A Productive Conversation

Mike Vardy

1 Creator

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.

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Top 10 A Productive Conversation Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best A Productive Conversation episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to A Productive Conversation for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite A Productive Conversation episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Cameron Herold talks about being The Second in Command

A Productive Conversation

04/06/22 • 39 min

Meetings suck, don't they?

Fellow Canadian Cameron Herold wrote a book with that title. But he knows that they don't have to suck.

During our discussion, Cameron shares with me why meetings don't have to suck and how to keep them becoming something that sucks. We also talked about a variety of other things during our conversation because Cameron has covered a lot through his body of work.

He is the Founder of COO Alliance, a Coach to CEOs and COOs, Keynote Speaker, and author of 5 books. He has coached hundreds of companies in 28 countries, built two 100MM companies, and his Vivid Vision tool is being used globally by thousands of companies.

There's a lot to unpack from our conversation – including the concepts of priority management and situational leadership. I trust you'll enjoy this episode and learn a lot from Cameron. I know I did.

Show Notes

Connect with Cameron: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Cameron's Books: Visit his Amazon Author Page
Cameron's podcast: The Second in Command Podcast
Cameron's course: Invest in Your Leaders
Visit The COO Alliance: Click here
Related Conversation: Episode 106: Brian Scudamore
Related Blog Post: A Look at Productivity and Workflow “Versioning”

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Being Nice with Dave Delaney

A Productive Conversation

12/23/20 • 42 min

As a specialist in delivering presentations and workshops to empower leaders, I’m excited to share with you today’s guest Dave Delaney – an expert on being nice. Today Dave Delaney joins the show, creator of the NICE MethodTM. He’s a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and the author of the acclaimed book, New Business Networking. He’s worked with the likes of Google, LinkedIn and UPS. I’m excited to speak with the fellow Canadian and comedy fan, to learn more about his approach to simply being... well, nice. We know the world could do with more of that! Tune in as we discuss practising empathy, the “Yes, and...” mindset, being open-minded – and my love for Ted Lasso on Apple TV. Talking Points Leaning into ‘niceness’ Dealing with jerks The link between happiness and niceness How to not treat it as a throwaway word Being authentically nice The skill in considering other people’s opinions and beliefs The NICE MethodTM framework The impact of music Quote “First and foremost, be nice to yourself.” Helpful Links Ted Lasso Brené with Jason Sudeikis & Brendan Hunt on Ted Lasso How to Fend Off a Jerk The Master Communicator’s Secret Weapon Episode 274: Humor That Works with Andrew Tarvin Nice Maker Newsletter DaveDelaney.me 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 – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael Diettrich-Chastain talks about CHANGES

A Productive Conversation

02/16/22 • 45 min

Change is never easy. And it's constant.

It's one of the things that we can rely on... even if we can't rely on what it might hold for us.

That's why you're seeing the phrase "change management" so much more than ever before. You can't really lead change; you can only manage it.

Or can you lead it?

That's what Michael Diettrich-Chastain and I talk about during this episode of A Productive Conversation.

Michael is a bestselling author, leadership coach, facilitator and professional speaker. Michael and his team are passionate about helping organizations, leaders and teams become experts on change management, communication and emotional intelligence. So he knows a thing or to about not just managing change... but leading it to where you get the best outcome possible.

We talked about certainty and uncertainty and how the acronym he uses (CHANGES) can help organizations and their personnel deal with both. There's a lot more that we get into surrounding the concept of change and I believe after listening to this conversation, you might just change your mind about how change can be handled to work for you more often than not.

Show Notes

Connect with Michael: Website | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn
Michael's Book: CHANGES
The CHANGES Cards: Get a deck here
Related Conversation: Episode 232 of A Productive Conversation
Related Blog Post: Change for Change's Sake

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

PM Talks S1:E2: Choices

A Productive Conversation

02/14/24 • 37 min

Welcome back to our monthly series, PM Talks, featuring a conversation with my good friend Patrick Rhone. In this latest episode, our conversation that spans from our shared podcasting passion and planner geekery to deeper explorations of contentment, choice, and the essence of enough. Patrick, with his unique insights and experiences, brings a fresh perspective to the familiar topics of goal setting and minimalism, while also touching on the deeply personal aspects of happiness and mental health.

Our discussion was wide-ranging, but one topic stood out prominently: Choices. This theme resonated throughout our conversation, highlighting the significant impact of intentional living and personal metrics on achieving genuine satisfaction in life.

Key Discussion Points

Setting and pursuing personal goals with a focus on minimalism and reducing unnecessary possessions.
The concept of "enough" and its relationship to happiness and contentment, drawing on insights from Daniel Kahneman on happiness.
The personal journey of writing meaningful books, both as gifts and as tools for understanding and responsibility.
The use of practical tools like a highlighter/post-it combo for organization, and how these small choices reflect deeper values and intentions.
Addressing mental health through self-care, understanding the power of choice, and managing emotions with intention.

In wrapping up, this conversation was a deeper dive into how we define and seek happiness in our lives. Patrick's approach to living intentionally, making mindful choices, and finding contentment in "enough" offers valuable lessons for all of us. Whether it's through the planners we obsess over, the goals we set, or the way we approach our mental health, the underlying message is clear: happiness is a personal journey, influenced by our choices and actions.

Links Worth Exploring

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear

A Productive Conversation

01/23/19 • 51 min

This week on the podcast, I speak with James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones. James is an expert on habit formation who offers not only theories backed by science, but also practical strategies that will help you achieve powerful, atomic-level results. On this episode, James and I had a really productive discussion on a range of topics from the journey of putting the book together, how alarm clocks fail me (or I fail alarm clocks), turning off the internet router at 10 PM to keeping the beer at the back of the fridge and Crossfit. Talking Points Designing and Defining Atomic Habits: Two main lenses to look the book through The two-minute rule in scaling down a habit and actually making it stick Importance of slowing down and awareness for effective behavioral change Having a variety of small things organized toward the same goal Solutions for setting up efficient timing Strategies for building good seasonal habits Tools to make habits stick and break through biases The three reasons/meanings behind the use of the term “atomic” Creating a journal that makes it easier to build habits that is useful but not fixed Quote “Many of our behaviors are socially reinforced... When the social reinforcement is so strong, we overcome the obstacles in our environment. The key insight there is you want to join a tribe, a group where your desired behavior is the normal behavior. Because if it’s normal in that group, then it’s going to seem attractive to you to do it even if it’s not convenient.” Relevant Links Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich | Amazon The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris | Amazon Baron Fig’s Clear Habit Journal Use Freedom to Block Websites, Apps, & the Internet Facebook Newsfeed Eradicator Distraction-free YouTube (Chrome extension) Trello.com James Clear @jamesclear on Twitter @james_clear on Instagram James Clear on Facebook I learned a lot from reading Atomic Habits and through my conversations with James and I’m sure you will too. And make sure to catch the next episode where I have Joey Cofone as my guest for a back-to-back habit tracking and intentionality goodness. 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. 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

Pieter Geldenhuys talks about Shoshin Walks, Exploring and Nature

A Productive Conversation

11/10/21 • 40 min

Pieter Geldenhuys – also known as PG Geldenhuys – facilitates hikes and retreats in South Africa and abroad to help you turn your focus inward, through his business Shoshin Walks. He’s also learnt that big shifts come from having a beginner’s mindset.

PG’s adventurous spirit is infectious. He shares his travel tales and his philosophy with hiking and being in nature. In this productive conversation, we also discuss meditative walks, writing novels, cliches – and observing ducks.

Talking Points

What is Shoshin?
The power of meditative walks
Navigating uncertainty
How writing badly helped PG write a novel
Lessons learnt from completing the Camino de Santiago
PG’s group tours that include the Inca trail and Kilimanjaro

Quote

"Structure will set you free."

Helpful Links

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

Ben Kirk Talks About Productivity, Routines, and Overcoming Obstacles

A Productive Conversation

01/17/24 • 42 min

Welcome to Episode 510 of our podcast, where I had the pleasure of hosting Ben Kirk, an expert in productivity coaching. In this enlightening conversation, we delved deep into the intricacies of developing effective habits, managing time efficiently, and overcoming common productivity hurdles.

Ben shared his unique insights on the importance of self-discipline, consistency, and accountability in achieving personal and professional goals. We also explored various aspects of productivity, including weekly reviews, misconceptions in self-help, and the significance of understanding one's circadian rhythms for optimal performance.

Key Discussion Points

Ben's philosophy on productivity, focusing on self-discipline, consistency, and accountability.
Challenges posed by the constant influx of new productivity tools and apps.
Customized approaches to productivity and the importance of starting with small, manageable habits.
The role of weekly reviews in reflecting on progress and sustaining productivity.
Misconceptions in productivity and self-help, and the necessity of a consistent lifestyle approach.
Building effective routines without overengineering them, and the distinction between habits and routines.
The journey of becoming an early riser and managing circadian rhythms for improved productivity.

This episode with Ben Kirk was not just about productivity tips; it was a deep dive into rethinking how we approach our daily routines and work habits. Ben's emphasis on tailored strategies, coupled with his insights on weekly reviews and the significance of understanding our natural rhythms, provides valuable guidance for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and overall quality of life.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Ben: LinkedIn | Website
Check out Ben's offer to A Productive Conversation listeners: Click Here
Related Conversation: Episode 75: Steve Kamb
Related Blog Post: The Productivity Diet: Balancing Quality and Quantity for Lasting Productivity

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neill Williams talks about How to Unbusy Your Life

A Productive Conversation

05/25/22 • 35 min

It's always exciting having another productivity coach on the show with me and this episode definitely starts off on the right foot! This was a fun and engaging conversation that I've been eager to release!

Neill Williams is a mom, wife, and former overworked cog in the corporate wheel. Until she decided to take control of the life she wanted and unbusy it! She is now a Master Life and Scheduling Coach who is helping overwhelmed entrepreneurs do the same with her online courses and podcast Unbusy your Life with Neill Williams

Being busy and in constant "not enough time in the day" mode can stem from a busy mindset. Neill dives into what she calls Mind Hygiene - brain dumping your thoughts and cleaning that out so that your brain can work the way it was designed to. Her goal is to help people understand time but also their mind - how they feel and how they show up in their time.

We discuss a variety of topics such as redefining the word productive and removing the stigma that comes with it. Bringing it back to what productive really means to you and what makes you productive in your own mind. And how unbusy'ing your life can not only bring you balance but also to your loved ones.

You're not going to want to miss this one.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Neill: Website | Instagram | Facebook
Neill's podcast: How to Unbusy your Life with Neill Williams
Checkout Neill's Mastermind: 10K in 10 Days
Grab her free 30 Day Business Planner : Click here
Related Conversation: Episode 418: Joshua Becker
Related Blog Post: Too Busy To Think: 6 Ways To Create More Space

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josselyne Herman Saccio Talks About The Art of Being Unmissable With

A Productive Conversation

07/19/23 • 34 min

Josselyne Herman Saccio joins the show to discuss her work helping people transform limiting beliefs and shift from a place of reaction to creation. She is a transformative coach and course leader with more than 30 years experience and as an author, CEO, Community Activist, founder of a non -profit and coach, she has worked with all kinds of people to empower them to live the life of their dreams NOW and ultimately be "unmessablewith."

She shares how she helps people develop the "muscle of creation" by getting clear on their vision and what they really want, beyond just goals. We also discuss the importance of journaling and storytelling, how to best fill out your calendar, and why Josselyne calls her work "the art" of being unmessable.

Key Discussion Points

The importance of creating, not just managing or reacting
Developing the muscle of creation by exercising it regularly
Getting clear on your vision and what you really want, beyond just goals
Dismantling the stories and limiting beliefs that hold you back
Shifting from feeling complete to creating being complete
Distinguishing what is actually happening versus the stories you tell yourself
Filling your calendar with why you're doing things and what you're creating, not just content

This conversation provides insights and strategies to help you transform limiting beliefs, shift from a place of reaction to creation, and develop the "muscle of creation". By dismantling the stories that hold you back and getting clear on your true vision, you can fill your life with more meaning and fulfillment, regardless of your circumstances. Listen in to discover tools that may help you unlock your untapped potential and create the life you desire.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Josselyne: Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Josselyne's Youtube Channel: Watch now
Josselyne's Newsletter: Check it out
A Blast From Josselyne's Past: "That's What Love Can Do"
Related Conversation: Episode 245: What Happy Successful People Do Differently with Marc and Angel Chernoff
Related Blog Post: Why Improving Your Relationship with Time is the Key to Mastering It

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rise of the Youpreneur with Chris Ducker

A Productive Conversation

02/21/18 • 37 min

This week on the podcast, Chris Ducker joins me for another value-packed episode! Chris is a serial entrepreneur, author, keynote speaker, and the founder of Youpreneur.com. He just released a new book titled Rise of The Youpreneur which I truly believe will be a bestseller. We had a fantastic conversation. Here are a few specific topics we covered: The rise of the Youpreneur and what that means What it takes to be a Youpreneur The role of hard work or hustle How to course correct The importance of self-awareness What Chris is focusing on right now Why you should wear your heart on your sleeve Relevant Links: Rise of the Youpreneur | Amazon Purchase Rise of the Youpreneur here to get special bonus ChrisDucker.com | Helping Entrepreneurs Become More Productive and Profitable Youpreneur: The Entrepreneurial Community Where Nobody Gets Left Behind How to Launch a Book Guerilla-Style | Page Two Strategies Youpreneur Mike Vardy | Google Search The Productivityist Podcast: Fostering Your Inner Youpreneur with Chris Ducker | Productivityist Supercharging Your Entrepreneurial Productivity with Mike Vardy | ChristDucker.com Reshaping, Rebuilding and Rebranding Your Business with Mike Vardy | ChrisDucker.com Thanks for listening. If you enjoyed the show don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a single episode. Until next time remember to stop guessing...and start going! 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

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FAQ

How many episodes does A Productive Conversation have?

A Productive Conversation currently has 729 episodes available.

What topics does A Productive Conversation cover?

The podcast is about Management, Podcasts, Business and Careers.

What is the most popular episode on A Productive Conversation?

The episode title 'Cameron Herold talks about being The Second in Command' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on A Productive Conversation?

The average episode length on A Productive Conversation is 40 minutes.

How often are episodes of A Productive Conversation released?

Episodes of A Productive Conversation are typically released every 7 days.

When was the first episode of A Productive Conversation?

The first episode of A Productive Conversation was released on Aug 28, 2014.

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A Productive Conversation

Mike Vardy

Top 10 A Productive Conversation Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does A Productive Conversation have?

What topics does A Productive Conversation cover?

What is the most popular episode on A Productive Conversation?

What is the average episode length on A Productive Conversation?

How often are episodes of A Productive Conversation released?

When was the first episode of A Productive Conversation?

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