A Productive Conversation

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I dive into a topic that’s often overlooked when discussing productivity: conflict. But not just any conversation about conflict — this one’s with Dana Caspersen, conflict engagement specialist, TEDx speaker, and author of Conflict Is an Opportunity: 20 Fundamental Decisions for Navigating Difficult Times.

Dana brings a rare combination of deep analytical insight and artisti...

This episode is the latest installment in our monthly PM Talks series, where Patrick Rhone and I dive deep into ideas that shape how we manage time, energy, and focus. This month, we explored a topic that sneaks into our workflows and sustains our best efforts when used wisely—momentum.

Momentum isn’t just a starting gun. It’s a rhythm, a flow, a throughline. In this episode, we break down what momentum looks like at di...

Light is something we often take for granted. We flip a switch, our rooms brighten, and we move on with our day. But what if the light we’re exposed to is impacting our sleep, health, and overall longevity? Dr. Martin Moore-Ede, a pioneer in circadian science, joins me on A Productive Conversation to discuss the powerful role light plays in our lives. His latest book, The Light Doctor: Using Light to Boost Health, Improve ...

What if rejection wasn’t something to fear—but a skill to build? In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I chat with Alice Draper, founder of Hustling Writers and host of My Rejection Story. Alice has helped clients land interviews on hundreds of top podcasts and is on a mission to demystify the power of rejection, especially for creatives and entrepreneurs.

We explore what it means to navigate self-rejection, build v...

This episode marks the latest in our ongoing monthly PM Talks series, where I sit down with Patrick Rhone to explore a theme through candid conversation, lived experience, and a touch of real-time reflection.

This time, we didn’t just talk about adaptability—we lived it. Technical issues and illness meant we had to reschedule and re-record, but in doing so, we ended up with an even deeper and more resonant conversation. Ada...

This episode features a truly audacious guest—Anne Marie Anderson. A three-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster and the author of Cultivating Audacity, Anne Marie has spent her career on the sidelines of high-stakes sporting events and inside boardrooms, observing what sets bold, high performers apart.

But this isn’t just about elite athletes or executive culture. It’s about how you can embrace everyday audacity—bit by bit. ...

When you gain agency over your time—whether stepping out of a traditional 9-to-5 job or shifting into self-employment—it can feel liberating… and overwhelming. Kerry Hoffman knows this tension well. As someone who helps individuals and teams make sense of what they’re doing and when they’re doing it, she offers a refreshingly practical approach to task management and planning that embraces both the structure and spontaneit...

What happens when the host becomes the guest? In this special episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit on the other side of the mic as Tim O’Hare—an active and insightful member of the TimeCrafting Trust Premium community—interviews me about my latest book, The Productivity Diet.

We explore why this book took years to come together, what makes it different from typical productivity guides, and how it offers a more sustai...

In this episode, I reconnect with productivity strategist Yvonne Heimann—aka AskYvi—who’s not only made a bold geographic shift but is navigating personal and professional freedom with intention and clarity. We explore what it looks like to trust the systems you’ve built, especially when life throws curveballs or invites you into a new chapter.

Yvi shares her journey from San Diego to Vancouver Island, a leap that challenge...

It was a real treat to welcome Keith Ferrazzi back to the show—especially to discuss his latest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship. Keith’s work has long pushed beyond traditional leadership models, and this conversation builds on that legacy with his fresh concept of “teamship.”

We dig into how the book is structured like a workbook, intentionally concise but rich with practices, diagnostics,...

This episode is the latest in our monthly PM Talks series, where Patrick Rhone and I go deep on foundational elements of productiveness. And for this one—our 600th episode, no less—we dive into a topic that touches everything from our to-do lists to our dinner prep: focus.

What does it really mean to focus? And more importantly, how do we hold onto it when the world (and our brains) are pulling us in a million direction...

When I first heard the term conative, I was surprised I hadn’t come across it before. After all, I live in the productivity space. But after my conversation with David Kolbe, it became clear just how crucial it is to understand this third part of the mind—especially if we want to work more naturally and avoid burnout.

David is the CEO of Kolbe Corp and co-author of the book Do More, More Naturally: Empowering Effortless Suc...

It was a real treat to reconnect with Austin Kleon for this episode of A Productive Conversation. Before we got into the heart of the conversation, Austin gave us a quick update: his next book Don’t Call It Art is in the works, inspired by the playful creativity he’s witnessed in his kids. He also mentioned that his once-weekly newsletter has now doubled in frequency—and it continues to be one of the best things I read onl...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Krish Ramineni, co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai. Krish has had an impressive journey—from being one of Microsoft’s youngest product managers to launching Fireflies, an AI-powered meeting assistant. He’s also been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and has guest lectured at Stanford on deep learning and machine learning.

We cover a lot in this conversation—how AI can...

This episode of PM Talks is all about curiosity—how it drives us, how it gets suppressed, and how it intertwines with trust and judgment. Patrick Rhone and I dive deep into the forces that shape our thinking, from societal conditioning to personal experiences. As always, we take a thoughtful (and sometimes humorous) approach to unpacking these ideas.

We explore why curiosity is often discouraged, how judgment can be a short...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ness Labs, to discuss her new book Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World. Anne-Laure is known for blending science with practical strategies for thinking, learning, and working better—without burning out.

We explore how small, low-risk experiments can lead to big changes, wh...

Over the years, I've had plenty of insightful conversations on this podcast, and one that still stands out is my discussion with Charlie Gilkey about his book Start Finishing. This Flashback Friday episode brings that conversation back, but with a twist—we start with an update from Charlie on what he's been up to since then.

Charlie is someone who has spent years helping people make meaningful progress, and since our last c...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Kerry Ann King, the founder and CEO of Eluminate Labs. Kerry Ann has spent more than a decade working inside the tech industry to promote human-centered approaches to well-being. She’s now leading the charge in decolonizing tech, creating inclusive solutions that put people first.

Our conversation explores the transactional nature of productivity, the intersectio...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I revisit my 2018 conversation with Dan Schawbel, a thought leader in workplace trends and human connection. We originally spoke about his book Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation, which explores how technology can be used as a bridge—not a barrier—to meaningful relationships.

Since then, Dan has continued to shape conversations around workplace dynami...