A Productive Conversation

My guest for this episode is Marta Zaraska. Marta is a Polish-Canadian science journalist published in the Washington Post, Scientific American, New Scientist, the Atlantic, Discover, and more. She’s the author of the book Growing Young: How Friendship, Optimism, and Kindness Can Help You Live to 100. Marta reached out to me just before Growing Young‘s release date and after having a chance to check out what the book was all about I knew I wanted to talk to her about it for this program. And talk about the book we did! We talked about why she wrote the book, how challenging it was to write, some of the surprises she came across during the writing process, and more. I had a wonderful time chatting with Marta and I know you’ll get a lot out of listening to our conversation. Talking Points What inspired Marta to write this book? Marta explains why she thinks people focus more on their health when trying to live longer This is something that Marta tried and noticed it was helping her a lot as she worked towards “growing young” What are some things that people can do when they feel like they are stuck in a sense of loneliness? Marta talks about how helping others can boost your happiness What does Marta think are some benefits of meditating and why does she think people are so stubborn to try it? Did Marta find it challenging to write a book that tries to convince people that there is a science-backed way to live longer and happier? Does where one live play a role in “growing young”? Marta suggests one action you can take to start this journey Quote “Spend more time with your friends.“ Helpful Links Growing Young: The Book The Blue Zones of Happiness: Lessons From the World’s Happiest People Zaraska.com The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: The Tim Ferriss 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

Jeff Sheldon, founder and designer of Ugmonk, shares his journey creating thoughtfully designed products and introduces the Analog productivity system. He discusses the unexpected success of his Kickstarter campaign and the significance of simplicity in design. Jeff explains the innovative card signal method that gamifies productivity, emphasizing the importance of prioritization. He dives into how analog tools can enhance habit formation and explores the benefits of blending digital and physical productivity methods.

My guest this time around is Jill McAbe. Jill is a business coach, high-performance expert and Amazon best-selling author of It’s Go Time: The ALL-IN System For Unstoppable Success in Business and Life. After seven gruelling years as celebrated restaurateur, 10+ years as a growth consultant to entrepreneurs, and a car accident that nearly took her life, Jill realized she couldn’t spend another minute on a business that wasn’t perfect for her in every way. At 48, Jill turned her business development skills on herself to build a business aligned with her purpose and that fits her life. She now teaches people like herself (misfits who sell their talent and crave lifestyle freedom) how they can do the same. Jill is a Top Teacher on the global career-skills platform, Skillshare. Her official residence is in Toronto, Canada; however, her dream business allows her to work from anywhere. Jill and I spend time talking about what “go time” is, her insights on willpower (and whether or not they align with mine), and much more. It’s always a pleasure to talk with a fellow Canadian, and speaking with Jill was no exception. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as we did. Talking Points What led Jill to think that this book needed to be out in the world? Jill shares some tips to help you go from feeling uncertainty to feeling unstoppable These are Jill’s thoughts on willpower What is something someone can do either mentally or systematically to prepare themselves for challenges and uncharted terrain? Quote “Your subconscious loves repetition.“ Helpful Links JillMcAbe.com Episode 201: Willpower Doesn’t Work with Benjamin Hardy It’s Go Time: The All-In System for Unstoppable Success in Business and Life 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

I took a Clarity Day this week. Not sure what a Clarity Day is? I explain its value on this episode… as well as how I know it’s going to help me with my productivity and prioritization moving forward. Want to take a Clarity Day for yourself? Here’s how. 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

On this episode, I’m joined by Jonathan Levi. Jonathan is a serial entrepreneur, published author, and podcaster born and raised in Silicon Valley. Jonathan is the face of such products and brands as the award-winning SuperHuman Academy Podcast; the bestselling “Become a SuperLearner” series; and, most recently, his new venture, SuperHuman Academy. Jonathan’s media products have been enjoyed by over 250,000 people in 205 countries and territories. During our conversation, we talk about the perils of overdoing optimization, how to avoid information overload, why planning matters, and Jonathan’s exploits into speed reading. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode… I hope you enjoy it. Talking Points Jonathan tells us a bit about himself and his origin story. How does Jonathan turn off the desire to want to optimize everything all the time? Jonathan talks about the filtration aspect of information overload This is what Jonathan thinks about planning and plans Jonathan and I talk about “speed reading” Quote “I really look to things that have sustained the test of time.” Helpful Links Episode 256: Understanding Ultralearning with Scott H. Young The Science of Speed Reading The Only Skill that Matters: The Proven Methodology to Read Faster, Remember More, and Become a SuperLearner 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

Three big days that happen over a three-week period are incredibly meaningful to me: World Productivity Day, Father’s Day, and my birthday. I share my thoughts on all of them in this episode. Relevant Links World Productivity Day How to Be Productive in These Strange Times with Mike Vardy How to Fix Your 2020 Vision Board Why You Need A Clarity Day (And How To Make It Happen) 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

This episode of the podcast delves into the concept of curation with the author of Curating Your Life, guest Gail Golden. Gail Golden, MBA, Ph.D., is the Principal of Gail Golden Consulting, LLC. As a psychologist and consultant for over twenty-five years, she has developed deep expertise in helping businesses to build better leaders. Her experience as an entrepreneur, business owner, and consultant to senior leaders of both Fortune 1000 and non-profit organizations informs her approach to executive selection and development. We focus on the idea of curation – something we are both keen on – and also discuss mediocrity, her thoughts on managing time, her views on comfort, and more. Talking Points How does curating your life allow you to have more balance? Gail offers her take on mediocrity How do you know when it is time to re-evaluate and change what your priority is? Gail talks about her views on wanting to escape the comfort zone What is one simple action someone can take to start this process after they pick up the book? Quote “Don’t manage your time, manage your energy.“ Helpful Links Gail Golden Consulting Curating Your Life 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

KC Procter returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 206 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

My guest for this episode of the program is digital strategist, renowned speaker, and good friend Bosco Anthony. When we decided to have this conversation initially, we had a different set of topics in mind. But based on the current climate of the world when we recorded this episode – early June 2020 – the discussion went in a different direction. Bosco Anthony is an International Speaker, Storyteller and Digital Strategist with a background in corporate leadership and business operations. His experience in the corporate sector provides wisdom on operational maturity, business growth, digital strategy, performance efficiencies, and design thinking ideology. Bosco spends much time on research trends and is an idea rebel at heart. Bosco is recognized for his executive mentorship, entrepreneurial spirit and passion for operational maturity. Bosco thrives in a collaborative playground and is known for being an influence to the business and digital community having spoken at TEDx Stanley Park on fuelling life with purpose and alignment. Having roots in Tanzania, East Africa Bosco spent much of his adult life in Vancouver, Canada. He now calls Brisbane, Australia home. I’ve known Bosco for years and have seen him speak on many occasions. He knows his stuff and having him on the podcast has been a long time coming. But there’s more to Bosco than I’d known before having this discussion with him. During our discussion, Bosco and I went beyond the topic of productivity. We focused primarily on the subject of racism and uncertainty. We also spent some time talking about being a night owl, whether or not the return of sports will serve as a distraction from both the minutia and the important issues of the day, and how to deal with uncertainty in a time filled with it. I’m glad we took the time to shift gears and take our conversation down this path. I hope you enjoy it, too. Talking Points Bosco speaks on how he feels about today's on going events and protests I ask Bosco if he thinks that when sports come back that it will create a distraction that shifts attention away from the Black Lives Matter movement How does uncertainty and unfolding uncertain elements in the world affect Bosco’s productivity? Bosco offers some simple steps you can take when you are in trying times and don’t feel like you can keep moving forward Quote “When you’re not biased to one perspective it allows you to absorb more information at a quicker, rapid pace.“ Helpful Links BoscoAnthony.com Why Time Flies: A Mostly Scientific Investigation The 5 AM Club: Own Your Morning. Elevate Your Life. High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become That Way The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time 1619 | The NY Times Podcast Series The Blue Zones: 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who’ve Lived the Longest The Productivityist Podcast Pick of The Week: Unlocking Us with Brené Brown 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

Judy Machado-Duque returns to the podcast to share three more things. Check out his original appearance on Episode 205 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