

A Productive Conversation
Mike Vardy
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.
Subscribe and join the conversation—because a productive life is more than just getting things done.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 16, 2015 • 23min
The End of Jobs with Taylor Pearson
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this episode, Mike talks with Taylor Pearson, the author of "The End of Jobs" (due out in late June 2015). They discuss the process Taylor used to write the book – including drawing inspiration from Paul Graham's work – as well as what "the end of jobs" can mean for you...if you're willing to shift your mindset.
Relevant Links
http://taylorpearson.me/the-end-of-jobs (The End of Jobs | Taylor Pearson)
http://www.paulgraham.com/makersschedule.html (Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule | Paul Graham)
https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/36 (Efficient Writing with Jim Woods | The Productivityist Podcast)
http://fourhourworkweek.com/2011/03/15/copyeditors/ (So, You Want to Be a Writer? Read This First. | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss)
http://lcmike.jarono.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=podcast43/ (Learn Scrivener Fast | Joseph Michael)
https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/33 (How to Deliver a "Do Over" with Jon Acuff | The Productivityist Podcast)
https://rollercoasterbook.success.com/ (The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster | Darren Hardy)
http://www.softwarebyrob.com/ (Lessons Learned by a Solo Entrepreneur | Software by Rob)
http://productivityist.com/balance-schmalance/ (Balance Schmalance | Productivityist)
http://danariely.com/ (The Website of Dan Ariely)
http://taylorpearson.me/winbooks (The End of Jobs Preorder Offer | Taylor Pearson)
https://twitter.com/ctaylormpearson (Taylor Pearson (@CTaylorMPearson) | Twitter)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

Jun 9, 2015 • 27min
Mind Hacking with Sir John Hargrave
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this discussion, Mike Vardy and Sir Joh Hargrave (author of the forthcoming book "Mind Hacking") talk about how to "hack the mind" in order to optimize productivity and what approaches you can take to start changing the way you operate today.
Sir John Hargrave and Mike Vardy have a lot in common. They both like to inject humour into their work and are both fascinated with how they can change the way they operate in order to improve productivity (and their lives in the process).
Relevant Links
http://www.mindhacki.ng/ (Mind Hacking by Sir John Hargrave | Ebook)
http://www.amazon.com/Mind-Hacking-Change-Your-Good/dp/1501105655 (Mind Hacking by Sir John Hargrave | Amazon)
https://www.coach.me/plans/403192-mind-hacking-21-day-plan (Mind Hacking 21-Day Plan - Coach.me)
https://twitter.com/sirjohnhargrave (Sir John Hargrave (@sirjohnhargrave) - Twitter)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

Jun 2, 2015 • 37min
The Art of Iteration with Omar Zenholm
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.Omar Zenhom is one half of the team that created The $100 MBA Show and Webinar Ninja. He's spent a lot of time defining and refining what he delivers and recently rebooted what Webinar Ninja was and created a vastly different iteration as a result. In this episode, Mike and Omar speak on the art of iteration, and how evolution and awareness are two of the biggest keys to reaching your potential. (And they also talk about they use the calendar.)
Relevant Links
http://100mba.net/show/ (The $100 MBA Show)
http://100mba.net/mba234/ (The $100 MBA Show: How to Manage Your Calendar)
http://100mba.net/mba241/ (The $100 MBA Show: Traditional Book Publishing VS Self-Publishing. Which One is Best?)
http://webinarninja.co/ (Webinar Ninja- The Ultimate Webinar Software)
http://100mba.net/ (The $100 MBA Website)
https://twitter.com/bizrepublic (Omar Zenhom (@BizRepublic) on Twitter)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

May 22, 2015 • 29min
An Introduction To The NOW Year Formula
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.This episode is being released earlier than usual because it's a special one. Why? Because Mike talks about his "big work" - the thing he's been actively working on for well over a year (and likely subconsciously for five or so). It's called The NOW Year Formula, and he talks about what it is, how it works, and how by adopting it as your productivity approach can help you have more of what you want in life.
Relevant Links
http://beyondproductivity.com/ (Beyond Productivity - A Live Streaming Workshop) Use PRODPODCAST to get $10 off a Virtual Ticket (that includes a replay of the workshop to view at your leisure)
http://friends.creativelive.com/aff_c?offer_id=24&aff_id=71&url_id=227 (Time Management 101 - creativeLIVE)
http://productivityist.com/need-take-personal-productivity-personally/ (Why You Need To Take Productivity Personally - Productivityist)
https://gumroad.com/l/Productivityistworkbook (The Productivityist Workbook)
http://eepurl.com/bhvbqb (Productivity Zones (And How I Built Them Into My New Workspace) - The Productivityist Weekly Newsletter)
http://www.thoughttop.com/ (ThoughtTop - Stick-On Whiteboards)
http://simplerev.com/ (SimpleREV)
http://productivityist.com/nyfreport (The NOW Year Formula Report Newsletter)
http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/How-to-Stop-Time-Mike-Vardy-at (How To Stop Time - Mike's TEDxVictoria Talk)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdadZ_KrZVw (In Time)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

May 19, 2015 • 27min
It’s All Fun and Games with Dave Caolo
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this episode, Mike talks with Dave Caolo of the podcast Home Work and the website Apple World Today about his newest hobby: tabletop gaming. They discuss the benefits of gaming in terms of helping with productivity and planning as well as offer some suggestions of games to check out.
Relevant Links
http://5by5.tv/homework (Home Work)
http://www.appleworld.today/ (Apple World Today)
https://unclutterer.com/author/david-caolo/ (Dave on Unclutterer)
https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgamedesigner/9714/antoine-bauza (Antoine Bauza | Board Game Designer | BoardGameGeek)
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7atuZxmT956cWFGxqSyRdn6GWhBxiAwE (Wil Wheaton's Tabletop on YouTube)
http://amzn.to/1LfRMKD (Hey! That's My Fish!)
http://amzn.to/1dgNeZi (Castle Panic)
http://amzn.to/1cMiiPz (Pandemic)
http://amzn.to/1JVVo3d (Forbidden Desert)
http://amzn.to/1Fqey1x (Forbidden Island)
http://amzn.to/1dgNuHK (Concept)
https://cardsagainsthumanity.com/ (Cards Against Humanity)
http://amzn.to/1EYUShq (Settlers of Catan)
http://amzn.to/1cMiyOL (King of Tokyo)
http://amzn.to/1FqeZJl (King of New York)
http://amzn.to/1dgMWlh (Tokaido)
https://www.youtube.com/user/WatchItPlayed (Watch It Played on YouTube)
http://twitter.com/davidcaolo (Dave Caolo - Twitter)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.
(Opening tag from Wayne's World courtesy of Paramount Pictures.)Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

May 12, 2015 • 23min
Flying Solo: A Solo Parenting Productivity Adventure
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this episode, Mike discusses how he dealt with a major workflow change over the past 10 days as a result of his wife going on holiday and him acting as the lone parent during that time. He'll share my successes, his failures, and what you can do to help make any kind of irregularity in your workflow feel less taxing on you.
Relevant Links
https://blog.todoist.com/2015/04/30/5-powerful-techniques-achieve-work-life-balance/ (Can You Have It All? 5 Powerful Techniques to Achieve Work-Life Balance - Todoist Blog)
http://productivityist.com/3-things-children-teach/ (3 Things That Children Can't Help But Teach You - Productivityist)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDrtfsfdg8k (Don't Fight Your Body Clock in the Name of Productivity - Mike Vardy on YouTube)
http://productivityist.com/triggers-how-to-start-moving/ (Triggers: How to Start Moving - Productivityist)
http://www.workshifting.com/2014/08/themed-schedule-can-help-stay-task.html (How a Themed Schedule Can Help You Stay on Task - Workshifting)
http://productivityist.com/how-i-work-on-several-big-projects-at-once/ (How I Work On Several Big Projects At Once - Productivityist)
https://blog.evernote.com/blog/2015/02/15/use-email-reminders-power-productivity/ (How to Use Email and Reminders to Power Productivity - Evernote Blog)
http://productivityist.com/jigsaw-puzzle-edges/ (Start From The Edges - Productivityist)
https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/2077 (The NOW Year Formula (featuring the free Weekly Theming Guide))
http://twitter.com/mikevardy (Mike Vardy - Twitter)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

May 5, 2015 • 28min
Beyond Productivity with Erik Fisher
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.As the host of the Beyond The To Do List podcast, Erik Fisher has interviewed many of the top names in productivity, task, and time management, and now Mike is putting him on the other side of the mic. They talk about habits, productivity approaches, and a lot more.
Relevant Links
http://beyondthetodolist.com/ (Beyond The To Do List)
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/smmworld/ (Social Media Marketing World)
http://bit.ly/productivityistweekly/ (The Productivityist Weekly Newsletter)
http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Things-Done-Stress-Free-Productivity/dp/0143126563/ref=dp_ob_title_bk (Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385348614/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385348614&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=XORYHAHA7LGVSL3X (Better Than Before: Mastering the Habits of Our Everyday Lives by Gretchen Rubin)
http://minutehack.com/opinions/its-okay-to-be-a-night-owl (Minutehack: How To Hack The Day As A Night Owl)
http://pages.cognitea.com/productivityist/ (CogniTea)
http://productivityist.com/podcast-read-more-read-better/ (How to Read More (and Read Better))
http://productivityist.com/triggers-how-to-start-moving/ (Triggers: How to Start Moving)
http://jimwoodswrites.com/apple-watch/ (Jim Woods: Why I don't Want An Apple Watch And You Shouldn't Either)
http://productivityist.com/groundhog-day/ (Why I Start My New Year On Groundhog Day)
http://beyondthetodolist.com/procrastinate-on-porpose-roryvaden-on-discipline-procrastination-priority-dilution-bttdl087/ (Beyond The to Do List 87: RoryVaden on discipline, procrastination and priority dilution)
https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/32 (Rory Vaden on The Productivityist Podcast)
http://twitter.com/erikjfisher (Erik Fisher on Twitter)
https://medium.com/@mikevardy (Mike Vardy on Medium)
Want to send Mike an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email Productivityist at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Really like the show and want it to flourish even more? Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

6 snips
Apr 28, 2015 • 27min
Efficient Writing with Jim Woods
Jim Woods, an author and creator of the 'Write Publish Share' course, discusses the intricacies of writing and publishing. He shares practical strategies for overcoming self-doubt and maintaining productivity in busy lives. Woods highlights the relationship between blogging and eBook writing, addressing the fears of new authors. He emphasizes the importance of focused ideas and collaboration with editors, while also exploring the balance between instant gratification and dedication in the writing process, offering valuable insights for aspiring writers.

Apr 21, 2015 • 40min
Closing Chapters with Michael Schechter
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.Michael Schechter, Mike's good friend, and former podcasting partner drops by the show for the first time on his own. The two of them talk about old times, what Schechter has been up to since they stopped producing Workflowing at 5by5, and the challenges behind closing one chapter in your life so you can make greater strides going forward.
Relevant Links
https://productivityist.simplecast.fm/26 (The Productivityist Podcast: Everything Is A To Do with Michael Schechter & Patrick Rhone)
http://5by5.tv/workflowing (Workflowing at 5by5)
http://bettermess.com/ (A Better Mess with Michael Schechter)
http://bettermess.com/omnilaunch/ (Speeding Up OmniFocus on iOS with Launch Center Pro)
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=df5920e236c7d03f1dd49fa78&id=87b0fb3919 (The Productivityist Newsletter: Why Reminders Apps Can Level Up Your Productivity)
https://twitter.com/mschechter (Michael Schechter (@MSchechter) on Twitter)
Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.

Apr 14, 2015 • 22min
The Power of SCALE with Travis Collier
This episode is sponsored by Bento Focus — the ADHD-friendly focus timer that helps you do less, better. Limit your day to three meaningful tasks, build calm routines, and stay focused with beautiful Japanese-inspired themes. Try it today at dub.sh/mike-bento-podcast.In this edition of The Productivityist Podcast Mike and Travis Collier have a friendly - and short - conversation. Travis is the author of "SCALE: Refuse to Settle, Recognize what Matters, Redefine Success" and the two friends talk about how they met (and how it caught both of them and Mike's former podcast colleague Michael Schechter off guard), and what the power of SCALE can do for you.
Relevant Links
http://productivityist.com/a-look-back-at-the-2013-world-domination-summit/ (A Look Back at The 2013 World Domination Summit (How Mike & Travis Met For The First Time))
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00VREX0EQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00VREX0EQ&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=TNDQW66GWR4IYOWT (SCALE: Refuse to Settle Recognize What Matters Redefine Success by Travis Collier)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062315005/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062315005&linkCode=as2&tag=vardyme-20&linkId=VIYT6OKN24SJAC6N (The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho)
http://bit-thinking.com/ (Bit Thinking: A Journal About Performance)
https://twitter.com/tscollier21 (Travis Collier (@TSCollier21) on Twitter)
Want to send us an app, book, or something similar to discuss on the show? Email us at info@productivityist.com and we'll give it a look. Want to listen on Stitcher? http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=53149&refid=stpr (Click here.)
Support The Productivityist Podcast by becoming a patron! http://patreon.com/productivityist (Click here) to visit The Productivityist Podcast's Patreon page and see what perks await those who pitch in a buck or more.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Build a sustainable system for attention, rhythm, and trust with TimeCrafting & ADHD — a new course inside TimeCrafting Trust Premium. Start today for as little as $14 USD/month: timecraftingtrust.circle.so/timecrafting-adhd.


