
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

Jan 2, 2019 • 35min
How to #CHILL with Bryan E. Robinson
My guest for this episode is Dr. Bryan E. Robinson, author of the book #CHILL: Turn Off Your Job and Turn on Your Life. He is a licensed psychotherapist and Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. He currently has a blog on Psychology Today called “The Right Mindset.” He has been interviewed by Forbes, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, among countless other magazines.
During our discussion I asked Bryan about why this was the book that he needed to write now. He also reveals an easy to remember acronym that can help you slow down in a deliberate fashion and what the concept of #CHILL means. Beyond that we talk about the specific structure of the book, how he suggests readers approach the book, why being curious is so important, and more.
Relevant Links
#CHILL: Turn Off Your Job and Turn on Your Life by Bryan E. Robinson | Amazon
Creative Quest by Questlove | Amazon
Elizabeth Gilbert | The TED Interview
Bryan E. Robinson | Website
Dr. Bryan E. Robinson – @brtherapist | Twitter
I hope you were about to #chill while listening to this episode and found valuable insights along the way. If you enjoyed this episode and don’t want to miss another, make sure to subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts or visit the podcast page to subscribe on one of several podcast listening mediums. Feedback is always helpful so if you can find time to rate and review the show, I’d appreciate it.
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

15 snips
Dec 26, 2018 • 50min
The One Percent Better Project with Joe Ferraro
On this episode of the show, I speak with Joe Ferraro. Joe is the man behind The One Percent Better Project and is a teacher and podcast host who helps to dissect the mindset, language, and behavior of daily improvement across the worlds of business, communication, and education.
During our conversation, we talk about the power of working towards getting one percent better, how making one change in your world can lead to so much more change that you’d never expect, where Joe starts with people when trying to help make a change, why embracing change that is unconventional can lead to great success, and much more.
Relevant Links
The One Percent Better Project
One Percent Better: The Podcast
TimeCraftingTV
VidIQ
The NOW Year Calendar | NeuYear & Productivityist (SAVE 20% with promo code FRESHSTART)
Green Lantern and Philosophy: No Evil Shall Escape This Book | Amazon
Creative Quest by Questlove | Amazon
Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man, and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom | Amazon
The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg | Amazon
Way of the Peaceful Warrior: A Book That Changes Lives by Dan Millman | Amazon
Episode 222: How to Fight a Hydra | The Productivityist Podcast
Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell | Amazon
Wine Library TV from Gary Vaynerchuk
The Five Minute Journal: A Happier You in Five Minutes a Day | Amazon
Comedian | Amazon
Joe Ferraro | Twitter
I had such a great time talking with Joe – so much so that we ran longer than I usually would. If you’re looking to get one percent better then I encourage you to check out Joe’s work and podcast. If you liked this episode, then I also encourage you to share it far and wide and subscribe to the show here. You can also rate and review the show in Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening to The Productivityist 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

Dec 19, 2018 • 37min
How to Fight a Hydra with Josh Kaufman
I’m joined this time around by Josh Kaufman, the author of three bestselling books – including his latest effort How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be. Josh’s research focuses on business, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, productivity, creativity, applied psychology, and practical wisdom and he’s someone I’ve wanted to have on the show for a long time.
Josh and I carry on a conversation that revolves around the differences between How to Fight a Hydra and his previous books, the power of story (particularly fables and parables), why I never thought of Josh as a productivity expert yet he describes himself as such, and much more.
Relevant Links
How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be | Amazon
The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven Pressfield | Amazon
Josh Kaufman’s Website
I had a fantastic time chatting with Josh and I hope you enjoyed our conversation as well. If you did, I encourage you to share this episode and subscribe to the show. You can do that right from wherever you’re listening to this episode or by visiting the podcast website. And if you’re open to rating and reviewing the podcast, that’s even better.
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

Dec 13, 2018 • 57min
The Serving Mindset with Farnoosh Brock
On this episode, after years of crossing paths both online and offline, I speak with Farnoosh Brock. Farnoosh went from electrical engineer and rising leader at corporate to business coach and entrepreneur. She shows businesses the mindset of serving over selling to build deep trust and sustainable profit. She is the author of several books, including the one we focus on during our conversation, The Serving Mindset.
Farnoosh and I have a lively discussion around changing your mindset when it comes to selling your services – something that I offer through my coaching practices. We dive into a variety of elements of this, but the core of our conversation revolves around how The Serving Mindset is helpful in making one not just more successful but also more efficient in one’s business.
Relevant Links
Prolific Living | Farnoosh Brock
The Serving Mindset: Stop Selling and Grow Your Business by Farnoosh Brock | Amazon
The Coaching Habit with Michael Bungay Stanier | The Productivityist Podcast
The NOW Year Calendar | NeuYear & Productivityist (SAVE 20% with promo code FRESHSTART)
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain | Amazon
The Simple Way to Develop a Pricing Strategy | Chris Ducker
Ego is The Enemy by Ryan Holiday | Amazon
I had a great time chatting with Farnoosh and I hope it also served you well. If it did, 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, something you can do when you visit the podcast website or by doing so on a variety of popular podcast platforms.
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

12 snips
Dec 5, 2018 • 33min
Becoming Better Everyday with Brett Pinegar
On this episode of the podcast, I’m joined by Brett Pinegar. Brett is the founder of the X Group, where he helps individuals and teams multiply their effectiveness by adopting the techniques and mindsets great leaders use. Brett is a three-time tech CEO, a trail runner, and most importantly, a dad to five great kids.
During our conversation, Brett and I spoke about how to lead with excellence daily, how an aspect of our mind can sabotage our pursuit of excellence, and how to adopt a mindset of excellence. We also discussed the power of routines and reveal a condition that Brett struggles with that could have hindered his mindset – but he refused to let it define him. (And that’s just for starters.)
Relevant Links
Brett Pinegar’s Website
Avoid Perfection – Embrace Excellence by Brett Pinegar
X Notes – Living and Leading with Excellence by Brett Pinegar
Brett Pinegar on Twitter
I enjoyed my time chatting with Brett and I hope you did as well. If so, do me a favour and leave a rating and review wherever you subscribed to the podcast (Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, etc.). Not a subscriber yet? Make sure you don’t miss a single episode by subscribing to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
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

Nov 28, 2018 • 36min
How to STRIVE with Scott Amyx
Scott Amyx joins me on this episode of the podcast. Scott is the author of Strive: How Doing the Things Most Uncomfortable Leads to Success, which has been endorsed by Tony Robbins, Forbes, Singularity University, Tribeca Film Festival and other influencers.
Relevant Links
About Scott Amyx
Books by Scott Amyx
Scott Amyx Redefines The Roadmap To Success With Six Simple Steps | Forbes
Bitcoiners Take New York, but Wall Street Resists The Lure | MoneyBeat @ Wall Street Journal
STRIVE: How Doing the Things Most Uncomfortable Leads to Success | Amazon
Scott’s Website
Scott Amyx | Twitter
I haven’t explored this area so much in the past – perhaps because I’ve found it uncomfortable – so having this conversation with Scott was quite refreshing. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please share this episode and make sure you don’t miss future episodes by subscribing to the 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

Nov 21, 2018 • 38min
Building The Best Planner Ever with Jennifer Dawn
I welcome Jennifer Dawn, creator of the Best Planner Ever, to the podcast this time around. Jennifer is a serial entrepreneur who has grown two multi-million dollar businesses and serves high-achieving entrepreneurs through private business coaching helping to take their companies further, faster.
Since I’ve got a “mild” obsession with paper planners I wanted to talk with Jennifer about what went into building the Best Planner Ever. We discuss how it got its name, the elements that are unique to the planner, and why she thinks it’s important to bring what’s important to you into the planner that you use and how you can do that.
Best Planner Ever
Jennifer Dawn Coaching
Jennifer and I could have kept going for much longer but there’ll (hopefully) be another time for that. Right now it’s time for you to check out her planner (linked above) and check out The Productivityist Playbook as well. You can get The Productivityist Podcast at a discounted price by clicking here.
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

Nov 14, 2018 • 34min
Back to Human with Dan Schawbel
On this episode of the show, I speak with New York Times best-selling author Dan Schawbel. Dan is the author of Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation and the host of the 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel podcast. He’s also Partner and Research Director at Future Workplace, and the Founder of both Millennial Branding and WorkplaceTrends.com.
Dan and I have a history back when I was the Managing Editor of Lifehack and while we’ve never spoken prior to this episode, we were able to jump into a lively conversation about using technology as a bridge to more human conversations rather than making it a barrier, how technology can also help deepen relationships, the importance of getting out to events and gatherings that push your comfort zones, and more.
Relevant Links
Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation | Dan Schawbel
The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains | Nicholas Carr
How our 269 billion emails a day have made us miserable | Fast Company
Introduction to Back to Human [FREE DOWNLOAD]
The Back to Human Office Party [Comedy Sketch] | YouTube
“5 Questions with Dan Schawbel” podcast
Dan’s Website
I had a great time chatting with Dan. There’s a lot to unpack in this episode and plenty of things that you can try to get “back to human” and I encourage you to try some of those things today. I also encourage you to share this episode and subscribe to the show. If you’re open to rating and reviewing the podcast, that’s even better.
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

Nov 7, 2018 • 49min
Running Down a Dream with Tim Grahl
Tim Grahl joins me on this episode of the podcast to talk about his latest book (and most personal one to date), Running Down a Dream: Your Road Map To Winning Creative Battles.
Tim and I have had several conversations before and we make every effort to get together whenever we’re in the same city. This time I speak to him over Skype (with some microphone issues on my end to start off the show) as we dive into why he wrote this book, how tough it was to write it, the productivity practices he has put in place to aid him in running down his dream, his thoughts on social media, and much more.
Relevant Links
Running Down a Dream | Amazon
The War of Art by Steven Pressfield | Amazon
Story Grid Podcast with Shawn Coyne and Tim Grahl
Free Time is the Enemy of Progress | Medium
The Autofocus System | Mark Forster
World Domination Summit
How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe | Be More with Less
Tim Grahl’s Website
Tim Grahl on Twitter
Thanks for listening to the show and if you enjoy the podcast, please subscribe and rate/review the show. See you next episode!
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

Oct 31, 2018 • 27min
The Role of Tech in Productivity with Jay Miller
Guest Jay Miller, Founder of Productivity in Tech, discusses the role of tech in productivity, the evolution of tech and its relationship to productivity, the importance of reviewing and refining knowledge with segmented notebooks, impactful words and sponsorships, and capturing information for clarity and focus.