Podkast Quran

Optimism and mindset: Michelle Gielan on why resilient optimism is a set of habits you practice, not a mood you wait for, and the small daily moves that build it.

Focus, sleep, and stress: Christian Poensgen on the 90-minute cycle behind doing great work without trading away your health or your relationships.

Simplicity and decision fatigue: Roy Schwartz on confronting complexity, deleting what doesn't matter, and amplifying the few things that do.

Communication and habits in marriage: Jackie Kelley on the rules she and her husband built for their neurodivergent partnership — and why they apply to everyone.

Work-life balance and boundaries: Sarah Armstrong on how working parents decide what to protect — and what's safe to let drop.

Goal setting and intentional living: Chris Bailey on why your values decide what you finish — and why dropping a goal can be the win.

Creativity and play: Rachael Renae on why play belongs in a full life, the trap of turning a passion into a job, and learning to trust yourself.

Self-awareness and personal productivity: Lisa Marker-Robbins on how the Birkman Method reveals your wiring — and how to work with it, not against it.

Mindset and Self-Trust: Lester Clowes on why you become the person before the outcome arrives, and how to pay down "promise debt" one small commitment at a time.

Burnout and energy management: Liane Davey on why thought load — not workload — is the real reason you're exhausted, and what to do about it.

Creativity and rest: Natalie Nixon on toggling between wonder and rigor, and why AI should help us flourish, not just produce.

Energy management and decision making: Mark Malkoff on what Johnny Carson's 30 years — and his exit at number one — reveal about a whole life.

Time management and time abundance: Laura Vanderkam on why you likely have more time than you think — and how to actually feel it.

Charlie Gilkey shares how small team habits can transform communication, collaboration, and productivity.

Claire Diaz-Ortiz gives mentors and mentees a framework for building the kind of relationships that change the shape of your life.

Erik Fisher shares a practical, research-informed guide to social media detoxes, digital overload, phone notifications, and reclaiming focus through intentional smartphone habits.

John Drury returns to show how monthly, quarterly, and annual rhythms of retreat can helps us with a life-giving rule of life.

John Drury brings ancient wisdom to modern rhythms, showing how a rule of life can transform the way you work, rest, and live.

Erik Fisher explains how shifting from the illusion of control to executing with agency helps you stay productive when life won’t cooperate.

Productivity A-Z 2025 - Part 2 of an annual two-part conversation.

Annie Duke shares simple, practical tools to help you make better everyday decisions and improving how you learn from outcomes.

Tamsen Webster shares how to structure messages around people’s existing beliefs—so your ideas resonate, stick, and create change that lasts.

Margaret Andrews shares the MYLO framework to help leaders grow with purpose, confidence, and clarity at every career stage.

Shawn Lemon shares how to eliminate friction, reduce file chaos, and streamline your digital life.

Dr. Harry Cohen shares how to bring out the best in others by radiating warmth and positivity in every interaction.

Charles Duhigg explains how to communicate better by matching your message to facts, feelings, or values

Pat Flynn shares how to escape inspiration overload and take focused, timely action through the principles of lean learning.

Alan Gannett shows how creativity isn’t a gift, but a skill you can cultivate by balancing novelty and familiarity.

Michael Long explains how to understand and tame dopamine—helping you focus, create, and live with more intention.

Ingrid Jensen shares a step-by-step approach to letting go of clutter, building simple habits, and resetting your home and mindset for a more intentional life.

Bill McGowan, author of Speak Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience, shares practical ways to make your ideas stick—on stage, on Zoom, and in any high-stakes moment. We get into dynamic delivery, smarter structure, and memorable language devices you can use immediately.In this conversation, we discuss:Dial it up (a bit): Why what feels “over the top” on video usually plays just right.Story over stats: Using Francis Ford Coppola’s “three best things” idea to craft stronger openings and closings.Primacy & recency: Designing beginnings and endings people actually remember (and skipping the dreaded agenda slide).Cliffhangers > previews: Start with something engaging—don’t promise you’ll be engaging later.Slow beats filler: How pacing reduces “uh/you know” and helps you choose better words.Slides with a point: Lead each slide with a clear statement of value; know your closing line before you advance.Be your own brutal editor: Cut 25% from emails and presentations to boost clarity and punch.Levity, not…

Paul Kirby shares how to combine your passions into a purposeful vision using the FUSE framework.

Zorana Pringle reveals how creativity is a process of ongoing decisions and how motivation, attention, risk, and structure help you turn ideas into real action.

Jeffrey and Jamie Downs share how small, daily actions done consistently can build confidence, identity, and long-term change.

James Kimmel reveals how revenge functions like an addiction in the brain and forgiveness can restore our productivity, peace, and purpose.

Eliana Goldstein shares how to gain clarity, build confidence, and make intentional shifts in your career.

John Jantsch shares how literary wisdom can help us cultivate resilience, perspective, and perseverance in both business and life.

Kendall Berg explains how to stop being overlooked at work by mastering the real rules of career success—relationships, visibility, and self-advocacy.

Camilla Kring shares how aligning with your biological rhythms can lead to healthier habits, better leadership, and more inclusive workplaces.

Jonathan Levi shares how visual mnemonics, speed reading, and memory palaces can help you train your brain for better focus, recall, and learning.

In this Shortcast edition, Mamie Kanfer Stewart, co-author of Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings, explains why meetings are one of the biggest productivity drains—and how to fix them. From clarifying desired outcomes to optimizing who’s in the room, Mamie shares practical, people-focused strategies to make meetings more effective, purposeful, and energizing. In this Shortcast, we explore: Start With the Outcome: Don’t ask, “What’s the purpose of the meeting?” Ask, “What do we want to achieve?” This mindset shift transforms how meetings are planned and executed. Alternatives to Meeting: Mamie highlights when meetings aren’t needed—and how tools like email or asynchronous comments can often deliver the same outcome with less time. Before, During, and After: She outlines a full meeting workflow—from designing the agenda around outcomes, to assigning timekeepers and capturing key decisions and next steps. Fixing Meeting FOMO: We dive into how a culture of over-inviting people to…

I’m excited to welcome back Mike Vardy to the show. Mike is a productivity strategist, longtime friend of the podcast, and the author of The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing Your Productive Potential. In this conversation, we dive into how the language, systems, and inputs you choose each day can either nourish or deplete your ability to do meaningful work. In this episode, we cover: Productivity as Nutrition, Not Punishment: Mike explains the “diet” metaphor—how productivity isn’t about restriction, but about choosing sustainable inputs that fuel the life you want. Mental Calories and Decision Fatigue: We explore the idea of cognitive nutrition and how overloading your brain with options, tabs, and to-dos creates burnout. Intentional Constraints: Mike shares how building structure around time, energy, and attention helps avoid binging on urgency and makes space for deeper work. The Language of Productivity: From calling tasks “ingredients” to using meal metaphors, Mike breaks down how…

In this Shortcast edition, Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, shares how applying storytelling principles can bring clarity, purpose, and momentum to your personal and professional life. Drawing from narrative theory, Donald explains how to see your life as a story—complete with a clear goal, supporting characters, and an inciting incident—and how productivity begins with the power of focus and finish. In this Shortcast, we explore: The Life-as-Story Framework: Donald outlines the classic storytelling structure and how it applies to real life: a character with a problem, a guide, a plan, and a call to action that leads to either success or failure. The Power of an Inciting Incident: We discuss how deliberately creating an inciting incident—like signing up for a marathon or making a public commitment—can push you into meaningful action. Designing the Ideal Workday: After battling writer’s block, Donald took a road trip and absorbed every productivity audiobook he could, using what he learned to…

In this episode, Cynthia Kane, author of The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, joins the show to discuss how to improve communication by mastering the art of pausing. Cynthia, a communication expert, explains why taking a moment to pause before reacting in difficult situations can lead to more effective and mindful communication, preventing misunderstandings and reducing stress. In this conversation, we explore: The Power of Pausing: Cynthia discusses how the pause is a critical tool in communication, especially in high-stress situations, and how it can prevent knee-jerk reactions that lead to regret. The Science Behind Our Responses: We explore how our biology and evolutionary instincts push us into fight, flight, or freeze modes during stressful conversations, and how pausing helps override these instincts. The SOFTEN Method: Cynthia introduces the SOFTEN method—Sensation, Owning your discomfort, Focusing on the present moment, Taking a breath, Eyes towards another, and Need to…

In this Shortcast edition, Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, shares how we can reclaim our time and attention by taking control of our relationship with digital technology. Rather than rejecting tech entirely, Cal proposes a minimalist approach—using technology with intention and only when it supports what truly matters. In this Shortcast, we explore: Digital Minimalism Defined: Cal explains how minimalism isn’t about abandoning tech, but using it selectively and purposefully to maximize benefit and minimize distraction. The 30-Day Digital Declutter: A key process in Cal’s philosophy—taking a 30-day break from optional digital tools to reflect, reset habits, and rediscover values. Clearing the Slate and Starting Fresh: Cal encourages removing all non-essential apps and tools, then rebuilding your digital life from the ground up based on what serves your goals. Embracing Analog Life: Real-world activities like solitude, deep conversation, and hands-on tasks…

In this special Shortcast, Jess Cording, author of The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress and Anxiety, shares practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety by making small, sustainable changes across mind, body, and spirit. Jess offers gentle, doable practices that go beyond willpower—emphasizing progress over perfection. In this Shortcast, we explore: Scheduling Worry Time: Rather than ignoring anxious thoughts or letting them spiral, Jess shares how setting aside designated “worry time” can help free up mental space and increase focus. Finding Your Caffeine Sweet Spot: We discuss how caffeine affects productivity and stress, and how small swaps—like reducing serving size or switching to decaf—can restore balance without total deprivation. Creating a Loneliness Game Plan: Jess highlights how identifying personal, enjoyable activities to do when loneliness hits can protect both mental health and productivity. Mind, Body, and Spirit Alignment: The episode encourages a…

In this episode, Shira Gill, author of Lifestyle: Your Guide to a More Organized and Intentional Life, joins the show to discuss her approach to minimalism and intentional living. Shira, a professional organizer, shares how she applies the principles of minimalism not just to physical possessions but to all aspects of life—helping to create space for what truly matters. In this conversation, we explore: The Meaning of Minimalism: Shira discusses how minimalism is not just about owning less but being radically intentional with your time, energy, and resources, and how it helps to clarify your values and priorities. The Power of Volume, Systems, and Habits: We dive into Shira’s toolkit for simplifying life, which includes managing the volume of commitments, setting up simple systems, and creating sustainable habits that align with your goals. The Volume Problem: Shira explains why many people’s clutter and stress aren’t about disorganization, but about the sheer volume of things they’re trying to manage, and…

In this episode, Jim Guinn, co-author of How to Get Along with Anyone: The Playbook for Predicting and Preventing Conflict at Work and at Home, joins the show to discuss the art of conflict prevention. Jim, an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, shares practical tools for recognizing and managing conflict before it escalates into full-blown disputes. In this conversation, we explore: Predicting Conflict: Jim discusses how many conflicts can be anticipated and prevented by recognizing common triggers and understanding different conflict styles. The Power of Recognizing Triggers: We talk about how both recognizing your own triggers and understanding the triggers of others can help de-escalate potential conflicts in real-time. Types of Conflict: Jim breaks down three main types of conflict—task-based, process-related, and relational—and how each affects our relationships differently. Conflict Resolution Techniques: We explore effective techniques for handling conflict, including the use of specific…

In this special Shortcast edition, Baratunde Thurston, shares his experience of unplugging from social media for 25 days—and what he learned about stress, productivity, and the importance of being present. Baratunde reveals how stepping away from constant digital interaction can lead to more meaningful real-world connections and less burnout. In this Shortcast, we explore: The Cost of Constant Connectivity: Baratunde explains how being “always on” took a toll on his mental health, productivity, and relationships, and why unplugging was the antidote. The Value of Presence: By exploring neighborhoods in New York without his phone, Baratunde rediscovered the value of shared experiences, analog socializing, and being grounded in the real world. Social Media as a Second Job: Baratunde highlights how social media transforms everyone into an amateur content creator, adding stress and metrics to everyday life. Challenges of Disconnecting: We discuss why platforms make it difficult to unplug—emotionally and…

In this episode, Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from People in Charge, joins the show to discuss the often-overlooked skill of managing up. Melody shares insights on how to communicate more effectively with those in higher positions, ensuring that you get the support and guidance you need for your career while maintaining a positive working relationship. In this conversation, we explore: What “Managing Up” Really Means: Melody explains that managing up isn’t about manipulating your boss, but about clear communication, setting boundaries, and ensuring your needs and expectations are understood. The Importance of Alignment: We discuss how aligning with your manager’s goals and expectations can help you achieve personal success while contributing to the team’s overall objectives. Building Healthy Communication: Melody emphasizes how open and honest communication is key to reducing friction and increasing productivity, especially when you’re managing different working styles.…