
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

Oct 10, 2016 • 27min
The Making of The Productivityist Playbook
Note: This episode was recorded before the problems I had with the soft launch of The Productivityist Playbook.
In this episode of the podcast I talk about the making of The Productivityist Playbook, diving into the creative and tactical processes I used – as well as mistakes made – during the creation of this product.
I dive into the nuts and bolts of my schedule during the creation of The Productivityist Playbook, what mistakes I made along the way, and what you can do to avoid some of those mistakes I made.
Relevant Links
The Productivityist Playbook
Why You Need To Take Personal Productivity Personally | Productivityist
Meeting Makeover: Make Better Meetings Today | Productivityist
Keep Moving: And Other Tips and Truths About Living Well Longer by Dick Van Dyke | Amazon
Duolingo
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 3, 2016 • 38min
Progress with Erik Fisher
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with my good friend Erik Fisher in the second part of a cross-podcast conversation started on his podcast Beyond the To-Do List. We talk about overwhelm, prioritization, what productivity (and other related terms) means to us, and much more.
(Note: The mention of talking to “nobody last week” during the introduction is misplaced as this episode was scheduled to be published after next week’s episode – an episode that has no guest. Last week’s episode featured Marina Darlow and you can listen to it here.)
This episode is – at its core – all about process, so sit back and enjoy!
Relevant Links
Progress: Mike Vardy on Competition, Overwhelm and Priorities | BTTDL153 - Beyond the To Do List
Beyond Productivity with Erik Fisher | The Productivityist Podcast
Priorities with Erik Fisher and Steve Dotto | The Productivityist Podcast
Seasons: Jeff Sieh on Seasons, Rhythms and Change | BTTDL152 - Beyond the To Do List
Social Media Success Summit 2016: Largest Online Event
The Sleep Doctor | Michael J. Breus, PhD
Erik Fisher (@ErikJFisher) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 27, 2016 • 33min
Crafting Clear Systems with Marina Darlow
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Marina Darlow. Marina is a systems’ expert, and a productivity geek. She sees her job as helping impact-driven entrepreneurs get 10–20 more productive hours a week, stop leaking money, and prevent stress-fuel breakdowns.
We talk about her view and definition of a “system”, effective ways you can master your to do list, how to get out of a creative rut, and much more. (And as a Patreon supporter you’re getting even more content!)
Relevant Links
Vision Framework
About | Vision Framework
Goals vs. Systems | Scott Adams’ Blog
An excruciating day, or How to wrench yourself out of a Creative Pit of Despair | Vision Framework
Four effective ways to master to-do lists and what to do if you don’t like any of them | Vision Framework
Marina’s App Guide
Marina Darlow (@VisionFramework) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 20, 2016 • 37min
The Coaching Habit with Michael Bungay Stanier
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast I speak with the author of The Coaching Habit, Michael Bungay Stanier. We talk about deep work, simplicity, elegance, the questions you can ask to help you get more out coaching, and much more.
Relevant Links
The World Domination Summit Experience | Productivityist
Box of Crayons
Box of Crayons Blog | Inspiration for Teams, Leaders and Organizations
Michael Bungay Stanier | Box of Crayons
Interview with Matt May, In Pursuit of Elegance | Box of Crayons
9 ways to “Do More Great Work” With Michael Bungay Stanier
Do More Great Work: Stop the Busywork. Start the Work That Matters by Michael Bungay Stanier | Amazon
Seven questions to condition your inner coach | The Globe and Mail
The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier | Amazon
Get Unstuck & Get Going…on the stuff that matters by Michael Bungay Stanie | Amazon
The Creative Process: Michael Bungay Stanier
End Malaria by Michael Bungay Stanier | Amazon
The Coaching Habit Book
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 12, 2016 • 35min
The Perfect Day with Craig Ballantyne
This episode I'm joined by Craig Ballantyne of Early to Rise. Craig is the creator of The Perfect Day Formula and during our discussion we chat about his thoughts on Stoicism, how the mind is the real gateway (or barrier) to establishing better days, how he handles email, and the rule he crafted that has gotten shared all over the web (and received its share of praise and criticism in the process).
I had an absolute blast chatting with Craig on this episode as we dive deep into our thoughts on being an early riser vs. being a night owl.
Relevant Links
Early to Rise - Health, Wealth, and a Life Well Lived
BrettTerpstra.com
The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday | Amazon
The 3 C’s of the Perfect Day | Early To Rise
Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness by Sharon Lebell | Amazon
Is the 10–3–2–1–0 method REALLY the secret to a good night’s sleep? | Daily Mail Online
Craig Ballantyne’s Morning Routine | My Morning Routine
The Productivityist Podcast: The One Year No Beer Challenge
The Miracle Morning: The Not-So-Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8AM) by Hal Elrod | Amazon
Ralph E. Wolf and Sam Sheepdog - A Sheep In The Deep | YouTube
Daily Rituals: How Artists Work by Mason Currey | Amazon
Your NOT to do List | Early To Rise
10 big ideas | Early To Rise
The Perfect Day Formula
Early to Rise (@EarlytoRiseHQ) | Twitter
craigballantyne (@craigballantyne) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sep 7, 2016 • 30min
Whole Life Fitness with Dai Manuel
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Dai Manuel. Dai is the author of The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto and during this episode we talk about the relationship between health, wellness, and productivity and what his book and work does to promote making the most of this relationship.
Relevant Links
Going One Year No Beer with Andy Ramage and Ruari Fairbairns | The Productivityist Podcast
The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto
10% Happier by Dan Harris | Amazon
How to Use The Tough Mudder Pledge to Succeed in Everyday Life | Productivityist
Dai Manuel’s Blog about How to Live a Functionally Fit Life
The Moose is Loose Weekly Digest | Dai Manuel
Dai Manuel (@daimanuel) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 30, 2016 • 35min
Framing Your Mind with Kim Ades
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Kim Ades.
Kim is the founder of Frame of Mind Coaching and we spend time talking about coaching – her philosophy behind the practice, what she focuses on with her clients, and more. We also dive into mindfulness and focus along the way, as those are aspects of her work that I spends time on in my own work.
(Kim is also from Toronto – and it's always a treat for me to chat with a fellow Canadian!)
There are plenty of takeaways in this episode so sit back, capture notes along the way, and enjoy!
Relevant Links
Frame of Mind
Kim’s Frame of Mind
JournalEngine
Kim Ades, M.B.A. « Frame of Mind
Kim Ades - Part 1 - PEP 181 | Performance Enhancing Podcast
Kim Ades - Part 2 - PEP 182 | Performance Enhancing Podcast
Kim Ades (@kimades) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 2016 • 35min
Managing Millennials (and More) with Lee Caraher
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Lee Caraher. Lee’s a CEO, an author, and an acclaimed communication strategist known for her practical solutions to big problems.
We talk about the difference between millennials and other generations in terms of work habits and how to manage them. We also dive into other productivity practices such as handling email after hours and one of my favourite topics..setting boundaries.
Relevant Links
Blog | Lee Caraher
Books | Lee Caraher
5 Tips for Handling After-hours Email | Lee Caraher
Productivity Tools | Lee Caraher
LeeCaraher (@LeeCaraher) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 18, 2016 • 24min
1-800-GOT-PRODUCTIVITY with Brian Scudamore
On this episode of the podcast I speak with Brian Scudamore, the founder and CEO of O2E Brands. O2E Brands is the banner company for 1–800-GOT-JUNK?, WOW 1 DAY PAINTING, You Move Me, and Shack Shine. Starting with one truck and a great idea, Brian grew 1–800-GOT-JUNK? into one of North America’s most successful companies and he’s poised to do the same with his three newest ventures.
We talk about how he built his brand, do a deeper dive into a tactic he calls “going dark” that boosts his productivity, how he works at keeping things uncluttered (fitting considering the company he founded), and other strategies he employs to stay on top his game.
Relevant Links
O2E Brands
1–800-GOT-JUNK?
Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg
You Move Me
Wow 1 Day Painting
Shack Shine
Brian Scudamore | LinkedIn
Brian Scudamore (@BrianScudamore) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. You can also fill out this survey to help me make the show 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.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 2016 • 44min
Going One Year No Beer with Andy Ramage and Ruari Fairbairns
In this episode of the podcast, I not only talk with Andy Ramage and Ruari Fairbairns of One Year No Beer but I also take on one of their challenges.
That's right. As of recording this episode I went alcohol-free for 90 days.
I dive into that challenge a bit more in an upcoming bonus episode (exclusive to Patreon supporters) but also a little bit in this one. Other than me taking on one of the challenges offered through One Year No Beer I talk to the founders of the movement about why they started it, what the future holds for it, when to start a alcohol-free challenge, and how going alcohol-free can impact your productivity.
This is definitely an interesting episode of the podcast as I've not gone down this path before, so I hope you enjoy it!
Relevant Links
OneYearNoBeer // The Ultimate Social Challenge | OYNB
Don’t give up alcohol tomorrow - make it happen today | OYNB
Why Dry Jan could be bad for you | OYNB
Your Guide to Start Meditating - OYNB
How To Stop Drinking – A Little Taster | OYNB
Booze Free Summer Toolkit | OYNB
Limitless: The infinite possibilities of a life free from alcohol | OYNB
Seedlip
OneYearNoBeer (@oynbuk) | Twitter
If you enjoy The Productivityist Podcast I'd appreciate a rating and review in iTunes or your podcasting platform of choice. It helps people find the show easier and will help me make improvements on the show by seeing what you have to say. You can also fill out this survey to help me make the show 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.
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.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices