Speak Easy

In this episode of Speak Easy, host Tyler Sellhorn interviews Nadia Harris, a remote work lawyer and author. Harris discusses the evolving world of work, highlighting the clash between traditional and modern work practices. She emphasizes the importance of adapting to digital-native approaches, challenging outdated processes, and embracing authenticity. Harris shares her personal creative process, which involves seeking inspiration from diverse experiences and expressing ideas through writing, videos, and speaking engagements.

Listen as Sarah Lobkovich coaches us on OKRs and goal setting focused on well-being. Sarah helps people reconnect with their intrinsic motivation, moving away from external pressures. By using techniques like verbal processing and visualization, Sarah supports individuals and organizations in creating meaningful, learning-centered goals that align with personal purpose and reduce workplace suffering.

Speak Easy is presented by Cleft: the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.
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Sarah's website

This episode features Anna Burgess Yang, a former corporate executive turned freelance writer. Anna discusses her approach to productivity and work-life integration, focusing on selecting the right tools for specific tasks. She describes her three-level system for capturing ideas: quick notes via Siri, context-rich thoughts via Cleft, and full blog post dictation via Fireflies, all integrated through Zapier to streamline her workflow.

Try Cleft

AnnaBYang.com

Susan Boles, CFO at Beyond Margins, discusses building "calmer" businesses focused on comfortable margins, not just profit. Key elements include clarity, autonomy, a lens of care, efficient systems, and rest/reduced urgency. She emphasizes the importance of designing businesses intentionally to be sustainable, rather than defaulting to growth at all costs. Boles shares her own experience with burnout and the need to build in emotional, energetic, and capacity margins to weather challenging seasons. The goal is businesses that feel "restful" and fun, not constantly stressful.

Beyond Margins Website

Speak Easy is brought to you by Cleft, the fastest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.

Katherine Sanders, a neurodivergent ADHD coach in Scotland, discusses how divergent thinkers struggle with linear productivity systems. She explains that ADHD brains process information differently, often taking "side quests" in thinking. Sanders emphasizes the importance of understanding individual processing styles (visual, verbal, conceptual) and how executive function impacts organization and emotional regulation. She advocates for adapting systems to support different thinking styles rather than forcing linear approaches.

Katherine's links:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Threads, Instagram
• YouTube
• ADHD Powerful Possibilities Podcast
• Blog

This episode features Meighan O'Toole discussing knowledge management and productivity. She shares her journey from physical notebooks to digital tools like Notion, highlighting how proper knowledge management can empower teams and reduce micromanagement. She emphasizes using tools like Cleft for brain dumps and creating systems that maintain humanity while improving efficiency. The conversation explores themes of mutual flourishing, leadership, and creating healthy workplace systems that benefit everyone.

Meighan's Links:

• Website
• LinkedIn
• Threads

David Pierce of The Verge's Installer Newsletter (aka how Meighan found Cleft):
    "The best Al voice notes I've tried, period"
    Also, on The Vergecast

Angela Bierman's episode of Speak Easy & her exploration of "Brain Dump" as a phrase on LinkedIn

Daniel Pink the author of "Drive", not Pink "the singer."

Brené Brown's Dare to Lead and THE BEST PDF ON THE INTERNET

Robin Wall Kimmerer's Braiding Sweetgrass

Listen in as Ali Greene discusses how documentation enables workplace flexibility and autonomy. She explains that good documentation reduces unnecessary meetings, prevents misalignment, and allows for asynchronous work. This empowers people to structure their work around their values and life priorities. She emphasizes starting with "messy" thoughts through methods that work for you (writing, speaking, drawing), then organizing them into clear, structured documentation that others can use.

Ali's Links:

• Remote Works Book
• LinkedIn

Listen in to this episode featuring an interview with Claire Podulka, Chief of Staff at TXI, about effective communication. Claire emphasizes that communication is a shared process involving speaking, listening, and understanding the audience's needs. She discusses her writing process, starting with verbose drafts and refining for clarity. Claire highlights TXI's approach to remote communication, using multiple formats (live presentations, recordings, transcripts) and a central knowledge base (Notion) to ensure information accessibility. She advises understanding current communication effectiveness and experimenting with incremental improvements.

Claire's links:

• LinkedIn
• TXI Website

Try Cleft!
Speak Easy is brought to you by Cleft, the easiest way to collect your thoughts. With our cross-platform applications, you can simply capture your ideas wherever you are and paste them where they belong later.

Dr. Cynthia Young discusses human-centered knowledge management, emphasizing the importance of sharing knowledge rather than hoarding it. She advocates for capturing and documenting processes, mentoring, and breaking down silos within organizations. Key points include:

1. Writing down processes and creating workflows
2. Adapting to individual learning styles
3. Iterative improvement through feedback
4. Integrating knowledge across departments
5. Encouraging a culture of knowledge sharing
6. Developing "forceful backups" to ensure continuity

Young stresses that everyone in an organization can act as a knowledge manager, contributing to a more efficient and collaborative work environment.

Cindy's links:

• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Threads
• Knowledge Management Bootcamp
• CJ Young Consulting

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Theme Music Credits:
Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForth
Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube

Listen in as Katie Scheuer, a learning designer at Mural, discusses effective meeting practices & collaborative work. She emphasizes starting with purpose, balancing synchronous & asynchronous work, and using visual tools for better engagement. Katie advocates for flexibility in work schedules and leveraging AI tools to enhance productivity and creativity.

Katie's Links:

• LinkedIn
• Mural
• Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Communication: Best Practices (Workplaceless)
• Allie K Miller on LinkedIn

Try Cleft!

Theme Music Credits:
Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForth
Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtubeTheme Music Credits:
Song: MANSHN - Back & Forth [NCS Release]
Music provided by NoCopyrightSounds
Free Download/Stream: http://ncs.io/BackAndForth
Watch: http://ncs.lnk.to/BackAndForthAT/youtube