Time to Reset

Everyone is talking about AI—but very few are actually using it to drive real results. The truth? AI isn’t a magic button you press for instant success. If you’re treating it like a vending machine, you’re already falling behind.In this conversation, AI expert James Feldman breaks down how to turn artificial intelligence from overwhelming hype into a practical, revenue-generating advantage. From choosing the right tools to setting clear outcomes, the difference between frustration and efficiency comes down to how you approach AI—not just which platforms you use.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to “keep up” with thousands of new AI tools, this is your reset. Learn how to cut through the noise, build smarter workflows, and use AI as a true assistant that drives productivity, profitability, and competitive edge.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Why are 79% of employees disengaged at work—and what can leaders actually do about it?In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Penny Zenker breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of disengagement: skepticism.This isn’t about attitude—it’s about attention patterns shaped by past experiences, broken trust, and workplace dynamics. When skepticism takes hold, it limits innovation, slows decision-making, and quietly erodes collaboration.Penny shares:Why skepticism is rising in today’s workplaceHow it impacts trust, performance, and leadership effectivenessThe neuroscience behind threat, focus, and disengagementThe connection between skepticism and the “Nitpicker Effect”5 practical leadership strategies to rebuild trust and re-engage your teamIf you’re a leader, executive, or team manager navigating disengagement, low trust, or resistance to change—this episode gives you a clear, actionable framework to shift from doubt to possibility.What creates skepticism for you at work?What has helped you rebuild trust in a leader or organization?

Trying to control every outcome in life can feel like the safest strategy, but it often leads to more stress, anxiety, and frustration. In this episode, Penny Zenker sits down with Kati Morton, bestselling author and mental health expert, to explore the control trap—the tendency to overmanage our emotions, circumstances, and even other people in an attempt to feel secure. Kati explains why our brains crave control during uncertainty, why anger often masks deeper emotions like hurt or fear, and how tools like the feelings wheel can help us better identify what we’re actually experiencing. She also shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing workplace emotions, and reducing anxiety in a world full of digital distractions—revealing why letting go of unnecessary control can actually create more clarity, resilience, and focus.

In today’s hyper-connected world, we have more ways to communicate than ever before — yet meaningful human connection is becoming increasingly rare.In this solo episode, Penny Zenker explores what she calls the growing “connection deficit” and why it is one of the biggest challenges facing leaders and organizations today.Despite constant messaging, video calls, and social media interactions, many teams feel more disconnected than ever. With workplace disengagement reaching record levels, leaders must rethink how they create trust, belonging, and meaningful collaboration.Penny shares practical examples of how organizations like Shopify, Atlassian, and GitLab intentionally design connection into their cultures — and how leaders can do the same.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why we are experiencing a modern connection deficit • How shallow communication is impacting employee engagement and leadership • The key psychological drivers behind real human connection at work • Why trust and vulnerability accelerate execution and collaboration • Simple practices leaders can use to design deeper connections in meetings and teamsAs technology and AI continue to reshape the workplace, the organizations that succeed will be the ones that intentionally cultivate human connection, trust, and purpose.Because in a digital world, connection doesn’t happen by accident — it must be designed.

Mastering decision-making under stress is the ultimate productivity hack for high-pressure environments. In this episode, leadership trainer and crisis communication expert Kevin McIntyre joins the show to discuss why the brain struggles to process choices during a crisis and how to override those biological impulses. Drawing from his experience coaching over 6,000 leaders, Kevin explains the "half-life of adrenaline" and shares tactical tools—like combat breathing and power posing—to reset the nervous system in less than two minutes. Whether you are managing a corporate reorganization or a personal emergency, Kevin’s insights into risk aversion and Prospect Theory provide a framework for maintaining executive presence and making optimal choices when the stakes are highest.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Conferences still matter. But the way we design them must change.With rising costs, economic pressure, and AI reshaping professional development, association leaders can’t afford events that stop at “great content.”In this episode, Penny Zenker shares:Why information is now a commodityWhat Millennials and Gen Z actually expect from eventsHow to use real-time feedback and live polling to increase engagementA practical framework for embedding accountability into your conferenceHow AI can personalize and extend impact long after the event endsBecause the real ROI of a conference isn’t inspiration.It’s implementation.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

In today's hyper-complex, information-saturated world, the impulse is often to do more. More tasks, more meetings, more data consumption. But what if the path to true success lies in doing less while achieving more? We sat down with Rich Horwath, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and the leading authority on strategic thinking, to uncover the crucial insights that separate successful leaders from those stuck on the activity treadmill. Horwath, Founder of the Strategic Thinking Institute and author of Strategic: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence, argues that relying on AI to think for us is a critical mistake. Instead, leaders must intentionally carve out time to gain the "fuel insights"—learnings that lead to new value.In this must-read post, learn how to: Stop reacting and start acting on your own agenda.Implement simple, daily "Reset Practices" to capture one valuable insight a day.Use strategic reflection to clarify success and double down on what’s working.Leverage your time, talent, and attention for maximum strategic advantage.Discover why doing less leads to more strategic achievement and how you can develop the mindset required to thrive in a complex world.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

In a world of constant change, uncertainty can feel overwhelming—especially for leaders responsible for guiding others through it. In this solo episode, Penny Zenker shares a powerful reframe: certainty isn’t about predicting outcomes—it’s about anchoring yourself internally.Drawing from real-world leadership challenges, stress neuroscience, and her proven Reset Mindset, Penny explores how leaders can reduce emotional intensity, regain clarity, and take the next right step, even when the future feels unclear. You’ll learn why logic alone can’t solve emotional overload, how to move out of reactive mode, and how a simple three-step practice—step back, get perspective, and realign—can restore calm, focus, and confidence.This episode is especially relevant for leaders, executives, HR professionals, coaches, and wellness practitioners navigating cognitive overload, market volatility, and emotional fatigue—both in themselves and their teams.If you’re looking for practical leadership tools that support both performance and well-being, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and lead with intention—no matter what’s happening around you.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Technical experts are masters of their specific crafts, but they often find themselves dealing with the universal challenges of overwork, burnout, and micromanagement. Penny Zenker sits down with Alistair Gordon, CEO of Expertunity, who shares how he leads the so-called expertship revolution to address this growing problem happening in most workplaces. Alistair sheds light on how experts and specialists are often trapped in their “technical bubbles,” causing them to be extremely underappreciated and typically overwhelmed. Find out how to regain agency, set clear priorities, and push back on unreasonable demands to finally get the recognition you truly deserve.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

What does it mean to choose a word for the year — and actually live it?In this solo episode, Penny shares why generosity became her word of the year and how it’s shaping the way she moves through each month. Rather than treating generosity as something to do, she explores it as a way of being — one that begins with letting go and unfolds through intentional monthly themes.This episode walks through the structure behind the practice, offering a grounded, sustainable approach to living generosity with clarity, presence, and purpose throughout the year.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/