Beyond the To-Do List

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.

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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.

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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.

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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 say—and explains how each step can help us communicate more effectively.

• Building the Habit of Pausing: Cynthia provides practical tips for incorporating the pause into our daily interactions, whether in personal or professional settings, and how to recognize when we’re falling back into old communication patterns.

• The Digital Disconnect: We talk about how to apply the pause principle in digital communication, where the immediacy of responses can often lead to more miscommunication and stress.

Cynthia’s approach to pausing offers a simple yet powerful way to enhance your communication skills, reduce stress, and create more meaningful conversations.

Learn more about Cynthia and her work at CynthiaKane.com and find The Pause Principle wherever books are sold.

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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 are vital for human well-being—and often lost in a screen-saturated culture.

• Mental Health and Focus: Cal highlights how overuse of screens increases anxiety and fragments focus, while digital minimalism promotes clarity, calm, and purpose.

Cal’s insights are a powerful reminder that the goal isn’t to use less tech, but to use it better—with clarity, intention, and aligned values.

Learn more at CalNewport.com and explore more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on ⁠⁠Blinkist⁠⁠⁠.

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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 balanced approach to self-care, recognizing that managing stress isn’t about grand gestures but consistent, mindful tweaks to daily routines.

• Sustainable Wellness: Jess’s tips focus on low-pressure, practical strategies that anyone can start implementing right away—even on a busy schedule.

Jess’s insights are a powerful reminder that small, intentional steps can help us manage anxiety and lead a more focused, grounded life.

Learn more about Jess at JessicaCordingNutrition.com and explore more Shortcasts like this one on ⁠⁠Blinkist⁠⁠.

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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 how reducing that volume can be transformative.

• Creating Simple Systems for Busy Lives: We discuss how simple, intuitive systems (like Shira’s easy filing method) can save time, reduce friction, and maintain order without overwhelming yourself with complexity.

• The Importance of Saying No: Shira emphasizes the importance of recognizing when to say no to commitments, distractions, and activities that don’t align with your core values, which is critical for maintaining clarity and energy.

Shira’s insights provide practical strategies to help you simplify your home, work, and life, creating the space and time needed for what really matters.

Learn more about Shira and her work at ShiraGill.com, and find Lifestyle and her other books wherever books are sold.

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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 strategies based on your conflict style and the person you are dealing with.

• The Importance of Emotional Regulation: Jim highlights how understanding emotional responses and learning how to regulate them can prevent conflict from escalating to a level where it negatively impacts relationships and productivity.

Jim’s insights offer valuable tools for navigating conflict in both personal and professional environments. His approach helps people create stronger connections by proactively managing differences before they turn into bigger problems.

Learn more about Jim and his work at TheConflictDocs.com.

Connect with Erik:

• ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠ 
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This Podcast is Powered By:

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• ⁠⁠Rodecaster Pro⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Top Productivity Books List⁠⁠

Make sure to support the show by⁠⁠ checking out the sponsors⁠⁠!

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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 logistically—and how Baratunde navigated the manipulation tactics of social media companies.

• Reclaiming Leisure and Focus: Baratunde shows how unplugging helped him be more present with others, less distracted, and ultimately more productive.

Baratunde’s insights remind us to reflect on our relationship with social media and make conscious choices about how we engage with it.

Learn more about Baratunde and his work at Baratunde.com and explore more Shortcasts like this one on ⁠Blinkist⁠.

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