
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

Mar 13, 2019 • 35min
Big Ideas with John Lamerton
This time around on the podcast, I spend time with John Lamerton. John is a self-described “lazy entrepreneur” and investor. He balances running an ambitious lifestyle business with raising two young children. A former “hustler”, he now earns more money “working” 20 to 25 hours a week than he used to pulling all nighters and “grinding” for 100+ hours per week.
Most of us have this notion that working hard means working long hours. On this episode, we discussed John’s book which is For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow. We also discussed how to work smart by only working 20-25 hours a week and achieving success for your business instead of “hustling” for 100 hours work week. John now mentors his fellow ambitious business owners and teaching them how to design their businesses around his style.
Talking Points
Introducing John Lamerton’s For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow book
What is the definition of a small business?
On copying Richard Branson
Funnelling your business to thrive
Light-bulb moment for the business
The five magic ingredients for success
On high intensity interval training – HIIT
How the essay, 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly helped in the business
Quote
“The final magic ingredient is action and that is the key thing that I see most people are failing to do. A lot of people they are not taking enough action. But on the flip-side, there are many many people who take lots of action but it’s the wrong action and they are going 100 miles per hour in the wrong direction.”
Relevant Links
Big Ideas… For Small Businesses: Simple, Practical Tools and Tactics to Help Your Small Business Grow
John Lamerton – LinkedIn
John Lambert – Facebook
This episode reminds us yet again the power of working smart instead of working hard. It is quality over quantity. I hope you will learn as much as I did.
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

Mar 6, 2019 • 32min
Bolder with Carl Honoré
I haven’t talked to Carl Honoré for some time so it was a real treat when he joined me on this episode of The Productivityist Podcast. Carl is the author of such books as “In Praise of Slow” and “The Slow Fix”, and his TEDx Talk on slowness has been viewed 2.7 million times. His latest book “Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives”, tackles aging and the stigma around it.
While most of society either tries to reverse time or fears growing old, Carl and I embrace the concept of aging. On this episode, we discuss how the idea of aging is evolving, why slowing down is good, and why retirement age is the perfect time to work towards creative pursuits and self-improvement in this “Golden Age of Aging”.
Talking Points
A decades’ worth of catching up with Carl
Carl’s hockey game epiphany about aging and the cult of youth
Moving away from the life path straitjacket and towards defining one’s life via values and tastes
Riding the gray wave: A take on aging, retirement, and focusing on what matters
Embracing technology, continuous learning, and busting myths that come with aging
Counterintuitive ways of living bolder towards happiness and well-being
Watch your words: How language can impact how we live our lives
The play on words on the book title Bolder and what it aims to accomplish
Quote
“What’s happening now culturally is we’re throwing all those pieces up in the air and they’re coming back down again in a way that gives people the freedom, permission, space, and right to define what their life is going to look like at every stage.”
Relevant Links
Bolder: Making the Most of our Longer Lives | Amazon
Steve Dotto | The Productivityist Podcast
Carl Honoré
This episode offers a refreshing take on aging and serves to make each one of us a little bit more optimistic about what it can bring. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did.
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

Feb 27, 2019 • 43min
Consider This: Maybe It’s You with Lauren Zander
On today’s episode, I spent time again with Marc and Angel Chernoff. Marc and Angel Chernoff are New York Times bestselling authors, professional coaches, full-time students of life, admirers of the human spirit, and have been recognized by Forbes as having “one of the most popular personal development blogs.” Through their blog, books, course and coaching, they’ve spent the past decade writing about and teaching proven strategies for finding lasting happiness, success, love, and peace.
Lauren and I talked about introspection, fears, making and keeping promises (and Hugh Jackman!). She practically gave me a coaching session on this episode and this conversation ought to prepare you the next time you have a setback.
Talking Points
Getting on our own way: An anecdote on taking on too much
Overcoming the new human experience filled with what’s wrong and fear
The relativity of success
Working on spiritual, emotional, and physical integrity
Beginning at the end and small things that bring macro results
I am doing the right thing: Stop asking and start doing and being
Setting up consequences to keep promises and be productive
Making your dark side work for the good guys
Keeping your promises as a way of challenging fear
Quote
“When you have a big enough dream and you pick the five most important things for you to accomplish but you believe in the whole, there’s magic that will happen so other things happen while you are doing the five things.”
Relevant Links
Maybe It’s You: Cut the Crap. Face Your Fears. Love Your Life. | Amazon
Laughing Man Coffee
InnerU
Lauren Zander Website
Lauren Zander Facebook
Lauren Zander Twitter
Lauren Zander Instagram
This episode will help you face your fears, get through the setbacks, and set your goals. A lot of what we touched on just scratches the surface and if you want more from Lauren, check out her website and her book.
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

Feb 20, 2019 • 42min
Being Called to Change with Dale Halaway
Dale Halaway is the guest on this episode of the podcast. He has been influencing the lives and careers of thousands for almost forty years and is a leader in the movement for awakening and change.
Dale and I talked about a whole bunch of topics that can really help with our personal development: ego, resistance, change, letting go of things that no longer serve us, and this thing called “transcovery” – to be honest, I wish we had more time to talk!
Talking Points
Dale’s beginnings, his career fast track, and the opportunities that followed
Overcoming his speech impediment and the role of ego in letting go and change
The Transcovery Process: Its spontaneous development and his eureka moment
Recognizing and handling change when it comes knocking on our door
Unconscious Resistance: Its roots and manifestations
How our body can reveal our fears and resistance
Slowing down to open up the greater version of ourselves and get what we deserve
Deep-seated control issues that hinder productivity
The benefits of adopting the practice of daily journaling
Exclusive freebies and bonus materials for Productivityist listeners
Quote
“When change comes knocking on your door, the first thing you want to do is that you want to be able to break that down to what does that ultimately mean… There’s going to be a process that could go on for days, weeks, even months, before you complete that process and come out of the other side where not only have you changed something within yourself but others around you will notice the change.”
Relevant Links
Being Called to Change: Let Go of All That No Longer Serves You and Grow Into Your Full Potential | Amazon
Being Called To Change
Dale Halaway
Dale Halaway on Facebook
Dale Halaway on Linkedin
@dalehalaway on Instagram
This episode largely deals with one question: How can you get comfortable with this ever-accelerating pace of change? Big thanks to Dale for chatting with me and if you want to learn more about him, check out his book Being Called to Change: Let Go of All That No Longer Serves You and Grow Into Your Full Potential.
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

Feb 14, 2019 • 40min
Crafting Conscious Communications with Mary Shores
I’m excited to be joined by Mary Shores this week, the bestselling author of Conscious Communications: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Words to Change Your Mind, Your Choices, and Your Life. Mary is an author, speaker, and entrepreneur. Through her work, she provides pragmatic solutions for people who are “freaking out”. With an extensive knowledge of neuroscience and human behaviour added to her repertoire, she guides businesses and individuals to defeat the “freak out” and create their ideal life.
The topics Mary and I discussed had a ton of significance regarding our choices and perception and how they shape our current situations.
Talking Points
How Tony Robbins impacted Mary’s work and changed her life
Developing communications strategies for debt collection calls
Reframing: Changing perspectives after personal tragedy and trauma
A serendipitous encounter with Chazz Palminteri back in 1993 for the movie A Bronx Tale
The Power of Words: How your words help shape your life and manifest your intentions
Mary’s daily practice of gratitude and journaling to harness the power of words
Motivation then Action: Writing a one page action plan that becomes the blueprint to integrate the plan into your life
Quote
“The most beautiful part of your story, even when these terrible things happen, the more empowering part and the more impactful part is in how did you move on. And so when you look at your circumstances in this way that creates you to be a victim, then you make choices that a victim makes… Whereas when you look at yourself as someone who’s overcome something, then you can look at yourself through a perception of empowerment and then you’re making choices that an empowered person makes.”
Relevant Links
Conscious Communications: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Harnessing the Power of Your Words to Change Your Mind, Your Choices, and Your Life | Amazon
Tony Robbins
A Bronx Tale
Mary Shores
Mary Shores on Instagram
Mary Shores on Twitter
Mary Shores on LinkedIn
The Daily Desires Diary Bundle
Fearless Ambition – Facebook Community
I encourage you to check out everything that we spoke about and to also pick up Mary’s book. This session’s message with Mary is powerful and I’m delighted to have had a very productive conscious communication with you through this 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

Feb 6, 2019 • 48min
Exploring Digital Minimalism with Cal Newport
On this episode, Cal Newport joins me to talk about his latest book, Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World. He is a computer science professor at Georgetown University and is a self-professed blogging nerd. He is also the author of six books, focusing on topics related to professional productivity, personal satisfaction and the intersection of technology and society.
My guest this time around is Cal Newport. Cal is a friend of mine and I’ve always loved chatting with him. This episode is no exception. We dived into a lot, talking about how I tend to share cool things on Facebook, the concept of “keeping things in boxes”, and being more intentional with birthday notifications – all in the name of what Cal has dubbed “Digital Minimalism.”
Talking Points
More of less is more: The rise of minimalism in the physical and digital world
Gaining meaning back into your life through less digital presence
Lifestyle philosophy over lifehacks, tips and tricks
Keeping boxes packed and installing only apps you miss
Clutter is costly: The negative cost that offsets the ‘benefits’ of clutter
Optimization is important: Make digital platforms work for you instead of you working for them
Intentionality trumps convenience: Reorienting your life to the things that provide most value
Quality analog friendships: Our lives pre-2007 and why Facebook birthday notifications is a giant Ponzi scheme
Mindset shifts to make minimalism sustainable
Quote
“Digital minimalism is a movement. There’s a lot of people out there doing this. These are the people you see who are not looking at their phone when they’re waiting in line, they’re enjoying something outside and not documenting it, they have long conversations with friends where they don’t have a phone with them, they’re the guys building a canoe in their woodshed and haven’t seen their phone in three hours. They have so much more meaning and satisfaction they’re getting out of their lives.”
Relevant Links
Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World
Deep Work with Cal Newport | The Productivityis Podcast
Leo Babauta | Zen Habits
Joshua Becke | Becoming Minimalist
Courtney Carver | Be More with Less
Ryan & Joshua | The Minimalists
Packing Party: Unpack a Simpler Life
Sensible Defaults | Patrick Rhone
Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator for Chrome and Mozilla
Instapaper
Buffer
Cal Newport
I’m pleased to bring you this insightful conversation between me and Cal. The two of us can just talk for hours and cover so many things; I look forward to having him on again soon. I hope you’ll find this episode packed with tidbits to help you deal with your digital (and life) clutter.
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

Jan 30, 2019 • 41min
Tailoring Tools for Thinkers with Joey Cofone
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, Joey Cofone, the co-founder and CEO of Baron Fig, joins the show. Baron Fig is a company that started as a Kickstarter project which has evolved into a brand that designs and offers inspiring products to thinkers such as writers, illustrators, and entrepreneurs around the world.
I just talked with James Clear on the previous episode, and now Joey Cofone is here! I’ve been wanting to chat with Joey for a while and on this episode, I finally got the chance. I had a great time discussing a range of topics from my well-documented affinity for Baron Fig, their collaboration with James Clear, what it’s like to create physical products, and how he builds a team that’s crafting these products.
Talking Points
Point, don’t plan: How to set goals, let them go, and keeping impostor syndrome and comparison at bay
The Beginnings of Baron Fig: From a notebook idea at a Thai restaurant to selling nearly 10,000 notebooks in 30 days and now taking over my life
Creating a design-oriented notebook and building a thinker company
Digital vs Analog: What is the best tool for the job and why is a notebook still the best tool for thinking
The freedom and restriction that apps tend to bring
Rooting for digital tools and integrating new styles in paper products
Guided editions including James Clear’s The Clear Habit Journal: the next evolutionary step for people intimidated by the blank page
Balancing digital and analog tools in developing ideas simultaneously
Why Joey supplanted the Nomad sticky notes with the Strategist note cards
Good ideas come from anywhere: Talking to 500 thinkers around the world for feedback
Quote
“Design is integrated into everything that I do and how I look at the world. And I don’t think it was something that I chose, it’s how I grew up, being very nitpicky and detail-oriented. And in design, it just seem that that is what I should do with this. So, when we started Baron Fig, we’re very much design-oriented.”
Relevant Links
Baron Fig
Horizontal Themes: Maintaining Time, Making Time, and Musing Time
Notion App
Patrick Rhone’s Sensible Defaults
James Clear’s Clear Habit Journal
Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
How Did This Get Made?
Eureka
Michael Hyatt
Adam Kornfield
How I Built This with Guy Raz
SCOTTeVEST
Nomad Sticky Notes
Strategist Dot Grid Index Cards
Joey Cofone’s Website
@joeycofone on Twitter
@joeycofone on Instagram
Joey Cofone on Facebook
I had a (fittingly) productive discussion with Joey and I trust you’ll enjoy our chat as much as I did.
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

28 snips
Jan 23, 2019 • 47min
Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
This week on the podcast, I speak with James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. James is an expert on habit formation who offers not only theories backed by science, but also practical strategies that will help you achieve powerful, atomic-level results.
On this episode, James and I had a really productive discussion on a range of topics from the journey of putting the book together, how alarm clocks fail me (or I fail alarm clocks), turning off the internet router at 10 PM to keeping the beer at the back of the fridge and Crossfit.
Talking Points
Designing and Defining Atomic Habits: Two main lenses to look the book through
The two-minute rule in scaling down a habit and actually making it stick
Importance of slowing down and awareness for effective behavioral change
Having a variety of small things organized toward the same goal
Solutions for setting up efficient timing
Strategies for building good seasonal habits
Tools to make habits stick and break through biases
The three reasons/meanings behind the use of the term “atomic”
Creating a journal that makes it easier to build habits that is useful but not fixed
Quote
“Many of our behaviors are socially reinforced… When the social reinforcement is so strong, we overcome the obstacles in our environment. The key insight there is you want to join a tribe, a group where your desired behavior is the normal behavior. Because if it’s normal in that group, then it’s going to seem attractive to you to do it even if it’s not convenient.”
Relevant Links
Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich | Amazon
The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris | Amazon
Baron Fig’s Clear Habit Journal
Use Freedom to Block Websites, Apps, & the Internet
Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator
Distraction-free YouTube (Chrome extension)
Trello.com
James Clear
@jamesclear on Twitter
@james_clear on Instagram
James Clear on Facebook
I learned a lot from reading Atomic Habits and through my conversations with James and I’m sure you will too. And make sure to catch the next episode where I have Joey Cofone as my guest for a back-to-back habit tracking and intentionality goodness.
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

Jan 16, 2019 • 46min
How to Build a Company of One with Paul Jarvis
On this episode, I speak with my good friend and author of Company of One, Paul Jarvis. I’ve known Paul for years and am elated to finally have him appear on the show to talk about staying small and how to build a company of one.
My discussion with Paul nearly mimics the kind of thing we do every few weeks when we get together for coffee. I’ve admired how Paul goes about his work and we explore those elements during our conversation. Some of the things we talk about are how ego plays a role in building a business, how the “company of one” that Paul built happened accidentally at first, how you can implement the “company of one” mindset in business that are larger, and how to scale through automation in a way that doesn’t overwhelm you in the process.
Relevant Links
Company of One by Paul Jarvis | Amazon
How talking to Seth Godin on the phone changed my life and business by Jeff Goins | Ladders
Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday | Amazon
Beyond The E-Myth with Michael Gerber | The Productivityist Podcast
The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss | Amazon
Do Things You Can Sustain | James Clear
I Don’t Actually Care About Growth | Paul Jarvis
The Sunday Dispatches | Paul Jarvis
I learned a lot through this discussion (and by reading Paul’s book) and I trust that you will as well. If you do get value out of our conversation and enjoy the process along the way.
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

Jan 9, 2019 • 32min
Going from Employee to Entrepreneur with Steve Glaveski
On this episode of the show, my guest is Steve Glaveski. Steve is an entrepreneur, author, and podcast host whose mission is to unlock the latent potential of organizations and their people so that they can create more impact for humanity and ultimately to lead more fulfilling lives.
Our conversation focuses primarily on his book Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Earn Your Freedom and Do Work That Matters, as we explore the ideas and insights he peppered throughout its pages. We spoke about what one needs to have in mind before leaping from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of keeping a level head throughout an entrepreneurial journey (especially when you have a big spike in sales or performance that might not be sustainable), how to deal with the tough questions you need to ask and the answers that may come with those questions, and much more.
Relevant Links
Employee to Entrepreneur: How to Earn Your Freedom and Do Work That Matters by Steve Glaveski | Amazon
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Tim Ferriss | Amazon
Episode 222: How to Fight a Hydra with Josh Kaufman | The Productivityist Podcast
Episode 296: Jason Fried on Why It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work | Future Squared
Episode 60: Less Doing with Ari Meisel | The Productivityist Podcast
Repurpose.io
The Organized Mind: Thinking Straight in the Age of Information Overload by Daniel J. Levitin | Amazon
The Odyssey by Homer | Amazon
Employee to Entrepreneur
I had a great time chatting with Steve this week and I hope you enjoyed our conversation. If so, please let me know by giving the show a rating and review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Play, or wherever you listen to podcasts. I’d also love it if you subscribed to the show. You can do that when you visit the podcast website or by doing so on a variety of popular podcast platforms and apps.
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.using.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices