A Productive Conversation

Latest Episodes:

Personal Socrates with Marc Champagne Feb 08, 2023

Show notes

My book, Productiveness, is now available. It's about the difference between doing more and doing what matters, and how we lost the ability to tell them apart. I'll send the release date the day it's set. Visit https://mikevardy.com/productiveness to learn more and get your copy today.

In this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with fellow Canadian, Marc Champagne. Marc is the author of the book "Personal Socrates". We had a great conversation about how the book was created through Baron Fig's new book imprint, and the various mental fitness practices and reflective questions that are shaping the lives of some of the most successful and brilliant thinkers in the world, both past, and present. Marc's book is a best-seller and explores the pointed questions that stimulate our mental fitness and teach us how to direct our internal narrative to work for us, instead of against us.

During this conversation, we delved into the process of journaling, and the reasons why questioning is an essential aspect of mental fitness. It was a pleasure to have him on the program, and I'm sure listeners will enjoy the insights and wisdom he shared.

Overall, it was a productive and engaging conversation and I hope you enjoy!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Marc: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn
Buy Marc's book: Personal Socrates
Listen to the Behind the Human with Marc Champagne Podcast
Related Conversation: Tailoring Tools for Thinkers with Joey Cofone
Related Blog Post: The Power of Intention is Fleeting

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.

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Paul Millerd talks about The Pathless Path Feb 01, 2023

Show notes

I'm really excited to have this conversation with Paul Millerd because I had the chance to meet him back in June of 2022 at the World Domination Summit. We had a fantastic time connecting and discussing our shared interests in productivity and our modern relationship with work. Paul is an independent writer, creator, and sometimes freelancer, and he writes about these topics in a way that I find truly inspiring.

During this conversation, we dive into his book "The Pathless Path" which is all about how people are imagining new paths beyond the default path that many of us grew up with. We talk about his own path and how he's found success as a writer, as well as discuss my own journey and the paths that we're each currently on. It's a really fascinating conversation and I think anyone who's interested in productivity and finding their own path in life will really enjoy it.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Paul: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Buy Paul's book: The Pathless Path
Related Conversation: Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized
Related Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

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Cameron Herold talks about Unleashing the Power of your COO Jan 25, 2023

Show notes

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Canadian business growth guru Cameron Herold to discuss the concept of the "second in command."

Cameron is the mastermind behind hundreds of companies' exponential growth and has earned his reputation as the business growth guru. He is the author of six books - including The Second in Command - an international speaker, and the founder of the COO Alliance, the World's Leading Network for Seconds in Command.

He's the host of the "Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief" podcast where he interviews COO's and other "second in command" to share their insights. During this conversation, Cameron and I delve into the importance of having a strong second in command and how it relates to the growth of a company, and I also talk about my own journey toward finding my second in command.

I hope you find this episode as valuable as I did.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Cameron: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn
Buy Cameron's book - The Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO
Listen to Second in Command: The Chief Behind the Chief podcast
Related Conversation: Cameron Herold talks about being The Second in Command
Related Blog Post: 9 Traits of a Successful Manager that Increases Productivity

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

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Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized Jan 18, 2023

Show notes

Alan Henry is a service journalist and editor who writes and commissions stories that help readers make better use of their technology and embrace a healthier relationship with it in their lives. Previously, the Smarter Living editor at The New York Times, the editor-in-chief of the productivity and lifestyle blog Lifehacker, theauthor of SEEN, HEARD, AND PAID, and is currently senior editor at Wired.

In this episode, we chat about how the book came to be, healthy boundaries in the workplace, the new work rules for the marginalized, and so much more!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Alan: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Alan's book: SEEN, HEARD, AND PAID
Related Conversation: Perrine Farque talks about Inclusion
Related Blog Post: Getting Things Done in Tough Places

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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Chris Bailey talks about How to Calm Your Mind Jan 11, 2023

Show notes

I am joined yet again by productivity expert and international bestselling author - Chris Bailey.

Chris has been on the show a handful of times and this one is a rather candid and comfortable conversation where we dive into his latest book, How to Calm your Mind.

This episode was originally released as a live stream for Premium members of TimeCrafting Trust. Want to take partake in future live streams and much more? Sign up here!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Chris: Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn
Buy Chris's book How to Calm Your Mind
Listen to The Time & Attention Podcast
Related Conversation: Chris Bailey talks about Hyperfocus
Related Blog Post: 3 Things You Can Do To Find Happiness Every Day

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marie Poulin talks about Notion Jan 04, 2023

Show notes

Marie Poulin is the creator of Notion Mastery and co-founder of Oki Doki. Diagnosed with ADHD, she believes that Notion is especially powerful for neurodivergent folks who have long struggled to adhere to traditional or rigid project management processes, and may need a little extra customization and flexibility. Because of this, she is passionate about helping others customize their workflows and workspaces to meet their unique needs and preferences.

In this episode, Marie suggests how to use Notion to its best potential. We discuss the idea of journaling, the importance of systems, tracking your habits, and so much more. I can't believe it took me this long to get Marie to be on the show and it was a delightful conversation with a fellow Canadian!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Marie: Website | Twitter
Visit the Notion Mastery website
Listen to Why You Need Atomic Habits with James Clear
Related Conversation: Tiago Forte talks about Building a Second Brain
Related Blog Post: Taking Journaling to Another Level

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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FROM THE VAULT: Body Talk with James Hamblin Dec 28, 2022

Show notes

What if our bodies could talk? What if they could tell us that what we're doing to them and for them is either good or bad?

On this vault episode, Dr. James Hamblin, Senior Editor at The Atlantic and the host of "If Our Bodies Could Talk" joins me on the show to talk about the things we can do to help ourselves and our bodies be more effective and efficient and the things we sometimes do that make them function at less than optimum levels.

He's a funny guy. He's insightful. He's smart. We have a little bit in common. I'm no doctor. But I'm glad I got to speak to one here on this vault episode of A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with James: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn
Check out The Atlantic: If Our Bodies Could Talk
Learn more about James Hamblin's work here
Sad Desk Lunch: Is This How You Want to Die? - The Atlantic
Single-Tasking Is the New Multitasking - The Atlantic
Email Is Ruining Us: A Brilliant Solution - The Atlantic
Related Conversation: The Free-Time Formula with Jeff Sanders
Related Blog Post: Good Health and Productivity Go Together

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michelle Segar talks about habits and The Joy Choice Dec 21, 2022

Show notes

Michelle Segar is the author of No Sweat, she is a lifestyle coach and an award-winning NIH-funded sustainable behavior change researcher at the University of Michigan. She's got nearly three decades under her belt, and she's pioneered methods to create sustainable, healthy behavior changes, those changes are being used to boost patient health, employee well-being and gym member retention.

In this episode, we talk about behaviour change and habits, we talk about the concept of P.O.P., and of course, her latest book, The Joy Choice. I really think that this is a book worth your time and attention - and so is this episode!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Michelle: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn
What Are Your Hidden Eating and Exercise TRAPs? Take the Quiz here!
Buy Michelle's book: The Joy Choice
Buy Michelle's book: No Sweat
Related Conversation: The Four Tendencies with Gretchen Rubin
Related Blog Post: A Productive Life: Integrating Habits

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

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Matthew Dicks talks about actionable ways to propel your creative life Dec 14, 2022

Show notes

"Only put off until tomorrow what you are willing to die having left undone".

That quote from Pablo Picasso are the first words I read in Matthew Dicks book Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel your Creative Life.

He is the author of nine other books beyond the one I just mentioned. He's a best-selling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, and award-winning elementary school teacher. Matthew teaches storytelling and communications at universities, corporate workplaces, and community organizations.

He's won multiple math Grand Slam story competitions, and together with his wife, they created the organization Speak Up to help others share their stories. They also co-host the Speak Up Storytelling Podcasts.

I really enjoyed this conversation. We dive into the person who inspired me to do the work that I do now and quit my job. We also dig into this idea of perfectionism, we talk about performative productivity. And we talk about what he calls his 100-year-old plan, and lastly - we talk about oatmeal.

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Matthew: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Buy Matthew's book: Someday is Today: 22 Simple, Actionable Ways to Propel your Creative Life.
Listen to the Speak Up Storytelling Podcast
Related Conversation: Strategic Storytelling with Jordan Bower
Related Blog Post: JoCo: A Thank You Letter to Jonathan Coulton

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jennifer Smith talks about why process matters Dec 07, 2022

Show notes

If Jennifer Smith is right, the way anyone shares how-to knowledge is about to change forever. A former VC and McKinsey consultant turned accidental CEO, she interviewed more than 1,200 business leaders on a quest to understand everything there is to know about processes, best practices, and productivity. Now with her startup Scribe, she’s empowering people to own their processes by building the world’s first operating system for know-how.

In this episode, we talk about all things Scribe. I mentioned how I discovered it, we chat about inbox zero, we geek out about quantitative and qualitative productivity, and so much more!

Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Jennifer: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn
Get Scribe for FREE
Mike talks about the Great Overwhelm
Scott Friesen shows you how to use Scribe to create professional step-by-step guides
Related Conversation: Overcoming Overwhelm with Dr. Samantha Brody
Related Blog Post: How to Start Pacing Your Productivity

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. Click on any of the links below to make that happen.

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

You can also click on this link to paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices