
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

Aug 1, 2016 • 32min
Order and Organization with Rashelle Isip
On this episode of the podcast I’m joined by Rashelle Isip of The Order Expert. Rashelle is a consultant, author, and founder of TheOrderExpert.com, a blog featuring organization, time management and productivity tips, ideas and inspiration to help people lead more balanced lives. She is author of “The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management” and “How to Plan a Great Event in 60 Days.”
We talk about a wide variety of topics relating to order and productivity, including the importance of saying no, the idea of journaling, simple ways you can stay on track, and more. For Patreon supporters, we even dive into Rashelle’s thoughts on focus.
Relevant Links
The Order Expert - Organizing Blog & Organizing Tips
About | The Order Expert
Why Saying ‘No’ is Important | The Order Expert
Books | The Order Expert
How to Organize a Notebook or Journal | The Order Expert
Blog – Baron Fig
5 Smart Ways to Stay on Schedule | Time Management Ninja
The Order Expert’s Guide to Time Management | The Order Expert
How to Get More Done in a Day | The Order Expert
Rashelle Isip (@theorderexpert) | 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

Jul 26, 2016 • 30min
Being Unmistakable (Again) with Srinivas Rao
On this episode of the podcast, I chat with my friend Srinivas Rao. Srini is the author of the book Unmistakable: Why Only is Better Than Best and the founder and CEO of Unmistakable Creative. We talk about his book (which I’ve dog-eared to death) and going down the path of becoming unmistakable.
We discuss mastery, habits, systems, goals, in depth. I really enjoyed this discussion and know there are pearls of wisdom strewn throughout that won’t just help you with your productivity. They will also help you forge your own path to unmistakability.
Relevant Links
Unmistakable Creative
Being Unmistakable with Srinivas Rao | The Productivityist Podcast
Mastery by Robert Greene | Amazon
Todd Herman
Mars Dorian
Paul Jarvis
Chris Milk | TED.com
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau | Amazon
If Everyone Becomes a Non-Conformist, Won’t We All Be Conforming? : The Art of Non-Conformity
Baron Fig | Notebooks for Thinkers
Pre-Order Unmistakable | Bonuses
Srinivas Rao (@UnmistakableCEO) | 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

Jul 19, 2016 • 30min
Getting Optimized with Stephan Spencer
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Stephan Spencer. Stephan is a man of many talents and projects, including hosting The Optimized Geek and writing the book The Art of SEO.
The focus of our conversation is on optimization. And I’m not just talking about search engine optimization (although as a Patreon supporter you will hear about his fascination with that subject matter). We dive into optimizing oneself, deliberate practice, Tony Robbins, the power of automation, and balancing learning with execution.
(Stephan also offers something special for listeners of the podcast, so listen for that!)
Relevant Links
SEO Expert, Author, Professional Speaker | Stephan Spencer
Optimized Geek | About
Platinum Partnership | Tony Robbins
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World | Cal Newport
Optimized Geek | Podcast
Unleash The Power Within | Tony Robbins
Marketing Speak | Podcast
Stephan Spencer (@sspencer) | 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

Jul 12, 2016 • 23min
Learning to Commit with Avrum Nadigel
On this episode of the podcast, I chat with Avrum Nadigel. He is an author and relationship therapist. He co-produces "It’s the anxiety, stupid!” - a podcast about relationship angst, and draws a comic about intimacy called “Ball and Change”. His new book, Learning to Commit (The Workbook): Becoming Your Best Self to Find Your Best Match, will be published by Self-Counsel Press in November 2016.
We talk about his move away from GTD (Getting Things Done) and back to a higher level of thinking and workflow (a la Stephen Covey), the things that drive him nuts that productivity authors and users, and dive into his biggest fear.
Relevant Links
Avrum Nadigel | Official Website
Why I’ve Left GTD Behind: Part One | Productivityis
Why I’ve Left GTD Behind: Part Two | Productivityist
Why I’ve Left GTD Behind: Part Three | Productivityist
Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits
The 8th Habit by Stephen Covey
Getting Things Done | Official Website
Back to Work 261: The Illusion of Ease
The Covey Community
Daylite by Marketcircle
WISHCRAFT by Barbara Sher
Autofocus: a closer look at “dismissal” | Mark Forster
What is a “no list” system? | Mark Forster
Deep Work | Cal Newport
The Human Search for Meaning | Farnam Street
Learning to Commit
Avrum Nadigel on 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

Jul 5, 2016 • 44min
The Big 100
On this, the 100th episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I chat with producer John Poelstra about the evolution of the podcast since it started nearly two years ago.
We talk about the changes that we have made (and the big change that we didn’t make), the process we use to make each episode happen and why it has worked so well for us, and reveal some of our favourite episodes and thoughts about the journey we’ve had over the past 100 episodes.
Relevant Links
Roman Mars | Makes Radio
Be More Successful: The Top 10 Productivity Podcasts for 2016 | Inc.com
Greetings and Salutations (The First Episode of The Productivityist Podcast)
Unmistakable: Why Only Is Better Than Best by Srinivas Rao | Amazon
TabLinks - BrettTerpstra.com
Trello
Hacking corporate with Nick Snapp | The Productivityist Podcast: Patreon Edition
MeisterTask
Deep Work with Cal Newport | The Productivityist Podcast
Relentless Sales Success with Chris Johnson | The Productivityist Podcast
The Art of the Side Hustle with Nick Loper | The Productivityist Podcast
SPECIAL EPISODE: Laura McClellan Returns! | The Productivityist Podcast
Everything Evernote with Andrew Sinkov | The Productivityist Podcast
Everything Is A To Do with Michael Schechter & Patrick Rhone | The Productivityist Podcast
Getting Things Done with David Allen | The Productivityist Podcast
Body Talk with James Hamblin | The Productivityist Podcast
Making Better Meetings with John Poelstra | The Productivityist Podcast
The Productivityist Podcast | Patreon
Podcast Production | John Poelstra
My /Now Page | MikeVardy.com
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

Jun 27, 2016 • 43min
Being Truly Productive with Michael Dolan
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Michael Dolan. Michael is an executive coach who helps leaders get out of their own way by enabling them to develop and maintain higher levels of productivity, self-awareness and effectiveness so that they can create a bigger impact and experience greater satisfaction in their work and life.
Based on his 15-years of management experience, Michael understands the intense personal and organizational demands that successful executives must meet on a daily basis. We talk about his journey as an executive coach, his views on David Allen’s Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology, how he uses the Enneagram in his work, and more.
Relevant Links
Truly Productive Leadership
What is the Enneagram?
Getting Things Done by David Allen | Amazon
Headspace
Muse: The Brain Sensing Headband | Amazon
The Productivityist Podcast 73: Cal Newport
The Productivityist Podcast 66: A Doer Who Likes To Be with Michael Townsend Williams
Truly Productive | Facebook
Michael Dolan, PCC (@MichaelPDolan) | 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

Jun 21, 2016 • 37min
Distractions & Disruptions with Dave Nevogt
On this episode, I speak with Dave Nevogt. Dave is the co-founder of Hubstaff and we chat about what it’s like to pivot from one entrepreneurial venture to another and how he is especially adept at eliminating distractions and dealing with disruptions.
Priority plays a role in how Dave handles his tasks and he shares how he keeps himself moving on the right path along the way. We also dive into what he does to help infuse some of his own strategic way of dealing with distractions and disruptions within Hubstaff. Dave also shares his thoughts on striking a balance between quantitative and qualitative productivity.
Relevant Links
DaveNevogt.com
Hubstaff
The Definitive Guide to Building a Remote Team | Hubstaff
Everything we’ve learned to grow our time tracking startup | Hubstaff
Hubstaff (@hubstaff) | Twitter
Dave Nevogt (@dnevogt) | 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

Jun 13, 2016 • 31min
Hacking Corporate with Nick Snapp
On this episode, I speak with Nick Snapp, the host of The Make It Snappy Productivity Show and a productivity strategist who specializes on helping people “hack” Corporate.
Nick’s story is rooted in finding creative ways to “hack” Corporate, escape the office, and still achieve exceptional performance ratings. We talk about the challenges he (and I) have faced translating Corporate skills to personal productivity as entrepreneurs. We also dive into what can help you drive long-term successful outcomes, how we focus on family through our processes, setting boundaries, and more.
Relevant Links
The Make it Snappy Productivity Show
Episode 73: Cal Newport | The Productivityist Podcast
Start with Why by Simon Sinek | Amazon
The 12 Week Year by Brian P. Moran and Michael Lennington | Amazon
The One Email You Must Send Before You Go on Vacation | Productivityist
RescueTime
Steve Chandler Audio Programs
Nick Snapp (@thesnappyshow) | Twitter
Productivity on Purpose (P.O.P.) Facebook Group
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

Jun 6, 2016 • 36min
Strategic Storytelling with Jordan Bower
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Jordan Bower. We talk about the power of story, his approach to storytelling, and much more (including a mention of one of my favourite storytellers, Steven Pressfield).
Jordan is a strategic storyteller now based in my hometown of Victoria. We had a chance to meet up for the first time at Social Media Camp and had a great face-to-face conversation and I was excited to carry that over to the podcast. (He also has a fascinating story to tell of his own and he shares elements of it in this episode.)
Relevant Links
Jordan Bower: Strategic Storytelling & Corporate Intimacy Expert
About Jordan Bower
Brush with death made Jordan Bower get serious about photos | Toronto Star
Storytelling Approach | Jordan Bower
Rolf Potts’ Vagabonding
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer | Amazon
Rohdesign | Mike Rohde
Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off | TED.com
Writing Wednesdays: The Hero’s Journey in Real Life | Steven Pressfield
Jordan Bower (@jordan__bower) | 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

May 31, 2016 • 44min
Good to Greatist with Derek Flanzraich
In this episode, I speak with Derek Flanzraich, the founder/CEO of Greatist. We talk about the idea of planning, time chunking, and many other things that allow us to push our intentions forward (and allow him to embody the term “greatist”).
This is definitely more of a conversation than an interview, as Derek and I exchange ideas and thoughts on making choices, being productive, and how we make sure we allocate attention to push our intentions forward. So if you’re looking for a straight up interview, you won’t find it here.
I’m looking forward to having Derek back on again in the not-too-distant future as we have a lot more to talk about!
Relevant Links
Greatist
I Got Six-Pack Abs in Six Weeks. Here’s How I Feel One Year Later | Greatist
How Long Does it Take to Get Six Pack Abs? | Guy Standard
More Than Marketing, Millennials Are the Economic Future | Inc.com
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life by Scott Adams | Amazon
The More of Less with Joshua Becker | The Productivityist Podcast
What is Greatist?
Time Chunking | Productivityist
The Rock Clock | Project Rock
My Three Words for 2016 | Productivityist
What is a Pensieve? | Pottermore
The Hacked-Together Productivity Tool I Can’t Live Without: My Master Planner
How a Themed Schedule Can Help You Stay on Task | Workshifting
Think Productive with Graham Allcott | The Productivityist Podcast
Body Talk with James Hamblin | The Productivityist Podcast
Derek Flanzraich (@thederek) | 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