
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

May 24, 2016 • 54min
Priorities with Erik Fisher and Steve Dotto
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I'm featuring the Productivity Powerhouse Panel Blab that Steve Dotto (DottoTech) and Erik Fisher (Beyond The To Do List) did with me on the topic of priorities.
This episode is a little longer than usual – these panel discussions last an hour – and the audio quality will be different because it is ripped from the Blab we did.
You’ll hear Steve challenge me about how I use time theming and the three of us dive deep into how we deal with prioritization every day.
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 16, 2016 • 29min
Beating Burnout with Ben Fanning
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with Ben Fanning. Ben is a “burnout specialist,” the author of The Quit Alternative, and someone I’ve had the pleasure of seeing regularly at the World Domination Summit in Portland.
Ben and I spend time discussing how to create to-do lists that work and really dive into how he helps people stave off overwhelm and burnout.
Relevant Links
Ben Fanning | The Burnout Specialist
Three Steps to Create a To-Do List that Actually Works | The Burnout Specialist
The QUIT Alternative by Ben Fanning | Amazon
The Time We Have | Productivityist
World Domination Summit
Ben Fanning (@BenFanning1) | 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 10, 2016 • 38min
Finding Your Signature Strengths with Scott Barlow
On this episode of the podcast I speak with the founder of Happen To Your Career, Scott Barlow. We dive into how you can go about finding you strengths – specifically your “signature strengths” and how tapping into those strengths can be a real boon to your productivity.
Relevant Links
About Scott Barlow
Happen to Your Career
Strengths Finder 2.0 – What is this Witchcraft? | Happen to Your Career
Resources at Happen to Your Career
Scott Anthony Barlow (@scottabarlow) | 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 3, 2016 • 38min
The More of Less with Joshua Becker
This episode features my conversation with Joshua Becker. Joshua is the man behind Becoming Minimalist and the author of The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own.
I enjoyed chatting with Joshua about the meaning of minimalism, his new initiative The Hope Effect, and finding out if he is okay with my wanting a Tesla as my next car. I enjoyed The More of Less immensely – it’s been a real game-changer in my life. After you’re done listening to this episode, I highly suggest you pick up a copy for yourself (and those who you think could benefit from it too).
Relevant Links
Becoming Minimalist | Joshua Becker
The More of Less: Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own by Joshua Becker | Amazon
Project 333 | Be More with Less
The Hope Effect
Uncluttered | A Course from Becoming Minimalist by Joshua Becker
Joshua Becker (@joshua_becker) | 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

Apr 26, 2016 • 36min
Productivity and Play with Kirsten Milliken
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with clinical psychologist and certified ADHD Coach, Dr. Kirsten Milliken. She’s the author of PlayDHD, a book that not only gives adults with ADHD permission to play – it encourages it! We talk about a wide variety of topics, including how she tackles her tasks, what role avatars and colour play into her workflow, and why tapping into (and leveraging) your personality type can help you personalize your workflow and help you reach your full potential.
Relevant Links
plAyDHD
Playdhd: Permission to Play…..a Prescription for Adults With ADHD by Kirsten Milliken | Amazon
Time Timer
How To Write a Book When You Have ADHD | TotallyADD.com
4–4 Play! The Secret Ingredient to ADHD Motivation | NAPO 2016
Kirsten Milliken (@ADHDexecutive) | 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

Apr 18, 2016 • 36min
Focusing on Memory with Brad Zupp
In this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Brad Zupp. Brad is an entertaining motivational speaker and memory improvement expert from New York. Brad shows people how to supercharge their memories to improve many aspects of their lives (including productivity) and to have a better memory at any age.
And that’s exactly why I wanted to talk to him. I trust my memory…to a point. And for good reason. I believe that your mind was meant to be a factory and not a warehouse so I was interested to hear Brad’s take on that. I wanted to dive into how we can reconcile what we should try to memorize versus what we shouldn’t, what you can do to keep your memory from fading, how a calendar and other tools can help enhance your memory, and loads more.
Relevant Links
Brad Zupp
Smarter Faster Better by Charles Duhigg | Amazon
How to Theme Your Day for Maximum Productivity | 1 Simple Thing Podcast
Most Productive People: David Robinson | Fast Company
Developing a “Superhuman” Memory | Brad Zupp
The Night Owl Action Plan by Mike Vardy
Memory Can Be Improved At Any Age | Brad Zupp
Stumbling on Happiness by Daniel Gilbert | Amazon
The Year of Fear with Kendra Wright | The Productivityist Podcast
Unlock Your Amazing Memory: The Fun Guide That Shows Grades 5 to 8 How to Remember Better and Make School Easier by Brad Zupp | Amazon
Brad Zupp (@BradZupp) | Twitter
Get Your FREE Report from Brad
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

Apr 11, 2016 • 35min
Productivity for Dummies with Ciara Conlon
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with fellow productivity strategist Ciara Conlon. Ciara is the author of Chaos to Control: A Practical Guide to Getting Things Done and Productivity for Dummies.
We talk about the things she learned while writing Productivity for Dummies, the methods she returned to while writing the book (and kept using even after the book was completed), and more.
Relevant Links
CiaraConlon.com
Productivity For Dummies by Ciara Conlon | Amazon
EISENHOWER.me
The Pomodoro Technique®
Brain.fm
focus@will
Chaos to Control: A Practical Guide to Getting Things Done by Ciara Conlon | Amazon
Ciara Conlon (@CiaraConlon) | 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

Apr 5, 2016 • 41min
Making Better Meetings with John Poelstra
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with podcast producer and meeting facilitation expert John Poelstra about how we can go about making better meetings.
We dive into the “MAP” you need to make your meetings better, how to improve your meeting facilitation skills, how to deal with latecomers and attendees who take over meetings, and much more.
Relevant Links
Webinar Ninja
The True Cost of Meetings | ReadyTalk
The Upsell Podcast
Listen to #QOTD What would you do to make meetings better? | Anchor.fm
Kick The Chair: How Standing Cut Our Meeting Times By 25% | Forbes
Get The 2PR Meeting Attendee Tool
The Productivityist Podcast | Patreon
Meeting Makeover | A Productivityist Podcast Exclusive Offer
(Note: The above link takes you to a direct purchase page so you can get the bonus offer described in the podcast. Want to know more about Meeting Makeover before buying? Click here.)
John Poelstra’s Website
John Poelstra (@johnpoelstra) | 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

Mar 29, 2016 • 36min
Getting Momentum with Jason and Jodi Womack
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Jodi and Jason Womack. They are the wife and husband team behind Get Momentum, a coaching program designed to help people realize their full potential. They are also the co-authors of the book of the same name.
During our conversation, we talk about what it takes to get and maintain momentum, what questions you should ask yourself in order to become a better version of yourself, and much more.
Relevant Links
Get Momentum
Get Momentum: How to Start When You’re Stuck by Jason W. Womack & Jodi Womack | Amazon
Jason W. Womack (@JasonWomack) | Twitter
Jodi Womack (@JodiWomack) | Twitter
A Special Get Momentum Bonus Offer
Be More Successful: The Top 10 Productivity Podcasts for 2016 | Inc.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.
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

Mar 21, 2016 • 41min
What Goes Into a Task App with Amir Salihefendic
This week on the podcast I speak with the founder and CEO of Doist (the makers of Todoist), Amir Salihefendic. We discuss what prompted him to create Todoist, what system he uses to complete his tasks, and dive deeper into what it’s like to work on developing a task management application in today’s age.
Relevant Links
Todoist
Systemist: A modern productivity workflow | Todoist Blog
How to create sub-tasks? | Todoist
Todoist Business
Amir Salihefendic (@amix3k) | Twitter
As a special bonus, the promo code "Productivityist" can now be redeemed at todoist.com/redeem for 3 months of free premium.
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