A Productive Conversation

By Mike VardyBusiness Careers Management

A Productive Conversation episodes

July 21, 2021 Jeffrey Shaw talks about The Self-Employed Life
Small business expert and former photographer Jeffrey Shaw unpacks how live the best self-employed life.
Jeffrey Shaw became one of the most preeminent portrait photographers in the United States. He decided to share his knowledge of business, branding, and marketing to support self-employed and small business owners as well as progressive-minded companies. I had a great time learning more about his strategies that have helped small businesses scale their big dreams.
We unpack the insights from his latest book The Self-Employed Life: Business and Personal Development Strategies. We also explore personal development, redefining what we mean by ‘niche’, owning your area of expertise, and lessons from sea kayaking.
Talking Points
What’s needed to be successfully self-employed
The ecosystem analogy
The business model of multiples
Daily habits for small business owners
‘The What’s Going Right’ journal
Being clear with your meaning and marketability
Quote
“Set up your business for the capacity that is to come, not for it currently is.”
Helpful Links
The Self-Employed Life Podcast
The Membership Guys
Self-Employed Ecosystem Coaching
‘LINGO’ by Jeffrey Shaw
Episode 227: Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
Clear Habit Journal
SelfEmployedAssessment.com
TheSelfEmployedLife.me
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
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39 min
July 14, 2021 Erin Meyer talks about No Rules Rules
From virtually no spending controls to ‘just take some’ vacation, Netflix’s innovation has stemmed from a simple set of rules. Erin Meyer uncovers how you can foster a culture of freedom and innovation.
Erin Meyer is an author and professor at INSEAD Business School, based in Paris. She is most known for writing the book, The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business. Her work focuses on how the world’s most successful leaders navigate the complexities of cultural differences in a multicultural environment.
Erin joins the show to share how we can all lead with a culture of innovation. In this conversation, I go through her latest book that she co-authored with Netflix CEO Reed Hastings, No Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention. Tune in to learn more about what frameworks foster freedom, how a workplace can operate with no policies, and what you can learn from the ‘Keeper Test’.
Talking Points
The kind of ‘no rules ethos’ Netflix follows
The impact of freedom and how it fosters high-density talent
Having thick skin
Building a culture of candor and feedback
The ‘take some’ vacation policy
How to build a culture similar to Netflix
Quote
“Feedback is rarely comfortable but it helps us in incredible ways.”
Helpful Links
‘No Rules Rules’ by Erin Meyer and Reed Hastings
‘The Culture Map’ by Erin Meyer
ErinMeyer.com
Erin’s LinkedIn
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
40 min
July 07, 2021 Mike Kim Talks About You Are the Brand
Mike Kim joins the show as I rebrand the podcast into ‘A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy’. Find out how and why your brand evolves over time.
I’m super excited to announce the rebrand of the Productivityist Podcast as ‘A Productive Conversation With Mike Vardy’, and in the spirit of this change I bring on brand and marketing strategist Mike Kim. Mike specializes in personal branding, product launch strategies, and copywriting. In his latest book, You Are The Brand, Mike shares his proven 8-step blueprint that has helped build the brands for some of today’s most influential thought leaders — as well as his own personal brand.
I set out to find out from Mike how to best approach changing your brand. We discuss finding ways to express yourself, logging your progress, his successful (and failed) business pivots, and campfire moments. Enjoy my productive conversation with Mike Kim!
Talking Point
Losing control vs influence of your brand
Why you should not rebrand at all once
The PB3 framework to get business clarity
Being a how-to-preneur vs idea-preneur
How to build meaningful relationships through your marketing
Quote
“Attention is not owed, it’s earned.”
Helpful Links
YouAreTheBrandBook.com
‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ by Marie Kondo
The Five Minute Journal
Brand You podcast
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
47 min
June 30, 2021 The Athlete’s Mindset with Dre Baldwin
Former professional basketball player Dre Baldwin shares how you can build repeatable success through systems he learnt from his athletic career.
After having played basketball professionally for nine years in eight different countries, Dre Baldwin is now a full-time entrepreneur, author of 27 books, and has done four TEDxTalks on topics ranging from mental toughness to discipline. I catch up with Dre to learn more about his work ethic and his latest book The Mirror of Motivation: the Self-Guide to Self-Discipline.
In this interview we explore Dre’s mental tools, why he chronicles his journey, documenting your systems, what non-athletes can learn from professional basketball – and what I have in common with Dre’s dad.
Talking Points
The athlete’s mindset for non-athletes
Journaling and chronicling your journey
Systemizing success
Establishing your foundations to be working from
Building mental toughness and resilience
The power of documentation
Quote
“Who do I need to be?”
Helpful Links
MirrorOfMotivation.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
35 min
June 23, 2021 Hypnosis and Being Productively Present with Erika Flint
Hypnosis is a powerful way to reprogram how we think and feel. Erika Flint uncovers how being in the present moment boosts productivity.
Erika Flint is an award-winning hypnotist, best-selling author, speaker, and a co-host of the popular podcast series Hypnosis, Etc. She is the founder of Cascade Hypnosis Center in Bellingham, WA, and the creator of the Reprogram Your Weight system. I can’t wait to speak with Erika to learn more about how hypnosis can help you with your productivity.
Join our conversation as we discuss micro-meditations, being in a flow state, her new book ‘Academy of Eternity: Unlock the Full Potential of Your Heart-Mind, Now and Forever’, and learning from a kid’s perspective.
Talking Points
The common misconceptions with hypnosis
Being productive by managing your inner state
The ‘Heaven State’
The power of incremental success
The difference between hypnosis and meditation
Where to start with hypnosis
On neuro-linguistic programming
Quote
“Our internal state is our internal operating system.”
Helpful Links
pisode 351: Eating Frogs with Brian Tracy
Episode 203: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen
Episode 332: Getting Productive With Astrology with Jill Blumenstock
‘Creative Quest’ by Questlove
Muse
Episode 356: Get Out of Your Head with Ian Reed Kesler
‘The Prophet’ by Kahlil Gibran
‘Academy of Eternity’ by Erika Flint
CascadeHypnosisTraining.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
43 min
June 16, 2021 Create Your Clean Home Nirvana with Becky Rapinchuk
Approach your home with some mindfulness and find out how some simple cleaning routines can go a long way with cleaning expert Becky Rapinchuk.
From a messy kitchen to ‘junk’ drawers – ever find your home is not the nirvana that you would like it to be? Today I’m joined by Becky Rapinchuk, aka the Clean Mama, who is a cleaning expert, a wife and mom, a successful entrepreneur, and a former art teacher. I find out what it takes to create a home that’s effortlessly peaceful.
We dive into her book Clean Mama’s Guide to a Peaceful Home: Effortless Systems and Joyful Rituals for a Calm, Cozy Home, and unpack some of her key insights. We explore the power of rituals, keeping your home clean alongside a busy family, and her seven peaceful home guidelines we all need to follow.
Talking Points
Why creating a peaceful home needs to be effortless
Identify your pain point and happy tasks
Maintaining a peaceful home as a family
The Clean Home Reset Checklist
The Seven Peaceful Home Guidelines
Quote
“I’d rather do a task well than do it half-way.”
Helpful Links
CleanMama.com
‘Clean Mama’s Guide To A Peaceful Home’ by Becky Rapinchuk
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
June 09, 2021 How to Be Time Smart with Ashley Whillans
Ashley Whillans spends a lot of her time studying happiness, so she joins the show to share how you can best spend your time to boost your life satisfaction.
Once again, I’m joined by a fellow Canadian! Today’s guest is Ashley Whillans, a Behavioral Scientist and Assistant Professor at Harvard Business School in Negotiations, Organizations, and Markets. She’s the author of ‘Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life’, which I can’t wait to unpack in this interview.
In this conversation, Ashley provides a very holistic view on how to value our time. Find out more about the Day Reconstruction Method, qualitative time tracking, rough scheduling, and why so many of us avoid being (or feeling) idle.
Talking Points
What is ‘being time smart’?
Our relationship with time tracking
The idea of rough scheduling
How to slow down more
How Happiness Dollars can help you become more time smart
The simple first step to becoming time smart
Quote
“You can make changes on an everyday basis to help you take control of your time.”
Helpful Links
‘Time Smart’ by Ashley Whillans
Ashley’s LinkedIn
Ashley’s Instagram
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
34 min
June 02, 2021 Finding Clarity with Jenna Britton
Clarity Coach Jenna Britton is here to help you find more clarity, so you can take action with more purpose and intention.
As a self-proclaimed “soulful storyteller”, Jenna Britton is a writer, coach and speaker. Finding Human Design was integral to helping Jenna find — and begin truly living — her life with clarity and ease. So in 2020, she began offering coaching sessions designed and aligned to help people like you understand how parts of your Human Design chart can clarify your purpose — what you’re here to do (and how you’re here to do it).
As a fellow writer, I enjoyed discussing with Jenna about the writing process. Tune in to this episode as we unpack internal processing, looking back through old journals, the comedian’s mind, and goosebump moments. And this conversation is by no means just for writers – it will help give you direction if you feel stuck in any area.
Talking Points
What you get through clarity coaching
Finding harmony with clarity and communication
The value of journaling
Writing creative non-fiction
Having a clear intention
How to lift the fog of resistance
Quote
“Clarity comes from action.”
Helpful Links
Episode 361: Being a Multipotentialite with Vanessa Tharp
‘Wild’ by Cheryl Strayed
Baron Fig
Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian
BraveEnoughToBe.com
JennaBritton.com
Jenna’s Instagram
Brave Enough To Be’s Instagram
The BIG Ready 2022
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
41 min
May 26, 2021 Your Energy Level Formula with Michelle Cederberg
Everything is done so much better when we manage our energy levels. Through the Success-Energy Equation, Michelle Cederberg shares her tactics to help you fuel every area of your life.
Certified Speaking Professional Michelle Cederberg has captivated audiences across the world with her messages about how to set worthwhile goals and get energized for success. As a coach, consultant and professional speaker, Michelle educates busy, driven professionals about purpose, productivity – and the pursuit of better.
Tune in to this candid conversation as we uncover some key insights from Michelle’s book The Success-Energy Equation: How to Regain your Focus, Recharge your Life and Really Get Sh!t Done. We also discuss how to recognize when your thoughts are becoming unproductive, the “How might I…?” question, the power of repetition, and making plans (weather permitting).
Talking Points
Factor in energy into your equation
Understanding your energy levels
The Motivation Matrix
The 4 Rs for managing negative self-talk
What we can learn from will power
Why you need to be more hydrated
Quote
“Everything we do that drives our success is better when we manage our energy.”
Helpful Links
‘The Success-Energy Equation’ by Michelle Cederberg
History of Swear Words
Episode 340: Your Motivation Code with Todd Henry
3 PM, Weather Permitting
‘The Power of Full Engagement’ by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz
The Daily Driver
‘Do The Work’ by Steven Pressfield
www.SuccessEnergyBook.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
37 min
May 19, 2021 Find Your ONE Thing with Geoff Woods
With a simple, powerful concept to focus on what matters most in your personal and work lives, Geoff Woods joins the show to share how you can find your One Thing.
Geoff Woods is the Co-Founder & President of ProduKtive®, the training company behind The ONE Thing and the host of The ONE Thing podcast. He’s an advisor to executives ranging from small businesses to the Fortune 500, helping them design the future of work, and create cultures where people are clear on what matters most so they achieve extraordinary results.
I loved geeking out with Geoff in this episode, as we muse over the ultimate currency: time. Tune in as we explore having clarity, how to invest more in our time, disabling notifications, when it’s time to switch priorities – and goal-setting for couples.
Talking Points
The ONE Thing in the nutshell
Master the 3 C’s to invest more in your time
Why productivity is beyond just efficiency and effectiveness
Our relationship with email
Getting on the same page with people around you
How tools can (and can’t) support your productivity
Quote
“Don’t confuse busyness with business.”
Helpful Links
‘The ONE Thing’ by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
Why time management is ruining our lives
Keep Productive Channel
The ONE Thing Podcast
The1Thing.com
Want to discover some of the books mentioned on the podcast? Check out Scribd, my reading app of choice.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. Also don't forget to check out all of our podcast sponsors found on our podcast sponsors page.
If you enjoyed the episode, please leave a rating and/or review wherever you listened to the episode. And if you want to have easy access to the archives of the show and ensure you don't miss the new episodes to come then subscribe to the podcast in the app you're using – or you can do so on a variety of podcast platforms by clicking here.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
43 min

About A Productive Conversation

From the publisher's feed

Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation offers insightful discussions on how to craft a life that aligns with your intentions. Each episode dives into the art of time devotion, productiveness, and refining your approach to daily living. Mike invites guests who are thinkers, doers, and creators to share their strategies for working smarter and living more intentionally. From practical tips to deep dives on mindset shifts, this podcast will help you reframe your relationship with time and find balance in a busy world.