Leah explains how her background in teaching influences her leadership. Leah does theatre in her free time. We talk about how we can become better leaders because of our variety of experiences.

The starting point of difficult conversations is about being in our story. Maybe we felt we didn’t get the validation we needed as kids either at home or in our education. We need to address the deep roots of the other person’s story so they can feel heard. That’s where the real connection happens. Leah contends that when we gently have those difficult conversations, our connections can grow even stronger.

Rest is part of productivity. I agree and Leah will tell us why it works for her. Tune in because it’s possible that Leah even breaks out into song.

About Leah Zimmerman

Leah Zimmerman started paying attention to how people communicate when she was as a child, and as an adult has continuously sought to be the adult she had wanted for herself and to help others to grow into themselves as well. She blends a background in education, theater and leadership to help people feel heard, communicate in difficult conversations and grow into the personal power and leadership needed to live a fulfilling life.

Links:

https://steppingstoolcoaching.com/4-steps-to-reduce-stress/

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery: 

Productivity by Design 

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Kevin starts with how asking the questions and simplifying the complex helps the brand experience. He goes deep to what your client cares most about not just the cursory pat ad promises. 

We talk about music and sound’s impact on people’s feelings. And about the neuroscience study, Kevin co-created about people’s behavior around a variety of sounds.  

We discuss how companies have the opportunity to create brand experiences that are based on emotional insight. Kevin explains how limbic sparks are the moment when emotional motivation meets brand desire. 

And we wrap with keeping work life balance as a small business owner. 

About Kevin Perlmutter 

Kevin Perlmutter is brand and customer experience strategist - Chief Strategist & Founder of Limbic Brand Evolution.  

Limbic is a brand consultancy specializing in understanding emotional motivations and applying behavioral science.  

Kevin helps Brand and Business Leaders answer the question: "Why should people care about your brand?" and turns emotional insight into a competitive advantage.  

His work focuses brand strategy and is immediately actionable, to guide evolved messaging, experiences and offerings to increase brand desire, engagement and loyalty. 

Limbic Brand Evolution 

Podcast: Let’s Talk Limbic Sparks 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  

LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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I let the 100th episode slip by with little fanfare and opted to celebrate our 101st episode instead. We recorded this on Father’s Day and today is Bill Johnston’s birthday. What’s the connection? Well, he’s my dad. 

He’s one of the most productive people I know, even in retirement. Bill will be quick to let you know that he had a corporate secretary that oversaw his work life. And a wife who held down the entire home front. We talk about why having a support team is mission critical to productivity. 

No surprise – we discuss the financial markets and the current economy at length. Bill and I reminisce with some fun stories about the NYSE trading floor back in the day. 

We wrap up with the many lessons my dad taught me from the importance of education to integrity and the honor system.  

About 

Bill Johnston was president and chief operating officer of the New York Stock Exchange from 1996 to 2001.

Now retired, he is the President of the Resident's Association at Plymouth Harbor and sits on the corporate board as well. He also serves on the boards of the Sarasota Institute, a 21st C think tank, and the Boxser Diversity Initiative.  

He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University, where he has remained active and is an emeritus trustee. He also served on the board of Hollins University in Virginia and was chair of both New College of Florida and Visible Men Academy in East Bradenton. 

Married for nearly 59 years, Bill has 2 children and 2 granddaughters. 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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In this third of our 3 part mini series on uncluttering your office, Catherine takes you through decluttering the rest of your office. 

She mentions clearing out books and permission to give them away. She suggests you get rid of excess office supplies, broken pens, old tech, manuals, and those endless random cords.  

She takes you through how to set up stations in our office space – different areas for different types of work. For example, you might have different areas for sorting your mail or client invoicing. 

Finally Catherine explains the Magic 6™ and how it can help you get your desk space organized for productive work. 

This is our second mini series. The first was in March. 

What do you think of mini series? Would you like more? Which subject would you like Catherine to address? Email us at [email protected] 

© Productive Environment Institute All Trademarks & Registrations are property of Barbara Hemphill 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn  
 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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In this second of our 3 part mini series on uncluttering your office, Catherine starts with the most important questions you should ask as you begin to declutter the papers in your office. 

She reveals the difference between filers and pilers. 

Finally, she explains how to declutter your paperwork using the File-Act-Toss System™ and The Art of Wastebasketry® (both learned from her training as a Certified Productive Environment Specialist). 

© Productive Environment Institute All Trademarks & Registrations are property of Barbara Hemphill 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

*We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. 

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In this first of a 3 part mini series on uncluttering your office, Catherine explains why we keep stuff and how some items can drain our energy. If you have ADHD or another brain based challenge, you’ll especially appreciate how clutter can mess with our focus. 

She takes us through the benefits of decluttering and organizing your office.  

And she describes how and why you start with determining your vision before throwing out the first piece of paper. Tune in to find out what is good enough when it comes to an organized office. 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

*We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites at no cost to you. 

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Who doesn’t want to save the world from death-by-meetings? I’m in. Today’s guest, Josh Little, describes his solutions for in person and Zoom meetings. We talk about the importance of connection particularly that crucial visual component which we can help mitigate with video. 

We take a journey through conversation - how we talk to one another, what happens in the pause, and of course using the almighty edit button. 

Then make our way back to conversation and meetings from an introvert, extrovert, and ADHD perspective. Tune in to find out why we discuss pickles, which offer an entirely different twist on connection. 

About Josh

Josh Little is the founder of four tech companies – Maestro, Bloomfire, Qzzr and Volley - that have collectively been used by hundreds of millions of people. His work has been featured in Tech Crunch, Mashable, Entrepreneur Inc, and Forbes. With two successful exits and a third pending, he’s currently on a mission to save the world from death-by-meetings with his fourth creation Volley. 

Josh Little 

Volley App 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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In this solo episode, I talk about shifting your language from saying “have to” to “get to” and why this changes everything. I describe how I learned this lesson from cancer. I share how I managed my life at a time when life became unmanageable. And how there were many opportunities for deep gratitude. 

I also explain what my official ADHD combined type diagnosis looks like for me.  

Finally, tune in as I explain the Productivity Power Hour and the Pomodoro Method and why it works so well for my clients. Accountability is a big part of it. 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

Facebook Page and  
LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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Danielle’s childhood story will rock your world. Despite childhood learning challenges, because of that one teacher, Mrs Donovan, she’s now running multiple businesses.  

We talk about the ADHD ability to hyperfocus and how we can use it as our superpower. And about why we often end up as entrepreneurs and how important it is to have accountability. 

Danielle gives several examples of Micro Routines which are so much more manageable and won’t suck your creativity dry. She describes how important it is to plan your plan, so you know where your time goes. Tune in for Danielle’s favorite planner and her favorite productivity tricks. 

About Danielle Ralston – 

Danielle Ralston, is the Rockstar CEO.  

She is a neuro-divergent entrepreneur, and partners with other neuro-divergents to uncover their best selves. 

Whether you have autism, a brain injury, bipolar disorder, dyslexia, ADHD, or anything else that causes you to experience the world in a different way. You are her tribe. She is the HOW coach. 

Giving you specific, actionable steps that will change your life.  

Together, we will create a plan with every step and system in place to make your life functional and efficient, so you RISE STRONG and BECOME LIMITLESS.  

The Rock Star CEO  

Neurodivergentbossgirls.com – membership group  

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

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LinkedIn 

To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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We start with Ben’s how he got here now story. He’s changing the model on traditional roles of theatre. Ben states that improv is a conversation. It doesn’t matter what you say.  

Ben recounts a few improv scenarios. And he explains why improv beats traditional role play for helping corporate groups empower their people. It’s all about helping people feel safe to feel their feelings.  

You won’t want to miss this incredibly lively conversation as we talk about what it means to have deep connections with one another.  

About Benjamin Lloyd – 

Benjamin Lloyd is the Executive Director of Bright Invention, which uses improvisation to empower people and organizations to unlock their potential. He created their innovative learning & development program called Creative Corporate Training which uses scenarios performed by actors to help companies solve "people” problems. He is a graduate of Yale College and the Yale School of Drama. 

Bright Invention 

To learn more about your host, Catherine Avery:  

Productivity by Design  

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To connect with Catherine: Schedule a Call  

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