A Productive Conversation

This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.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 sustainable and value-driven path toward productiveness. Tim asks great questions, and we dive into the mindset, structure, and lived experiences that shaped the book.Six Discussion PointsWhy I resisted writing The Productivity Diet—and what finally pushed it forwardThe shift from productivity to productiveness: a deeper and more durable focusHow the three-part structure (Mindset, Practice, Mastery) came to lifeThe role of reflection and rhythm in building sustainable systemsHow metaphors like “dieting” help make abstract concepts tangibleThe importance of having a supportive community while crafting time intentionallyThree Connection PointsBuy The Productivity DietCheck out Tim's BlogJoin TimeCrafting Trust PremiumThis episode isn’t just a behind-the-scenes look at the book—it’s a conversation about what it really means to live with intention, apply attention wisely, and develop a practice that fits real life. Whether you've read the book or are just getting curious, this episode will give you clarity and maybe even a nudge to reflect on your own relationship with time.If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.

Yvonne Heimann, a business efficiency consultant and ClickUp expert, shares her journey from San Diego to Vancouver Island, emphasizing the power of trusting systems amid personal change. She discusses the fine line between planning and preparation, revealing how constraints can spark creativity. Yvi reflects on the importance of rituals and journaling during unpredictable times, and how establishing boundaries can liberate rather than restrict. Her insights provide a blueprint for maintaining stability while embracing life's transitions.

Keith Ferrazzi, founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight and bestselling author, discusses his transformative concept of 'teamship' in this engaging chat. He argues that teamship redefines traditional leadership by prioritizing collaboration and shared accountability. Keith introduces practical tools like 'stress testing' to enhance team dynamics and emphasizes the importance of inclusion for fostering growth. The conversation challenges misconceptions about efficiency, suggesting a shift towards co-creation in work environments, especially with the rise of AI.

Patrick Rhone, a thoughtful blogger and thinker, joins Mike Vardy for a compelling discussion about the essence of focus. They explore the importance of clarity in cultivating attention, and how poor planning can derail productivity. Rhone emphasizes setting intentions before tasks to enhance outcomes, while also breaking down the four spheres of attention. The conversation dives into the balancing act required to maintain focus amid distractions, including the role of tools and AI in our lives. Ultimately, they reveal that the quality of our attention shapes our life experiences.

David Kolbe, CEO of Kolbe Corp and co-author of 'Do More, More Naturally', reveals the power of understanding conation—our instinctive ways of taking action. He discusses how embracing individual productivity styles can prevent burnout and enhance teamwork. The conversation highlights the importance of working authentically rather than adhering to rigid productivity models. Kolbe also shares practical steps to realign with natural working rhythms and the role of diverse strengths within teams, fueling a more harmonious approach to success.

This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.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 online.What followed was one of the most down-to-earth, real conversations I’ve had on the podcast. Austin and I explored how routines shape creative work, why space and time are both essential, and what it means to pay attention in a world that’s constantly pulling at you. His approach to creative living—one grounded in ritual, space, boundaries, and self-awareness—is something we can all learn from, whether we’re artists, entrepreneurs, or just trying to make a little more room for what matters.Six Discussion PointsAustin’s upcoming book Don’t Call It Art and how it was inspired by parentingThe power of routine in a creative life—and how Austin structures his dayWhy boundaries (including physical signs on doors) help protect focusUsing analog and digital “zones” for different types of workPaying attention to what you pay attention to—and why it mattersThe idea of a “bliss station” and how space (or time) supports creative flowRevisiting your own journaling and notes as a form of orientation and reflectionThree Connection PointsAustin's websiteKeep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and BadMy "Bliss Station" (circa 2019)Whether you’re deep into your own creative practice or trying to carve out more space for it, this conversation with Austin is a reminder that creativity isn’t about hustle—it’s about attention, boundaries, and giving yourself room to work and think. It’s always a joy to talk with Austin, and I hope this episode helps you reconnect with your own creative rhythm. (Originally released April 2019)If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.

This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.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 enhance focus, how Krish avoids getting pulled into shiny object syndrome while building Fireflies, and what the future of AI-powered productivity looks like. If you’re curious about AI’s role in work and how to stay on track while scaling a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights.Key Discussion PointsHow Fireflies.ai helps people focus on what matters by automating meeting notes.Why AI should seamlessly integrate into workflows instead of requiring users to change habits.The balance between quantitative and qualitative work—and how AI can enhance both.How Krish resisted distractions and stayed committed to building Fireflies.ai instead of pivoting too soon.The role of AI in streamlining meetings and reducing unnecessary communication overhead.The challenge of maintaining focus while scaling a tech startup.Where AI is headed next and how people can leverage it for both efficiency and creativity.This conversation is a must-listen if you’re interested in AI’s practical applications, how to use it to free up mental space, and what it takes to stay focused in an industry that’s always shifting.Links Worth ExploringConnect with Krish: LinkedIn | InstagramCheck out Fireflies.ai: Click hereLearn more about Krish's story: Read it hereRelated Conversation: Episode 525: Mat Ellis Talks About Balancing Productivity and Personal Connection with AIRelated Blog Post: The Speed of RightThanks 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 If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.

This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.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 shortcut that stifles growth, and what it means to stay open-minded in an increasingly polarized world. Plus, we talk about journaling, trust, and even how sports fandoms can lead to unexpected insights.Key Discussion Points The paradox of curiosity—how it's both encouraged and discouraged in society Why judgment often wins over curiosity and how that impacts trust How breaking down projects fosters curiosity and prevents blind trust in assumptions The role of journaling in cultivating curiosity and letting go of judgment How social conditioning teaches efficiency over exploration (and why we need to push back) The concept of a Judgment Journal and a Book of Curiosities as tools for reflection How our kids reflect and challenge our own curiosities in unexpected ways We wrap up by discussing how staying curious can build stronger relationships and deeper understanding—whether it’s in politics, personal growth, or simply learning a new skill.Links Worth Exploring Patrick's book, "For You" Patrick’s Website Ted Lasso: The "darts" scene PM Talks S2E2: Alignment Sensible Defaults The Hartford Whalers goal song (for those who love hockey nostalgia) Mel Robbins’ “Let Them Theory” video (Note: She's not the originator of "Let Them" – Cassie Phillips is. Read more here.) Watch "The Social Dilemma" Take The Journaling Persona Assessment Check out ALL of the PM Talks episodes 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 If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.

Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, emphasizes the power of tiny experiments for sustainable productivity. She discusses how embracing curiosity can transform goal-setting, allowing for more flexible and meaningful progress. Anne-Laure highlights the importance of intentional imperfection in overcoming perfectionism, and how journaling can aid self-reflection. This conversation inspires listeners to cultivate habits that adapt over time and redefine their approach to productivity and personal growth.

This episode is brought to you by Your Clockwise Week—a personalized weekly structure built around your actual life, not an ideal one. If your week feels full but not fitting, you can learn more at mikevardy.com/yourclockwiseweek.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 chat, he's been busy launching Momentum, an app designed to reduce productivity friction, and shifting his Productive Flourishing platform over to Substack. In this episode, we pick up where we left off, exploring what’s changed in the way he approaches work, productivity, and team habits.Key Discussion Points What’s new with Charlie since Start Finishing—from launching an app to shifting his content to Substack. How Momentum helps people with chunking and sequencing work without unnecessary friction. Why project management in teams requires a different approach than solo work. The evolution from Start Finishing to Team Habits—and why team productivity is a whole new challenge. The struggle of balancing efficiency with real productivity, especially in hybrid work environments. Why mastery comes from finishing projects, not just starting them. How leaders need to redefine productivity outputs before demanding return-to-office mandates. Charlie and I have been in this space for a long time, and it’s always refreshing to catch up and exchange ideas. Whether you're new to his work or have followed Productive Flourishing for years, this episode has plenty of takeaways on making progress that actually matters. (Originally released September 2019)Links Worth Exploring Connect With Charlie/Productive Flourishing: Website | YouTube  | LinkedIn The Book We Discussed This Time: Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results The Book We Discussed Last Time: Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done Another Productive Conversation With Charlie: Watch On My YouTube Channel Related Conversation: Episode 127: A Focus on Flourishing with Charlie Gilkey Related Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish) 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 If this episode resonated, I’m exploring ideas like these more deeply in my upcoming book, Productiveness. You can follow along as it takes shape at mikevardy.com/productiveness.