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.

Business
Careers
Management
326
Own Your Weird with Jason Zook
On this episode, I speak with my friend Jason Zook. Jason is the author of several books, including Own Your Weird: An Oddly Effective Way for Finding Happiness in Work, Life, and Love.
38 min
327
Start Finishing with Charlie Gilkey
On this episode, I chat with my good friend Charlie Gilkey. He's the author of the book Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done and is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a company that helps professional creatives, leaders, and changemakers take meaningful action on work that matters.
44 min
328
Empathy Everywhere with Michael Ventura
This time around I'm joined by Michael Ventura. Michael This time around I'm joined by Michael Ventura. Michael is the founder & CEO of Sub Rosa – a strategy and design practice – and the author of Applied Empathy.
41 min
329
10 Years of Sketchnotes with Mike Rohde
On this episode, I speak with my friend and returning guest, Mike Rohde. Mike Rohde is the author of two bestselling books: The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook – and co-creator of the new Kickstarter project, The Sketchnote Ideabook. He presents workshops around the world that encourage people to use visual thinking skills to generate, capture and share ideas more effectively.
50 min
330
Being a Rare Breed with Ashleigh Hansberger
On this episode of the podcast I speak with Ashleigh Hansberger about her first book, Rare Breed: A Guide to Success for the Defiant, Dangerous, and Different.
48 min
331
What You Can Learn from Napoleon Hill with Jeff...
Jeffrey Gitomer joins me on this episode of the program. Jeffrey is the author of 15 best-selling books. He’s a creative, on-the-edge, writer and speaker whose expertise on sales, customer loyalty, and personal development is world-renowned. Known for presentations, seminars, and keynote addresses that are funny, insightful, in your face, real-world, off the wall, and on the money.
48 min
332
Emotional Time Management with Paula Mosher Wal...
On this episode of the podcast, I spend time chatting with Paula Mosher Wallace. We spoke about the emotional component that needs to get considered when you're trying to manage your time. It's something that Paula feels gets cast aside in a world driven by the pursuit of productivity at all costs.
60 min
333
Understanding Ultralearning with Scott H. Young
On this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by fellow Canadian and author of the book Ultralearning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition and Accelerate Your Career, Scott H. Young.
38 min
334
Productivity in Motion with Joel Heath
On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by Joel Heath. Joel is the founder & CEO of FluidStance, the world's first work platform that elicits subtle movement where you are stuck working. His personal purpose is to move the world and FluidStance's purpose is to help set the world in motion.
39 min
335
Breaking the Time Barrier with Mike McDerment
On this episode, I speak with Mike McDerment, the co-founder and CEO of FreshBooks. FreshBooks is the world’s #1 cloud accounting software for self-employed professionals. Built in 2003 after he accidentally saved over an invoice, Mike spent 3.5 years growing FreshBooks from his parents’ basement.
40 min
336
Elevate Your Eight with Kris McPeak
On this episode, I spent time with Kris McPeak. Kris is the author of "Elevate Your 8: 21 Days to Prosperous Time Management" and the CEO of SilverPeak Development, an online career coaching community. During the day she also works at the foundation of a community college. Kris loves swimming, knitting, binge-watching TV, and learning new things. Kris McPeak is a self-appointed guru on work-life balance and finding your dream job. Kris worked successfully and happily in higher education, specifically College Housing. She came to a point in her career where the late hours and high touch students are parents started sucking the life out of her. Kris made a claim that she was going to be a housing officer who worked a 40 hour work week and stick to it.
37 min
337
Getting Video Done with Owen Video
On this podcast episode, I spent time with Owen Video. Owen creates Livestream and YouTube strategies for brands including show concept, talent, and marketing strategy. His clients' shows have been recognized as best in class – and with Owen, they continue to push the limit in discovering what’s possible with online video. Owen started the Video Marketing School so that business owners could learn how to generate sales with video.
56 min
338
Being a Late Bloomer with Rich Karlgaard
On this episode guest, I spent time with Rich Karlgaard. Rich Karlgaard, author of Late Bloomers: The Power of Patience in a World Obsessed with Early Achievement, is the publisher of Forbes magazine and is based in Silicon Valley. He is a lecturer, pilot, and the author of four acclaimed previous books. A self-proclaimed late bloomer, he had a mediocre academic career at Stanford (which he got into by a fluke), and after graduating, worked as a dishwasher, night watchman, and typing temp before finally finding the inner motivation and drive that ultimately led him to his current career trajectory.
46 min
339
5 Days with John Poelstra
On this episode guest, I spend time with John Poelstra on a different kind of episode. I actually walk through the elements of adding elements of TimeCrafting to his productivity workflow through a series of conversations over the course of a five-day period. Essentially, you're getting a behind-the-scenes look at what it is like working with me through one of my Productivityist Coaching experiences.
72 min
340
The Magic of Metabolic Profiling with Angelo Poli
On this episode guest, I spent time with Angelo Poli. Angelo Poli is an internationally recognized expert in fitness and nutrition. He’s the Founder of MetPro, the world’s first algorithm-based transformation engine. Using a process called “Metabolic Profiling”, MetPro analyzes your metabolism and provides an individualized approach to obtaining your health goals. Angelo has been featured for his specialty in Neuromuscular Re-education (Posture and Alignment) and weight loss sciences in major media outlets such as Men’s Health, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, and he is a regular contributor for The Huffington Post. Angelo has spoken at conferences such as TEDx and continues to be a Wellness Consultant for multiple universities and hospitals around the country.
78 min
341
Productive Fundraising with Chad Barger
On this episode guest, I spent time with Chad Barger. Chad Barger is a fundraising coach, productivity guru, and vlogger. Chad teaches charities how to optimize their fundraising, so they can focus on changing the world. He is the founder and managing director of the firm Productive Fundraising which focuses on implementing simple, effective fundraising systems as well as strategies to strengthen nonprofit boards of directors.
41 min
342
The Power of Virtual Accountability with Jeff M...
On this episode guest, I spent time with Jeff McMahon. Jeff is a virtual trainer who has trained online entrepreneurs like Amy Porterfield, Pat Flynn, John Lee Dumas, and many more. Jeff works to help business owners feel more confident, strong, and healthy so they can dominate in their business and have more energy throughout their day. He has a degree in pre-med/pre-pharm with dual certifications in injury rehabilitation and sports medicine and has been a fitness expert for over a decade now, working with thousands of people throughout the world.
35 min
343
How to Be Great at Your Job with Justin Kerr
On this episode guest, I spent time with Justin Kerr. Justin is a self-described efficiency monster, He is the author of the rogue corporate playbooks How to Write an Email and How to Be a Boss. He is also the mouthpiece of the MR CORPO podcast and has been the youngest senior executive at some of the world's biggest apparel companies (Gap, Old Navy, Levi's, UNIQLO) running billion-dollar businesses while finding time to write 14 books, tour the country with his rock band and keep 100,000 bees on his roof. He is currently president of Imprint Projects in New York City.
36 min
344
What Happy Successful People Do Differently wit...
On this podcast episode, I spent time again with Marc and Angel Chernoff. Marc and Angel Chernoff are New York Times bestselling authors, professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, books, course, and coaching, they’ve spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love, and peace.
40 min
345
Living a Conscious Life with Bob Rosen
On this podcast episode, I spent time with Bob Rosen. Bob is the founder and CEO of Healthy Companies and is a trusted global CEO advisor, organizational psychologist, keynote speaker, and New York Times bestselling author of eight books. His latest book entitled CONSCIOUS: The Power of Awareness in Business and Life was published by Wiley in July 2018.
38 min
346
The Art of Noticing with Rob Walker
On this podcast episode, I spend time chatting with Rob Walker. Rob Walker is a journalist covering design, technology, business, the arts, and other subjects. He writes the Human Resource column for Lifehacker, and has contributed to The New York Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, The Atlantic, The New Yorker, Design Observer, The Organist, and many others. His book The Art of Noticing was released in May 2019. He is on the faculty of the Products of Design MFA program at the School of Visual Arts.
38 min
347
Exploring The Productivity Paradox with Tonya D...
On this podcast episode, I spent time speaking with Tonya Dalton. Tonya Dalton started her first business in 2009 working out of her home juggling two small kids. By 2011, she had grown the business to the point where her husband could leave corporate America. The company continued to flourish, but something was missing. In 2014, she closed up shop to follow her true passion, inkWELL Press ®—a company centered around productivity tools, training and education. Tonya’s messages about business management, productivity, and the pursuit of passion have impacted thousands and inspired her to launch her podcast, Productivity Paradox, and her online productivity course, The liveWELL Method™.
46 min
348
What Sports Can Teach Us About Greatness with D...
On this podcast episode, I spend time with Don Yaeger. Don is an award-winning keynote speaker, business leadership coach, eleven-time New York Times best-selling author, and longtime Associate Editor for Sports Illustrated. He has fashioned a career as one of America’s most provocative thought leaders. As a speaker, he has worked with audiences as diverse as Fortune 500 companies and cancer survivor groups, where he shares his personal story.
45 min
349
How to UnLearn with Humble The Poet
On this podcast episode, I spend time with Humble the Poet. Kanwer Singh aka Humble The Poet is a Toronto-bred MC/Spoken word artist with an aura that embodies the diversity and resiliency of one of the world’s most unique cities. With tattoos, beard, head wrap, and a silly smile, Humble commands attention. He stimulates audiences with ideas that challenge conventional wisdom and go against the grain, with dynamic live sets that shake conventions and minds at the same time.
35 min
350
Free to Focus with Michael Hyatt
On this podcast episode, I spend time with Michael Hyatt. Michael is the founder and CEO of Michael Hyatt & Company, a leadership development firm specializing in transformative live events, workshops, and digital and physical planning tools. In his newest book, Free to Focus, Michael reveals to readers nine proven ways to win at work so they are finally free to succeed at the rest of life. Michael has been married to his wife, Gail, for forty years. They have five daughters, three sons-in-law, and eight grandchildren. They live just outside Nashville, Tennessee.
56 min