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.
201
Mind Map Your Writing with Daphne Gray-Grant
We all need to write more crappy first drafts – that’s the way to truly get unstuck from writing. In this episode I learn from Daphne Gray-Grant about her inspiring writing process.
46 min
202
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
203
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
204
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
205
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
206
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
207
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
208
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
209
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
210
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
211
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
212
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
213
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
214
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
215
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
216
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
217
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
218
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
219
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
220
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
221
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
222
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
223
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
224
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
225
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