A Productive Conversation

A Productive Conversation

Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation is a podcast that discusses tips, tools, tactics, and tricks that are designed to help you take your productivity, time management, goals, to do lists, habits, and workflow to new heights - both at work and at home. If you're looking to focus your efforts on getting the right things done and start living the good life, then this weekly conversational podcast – crafted in the tradition of Slate's Working, Back to Work, and HBR IdeaCast – is for you.

Episodes

December 6, 2023 34 mins
In this episode of the podcast, I'm thrilled to welcome Russel Lolacher, a good friend of mine and a visionary in the realms of leadership and workplace culture. Russel joins me to delve into the nuances of creating a more human-centered and productive work environment. This episode is a deep dive into the subtleties of leadership, the dynamics of team relationships, and the strategies for nurturing a positive workplace culture. Ru...
Mark as Played
In this episode "from the vault", originally released in November 2021, I had the pleasure of chatting with Juliet Funt, author of "A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work". Together, we delved into how the often-overlooked concept of whitespace is crucial for creativity, productivity, and a balanced life. Juliet's insights are particularly timely in our fast-paced, performative world where bu...
Mark as Played
In today's podcast, I had an engaging conversation with Dan Pontefract, a renowned leadership strategist, about the nuanced aspects of work-life balance and productivity. Dan brings a fresh perspective to these topics, challenging the conventional understanding of work-life balance with insightful reflections from his book "Work-Life Bloom: How to Nurture a Team that Flourishes." Throughout our discussion, Dan emphasized the dynami...
Mark as Played
In this enlightening episode of the podcast, I had the privilege of hosting Brian Johnson, a thinker and writer who delves deep into the art of living a productive life. Brian, the author of "Areté: Activate Your Heroic Potential", shares his unique insights into how we can bridge the gap between our potential and our current selves. His ideas are not just philosophical musings; they are practical tools for transforming our daily l...
Mark as Played
In episode 500 of our podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with the productivity guru David Allen in Lisbon at Running Remote. We dove deep into the evolution of Allen's revolutionary Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology and its profound impact on the ever-changing landscape of work culture. From the foundations laid down in its early days to the current dynamics of remote work, we unpack how the principles of GTD have stoo...
Mark as Played
In this episode we delve deep with Milos Belcevic as he shares his enlightening perspective on applying product management principles to foster personal growth. Milos navigates us through a transformative conversation, exploring the boundaries of traditional product management and its profound implications in our daily lives. We journey through Milos’ book, "Build Your Way: Applying Project Management To Life," and discuss how trea...
Mark as Played
Originally aired in March 2016, this episode features the incredibly talented Aaron Mahnke, creator of the renowned podcast, Lore, and the mastermind behind Grim & Mild Entertainment. Aaron candidly shares his freelancing journey, highlighting the transition phases, learning curves, and the importance of setting definitive boundaries. We delve deeper into his development and adaptation of productivity habits and tools that were ins...
Mark as Played
In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to be in conversation with Josh Fonger, a distinguished consultant, coach, speaker, and the CEO of WTS Enterprises. With his expertise in Business Performance Architecture, Josh has been a beacon of transformation for stressed entrepreneurs, guiding them from working “in” their business to strategically working “on” their business. Through the use of effective systems, he’s enabled consistent profit...
Mark as Played
I’m excited to bring James Swanwick into our conversation for this episode of the podcast. As an Australian-American investor, entrepreneur, and former ESPN SportsCenter anchor, James has worn many hats. He’s the mind behind the Alcohol-Free Lifestyle and Project 90, initiatives that have been pivotal for individuals reassessing their relationship with alcohol. Additionally, as the creator of Swannies by Swanwick Sleep, he’s contri...
Mark as Played
My guest for this episode, Erik Fisher, is the voice behind the "Beyond the To-Do List" – a podcast that has been going strong since 2012. Erik and I delve into the adventure of keeping a podcast rolling consistently, witnessing the shifts in productivity dialogues, and our ambitions to include topics like generative AI in our future conversations. We talk about podcasting, productivity nuances, and finding a sweet balance between ...
Mark as Played
In this episode from September of 2014, David Sparks, fondly known as "MacSparky," joins the conversation to reminisce about the evolving landscape of task management since we last met at Macworld. Dive into the fascinating world of productivity apps, the significance of establishing efficient systems, and the therapeutic benefits of journaling – and take note of what's changed (and what hasn't in the 9 years since I first aired th...
Mark as Played
In this episode I'm joined by Mark Mears, the founder and chief growth officer for L.E.A.F. Growth Ventures. A visionary business leader, he's been recognized as a #1 best-selling author, a keynote speaker, and an invaluable consultant. During our conversation, we dive deep into the "purposeful growth revolution", understanding how one can grow from a leader into a legacy builder. Mark's insights draw from a deeply personal journey...
Mark as Played
This week's episode features the insightful and dynamic Jon Acuff. Over the years, Jon has penned numerous books, with "All It Takes Is A Goal" being his ninth venture into sharing his wisdom with readers. Throughout this episode, Jon delves deep into the secrets of unlocking one's potential, the importance of goal setting, and how his writings resonate with readers, including teenagers seeking a transformative change in their live...
Mark as Played
In this episode of our podcast, we dive deep into the nuances of workplace bias with none other than Andrea Kramer and Alton Harris. Married to each other, Andie and Al are not just partners in life but also co-authors of the enlightening "Beyond Bias: The PATH to End Gender Inequality at Work" which was published on May 16, 2023. Their commitment to addressing gender bias doesn't stop at the written word. For several decades, thro...
Mark as Played
Welcome to this special revisit of my conversation with Charlie Gilkey. Originally broadcast in September 2019, Charlie shares insights into the world of productivity, how to manage projects, both in work and life, and the intricate process he underwent while writing his book. Key Discussion Points Time Management and Seasonal Productivity: How the nature of summer, with its longest days and home-bound children, affects our produc...
Mark as Played
In this episode I have the privilege of conversing with Constance Dierickx, Ph.D., famously known as The Decision Doctor®. A trusted advisor to boards and senior executives, Constance has lent her expertise to leaders across dozens of industries on five continents. With a proven track record of aiding leaders in increasing revenue, mastering top-level transitions, enabling strategic pivots, and ensuring M&A successes at a rate 400%...
Mark as Played
I'm admittedly taking a bit of a selfish turn in this episode as I get to chat with the renowned Stephanie Chandler. Stephanie, an acclaimed author of "The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan," is the force behind the Nonfiction Authors Association and the unique Nonfiction Writers Conference - an online event that's been changing the game since 2010. As someone who's graced platforms like Entrepreneur, BusinessWeek, and Wired magazine...
Mark as Played
In the latest episode of "A Productive Conversation", yours truly (Mike Vardy) and guest Vinay Patankar delve into the intricacies of process versus project management. Vinay Patankar is the CEO of Process Street. Manage employee onboarding, workflow automation, checklists, the team’s handbook & more with Process Street’s AI powered process platform. Vinay underscores the value of specialized tools, suggesting a blend of both for o...
Mark as Played
August 2, 2023 36 mins
In this enlightening episode, I engage in a meaningful (and productive) conversation with Marc Lesser. Marc is a multifaceted leader with roles as a CEO, executive coach, and Zen teacher. With an MBA from New York University, he has founded three companies and authored five books, notably "Finding Clarity". His passion for integrating mindfulness into leadership culminated in the "Search Inside Yourself" program at Google, an influ...
Mark as Played
We're going back into the vault for this episode for a conversation that I had in January 2019 with the one and only James Clear. James is best known as the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy And Proven Way To Build Good Habits And Break Bad Ones. During our conversation, James discusses why he wrote Atomic Habits and how it differs from other habit books, the importance of breaking habits down into "atomic" small changes, and the "t...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations.

    Crime Junkie

    If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people.

    The Dan Bongino Show

    He’s a former Secret Service Agent, former NYPD officer, and New York Times best-selling author. Join Dan Bongino each weekday as he tackles the hottest political issues, debunking both liberal and Republican establishment rhetoric.

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2023 iHeartMedia, Inc.