Productivity Mastery

Stoyan Yankov
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Monthly

What if you had one place where you can listen to the untold stories of some of the most accomplished and inspiring leaders in the world? In this podcast, productivity & performance coach, Stoyan Yankov, welcomes: 🎙 Unicorn founders & entrepreneurs 🎙 Top-level executives from leading companies 🎙 Best-selling authors & experts 🎙 And many other extraordinary individuals! You will learn their best habits, strategies & mindsets and hear compelling conversations around #performance, #leadership, #entrepreneurship, #PersonalDevelopment & #TeamCulture. Tune in and enjoy the journey!

  1. Harmonica: Behind the Scenes of Building The Organic Food Brand | Productivity Mastery #242 with Lubomir Nokov

    16 hr ago

    Harmonica: Behind the Scenes of Building The Organic Food Brand | Productivity Mastery #242 with Lubomir Nokov

    🚀 Productivity Mastery #242 In this episode, our host Stoyan Yankov welcomed Lubomir Nokov, Cofounder and CEO of one of the most beloved brands in Bulgaria -Harmonica. https://harmonica.bg It all started with a simple question: “Why is it so hard to find real food?” In 2006, Magdalena Maleeva - former world No. 4 tennis player, environmental activist, and entrepreneur - together with her husband, Lubomir Nokov, decided to take action. They founded Harmonica Foods | Organic & B-Corp with a clear mission: to bring back real food, made the right way. Their journey began with organic yogurt - made from milk sourced from small Bulgarian farms, using traditional methods, live cultures, and nothing artificial. From there, Harmonica grew into a brand offering a full range of organic, clean-label foods - from eggs and cheese to chocolate, pretzels, and drinks. Today, Lubomir Nokov leads Harmonica Foods | Organic & B-Corp as CEO, ensuring the company stays true to its values - supporting local farmers, promoting regenerative agriculture, and maintaining the highest EU organic standards. Harmonica products are now available in more than 1 500 stores across Bulgaria and in more than 20 other countries, and the company continuously pushes for sustainable packaging and responsible sourcing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Harmonica and Its Origins 08:49 The Journey of a CEO: Daily Life and Priorities 13:52 Leadership Lessons: Mistakes and Growth 18:30 Building a Strong Team: Hiring and Culture 24:48 Networking and Curiosity: The Key to Connections 30:31 Crisis Management: Navigating Challenges 36:45 Worry Management: Strategies for Entrepreneurs 39:05 Embracing Imperfection and Self-Compassion 42:12 The Journey of Entrepreneurship: Struggles and Resilience 44:52 The Reality of Entrepreneurship: Beyond the Highlights 49:00 Product Development: The Art of Quality and Integrity 56:00 Navigating Challenges in Food Production 01:02:01 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Patience and Connection Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast 👇 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433b Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289 Website: https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 9min
  2. Why Relational Intelligence (RQ) Will Matter More Than Ever In The Age of AI - Productivity Mastery #241 with Sarah McDevitt

    5 Jun

    Why Relational Intelligence (RQ) Will Matter More Than Ever In The Age of AI - Productivity Mastery #241 with Sarah McDevitt

    🚀 In episode #241, our host Stoyan Yankov welcomed Sarah Stone McDevitt, author of "THE ROUND TABLE: how relational intelligence will become your human advantage in the age of AI". Get your copy here: https://shorturl.at/3i5oR Sarah McDevitt is a TEDx speaker, author, and advocate for human-centered leadership in the age of AI. She's currently serving as Sr Director Partner Strategy, Operations & Capabilities at Hubspot. Drawing on her experiences growing up in Ireland, working across business, saas and marketing, and navigating leadership in increasingly digital workplaces, she explores how relational intelligence, empathy, and human connection are becoming the most valuable skills in the AI era. In this conversation, Stoyan and Sarah delve into the concept of relational intelligence (RQ), particularly in the context of AI's rise. They explore how human connection, empathy, and understanding are becoming increasingly vital as technology advances. Sarah shares her personal journey with dyslexia and how it shaped her understanding of communication and relationships. The discussion also touches on the importance of awareness and presence in interactions, the role of neurodiversity in communication styles, and the five signals of relational intelligence that can be developed to enhance interpersonal skills. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Relational Intelligence (RQ) 03:07 The Importance of Human Connection 05:50 Developing Relational Intelligence 09:02 The Role of AI in Enhancing Human Skills 12:01 Understanding Neurodiversity and Communication 14:52 The Five Signals of Relational Intelligence 35:26 The Role of Presence in Communication 39:44 Building Meaningful Connections 43:19 Empathetic Structuring in Organizations 48:05 Understanding Connection Capital 55:23 The Importance of Human Differentiation 01:06:31 Starting Your Journey to Relational Intelligence Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 11min
  3. The Founder Who Chose to Stop Before the Money Ran Out - Productivity Mastery #240 with Marek Kesküll

    3 May

    The Founder Who Chose to Stop Before the Money Ran Out - Productivity Mastery #240 with Marek Kesküll

    🚀 In episode #240, our host Stoyan Yankov welcomed Marek Kesküll, Former Co-founder & CEO at Scorestars. So much talk about success and glorifying entrepreneurship. The reality is much different. Every founder knows it. Despite raising €725K and scaling internationally, Marek and his team made the difficult decision to shut it down before the money ran out. They didn't run out of cash. ❌ They ran out of emotional runway. ✅ Listen to a NO-BS conversation about entrepreneurship, navigating uncertainty and challenges, and having the guts to make the difficult decisions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of Entrepreneurship 03:03 The Journey of Starting a Startup 05:52 Gaining Traction and Early Success 08:59 Challenges in Expansion and Market Understanding 12:01 The Pivot: Adapting to Market Needs 15:04 Fundraising and Investor Relations 18:12 Lessons Learned from Feedback and Iteration 20:54 Reflections on Business Model and Strategy 23:52 The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship 26:54 Final Thoughts and Future Directions 33:06 Vision and Strategy: The Road to Success 36:27 The Decision to Shut Down: A Defining Moment 39:32 Navigating Investor Relationships: Communication and Transparency 42:05 The Emotional Roller Coaster of Entrepreneurship 44:19 The Importance of Therapy: Managing Stress and Expectations 49:49 The Power of Community: Support Among Entrepreneurs 56:19 Perseverance in Fundraising: The Path to Success 01:01:52 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Mindset Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast 👇 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 4min
  4. A CEO’s Reflection: How to Thrive in Today's World of Work | Productivity Mastery #239 with Amel Gaily

    15 Apr

    A CEO’s Reflection: How to Thrive in Today's World of Work | Productivity Mastery #239 with Amel Gaily

    🚀 In episode #239, our host Stoyan Yankov welcomed Amel Gaily, CEO at Cuckoo. Amel Gaily is an entrepreneur and CEO of the health technology company Cuckoo Networks. Before becoming an entrepreneur, Amel worked in management positions as CEO of the Finnish Business Angels Network (FiBAN) and at Nordea. Amel serves on the boards of several different organizations. Amel is also known as the advisor on the Finnish version of the TV show: The Apprentice. Connect with Amel Gaily on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amelgaily/ And check out the Cuckoo app: https://cuckooworkout.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Current Challenges 02:58 The Role of AI in Business 06:08 Becoming a CEO: Journey and Motivation 08:53 Navigating Workplace Complexity 12:01 Aligning Teams with Vision 15:10 Effective Communication Strategies 17:48 Creating a Culture of Breaks 21:03 The Importance of Breaks for Productivity 23:48 Implementing Effective Break Strategies 26:57 Building a Supportive Work Environment 29:58 Conclusion and Future Outlook 37:33 Designing Workplace Culture 40:27 The Importance of Breaks and Well-being 43:55 Redefining Work in the Age of AI 46:08 Creating a Fun and Productive Environment 49:41 Energy Management and Work-Life Balance 52:30 Linking Well-being and Performance 54:40 Cultural Insights from Finland 57:34 Lessons from Reality TV: Leadership Insights Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast 👇 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 6min
  5. HR Veteran shares 22+ years of Lessons on Culture Transformation | #238 with David Hanrahan

    14 Apr

    HR Veteran shares 22+ years of Lessons on Culture Transformation | #238 with David Hanrahan

    🚀 In episode #238, we welcomed David Hanrahan, SVP, People Success at 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 David Hanrahan is coming back to the Productivity Mastery Podcast! His career includes senior roles in HR/People Management, such as 👇 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐬 (SPV - People Success)𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐞 (Chief People Officer)𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 (CHRO) 𝐍𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐈𝐧𝐜. (People & Places)𝐙𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐤 (VP, People)𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 (Director, Human Resources)𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐬 (Director, Human Resources) 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 (HR Manager) Connect with David on LinkedIn:   / davidhanrahan   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:54 Understanding Company Culture 05:58 Markers of a Healthy Culture 09:56 Culture Audits and Assessments 13:10 Aligning Values Post-Acquisition 24:11 Communicating Culture and Values Effectively 30:37 Cultural Sensitivity in Communication 34:56 Empathy Across Cultures 35:25 Protecting Organizational Culture During Growth 39:26 Understanding Candidates Beyond Interviews 42:43 Learning from Leaders and Influencers 46:43 Aligning HR with Business Goals 52:02 Future Skills for HR Leaders 56:23 Staying Updated in a Tech-Driven World 01:00:23 Building Alliances for AI Adoption Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast 👇Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 3min

  6. 31 Mar

    The 6 Figure Simplicity: Building a Lifestyle Authority Brand in 2026 - Chris James

    🚀 In episode #237, we welcomed Chris James, founder of Content To Clients, who helps coaches, freelancers, and finance professionals attract clients through organic content on Instagram and LinkedIn.With a strong background in B2B sales and marketing, working with brands like FedEx, Subway, and Jack Daniel’s, Chris now focuses on helping people turn their expertise into a client-generating engine.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Productivity Mastery Podcast02:41 Understanding Lifestyle Authority Brand07:55 Reverse Engineering Your Vision10:21 Building Your Personal Brand16:50 Overcoming Limiting Beliefs23:20 Turning Organic Content into Business32:06 The 4C Workflow for LinkedIn Success37:46 Understanding Diverse Communication Preferences41:09 The Importance of Touch Points in Building Trust43:29 Content Creation Strategies and Engagement54:37 Balancing Niche Focus and Authenticity in Content01:05:16 Defining Personal Success and Its Impact on Life01:06:50 Exploring Chris's C2C Program and ResourcesEnjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing!__________Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast :point_down:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433bApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 10min
  7. 3x Exits & Millions in ARR: Entrepreneurial Lessons by the Startup Warrior: Productivity Mastery #236 with Mikael da Costa

    24 Mar

    3x Exits & Millions in ARR: Entrepreneurial Lessons by the Startup Warrior: Productivity Mastery #236 with Mikael da Costa

    🚀 In episode #236, we welcomed Mikael da Costa, the founder and CEO of WP SEO AI, an AI-powered SEO platform that has scaled to 180 employees and serves over 1,500 companies across Finland, the Netherlands, and Germany. Prior to that, he scaled several companies to EUR millions in annual recurring revenue (ARR), raising funding to fuel their growth, and successfully leading 3 businesses to exits. Throughout his journey, he has been recognized as a finalist for both Entrepreneur of the Year and Young Leader of the Year. He has also been featured on the cover of Myynti & Markkinointi magazine for his work in sales and marketing innovation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background of Entrepreneurship 03:02 The Reality of Entrepreneurship 06:00 Challenges and Sacrifices in Entrepreneurship 08:48 Building a Business Blueprint 11:49 Sales and Market Validation 14:33 Productivity and Prioritization Strategies 17:40 Books and Lessons Learned 30:49 Prioritization and Daily Practices 33:13 Building a Core Team 35:42 Values and Leadership Principles 38:19 Creating a Supportive Culture 42:40 Nurturing Relationships and Team Practices 48:30 Mindset and Resilience in Entrepreneurship 53:40 Navigating Challenges and Maintaining Focus Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to the Productivity Mastery Podcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289Website:https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 1min

  8. 17 Mar

    Navigating Change: From Sailing to HR Leadership | Productivity Mastery #235 with Marina Takacs

    🚀 In episode #235, we welcomed Marina Takacs, who is a forward-thinking and innovation-driven HR leader with over ten years of experience in the pharmaceutical and IT industries, helping organizations turn transformation into opportunity. She is known for her sensible and human-centered approach to people, focusing on building high-performing teams and shaping cultures where leadership, creativity, and people-centric thinking drive real business impact. In 2026, navigating change effectively is becoming more crucial than ever. - AI Integration and Ethics - Talent Retention and Recruitment - Declining Engagement and Burnout - Hybrid Culture and Communication - Management effectiveness in times of change - Compliance and regulations... These are just some of the topics HR leaders need to deal with. And it requires one to develop an entirely new mindset to succeed. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:46 Sailing and Leadership: Navigating Change 05:49 The Evolving Role of HR in Uncertain Times 08:48 Building Resilience and Adaptability in Teams 12:06 Calm Leadership in Crisis Situations 15:09 The Importance of Preparation 18:00 Communication and Trust in Organizations 20:59 Developing Wartime Leaders 23:56 Creating Ownership and Purpose in Teams 33:24 Rethinking Job Descriptions 35:03 Core Values for Team Success 38:42 Embedding Culture in Recruitment 42:08 Navigating Burnout and Self-Care 45:29 The Role of Ego in Leadership 48:03 Sailing as a Leadership Tool 52:32 Leading Through Sustained Crisis 58:44 Prioritizing in Changing Times Enjoy listening and #KeepPERFORMing! __________ Subscribe to Productivity Mastery Podcast :point_down: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3DHrGKvqCduaXrEHrHazAR?si=92e8b757ef55433b Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productivity-mastery/id1514614289 Website: https://stoyanyankov.com/podcast/

    1hr 4min
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About

What if you had one place where you can listen to the untold stories of some of the most accomplished and inspiring leaders in the world? In this podcast, productivity & performance coach, Stoyan Yankov, welcomes: 🎙 Unicorn founders & entrepreneurs 🎙 Top-level executives from leading companies 🎙 Best-selling authors & experts 🎙 And many other extraordinary individuals! You will learn their best habits, strategies & mindsets and hear compelling conversations around #performance, #leadership, #entrepreneurship, #PersonalDevelopment & #TeamCulture. Tune in and enjoy the journey!

Information

  • Creator
    Stoyan Yankov
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Stoyan Yankov
  • Show Website
    Productivity Mastery