I've always wanted to interview a football player for the podcast.Thanks to Adrienne Smith, I got my chance.As an athlete, Adrienne has won two gold medals and four national championships in the sport of women’s tackle football. Adrienne has also represented the U.S. in the sport of flag football, having won three silver medals in international competition. Whether on the field or off, Adrienne’s personal mission is to “empire” (empower+inspire) others – a concept she strives to incorporate into all of her endeavors.As an entrepreneur, Adrienne, an MBA graduate of Columbia Business School, is the co-founder of Harlem Hip-Hop Tours (a company dedicated to edutainment field trips for schools and youth groups), the founder of Gridiron Queendom (an enterprise dedicated to women and girls around the world who play or are fans of American football), and the creator of Blitz Champz (a super fun, football card game that reinforces math skills for children in grades 3-8).When it comes to media, Adrienne is a multi-hyphenate (writer, actress, and producer) with experience that runs the gamut from producing and hosting a television show in Japan to developing film and television properties for the U.S. market.During our conversation, Adrienne talks about how she fell in love with football, what a typical day for the very productive Adrienne Smith looks like, how precise she gets with allocating time for her tasks and projects, and how Adrienne keeps her intentions illuminated – including inventing a game that helped her give back to the game of football, Blitz Champz.There are some great takeaways from our conversation. I hope you enjoy it.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Adrienne: Website | Twitter | Instagram Get Blitz Champz: Click here to get them from Amazon Listen to Lebron: Right here on Calm Related Conversation: Episode 241: What Sports Can Teach Us About Greatness with Don Yaeger Related Blog Post: The Long Game 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

Joshua Becker isn't just one of my favourite people to have a conversation with, he's one of my favourite writers. And his book, Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life, is a book that I needed to read.I believe it's a book that you need to read as well.Joshua is The Wall Street Journal best-selling author of The More of Less and The Minimalist Home. He's also behind the site Becoming Minimalist and, as mentioned, is one of my favourite people to hang out with.We talked about why writing this book was a big deal for Joshua, falling into the trap of chasing the wrong things, and – wait for it – atychiphobia.Whenever I speak with Joshua, ideas really come to front of mind. You'll hear this coming from me throughout this conversation. Maybe it's that those things matter to me... or maybe I'm auditioning them for that role. Either way, I'm happy that we had a chance to make this conversation happen because it mattered a lot to me to make it happen.I trust after listening to this episode that you'll understand why.Show Notes Connect with Joshua: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Joshua's Book: Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life Check out The Hope Effect: Click here Related Conversation: Episode 91: The More of Less with Joshua Becker Related Blog Post: I Think Ivy Lee Was Right 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

Meetings suck, don't they?Fellow Canadian Cameron Herold wrote a book with that title. But he knows that they don't have to suck.During our discussion, Cameron shares with me why meetings don't have to suck and how to keep them becoming something that sucks. We also talked about a variety of other things during our conversation because Cameron has covered a lot through his body of work.He is the Founder of COO Alliance, a Coach to CEOs and COOs, Keynote Speaker, and author of 5 books. He has coached hundreds of companies in 28 countries, built two 100MM companies, and his Vivid Vision tool is being used globally by thousands of companies.There's a lot to unpack from our conversation – including the concepts of priority management and situational leadership. I trust you'll enjoy this episode and learn a lot from Cameron. I know I did.Show Notes Connect with Cameron: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn Cameron's Books: Visit his Amazon Author Page Cameron's podcast: The Second in Command Podcast Cameron's course: Invest in Your Leaders Visit The COO Alliance: Click here Related Conversation: Episode 106: Brian Scudamore Related Blog Post: A Look at Productivity and Workflow “Versioning” 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

The way the world works has been changed forever over the past few years. There's no going back to the way things were. It's all about adapting to the evolved world of work – one that involves remote work no matter which way you slice it.That's why I'm glad to finally have Liam Martin join me on the podcast.Liam is an avid proponent of remote work and has been published in Forbes, Inc, Mashable, TechCrunch, Fast Company, Wired, and The Wall Street Journal (among many other publications) specifically targeting the expansion of remote work. Liam's products and services are defined by the concept of giving workers the flexibility to work wherever they want, whenever they want.That's why I believe he's one of the best people in the world to talk about the future of work and the role remote work will play in it.We talk about many facets of remote work throughout our conversation, including his book on remote work. This is a conversation that is definitely another productive one. I hope you learn a lot from what we discuss... and I hope you're able to join me and Liam at Running Remote (either in person or remotely) in May 2022!Show Notes Connect with Liam: Website | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn Liam's Book: Running Remote: Master the Lessons from the World’s Most Successful Remote-Work Pioneers  Join us at Running Remote: Click here (Use code productivityist for 20% off any ticket price) Related Conversation: Episode 326: The Power of Process with Justin DiRose Related Blog Post: How to Be Prudent and Productive 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've been friends with Chris Bailey for years, dating back to our lunch at a diner in Ottawa when I was in his neck of the woods for a speaking engagement. We've had plenty of chats over the years and they've only become more frequent as the years have progressed. (After all, there aren't many Canadians who have dedicated their life's work to the realm of productivity and time management.)Chris is the international bestselling author of The Productivity Project and Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction. Chris writes about productivity at alifeofproductivity.com, and speaks to organizations around the globe on how they can become more productive without hating the process.During this conversation we talk about focus and its effects on productivity, the different types of focus that he has written about, how to get around distraction, and much more.Over time, our stance on productivity and time management has evolved as well. And while I look forward to having Chris on the podcast again to discuss that in greater detail, this episode offers you a look back into the past to see what we were both thinking about back in August 2019.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Chris: Website | Twitter | Instagram Chris's Book #1: The Productivity Project Chris's Book #2: Hyperfocus Chris's Audible Thing: How to Train Your Mind: Exploring the Productivity Benefits of Meditation Chris's Podcast: Time and Attention Related Conversation: Related Conversation: Episode 266: Becoming Indistractable with Nir Eyal Related Blog Post: Focus On The App Within 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've been interested in the Enneagram for a few years now, mainly because of my fascination with frameworks. And while I've had conversations with a lot of people who know about the Enneagram I had long wanted to talk to someone who knew a lot about it.That's why I'm delighted to have had this conversation with Ian Morgan Cron.Ian is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the wildly popular podcast, "Typology," which has over 17 million downloads. His books include the Enneagram primer The Road Back to You and The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self.We talked about how the Enneagram views the concept of passion, how to break free of your "broken" story, and much more in such a short timeframe. Ian also helps me figure out my own Enneagram number – a number that I figured I was but through our conversation was confirmed.Now that I know how to fix my own broken story, I can avoid getting in my own way when it comes to giving attention to my intentions... and bringing them to life. I believe that after listening to this conversation you will find there's value in using the Enneagram to help you do the same.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Ian: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Ian's Book: The Story of You Ian's Podcast: Typology Ian's Other Book: The Road Back to You The iEQ9 Assessment: Take It Here Related Conversation: Episode 190: Reading People with Anne Bogel Related Blog Post: The Hard Stuff 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 should have picked up Steal Like an Artist a long time ago."That was the thought that ran through my mind as I read the 10th anniversary edition of this work by Austin Kleon from cover to cover to prepare for this very special bonus episode of A Productive Conversation.Austin Kleon is the New York Times bestselling author of Steal Like an Artist, Show Your Work!, The Steal Like an Artist Journal: A Notebook for Creative Kleptomaniacs, and Keep Going. His work has been translated into over twenty languages and featured on NPR’s Morning Edition, PBS NewsHour, and in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. New York magazine called his work “brilliant,” the Atlantic called him “positively one of the most interesting people on the Internet,” and the New Yorker said his poems “resurrect the newspaper when everybody else is declaring it dead.” He speaks about creativity in the digital age for organizations such as Pixar, Google, SXSW, TEDx, and the Economist.I only had a short time to speak with Austin this time around, but we made the most of it. I think you'll agree.Links Worth Exploring Connect with Austin: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Get the book: Steal Like an Artist (10th Anniversary Edition) THAT scene in "Get Back": Watch it here My Last Chat with Austin: Episode 238: How to Keep Going with Austin Kleon Related Conversation: Episode 407: Rob Walker talks about The Art of Noticing Related Blog Post: The Smart Ones 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

Joe Chura is an entrepreneur, inventor, and investor philanthropist. He founded and bootstrapped two companies, Launch Digital Marketing and Dealer Inspire, that both became two of the fastest growing companies in America, earning the #39 spot on the Inc. 500 and #5 ranking on Crain’s Chicago Fast 50. In 2018, Joe sold both businesses to Cars.com in Chicago’s largest acquisition of the year, and he continues to lead their growth and innovation today as CEO. Joe’s passion is using his leadership and health and fitness experiences to help others achieve their goals, which led him to start his podcast, Not Almost There, in January of 2021.I find out during our conversation what Almost Not There means and how he got started with it. Then we discuss Joe's unique meditation ritual, what you can learn from people (good and not-so good), the importance of small moments, and a whole lot more.Show Notes Connect with Joe: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Joe's Podcast: Subscribe Here Listen to me on Joe's Podcast: Apple Podcasts | Spotify Ryan Holiday on The Rich Roll Podcast: Watch/Listen Here Joe talks with Rich Roll: Check it out The event Joe started: REFUEL Joe's newest venture: Here it is! Related Conversation: Episode 407: Rob Walker talks about The Art of Noticing Related Blog Post: Almost 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

Sometimes I get so caught up in the conversation that I make a mistake.... But considering the guests I have this time around I couldn't have picked a better time for that to happen.You see, I mispronounced one guest's last name in the intro.That said, these two guests – Mohammad Anwar and Chris Pitre – had a hand in writing the book "Love as a Business Strategy: Resilience, Belonging, and Success" so I'm sure Chris will show me the side of love that exudes compassion and forgiveness.Mohammad started Softway at the age of 20 where he still serves as the President and CEO. Chris is the Vice President of Softway and he has a B.A. in Business Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.We talk about why they wrote the book, how they were able to write the book with two additional authors, what businesses need to read this book, and how love can be measured in business to help quantify it more... if that's even possible.Show Notes Connect with Mohammed: LinkedIn Connect with Chris: LinkedIn Their Book: Love as a Business Strategy: Resilience, Belonging, and Success Check out their Podcast: Love as a Business Strategy Softway's Website: Check it out here Their new initiative: Culture+ Related Conversation: Episode 401: Dr. Michael Breus talks about Energy Management, Movement and Sleep Related Blog Post: How to Do More of the Things You Love 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

When Brittany Wagner reached out to be on the program, I honestly didn't know that she was on a dock-series that I'd added to my Netflix queue called "Last Chance U."I started to go through some of the episodes and found Brittany to be, indeed, the breakout star of the show.We spoke about the honest and vulnerability she put into her book, "Next Chance You: Tools, Tips, and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life" along with elements that she and those she mentors face time and time again – things like the importance of choice and dealing with overwhelm.I didn't know quite what to expect going into this conversation. But once I was in it, I really enjoyed it. I trust you will, too.Show Notes Connect with Brittany: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Brittany's Book: Next Chance You: Tools, Tips, and Tough Love for Bringing Your A-Game to Life Watch Last Chance U: Right here on Netflix Related Conversation: Episode 408: Thomas Anderson talks about Vulnerability Related Blog Post: The Potential of a Fresh Start 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