Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life

Shawn Lemon is the founder of The Digital Organizer, where he helps individuals and teams eliminate friction and chaos in their digital workflows. In this episode, we go deep into digital file systems, tool audits, naming conventions, AI clutter, and the underestimated cost of daily digital disorganization.This isn’t about color-coding your folders for fun—it’s about recovering your focus, time, and mental energy by organizing your digital life on purpose.In this episode, we cover:What Digital Organization Actually Means: It’s not about perfection—it’s about finding what you need in seconds, not minutes.The Core Four Systems: Files, email, passwords, and communication tools. Nail these, and everything else falls into place.Solo Business vs. Teams: Why even solo entrepreneurs create hidden chaos—and how to stop duplicating effort across tools.Avoiding the Frankenstein Stack: How tool sprawl (Google Docs + Dropbox + Box + iCloud…) is draining your time and brainpower.The Pitfalls of AI-Generated Clutter: As creation gets easier, organizing what you make becomes more important than ever.How to Tame GPT Projects and Prompts: Why you need a training folder, naming conventions, and even visual breadcrumbs for your GPT knowledge base.Digital Hoarding is Real: Most businesses only use 5% of their files regularly—find that 5% and prioritize from there.The Real Cost of Disorganization: How wasted time and duplicated work affects your bottom line—and what to do about it.How to Make Digital Organization a Project (Not a Forever Problem): Treat this like a sprint, not a slow drip. Get in, get organized, and get back to work.Focus Over Friction: Why triaging your tools, tasks, and systems one at a time is the fastest way to reclaim productivity.Whether you’re a solopreneur juggling too many tools or a leader managing team chaos, Shawn’s approach can save you hours a week—and a ton of mental load.Start with his quiz at thedigitalorganizer.com/beyond to find your digital organization score and get free access to his file organization guide and resource library.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Harry Cohen, a leadership consultant and author of Be the Sun, Not the Salt. In this uplifting conversation, Harry unpacks how small moments of positive energy can have massive ripple effects—and how each of us can show up as a force for good in our relationships, teams, and communities.In this episode, we explore:The Heliotropic Effect in Human Behavior: Just like plants gravitate toward sunlight, people naturally respond to warmth, encouragement, and positivity.How to Be the Sun: Harry shares practical ways to radiate positivity—through micro-moments of kindness, presence, and energy that elevate others.Avoiding the Salt: We discuss how sarcasm, negativity, and small acts of dismissiveness (a.k.a. “salt”) can quickly erode connection and morale.Leadership and Character: Whether in the workplace or at home, being the sun is about leading with integrity, empathy, and consistent warmth—not force or charisma.Training Your Impact: Harry explains how being the sun is a skill that can be developed with intention, awareness, and repetition.This conversation is a heartfelt and practical reminder that you don’t have to change the world to make a difference—you just have to change how you show up in it.Learn more about Harry’s work at drharrycohen.com, and get the book Be the Sun, Not the Salt wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week, we’re revisiting one of our most impactful conversations—with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg, about his latest book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. In a world where remote work, digital communication, and polarized conversations are the norm, knowing how to truly connect is more important than ever. This episode couldn’t be more timely.In this updated revisit, we explore:The Secret to Better Conversations: Charles explains why so many discussions go off-track—often because we don’t recognize what kind of conversation we’re actually having.Three Types of Conversations: We break down the crucial distinction between factual, emotional, and values-based conversations—and how misalignment can cause friction.Supercommunicator Habits: Charles reveals practical skills used by great communicators, from mirroring and labeling to vulnerability and listening with intention.How to Build Psychological Safety: Learn how to create space for trust, openness, and productive dialogue, especially in high-stakes work or family conversations.Why This Matters Now: As digital communication accelerates and meaningful connection becomes harder to come by, these tools aren’t just helpful—they’re essential.Whether you’re leading a team, navigating personal relationships, or just trying to be a better listener, this conversation is packed with insight on how to communicate with empathy, clarity, and intention.Learn more about Charles and his work at charlesduhigg.com, and pick up Supercommunicators wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Pat Flynn returns to the show to share insights from his newest book, Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less. In a world overflowing with content, Pat offers a powerful solution for those overwhelmed by endless podcasts, videos, and inspiration rabbit holes. Instead of more input, Lean Learning is about acting on just the right information at the right time—and ditching the rest.In this episode, we cover:Inspiration Overload vs. Just-in-Time Learning: How consuming too much content becomes disguised procrastination—and how to escape it.The Power of Doing Less to Learn More: Pat breaks down his strategy of “learning on demand” instead of hoarding knowledge you may never need.The Inspiration Matrix: A tool to audit where your energy is going—and reclaim it.Why Mistakes Are Your Best Teachers: Pat shares how micro-mastery, force functions, and “Power 10s” lead to rapid growth.Letting Go of FOMO: How to opt out with purpose and double down on what truly matters.Real-Life Lean Learning in Action: From ebooks to public speaking to Pokémon cards, Pat reveals how focused experimentation leads to big wins.The Role of Mentors and Community: Why surrounding yourself with champions is a productivity superpower.Pat’s approach is perfect for anyone stuck in a loop of constant learning but little action. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by too many ideas, this episode will help you reclaim your focus—and finally move forward.Find Lean Learning wherever books are sold and learn more about Pat’s work at SmartPassiveIncome.com.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Shortcast edition, Alan Gannett, author of The Creative Curve, demystifies the myth that creativity is an inborn talent. Instead, he lays out how great ideas emerge at the intersection of familiarity and novelty—and how anyone can train themselves to consistently produce creative work.The Creativity Curve Explained: Alan introduces the “creative curve”—the balance between what’s familiar and what’s new—and how it influences what ideas catch on.Exposure Breeds Creativity: Why intentional, repeated exposure to relevant content is one of the strongest predictors of creative output.Practice Over Prodigy: Alan emphasizes that behind every creative genius is a structure of routines, research, and iteration.Why Your Idea Might Flop: He explains how being too far ahead of the market—or too derivative—can tank even the best ideas, and how to find the sweet spot.Learnable Creativity: Alan provides hope for all of us: creativity is a skill, not a gift. And like any skill, it improves with deliberate practice and the right strategy.Find more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael Long is a bestselling author and speechwriter who co-wrote Taming the Molecule of More, the follow-up to the hit book The Molecule of More. In this conversation, we dive into how dopamine—the brain’s “molecule of more”—drives distraction, craving, creativity, and productivity, and how we can train it to serve us instead of sabotage us.In this episode, we cover:What Dopamine Actually Does: Michael explains the two dopamine systems—desire and control—and how they influence everything from addiction to ambition.Why Modern Life Overstimulates Us: From doomscrolling to shopping, we unpack why the digital world hijacks our dopamine and attention.How to Tame Your Dopamine Urges: Michael offers realistic, science-based ways to break the cycle of overstimulation—including dopamine fasting and behavioral resets.The Power of Presence: We discuss how returning to the “here and now” neurotransmitters (like through music, sunshine, or human connection) can help balance the dopamine system.Why Meaning Matters: Michael shares how understanding your values and aligning your work with them can bring lasting motivation and joy—not just temporary dopamine hits.Tools and Therapies That Help: From CBT and ACT to promising medical treatments like GLP-1 drugs, Michael explores practical supports for change.Michael’s insights offer a fascinating look at how your brain’s reward system can either keep you stuck in distraction or fuel your best creative work—depending on how you manage it.Learn more at TamingTheMolecule.comConnect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Professional organizer Ingrid Jansen, co-author of Reset Your Home, explains why clutter is more about emotions than “stuff,” why decluttering is a process (not a project), and how to start small—think kitchens, cupboards, and daily resets—to build your “decluttering muscle” over time. In this conversation, we discuss:Process over project: Decluttering is never “done”—as things come in, things must go out. Start in the kitchen: Fewer emotions than books/photos; clear storage first, then put surfaces away. Daily resets: 10–30 minute habits (dishes, bins, wipe counters, a load of laundry) that prevent weekend pileups. “If in doubt, keep it”: Build capacity with easy wins; you’ll be ready to let go on a later pass. Don’t buy more bins: The problem isn’t storage—it’s volume; work with what you have. Decide by favorites: Pull everything out, match lids, pick what you use and love first; the rest gets easier. Clutter personalities: From “harassed housekeepers” to “nostalgic knee-deeps”—self-awareness beats shame. Why this pays off: Less hunting, faster cleaning, smarter grocery runs—time and money saved. Links & resources:Book: Reset Your Home — Ingrid Jensen, Lesley SpellmanThe Declutter Hub (podcast, book, membership, community): declutterhub.com Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 jokes: Use a light touch to build trust and retention; avoid risky stand-up and overdone self-deprecation.Seven memorable devices (highlights): Analogy/metaphor, “creative labels” (e.g., the “toothbrush test”), mirror pairs, original definitions, simple equations/ratios, and smart cliché twists (“survival of the quickest”).Links & resources:Book: Speak Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience — Bill McGowanConnect with Bill on LinkedInConnect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Paul Kirby, author of The FUSE Pathway: How to Find and Lead a Fulfilling Life, shares how to identify your core passions, combine them into a unique vision, and build a realistic, evolving plan to pursue them. Drawing from his own experience of designing a robot that paints, Paul explains the FUSE framework—Find, Upgrade, Start, Evolve—and how it can guide anyone toward a life filled with purpose and creativity.In this conversation, we explore:The Concept of Fusion: Paul introduces the idea of “fusion”—combining multiple passions into a single, compelling life vision that lights a fire inside you.The FUSE Framework: We walk through the four-step FUSE process—Find your passion, Upgrade your skills, Start (gradually or boldly), and Evolve as you grow.Self-Discovery Through Journaling: Paul shares a powerful exercise involving “yellow verbs” to uncover consistent, lifelong themes in your behavior and interests.Pursuing Autotelic Goals: We discuss the importance of doing things for internal fulfillment rather than external approval—and how this mindset unlocks deeper purpose.Examples from His Life and Book: Paul tells stories from his journey of building a painting robot and weaving together interests in art, technology, design, and mechanics into one integrated vision.Paul’s FUSE model is an encouraging and actionable guide for anyone feeling stuck, scattered, or uncertain about how to bring their passions together into a life that truly fits.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle is a leading researcher in creativity psychology and author of The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action. In this episode, she unpacks how creativity isn’t just a moment of inspiration—it’s a series of choices. Whether you think you’re creative or not, Zorana shares how motivation, attention, risk tolerance, and constraint shape the process of turning ideas into reality.In this episode, we cover:Creativity Is More Than Ideas: Zorana explains how we’ve culturally over-glorified the spark of inspiration and ignored the decision-making and execution behind it.The Myth of the “Creative Type”: Creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s about original, effective solutions in any domain.Why Constraints Boost Creativity: Contrary to popular belief, creativity often increases when we have guardrails that focus and challenge our thinking.The Role of Risk in Creative Work: Zorana breaks down intellectual, emotional, and social risks—and how to increase your tolerance over time.The Two Engines of Creativity: Motivation provides energy, while attention directs it. You need both to make progress on creative projects.Problem Finding vs. Problem Solving: Zorana introduces this lesser-known concept as a key to identifying where creativity can be applied.The Goldilocks Zone of Challenge: Learn how to find the sweet spot between too easy and too hard so your ideas actually move forward.How Social Conditioning Kills Creativity: Early messaging about what counts as “creative” can cause many to opt out before they begin.Building Creative Momentum in Small Steps: Zorana shares her own journey from writing blog posts to eventually publishing her book—and how each step built risk tolerance.Why Total Freedom Can Backfire: New research shows that creativity thrives not in total freedom, but with a balance of structure and autonomy.Whether you’re stuck at the idea stage or afraid to start, this episode will help you reframe creativity as a process anyone can engage with—and show you how to make progress one decision at a time.Learn more about Zorana’s work at ZoranaPringle.com and find The Creativity Choice wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this shortcast edition of Beyond the To-Do List, Jeffrey and Jamie Downs, creators of the Streaking method and authors behind streakingmastery.com explore how laughably simple daily habits can help you build momentum, boost confidence, and turn goals into long-term identity shifts.Why Simplicity Wins: Simple actions are doable even on your hardest days, ensuring consistency over time.How Streaking Builds Self-Credibility: Each completed action is a commitment kept—with yourself.Patience as a Superpower: Daily repetition teaches you to stop expecting overnight change and instead trust the slow, steady build.The “Cal Ripken Effect”: Consistency becomes inspiring—when others notice, celebration fuels even more momentum.Examples in Action: From running streaks to walking daily, small actions lead to transformation when stacked.Why You Shouldn’t Skip the Walk: When life gets busy, a one-mile walk still counts—and builds your streak.If you’ve ever struggled to maintain momentum or felt overwhelmed by ambitious goals, this episode will give you a new lens for creating daily progress that sticks.Find more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

James Kimmel, author of The Science of Revenge, joins the show to unpack one of the most overlooked forms of distraction and emotional hijacking: revenge. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and decades of legal and public health research, James reveals how revenge isn’t just an emotional reaction—it’s an addictive cycle that can derail our focus, well-being, and relationships. If you’ve ever ruminated about a workplace slight, stewed in a sense of injustice, or mentally put someone “on trial,” this episode offers a powerful, science-backed path forward.In this episode, we cover:What Makes Revenge So Addictive: How grievances activate the same reward centers in the brain as drugs, gambling, and other addictive behaviors.Revenge as a Productivity Killer: Why revenge always focuses on the past—and how it hijacks our mental and emotional bandwidth in the present.The Courtroom in Your Head: James explains the mental trial many of us run daily, casting ourselves in all the roles—prosecutor, judge, jury, and warden.Grievance vs. Reality: The neuroscience behind how imagined slights are often just as powerful as real ones.Workplace Revenge Culture: How toxic tit-for-tat behavior spreads through teams and how leaders can disrupt it before it takes root.Rewiring the Feedback Loop: How revenge follows the same cue-craving-reward cycle as other habits—and how to break it.The Science of Forgiveness: Why forgiveness isn’t “soft,” but rather a neurological off-ramp from pain and rumination that reactivates the decision-making part of the brain.The Wonder Drug in Your Brain: How practicing internal forgiveness shuts down pain networks and reduces stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels.Practical Tools for Release: James shares how his free app helps users safely process their grievances through guided mental courtroom exercises.Healing as Productivity: Why letting go doesn’t just make you feel better—it frees up your energy for purpose-driven work and emotional clarity.Connect with James and his work at jameskimmel.com and find The Science of Revenge wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Career coach Eliana Goldstein joins the show to help listeners navigate career uncertainty, burnout, and the desire for more meaningful work. After walking away from a “successful on paper” corporate job, Eliana built a coaching business helping high-achieving professionals uncover their ideal roles—without starting over. In this episode, she shares practical tools to find clarity, build momentum, and create a work life that truly fits.In this episode, we cover:Burnout and Misalignment: How feeling drained at work isn’t always about being overworked—it’s often about being out of sync with your strengths.The First Questions to Ask When You Feel Unfulfilled: Eliana shares the foundational reflections around engagement, values, and flow state.The Danger of Chasing Passion Alone: Why loving something doesn’t mean you should work in it—and what to focus on instead.Making a Lateral Move: How to identify if you’re in the right industry but the wrong role—and what small shifts can make a big difference.The 70/30 Rule for Job Satisfaction: A framework for evaluating whether your current role is “good enough for now” or ready for a pivot.Mindset Before Resumes: Why confidence and narrative matter more than you think when job searching or switching careers.How to Separate Facts from Fear: Learn to rewrite the internal stories that hold you back after setbacks like layoffs.Eliana’s 4-Part Framework: Uncover, Align, Build, and Close—how to make an intentional, structured, and productive career transition.Networking That’s Not Awkward: How to build meaningful connections for research and referrals—without feeling transactional.How to Stay Motivated: Small goals, time blocks, and micro wins that keep you moving forward, even in a competitive job market.Whether you’re ready for a career reset or just want to feel more energized at work, this episode will help you move with clarity and confidence.Connect with Eliana on LinkedIn or Instagram @ElianaGoldstein or at elianagoldsteincoaching.com.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Shortcast edition, John Jantsch, author of The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur, draws wisdom from great American writers like Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and William Wells Brown to explore three essential traits for thriving in life and business: perseverance, perspective, and resilience. Rather than chasing productivity hacks, John invites us to dig deeper—into reflection, discomfort, and slow growth.In this Shortcast, we explore:Perseverance Through Practice: Inspired by Thoreau, John explains why repeated effort—like walking a mountain trail—is not wasted energy but the very process that builds mastery and meaning.The Danger of Indestructible Contentment: Borrowing from Twain, John challenges the idea of being too comfortable, encouraging us to embrace discomfort as a path to perspective and growth.Redefining Resilience: With a reading from William Wells Brown, John reframes procrastination not as laziness, but as strategic patience born of experience—knowing when to act, and when to wait.Growth Beyond Hustle: John reminds us that true self-reliance isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about trusting yourself, honoring the process, and staying open to what life is teaching you through repetition and challenge.This episode is a refreshing reset—a deeper look at what it really takes to keep going, stay grounded, and lead with presence.Find more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Kendall Berg, author of Secrets of the Career Game: 36 Simple Strategies to Win in the Workplace, shares how to navigate the hidden rules of career advancement. Kendall opens up about her journey from being a technically strong but overlooked employee to someone who rapidly rose through the ranks by learning to play the “career game”—mastering soft skills, advocating for herself, and helping others do the same.In this conversation, we explore:Unspoken Rules of the Workplace: Kendall explains how the real game isn’t just about doing good work, but about how you talk about that work and build strategic relationships.From Invisible to Irresistible: She shares her turning point—from getting tough feedback to rapidly earning five promotions in six years—and how she translated that into coaching others.Promotable vs. Non-Promotable Work: We discuss how to recognize the difference and how to reframe low-visibility tasks to create impact and visibility.Your Boss Has No Idea What You’re Doing: Kendall explains why self-advocacy is essential and gives practical tips on how to communicate your value without sounding self-important.The Game Is Soft Skills: From communication to conflict management, Kendall walks through the non-tactical traits that make or break your trajectory—and how to grow them with intention.Learn more at https://thatcareercoach.net/ and find Secrets of the Career Game wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Camilla Kring, author of Chronoleadership: How to Create Healthier and More Productive Rhythms in Your Work and Life, explains how understanding your biological rhythms—and leading with them instead of against them—can unlock greater well-being and performance. Camilla shares how workplaces can become more inclusive by embracing chronodiversity, and how individuals can set boundaries and routines that honor their energy patterns.In this conversation, we explore:What Is Chronoleadership? Camilla introduces the concept of leading yourself and others based on chronotype—your body’s natural rhythm for sleep, focus, and energy.The Myth of the Early Bird: We challenge traditional ideas of productivity and explore how early start times can exclude or harm night owls and others with nontraditional energy curves.Designing Rhythms, Not Routines: Camilla helps reframe time management not around fixed schedules but around flexible rhythms that support health and creativity.Chronodiversity in the Workplace: From flexible start times to outcome-based management, we talk about how leaders can design more inclusive work environments.Parenting, School, and Chronotypes: We also explore how respecting biological rhythms applies beyond the workplace—to how we raise kids, structure schools, and design home life.Camilla’s work invites us to stop fighting time and start aligning with it—for the sake of our energy, health, and leadership.Connect with Erik:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This Podcast is Powered By:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this Shortcast edition, Jonathan Levi, author of The Only Skill That Matters, shares practical techniques to improve memory, focus, and reading speed by training your brain rather than relying on talent or willpower. Levi breaks down the myths about memory and introduces powerful tools like visual mnemonics, speed reading, and memory palaces that can transform how we learn and retain information.In this Shortcast, we explore:Memory Is a Trainable Skill: Jonathan debunks the idea of a “bad memory,” explaining that most memory issues are due to poor technique, not inability.Visual Mnemonics: He introduces simple strategies for encoding new information using silly or striking mental imagery—making recall faster and easier.Speed Reading That Actually Works: Jonathan outlines how scientifically supported speed reading (600–750 words per minute) is achievable with the right eye movement training and comprehension techniques.The Memory Palace Technique: Borrowed from ancient Greece, this method helps store and organize large quantities of information with near-perfect recall.Building Cognitive Infrastructure: Jonathan emphasizes the power of mental systems—like categorizing words in a new language—to enhance retention and recall over time.Find more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here⁠. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 meetings can waste time and lead to disengagement—and what to do instead. Reframing Meetings as Real Work: When done right, meetings are collaborative work, not interruptions. Mamie encourages giving them the same intentionality as solo tasks. Mamie’s insights help shift meetings from draining distractions to meaningful, productive moments that move work forward. Find more Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 naming things differently changes your relationship to work. Identity-Based Planning: He outlines how aligning your calendar and task list with your future self leads to better follow-through and less internal resistance. Productivity Styles and Personalization: Mike introduces the idea of “productivity personas,” encouraging listeners to build systems that honor their natural rhythms. From Should to Could: We talk about reframing productivity from a guilt-fueled obligation into an opportunity to nourish what matters most. This conversation is equal parts practical and philosophical. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by productivity advice—or burned out trying to do it all—Mike’s approach offers a refreshing, sustainable alternative. Learn more at MikeVardy.com or grab The Productivity Diet  wherever books are sold. Connect with Erik: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ This Podcast is Powered By: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Descript 101⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Castmagic⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecamm⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podpage⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 build a personalized, high-focus day planner. Focus and Finish: Donald explains how the two most important productivity principles are narrowing your focus and completing what you start—because only finished work makes an impact. Clearing the Clutter of Life’s Script: By eliminating unnecessary “characters” and distractions from your life story, you can make space for the plot that actually matters. Donald’s insights offer a unique, narrative-driven approach to productivity that helps you clarify your goals, trim the distractions, and finish what matters most. Find more shortcasts like this on Blinkist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.