A Productive Conversation
Mike Vardy
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.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because a productive life is more than just getting things done.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 26, 2025 • 33min
Quang X. Pham Talks About Underdogs and Effort That Delivers Results
Quang X. Pham, an entrepreneur, author, and the first Vietnamese-American U.S. Marine Corps aviator, shares his inspiring journey from a refugee to leading a biotech company. He reflects on the resilience required to embrace his underdog status and the lessons learned from overcoming cultural biases. Quang discusses the significance of preparation and adaptability in both the military and business. His insights into the 'four Avenues of Approach' offer powerful strategies for achieving success through perseverance and confronting personal limitations.
Nov 19, 2025 • 46min
Chris Dalla Riva Talks About Music, Data, and the Stories Behind the Hits
Chris Dalla Riva, a musician and data analyst at Audiomack, shares insights from his book, Uncharted Territory, where he analyzed every Billboard Hot 100 number-one song. He discusses why Bob Dylan never topped the charts, exploring the role of luck and timing. Chris dives into how data reveals trends in music and culture, the impact of technology like Auto-Tune and AI, and the cyclical nature of pop music. Additionally, he highlights the enduring relevance of vinyl and album art in today's digital landscape.
4 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 39min
PM Talks S2E11: Trust
Patrick Rhone, a writer and blogger focused on productivity and simplicity, dives deep into the concept of trust. He discusses how trusting the moment enhances presence and its impact on daily choices, like buying a car. They explore the societal implications of eroding trust in institutions and technology. Rhone emphasizes the importance of simplicity in building reliable systems and how personal instincts influence trust decisions. The conversation also touches on legacy systems and the patience required to maintain trust over time.
Nov 5, 2025 • 49min
James Kimmel Jr. Talks About The Science of Revenge and the Power of Forgiveness
James Kimmel Jr., a Yale lecturer and lawyer-turned-researcher, dives into the neuroscience of revenge in a thought-provoking conversation. He shares a personal bullying story that ignited his passion for understanding why our brains crave retaliation. Kimmel explains how grievances act like addictive substances, triggering dopamine and impulsive reactions. He emphasizes forgiveness as a powerful tool that rewires the brain for peace, offering practical strategies like journaling to process grievances without falling into cycles of anger.
Oct 29, 2025 • 32min
Hannah Bookbinder Talks About ADHD, Awareness, and Unlocking Inner Superpowers
Hannah Bookbinder, founder of AcademicAlly and creator of the MyTOAD App, shares over 25 years of experience supporting neurodivergent individuals. She discusses how reframing ADHD can unlock unique strengths rather than viewing it as a disadvantage. Hannah emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional check-ins, and flexible journaling methods to boost productivity. She also highlights her mission to extend support beyond individuals, advocating for better tools in schools and healthcare. Discover how curiosity and compassion can turn chaos into capability!
Oct 22, 2025 • 53min
Anthony Verdino Talks About Simplifying CBT and Finding Balance Through Mindful Productivity
In this enlightening discussion, Anthony Verdino, a licensed clinical social worker and author of CBT Simplified, shares how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can enhance everyday productivity. He emphasizes the importance of small mindset shifts, like reframing 'should' into 'could,' to foster empowerment. Anthony also tackles perfectionism, burnout, and the necessity of self-care. He offers practical action-initiation strategies to combat procrastination and highlights how consistent reflection makes CBT principles a natural part of life.
10 snips
Oct 15, 2025 • 37min
Skye Waterson Talks About ADHD, Attention, and Building Systems That Actually Work
Skye Waterson, an ADHD coach and founder of Unconventional Organisation, shares her journey from academic burnout to discovering her ADHD diagnosis. She explains why traditional productivity tools like the Pomodoro Technique often fail ADHD brains, advocating for tailored systems instead. Skye introduces her 'Focus Formula' to prioritize tasks and discusses the neuroscience of motivation linked to dopamine. With strategies for managing transitions and using 'dopamine boosters,' she emphasizes creating enjoyable, effective work systems that cater to individual needs.
Oct 8, 2025 • 31min
PM Talks S2E10: Clarity
In a thought-provoking conversation, Patrick Rhone, an independent writer and thinker on work and life, dives into the idea of clarity. He and Mike discuss how emotions, like sports outcomes, can impact daily clarity. They explore the effective use of time theming as a scaffold for focus, and how to navigate life’s unexpected waves with intention. Rhone shares the concept of taking a ‘Clarity Day’ to reset and reflect on what truly matters, shedding light on the delicate balance between structure and spontaneity.
15 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 48min
Jesse J. Anderson Talks About ADHD, Extra Focus, and Finding Flow
Jesse J. Anderson, a writer and ADHD advocate, shares insights from his journey and expertise. He discusses how his late diagnosis at 36 reframed his understanding of past struggles. Jesse introduces the 'clockless mind,' explaining how time feels different for those with ADHD. His '4Cs' framework—Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete—serves as a powerful motivation tool. He also explores Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria and offers unique strategies to boost productivity, like 'eating the ice cream first,' blending humor with practical advice.
Sep 24, 2025 • 36min
Leslie Grandy Talks About Creative Velocity and the Future of Ideas
Join Leslie Grandy, a global product executive and author of Creative Velocity, as she dives into the intersection of creativity, technology, and leadership. She busts the myth that creativity is for artists only and reveals how everyday spaces can spark ideas. Discover how emotional regulation fuels sustained momentum and why precision can be a double-edged sword. Leslie also highlights using AI not just as a tool, but as a creative partner that transforms chaos into structured innovation, expanding the horizons for breakthrough ideas.
