Seth Godin, the legendary author and marketer, joined me for an insightful conversation on productivity, creativity, and intentional living. In this Flashback Friday episode, Seth delves into the concepts behind his book The Practice: Shipping Creative Work, discussing the importance of intent, the challenges of imposter syndrome, and why consistency overrides authenticity. Throughout our conversation, Seth shares practical wisdom on building creative habits, embracing uncertainty, and...

Jeff Patterson, author of The Yielding Warrior: Discovering the Secret Path to Unleashing Your True Potential, joins me for an insightful conversation about the power of yielding in all aspects of life. Jeff introduces the concept of yielding as a transformative strategy that goes beyond physicality to include mental and emotional realms. In our fast-paced world, learning to yield can help us create more intentional and harmonious relationships with ourselves and others. During this...

In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I reconnect with Laura McClellan, lawyer, writer, and host of The Productive Woman podcast. Laura shares insights from her sabbatical, her evolving perspective on productivity, and how she balances her legal career, podcasting, and personal pursuits. Our conversation is both reflective and forward-looking, exploring how intentional productivity can help craft a meaningful life. Laura discusses the journey from focusing on...

In this latest episode of our monthly series, PM Talks, Patrick Rhone and I dive into the complexities of life and work. This series offers deep discussions that explore meaningful topics from our perspectives. This month, we’re tackling uncertainty—how it shows up in our lives, how we handle it, and how to find certainty in areas where we can have control. In this episode, we use personal examples, such as my ongoing home construction woes, to highlight how uncertainty plays out in real-life...

For this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I’m bringing back a truly impactful discussion with Neil Pasricha, whose work centers on intentional living, resilience, and finding happiness in everyday life. Our original conversation took place in 2019, just after the release of Neil’s book You Are Awesome, which explores resilience, change, and the art of bouncing back when life gets tough. Neil has since released Our Book of Awesome, a celebration of small joys that unite...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with entrepreneur, designer, and co-founder of Reflection.app, Dave Radparvar. Dave’s commitment to fostering human flourishing has driven his work, from his early days with Holstee to his latest endeavor, Reflection, a digital journaling platform. As someone who deeply values reflection and personal growth, Dave shares his own journaling journey and how it has shaped his life, work, and mindset. We dive into the importance of...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I revisit my conversation with Tiago Forte, the visionary behind the "Building a Second Brain" methodology. With his book making waves, and after having attended the Second Brain Summit, it felt like the perfect time to re-share this impactful episode. Tiago has not only been a force in the productivity space but has pioneered a transformative approach to personal knowledge management (PKM) that resonates deeply in our digital age. In our chat, we dive into...

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Silver, author of Your Grass is Greener: Use What You Have. Get What You Want. At Work and In Life. Jason shares his insights on how to find more happiness in your work by using the skills you already have and how that enjoyment leads to greater productivity. We dive into the book’s structure, which is designed to help you work smarter, find enjoyment without changing jobs, and progress in your career. Jason also explains how reflection and personal...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I reconnect with Chris Bailey, with a conversation centering on his book, Hyperfocus. We dive into the lessons he learned since the release of Hyperfocus and explore his approach to managing distractions and cultivating deep focus in a world full of noise. Chris also shares his thoughts on how meditation can enhance our ability to stay on track, drawing from his personal experiences and extensive research. This conversation provides a fresh take on...

In this episode, I’m joined by Yemado, a foremost teacher of Boabom in North America. Boabom is a Tibetan system that combines relaxation, meditation, and self-defense, offering a unique way to balance body and mind. During our conversation, Yemado shares his insights into the practice and why it’s ideal for people looking for non-competitive physical activity that also provides mental clarity. We explore how Boabom’s progressive approach makes it accessible to anyone, regardless of their...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I reconnect with Paul Millerd to discuss his new book, Good Work: Reclaiming Your Inner Ambition. Paul reflects on life changes, including becoming a parent and launching this book. Our chat touches on how personal growth, creativity, and work-life integration evolved for him since our original conversation. Paul shares the challenges of writing and parenting simultaneously, detailing how he resisted conventional book launch strategies to focus on sustainable...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I’m joined by Patrick McAndrew, founder and CEO of HARA, an exclusive membership community designed for entrepreneurs and leaders seeking to elevate their lives and align their personal and professional paths. Patrick has a unique blend of experience, from managing restaurants to advising corporate giants like Morgan Stanley, and he brings deep insight into how we can reclaim attention and cultivate intention in a tech-driven world. Throughout our...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I’m joined by Srini Rao, host of The Unmistakable Creative podcast. Srini has always been at the forefront of blending creativity with productivity, and our discussion today takes an even deeper dive into these themes. We reflect on how the creative process has evolved since we last spoke, touching on the integration of AI and the future of content creation. Srini’s exploration of creativity doesn’t just stop at human endeavors—it extends into how...

In this latest episode of our monthly series, PM Talks, I sit down with my good friend Patrick Rhone to dive deep into the idea of finding the right pace in life and work. We explore how our relationship with time evolves as we age, and what it means to develop a sustainable cadence that suits our changing needs and values. Patrick and I discuss how wisdom often takes priority over productivity, and how embracing pacing can lead to a more fulfilling life. This conversation touched on a lot of...

In this special Flashback Friday episode, I reconnect with David Allen, the creator of the Getting Things Done (GTD) methodology, to discuss his latest book, Team: Getting Things Done with Others, co-authored with Ed Lamont. We also revisit a classic conversation where we discussed the evolution of GTD, reflecting on its past, present, and the future of productivity practices. David has been a regular guest on the show, and this time we dive into the complexities of translating GTD principles...

In this episode, I sit down with Andrew J. Mason, a veteran podcast producer and the host of The Pro Guide. Andrew has over 18 years of experience in producing and hosting audio and visual content for shows like the Getting Things Done podcast for the David Allen Company and The Omni Show for the makers of OmniFocus. We dive deep into his journey in the world of podcasting, the productivity tools he uses, and his perspective on balancing creativity with efficiency. Throughout our...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I'm excited to revisit my conversation with the insightful Gretchen Rubin, marking the 550th episode of A Productive Conversation! This conversation explores her book, The Four Tendencies. We dive into how these four personality types—Upholder, Questioner, Obliger, and Rebel—can influence our behavior, decision-making, and even how we interact with others. Having been involved in her Four Tendencies course, I’ve always been fascinated by the insights she...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Tamsen Webster, renowned messaging strategist, keynote speaker, and author of the upcoming book, Say What They Can’t Unhear: The Nine Principles of Lasting Change. We dive deep into the principles behind lasting change, communication strategies, and how these concepts align with her broader body of work. Tamsen shares insights from her latest book, exploring what makes change stick and how messaging plays a crucial role in...

In this special Flashback Friday episode, I’m revisiting a conversation I had with my long-time friend and the founder of Zen Habits, Leo Babauta. This episode offers timeless insights into slowing down, living intentionally, and focusing on what truly matters. In 2024, Leo and I caught up to reflect on how much – or how little – has changed since our initial conversation. His wisdom and practices remain as relevant today as they were back then. If you're not familiar with Zen Habits, it's a...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Kurtis Lee Thomas, author of Breathwork Detox: How to Thrive in the Age of Anxiety. Kurtis shares his powerful story of overcoming crippling anxiety and how breathwork became a transformative tool for healing and thriving. His journey from stress and burnout to becoming a leading voice in breathwork is nothing short of inspiring. We delve into the practical aspects of breathwork, the science behind it, and how it can help alleviate...

In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I revisit my insightful discussion with John Zeratsky, co-author of Make Time. This conversation dives into practical tips on optimizing focus, creating a conducive environment for productivity, and the fascinating concept of caffeine naps. John’s background in design and tech shines through as we explore strategies that help you make the most of your time and attention every day. John and I share our thoughts on everything from...

In this latest episode of our monthly series, PM Talks, Patrick Rhone and I further explore the delicate balance between urgency and – more notably this time around – importance in our lives. We explore how navigating these two forces impacts everything from birthday parties to home renovations and even our evolving relationship with AI. The conversation is a continuation of themes we've discussed in previous episodes, with a focus on how urgency often overshadows importance—and what we can...

In this Flashback Friday episode, I’m revisiting my conversation with the prolific and engaging Jon Acuff. When we originally spoke, Jon had just released his book All It Takes Is A Goal, which dives into the framework he uses to turn ideas into reality. This episode provides a timeless look at Jon’s insights on goal setting, mindset, and living up to your potential. His humor and practical advice make goal-setting feel attainable, even for those of us who might struggle with staying on...

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Pete Steinberg to explore a phenomenon affecting many leaders today—what Pete calls "leadership shock." Despite their best efforts, many leaders find themselves feeling confused, exhausted, and ineffective. Pete sheds light on this issue, which arises when leaders are not intentional in their leadership approach, leading to systematic problems within their organizations. Pete, who retired from coaching in 2017, has written a...