In this episode, I had a fantastic conversation with Richard Medcalf, the author of the book "Making Time for Strategy". He's a unique blend of a McKinsey consultant, an unorthodox pastor, and an entrepreneur, and he's the founder of X Quadrant. Richard is also a trusted advisor to exceptional CEOs and entrepreneurs, and their leadership teams.During our chat, we talked about his book, where we covered a lot of interesting topics. We started by exploring the idea of firefighting, and how it can prevent us from making time for strategy. We also delved into the phrasing we use when trying to free ourselves from obligations and the difference between obligations and commitments. It's a paradoxical situation that many of us can find ourselves in, and we had an enlightening discussion on how to navigate it.Richard's book is packed with essential insights and strategies that can help you make time for what's truly important in your life, whether that's personal or professional. We only scratched the surface during our conversation, but I encourage you to read the book for more in-depth advice.Overall, it was a great conversation, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could have talked to Richard for hours, but we distilled the essential elements from the book for our listeners. However, don't just take my word for it; listen to the episode!Links Worth Exploring Connect with Richard: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Richard's book Making Time for Strategy Visit XQuadrant.com for more resources Related Conversation: The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder Carroll Related Blog Post: Yes Before No Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to another episode of A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy!I'm excited to have Mike Rucker joining me today, who's a fellow World Domination Summit attendee. It's funny how we haven't met in person yet, but that's just how life goes sometimes. Mike is a behavioral scientist, organizational psychologist, and a charter member of the International Positive Psychology Association. He's also been published in prestigious academic journals like the International Journal of Workplace Health Management and Nutrition Research.Mike's work has been featured in many well-known publications like The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Psychology Today, and Fast Company. He currently serves as a senior leader at Active Wellness. Today, we'll be discussing his latest book, The Fun Habit, which is a wonderful read. I love the two words in the title: fun and habit. In our conversation, we explore how pursuing joy and wonder can change your life, and how these words are interchangeable.The book's message is powerful: find delight, fix unhappy. I hope you feel the same about this episode.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Mike: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Mike's book The Fun Habit Related Conversation: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam Related Blog Post: How to Blog Funny Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of A Productive Conversation, we had the pleasure of speaking with Erik Qualman, a best-selling author and keynote speaker who has reached over 50 million people in over 55 countries! We dive into his latest book, The Focus Project, and explore the topic of focus and how it can impact your life.We discuss the importance of focus, what you can do if you lose focus, and how fear and focus are interconnected. Did you know that Erik was voted the second most likable author in the world, just behind Harry Potter's JK Rowling? We explore the idea of likability and how it can impact your success.And that's not all, folks! We'll even get into the nitty-gritty details of Erik's iconic green glasses, the power of willpower, and even touch on the topic of Green Lantern. So, sit back, relax, and join us for an exciting conversation with Erik Qualman!Links Worth Exploring Connect with Erik: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Erik's latest book The Focus Project Related Conversation: The Four Tendencies with Gretchen Rubin Related Blog Post: Being Green Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this vault episode, I chat with Gretchen Rubin, a renowned author of multiple bestsellers including The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. Her books have been widely read and translated into over thirty languages, selling almost three million copies worldwide. Gretchen co-hosts the award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin alongside her sister Elizabeth Craft, where they discuss happiness and good habits. She has been recognized as one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company and is a member of Oprah's SuperSoul 100.Our conversation centers around The Four Tendencies, delving into which tendency I may align with (and even my wife's), how to fully embrace your own tendency to thrive, and more. I hope you enjoy listening to our discussion as much as I did!Links Worth Exploring Connect with Gretchen: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Gretchen's latest book: Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World The Surprising Truth About Why Your To-Do List May Be Failing You | Gretchen Rubin The 4 Tendencies That Explain Why You Struggle To Get Stuff Done (and What to Do About It) | Inc. Signing Up for “NaNoWriMo” – National Novel Writing Month? Here’s Why It Works | Gretchen Rubin Exciting: Scientific Research and Experiments Underway to Understand the Four Tendencies Better | Gretchen Rubin Take Gretchen Rubin’s Quiz: The Four Tendencies Related Conversation: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Related Blog Post: 3 Steps to Building Productivity Habits That Stick Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Zack Arnold, an award-winning editor, director, and founder of Optimize Yourself. He's also a father of two and a two-time American Ninja Warrior, which is pretty cool if you ask me. We had a productive conversation about how to pursue fulfilling careers without sacrificing our health, relationships, or sanity. Zack's work has been featured in various publications, and he's known for his expertise in productivity and entrepreneurship.One thing that stood out to me was how Zack optimized his podcast process, which he shared with us. He also talked about how he's learned to prioritize his health and relationships while pursuing his career goals. Overall, it was a fantastic conversation, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. If you're new to the podcast, this is a great episode to start with. I feel like I found a kindred spirit in Zack, and I hope you will too.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Zack: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Listen to Optimize Yourself with Mike Vardy Laura Vanderkam talks about Tranquility by Tuesday Are you Productive or Just Busy? Take the quiz! Related Conversation: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam Related Blog Post: 4 Tips to Make the Most of Your Working Day Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hamza Khan is a best-selling author, global keynote speaker, and respected thought leader whose TEDx talk "Stop Managing, Start Leading" has garnered nearly two million views. He is trusted by prominent organizations such as Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Salesforce to optimize performance and enhance human potential, and has been featured in notable media outlets like VICE and Business Insider. As the Co-Founder of SkillsCamp, Hamza aims to empower organizations to thrive in the future of work through soft skills training, and regularly shares actionable insights on leadership, resilience, and productivity.In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including ego, productivity, and journaling. We also dive into Hamza's latest book, "Leadership, Reinvented," which focuses on fostering empathy, servitude, diversity, and innovation in the workplace. As a co-founder of a leading soft skills training company, Hamza brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this discussion, making it both practical and engaging.This conversation will leave you feeling motivated and inspired to take your own leadership skills to the next level. Enjoy!Links Worth Exploring Connect with Hamza : Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Buy Hamza's book Leadership, Reinvented: How to Foster Empathy, Servitude, Diversity, and Innovation in the Workplace Watch Matthew McConaughey Dude's Journal Related Conversation: What Great Leaders Possess with Kevin Kruse Related Blog Post: The Benefits of Journaling for Time Management and Productivity Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts, wife, mom of three kids, and Marvel movie super fan. Amber's journey from working in the tech industry to becoming a therapist is truly inspiring. Her passion for people and building meaningful relationships was at the center of every decision she made. We delved into topics such as work-life balance, mental health, and personal growth. It's amazing to see how her passion has translated into not just one, but two successful podcasts that are focused on helping others. Our discussion on work-life balance and mental health was also very relevant, especially given the current pandemic situation. This episode was an insightful and engaging conversation that I'm sure you'll enjoy just as much as I did.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Amber: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Listen to the The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur Sign up and receive the The Shiny Object downloadable Related Conversation: Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized Related Blog Post: Braving Burnout: How to Go on When it Feels Like There’s Nowhere to Go Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're interested in human performance and personal growth, I highly recommend checking out this episode with Steven Kotler. He has been studying human performance for over 30 years and has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to achieve peak performance evolved around Steven's latest book, Gnar Country, which addresses how to stay "rad" as you grow older. As someone who's pushing 50, I found Steven's insights on aging and how to maintain a sense of vitality fascinating, and I'm sure many listeners will find them useful as well.Steven shares his own experiences and struggles as we dive into Gnar Country, which is filled with valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to maintain their edge as they grow older. This conversation was a great reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions and stay "rad" as you age. I hope you find it as engaging and thought-provoking as I did.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Steven: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Buy Steven's book Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad Related Conversation: Episode 367: Peak Performing Flow with Steven Kotler Related Blog Post: Why it’s Important to Find Joy in Your Work Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I was so happy to have Ryder Carroll back on show. It's always great to hear from the creator of the Bullet Journal, especially as the approach continues to evolve and gain in popularity. In this episode, we cover a lot of ground, diving into the history of Bullet Journaling and exploring how it has developed over the years. It's always fascinating to hear about the origins of the method and how Ryder's approach has changed over time. Whether you're a seasoned Bullet Journal'er or new to the approach, there's something here for everyone.We touch on a wide range of topics, from intention setting and goal planning to the role of AI in productivity. Whether you're looking for tips on how to get more done or simply want to reflect on what really matters in life, this episode is definitely worth a listen. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy the conversation - you won't be disappointed.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Ryder: Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn Read The Bullet Journal Method Read Ryder's article: The Imagination Economy Visit the Bullet Journal website  Related Conversation: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Related Blog Post: 3 Ways You Can Create An Effective Journaling Habit Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy - we have special guest Yaro Starak.Yaro is the co-founder of Inbox Done. He shares his insights on why email management and delegation can be a challenge for some people and how to overcome these obstacles and we delve into the various types of clients that Inbox Done serves.We both share our thoughts on how Inbox Done has helped our clients streamline their email and become more productive. This discussion is very informative about the ins and outs of email management and the importance of delegation. It is both educational and entertaining, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in the world of email management!Links Worth Exploring Connect with Yaro: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn Check out what Inbox Done has to offer Legendary Comedian Bill Burr — Fear{less} with Tim Ferriss  Related Conversation: Episode 360: A World Without Email with Cal Newport Related Blog Post: 3 Ways to Power Through Your Email Inbox Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | StitcherYou can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices