

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

Feb 1, 2023 • 45min
Paul Millerd talks about The Pathless Path
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.I'm really excited to have this conversation with Paul Millerd because I had the chance to meet him back in June of 2022 at the World Domination Summit. We had a fantastic time connecting and discussing our shared interests in productivity and our modern relationship with work. Paul is an independent writer, creator, and sometimes freelancer, and he writes about these topics in a way that I find truly inspiring.During this conversation, we dive into his book "The Pathless Path" which is all about how people are imagining new paths beyond the default path that many of us grew up with. We talk about his own path and how he's found success as a writer, as well as discuss my own journey and the paths that we're each currently on. It's a really fascinating conversation and I think anyone who's interested in productivity and finding their own path in life will really enjoy it.Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Paul: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Buy Paul's book: The Pathless Path
Related Conversation: Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized
Related Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Jan 25, 2023 • 34min
Cameron Herold talks about Unleashing the Power of your COO
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Canadian business growth guru Cameron Herold to discuss the concept of the "second in command."Cameron is the mastermind behind hundreds of companies' exponential growth and has earned his reputation as the business growth guru. He is the author of six books - including The Second in Command - an international speaker, and the founder of the COO Alliance, the World's Leading Network for Seconds in Command.He's the host of the "Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief" podcast where he interviews COO's and other "second in command" to share their insights. During this conversation, Cameron and I delve into the importance of having a strong second in command and how it relates to the growth of a company, and I also talk about my own journey toward finding my second in command.I hope you find this episode as valuable as I did.Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Cameron: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Buy Cameron's book - The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO
Listen to Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief podcast 
Related Conversation: Cameron Herold talks about being The Second in Command
Related Blog Post: 9 Traits of a Successful Manager that Increases 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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Jan 18, 2023 • 36min
Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.Alan Henry is a service journalist and editor who writes and commissions stories that help readers make better use of their technology and embrace a healthier relationship with it in their lives. Previously, the Smarter Living editor at The New York Times, the editor-in-chief of the productivity and lifestyle blog Lifehacker, the author of SEEN, HEARD, AND PAID, and is currently senior editor at Wired.In this episode, we chat about how the book came to be, healthy boundaries in the workplace, the new work rules for the marginalized, and so much more!Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Alan: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 
Buy Alan's book: SEEN, HEARD, AND PAID
Related Conversation: Perrine Farque talks about Inclusion
Related Blog Post: Getting Things Done in Tough Places
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Jan 11, 2023 • 42min
Chris Bailey talks about How to Calm Your Mind
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.I am joined yet again by productivity expert and international bestselling author - Chris Bailey.Chris has been on the show a handful of times and this one is a rather candid and comfortable conversation where we dive into his latest book, How to Calm your Mind.This episode was originally released as a live stream for Premium members of TimeCrafting Trust. Want to take partake in future live streams and much more? Sign up here!Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Chris : Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
Buy Chris's book How to Calm Your Mind
Listen to The Time & Attention Podcast
Related Conversation: Chris Bailey talks about Hyperfocus
Related Blog Post: 3 Things You Can Do To Find Happiness Every 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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Jan 4, 2023 • 50min
Marie Poulin talks about Notion
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.Marie Poulin is the creator of Notion Mastery and co-founder of Oki Doki. Diagnosed with ADHD, she believes that Notion is especially powerful for neurodivergent folks who have long struggled to adhere to traditional or rigid project management processes, and may need a little extra customization and flexibility. Because of this, she is passionate about helping others customize their workflows and workspaces to meet their unique needs and preferences. In this episode, Marie suggests how to use Notion to its best potential. We discuss the idea of journaling, the importance of systems, tracking your habits, and so much more. I can't believe it took me this long to get Marie to be on the show and it was a delightful conversation with a fellow Canadian!Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Marie: Website | Twitter 
Visit the Notion Mastery website
Listen to Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
Related Conversation: Tiago Forte talks about Building a Second Brain
Related Blog Post: Taking Journaling to Another Level
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Dec 28, 2022 • 19min
FROM THE VAULT: Body Talk with James Hamblin
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.What if our bodies could talk? What if they could tell us that what we're doing to them and for them is either good or bad?On this vault episode, Dr. James Hamblin, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and the host of "If Our Bodies Could Talk" joins me on the show to 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.He's a funny guy. He's insightful. He's smart. We have a little bit in common. I'm no doctor. But I'm glad I got to speak to one here on this vault episode of A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy.Links Worth Exploring
Connect with James: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Check out The Atlantic: If Our Bodies Could Talk
Learn more about James Hamblin's work here
Sad Desk Lunch: Is This How You Want to Die? - The Atlantic
Single-Tasking Is the New Multitasking - The Atlantic
Email Is Ruining Us: A Brilliant Solution - The Atlantic
Related Conversation: The Free-Time Formula with Jeff Sanders
Related Blog Post: Good Health and Productivity Go Together
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

13 snips
Dec 21, 2022 • 34min
Michelle Segar talks about habits and The Joy Choice
 Michelle Segar, a lifestyle coach and award-winning researcher at the University of Michigan, shares her insights on creating sustainable behavior changes. She discusses the importance of flexibility in habit formation and how adapting habits can enhance enjoyment. Segar introduces the 'P.O.P.' method—PAWS, Open options, and Pick the joy choice—to navigate life's unpredictability. She also emphasizes the emotional and societal influences on habit formation, encouraging a mindset shift to see each moment as an opportunity for positive change. 

Dec 14, 2022 • 30min
Matthew Dicks talks about actionable ways to propel your creative life
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast."Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone". That quote from Pablo Picasso are the first words I read in Matthew Dicks book Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel your Creative Life. He is the author of nine other books beyond the one I just mentioned. He's a best-selling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, and award-winning elementary school teacher. Matthew teaches storytelling and communications at universities, corporate workplaces, and community organizations.He's won multiple math Grand Slam story competitions, and together with his wife, they created the organization Speak Up to help others share their stories. They also co-host the Speak Up Storytelling Podcasts.I really enjoyed this conversation. We dive into the person who inspired me to do the work that I do now and quit my job. We also dig into this idea of perfectionism, we talk about performative productivity. And we talk about what he calls his 100-year-old plan, and lastly - we talk about oatmeal.Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Matthew: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter 
Buy Matthew's book: Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel your Creative Life. 
Listen to the Speak Up Storytelling Podcast
Related Conversation: Strategic Storytelling with Jordan Bower
Related Blog Post: JoCo: A Thank You Letter to Jonathan Coulton
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Dec 7, 2022 • 39min
Jennifer Smith talks about why process matters
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.If Jennifer Smith is right, the way anyone shares how-to knowledge is about to change forever. A former VC and McKinsey consultant turned accidental CEO, she interviewed more than 1,200 business leaders on a quest to understand everything there is to know about processes, best practices, and productivity. Now with her startup Scribe, she’s empowering people to own their processes by building the world’s first operating system for know-how.In this episode, we talk about all things Scribe. I mentioned how I discovered it, we chat about inbox zero, we geek out about quantitative and qualitative productivity, and so much more!Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Jennifer: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn
Get Scribe for FREE
Mike talks about the Great Overwhelm
Scott Friesen shows you how to use Scribe to create professional step-by-step guides 
Related Conversation: Overcoming Overwhelm with Dr. Samantha Brody
Related Blog Post: How to Start Pacing Your 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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 

Nov 30, 2022 • 41min
Mike Rohde talks about the 10th Anniversary of “The Sketchnote Handbook
 This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.He's been a frequent guest not only on this podcast, but every podcast I've done in the past. This one is extra special because it's the 10th anniversary of the Sketchnote Handbook!Mike Rohde is a designer, teacher, and author of The Sketchnote Handbook and The Sketchnote Workbook, co-creator of The Sketchnote Ideabook, founder of Sketchnote Army, and Illustrator of REWORK, REMOTE, and The $100 Startup. In this episode, we have a delightful conversation talking about everything Sketchnote and allude to some of Mike's other successes over the past decade. We chat about where the Sketchnoting community has gone, what's happened with him, what he expected, what surprised him, and all things in between. This episode was originally released as a live stream for Premium members of TimeCrafting Trust. Want to take partake in future live streams and much more? Sign up here!Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Mike: Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn | Flickr
Get The Sketchnote Handbook
Get half-off two books with the code: HAPPY10 
The Daily Plan Bar
See all of Mike’s Sketchnote products
Check out Sketchnote Workshops here
Related Conversation: The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder Carroll
Related Blog Post: Why Paper Works
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
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd. 


