A Productive Conversation
Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation offers insightful discussions on how to craft a life that aligns with your intentions. Each episode dives into the art of time devotion, productiveness, and refining your approach to daily living. Mike invites guests who are thinkers, doers, and creators to share their strategies for working smarter and living more intentionally. From practical tips to deep dives on mindset shifts, this podcast will help you reframe your relationship with time and find balance in a busy world.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because a productive life is more than just getting things done.
251
Endless Curiosity with Derek Sivers
Derek Sivers is best known as a writer, musician, programmer and the founder of CD Baby, an online CD store for independent musicians. For the past 12 years he’s been living a nomadic lifestyle and pondered a lot about what makes a good life.
53 min
252
Happy Now Year!
On this solo episode of the podcast I talk about I'm ending one year and starting another – as well as everything that comes along with that.
16 min
253
Getting Productive With Astrology with Jill Blu...
In this episode's guest, Jill Blumenstock, is a certified Yoga Teacher and Vedic Astrologer, and has seen firsthand the impact of tuning into your own natural rhythms. It’s a time guide that’s beyond just your horoscope; you learn how to best manage your time. In this episode we uncover how to chart your astrological patterns, how to apply it to your daily life - and hear Jill’s live reading of me... I look forward to my upcoming ‘rest’ months!
40 min
254
It's Time to Slow Things Down
On this solo episode of the podcast, I talk about the importance of slowing things down and how that can make your productivity even better than before.
15 min
255
Making Time For What Matters with John Zeratsky
How do you manage your time? There’s no one-size-fits-all tactic, but John Zeratsky's latest book ‘Make Time’ runs through tried and tested approaches for us to cherry pick, so I was super excited to catch up with him and run through some of these exercises. Tune in as we discuss reflection time, the power of default settings and breaking bad habits with friction.
43 min
256
This Amazing Adventure Called Life with Lex Lat...
Lex Latkovski's work is featured over at The Lexpedition and he's the author of Passport Forward: Moving from Regrets and Routine to Freedom, Passion, and Adventure. He's also a serial traveler and adventure seeker – something that isn't as easy to make happen in 2020. Nonetheless, Lex's message and sense of vitality were on full display during our conversation. I hope you enjoy it and it helps you - even in some small way - get more out of this amazing adventure called life!
31 min
257
Being Brutally Honest with Peter Kozodoy
In this episode's guest, Peter Kozodoy, has seen time and again how much transparency and honesty in our work and personal lives lead to lasting results. Peter is an Inc. 5000 entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of Honest to Greatness.
32 min
258
August: The Methodical Month
On this episode of the podcast I talk about the importance of planning – and why August is the month that I give planning my overarching focus.
19 min
259
The Power of Process with Justin DiRose
On this episode I'm joined by Justin DiRose, a productivity expert and remote work consultant from northern Minnesota. He has a passion for becoming better, the distributed workforce, being a great dad and husband, and music.
31 min
260
HEY! I'm Talking Email with Phil Simon
On this episode of the podcast, special guest Phil Simon sticks around with me to talk about our thoughts on Basecamp’s foray into the world of email, HEY.
19 min
261
Let's Zoom with Phil Simon
Phil Simon returns to the program to talk about a service that more people have started using in 2020... some whether they wanted to or not: Zoom.
34 min
262
3 More Things with Benjamin Spall
Benjamin Spall returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 196 of the podcast.
7 min
263
The New Corner Office with Laura Vanderkam
On this episode I'm joined once again by Laura Vanderkam, a fellow productivity specialist. Laura is the author of several books, including "The New Corner Office: How the Most Successful People Work from Home."
31 min
264
An Appetite for Apps
I've had an "on again, off again" relationship with apps during my career as a productivity strategist. Right now, it's back on again. I share some of my insights on apps during this episode.
24 min
265
You and The Internet of Things with Vicki McLeod
Vicki McLeod joins me on this episode of the program. Vicki McLeod is a writer, author, coach, consultant and an award-winning entrepreneur. She is an advocate for mindful business, everyday happiness and living a life rich with meaning. She's here to talk about her book "You and The Internet of Things."
33 min
266
The Quest for Simplicity
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said, "In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity." I couldn't agree more. So I decided to share my thoughts on the quest for simplicity on this episode.
20 min
267
Growing Young with Marta Zaraska
My guest is Marta Zaraska, a Polish-Canadian science journalist published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, the Atlantic, Discover, and more. She's the author of the book Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100.
37 min
268
The Analog Way with Jeff Sheldon
On this solo episode of the podcast, I'm doing something a little different: I'm hosting a guest. Jeff Sheldon joins me on the program to talk about simplicity, productivity, and the story behind Analog.
34 min
269
It's Go Time with Jill McAbe
My guest this time around is Jill McAbe. Jill is a business coach, high-performance expert and Amazon best-selling author of It’s Go Time: The ALL-IN System For Unstoppable Success in Business and Life.
40 min
270
I Took a Clarity Day
I took a Clarity Day this week. Not sure what a Clarity Day is? I explain its value on this episode... as well as how I know it's going to help me with my productivity and prioritization moving forward.
24 min
271
The Only Skill That Matters with Jonathan Levi
On this episode I'm joined by Jonathan Levi. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, published author, and podcaster born and raised in Silicon Valley.
33 min
272
Three Big Days
Three big days that happen over a three-week period are incredibly meaningful to me: World Productivity Day, Father's Day, and my birthday. I share my thoughts on all of them in this episode.
30 min
273
Curating Your Life with Gail Golden
This episode of the podcast delves into the concept of curation with the author of Curating Your Life, guest Gail Golden.
34 min
274
3 More Things with KC Procter
KC Procter returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 206 of the podcast.
20 min
275
Trying Times with Bosco Anthony
My guest for this episode of the program is digital strategist, renowned speaker, and good friend Bosco Anthony. When we decided to have this conversation initially, we had a different set of topics in mind. But based on the current climate of the world when we recorded this episode – early June 2020 – the discussion went in a different direction.
37 min