A Productive Conversation cover image

A Productive Conversation

Latest episodes

undefined
Nov 16, 2015 • 41min

SPECIAL EPISODE: Laura McClellan Returns!

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureIn 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Nov 13, 2015 • 40min

Money and Minimalism with Cait Flanders

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureIn 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Nov 6, 2015 • 42min

Passionate About Productivity with Amber De La Garza

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureOn this episode, I chat with fellow productivity specialist Amber De La Garza. We talk about the reason you want to be productive, how multiple screens can help (or hinder) your productivity, messy desks, and why the apps out there aren’t enough to make you more productive. Relevant Links Amber De La Garza, The Productivity Specialist #ProductivityPowerHourParty Tips From The Best On Personal Productivity! | Blab Why You DON’T Want to Improve Your Productivity | Amber De La Garza Productivity: There’s No App For That! | Amber De La Garza Can You Boost Your Productivity With Multiple Screens? | Amber De La Garza Thanks for listening...and your support! 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Oct 29, 2015 • 33min

Project Management for You with Cesar Abeid

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureThis week’s episode features a discussion with fellow Canadian and project management professional Cesar Abeid. Cesar is the author of the new book Project Management and You, and we talk about why he wrote the book, the struggles he discovered that people have with project management during his research for the book, and how to apply project management beyond the workplace and into your home life. Relevant Links Project Management for You Amazon Launch Promotion | Cesar Abeid Is a Projects List Necessary? | David Allen Cesar Abeid on what projects really are, and how to manage them | Beyond the To Do List Project Management for the Masses My Jets Game Is Your Netflix | Gary Vaynerchuk Cesar Abeid (@cesarabeid) | Twitter Cesar Abeid, PMP (@PM4TM) | 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Oct 22, 2015 • 39min

15 Time Secrets with Kevin Kruse

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureJoining me this week on the podcast is the author of 15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management. We talk about why Kevin wrote this book, how to wrap up your work day responsibly, the idea of awareness and how it relates to productivity, the importance of routines, and more. Relevant Links Get Kevin's "15 Time Secrets" book for FREE (only pay for shipping) Peter Tunney | Artist, Philanthropist, Entrepreneur High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove | Amazon The ONE Thing by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan | Amazon The Website of Kevin Kruse The Awareness Building Class by Mike Vardy & Shawn Blanc Thanks for listening...and your support! 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Oct 15, 2015 • 56min

The Power of Focus with Shawn Blanc

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureThis week on the show I welcome my friend Shawn Blanc, creator of The Focus Course. We have a deep discussion about intentionality, being attentive, the creative process, productivity, and – fittingly – focus. Relevant Links The Awareness Building Class The Focus Course Tools and Toys Delight is in the Details 2 Experts Share Exactly How to Use a Productivity Journal (& Increase Productivity by 23%) | The Fizzle Show 99 Shawn Blanc (@shawnblanc) | 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Oct 8, 2015 • 37min

Less Doing with Ari Meisel

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureThis week on the show I'm joined by Ari Meisel of Leverage. We talk about what task management app Ari uses (the answer will surprise you), the art of optimization, automation, and outsourcing, and more tips and tricks you can use to help you make more great things happen by doing less. Relevant Links Leverage | Ari Meisel Evernote FollowUp.cc Slack IFTTT Zapier Blue Blocking Sunglasses | Amazon A Complimentary Less Doing Coaching Call Cylon Compendium 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Oct 1, 2015 • 36min

The Habits of a Happy Brain with Loretta Breuning

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureIn this episode of The Productivityist Podcast, I speak with Dr. Loretta Breuning from the Inner Mammal Institute. We talk about how you can retrain your brain, including some tactics and tips so that you can start building a happier and healthier brain. We dive into how to build new neural circuits, discuss the four chemicals that affect our behaviour, and how to tap into the animal inside of you so that you can embrace your “inner mammal” and craft more positive experiences. Relevant Links: Blinkist Habits Of A Happy Brain: Retrain Your Brain to Boost Your Serotonin, Dopamine, Oxytocin, & Endorphin Levels by Loretta Graziano Breuning PhD | Amazon The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work by Shawn Achor | Amazon The Happiness Project: Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin | Amazon The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg | Amazon David Attenborough | Wikipedia Inner Mammal Institute: making peace with the animal inside Inner Mammal Inst (@innermammal) | 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Sep 24, 2015 • 33min

Building Better Teams with Jared Brown

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureThis episode features a discussion with Jared Brown of Hubstaff. Jared and I talk about what you need to do in order to make bringing people on to work with you a more beneficial experience for everyone involved. As someone who is growing a team (slowly, but surely) I wanted to get some solid advice from an expert, and Jared certainly fits the bill. Besides offering his own insights, he also discusses some ideas that come from other sources that you can use to build a better team. Relevant Links The Productivityist Podcast 53 | Making Teamwork Work with Sebastian Klein of Blinkist Jing by TechSmith Asian Efficiency Zoom.us ChrisDucker.com Best Advice I Ever Got: Run Like It’s a Sprint But Pace Yourself for a Marathon | Inc.com The Right Way to Fire Someone | Entrepreneur Eventual Millionaire | Jaime Masters The Hubstaff Blog Remote.co Journey to $500k a Month | Groove Blog How to organize the daily chaos of running a startup | Baremetrics Due | iOS Hubstaff Jared Brown (@jaredbrown) | Twitter Note: This episode was published out of order, so some references mentioned during the podcast aren’t as recent as I’d usually want. I apologize for any confusion this may cause. 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.
undefined
Sep 17, 2015 • 48min

Crafting Coaches with Tony Stubblebine

🚨 The Forge Your Future Challenge is back – August 7–9, 2025!Join yours truly, Mike Vardy, for this free 3-day experience to reconnect with what matters, regain control of your time, and set your future in motion. Just two hours a day for three days—no fluff, just focus. Save your spot now: https://mikevardy.com/forgeyourfutureOn this episode of the podcast, I talk with Tony Stubblebine of Coach.me. We talk about the power of coaching, what it takes to be a coach, and several areas that people could really use coaching in so that they can take their work (and their lives) to the next level.   Relevant Links Coach.me | Instant Coaching for Any Goal Workflowing #129: Get A Lift with Tony Stubblebine Balance Schmalance | Productivityist The Priority |Productivityist Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High | Amazon Coach.me for Business Tony Stubblebine (@tonystubblebine) | 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 📘 Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive PotentialIf you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app