A Productive Conversation

After analyzing companies for almost 30 years, Paul Pagnato, shows how we’re in an exponential era. Find out how transparency is the key to growth. We can feel pretty vulnerable when being transparent. But real change happens when we start to be more honest with ourselves and those around us. This is why I’m so excited to have Paul Pagnato on the show today to deep dive into how we can adopt the transparency mindset. Paul has spent much of his career managing capital as a wealth advisor. From studying so many companies, he came to the realization that society has grown through massive waves of transformation over the last 500 years. And we’re going through one now – The Transparency Wave.  His latest book Transparency Wave: Exponential Changes That Will Transform Our World is an impactful read that dissects how an increasingly connected and technologically-advanced world presents exponential opportunities. Join us as we discuss his 6Ts of Exponential Transparency™, embracing fear, genomics – and yogis.   Talking Points What the Transparency Wave is The exponential element of transparency The 6Ts of Exponential Transparency™ The challenges when adopting a transparency mindset How we can apply this mindset to our personal lives The challenges with accountability The role of longevity How we can embrace failure Quote “Transparency changes everything.” Helpful Links Transparency Wave | Amazon The Compound Effect | Amazon Atomic Habits | Amazon Growing Young | Amazon Episode 318: Growing Young with Marta Zaraska TransparencyWave.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. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. 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 – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As host of NPR’s What We Do, Doug Fraser is not afraid to dive deep and follow his curiosity. Today we learn about the craft of clarity. My guest this time round is Doug Fraser, a creator, producer, and host of NPR’s What We Do. He’s a true expert when it comes to storytelling… be it the history of rats to kitchens. He’s not afraid to ask questions, which makes him a very exciting guest to have on the show. After years in the ad agency world, Doug now follows his own path to provide a valuable one-on-one marketing experience for businesses of all sizes. From pizza joints to multi-billion-dollar car dealerships, he’s helped brands achieve copywriting, social marketing, and videography success. Doug and I spend time talking about being present and seeking clarity through simplicity. Join us as we explore taking on new hobbies, capturing ideas, and knowing when it’s the right time to quit. Talking Points The impact curiosity has across all aspects of Doug’s life Energy from learning new things Balancing the time between learning and working Everyday tactics to help stay present His 4-step process for success Overcoming the sunk cost fallacy What simplicity shows us Process to note new ideas during a podcast interview Doug’s most invaluable tools Journaling and useful frameworks Quote “Everything that we’re learning is adding up in us.” Helpful Links What We Do Podcast What We Do: The College Curiosity Crisis What We Do: Becoming the Voice of Porky Pig What We Do: Creating National Geographic’s Photo Ark Photo Ark Ron Finley Teaches Gardening Headspace Brené Brown Episode 238: How to Keep Going with Austin Kleon The Dip | Amazon Episode 343: Consistency Over Authenticity with Seth Godin Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen Getting Things Done | Amazon Baron Fig Deep Work | Amazon Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport The Five Minute Journal Day One DougFraserDigital.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. If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. 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 – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest works 25 hours per week since she had kids 10 years ago. Tune in to find out about her impactful approach to productivity. Racheal Cook is a business strategist and business development consultant. Through her signature online mastermind The CEO Collective, Racheal helps women entrepreneurs start and scale businesses without the hustle or burnout. Being a mother herself, I was fascinated by her approach to being a productive CEO. As a sought-after speaker on entrepreneurship, marketing, and productivity, Racheal’s work has been featured on US Chamber of Commerce, Entrepreneur on Fire, Female Entrepreneur Association, Inc, Fast Company, Forbes, and more. She’s the author of Fired Up & Focused and Your Business Sweet Spot. Tune in as we discuss ways to structure the week, results-based outcomes, making personal and family time a priority – and what we can learn from meal planning. Talking Points Motherhood forcing clarity on productivity The Model Calendar Approach Being a morning person Setting aside “buffer” time The evolutionary nature of the Model Calendar Identifying your high-value tasks Niching down and serving women The CEO Date Quote “Productivity is about protecting myself from myself.“ Helpful Links The CEO Collective The CEO Planner  Episode 334: Endless Curiosity with Derek Sivers Fired Up & Focused | Amazon Your Business Sweet Spot | Amazon The 4-Hour Work Week | Amazon ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ Documentary  RachealCook.com/TheProductivityist 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

We’re much closer to success than we think we are. Today’s guest Greg Reid will help you see what’s possible. Greg Reid is a fascinating character, and he’s testament to achieving great things despite the odds. Even with dyslexia, he is the ultimate master storyteller. He has been published in over 78 books, 32 bestsellers, five motion pictures, featured in many magazines, and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He’s a highly sought-after keynote speaker, entrepreneur, with a strong win-win work ethic. I’m excited to catch up with Greg to learn more about his journey, and dive into his book Three Feet From Gold: Turn Your Obstacles into Opportunities!. Join us as we explore timeless authors, unexpected opportunities, and modernizing Napoleon Hill’s principles for success. Talking Points Why you need to stop planning The story behind the title Three Feet From Gold Why is Napoleon Hill synonymous with success? Greg’s CPC acronym for success Ways to stop us from getting in our own way An interesting path into filmmaking Being a dyslexic author Why you need to seek counsel, not opinion Quote “Seek counsel and not opinion.” Helpful Links The Napoleon Hill Foundation Think And Grow Rich | Amazon Episode 258: What You Can Learn from Napoleon Hill with Jeffrey Gitomer Getting Things Done | Amazon Wealth Made Easy | Amazon Think And Grow Rich ‘Stickability’ | Amazon Make-A-Wish Foundation Wish Man The Secret | Amazon You Were Born Rich | Amazon Rich Dad Poor Dad | Amazon The Millionaire Mentor | Amazon Chicken Soup For The Soul | Amazon Greg Reid’s Instagram 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

Seth Godin is a consistent player in the entrepreneurial space, influencing millions to embrace their inner-creative and best serve their audience. In today’s episode, we uncover how you can make that impact. Seth Godin has had a huge influence over my career, so I’m excited to bring him on (again) to hear about his latest projects and new book ‘The Practice: Shipping Creative Work’. As my first guest on the podcast I did as a productivity parodist, there’s lots to catch up on. This interview is full of countless gems, but what really stands out is being consistent with whatever it is that you want to achieve. In his own words, the toughest part is that “you have to show up, even if you don’t feel like it”.    Seth blogs daily. He’s been doing it for years now. He’s built a huge following with over a million readers, and is the author of over 19 books, including Purple Cow, Linchpin, and This Is Marketing. He’s also the founder of the altMBA and The Akimbo Workshops, which runs online seminars that have transformed the work of thousands of people.  Join our conversation as we explore indispensable tools, inbox zero, working with intent – and his 16ft cedar strip canoe. Talking Points Applying assertion to our work Why Imposter Syndrome doesn’t go away You don’t even need to meet your mentors Seth’s daily boundaries Impact of 2020 on his blogging Seth’s attitude towards uncertainty Defining good taste What we actually mean by ‘hacking’ Seth’s relationship with ‘trap’ emails The trap people fall into when chasing authenticity Quote “Know what your audience wants ten minutes before they do.” Helpful Links The Practice: Shipping Creative Work | Amazon Episode 334: Endless Curiosity with Derek Sivers Hyperfocus: How to Be More Productive in a World of Distraction | Amazon  The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy | Amazon  ‘How To Get Your Ideas To Spread’ TED Talk Necessary Endings| Amazon  Ron Finley Teaches Gardening Masterclass Freewrite Inbox Zero: How to Stop Checking Email and Start Finishing It | Amazon Glowforge The Authentic Swing | Amazon TrustYourself.com Seths.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

Delegation is overwhelming. But it’s an essential part to any business, so expert Barbara Turley joins the show to explain where to begin. How often do you get caught up with small business overwhelm? Today’s guest Barbara Turley, CEO of the Virtual Hub, is a true expert when it comes to hiring and onboarding staff for small businesses. Barbara is an investor and entrepreneur with a keen interest in scalable business models, systems, processes and automation, content marketing and the power of inspired and empowered teams.  The mission of the Virtual Hub is to eradicate small business overwhelm by simplifying the offshore outsourcing process and facilitating cost-effective business scalability. Hiring support is not easy, so I’m excited to hear what Barbara has learnt from hiring some of the best VAs. Join our conversation as we explore setting expectations, the “huddle” concept, and learning from the mistakes we’ve made. It’s time to get out of the loop of being stuck in the busy work trenches, and start thinking about the bigger picture. Talking Points The simple steps to overcoming overwhelm The story behind The Virtual Hub A long-term thinking mindset Busting the common myths behind ‘I can’t delegate’ Procrastinating behind busywork The most effective way to recruit and onboard a VA Providing structures through tools The first step of delegation Quote “Delegation percolates and evolves.” Helpful Links The 4-Hour Workweek | Amazon The E-Myth Revisited | Amazon  Scaling Up | Amazon  Asana TheVirtualHub.com/Productivityist  The Virtual Success Show 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

We face many hurdles as entrepreneurs which is why today’s guest, Kara Goldin, has a mission to help people get unstuck in order to move forward. As Founder & CEO, entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author and mother, today’s guest Kara Goldin wears many hats. Kara founded the flavored water brand Hint in 2005, and has seen it grow exponentially over the years. She’s also worked at Time Inc., AOL and CNN. With her insatiable drive, how does she do it all? As we find out, it’s curiosity. In light of her new book ‘Undaunted: Overcoming Doubts and Doubters’, Kara has learnt a lot along her entrepreneurial journey. Join our conversation as we explore hockey stick growths, natural curiosity, losing 24 pounds in 2.5 weeks – and Wild Cherry Pepsi addictions. Talking Points How Kara handles her priorities Advice on staying true to your values amidst the noise The power of asking questions The memorable moment of the first Hint sale Practicing patience Quote “The people that call things an overnight success don’t know the true definition.” Helpful Links Undaunted | Amazon DrinkHint.com KaraGoldin.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

What is it that ultimately drives you? It’s key to know this across all areas of your life, so I’m excited to speak with Todd Henry again on the show as we uncover the Motivation Code. Today’s guest Todd Henry has helped identify the unique ways that we are motivated. It’s fascinating: there are 27 potential ways and it’s different for all of us. Todd is a self-proclaimed “arms dealer for the creative revolution”, who is a writer, speaker, and helps facilitate people and teams generate brilliant ideas. He’s written four books and has recently released his fifth book, The Motivation Code: Discover The Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work, co-authored with Rod Penner, Todd Hall and Joshua Miller. It’s not about waiting for work to motivate us; once we identify our true motivations, we’re in flow. In this conversation, we explore MCODE™ assessment, experiencing flow, how knowing our motivation benefits both our work and personal lives. Talking Points Compiling the new books after decades of research How the opportunity came up to write the book The six values of themes Results from the assessment and what they mean Why we need to dig deep with assessment results Trigger, process and outcome motivation Experiencing flow when their motivation code is activated How and when our motivation shifts over time Long-term benefits of knowing your motivational traits Quote “We create enemies when we don’t need to.” Helpful Links Episode 54: Voice Lessons with Todd Henry The Motivation Code | Amazon MCODE™ Assessment Herding Tigers | 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

Distraction-free writing: a process that all writers seek. Find out how today’s guest, Adam Leeb, has made it that much easier for you. As a writer myself, getting into the ‘flow state’ isn’t always attainable. But when I came across the distraction-free writing tool Freewrite Traveler, I had to bring on Adam Leeb, the co-founder, to the podcast. Freewrite is a portable tool with no copy/paste or other advanced editing functionality to promote maximum writing productivity. Pure magic. Adam is an award-winning product designer and mechanical engineer who is obsessed with product design especially in relation to user experience and user interaction. Join us as we explore mechanical keyboards, removing distractions, failed crowdfunding campaigns, and 3D printing over quarantine. Talking Points What attracted Adam to design and Astrohaus Developing a tool to help writers stay focused with the creative writing process Their design philosophy Specialized vs multi-use products Adam’s desire to design products Taking more risks Being ahead of the curve Running crowdfunding campaigns Why crowdfund if you have the clout or finances? A reversal approach to productivity Quote “It takes energy to resist.” Helpful Links Freewrite Traveler Astrohaus Punisher Yo-Yo Video Confessional Booth Wayne Gretzky Kara Goldin Baron Fig Episode 317: The Analog Way with Jeff Sheldon BestSelf Creality Clapboss Sprinter 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

After reading a comment on YouTube about how to earn a good income without a boring job, today’s guest Joe Barnes made it his mission to find a framework that enables this. Hint: there are three ways. When I left my full-time job at Costco, it felt like a giant leap. So I was excited to have Joe Barnes on the show to hear more about his Three Paths to pursuing your dream job. He set up Escape The System – a resource for entrepreneurs, dreamers, and world-changers. He’s also the author of Do The Work You Love. By freeing your mind from society’s conditioning and finding a passion, you’re on track to living the life you want. Tune in as we learn how to escape boring jobs, how he strategically became an author – his dream job – and what he learnt from two ridiculous tennis matches. Talking Points The boring job Joe did What do we actually mean by “choosing your passion”? The Three Paths Advice to the adventurous who go ‘all-in’ with a change How to stop your passions from fizzling away Dealing with fear when making the career change Advice to people who think it’s ‘past their time’ Lessons learnt from being a tennis coach Joe’s relationship with time Quote “There’s something inside of you that needs expression.” Helpful Links Do The Work You Love | Amazon Episode 229: Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport Episode 73: Deep Work with Cal Newport So Good They Can’t Ignore You | Amazon ‘Follow Your Passion’ Is Bad Advice Beau Carnes’ blog post Episode 251: Being a Late Bloomer with Rich Karlgaard Episode 234: Bolder with Carl Honoré What 2 Ridiculous Tennis Matches Taught Me About Mental Toughness And Life The Inner Game of Tennis | Amazon The Score Takes Care of Itself | Amazon EscapeTheSystemNow.com  Screw The System YouTube Channel Joe’s Instagram 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