
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 14, 2016 • 32min
The Year of Fear with Kendra Wright
On this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with my friend Kendra Wright. We talk about how we each treat fear, our to do lists, our calendars, and a whole lot more.
One of the biggest takeaways from this discussion was how I look at fear and treat as the enemy and how Kendra treats it as if it is her friend. Neither way is wrong or right, but you’ll hear how our approaches differ and why they work for us.
Relevant Links
Hey Kendra | Kendra’s Website
“No, Fear.” -|Productivityist
What I Learned About Fear From 700+ Comfort Zone Challenges | Hey Kendra
How Colour Can Help You Get the Right Things Done | Productivityist
Think Better, Live Better
The 106 Year Old Problem | Productivityist
Kendra W. (@freehighfives) | Twitter
Take The Comfort Zone Challenge
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 7, 2016 • 45min
Overnight Success with Aaron Mahnke
This episode features a conversation with Aaron Mahnke, accomplished author and the man behind the award-winning podcast Lore.
The road to Lore wasn’t a straight one for Aaron, so we talk about the journey he had to overnight success and how he used to work versus how he works today.
Relevant Links
Lore
Why I Created Lore | Aaron Mahnke
Frictionless
Wet Frog Studios
Home Work
Aaron Mahnke’s Now Page
Aaron Mahnke (@amahnke) | Twitter
Lore Podcast (@lorepodcast) | Twitter
Thanks again for listening to the show – and if you have any feedback you can leave a comment below and/or rate and review the podcast in iTunes or whatever service you’re using to subscribe to the show. Not a subscriber yet? Click here to make that happen in iTunes and click here to grab the RSS feed!
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 1, 2016 • 41min
Getting Reading Done with Mike Dariano
On this episode of the show, I’m joined by Productivityist’s resident book reviewer and fellow avid reader Mike Dariano. We talk about how we go about reading and what we do differently to keep our reading workflow…flowing.
The goal of this episode is to inspire you to find a way to read more without overwhelming you in the process. I hope it does the trick!
Relevant Links
Mike Dariano at Productivityist
A Mindful Conversation with Patrick Rhone | The Productivityist Podcast
Antifragile: Things That Gain from Disorder (Incerto) by Nassim Nicholas Taleb | Amazon
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain | Amazon
Audible.com
Blinkist
Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman | Amazon
The Score Takes Care of Itself: My Philosophy of Leadership by Bill Walsh, Steve Jamison, Craig Walsh | Amazon
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant | Amazon
The Practicing Mind: Developing Focus and Discipline in Your Life — Master Any Skill or Challenge by Learning to Love the Process by Thomas M. Sterner | Amazon
Give and Take: Why Helping Others Drives Our Success by Adam Grant | Amazon
Patrick O’Shaughnessy | Book Club
Foolproof: Why Safety Can Be Dangerous and How Danger Makes Us Safe by Greg Ip | Amazon
The Millionaire Messenger: Make a Difference and a Fortune Sharing Your Advice by Brendon Burchard | Amazon
Born for This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do by Chris Guillebeau | Amazon
The 106 Year Old Problem | Productivityist
John Allen Paulos | Amazon
mikedariano (@mikedariano) | Twitter
Thanks again for listening to the show – and if you have any feedback you can leave a comment below and/or rate and review the podcast in iTunes or whatever service you’re using to subscribe to the show. Not a subscriber yet? Click here to make that happen in iTunes and click here to grab the RSS feed!
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

Feb 23, 2016 • 36min
A Mindful Conversation with Patrick Rhone
On this episode of the podcast, Patrick Rhone returns so that we can have another great conversation. This time around we focus on reading more (and better), mindfulness (and Patrick's new book "Mindfulness for Mere Mortals), and much more.
I always have a blast talking with Patrick. I hope you enjoy the show as much as I enjoyed putting it together (with help from producer John Poelstra).
Relevant Links
PatrickRhone.com
2015 in review — 1 year after I quit blogging | Nathan Barry
Ethan Waldman at Flavors.me
10 Simple Rules for a Successful Whole30 (or any diet change) | Courtney Carver
Austin Kleon
Think Clearly.
Garrick van Buren – 612 325 9110
James Shelley · Knowledge Translation
Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant
How to Read More (and Read Better) | Productivityist
This is Water | Vimeo
Mindfulness for Mere Mortals | PatrickRhone.com
137 Books in One Year: How to Fall in Love With Reading by Kevin D. Hendricks | Amazon
The Productivityist Podcast 73: Cal Newport | Productivityist
PatrickRhone.net
patrickrhone (@patrickrhone) | 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

Feb 16, 2016 • 27min
ADHD Productivity with Ryan McRae
This week I speak with Ryan McRae, better known as The ADHD Nerd. We talk about how ADHD has affected his productivity, what time management tips he recommends to those who have ADHD, and how anyone should combat the perils of procrastination.
Relevant Links
The ADHD NERD
World Domination Summit
Workflowing #11: An Unfocused Look at Focus | 5by5
You’ve Just Been Diagnosed With ADHD. Now what? | The ADHD NERD
The Ultimate ADHD Guide to Time Management | Medium
The Productivityist Podcast 73: Cal Newport | Productivityist
The Ultimate ADHD Guide to Procrastination. | The ADHD NERD
Productivity Powerhouse Panel | January 27, 2016
2 Experts Share Exactly How to Use a Productivity Journal (& Increase Productivity by 23%) | The Fizzle Show
Snapchat FYI | C.C. Chapman
IFTTT
Ryan McRae on Gumroad
Ryan McRae (@TheRyanMcRae) | Twitter
A special offer from Ryan exclusive to listeners of 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.
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

Feb 8, 2016 • 35min
Think Productive with Graham Allcott
On this edition of the podcast, I speak with founder of Think Productive and productivity ninja Graham Allcott. We focus on the nine characteristics you need to have to become a true productivity ninja and dive into a myriad of other offshoot topics as a result.
I had a lot of fun chatting with Graham and I’ll be having him back on in short order to dive deeper into even more!
Relevant Links
Think Productive UK
How to be a Productivity Ninja by Graham Allcott | Amazon
The Productivityist Podcast 77: Chris Bailey
Plagiarists’ Corner | Stewart Lee
9 Characteristics of a Productivity Ninja | Think Productive
Nozbe
Headspace
Think Productive (@thinkproductive) | Twitter
Graham Allcott (@grahamallcott) | Twitter
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

Feb 1, 2016 • 31min
Freakishly Productive with Annie Mueller
In this episode, I chat with Annie Mueller from Freakishly Productive about tactical time management tips. We discuss how Annie is able to be productive while homeschooling four kids and running a business, and a whole lot more.
Some of the highlights include:
Women in productivity: Where are they and why Annie thinks there is a stigma
Categorizing by energy levels: Energy fluctuations and working with them
Homeschooling: How to use things like Minecraft and how it can help with productivity
To Do Lists: Short or long, should you include routine tasks or not
Capturing ideas and thoughts
Can you apply her method to a 9–5?
Why not being afraid to change the narrative will help your productivity
Relevant Links
Freakishly Productive
The Productivityist Podcast 55: The Productive Woman with Laura McClellan | Productivityist
Bullet Journal
Categorize your work into energy levels | Freakishly Productive
Simple to complex, complex to simple | Freakishly Productive
The two worst enemies of good time management | Freakishly Productive
Try to capture all the ideas | Freakishly Productive
Annie Mueller (@AnnieMueller) | Twitter
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

Jan 25, 2016 • 28min
The Productivity Project with Chris Bailey
In this episode of the podcast, I chat with the author of The Productivity Project, Chris Bailey. We talk about Chris’s new book, the process of writing the book, why quantitative and qualitative data are both needed to measure productivity, and whether or not Chris identifies as an early riser or a night owl.
Relevant Links
The Productivity Project: Accomplishing More by Managing Your Time, Attention, and Energy by Chris Bailey | Amazon
A Life of Productivity
Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less by Sam Carpenter | Amazon
ALifeofProductivity (@ALOProductivity) | Twitter
Chris Bailey (@wigglechicken) | Twitter
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

Jan 19, 2016 • 39min
Better Email Habits with Andy Mitchell
In this episode, I speak with the founder of ActiveInbox, Andy Mitchell. We talk about email and how you can (if you want) use it as a task manager. (It’s not something I do (or advocate) but for those of you who want to hear why you may want to give this a go…then this episode is for you.)
We also talk about the “snoozing” feature that some email apps have, the shifting from app to app and how it can affect productivity, and the different roles people have and how that can impact how productive they can be.
Relevant Links
ActiveInbox
Inbox Zero: Processing to zero | 43 Folders
How We Use Slack | Productivityist
Hit The Snooze Button To Be More Productive | Productivityist
Workflowing #55: Checking The Mailbox with Gentry Underwood
Andy Mitchell (@andymitchell) | Twitter
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

Jan 12, 2016 • 41min
Level Up Your Life with Steve Kamb
In this episode, I speak with the founder of Nerd Fitness and the author of the book Level Up Your Life, Steve Kamb. We talk about what it takes to take your life to the next level in a variety of ways and go over what’s happened in both of our journeys since the very first interview we ever had over 7 years ago.
(Note: I said 9 years ago on the podcast, but that was because I got caught on the fact we spoke in 2009. My bad…sorry!)
Relevant Links
Nerd Fitness
Level Up Your Life: How to Unlock Adventure and Happiness by Becoming the Hero of Your Own Story by Steve Kamb | Amazon
Camp Nerd Fitness | September 21–25, 2016
Level Up Your Life | Steve Kamb
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Flow, the secret to happiness | TED Talk | TED.com
Chris Hardwick | Nerdist
The Rise: Creativity, the Gift of Failure, and the Search for Mastery by Sarah Lewis | Amazon
Steve Kamb (@SteveKamb) | Twitter
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