A Productive Conversation Mike Vardy

In this vault episode, I chat with Gretchen Rubin, a renowned author of multiple bestsellers including The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. Her books have been widely read and translated into over thirty languages, selling almost three million copies worldwide. Gretchen co-hosts the award-winning podcast Happier with Gretchen Rubin alongside her sister Elizabeth Craft, where they discuss happiness and good habits. She has been recognized as one of the Most Creative People in Business by Fast Company and is a member of Oprah's SuperSoul 100.
Our conversation centers around The Four Tendencies, delving into which tendency I may align with (and even my wife's), how to fully embrace your own tendency to thrive, and more. I hope you enjoy listening to our discussion as much as I did!
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Gretchen: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn


Buy Gretchen's latest book: Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World



The Surprising Truth About Why Your To-Do List May Be Failing You | Gretchen Rubin

The 4 Tendencies That Explain Why You Struggle To Get Stuff Done (and What to Do About It) | Inc.


Signing Up for “NaNoWriMo” – National Novel Writing Month? Here’s Why It Works | Gretchen Rubin


Exciting: Scientific Research and Experiments Underway to Understand the Four Tendencies Better | Gretchen Rubin

Take Gretchen Rubin’s Quiz: The Four Tendencies


Related Conversation: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen


Related Blog Post: 3 Steps to Building Productivity Habits That Stick



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.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Zack Arnold, an award-winning editor, director, and founder of Optimize Yourself. He's also a father of two and a two-time American Ninja Warrior, which is pretty cool if you ask me. We had a productive conversation about how to pursue fulfilling careers without sacrificing our health, relationships, or sanity. Zack's work has been featured in various publications, and he's known for his expertise in productivity and entrepreneurship.
One thing that stood out to me was how Zack optimized his podcast process, which he shared with us. He also talked about how he's learned to prioritize his health and relationships while pursuing his career goals. 
Overall, it was a fantastic conversation, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. If you're new to the podcast, this is a great episode to start with. I feel like I found a kindred spirit in Zack, and I hope you will too.
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Zack: Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn


Listen to Optimize Yourself with Mike Vardy


Laura Vanderkam talks about Tranquility by Tuesday

Are you Productive or Just Busy? Take the quiz!


Related Conversation: Off the Clock with Laura Vanderkam


Related Blog Post: 4 Tips to Make the Most of Your Working 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.

Hamza Khan is a best-selling author, global keynote speaker, and respected thought leader whose TEDx talk "Stop Managing, Start Leading" has garnered nearly two million views. He is trusted by prominent organizations such as Microsoft, LinkedIn, and Salesforce to optimize performance and enhance human potential, and has been featured in notable media outlets like VICE and Business Insider. As the Co-Founder of SkillsCamp, Hamza aims to empower organizations to thrive in the future of work through soft skills training, and regularly shares actionable insights on leadership, resilience, and productivity.
In this episode, we cover a wide range of topics, including ego, productivity, and journaling. We also dive into Hamza's latest book, "Leadership, Reinvented," which focuses on fostering empathy, servitude, diversity, and innovation in the workplace. As a co-founder of a leading soft skills training company, Hamza brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this discussion, making it both practical and engaging.
This conversation will leave you feeling motivated and inspired to take your own leadership skills to the next level. Enjoy!
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Hamza : Website | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn


Buy Hamza's book Leadership, Reinvented: How to Foster Empathy, Servitude, Diversity, and Innovation in the Workplace


Watch Matthew McConaughey Dude's Journal


Related Conversation: What Great Leaders Possess with Kevin Kruse


Related Blog Post: The Benefits of Journaling for Time Management and 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.

Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist and lifestyle strategist who works with entrepreneurial individuals and couples with the emotional side of business. She is the owner of a therapy practice in Silicon Valley, host of The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur and Couples Fix podcasts, wife, mom of three kids, and Marvel movie super fan. 
Amber's journey from working in the tech industry to becoming a therapist is truly inspiring. Her passion for people and building meaningful relationships was at the center of every decision she made. We delved into topics such as work-life balance, mental health, and personal growth. It's amazing to see how her passion has translated into not just one, but two successful podcasts that are focused on helping others. Our discussion on work-life balance and mental health was also very relevant, especially given the current pandemic situation. 
This episode was an insightful and engaging conversation that I'm sure you'll enjoy just as much as I did.
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Amber: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Listen to the The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur


Sign up and receive the The Shiny Object downloadable


Related Conversation: Alan Henry talks about new work rules for the marginalized


Related Blog Post: Braving Burnout: How to Go on When it Feels Like There’s Nowhere to Go



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.

If you're interested in human performance and personal growth, I highly recommend checking out this episode with Steven Kotler. 
He has been studying human performance for over 30 years and has taught hundreds of thousands of people how to achieve peak performance evolved around Steven's latest book, Gnar Country, which addresses how to stay "rad" as you grow older. As someone who's pushing 50, I found Steven's insights on aging and how to maintain a sense of vitality fascinating, and I'm sure many listeners will find them useful as well.
Steven shares his own experiences and struggles as we dive into Gnar Country, which is filled with valuable insights and practical advice for anyone looking to maintain their edge as they grow older. This conversation was a great reminder that it's never too late to pursue your passions and stay "rad" as you age. I hope you find it as engaging and thought-provoking as I did.
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Steven: Website | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn


Buy Steven's book Gnar Country: Growing Old, Staying Rad


Related Conversation: Episode 367: Peak Performing Flow with Steven Kotler


Related Blog Post: Why it’s Important to Find Joy in Your Work



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.

I was so happy to have Ryder Carroll back on show. It's always great to hear from the creator of the Bullet Journal, especially as the approach continues to evolve and gain in popularity. 
In this episode, we cover a lot of ground, diving into the history of Bullet Journaling and exploring how it has developed over the years. It's always fascinating to hear about the origins of the method and how Ryder's approach has changed over time. Whether you're a seasoned Bullet Journal'er or new to the approach, there's something here for everyone.
We touch on a wide range of topics, from intention setting and goal planning to the role of AI in productivity. Whether you're looking for tips on how to get more done or simply want to reflect on what really matters in life, this episode is definitely worth a listen. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy the conversation - you won't be disappointed.
Links Worth Exploring

Connect with Ryder: Website | Instagram | Twitter | LinkedIn


Read The Bullet Journal Method


Read Ryder's article: The Imagination Economy


Visit the Bullet Journal website 


Related Conversation: The Evolution of Getting Things Done with David Allen


Related Blog Post: 3 Ways You Can Create An Effective Journaling Habit



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.