Productivity Nerd

kathy.soulsby
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Welcome to Productivity Nerd by Personally Virtual – your go-to spot for smart, slightly nerdy conversations about productivity, time management, and working smarter (not harder!). Hosted by Virtual Assistant and productivity enthusiast Kathy Soulsby, we unpack powerful tools, books, and habits - from Getting Things Done to Slow Productivity and beyond. Whether you’re a solo business owner, a time-blocking fanatic, or just looking to tame your to-do list, you’ll find actionable tips, interviews, and real talk to boost your focus and reclaim your time.

  1. 1D AGO

    Episode 47 - How Flown Is Reinventing Remote Work Productivity with Rich Gwilt

    This week on Productivity Nerd, Kathy is joined by Rich Gwilt from Flown - a platform she’s been a member of for years (because even productivity nerds need help focusing).Flown is known for its virtual coworking sessions designed for deep work - structured, intentional time to actually finish something. Not “open 47 tabs and call it research” work. Proper work.Kathy and Rich explore why virtual coworking works so brilliantly, especially for people who technically could focus alone… but mysteriously don’t.They also get into the realities of remote life:– Why homeworking can feel lonelier than we expected – How fully remote, global teams build real connection – Why burnout is such a risk when the commute is 12 steps – Who’s responsible for boundaries (and why “just switch off” isn’t always helpful advice) – How culture quietly drives productivity far more than any shiny new appRich shares what it’s like working inside a fully distributed company, how Flown approaches connection intentionally, and the balance between treating people like adults while still, you know, running a business.It’s thoughtful, practical and reassuring - especially if you’re working from home wondering why you’re both exhausted and slightly isolated.Because productivity isn’t about working longer.It’s about creating the right conditions to focus well… and then closing the laptop without guilt.If you’re a remote worker, leader, or permanently exhausted pigeon with Wi-Fi, this episode will feel very familiar - in the best possible way. To join a Flock visit www.flown.com www.instagram.com/flownspace/ www.linkedin.com/in/richgwilt/

    41 min

  2. MAR 4

    Episode 46.5 - Mini pod on how to Retain More From the Books You Read | 7 Reading Techniques from Daniel Pink

    In this mini-episode, Kathy dives into seven practical techniques from bestselling author Daniel Pink that will help you remember more from the books you read - especially non-fiction, business and personal development books.   Because let’s be honest, we all adore buying books.We feel wildly optimistic while reading them. And then… poof. The knowledge disappears like a Post-it note in a strong breeze.Inside this short, sharp episode, you’ll discover: – Why you should (brace yourself) “torture” your books – The powerful S&H Method (Summarise and Harvest) for locking in key ideas – How to build a simple “second brain” for book highlights – Why re-reading the right books changes everything – What it means to be a T-shaped reader (and why depth + breadth both matter) – The surprisingly liberating formula for quitting books guilt-free – And why reading is a privilege, not a performance sport There’s also a small detour via Wuthering Heights, windy moors, and the uncomfortable realisation that teenage romance standards were…questionable. If you love personal development, productivity books, business reading, or simply want to stop forgetting everything you consume - this episode will give you practical, doable strategies to improve information retention without turning reading into homework. For more on this topic, check out Daniel Pink’s YouTube video “How to Be a Better Reader”. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/xaXLPRpJzwM?app=desktop

    11 min

  3. FEB 25

    Episode 46 - Why Bad Emails Are Killing Your Productivity (And What To Do About It), with Kim Arnold

    In this episode of Productivity Nerd, host Kathy Soulsby is joined by “the email whisperer” Kim Arnold, coach, consultant, and author of Email Attraction. Together they dive into the psychology of inboxes, persuasive communication, and why badly written emails are one of the biggest hidden drains on productivity. Kim and her team have worked with major organisations to transform dull, bloated emails into clear, compelling messages that actually get opened, read, and actioned. Because productivity doesn’t just live in planners and colour-coded task lists - it lives in how we communicate. Inside this episode, they explore: The shocking statistic about how long we spend in email (brace yourself)Why most workplace emails are boring, confusing, and wildly inefficientHow unclear emails create unnecessary meetings, endless chasing, and cognitive overloadThe difference between a “meh” email and a persuasive, action-driving oneHow to write subject lines that cut through (including Kathy’s legendary “How are you on Robot Lawn Mowers?”)The balance between clarity and kindness in professional communicationThe emotional weight of managing email, Slack, Teams and WhatsApp all at onceWhy we procrastinate over hitting “send” ...and how to overcome email perfectionismSimple frameworks and habits to write better emails without sounding roboticKim explains why email is where productivity and psychology meet - and how small shifts in tone, structure and persuasion can save hours every week. If your inbox feels more like a swamp than a springboard, this episode will give you practical tools to write sharper emails, reduce overwhelm, and get faster results. Whether you’re a founder, consultant, executive, or simply someone drowning in notifications, this conversation will change how you think about email forever. Go check out Kim's website for more email advice: http://www.email-attraction.com And give her a follow over on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/karnoldcomms/

    49 min

  4. FEB 18

    Episode 45.5 - Inbox Zero Explained: Why 2,000 Unread Emails Are the Real Problem

    Inbox Zero. Two words guaranteed to make some people twitch. In this mini episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy Soulsby makes a passionate (and slightly sweary) case for why Inbox Zero isn’t the problem...inbox overwhelm is. If you’ve ever opened your email, seen four figures glaring back at you, and quietly closed the tab again… this one’s for you.Kathy shares:   Why leaving thousands of emails unread is far more extreme than clearing themA horror story involving a volunteer inbox, zero structure, and a folder optimistically titled “To Do”Why “select all → archive” is not reckless behaviourAnd how treating your inbox like a runway (not a storage unit) can instantly calm your brain  There’s talk of haunted inboxes, anxious ghost emails, and why using your inbox as a task manager is like storing your shoes in the fridge - technically possible, deeply unhelpful. Inbox Zero isn’t about perfection. It’s about visibility, sanity, and not living under a pile of unread receipts and vague FYIs.

    15 min

  5. FEB 11

    Episode 45 - Working With Your Cycle: Productivity Tips for Hormone-Heavy Days, with Liz Sherlock

    What do mood swings, motivation dips, and your productivity have in common? Hormones, baby. In this episode of Productivity Nerd, host Kathy Soulsby chats to nurse and clinical hypnotherapist Liz Sherlock about how our hormonal cycles can mess with our mojo - and what to do about it. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel like Superwoman one week and a sentient sock the next, you’re not imagining it. From the gym to the boardroom, hormones like oestrogen, progesterone, and cortisol can have a huge impact on how we work, think, and feel. Kathy and Liz cover: – How to work with your cycle, not against it – The impact of perimenopause and menopause on productivity (hello, brain fog) – Tips for men who live, love or work with women (hint: don’t say “calm down”) – Why ignoring your hormones is like trying to schedule a strategy meeting during “crying over burnt toast” week Whether you’re tracking your cycle with military precision or just vaguely aware something’s up, this episode offers science-backed advice and practical hacks to stop fighting your hormones and start flowing with them. Because productivity isn’t just planners and Pomodoro timers. Sometimes it’s knowing when to rest, when to push, and when to eat chocolate and hide in a duvet fort. If you want to learn more visit Liz's website: https://sherlockhypnotherapy.com/

    41 min

  6. FEB 4

    Episode 44.5 - Toxic Productivity and the Hungry Ghost Problem

    Ever feel like no matter how much you get done, it’s never quite enough? Like you're on a hamster wheel powered by colour-coded to-do lists and vague guilt? In this episode, Kathy talks about toxic productivity - that sneaky voice that tells you to "try harder" even when you're running on fumes. We’ll meet the ancient metaphor of the “hungry ghost” (spoiler: it’s not just a spooky concept, it might actually live in your inbox) and explore why modern hustle culture leaves so many of us feeling hollow. This isn’t a productivity pep talk. It’s a gentle, tea-sipping nudge toward ambition without self-punishment. Because yes, you can want more ... without believing you’re not enough.

    8 min

  7. JAN 28

    Episode 44 - Living Forward by Michael Hyatt, with Claire Ennion

    In this episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy Soulsby is joined by her fellow productivity enthusiast Claire Ennion for a deep dive into Living Forward by Michael Hyatt and Daniel Harkavy. This isn’t your standard self-help hustle fest. It’s about escaping “the drift” - that sneaky slide into autopilot - and creating a Life Plan that helps you live on purpose.   They chat legacies (yes, there’s talk of funerals again), life “accounts”, and why your weekly planner might need a spiritual check-in alongside the school run and sales calls.Expect thoughtful takeaways, a few tangents (including haunting people via stationery sabotage), and some very honest reflections on what it means to design your life when life itself feels a bit… unscheduled.

    42 min

  8. JAN 21

    Episode 43.5 - The cosy January Episode

    In this bite-sized January episode, Kathy (planner addict, colour-code enthusiast, and long-time hot water bottle evangelist) dives into the art of staying warm without melting your budget.Because it’s 2026, energy bills are still soaring, and frankly no one should have to freeze just to get through their inbox.From USB hand warmers to bubble-wrapped windows (yes, really), this cosy listen is packed with practical tips, historical oddities, and the science behind warm socks and better focus. You'll hear why heating you beats heating the whole house, how to build a “thermal productivity zone,” and what medieval straw-insulated floors have to do with your 3pm slump.Perfect for anyone trying to stay productive, semi-sane, and vaguely defrosted this winter.So, grab a brew (or two), wrap yourself in something fleece-adjacent, and enjoy.Stay warm, stay nerdy...and remember: the only thing that should be frozen in January is the peas in your freezer.

    9 min
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About

Welcome to Productivity Nerd by Personally Virtual – your go-to spot for smart, slightly nerdy conversations about productivity, time management, and working smarter (not harder!). Hosted by Virtual Assistant and productivity enthusiast Kathy Soulsby, we unpack powerful tools, books, and habits - from Getting Things Done to Slow Productivity and beyond. Whether you’re a solo business owner, a time-blocking fanatic, or just looking to tame your to-do list, you’ll find actionable tips, interviews, and real talk to boost your focus and reclaim your time.

Information

  • Creator
    kathy.soulsby
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    93
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © kathy.soulsby
  • Show Website
    Productivity Nerd