book Club discussions. Perfect—take what serves you and leave the rest.

My goal is to make enough variety that everybody gets something good out of Labs constantly. Not everything will be for you, and that’s by design. Think of it like a buffet—you don’t eat everything available, you choose what appeals to you.

The archive is always there when you need it. Six months from now when you decide to tackle email management, those videos will be waiting for you.

15.3 “Do I need to own Field Guides to benefit from Labs?”

No. Labs stands on its own. The Field Guide discounts are a nice perk, and many discussions reference Field Guide topics, but you’ll get value from Labs even if you never buy a Field Guide.

15.4 “How much time does Labs require?”

As much or as little as you want. Live events vary by tier:

Momentum Club: 2-3 hours monthly (Insider/Pathfinder)
Monthly Meetup: 60-90 minutes (Insider/Pathfinder)
Deep Dives: 60-90 minutes monthly (Pathfinder)
Jam Sessions: 60 minutes when scheduled (all tiers)

Beyond that, it’s up to you—scan Discord daily, weekly, or just when you have questions. Listen to The Lab Report weekly or batch several episodes.

15.5 “Can I attend events at lower tiers?”

Generally, events are restricted to the tiers listed. However, Jam Sessions are open to all members to attend live (though replays may be tier-restricted). Everything else follows the tier structure.

15.6 “What if I can’t attend live events?”

Everything’s recorded. Many members rarely attend live and still get tremendous value from the recordings, Discord, and experiments. Live is fun for the interaction, but it’s not required.

15.7 “Can I suggest topics or experiments?”

Please do. Member suggestions often become Jam Session topics or monthly experiments. Post ideas in the #suggestions channel on Discord or mention them during Momentum Club or Meetups.

15.8 “How is Labs different from other productivity communities?”

We’re focused specifically on the intersection of productivity and Apple technology. We’re also small enough that you can actually get to know people, but large enough that discussions stay active. And we’re built around experimentation and implementation, not just theory.

15.9 “Is annual membership worth it?”

Annual saves you about 15% compared to monthly. If you’re committed to productivity improvement and plan to stick around, annual makes sense. If you want to try it first, start monthly and switch to annual later.

15.10 “Can I upgrade from Member to Insider or Pathfinder?”

Yes. Just change your plan in your Memberful account. You’ll be charged a prorated amount for the remainder of your current billing period, then the new rate going forward.

15.11 “What happens to Labs if I take a break?”

You can cancel anytime and rejoin later at the current membership rate. Your previous participation history stays intact—we’re not wiping your Discord history or anything like that.

16. Contact & Support

For membership, billing, or technical issues:
📧 support@macsparky.com
Response time: 1-2 business days

For workflow and productivity questions:
Post in the Discord—faster answers and better variety of perspectives

For partnership or speaking inquiries:
Use the contact form at macsparky.com/contact

For everything else:
I’m active in Discord and check in regularly during live sessions

17. Final Thoughts

Labs exists because I kept seeing people struggle with the gap between learning about productivity and actually implementing it. You can watch all the videos and read all the books, but without a community to work through it with, it’s easy to fall back into old habits.

That’s what Labs is for—giving you a place to experiment, ask questions, share what’s working, and get support when you’re stuck. The live sessions and experiments give us structure, but the real value is in having a group of people who care about the same things you do.

Choose your tier based on how you want to engage:

Member gets you in the door with content and community
Insider adds the live interaction and accountability
Pathfinder gives you everything, including the deep teaching and planning support

You can always start at one level and upgrade as you discover what you need.

If you’re already a member, thanks for being here. If you’re reading this before joining, I hope you’ll give it a try. We’d love to have you.

See you in the Labs.

Your pal,
David