A Productive Conversation

Most of us think of sleep as a nightly event. Michael Breus thinks of it as a lifelong pattern—a shifting, evolving chronotype that changes as we age. Every time he joins me, we end up deep in the details of how rest, alertness, and biology shape our days. This conversation was no different.

In this episode, Michael and I dig into the core ideas behind his book Sleep, Drink, Breathe, why wellness keeps getting more complicated, and how simple habits—done with intention—can create real momentum. We also get into mouth taping, CPAP myths, the rise of at-home sleep tests, and why hydration and breathwork may be more important than most people realize.

Six Discussion Points

• How chronotypes shift as we age—and why both of us are noticing that shift right now.
• The three “dominoes” of wellness and why breathing and hydration often need fixing before sleep.
• Why wellness feels overwhelming today, and the simple starting points Michael recommends.
• The real science behind mouth taping and why it can be risky without proper screening.
• How home sleep testing has changed—and why diagnosing sleep apnea is easier than ever.
• The Sleep, Drink, Breathe plan and how small, steady habits build lifelong change.

Three Connection Points

• Read Sleep Drink Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Profound Long-Term Health
• Get Life Gives to the Giver by Joe Polish
• Take The Sleep Quiz

Conversations with Michael always leave me thinking differently about how deeply biology shapes behaviour. His work reminds me that productivity isn’t a matter of pushing harder—it’s a matter of aligning with the rhythms that already exist. If you’re looking to simplify wellness, understand your changing chronotype, or build habits that actually last, this episode is a worthwhile listen.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Quang X. Pham — entrepreneur, author, and the first American of Vietnamese descent to become a U.S. Marine Corps aviator. Quang’s story is the definition of an underdog’s rise — from a young refugee in America to leading a Nasdaq-listed biotech company. His new book, Underdog Nation: Zero in on Effort and Results for Success, captures the lessons learned through perseverance, purpose, and performance.

Our conversation dives into what it truly means to be an underdog — not just in sports or business, but in life. We explore the power of confronting limitations, committing with conviction, and using adversity as fuel for achievement. Quang’s experiences in the Marine Corps, pharmaceutical industry, and biotech leadership bring nuance and depth to the conversation on resilience, effort, and results.

Six Discussion Points

• How arriving in America as a 10-year-old refugee shaped Quang’s early understanding of effort and results
• Lessons from his time as a U.S. Marine Corps aviator and how “reading the room” became a leadership skill
• Why underdogs must balance confidence with humility — and learn to show up when no one’s watching
• The four “Avenues of Approach” from Underdog Nation: Commit, Confront, Course Correct, and Build Credibility
• The role of patience and decision-making in both biotech innovation and personal growth
• Why ego and insecurity are the biggest internal battles underdogs face — and how to replace them with clarity and focus

Three Connection Points

• Visit Quang's website
• Get Quang's book
• While you're buying Quang's book, buy Hugh MacLeod's book too

This conversation reminded me that success isn’t about where you start — it’s about what you choose to confront, commit to, and continue refining. Quang’s story proves that perseverance and patience go hand-in-hand, and that results come to those who focus not on optics, but on outcomes.

This episode of A Productive Conversation features Chris Dalla Riva, a musician, data analyst, and Senior Product Manager at Audiomack who bridges the gap between creativity and analytics. Chris joins me to discuss his book Uncharted Territory: What Numbers Tell Us About the Biggest Hit Songs and Ourselves.

As part of his research, Chris listened to every Billboard Hot 100 number-one song—nearly 1,200 of them—tracking trends, rating songs, and discovering how randomness, technology, and taste shape what becomes a hit. We explore the intersection of numbers and nuance, how data can deepen our understanding of art, and what the patterns of pop music reveal about us.

Six Discussion Points

• The origin of Chris’s experiment to listen to every Billboard number-one hit
• Why Bob Dylan never topped the Hot 100—and what that says about luck and timing
• How data, subjectivity, and quality intertwine when rating songs
• The cyclical nature of musical trends, from movies to TikTok
• The uneasy relationship between music and technology—from Auto-Tune to AI
• Why the album format—and vinyl—still matter in a streaming world

Three Connection Points

• Check out Chris's newsletter
• Buy Chris's book
• Read Mike's essay, The Sound of Time

Chris and I cover a lot of ground in this conversation—from Bob Dylan’s surprising chart record to the influence of AI on modern music. If you’ve ever wondered what hit songs say about culture, creativity, and ourselves, this episode hits all the right notes.

This latest edition of our monthly PM Talks series dives into a topic that underpins nearly everything we do: trust. From trusting the moment you’re in to trusting the systems you build, Patrick Rhone and I explore how this single word quietly defines the way we live, work, and connect.

In this conversation, we move from the personal—trusting ourselves, our instincts, and our attention—to the societal, exploring what happens when trust erodes in our institutions, technology, and even the tools meant to make life easier.

Six Discussion Points

• Why trusting the moment enhances presence—and how presence strengthens trust.
• How trust manifests in everyday choices, like buying a car or managing a calendar.
• The connection between simplicity, minimalism, and building trustworthy systems.
• Why democracy, money, and even productivity all rest on unseen foundations of trust.
• The difference between a trusted system and your trusted system.
• How patience, presence, and attention preserve trust over time.

Three Connection Points

• Patrick's blog post on trust
• Watch The Big Short and/or Margin Call
• Listen to Episode 596: Curiosity | PM Talks S2E3

Trust isn’t static—it’s something we build, test, and sometimes rebuild. Whether you’re trying to trust your tools, your timing, or yourself, I hope this episode helps you see where trust already lives in your life—and where it might need a little reinforcement.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with James Kimmel Jr., JD — a Yale lecturer, lawyer, and leading researcher on the neuroscience of revenge. His new book, The Science of Revenge: Understanding the World’s Deadliest Addiction—and How to Overcome It, explores why our brains crave retaliation and how forgiveness can literally rewire us toward peace.

Our conversation begins with a deeply personal story that shaped James’s life’s work and unpacks how revenge functions like an addiction — one fueled by pain, dopamine, and unchecked desire. What follows is a fascinating look at how our minds process grievance, why forgiveness is a neurological superpower, and how awareness can keep us from being consumed by cycles of anger and retaliation.

Six Discussion Points

• How a violent act of bullying led James to study the neuroscience of revenge
• The brain’s pain and reward circuits — and how they make revenge feel like a drug
• Why grievances compound and can trigger impulsive reactions
• The distinction between self-defense, grief, and revenge
• How forgiveness shuts down the brain’s pain network and restores self-control
• Why awareness, reflection, and tools like journaling can help break the revenge cycle

Three Connection Points

• Get James's book
• Visit James's website
• Check out the Miracle Court app

This conversation reminded me that the pause — that small, deliberate moment between grievance and reaction — can change everything. James’s work shows us that forgiveness isn’t about excusing others; it’s about freeing ourselves. I hope this episode helps you reflect on where small moments of release might lead to greater clarity, peace, and yes, productiveness.

In this episode, I sit down with Hannah Bookbinder, founder of AcademicAlly, LLC, and creator of the MyTOAD App—an innovative tool designed to help people manage time, organization, accountability, and focus. With over 25 years of experience supporting neurodivergent individuals, Hannah brings both expertise and empathy to the conversation.

We explore how understanding one’s unique wiring leads to better productivity and a stronger sense of agency. Hannah’s insights reveal how reframing ADHD through curiosity, compassion, and structure can turn what feels like chaos into capability.

Six Discussion Points

• The story behind the MyTOAD App and how it helps users manage time, organization, accountability, and focus.
• Why “Eat That Frog” doesn’t always work for neurodivergent minds—and what to do instead.
• How self-awareness and emotional check-ins can transform productivity habits.
• The role of journaling as both reflection and regulation—tailored to each individual’s comfort level.
• Rethinking ADHD: seeing it as a source of strength rather than a villain to defeat.
• How Hannah’s mission now extends beyond individuals to schools, businesses, and healthcare organizations.

Three Connection Points

• Check out MyTOADApp
• Read the book
• Check out Hannah on Instagram

This conversation with Hannah reminded me that productivity isn’t about conformity—it’s about compatibility. When we learn to align with our wiring instead of resisting it, we uncover the capacity to work with time instead of against it. Whether you’re neurodivergent or simply human, there’s wisdom here worth dialing into.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anthony Verdino — a licensed clinical social worker and author of CBT Simplified. Drawing from both his professional expertise and personal story of resilience, Anthony shares how cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can be applied beyond the therapy room — into the way we think, act, and feel in our everyday lives.

We explore how small shifts in thought and behavior can create profound changes in productivity and well-being, especially in a world that often mistakes busyness for progress. Anthony offers practical ways to align mindset with action and shows how reframing, acceptance, and self-care can transform not just how we work, but how we live.

Six Discussion Points

• The core principles of CBT and how Anthony distilled them into a simple, visual model
• How self-monitoring and self-assessment connect directly to productivity and personal growth
• Why reframing “should” into “could” turns guilt into empowerment
• The danger of perfectionism and how embracing imperfection fosters balance and progress
• The role of self-care and mindfulness in preventing burnout and building resilience
• How to make CBT principles second nature through consistent reflection and small, mindful actions

Three Connection Points

1. Anthony's website
2. Anthony's book
3. My TEDx Talk: “How to Stop Time”

Our conversation reminded me how productivity and psychology share the same foundation: awareness and choice. Whether you’re managing your focus, emotions, or time, the work begins by observing your thoughts, reframing them, and then moving forward — not perfectly, but intentionally.

When you’re managing ADHD—or simply navigating the distractions of modern life—traditional productivity tools often fall short. My guest, Skye Waterson, knows this better than most. A former academic turned ADHD coach and founder of Unconventional Organisation, Skye has helped hundreds of professionals—from entrepreneurs to executives—craft systems that support their unique brains instead of fighting against them.

In this conversation, Skye and I explore the science behind ADHD, the myths that persist around productivity, and how to design frameworks that meet you where you are. Whether you’ve been diagnosed, suspect you might have ADHD, or simply want to focus better in a world full of noise, this episode offers practical wisdom grounded in research and real experience.

Six Discussion Points

• The turning point during Skye’s PhD that led to her ADHD diagnosis—and her shift from academia to coaching.
• Why common productivity systems like the Pomodoro Technique aren’t built for ADHD brains.
• How dopamine differences influence motivation, focus, and task initiation.
• The “Focus Formula” method Skye teaches high-achieving clients to identify what’s truly urgent and important.
• The role of transitions, zones, and small “dopamine boosters” in sustaining attention.
• How leadership and neurodiversity intersect—and why we need more research on ADHD in executive roles.

Three Connection Points

1. Unconventional Organisation
2. The ADHD Skills Lab Podcast
3. Episode 625: Jesse J. Anderson Talks About ADHD, Extra Focus, and Finding Flow

Talking with Skye reminded me that productivity is never one-size-fits-all—it’s about alignment, not conformity. Her evidence-based yet deeply human approach to ADHD management offers lessons anyone can apply: simplify, start small, and give yourself permission to work with your brain, not against it.

This episode is the latest in our monthly series PM Talks, where Patrick Rhone and I dive into ideas that shape the way we approach work, time, and life. In this conversation, we explore the theme of clarity—how it shows up in our days, why it matters, and what can get in the way of it.

Patrick and I both share personal stories—from missed football games to unexpected ISP issues—that highlight how clarity isn’t something we stumble upon, but something we need to cultivate. We talk about how structure and spontaneity coexist, and how clarity can be found even when life throws curveballs (or waves, as one Zen monk would put it).

Six Discussion Points

• Why sports outcomes and emotional responses can affect clarity in daily life
• The value of scaffolding (like time theming) to provide focus without rigidity
• Lessons from the New Yorker article Can You Really Live One Day at a Time?
• Insights from Paul Loomans’ Time Surfing and how it relates to productivity practices
• The role of feelings: how they can cloud or create clarity
• The practice of taking a “Clarity Day” to step back, reflect, and reset

Three Connection Points

• Patrick Rhone’s Website
• The Productivity Diet by Mike Vardy
• “Can You Really Live One Day at a Time?” – The New Yorker

Clarity isn’t about controlling every moment—it’s about navigating the waves of life with intention and awareness. I hope this episode gives you a chance to pause, reflect, and maybe even consider setting aside your own Clarity Day.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Jesse J. Anderson, a writer, speaker, coach, and ADHD advocate whose work has resonated with countless people navigating life with ADHD. He’s the author of Extra Focus: The Quick Start Guide to Adult ADHD and the voice behind the popular newsletter of the same name.

Jesse brings a mix of humor, honesty, and lived experience to the conversation. We dive into the challenges of attention, time, and motivation—and the strategies that can help not only those with ADHD, but anyone who wants to work with their brain instead of against it.

Six Discussion Points

• How Jesse’s diagnosis at 36 reframed his past struggles and opened new possibilities.
• The concept of the “clockless mind” and why time feels so different for those with ADHD.
• The oscillation between friction and flow—and how to recognize both.
• Jesse’s “4Cs” framework (Captivate, Create, Compete, Complete) for unlocking motivation.
• Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) and how it impacts relationships and self-perception.
• Why strategies like adding action verbs to tasks and “eating the ice cream first” can help create momentum.

Three Connection Points

• Jesse's Extra Focus newsletter
• Get Jesse's Book
• Listen to APC 164: Faster Than Normal with Peter Shankman

Talking with Jesse reminded me that productivity isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you live with ADHD or simply want to work more effectively, strategies like the 4Cs and reframing how you view time can shift the way you approach your day. I hope you’ll check out Jesse’s work and experiment with some of these ideas yourself.