
A Productive Conversation
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.
Latest episodes

Aug 24, 2020 • 15min
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.
(Make sure you take part in the short experiment I start at the 8:06 mark of the episode, okay?)
Helpful Links
Carl Honoré: The Power of Slow
The Speed of Right
Why You Need to Slow Down
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 20, 2020 • 43min
Making Time For What Matters with John Zeratsky
Since the early 00s boom in productivity optimization, today’s guest John Zeratsky has seen how much our relationship with time has evolved. As a writer and speaker, John is on a mission to help people make time for what matters.
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.
John’s quest for mastering time management was born from his career in design, web development and copywriting. He’s worked with numerous startups including Netflix, Slack, Airbnb, Uber, 23andMe and Medium, and his writing has appeared in publications like Wall Street Journal, Wired and Fast Company.
Talking Points
How he formed his partnership with Jake Knapp and where their fascination of time came from
Making everything in the book simple and doable
Approaching work as a designer
Distinction between simple and easy
The role of friction and how it breaks habits
What ground hogging means to John
What is a time crater and what are the time craters John struggles with?
Taking caffeine naps to boost energy
The first productivity app John ever used
Quote
“When it comes to our own time, this finite precious resource that we have, we don’t often look back and say, what did I really do today?“
Helpful Links
Make Time | Amazon
Jake Knapp
Time Dorks
Google Ventures
Design Sprint Process
Design Sprint | Amazon
Getting Things Done | Amazon
Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen
Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
Sleep Cycle
43 Folders
Indistractable | Amazon
Philips Wake Up Alarm Clock
Austin Kleon’s caffeine nap
Mori App
TeuxDeux
MakeTime.blog
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 17, 2020 • 32min
This Amazing Adventure Called Life with Lex Latkovski
I usually alternate between interviews and solo episodes, but I decided to mix things up a bit this time around. Why? Because this conversation with Lex Latkovski is one I’ve wanted to get out into the world for a while now. And I felt that there was no better time than now to do so.
Lex’s mission is to have you to laugh and see the world and your life as an endless source of adventure and opportunity. He wants you to live a fulfilled life with no regrets – and to chase your dreams while you can.
Lex’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!
Talking Points
Lex shares a bit about himself, our common acquaintances, and what drives him
Lex talks about what it took (and what kept him going) during his time as a zen monk
What happened when Lex was at that retreat that made him realize he wanted to do this full time?
Lex shares his thoughts on routines
Did Lex have people by his side supporting him through this process?
How does Lex deal with people who are negative in his life?
Lex talks about the experience of writing his book
Who are some of the authors that Lex has read that inspire him?
What is one thing someone can do to start this whole process? And what is one thing Lex did that he found surprisingly beneficial?
Quote
“Put it out there, instead of keeping it a secret.“
Helpful Links
The Lexpedition
Andy Traub
Episode 148: Real Artists Don’t Starve with Jeff Goins
Passport Forward: Moving from Regrets and Routine to Freedom, Passion, and Adventure
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 13, 2020 • 32min
Being Brutally Honest with Peter Kozodoy
Today’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.
Honesty is a soft skill we need to master and bring to the forefront if we want to make impactful change. Peter has worked closely with many successful leaders from Fortune 500s, startups to Warren Buffett. So I was really excited to have Peter on the show to unpick some true gems from his new book Honest to Greatness.
Tune in as we uncover what happens when we lie to ourselves, how to overcome limiting beliefs, achieve ‘honest alignment’ – and what we can learn from the ancient Egyptians.
Talking Points
How dishonesty has been a fundamental problem for most organizations
Why we getting “stuck” with our own lies, and how to get unstuck
‘The Hall of Two Truths’ – learning from the ancient Egyptian mythology
The relationship between fear and dishonesty
Understanding Warren Buffett’s ‘institutional imperative’ about leaders getting stuck
Peter’s central framework: the Hourglass of Honesty
The two questions to ask yourself to start benign more honest
Quote
“Honesty is an act of omission”
Helpful Links
Fear Is A Dishonest Act
Peter’s Monthly Mastermind
Episode 306: Leading Without Authority with Keith Ferrazzi
PeterKozodoy.com
21-question Honesty Quiz
Honest To Greatness | Amazon
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 10, 2020 • 20min
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.
Helpful Links
How to Make Better New Year’s Resolutions
The NOW Year Action Plan
Happy New Year! (or Why I Start My New Year on September 1st)
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 6, 2020 • 31min
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.
Justin hosts one my favourite productivity podcasts out there: Process. Justin discusses the realities of how personal productivity, software, systems, and technology impact his life throughout each episode and those are some of the very things we touch on during our conversation on this episode.
Talking Points
What are some things that Justin has noticed evolve throughout the years in the productivity community?
Justin talks about what led him down this path
What are some tools that have helped Justin be more thoughtful about what the correct things to chase are?
What does Justin think some roadblocks that people who are trying to adopt a bigger sense of productivity have?
Justin suggests a book that everyone should read and why it impacted him so much
This is one thing Justin shares that you can do today to help with your productivity process?
Quote
“Not just focusing on the tasks, not just focusing on the projects or ideas I have there but also focusing on ‘What am I experiencing? What am I feeling?’ Because a lot of times those are things that are causing me to lose focus, lose attention.”
Helpful Links
Process
Episode 213: The Bullet Journal Method with Ryder Carroll
A More Meaningful To Do List | My OmniFocus Setup Talk
Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen
Episode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
The Order of Time | Amazon
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World | Amazon
Effective Remote Work
JustinDiRose.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 3, 2020 • 20min
HEY! I'm Talking Email with Phil Simon
I wanted to talk to someone who knows communication and email to talk about that subject. So Phil Simon joined me once again to talk about email – and in particular, the new kid on the block, HEY.
Relevant Links
Episode 308: Talking Slack with Phil Simon
Episode 324: Let’s Zoom with Phil Simon
HEY
‘The world’s greatest email app’ is a privacy nightmare | The Next Web
Check out Front – my main email app
Listen to Andrew Warner talk about HEY with Jason Fried
Second-Order Thinking | FS.blog
PhilSimon.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 30, 2020 • 34min
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.
Phil’s made a recent appearance on this podcast talking about his book Slack for Dummies. Now he’s back to share some of his knowledge and insights on another service – as well as another book he’s written Zoom for Dummies.
We spend this episode talking about the rise of Zoom use, what Phil’s first experience with Zoom was like, and some of the things Phil really likes about Zoom. If you’re new to Zoom and want to go from comfortable to confident with it, then this episode is well worth your time and attention.
Talking Points
Why does Phil think Zoom replaced Skype in many ways?
This was what Phil’s initial experience with Zoom was like
Phil talks about what Zoom brings to the table with webinars
What is a tip for people who want to get more out of Zoom?
Quote
“Zoom is focused on user experience and focused on simplicity.“
Helpful Links
Zoom for Dummies
Episode 308: Talking Slack with Phil Simon
Slack for Dummies
Gong.io
Against the Rules with Michael Lewis
PhilSimon.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 27, 2020 • 8min
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.
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 23, 2020 • 32min
The New Corner Office with Laura Vanderkam
Productivity specialist Laura Vanderkam discusses thriving while working from home, managing tasks, self-care, thinking big, time tracking, and balancing work and parenting. She emphasizes the importance of embracing personal needs and building an effective 'at home' work life.