Mike Vardy's Blog, page 21
October 26, 2022
Episode 446: How to Fight a Hydra with Josh Kaufman
This week we are bringing this excellent episode with Josh Kaufman out of the vault.
He is the author of three bestselling books – including How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to Be. Josh’s research focuses on business, entrepreneurship, skill acquisition, productivity, creativity, applied psychology, and practical wisdom and he’s someone I’ve wanted to have on the show for a long time.
Josh and I carry on a conversation that revolves around the differences between How to Fight a Hydra and his previous books, the power of story (particularly fables and parables), why I never thought of Josh as a productivity expert yet he describes himself as such, and much more.
I had a fantastic time chatting with Josh and I enjoyed revisiting this conversation. I hope you do, too.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Josh: Website | Twitter Buy Josh’s book How to Fight a Hydra: Face Your Fears, Pursue Your Ambitions, and Become the Hero You Are Destined to BeSee what Josh is doing nowCheck out The Legend of Bagger Vance by Steven PressfieldRelated Conversation: Episode 238: How to Keep Going with Austin KleonRelated Blog Post: “No, Fear.”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.
The post Episode 446: How to Fight a Hydra with Josh Kaufman appeared first on Productivityist.
October 19, 2022
Episode 445: Moah talks about Boomerang
Aye Moah, who goes by Moah (pronounced Moe), is taking over the helm as CEO of Boomerang which 2 million savvy active users rely on to spend less time on email and more time on what matters to them. Their loyal user base has saved over 500 years of their lives since 2011 that would otherwise have been spent in email hell.
Ironic (or should we say iconic) for someone who arrived at MIT and announced they were going to major in Computer Science without ever having an email address. Yes, this 5’ tall woman who, literally dodged bullets growing up in Burma, clandestinely applied to go to MIT, got a full ride, and took the first airplane flight of her life to start school. And she has never stopped punching above her weight since.
Listen to us chat about the Boomerang app, email, and geek out about productivity!
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Moah: Twitter | LinkedInLearn more about the Boomerang appRelated Conversation: Episode 360: A World Without Email with Cal NewportRelated Blog Post: The One Email Trick That Keeps My Inbox In ShapeWant 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.
The post Episode 445: Moah talks about Boomerang appeared first on Productivityist.
October 12, 2022
Episode 444: Laura Vanderkam talks about Tranquility by Tuesday
Join Laura Vanderkam and I having an easy and interesting conversation about Time Management.
If you haven’t heard our previous conversations, Laura’s work has appeared in various publications and media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, and Fox & Friends among many others. She co-hosts the Best of Both Worlds podcast and has delivered a TED talk with more than 5 million views.
We talk about her latest book, Tranquillity by Tuesday: Nine Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters. We cover the most challenging way that people found to calm the chaos and make time for what matters. She offers a simple and familiar way to future-proof something that you’ve scheduled. And most importantly, how the 9 rules came to be and how to work through them.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Laura: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedInBuy Laura’s Book: Tranquillity by Tuesday: Nine Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What MattersListen to Laura’s PodcastsBest of Both Worlds PodcastBefore Breakfast with Laura VanderkamThe New Corner Office PodcastRead Laura’s Blog PostsRelated Conversation: Off the Clock with Laura VanderkamRelated Blog Post: Hit The Snooze Button To Be More ProductiveWant 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.
The post Episode 444: Laura Vanderkam talks about Tranquility by Tuesday appeared first on Productivityist.
October 5, 2022
Episode 443: Robin Hills talks about Resilience
This week I had Robin Hills on the show to talk about resilience.
He’s the author of the Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business Strategies to Manage Stress and Weather Storms in the Workplace. He’s the director of EI4Change, a company specializing in training, coaching, and personal development focused on emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and neuroscience. He has over 35 years of business and commercial experience, as well as spoken keynotes.
We dive deep into what it really means to be resilient, what it isn’t, where the confusion may lie and how confusion can rear its ugly head. Robin busts some old myths and how emotions are an important factor.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Robin: Website | LinkedInCheck out his book Emotional Resilience in Business Strategies to Manage Stress and Weather Storms in the Workplace Register for Robin’s EI4Change courses hereRelated Conversation: The Year of Fear with Kendra WrightRelated Blog Post: Book Review: The Obstacle is The WayWant 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.
The post Episode 443: Robin Hills talks about Resilience appeared first on Productivityist.
September 28, 2022
Episode 442: Jon Acuff talks about Finish
From the vault this week, we have Jon Acuff – a New York Times bestselling author of multiple books. In this episode, we discussed Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of Done. John’s delivered some other great stuff since this discussion, including a book called Soundtracks that I highly recommend you check out after listening to this conversation.
Jon helps some of the world’s biggest brands tell their story and has appeared on CNN, Fox News, Good Day LA, and other major media outlets.
We discussed a sampling of the topics in his book, Finish, which includes planning, prioritizing, and reaching the state of finished no matter what you’re working on.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
Links Worth Exploring
Connect with Todd: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | LinkedInBuy Finish: Give Yourself the Gift of DoneCheck out his latest book Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking Listen to All it Takes is a Goal with Jon AcuffJoin Jon’s Weekly Idea ExperimentRelated Conversation: Overlap with Sean McCabeRelated Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)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.
The post Episode 442: Jon Acuff talks about Finish appeared first on Productivityist.
September 21, 2022
Episode 441: Todd Henry talks about The Daily Creative
Todd Henry is returning for another productive conversation. He’s the author of several books, and an international speaker on creativity, productivity, and passion for work, as well as a coach for people and teams to help them generate brilliant ideas.
This week, we are discussing his latest book, The Daily Creative.
We talk about what it was like to put this book together, how you should go through the book, and then we take certain passages of the book and discuss them.. and it’s very likely that the Cincinnati Bengals come up.
It’s a fun and productive conversation that you don’t want to miss.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
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.
The post Episode 441: Todd Henry talks about The Daily Creative appeared first on Productivityist.
September 14, 2022
Episode 440: Joey Cofone talks about The Laws of Creativity
This week I am joined by the founder and CEO of Baronfig, Joey Cofone.
Joey is an award-winning designer and entrepreneur living and working in NYC who has designed and art-directed over 100 products from zero to launch.
With over a decade of ideas, notes, and journaling – Joey has published his book The Laws of Creativity: Unlock your Originality and Awaken your Creative Genius. A book that he hopes will serve the purpose of enlightening people on creativity; how it works and how they can harness it.
During our conversation we dive into the different laws, discuss the way the book has been constructed, and we ultimately get to the idea of how creativity and productivity are related.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
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.
The post Episode 440: Joey Cofone talks about The Laws of Creativity appeared first on Productivityist.
September 7, 2022
Episode 439: Katie Stoddart talks about The Focus Bee
In this episode, I am joined by Katie Stoddard.
Katie is an award-winning international coach whose mission is to support entrepreneurs, founders and executives world-wide to reach higher levels of performance.
She is the person behind The Focus Bee. She hosts a super informative podcast, The Focus Bee Show and is the writer behind The Focus Bee Blog. During this conversation, primarily around focus, we talk about precision, resilience, and the fascinating idea of equanimity.
I enjoyed talking to someone who has a passion for productivity, and especially an element of productivity and its focus.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
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.
The post Episode 439: Katie Stoddart talks about The Focus Bee appeared first on Productivityist.
August 30, 2022
Episode 438: Getting Productive With Astrology with Jill Blumenstock
This week’s featured vault episode is with guest, Jill Blumenstock!
Jill is a certified Yoga Teacher and Vedic Astrologer, and has seen firsthand the impact of tuning into your own natural rhythms. It’s a time guide that’s beyond just your horoscope; you learn how to best manage your time. In this episode, we uncover how to chart your astrological patterns, how to apply it to your daily life – and hear Jill’s live reading of me!
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
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.
The post Episode 438: Getting Productive With Astrology with Jill Blumenstock appeared first on Productivityist.
[image error]August 24, 2022
Episode 437: Britt Frank talks about The Science of Stuck
It’s never fun to feel as if you’re stuck. But there might be some advantages to getting stuck that you may not see, especially when you’re actually in that state.
That’s where Britt Frank comes in.
Britt Frank is the author of The Science of Stuck. She is a therapist, teacher, speaker, and trauma specialist who is committed to dismantling the mental health myths that keep us feeling STUCK and SICK.
On this episode, she joined me for a discussion about dealing with “stuckness”. We also chat about the hidden benefits of staying stuck, Energy Management, and more about her work focusing on empowering people to understand the inner mechanisms of their brains and bodies.
Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.
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.
The post Episode 437: Britt Frank talks about The Science of Stuck appeared first on Productivityist.
