
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

8 snips
Jan 5, 2016 • 29min
The Real Inbox Zero with Dmitri Leonov
This week on the show I speak with Dmitri Leonov, co-founder of SaneBox. We talk about why it isn’t always a good idea to use every aspect of a tool (SaneBox naturally gets mentioned here) and a ton of other thoughts surrounding a productivity pain point for many: email.
I always enjoy when I speak with someone who makes a tool to help with productivity saying that the tool is not the entire solution to the problem. We dive into that during our discussion, what role automation plays in productivity (and where it can be put in place far too much), and what Dmitri’s definition of Inbox Zero is.
Relevant Links
SaneBox
Forget ‘Inbox Zero’: Your empty email account means nothing
The Ultimate Way to get to Inbox Zero
The One Email Trick That Keeps My Inbox In Shape | Productivityist
Talking Inbox Zero and Email Overload
Inbox Zero vs. Inbox 5,000: A Unified Theory | The Atlantic
The MacSparky Email Field Guide
Dmitri Leonov (@dmitri) | Twitter
How do you deal with email? Do you strive for Inbox Zero every day or do you have another mission in mind? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below.
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 2, 2016 • 42min
Deep Work with Cal Newport
To ring in 2016, on this episode of the show I speak with my friend Cal Newport, the author of So Good They Can’t Ignore You and his latest effort, Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World.
We talk about the difference between deep and shallow work, why focusing on doing more deep work may not be for everyone, and how you can start to create more time to do deep work.
Relevant Links
Excerpt from DEEP WORK by Cal Newport | Medium
Resolve to Live a Deep Life | Cal Newport
I Want to Show You Exactly How I Prioritize Deep Work in My Busy Life | Cal Newport
Adam Grant | Give and Take
Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal Newport
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

Dec 26, 2015 • 35min
Simplicity and Impact with Simon Tyler
In this edition of The Productivityist Podcast I speak with Simon Tyler, author of The Impact Code and The Simple Way. We talk about raising your impact level in business, simple ways to be more productive, and much more.
Relevant Links
Simon Tyler | Website
The Impact Code by Simon Tyler
The Simple Way by Simon Tyler
Simple Notes | Simon Tyler
Effortless Gent
Simon Tyler (@simplysimont) | Twitter
Thanks again for listening...and happy holidays!
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

Dec 18, 2015 • 34min
Relentless Sales Success with Chris Johnson
In this installment of the podcast, I’m joined by my friend and principal owner of Simplifilm Chris Johnson. We dive into a lot of things but really focus on how to work on sales technique and how being relentless in the sales arena – and in life – can go a long way.
Relevant Links
Simplifilm
World Domination Summit
5 Steps to Land Your Dream Clients: The 10–10–10 Strategy | Fizzle
Specialist or Jack-of-All-Trades? The Answer’s Obvious to Me | Gary Vaynerchuk
Close.io
No more yes. It’s either HELL YEAH! or no. | Derek Sivers
Experimenting with A.J. Jacobs | Workflowing #64
Chris Johnson’s Website & Blog
Chris Johnson (@genuinechris) | 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

Dec 11, 2015 • 32min
The Art of the Side Hustle with Nick Loper
On this episode of the podcast, I speak with the founder of Side Hustle Nation, Nick Loper. We talk about some of the unconventional productivity tactics he uses and dive into some of the equally unconventional side hustle experiments he’s undertaken.
Relevant Links
Nick Loper (@nloper) | Twitter
The 3 Laws of Side Hustle Physics | Side Hustle Nation
How I Got on the Homepage of Fiverr and Earned $920 in 10 Days | Side Hustle Nation
My Time Tracking Results: My Decidedly Un–4-Hour Workweek and Passive vs. Active Income Time | Side Hustle Nation
The Definitive Guide to Rat Race Math | Side Hustle Nation
The 5 Step System to Quit Your Job In the Next 12 Months | Side Hustle Nation
Confidence Power Plus Motorized Electric Treadmill | Amazon
FitDesk v2.0 Desk Exercise Bike with Massage Bar | Amazon
Herman Miller Envelop Desk | Amazon
Cold Shower Therapy™ | Joel Runyon
Ice Face: Hack To Get the Benefits of Cold Thermogenesis | The Bulletproof Executive
Tony Robbins on Morning Routines, Peak Performance, and Mastering Money | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss
5 Morning Rituals That Help Me Win The Day | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss
Deliberately Experimenting with Deliberate Practice — Looking for Subjects to Test My Advice | Study Hacks by Cal Newport
RescueTime
Toggl
79 Side Hustle Business Ideas You Can Start Today | Side Hustle Nation
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

Dec 5, 2015 • 55min
Boosting The Brain with Dr. Andrew Hill
I had an absolute blast spending time with the Lead Neuroscientist of truBrain, Dr. Andrew Hill, on this episode of the podcast. We talk about a ton of “brain stuff”, including the importance of getting things out of your head, how decision fatigue works, and more.
Relevant Links
truBrain | (re)Designing Focus
The Pomodoro Technique®
The Productivityist Podcast 66: A Doer Who Likes To Be with Michael Townsend Williams | Productivityist
Morning Pages | Julia Cameron
Comedian | Official Site
Pavlok | Break Bad Habits in Five Days
Andrew Hill, PhD (@AndrewHillPhD) | Twitter
Peak Brain Institute
Note: Apologies for the sound on this episode. For some reason Skype defaulted back to the laptop microphone port which I had my iPhone headphones plugged into. I’m not sure why this happened – and I didn’t catch it during the recording. There was also noise and the guest's side my producer John Poelstra did the best he could with, but is still present. That said, I think the quality of the conversation still holds up.
Thanks again for your support and enjoy the 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.
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

Nov 27, 2015 • 35min
Military Time with Julie Sheranosher
On this episode, I chat with military veteran and fellow productivity professional Julie Sheranosher. We talk about the story behind her developing a passion for productivity, the lessons she learned in the military that she uses today in her new profession, and the various other time and task management tactics that she explores…and employs.
Relevant Links
I’m Julie | Julie Sheranosher
Tony Robbins explains how he stays energetic | Business Insider
3 Things You Should Put On Your Calendar | Productivityist
TPP #9: Modes, Themes, MAPS & Late Nights with Mike Vardy | Paul Minors
Time Savings Toold | I’m Julie
Energy, Time, Priority, Work/Life: 4 New Ways To Organize Your To-Do List | 99u
Julie Sheranosher (@ImJulieTweets) | 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

Nov 20, 2015 • 30min
A Doer Who Likes To Be with Michael Townsend Williams
This episode of the podcast features a conversation with Michael Townsend Williams, who is known as “A doer who likes to be.” He’s the founder of Breathe Sync™ and the author of the book Do Breathe…and he’s a big believer in mindful productivity. We talk about that very subject, yoga, and a lot more. Enjoy!
Relevant Links
Stillworks
Getting Things Done with David Allen | The Productivityist Podcast
The DO Lectures | Michael Townsend Williams
Do Breathe by Michael Townsend Williams
Breathe Sync™
How I Organize Evernote: A Peek Inside My Personal System | Michael Hyatt
Things by Cultured Code
Clear by Realmac Software
Michael T Williams (@mtownsendw) | 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

Nov 16, 2015 • 41min
SPECIAL EPISODE: Laura McClellan Returns!
In this podcast episode, I've decided to make the first of our bonus episodes available to everyone - even those not currently patrons. This episode marks the return of Laura McClellan to discuss the idea of theming further - along with much more! If you'd like to support The Productivityist Podcast and receive additional bonus episodes every week (4 to be exact) along with other great perks, then I'd love to have you join us. Just http://patreon.com/productivityist (go to my Patreon page) and pledge any dollar amount per month. Then you'll join a growing number of supporters starting today! Enjoy this special bonus episode - and thanks for listening!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 2015 • 39min
Money and Minimalism with Cait Flanders
In this episode, I speak with the woman behind Blonde on a Budget, Cait Flanders. We talk about managing money wisely, why she imposed a one year shopping ban on herself, how minimalism plays an important role in her life, and much more.
Relevant Links
Blonde on a Budget
The Mindful Budgeting Program
Why I Budget Monthly, Semi-Monthly and Weekly | Blonde on a Budget
The Year I Embraced Minimalism and Completed a Yearlong Shopping Ban | Blonde on a Budget
What We Appreciate Appreciates
Why I Focus on Simplicity (and How You Can Simplify Your Life in 2016) | Blonde on a Budget
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