
Time and Attention
Time and Attention is a podcast that will help you become more intentional and productive. Hosted by Chris Bailey, the author of two productivity books, and Ardyn Nordstrom, a nerdy economist, the show covers topics as diverse as productivity, focus, procrastination, time management, money, happiness, gratitude, and disconnecting. We occasionally also welcome a bestselling author onto the show to talk about a book they wrote.
Latest episodes

16 snips
Jul 23, 2024 • 35min
133: Learn Anything
Author Scott Young, known for his book 'Get Better at Anything: 12 Maxims for Mastery', discusses learning, mastery, and improving skills in various fields. Topics include internet evolution, fascination with learning, variable practice benefits, continual improvement opportunities, and the relationship between creativity and productivity.

21 snips
Jul 9, 2024 • 33min
132: Meeting Tactics
Delve into the science behind meetings with topics like the roles of meetings, relationship dynamics, and becoming a steward of time. Explore strategies for managing recurring meetings and making them more productive. Learn about meeting tactics, effectiveness, group dynamics, and maximizing respect for others' time. Discover productivity strategies like setting agendas, respecting time limits, and valuing others' time to enhance meeting outcomes.

8 snips
Jun 25, 2024 • 29min
131: Meetings
This podcast delves into the science behind meetings, discussing their draining nature and the four main purposes they serve. The hosts explore the benefits and annoyances of collaborative versus focused work, revealing the incremental cost of meetings. They also touch on the value of meetings in achieving organizational goals and optimizing productivity.

25 snips
Jun 11, 2024 • 31min
130: Time Blocking 2.0
Learn about different time blocking strategies and their benefits, including the rolling method. Discover how autonomy plays a role in time blocking and how to make it sustainable for increased productivity. Dive into personal experiences with time blocking and explore its impact on daily routines.

16 snips
May 28, 2024 • 0sec
129: Slow Productivity
Author Cal Newport discusses 'Slow Productivity' in this episode, covering engineering simplicity at work, administrative overhead, narrowing missions, avoiding task engines, and the benefits of studying related fields for creativity.

May 14, 2024 • 32min
128: Social Media
This podcast episode delves into the impact of social media on attention and productivity. Topics include impulsiveness, procrastination, stimulation loops, and methods to extract more meaning from social media. The hosts share book recommendations and discuss strategies to limit social media usage and create intentional focus in daily life.

Apr 30, 2024 • 21min
127: Rising Early
Should you wake up early? The podcast covers topics such as calculating natural wakeup time, the impact of biology and daily constraints on wakeup time, the benefits of having an anchor in your morning routine, and whether waking up early affects daily productivity. The hosts also discuss mutual music tastes, heartbreak productivity, robot vacuums, the 5am club, and embracing personal wakeup times.

Apr 16, 2024 • 17min
126: All or Something Thinking (Replay)
Exploring the 'all or nothing' thinking and its impact on success, the 'screw it' effect, and the need for awareness in behavioral change. Discussion on the drawbacks of black and white thinking, sunk costs, and the importance of navigating gray areas for better decision-making.

8 snips
Apr 2, 2024 • 33min
125: Getting Unstuck
Learn how to stay productive when you don't feel like it by settling into work, understanding procrastination triggers, and managing your expectations. Explore the idea of making 'only progress' and paying yourself 'time and a half' while accommodating mental resistance to tasks.

Mar 19, 2024 • 41min
124: Home Screens
In this episode, the hosts debate over whose phone home screen is better and explore the concept of using focus modes to structure their screens. They discuss using apps like Locket for updates, apps for staying informed like the economist, and organizing apps for productivity and well-being. Additionally, they touch on the decline in reliability on a buying/selling platform, home automation apps, and the balance between security and surveillance on home screen apps.