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 us, which feels especially timely as we approach the holiday season and prepare for a new year. In our conversation, we explore themes that are more relevant than ever: resilience, happiness, and the importance of taking small steps toward living an intentional, fulfilling life.

Key Discussion Points

Neil’s insights on resilience, intentional living, and the power of gratitude offer timeless wisdom. I hope revisiting this conversation inspires you to find and celebrate the awesome moments in your life. Remember, resilience isn’t about avoiding failure but learning how to get back up... one small step at a time. (Originally released November 2019)

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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 journaling for perspective, handling challenges, and cultivating gratitude. Dave opens up about how his journaling practice has helped him navigate difficult times, appreciate good moments, and stay present. Together, we explore how digital tools, like Reflection, are transforming the journaling experience and the potential role AI plays in this space.

Key Discussion Points

Whether you're new to journaling or a seasoned journaler, this episode offers deep insights into how you can use journaling as a tool for growth and reflection in your everyday life.

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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 how Tiago developed the concept of a "second brain"—a system designed to offload and organize our knowledge to enhance creativity, productivity, and clarity. This conversation explores how anyone can leverage this approach to foster a meaningful and organized way of capturing insights, ideas, and information.

Key Discussion Points

Tiago's insights help reshape how we view knowledge management, advocating for a personal, flexible, and intuitive approach. Whether you’re new to PKM or a seasoned productivity enthusiast, this episode will offer valuable perspectives on creating a system that works with, not against, your unique mind. (Originally released November 2022)

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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 experimentation can lead to better decision-making and greater fulfillment in life and work.

Throughout the episode, Jason reveals practical techniques to help you get more out of your job without adding more work, offering advice that challenges conventional wisdom. We talk about tracking productivity, dealing with imposter syndrome, and how to make better decisions by embracing clarity and using emotion as part of the decision-making process.

Key Discussion Points

Jason also talks about his playbook and offers actionable insights for readers who want to use it to unlock their potential at work. You’ll leave this episode with a better understanding of how to approach your work with more intentionality, focus, and enjoyment.

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 productivity, where slowing down and focusing deliberately is more effective than working fast and frantically. Whether you’re struggling with distractions or just looking to improve your focus, this episode has actionable insights that can help you be more intentional with your time and energy.

Key Discussion Points

I’m grateful to Chris for sharing his wisdom and experiences in this Flashback Friday episode. His work continues to inspire us to be more intentional with our time and attention. If you’re looking to dive deeper into focus and productivity, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways. Don’t forget to check out the links mentioned and take a look at Chris’s latest work. (Originally released October 2018)

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 starting point, and how it fosters personal growth and resilience. Yemado also walks us through a simple breathing exercise that listeners can practice right away to experience the benefits of this ancient art.

Key Discussion Points

This conversation with Yemado offers a glimpse into the power of Boabom to help people reconnect with themselves and their surroundings. If you’re seeking a practice that brings both mental and physical benefits without the competitive stress, this episode is for you. I encourage you to try the breathing exercise Yemado shares—it's a great way to experience the calm and clarity that Boabom offers.

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 progress. His insights offer a refreshing take on doing meaningful work at your own pace—a theme I deeply connect with.

Key Discussion Points

Paul’s story shows that good work isn’t about rushing to the finish line—it’s about sustainable creativity and doing what feels right. This conversation is a reminder to honour our personal journeys and resist the temptation to conform to external pressures. If you're interested in building a fulfilling career and balancing it with life’s other priorities, you’ll find plenty of value in this episode. (Originally recorded February 2023)

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 conversation, Patrick shares his personal evolution from helping people "get more done" to teaching leaders how to engage more deeply with their values and inner state. We discuss what it really means to be productive, explore the balance between routine and practice, and challenge the notion that apps or frameworks are the answer to today’s challenges.

Key Discussion Points

This conversation with Patrick McAndrew will challenge you to rethink the ways we pursue productivity, shifting focus from frameworks and apps to meaningful practices that nurture both business and personal growth. Patrick's insights are a powerful reminder that productivity is more than just ticking off tasks—it’s about becoming aligned with who we are and what we truly value. I look forward to revisiting this conversation with Patrick in the future to explore how these ideas continue to evolve.

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 AI can serve as a creative collaborator. From his development of customized children’s books to building a tool that automates eBook creation, Srini shares how the intersection of human creativity and AI execution is reshaping the way we work. Join us as we revisit insights from our conversation in 2014 and reflect on the vast changes that have taken place over the past decade.

Key Discussion Points

As Srini continues to push the boundaries of creativity with AI, this episode offers a unique glimpse into how technology can aid, rather than replace, the human creative process. Whether you're an entrepreneur, creator, or someone intrigued by the future of AI, this episode provides valuable insights into how to harness the power of AI to scale your creative output. (Originally recorded in 2014)

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Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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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 important ideas, including how age impacts our pacing and how the societal pressure to constantly accelerate can affect our well-being. We even draw connections between personal reflections and practical applications for making better choices about how we spend our time.

Key Discussion Points

Patrick also shared insights on the importance of understanding and respecting personal limitations, and we reflected on how age affects our perceptions of time and productivity. If you want to take a deeper look at how pacing yourself might help you find the right rhythm in your own life, this episode is a must-listen.

Links Worth Exploring

Thanks to all of the sponsors of this episode. You can find all of the sponsors you heard me mention on this episode on our Podcast Sponsors page.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

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