A Productive Conversation
Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation is a podcast that discusses tips, tools, tactics, and tricks that are designed to help you take your productivity, time management, goals, to do lists, habits, and workflow to new heights - both at work and at home. If you're looking to focus your efforts on getting the right things done and start living the good life, then this weekly conversational podcast – crafted in the tradition of Slate's Working, Back to Work, and HBR IdeaCast – is for you.
501
It’s All Fun and Games with Dave Caolo
In this episode, Mike talks with Dave Caolo of the podcast Home Work and the website Apple World Today about his newest hobby: tabletop gaming. They discuss the benefits of gaming in terms of helping with productivity and planning as well as offer some suggestions of games to check out.
26 min
502
Flying Solo: A Solo Parenting Productivity Adve...
In this episode, Mike discusses how he dealt with a major workflow change over the past 10 days as a result of his wife going on holiday and him acting as the lone parent during that time. He'll share my successes, his failures, and what you can do to help make any kind of irregularity in your workflow feel less taxing on you.
22 min
503
Beyond Productivity with Erik Fisher
As the host of the Beyond The To Do List podcast, Erik Fisher has interviewed many of the top names in productivity, task, and time management, and now Mike is putting him on the other side of the mic. They talk about habits, productivity approaches, and a lot more.
28 min
504
Efficient Writing with Jim Woods
On this episode of the podcast, Mike speaks with Jim Woods, author, and creator of the "Write Publish Share" course. They talk about the writing process, habits, and the relationship between productivity and getting writing done.
27 min
505
Closing Chapters with Michael Schechter
Michael Schechter, Mike's good friend, and former podcasting partner drops by the show for the first time on his own. The two of them talk about old times, what Schechter has been up to since they stopped producing Workflowing at 5by5, and the challenges behind closing one chapter in your life so you can make greater strides going forward.
39 min
506
The Power of SCALE with Travis Collier
In this edition of The Productivityist Podcast Mike and Travis Collier have a friendly - and short - conversation. Travis is the author of "SCALE: Refuse to Settle, Recognize what Matters, Redefine Success" and the two friends talk about how they met (and how it caught both of them and Mike's former podcast colleague Michael Schechter off guard), and what the power of SCALE can do for you.
22 min
507
How to Deliver a "Do Over" with Jon Acuff
Ever want a do-over with your career? Well, the guest on this episode can help you with that. Jon Acuff is a celebrated (and New York Times best-selling) author whose latest effort, Do Over, can help you figure out how to rescue Mondays, reinvent your work, and avoid getting stuck. In this lively (and efficient) discussion, Jon talks with Mike about Do Over...and they occasionally crack jokes while doing so.
17 min
508
Procrastinating on Purpose with Rory Vaden
The guest on this episode is someone who looks at time management a lot like the podcast host, Mike Vardy does. Rory Vaden is the author of "Take The Stairs: 7 Steps To Achieving True Success" and "Procrastinate on Purpose: 5 Permissions to Multiply Your Time." He is an accomplished speaker and entrepreneur and consults individuals and businesses on productivity. In this discussion, Mike and Rory talk about results management, the calendar, and a slew of other productivity-related subjects.
18 min
509
Body Talk with James Hamblin
Dr. James Hamblin, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and the host of "If Our Bodies Could Talk" joins Mike in the show as they talk about the things we can do to help ourselves and our bodies be more effective and efficient and the things we sometimes do that make them function at less than optimum levels.
20 min
510
Getting Things Done with David Allen
In this episode, Mike Vardy talks with David Allen, author of Getting Things Done. They discuss the pull of email, how to wrap your head around working by context, and what's different in the 2015 edition of Getting Things Done.
29 min
511
Message Not Received with Phil Simon
In this episode, Mike Vardy sits down with Phil Simon, author of "Message Not Received." They talk about the problem with email, why clarity is often lost in communication, and what we can do to make sure we have a far better chance of being heard when we send out messages to colleagues and cohorts.
26 min
512
A Look At Meetings
On this episode of the podcast, Mike Vardy and Lee Garrett take a look at one of the biggest productivity drains on the planet: meetings. They discuss why they don't usually work as currently designed and what you can do to make them more effective and more productive.
39 min
513
Moods and Modes with Brett Terpstra
Brett Terpstra is one of the smartest guys on the Internet, and in this episode, Mike and Brett talk about work habits, workflows, and how moods and modes each help them deliver their work on a consistent basis.
32 min
514
Everything Is A To Do with Michael Schechter & ...
Mike is joined once again by Patrick Rhone and reunites with his former podcasting partner-in-crime Michael Schechter on this episode. They discuss the idea of "have to" versus "need to," choices, chaos, caution, and much more.
41 min
515
Building a Better Podcast with Joel Boggess & D...
In this episode, Mike chats with prolific podcasters Joel Boggess and Dr. Pei. They are the husband and wife team behind the creation, development, and explosive growth of ReLaunch, an incredibly popular podcast.
22 min
516
How To Read More (and Read Better)
In this episode Mike flies solo, revealing his reading workflow. This workflow is how he's able to digest a ton of content every week as well as build a reading habit that allows him to read more...and read better.
22 min
517
An Intentional Discussion with Patrick Rhone
Patrick Rhone returns to the show for another free-form discussion with Mike. They talk about intentions, planning, and allocating your time wisely, and eventually get around to talking about what saying 'no' can do for you and for others.
33 min
518
Built Unstoppable with Justin Levy
In this episode, Mike spends time with Justin Levy. The story that has unfolded for him in the past few months has been very inspiring, as he's in the midst of recovering from a series of seizures that seemingly originated from a brain tumor. And even that hasn't slowed him down all that much.
26 min
519
Managing Time Demands with Francis Wade
This episode features a conversation between Mike and Francis Wade, author of Perfect Time-Based Productivity. They have a lively discussion about the difference between time management and time demands, the importance of looking inward when trying to improve your productivity, and what to do when you fall off the wagon with your resolutions for the year.
28 min
520
A Look at Calendar Apps
In this episode Mike explores several calendar apps, offering his thoughts on each of them along with some tips and tricks that he uses when dealing with his calendar. (Note: This won't be the last time he looks at calendar apps, as they are under constant development.)
18 min
521
Shaping a Great Year with David Delp
In this conversation with David Delp of Pilot Fire. Mike and David discuss what it takes to make a great year, how understanding and acknowledging roles can be a real boon to productivity, what goals actually mean, and much more.
35 min
522
The Disconnection Discussion with Patrick Rhone
In this episode, Mike has another conversation with Patrick Rhone. They discuss letter and number grading systems in schools when tech fails you, and more kernels of wisdom in less than a half an hour.
30 min
523
The Procrastination Conversation with Dr. Tim P...
In this episode, Mike has a candid conversation with Dr. Tim Pychyl about procrastination, strategic delaying, and what can get in the way of our productivity no matter what technology or approach we use.
26 min
524
Let Go and Lean In with Daniel Gold
Daniel Gold of DEG Consulting pops by to talk with Mike about letting go, leaning in, and the primary thing you need to keep in mind that will help you take your work, life, and side projects to greater heights.
27 min
525
Leveling Up with Jaime Masters
In this episode, Mike chats with Jaime Masters (formerly known as Jaime Tardy), founder of Eventual Millionaire and author of the book The Eventual Millionaire. They talk about the growth of their respective businesses and the things they did to level up along the way.
21 min