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.
351
Keep Going with Austin Kleon
On this episode, I spend time with Austin Kleon. Austin is the New York Times bestselling author of three illustrated books: Steal Like An Artist, Newspaper Blackout, and Show Your Work! We can now add a fourth to the mix now with his latest book, Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad. His books have over a million copies in print and has been translated into over two dozen languages. He speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and The Economist. In previous lives, he worked as a librarian, a web designer, and an advertising copywriter.
36 min
352
What Great Leaders Possess with Kevin Kruse
On today's podcast episode, I spend time with Kevin Kruse once again. Kevin is the Founder and CEO of LEADx (leadx.org), an AI startup that created “Coach Amanda”, the world’s first executive coach built with IBM Watson. LEADx has the mission to spark the next 100 million leaders around the world. Kruse is also a New York Times bestselling author, host of the LEADx Leadership Podcast, and previous winner of Inc 500 awards for fast growth and Best Place to Work awards for company culture.
40 min
353
Achieving Work-Life Balance with Clayton Morris
On this podcast episode, I spend time with Clayton Morris. Clayton Morris is a former FOX News Anchor who left the #1 cable news show in the world after achieving financial freedom through his real estate company, Morris Invest. He now devotes himself to helping others buy their first rental property, build passive income, and achieve financial freedom.
39 min
354
Big Ideas with John Lamerton
This time around on the podcast, I spend time with John Lamerton. John is a self-described "lazy entrepreneur" and investor. He balances running an ambitious lifestyle business with raising two young children. A former “hustler”, he now earns more money “working” 20 to 25 hours a week than he used to pulling all-nighters and “grinding” for 100+ hours per week.
34 min
355
Bolder with Carl Honoré
I haven’t talked to Carl Honoré for some time so it was a real treat when he joined me on this episode of The Productivityist Podcast. Carl is the author of such books as "In Praise of Slow" and "The Slow Fix", and his TEDx Talk on slowness has been viewed 2.7 million times. His latest book "Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives", tackles aging and the stigma around it.
31 min
356
Consider This: Maybe It’s You with Lauren Zander
On this episode, I am joined by Lauren Zander. Lauren is a life coach, university lecturer, and public speaker. She has spent over 20 years coaching thousands of private clients including couples, entrepreneurs, politicians, Emmy, Peabody, Grammy and Academy Award winners and Fortune 500 CEOs. Lauren is also the author of the book “Maybe It’s You” – a practical guide to help individuals figure out what they want out of life and how to make it happen.
42 min
357
Being Called to Change with Dale Halaway
Dale Halaway is the guest on this episode of the podcast. He has been influencing the lives and careers of thousands for almost forty years and is a leader in the movement for awakening and change.
41 min
358
Crafting Conscious Communications with Mary Shores
I'm excited to be joined by Mary Shores on this episode, the bestselling author of Conscious Communications: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Words to Change Your Mind, Your Choices, and Your Life. Mary is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Through her work, she provides pragmatic solutions for people who are "freaking out". With an extensive knowledge of neuroscience and human behaviour added to her repertoire, she guides businesses and individuals to defeat the "freak out" and create their ideal life.
40 min
359
Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
On this episode, Cal Newport joins me to talk about his latest book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. He is a computer science professor at Georgetown University and is a self-professed blogging nerd. He is also the author of six books, focusing on topics related to professional productivity, personal satisfaction and the intersection of technology and society.
47 min
360
Tailoring Tools for Thinkers with Joey Cofone
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, Joey Cofone, the co-founder and CEO of Baron Fig, joins the show. Baron Fig is a company that started as a Kickstarter project which has evolved into a brand that designs and offers inspiring products to thinkers such as writers, illustrators, and entrepreneurs around the world.
40 min
361
Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
On this episode, I speak with James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. James is an expert on habit formation who offers not only theories backed by science, but also practical strategies that will help you achieve powerful, atomic-level results.
47 min
362
How to Build a Company of One with Paul Jarvis
On this episode I speak with my good friend and author of Company of One, Paul Jarvis. I've known Paul for years and am elated to finally have him appear on the show to talk about staying small and how to build a company of one.
45 min
363
Going from Employee to Entrepreneur with Steve ...
On this episode of the show, my guest is Steve Glaveski. Steve is an entrepreneur, author, and host of the Future Squared podcast. His mission is to unlock the latent potential of organizations and their people so that they can create more impact for humanity and ultimately to lead more fulfilling lives.
32 min
364
How to #CHILL with Bryan E. Robinson
My guest for this episode is Dr. Bryan E. Robinson, author of the book #CHILL: Turn Off Your Job and Turn on Your Life. He is a licensed psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He currently has a blog on Psychology Today called “The Right Mindset.” He has been interviewed by Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among countless other magazines.
35 min
365
The One Percent Better Project with Joe Ferraro
On this episode of the show, I speak with Joe Ferraro. Joe is the man behind The One Percent Better Project and is a teacher and podcast host who helps to dissect the mindset, language, and behavior of daily improvement across the worlds of business, communication, and education.
50 min
366
How to Fight a Hydra with Josh Kaufman
I'm joined this time around by Josh Kaufman, the author of three bestselling books – including his latest effort How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be. Josh’s research focuses on business, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, productivity, creativity, applied psychology, and practical wisdom and he's someone I've wanted to have on the show for a long time.
37 min
367
The Serving Mindset with Farnoosh Brock
On this episode, after years of crossing paths both online and offline, I speak with Farnoosh Brock. Farnoosh went from electrical engineer and rising leader at corporate to business coach and entrepreneur. She shows businesses the mindset of serving overselling to build deep trust and sustainable profit. She is the author of several books, including the one we focus on during our conversation, The Serving Mindset.
57 min
368
Becoming Better Everyday with Brett Pinegar
On this episode of the podcast, I'm joined by Brett Pinegar. Brett is the founder of the X Group, where he helps individuals and teams multiply their effectiveness by adopting the techniques and mindsets great leaders use. Brett is a three-time tech CEO, a trail runner, and most importantly, a dad to five great kids.
32 min
369
How to STRIVE with Scott Amyx
Scott Amyx joins me on this episode of the podcast. Scott is the author of Strive: How Doing the Things Most Uncomfortable Leads to Success, which has been endorsed by Tony Robbins, Forbes, Singularity University, Tribeca Film Festival and other influencers.
35 min
370
Building The Best Planner Ever with Jennifer Dawn
I welcome Jennifer Dawn, creator of the Best Planner Ever, to the podcast this time around. Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur who has grown two multi-million dollar businesses and serves high-achieving entrepreneurs through private business coaching helping to take their companies further, faster.
37 min
371
Back to Human with Dan Schawbel
On this episode of the show, I speak with New York Times best-selling author Dan Schawbel. Dan is the author of Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation and the host of the 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel podcast. He's also a Partner and Research Director at Future Workplace, and the Founder of both Millennial Branding and WorkplaceTrends.com.
33 min
372
Running Down a Dream with Tim Grahl
Tim Grahl joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about his latest book (and most personal one to date), Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map To Winning Creative Battles.
49 min
373
The Role of Tech in Productivity with Jay Miller
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Jay Miller of Productivity in Tech. I’ve known Jay for a few years now and it was a pleasure to have him in my studio to talk about productivity, technology, and the intersection between them.
26 min
374
The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder Carroll
Have you ever wanted to hear the story of how one of the most popular productivity methodologies came to be? Then you'll enjoy this episode as I'm joined by the creator of the incredibly popular Bullet Journal, Ryder Carroll. Ryder is also the author of the book – his first – The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future which goes deeper into the Bullet Journal phenomenon (as do we during our discussion).
39 min
375
Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone with Andy Mo...
On this episode of the show, I speak with Andy Molinksy. Andy is a professor of International Management and Organizational Behavior at Brandeis University, an author of two business books - Global Dexterity and Reach and a columnist at HBR, Psychology Today, and Inc.com. He lectures, teaches, and consults on helping people step outside their personal, professional, and cultural comfort zones.
42 min