James Swanwick Talks About Sleep, Productivity, and Alcohol-Free Living

10/11/23 • 51 min

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 contributed significantly to improving people’s sleep.

In our enriching conversation, James and I dissect essential elements like the quality of sleep, the subtle impacts of blue light, and the intricacies of our morning routines, casting a special spotlight on caffeine consumption. Further, the dialogue ventures into the realm of conscious living, addressing societal shifts in perceptions about alcohol, the allure of non-alcoholic alternatives, and the journey towards intentional sobriety. With each topic, we aim to provide you with valuable insights and practical tips to enhance your productivity and overall well-being.

Key Discussion Points

Optimizing Sleep for Night Owls: James and I delve deep into the nuances of sleep and productivity, especially for those who find their energy spiking when the sun sets.
The Impact of Blue Light: We discuss the effects of artificial light, with James highlighting how blue light blocking glasses can be a game-changer for a good night’s sleep.
Morning Routines & Decaf Deliberations: Our conversation takes a turn towards morning routines, the benefits of sunlight, and why I’ve personally made a switch to decaf coffee.
Coffee, Sleep & Weight: James provides insights on how your morning cup of joe not only influences your sleep but also has a say in your weight management journey.
Rethinking Alcohol Consumption: We reflect on societal shifts in alcohol consumption, the increasing acceptance of non-alcoholic alternatives, and the challenge of disassociating joy with alcohol consumption.
Sobriety and Lifestyle Choices: With a spotlight on sobriety and lifestyle, we glance at the emergence of alternative choices like marijuana and the marketing narrative around them.

As you listen to our conversation, I urge you to reflect: How do your sleep patterns affect your productivity? Are your lifestyle choices supporting or hindering your sleep? Is it time to reassess your relationship with alcohol or caffeine? Contemplating these questions might just be the first step towards a more conscious, healthy, and productive life.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with James: Website | Facebook | X (née Twitter) | YouTube
James's Project 90: Check It Out
What Are "Swannies" All About?: Find Out Here
Related Conversation: Episode 105: The One Year No Beer Challenge
Related Blog Post: Your Body Clock and You: When a Miracle Morning Should Be an Amazing Afternoon (or Excellent Evening)

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.

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Key Discussion Points

Optimizing Sleep for Night Owls: James and I delve deep into the nuances of sleep and productivity, especially for those who find their energy spiking when the sun sets.
The Impact of Blue Light: We discuss the effects of artificial light, with James highlighting how blue light blocking glasses can be a game-changer for a good night’s sleep.
Morning Routines & Decaf Deliberations: Our conversation takes a turn towards morning routines, the benefits of sunlight, and why I’ve personally made a switch to decaf coffee.
Coffee, Sleep & Weight: James provides insights on how your morning cup of joe not only influences your sleep but also has a say in your weight management journey.
Rethinking Alcohol Consumption: We reflect on societal shifts in alcohol consumption, the increasing acceptance of non-alcoholic alternatives, and the challenge of disassociating joy with alcohol consumption.
Sobriety and Lifestyle Choices: With a spotlight on sobriety and lifestyle, we glance at the emergence of alternative choices like marijuana and the marketing narrative around them.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with James: Website | Facebook | X (née Twitter) | YouTube
James's Project 90: Check It Out
What Are "Swannies" All About?: Find Out Here
Related Conversation: Episode 105: The One Year No Beer Challenge
Related Blog Post: Your Body Clock and You: When a Miracle Morning Should Be an Amazing Afternoon (or Excellent Evening)

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

Previous Episode

Erik Fisher Talks About Navigating Productivity, Avoiding Burnout, and Podcast Evolution

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 work and personal life. Whether you're a podcast lover or someone seeking productivity wisdom, this episode has something for everyone. Enjoy!

Key Discussion Points

Maintaining Podcast Consistency: Erik reflects on delivering over 500 episodes and the learning curve involved in keeping the podcast fresh and engaging for the past decade.
Beyond Productivity: We ponder on the evolving significance of "Beyond the To-Do List", transforming from a straightforward productivity show to a platform discussing broader life and work themes.
Adapting to Change: Together, we envisage widening the scope of our productivity discussions, aiming to incorporate new perspectives and insights into the ever-changing productivity landscape.
Burnout... Quality vs. Quantity: A deep-dive into the constant battle between maintaining quality and chasing quantity, and the inevitable risk of burnout when the scales tip.
Parenting and Work-Life Balance: Parenting brings its own set of challenges and rewards. We share personal anecdotes about juggling parental responsibilities while navigating through a sea of endless tasks and commitments.
Expanding Podcast Horizons: Erik shares thoughts on potential expansion plans for his podcast, considering additional features like newsletters and community engagement to enhance the listener experience.

As you reflect on our dialogue during this episode, ask yourself: How can you maintain consistency in your pursuits? Are you balancing the scales of quality and quantity effectively? And most crucially, how are you evolving in your understanding and approach towards productivity? Your journey towards a more productive and balanced life might just start with pondering these vital questions.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Erik: Website | X (née Twitter)
Subscribe to Erik's Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Erik co-wrote a book: Ready Aim Fire!: A Practical Guide to Setting And Achieving Goals
Related Conversation: Episode 113: Erik Fisher Returns!
Related Blog Post: How To Keep Doing It Right (More Often Than Not)

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

Next Episode

Josh Fonger Talks About Adopting a Systems Mindset for Business Success

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 and freedom for numerous businesses.

With Josh’s wealth of experience and actionable insights, the discussion offers a roadmap to entrepreneurs seeking not only profitability but also freedom through the power of effective systems. Whether you’re struggling with productivity, efficiency, or strategic planning, this episode promises valuable takeaways for every entrepreneur.

Key Discussion Points

From ‘Work the System’ to WTS Enterprises: We kick off by discussing Josh’s journey from being inspired by Sam Carpenter's book "Work the System" to eventually founding his own consulting company centered around the Work the System (WTS) method.
Embracing a Systems Mindset: Delving into the challenges and necessities of adopting a systems mindset in business, our conversation highlights the shift from reactive to strategic business planning and operations.
Strategic Objectives for Success: Josh and I emphasize the importance of defining strategic objectives and aligning your day-to-day operations with these goals to sculpt your ideal business and life.
Productivity Quantification: We explore the value of quantifying productivity by evaluating the worth of systems or processes, underscoring the importance of not just focusing on progress qualitatively but also appreciating the quantitative aspects.
Efficiency through Delegation: Sharing practical examples, we discuss how codifying and delegating systems can lead to significant time and financial savings while ensuring that business goals are uncompromised.
Systemizing for Efficiency: Closing the discussion points, we touch upon real-life case studies where implementing systems notably increased efficiency and profitability while reducing working hours and stress for business owners.

Reflecting on our engaging conversation, consider how a systems mindset can revolutionize the way you approach your business. How can implementing strategic, well-defined systems relieve you of stress and afford you more freedom and profitability? Ponder over these insights and practical examples shared by Josh in our dialogue, and you might find the key to transforming not only your business but also your life. Let this episode be the catalyst for a change towards a more systematic, efficient, and successful entrepreneurial journey.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Josh: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn
Subscribe to Josh's Podcast: Spotify | Apple Podcasts
Get The Book: Work the System: The Simple Mechanics of Making More and Working Less (4th Edition)
Get The Book Summary (for FREE): Click Here
Related Conversation: Episode 121: Beyond the E-Myth with Michael E. Gerber
Related Blog Post: The Process

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