Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life (Erik Fisher)

This week I’m excited to revisit an insightful conversation I had with Tiago Forte about his book Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential. Tiago walks us through his groundbreaking framework, PARA—Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives—that aims to revolutionize how we organize information in our digital lives. We'll also explore the CODE methodology—Capture, Organize, Distill, Express—that helps manage and make sense of the influx of ideas and tasks we face daily. Tune in as we draw compelling parallels between digital and physical organization, delve into the art of building a dependable "second brain," and discuss the immense benefits of externalizing our thoughts. This episode promises to offer actionable insights for everyone—from online content creators to everyday knowledge workers—on mastering the chaos of information overload. Plus, get a sneak peek into upcoming topics on enhancing productivity, effective communication, and more. So, grab your notepads as we embark on this journey to cleaner, more efficient digital lives with Tiago Forte! ______________________________________ Connect with Tiago: Website Book LinkedIn Twitter  ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ 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/adchoices

Bryan Falchuk is a Certified Personal Trainer and Behavior Change Specialist who has coached many people to improve their lives. In his professional career, Bryan has been a management consultant and executive in the Financial Services sector for nearly 20 years, having lead large teams, managed significant budgets, and turned around struggling operations. In this episode Bryan talks with Erik about the message of his book The 50 75 100 Solution: Build Better Relationships. This is Bryan's 2nd appearance on the show. He previous appeared here. This episode is brought to you by: KiwiCo - Use code 'BEYOND' for 50% off your first month and free shipping! Textexpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm excited to welcome Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst to the show to discuss their new book, Workstyle: A revolution for well being, productivity and society. If you're like me, perhaps you have heard or even used the term “workstyle” in the past without truly reflecting on the overall meaning or concept. As it turns out my guests this week coined the term nearly a decade ago during an inspired conversation at a pub. Little did they know that that conversation would lead them to co-found the multi-million pound social enterprise Hoxby to test and prove the concept of workstyle.  Today Hoxby has helped thousands of workstylers around the world to set, project and respect their own workstyles. They have set up their own longitudinal research study into the link between autonomy, productivity and wellbeing and have delivered projects for some of the biggest businesses in the world including Unilever, Amazon, AIA, and Merck. Forbes.com have described them as 'creating the freelance revolution 3.0' and they have been featured in the FT, Times, Telegraph, Stylist, Marie Claire, Metro and The Guardian, among others. I really enjoyed this book and believe that it will start to help countless people and businesses find relief from their work conditioning, inspire them to create a workstyle for themselves, and enable them to take part in the most significant change to working practices since 1817. By giving you the complete freedom to identify and pursue a way of working which fits around the unique nature of your lifestyle, this book can teach us how to be well, work better and do great things on our own time.  Connect with Lizzie and Alex  Website Join The Revolution Book  Lizzie’s Instagram Alex’s Instagram  Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  ________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was privileged to welcome Michelle Segar to the show to discuss her new book The Joy Choice: How to Finally Achieve Lasting Changes in Eating and Exercise. Michelle is a researcher at The University of Michigan who studies sustainable behavior change and the science of habits. In this conversation Michelle unpacks the science behind our choices and explains how thinking around behavior change has often made the mistake of an all or nothing approach to changing our habits and lifestyle. The Joy Choice offers a fresh, brain-based solution that turns the old behavior-change paradigm on its head. This groundbreaking book liberates you from the self-defeating obligations and rigid requirements of past diet and workout regimens and reveals what emerging research suggests really drives the consistent choices that power sustainable change. Michelle Segar, PhD is an award-winning lifestyle coach and sustainable behavior change researcher at the University of Michigan. For nearly three decades, she has pioneered methods to create sustainable healthy behavior changes that are being used to boost patient health, employee well-being, and gym membership retention.   Website: https://michellesegar.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it was my pleasure to welcome Dr. Barry Kudrowitz to the show for a chat about his great book, Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design. Dr. Kudrowitz is a professor of product design and department head in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. There, he founded and directed the product design program from 2011-2021. Barry received his PhD from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studying humor, creativity, and idea generation. He is interested in how creativity is perceived, evaluated, and learned. In addition, Barry has years of experience working with the toy industry and has taught toy design for over a decade. In this episode, we delve into how changing our mindset can transform mundane chores into enjoyable activities, explore why traditional icebreakers often fail, and discuss the vital role of creativity in every aspect of our lives. Barry will share practical examples of how educators and professionals have successfully implemented these concepts to create more engaging environments. Prepare to rethink how you approach work, creativity, and play with insights that blend academic rigor with real-world practicality.  Related Episodes: Creativity Podcast Playlist  Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design ______________________________________ Connect with Barry: Website Book ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ 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/adchoices

This bonus episode is an appearance Erik made on the Simplify podcast by Blinkist. In it you will hear lessons from almost 10 years of podcasting about productivity. blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! Link to original episode https://simplify.simplecast.com/episodes/erik-fisher-get-the-right-work-done Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeffrey and Jami Downs of StreakingMastery.com are the authors of the new book Streaking: The Simple Practice of Conscious, Consistent Actions That Create Life-Changing Results. In this conversation they talk with Erik about the power of streaking, how streaks are different from habits, the rules of streaking, choosing the right streaks, and how to recover from a broken streak. This episode is broguth to you by: The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free! Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit Mint Mobile - Cut your wireless bill to $15 a month Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I’m excited to conclude a series of conversations I’ve been having with my friend Jeff Sieh. Jeff is an international speaker and visual marketing consultant. He hosts the Social Media News Live show and podcast and is also “Head Beard” at Manly Pinterest Tips. Jeff has worked with and produced a wide range of content for various companies, including Guy Kawasaki, Kim Garst, Social Media Examiner, and Tailwind. In our previous discussions Jeff and I addressed tools for harnessing your creativity, and tips for repurposing audio and video content to reach a larger audience. This week we are diving into the fascinating and rapidly evolving world of AI tools. We'll be exploring the ethical implications and impact of AI on creativity, touching on its integration into business and content creation. Jeff shares his insights on using AI tools such as Descript, and Midjourney in his business and recommends other specific tools for various tasks. In addition we discuss the intertwining of AI and art, the potential impact of AI on industries such as podcasting and live video content, and the moral considerations necessary when using AI. We'll also share our experiences with AI tools in content creation and storytelling. Get ready to explore this ever-evolving landscape of AI and its impact on creativity in today's world.  ______________________________________ Connect with Jeff: Links  Descript 101 Social Media News Live ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ 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/adchoices

Nir Eyal is the bestselling author of "Hooked: How to Build Habit-Forming Products" and "Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life." He has taught at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and Hasso Plattner Institute of Design. His writing on technology, psychology, and business appears in the Harvard Business Review, The Atlantic, TechCrunch, and Psychology Today. In this conversation he talks with Erik about the hidden psychology driving us to distraction. He describes why solving the problem is not as simple as swearing off our devices: Abstinence is impractical and often makes us want more. Eyal lays bare the secret of finally doing what you say you will do with a four-step, research-backed model. Indistractable reveals the key to getting the best out of technology, without letting it get the best of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Heather Adams to the show to discuss the many facets and benefits of both mentorship and becoming a mentor. Heather is the founder and CEO of Choice Media and Communications and host of the top-ranked podcast, Make Me Known. As a mentor too many Heather’s experience and passion for elevating the women around her has inspired her to take women under her wing and usher them into the next phase of their careers.  Through one-on-one conversations and group settings, Heather relies on her experience, having played an instrumental role in launching more than 100 New York Times bestsellers and securing clients' coverage in a host of national and international media outlets.  In this conversation we talk about the value of both finding a mentor and the rewarding experience of being one. In addition we discuss some of the barriers that prevent people from seeking out mentorship and talk through some of the ways that virtual mentorship is connecting people to both coaching and information like never before.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Andrews is an author of over 20 books and sought after corporate speaker. Andy Andrews is the author of the New York Times bestsellers How Do You Kill 11 Million People?, The Noticer, and The Traveler’s Gift, and is also an in-demand speaker for the world’s largest organizations. In this conversation, Andy talks about his New book Just Jones, the third book in The Noticer Trilogy. Andy and Erik talk about lessons from that book including the power of thought, having the proper focus, changing perspective, and being truthful with yourself This episode is brought to you by: Athletic Greens Betterhelp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kris Ward is the founder of Win The Hour, Win the Day, a platform and Amazon best-selling book, that helps entrepreneurs to systematically grow their business and, oh, by the way, enjoy a personal life too. After the loss of her husband, Kris returned full-time to the marketing & branding agency she had founded years earlier, only to find her business was thriving. She began teaching clients the exact systems & process that had freed her up and helped her during that difficult time and changed their lives in the process. Through sound time management principles - that anyone can easily understand and apply - Kris’ clients now had more time, freedom and recaptured the joy & fun they once had when they first started their businesses. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott Shute is the Head of Mindfulness and Compassion at LinkedIn, and Author of 'The Full Body Yes: Change Your Work and Your World from the Inside Out'. In this conversation Scott talks about how companies can best help their employees, the place mindfulness and compassion take in the workplace, and The impact that moving from a "Me" to "We" mindset can have on an organization. This episode is brought to you by Sit Down, Startup by Zendesk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nir Bashan is a world-renowned creativity expert. He has taught thousands of leaders and individuals around the globe how to harness the power of creativity to improve profitability, increase sales, and ultimately create more meaning in their work. His new book is The Creator Mindset: 92 Tools to Unlock the Secrets to Innovation, Growth, and Sustainability. In this conversation Nir talks about unlocking The Creator Mindset creativity for non-creative people and training your mind to think in a creative way. This episode is brought to you by: Textexpander Unidragon Puzzles - Use code 'BEYOND' for 10% off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I welcome back Kendra Adachi to the show to talk about her new book The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius. Kendra Adachi is one part systems expert, and one part permission giver. As The Lazy Genius, she aims to help you be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. She is the host of The Lazy Genius Podcast, author of The Lazy Genius Way. In this conversation we talk about: The Plan Framework: Kendra introduces her innovative framework: Prepare, Live, Adjust, and Notice. It’s a holistic approach to living authentically in the current season, without the stress of rigid future goals. Flexibility over Rigid Plans: Emphasizing the importance of flexibility, Kendra discusses the significance of being able to pivot and adjust plans without guilt, accepting life's unpredictability as part of the journey. Small Tasks, Big Impact: Highlighting the "lazy genius principle," Kendra encourages starting small and focusing on manageable tasks, integrating kindness and patience into your planning process for a more fulfilling life. Make sure to check out one of our sponsors: https://try.lingoda.com/beyond50 and use promo code '50Beyond' Make sure to check out our sponsors to help support the show! Connect with Kendra: The Lazy Genius Collective Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm excited to welcome Nick Sonnenburg to the show for an informative discussion about his new book Come Up for Air: How Teams Can Leverage Systems and Tools to Stop Drowning in Work Nick is an entrepreneur, Inc. columnist, and guest lecturer at Columbia University. He is the Founder and CEO of Leverage, a leading operational efficiency consultancy that helps companies implement his CPR® Business Efficiency Framework.  Coming Up for Air and what Nick calls The CPR Framework is the culmination of Nick’s unique perspective on the value of time, efficiency, and automation which stems in part from the eight years he spent working as a high-frequency trader on Wall Street. The CPR Framework consistently results in greater output, less stress, happier employees, and the potential to gain an extra full day per week in productivity per person—just by using the right tools in the right way, at the right time. Nick and his team have worked with organizations of all sizes and across all industries, from high-growth startups to the Fortune 10. It is Nick's hope that this book will serve an invaluable tool for organizations of any size to stop drowning in work and start building efficiencies. Connect with Nick:  Linkedin Twitter Facebook Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of the podcast where you get all the core takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if there was a way to have more time with your family, advance your career or business, and enjoy more of your paycheck? This week I had the opportunity to sit down and talk with Jerry Dugan about these topics and more while discussing his new book, Beyond the Rut. This is a fascinating motivational book that will inspire you to re-examine your life. The book lays out some of the manageable steps that you can follow in creating a more fulfilling personal and professional life. Packed with fun and relatable anecdotes, Jerry shares his insights based on real-life experiences that will guide you through the process of identifying the hurdles in your way and help you in taking control of your life. This is a must-read book for anyone who feels like they are stuck in a rut and never-ending cycle of dissatisfaction and discontentment. Dugan offers a life changing set of advice that will help you in successfully breaking the cycle. Support the show by checking out our sponsors!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cait Flanders is the author of Wall Street Journal bestseller, The Year of Less. Her new book is Adventures in Opting Out: A Field Guide to Leading an Intentional Life. In this conversation Cait and Erik talk about how to opt-out of expectations and live a more intentional life. This episode is brought to you by: Textexpander Brain.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liz Fosslien is a consultant on product design and experience design projects with companies including Salesforce, SYPartners, and Ernst & Young. Her work has been featured by The Economist, The Financial Times, NPR, Quartz, Fast Company, the Freakonomics Blog, and LifeHacker. Her book 'No Hard Feelings: Emotions At Work and How They Help Us Succeed' (co-author Mollie West Duffy) takes a look at how emotions profoundly affect key aspects of professional life. The book serves as a deeply researched guide to un-repressing emotions at work, finding constructive channels even for jealousy and anxiety, and demystifying digital interactions and coworker communication styles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was so happy to welcome Jon Acuff back to the show to discuss his newest book, Your New Playlist: The Student Guide to Tapping into the Superpower of Mindset. This powerful new book which Jon co-authored with his two teenage daughters is a must read for parents, educators, and mentors seeking to empower young people with the mindset and tools that allow them to not only reshape their thoughts, but change the trajectory of negative voices that often plague young people’s everyday life. When Jon’s previous book, Soundtracks, came out, one reaction surprised him. Parents across the country all said the same thing: "Do you have a version for teenagers? If I knew how to change my mindset when I was that age, my entire life would have been different." Why did they say that? Because truth grows like compound interest. Saving money when you're young has a bigger impact than it does when you save in your 40s. A single new soundtrack--Acuff's phrase for a repetitive thought--believed when you're 14 or 18 can change your whole life in the same way. In response, Acuff tagged his two daughters to help him create an honest, actionable guide to mindset for teenagers.  Jon Acuff is the New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including Soundtracks, The Surprising Solution To Overthinking. Jon’s books have been published in more than twenty languages and his work is both critically acclaimed and adored by readers around the world. When he’s not writing, Acuff can be found on a stage, as one of INC’s Top 100 Leadership Speakers. He’s spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences, colleges and companies around the world including FedEx, Nissan, Microsoft, Lockheed Martin, Chick-fil-A, Nokia and Comedy Central. Known for his insights wrapped in humor, Acuff shared the stage with an American Icon when he opened up for Dolly Parton at the Ryman Auditorium. For over 20 years he’s also helped some of the biggest brands tell their story, including The Home Depot, Bose, and Staples. His fresh perspective on life has given him the opportunity to write for Reader’s Digest, Fast Company, The Harvard Business Review and Time Magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Juliet Funt is a renowned keynote speaker and tough-love advisor to the Fortune 500. She is an evangelist for freeing the potential of companies by unburdening their talent from busywork. Her new book is 'A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work'. In this conversation Juliet talks about how to reclaim creativity, conquer busyness, and do your best work using strategic pauses. This episode is brought to you by: LMNT Setapp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Chip Conley to the show for a great conversation about wisdom and the transforming experience of being a “Modern Elder.” Chip is the CEO and Co-Founder of The Modern Elder Academy, the "world’s first wisdom school" dedicated to reframing aging and helping people navigate the second half of adulthood with a renewed sense of purpose and possibility.  Conley founded and ran the highly successful boutique hotel chain Joie de Vivre for over 20 years before accepting, at age 52, a position as the in-house mentor to Brian Chesky, the youthful co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. At the time, Conley was twice the age of most of the employees at the rapidly-growing company. During his years working there, he discovered how sharing wisdom and swapping ideas with Chesky helped them both to thrive. He honed his own sense of purpose for his second half of life: “To build a community of inspired and empowered midlifers.” In this chat Chip and I trace his journey and discuss the power of what he calls metabolizing wisdom. We also discuss the need for finding purpose and the fact that people who feel aligned with their sense of purpose tend to live longer, and during those extra years of life they also generally are healthier, feel happier and are less lonely. This is a great conversation for people of all ages and is vital for anyone looking at the second half of adulthood and asking questions about how they can apply their unique skills and life experiences to a more enriching career path or period of mentorship. Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of the podcast where you get all the core takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the pleasure of speaking with Abby Marks Beale about her latest book Speed Reading: A little Know Time-Saving Superpower. In this conversation, Abby debunks some of the myths and biases surrounding the practice of speed reading while sharing some practical, and easy-to-use tips on beginning to ramp up both your reading speed plus your focus, and comprehension. Abby is a speed reading educator, author, online course creator and corporate productivity expert, her latest book and ebook is entitled Speed Reading: A Little-Known Time-Saving Superpower. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Tara McMullen to the show to hear her insights, research, and reflections on her new book, What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal Setting. Tara is a writer, podcaster, and producer who for over 13 years has studied small business owners - how they live, how they work, what influences them, and what they hope for the future. In this conversation Tara shares with us how to transform the way you set and achieve your goals to create a gentler and more fulfilling way to work toward what you truly want. In the book, you’ll explore what’s driving your pursuit of “more” (more money, more things, more prestige, etc.), set commitments to help orient your growth, and organize your actions as part of a holistic learning process. In addition to writing and speaking Tara is the host of What Works, a podcast about navigating the 21st-century economy with your humanity intact. Tara is also the co-founder of YellowHouse.Media, a boutique podcast production company. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, The Startup, The Muse, and The Huffington Post. What Works Podcast:: https://www.whatworkspodcast.com Website: https://explorewhatworks.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kim Foley founded Smartphone Video Production Academy and trains organizations how to produce and edit professional-quality mobile video. In addition, she consults with corporations on how to create better quality virtual meetings. Her new book is Virtual Meetings With Power And Presence: The Ultimate Guide To Online Meetings. In this conversation, Kim talks about how you can be your best in virtual meetings, from tech to clothing and apprearance. This episode is brought to you by: The Great Courses Plus - Get a full unlimited month free at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond Mint Mobile Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I’m excited to bring you this informative and topical conversation I had with Christopher S. Penn about the realities, myths, and dare I say productivity applications within ChatGPT and similar language based software tools which I'm sure you have noticed are getting more and more attention in the realms of social media, tech chatter, and even politics. I’ve known Christopher for years and I can’t think of anyone more qualified to guide me and you through this topic. Christopher bridges the gap between marketing and technology. What he shares on social media and writes about helps you understand marketing and technology better plus he is a better coder than most marketers, and a better marketer than most coders. By having one foot in both worlds, he finds solutions that work in one place and brings them to the other. Christopher speaks publicly about digital marketing, marketing technology, and machine learning/artificial intelligence. He is the co-founder of Trust Insights, a data analytics company focused on helping you make more money with your data, a co-founder of PodCamp with Chris Brogan, and co-host of the Marketing Over Coffee marketing podcast with John Wall. In this chat Christopher breaks down the real world applications of ChatGPT while explaining its limitations and ways to maximize the effectiveness of the tool. We discuss some of the ethical and political concerns swirling around the technology while dispelling some of the more hysterical myths that have been propagated online and in print. Regardless of your familiarity with this technology this is a great primer for understanding and maximizing these tools for a wide range of both creative, and labor intensive tasks. Support the show by checking out our sponsors!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Lee Dooley is an author, a podcast host, speaker and community builder whose work is dedicated to providing tools, motivation, and inspiration people need to show up for what you were made to do - in your career dreams, and in your everyday life. Her new book is 'Own Your Everyday: Overcome the Pressure to Prove and Show Up for What You Were Made to Do'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Scott Allender to the show for a chat about one of my favorite tools for helping people establish their personality type and more importantly their unhealthy traits, The Enneagram. Scott is an expert in global leadership and organizational development. Along with co-hosting The Evolving Leader podcast, he regularly teaches Enneagram workshops and conducts typing interviews and emotional intelligence assessments for individuals and teams who seek to become more radically self-aware and cognizant of the impact they have on the world. Scott’s latest book, The Enneagram of Emotional Intelligence - A Journey to Personal and Professional Success helps you chart a personality-specific path toward lasting emotional health and improved interpersonal relationships by integrating the nine types contained within The Enneagram with the essential skills of emotional intelligence. In this episode Scott unpacks the basic principles of The Enneagram while exploring how the integration of his principles on emotional intelligence help you to take the more general aspects of personality type and transform them into practical applications for improving your relationship towards yourself and others.  Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of the podcast where you get all the core takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Barrett is the cohost of ChooseFI, a podcast explaining Financial Independance and why it is a liberating and achievable concept, and how just about any one can do it. They find smart and creative life hacks to make our lives easier. In this episode Brad talks with Erik about how to eat well and stay active while prioritizing finances in the right places. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was delighted to welcome Gretchen Rubin back to the show for a great conversation about her new book, Life in Five Senses: How Exploring the Senses Got Me Out of My Head and Into the World. Gretchen has been on the show in the past and it’s always great to catch up with her and see what she has been researching or pondering, and this new book is no exception. In LIFE IN FIVE SENSES Gretchen’s revelatory journey of self-experimentation, she explores the mysteries and joys of the five senses as a path to a happier, more mindful life. Drawing on cutting-edge science, philosophy, literature, and her own efforts to practice what she learns, she investigates the profound power of tuning into the physical world. From the simple pleasures of appreciating the magic of ketchup and adding favorite songs to a playlist, to more adventurous efforts like creating a daily ritual of visiting the Met and trying ayahuasca, Rubin shows us how to experience each day with depth, delight, and connection. In the rush of daily life, she finds, our five senses offer us an immediate, sustainable way to cheer up, calm down, and engage the world around us—as well as a way to glimpse the soul and touch the transcendent.  Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential observers of happiness and human nature. She’s the author of many books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers Outer Order, Inner Calm; The Four Tendencies; Better Than Before; and The Happiness Project. Her books have sold more than 3.5 million copies worldwide, in more than thirty languages. She hosts the top-ranking, award-winning podcast “Happier with Gretchen Rubin,” where she explores practical solutions for living a happier life. Raised in Kansas City, she lives in New York City with her husband and two daughters. Check Out Gretchen’s Previous Episode  Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of the podcast where you get all the core takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tonya Dalton is the host of the Productivity Paradox Podcast, a show with actionable strategies & exercises to help you create a life centered around your own personal priorities. Her new book is The Joy of Missing Out: Live More by Doing Less. In this conversation Tonya and Erik talk about what the "Joy of Missing Out" is, overcoming overwhelm and taking ownership. This episode is brough tot you by: Gabi Insurance Postie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Linda Bonnar is a Personal & Corporate Coach, Author, Trainer and Educational Wellbeing Consultant based in New York City. Her latest book is 'Just Three Things: Bite-size ways to transform your life'. In this episode Linda addresses dealing with your inner critic, imposter syndrome, managing stress and making change more manageable. This episode is brought to you by: Breathwrk GoodRX Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I’m excited to welcome Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, to the show to discuss his new book, Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize, Declutter, and Make Space for What Matters. Tyler is a teacher, writer, and advocate for creating intentional, organized spaces that support well-being. Through his Tidy Dad brand, he shares practical strategies for simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters. In this conversation, we cover: The Birth of Tidy Dad: Tyler shares how a personal turning point led him to embrace tidying and organization as a means to regain control over his life. Tidying as a Mental and Physical Process: The book is divided into two key sections—tidying up your mind and tidying up your space. Tyler explains why internal clarity is just as important as external organization. The Power of Just Enough: Instead of strict minimalism, Tyler introduces the idea of finding “just enough” to create balance and space for what truly matters. Breaking Big Tasks into Manageable Steps: He discusses how breaking overwhelming projects into smaller steps leads to sustainable, lasting change. Balancing Family, Work, and Home Responsibilities: Tyler shares insights on how his family collaborates to maintain an organized, functional living space and how these principles extend beyond the home. Tyler’s approach is relatable and practical, making organization feel achievable rather than overwhelming. Whether you’re looking to declutter your home, streamline your mental load, or establish sustainable routines, this episode is packed with insights to help you tidy up your life in a way that works for you. Learn more about Tyler and his work at thetidydad.com, and find Tidy Up Your Life wherever books are sold. If you’re ready to create more space for what matters, this episode is a must-listen! Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  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/adchoices

Grant Sabatier is the creator of Millennial Money and author of Financial Freedom. His passion paking is making financial freedom accessible to all. His new book is Financial Freedom: A Proven Path to All the Money You Will Ever Need. The book is a blueprint for fast-tracking financial independence through personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship, all broken down step by step. It’s the why, what, and how. He shares all of the mistakes he made, as well stories and strategies from others who’ve done it too. It’s definitely not your typical money book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Sturm is the publisher of the weekly Newsletter called Woolgathering, which is intended to help you think better, more creatively, and add more value to your life and work. His new book is Be, Think, Do Essays on Personal Development and Productivity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was happy to welcome Kris Ward back to the show for a wide ranging discussion on everything from time management to the importance of forming the right team to scale your business. Kris is always great to have on the podcast and this discussion was a kind of followup talk to her first appearance where we discussed her book, Win The Hour, Win the Day. In this episode we dive even deeper into that book’s principles while discussing a host of topics on everything from systems and processes to dealing with growth in your business. This was a great chat that has a little of everything for anyone interested in maximizing their efficiency during the workday and beyond.  Kris Ward is the founder of Win The Hour, Win the Day, a platform and Amazon best-selling book, that helps entrepreneurs to systematically grow their business and enjoy a personal life too. After the loss of her husband, Kris returned full-time to the marketing & branding agency she had founded years earlier, only to find her business was thriving. She began teaching clients the exact systems & processes that had freed her up and helped her during that difficult time and changed their lives in the process. Through sound time management principles - that anyone can easily understand and apply - Kris’ clients now had more time, freedom and recaptured the joy & fun they once had when they first started their businesses. Connect With Kris Podcast Free Gift  Previous Episode  Linkedin:  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Stanley G. Robertson is the author of the book 'Quit: The Last Principle of Success'. In this conversation, Stanley and Erik discuss: The stigma of quitting The steps of qutting well Bad reasons to quit things Why our brain can't let it go Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Steve Dotto is a Tech geek, Business owner and Entrepreneur. For over 20 years, as host and executive producer of Dotto Tech, a nationally syndicated TV show. His new co-written book is 'No Limit Over 50: What To Do When You’ve Been Let Go, Replaced, Displaced, Or Just Want Something Different From Life'. In this conversation Steve talks with Erik about the current state of the workforce and how to prepare for the future. This episode is brought to you by: GoodRX Skylight Calendar Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Dr. Nicole Byers to the show to discuss the correlation between neuroscience and specifically neuropsychology with productivity and efficiency. Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and research gained during her Ph.D. studies in clinical psychology to the world working by explaining some of the strange ways our brain copes with stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and mood.  In this episode Nicole unpacks the four signs of procrastination while offering tips and tricks for rewiring our brain to avoid such behavior. In addition Nicole explains some of the science of sleep and why getting quality sleep is so important to our physiology and in turn our productivity! Dr. Nicole Byers is a productivity and leadership coach and host of The Bold Life Podcast. Boasting a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a specialty in neuropsychology, Nicole uses neuroscience-based strategies to help her clients boost their efficiency at work and defeat overwhelm so they can feel productive, not just busy. She has helped hundreds of busy professionals and leaders develop new mental habits. Now, Nicole helps busy professionals train their brain and create new mental habits, allowing them to beat overwhelm, become more productive, and build more confidence in their work and in their lives.  Website: https://www.drnicolebyers.com/ Bold Life Podcast: https://www.drnicolebyers.com/blog Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Partaker is a certified coach by the High Performance Institute. Eric coaches a limited number of entrepreneurs and leaders throughout the world, helping them reach peak levels of performance, in both their businesses and lives. He draws from his work experiences, cutting-edge research, and behavioral science from Stanford University, as well as the approaches and techniques used in the worlds of elite sports and the military - areas where peak performance is key. In this conversation Eric talks about his new book The 3 Alarms: A Simple System to Transform Your Health, Wealth, and Relationships Forever. This episode is brought to you by: The Great Courses Plus - Get 1 month Unlimted for free! Vital Choice - Use code 'BEYOND10' for 10% of one order Otis - Get a free 14 day trial and $50 credit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I’m excited to revisit a conversation I had with Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt-Miller about their book, Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking. Michael is the founder and chairman of Full Focus. Through his coaching program for small business owners, BusinessAccelerator®, and the bestselling Full Focus Planner, Michael has helped hundreds of thousands of achievers reach their biggest goals. Megan Hyatt Miller is the President and Chief Executive Officer at Full Focus and alongside Michael co-hosts the popular Business Accelerator® podcast. In this conversation, we explore how the narratives we tell ourselves influence our decisions and outcomes both personally and professionally.  From personal anecdotes about overcoming disempowering stories to actionable techniques for rewriting those internal narratives, this episode is packed with insights on leveraging the neuroplasticity of the brain and the power of intuition. Plus, Michael and Megan discuss practical steps for transforming fear into confidence, backed by performance psychology and neuroscience. Discover the significance of surrounding yourself with trusted counsel, the impact of language and coaching, and the potential for reprogramming your thinking to unlock new pathways to success. Tune in for a deep dive into how shifting your mindset can pave the way for achieving your goals and enriching your life. ______________________________________ Connect with Michael and Megan: Book Podcast Full Focus ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  ______________________________________ 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/adchoices

This week I was excited to speak with Melissa Urban about her new book, The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits That Will Set You Free. Melissa and I had an extremely insightful conversation about how setting healthy boundaries with family members, co-workers, friends and even yourself can transform your relationships, eliminate stress and improve your daily outlook.  In this chat, Melissa breaks down the vital steps towards identifying if a boundary needs to be set and the three unique levels of instituting a boundary with both honesty and kindness. Oftentimes we can think of boundaries as barriers towards achieving authentic relationships. Melissa is here to reveal why the exact opposite is the case and how when implemented properly boundaries can help save relationships and strengthen bonds. Melissa Urban is a six-time New York Times bestselling author and has been featured by Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC. She is based in Salt Lake City. Melissa is the co-founder of Whole30. Since launching the mega-bestselling wellness program, she has taught millions of people how to establish healthy habits and how to deal with pushback and peer pressure. Melissa’s Latest Book: The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits That Will Set You Free Connect with Melissa on Twitter and Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Scott has personally overseen the global transformational efforts within organizations such as DirecTV, Trader Joe's, Blizzard Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Mattel, and others. His book 'The Irreverent Guide to Project Management: An Agile Approach to Enterprise Project Management' offers comprehensive, step-by-step instruction and best practice techniques to help you move your project forward aggressively and achieve optimum results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the privilege of speaking with Lise Vesterlund about a new book she helped co-author, The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women's Dead-End Work. In this conversation, Lise helps listeners better understand the enormous disparities when it comes to "non-promotable" work tasks that are disproportionally assigned to women in the workplace. We talk about the root causes of this practice while addressing some of the systematic, cultural, and historical business practices that need to be reformed in order to create workplaces with greater equity and shared non-promotable tasks. In addition Lise shares some of the insights she has gleaned after forming a "No Club" with her fellow female faculty at The University of Pittsburg that aims to create a space for women to both share their experiences and promote accountability in saying no to dead-end work. Lise Vesterlund is a behavioral economist whose highly influential work shows how gender differences in competition, confidence, and expectations contribute to the persistent gender gap in advancement. She is one of the authors of the new book: 'The No Club: Putting a Stop to Women's Dead-End Work'. This episode is brought to you by: Canva Pro - Get your FREE 45-day extended trial! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to talk with Monica Parker about her new book The Power of Wonder: The Extraordinary Emotion That Will Change the Way You Live, Learn. Monica is an author, speaker, and the founder of global human analytics and change consultancy HATCH, though her career has been punctuated with such highlights as being an opera singer, a museum exhibition designer, and a homicide investigator defending death row inmates for Florida’s Department of Justice.  With such an eclectic and varied set of interests Monica has observed that the key component that ties them all together is a sense of curiosity and wonder. In this conversation we unpack exactly what wonder is and why it can seem at times difficult to access. We also address the practical steps that you can take to rejuvenate and reconnect with the wonder of this world in your everyday life your observations and even your workplace. This is a vital episode for anyone who feels like their intellectual curiosity or even inner nerd has been fading and who wants to reconnect with the childlike wonder that fueled their early curiosities and passions. Monica helps listeners explore some of the research she has been uncovering about our brain's plasticity and how it's never too late to start living a life with more curiosity, more intentionality and more wonder. Connect with Monica:   Website Linkedin Twitter Instagram Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  ________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Todd Henry back to the show for the sixth time to discuss his latest book, Daily Creative: A Practical Guide for Staying - Prolific, Brilliant, and Healthy. Todd is a prolific author and speaker who focuses on the creatives and dispelling myths about who is and who is not “creative” within corporate or professional workforces. For over a decade Todd has helped readers unlock their creative potential and find new ways to apply their talents.   In this new book Todd explores the benefits of reflecting on creative practices on a daily basis by creating a daily guide which succinctly and contemplatively welcomes readers to reflect upon both their creative potential and the ways that creativity can be applied in the most unlikely of work and life circumstances. Todd Henry is the founder of Accidental Creative, a company that helps creative people and teams be prolific, brilliant and healthy. He regularly speaks and consults with companies about how to develop practices that lead to everyday brilliance. He is the author of six books (The Accidental Creative, Die Empty, Louder Than Words, Herding Tigers, The Motivation Code, Daily Creative). which have been translated into more than a dozen languages, and he speaks and consults across dozens of industries on creativity, leadership, and passion for work. With more than twelve million downloads, his podcast The Accidental Creative offers weekly tips for how to stay prolific, brilliant, and healthy. Learn more at AccidentalCreative.com. The Daily Creative is a daily reader for busy professionals, creative and otherwise, designed to help you gain focus for your day and advance toward your goals. Each daily reading is: Quick: Takes less than 5 minutes to complete Focused: Centers around a specific theme Inspiring: Includes a quote from great thinkers and creatives throughout history Actionable: Wraps with a daily action to help you achieve results Even if you don't think of yourself as creative, you'd probably be surprised by how many creative tools you use every day. You solve problems, design, write, invent, or in other words―create. But the pressure we feel to continually create value with our minds can cause tremendous stress and eventually neutralize our ability to be effective in our roles long term. Todd’s previous appearances on the show: Todd Henry on Motivation and Discovering the Hidden Forces That Drive Your Best Work Todd Henry on Challenge, Stability and Leading Creatives Todd Henry on Honing Your Voice, Practice and Creative Work Todd Henry on Creativity, Productivity and Passion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don Khouri has spent decades studying productivity as a PhD in human and organizational systems, corporate VP, speaker, and executive coach. In his quest to understand the secrets of the most productive people, he discovered the missing link in current productivity systems: they tell you how to manage projects and to-do lists, but don't show you how to determine what gets put on your plate in the first place. Don's new book is 'When to say Yes - The 5 Steps to Protect Your Time'. In this episode Don shares ways to protect your time, knowing how to triage requests and knowing when to say yes to incoming opportunities. Mentioned in this episode: "Why You Should Eliminate Your Free Time" This episode is brought to you by: Lexus Net-Results Wix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Anne-Laure Le Cunff, author of Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World, joins the show to discuss her experimental approach to goal-setting and personal growth. Anne-Laure, a neuroscience enthusiast and founder of Ness Labs, explores how shifting from traditional goal-setting to small, iterative experiments can lead to greater fulfillment and personal discovery. In this conversation, we explore: • The Flaws of Traditional Goal Setting: Anne-Laure explains why linear goal-setting, with its rigid outcomes and assumptions, often leads to burnout and disappointment, and how this approach can be replaced with more flexible experimentation. • The Power of Small Experiments: We dive into how small, manageable experiments allow you to explore your curiosity without the pressure of fixed outcomes and why this method encourages learning and growth rather than focusing solely on achieving goals. • Reimagining Success and Failure: Anne-Laure discusses how adopting an experimental mindset allows you to redefine success and embrace failure as a crucial part of the learning process. • Shifting from Kronos to Kairos: Anne-Laure introduces the concept of Kairos, or qualitative time, and how it contrasts with the rigid, quantitative time-focused mindset (Kronos) that often fuels productivity anxiety. • Practical Tips for Conducting Tiny Experiments: We discuss how to start small with experiments—whether it’s trying out new routines or learning new skills—and how to evaluate and adjust based on your results. Anne-Laure’s fresh perspective offers a way to navigate the pressures of a goal-obsessed world with curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to embrace the unknown. Her approach empowers you to live intentionally without the rigid constraints of traditional goal-setting. Learn more about Anne-Laure and her book Tiny Experiments at TinyExperiments.org. Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  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/adchoices

This week I was thrilled to welcome back to the show Joey Cofone of Baron Fig. You can find the previous episode here. Joey Cofone is the Co-Founder at Baron Fig. Baron Fig is a New York design startup that is rooted in its mission to champion thinkers around the world through inspiration, imagination and productivity.  Joey’s new book is ‘The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius’. The book is a revealing and practical exploration of creativity: what it is, how it works, and how you can harness it in your everyday life. In the book he demystifies the creative process by uncovering the thinking and science behind it, empowering the reader with practical, actionable steps toward creative excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., is a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine. Michael joins Erik in this episode to talk about discovering your chronotype, and the difference that can make not only to your sleep quality and quantity, but to your day to day productivity as well! In this Michael’s book ‘The Power of When: Discover Your Chronotype–and the Best Time to Eat Lunch, Ask for a Raise, Have Sex, Write a Novel, Take Your Meds, and More’ is out now, and a must read! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Amanda E. White is a licensed therapist and the creator of the popular instagram account @therapyforwomen. She is the founder and owner of the group therapy practice, Therapy for Women Center, based in Philadelphia serving clients across the country. In her clinical work, she specializes in working with individuals with substance use disorders and eating disorders. Her new book is 'Not Drinking Tonight: A Guide to Creating a Sober Life You Love' In this conversation, we discuss the vital issue of developing healthy boundaries and truthful self reflection when it comes to alcohol consumption and the tendency of many to use alcohol for self-medication. In the wake of the pandemic, millions of people have been forced to re-evaluate their alcohol intake and ask some difficult questions regarding both their dependency and relationship to drinking. Amanda helps us explore a vast spectrum of questions when it comes to drinking do's and don'ts while reminding listeners that if your drinking habits are no longer a joyful part of a balanced lifestyle, it may be time to ask some deeper questions about your overall wellness. This episode is brought to you by: Riverside.fm - Use Coupon Code BEYOND for $10 off any subscription CircleDNA - Use code ERIK for 33% OFF any CircleDNA kit Canva Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Dr. Cassie Holmes to the show to discuss her new book, Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most. Cassie is a professor of marketing and behavioral decision making at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and is a renowned expert in the field of time and its correlation to happiness.  In this conversation Cassie guides listeners through a variety of insights and exercises she’s shared with MBA students in her wildly popular UCLA course. Dr. Holmes unpacks concepts such as time poverty, what it is, why it’s damaging, how it’s subjective, and ways you can quickly increase your time affluence. We discuss how the use of time tracking can easily and quickly guide those suffering from time poverty to a more fruitful, fulfilling and happier pace of life. In addition to sharing techniques and research that she has discovered while writing the book, Cassie also reveals some of the psychology and behavioral science that can lead to the sometimes overwhelming feelings of time poverty and the power of embracing quality time over mundane time-costs such as excess social media, and pseudo-work.  Follow Cassie’s Work: https://www.cassiemholmes.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Stanley G. Robertson is the author of the book 'Quit: The Last Principle of Success'. In this conversation, Stanley and Erik discuss: The stigma of quitting The steps of qutting well Bad reasons to quit things Why our brain can't let it go This episocde is brought to you by: Textexpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz to the show to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise. This book instantly rocketed up my list of the best productivity books of the year! Golden reveals how to go beyond the ordinary rules and tools of mindfulness. It’s a field guide for navigating the noise of the modern world—not just the noise in our ears but also on our screens and in our heads. Drawing on lessons from neuroscience, business, spirituality, politics, and the arts, Marz and Zorn explore why auditory, informational, and internal silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, ecological sustainability, and vibrant communities. Justin Zorn is a Senior Adviser to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a Truman National Security Fellow, and a strategic adviser for a variety of mission-driven businesses, think tanks, and advocacy groups. Leigh Marz an author, leadership coach, and collaboration consultant teaching experimental mindsets at NASA, Harvard, Google, IKEA, and the Green Science Policy Institute. Book: https://amzn.to/3BtYOgf Website: https://leighmarz.com/golden/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elizabeth Emens is a Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, and the author of Life Admin: How I Learned to Do Less, Do Better, and Live More. Elizabeth Emens was a working mother with two young children, swamped like so many of us, when she realized that this invisible labor was consuming her. Desperate to survive and to help others along the way, she conducted interviews and focus groups to gather favorite tips and tricks, admin confessions, and the secrets of admin-happy households. Life Admin tackles the problem of admin in all its forms, from everyday tasks like scheduling doctors appointments and paying bills, to life-cycle events like planning a wedding, a birth, a funeral. Emens explores how this labor is created, how it affects our lives, and how we might avoid, reduce, and redistribute admin whenever possible—as individuals and as a society. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Julie Morgenstern is a well known expert on organization and time management. The author of five best-selling books, Morgenstern has appeared on Oprah, The Today Show, and helped thousands of people transform their homes, businesses, and attitudes about every kind of clutter. Her new book is called Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You. In this conversation Julie and Erik talk about: Simple strategies to stay truly present and focused, whether you’re playing with your kids, enjoying a meal with your significant other, or getting ahead on that big proposal for work. Clever tips to make the most of in-between time―Just 5-15 minutes of your undivided attention has a huge impact on kids. Permission to take personal time without feeling guilty, and the science and case studies that show how important self-care is and how to make time for it. This episode is brought to you by: Woven Betterhelp Mentioned in this episode: Time to Parent: Organizing Your Life to Bring Out the Best in Your Child and You Time to Parent Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For decades, Dr. Samantha has helped people to transform their lives with her innovative approach. Now you can use the same tested tools and guidance to experience the freedom of better health, greater resilience, and peace of mind. Samantha's new book is Overcoming Overwhelm: Dismantle Your Stress from the Inside Out. In this episode she and Erik talk about overcoming overwhelm, dismantling stress and achieving greater resilience. This episode is brought to you by: ExpressVPN Brain.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Merlin Mann is an independent writer, speaker, and broadcaster based in San Francisco. Merlin mostly makes podcasts: Do By Friday, Reconcilable Differences, Roderick on the Line, and Back to Work. Covered in this episode: Examining the known inboxes you have in your life The inboxes we have accepted How thoughts effect our feelings and vice versa Fear vs Anxiety Interruptions vs distractions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mamie Kanfer Stewart founded Meeteor, a global venture providing meeting management solutions. Through consulting and technology, Meeteor enables teams and organizations to develop a healthy and productive meeting culture. Her book is Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings. In this episode Made talks about how to the your meetings where they have been to where they could be: a huge collaborative tool towards greater goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, I’m excited to welcome back Melissa Urban to the show to discuss her new book, The New Whole30: A Fresh Approach to Food and Life. Melissa Urban is the co-creator and CEO of the Whole30 program, a New York Times bestselling author, and a respected voice in the wellness community. Her new book reintroduces the Whole30 program with updates based on recent science and her personal evolution, making the program more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible. In this conversation, we cover: The Whole30 Framework: Melissa revisits the Whole30 as a 30-day elimination and reintroduction program designed to help individuals identify how foods affect their health and well-being. It’s not a diet or detox but a personalized tool to find your "food freedom." The Evolution of Whole30: Melissa explains the updates in the new book, including changes in tone and scientific understanding, as well as new accommodations for vegetarians, vegans, and plant-based eaters. Boundaries and Wellness: Drawing from her book The Book of Boundaries, Melissa explores the role of boundaries in improving relationships and mental health, showing how the Whole30 is a “boundary bootcamp” for better self-awareness and confidence. Emotional and Psychological Challenges: Melissa shares insights on navigating emotional attachments to food, managing social dynamics, and overcoming fears related to dietary changes. Her empathetic approach acknowledges these challenges while offering practical solutions. Why 30 Days Matters: The Whole30’s duration strikes a balance between accessibility and effectiveness, helping participants experience life-changing benefits in energy, sleep, digestion, and mental clarity, with a gradual reintroduction phase to solidify learnings. Learn more about Melissa Urban and the Whole30 at Whole30.com Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  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/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Chris Clews to the show for a more laid back chat and pop cultural conversation about what 80s movies can teach us about leadership, our workplace, and even ourselves. Chris is an author and keynote speaker whose latest book is, Raised on the 80s: 30+ Unexpected Life Lessons from the Movies and Music That Defined Pop Culture's Most Excellent Decade. In this conversation Chris and I discuss such 80s classics as, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, The Breakfast Club, Field of Dreams, and more. Chris brings a fun approach towards learning from these classic films and I really enjoyed both reminiscing about when I first encountered each movie while also hearing Chris discuss some of the more profound life and leadership lessons that are hiding just under the surface of these beloved classics. Follow Chris:  Website: chrisclews.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/chris.clews Instagram: www.instagram.com/chrisclews80s/ Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/chrisclews/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/80spopculture Books: https://chrisclews.com/books Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had a great conversation with John Brandon focused on his new book, The 7-Minute Productivity Solution: How to Manage Your Schedule, Overcome Distractions, and Achieve the Results You Want. This was an excellent discussion on the power of taking just seven minutes out of key moments of your day in order to more effectively plan for your day, achieve moments of self-reflection, and remove oneself from digital distractions and ubiquitous media and technology that is robbing us of achieving our goals and living a more productive and fulfilling lifestyle. John Brandon has written over 15,000 articles for major publications like Inc. Magazine and Forbes, Wired, Popular Mechanics, Entrepreneur, TechRadar, Popular Science. For the last 10 years before starting at Forbes, he wrote a daily column for Inc.com. His new book is The 7-Minute Productivity Solution: How to Manage Your Schedule, Overcome Distraction, and Achieve the Results You Want Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Gilkey is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a website that helps changemakers (creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs) start finishing the stuff that matters. Productive Flourishing is routinely placed in the Top 50 websites for planning, productivity, creativity, and team development for creative folk. Charlie's book Start Finishing presents a 9-step method for converting an idea into a project by addressing the challenges you'll face and getting the project on a reality-based schedule. Check out shortcasts of this podcast on Blinkist! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Sturm is the publisher of the weekly newsletter Woolgathering, which is intended to help you think better, more creatively, and add more value to your life and work. His first book is Be, Think, Do Essays on Personal Development and Productivity. Mike's new book is The Wabi-Sabi Way. In this conversation Mike talks with Erik about what Wabi Sabi Is, and how to talk The Wabi-Sabi Way. This episode is brought to you by: Betterhelp Textexpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had the opportunity to speak with Eric Pliner about his new book, Difficult Decisions: How Leaders Make the Right Call with Insight, Integrity, and Empathy. In this conversation, Eric lays out three steps for making decisions with speed, clarity, and humanity. We talk about decision making and why it's difficult, why it slows us down and how by equipping ourselves with "skilled subjectivity" we can not only improve our productivity and focus but prepare ourselves for difficult decisions we will inevitably face in the future. Eric Pliner is the Chief Executive Officer of YSC Consulting. Eric has more than 20 years’ experience in leadership development, organizational culture, diversity and inclusion initiatives. In his new book, 'Difficult Decisions: How Leaders Make the Right Call with Insight, Integrity, and Empathy', Eric presents a path to understanding your own subjectivity, and how your morals, ethics, and responsibilities affect how leaders make the most important decisions. This episode is brought to you by: [CircleDNA](www.circledna.com) - Use code 'ERIK' to get 33% off any kit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Nick Gray for a really fun conversation about how hosting small parties and gatherings can open the doors for so many networking and business relationships in fun and unexpected ways. Nick is the author of the new book The 2-Hour Cocktail Party: How to Build Big Relationships with Small Gatherings. Nick is a renowned party host and the mastermind behind countless successful gatherings. He believes that hosting parties is a powerful way to bring people together from different backgrounds and foster networking opportunities. In our conversation Nick shares his expertise on structuring events, organizing icebreaker activities, and encouraging networking. Nick also reveals the formula and structure he employs to attract diverse attendees and create an environment for engaging conversations. Many people feel the need to have a specific purpose for hosting a party, but Gray asserts that the act of hosting itself is reason enough. And you might be surprised by just how many people are excited to attend! By following his comprehensive N.I.C.K. Party system you'll gain the confidence to engage and participate effectively.  In addition Nick challenges the notion that you need to venture outside your home to reap the benefits of networking and socializing. Whether you identify as an introvert or an extrovert, he stresses the importance of human connection and networking for personal and career growth. So let’s explore different types of parties as a starting point for meaningful possibilities and conversations. From casual meetups to more specialized themed events, discover how hosting can open doors and lead to unexpected opportunities. Make sure to check out our sponsors to help support the show! Connect with Nick:  Website  Linkedin  Twitter  Instagram  Helpful Tips for Your Party: How to Introduce Two People via Email: Sample Scripts 9 Career Day Speech and Presentation Ideas Party Times: Start, End, & Best Times Icebreaker Name Tags: Examples and How to Do It RIGHT How to Host an Event: Parties & Networking Where to Throw a Party? Ideas and Venues for 2023 Icebreaker Activities for Your Next Event Friendship Recession Website 7 Small Trade Show Booth Ideas for 2023 Connect with Erik: Sign Up For Our Newsletter LinkedIn  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram  ________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is a bonus episode, a shortcast. Shortcasts are something that I've partnered with Blinkist on for a year now. A shortcast is a 10-15 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. This episode is with Laura Vanderkam on remote work productivity. You can listen to all the shortcasts of Beyond The To-Do list for free by going to blinkist.com/friends and enter 'beyond' for 14 days of Blinkist for free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Bogel is an Author, Podcaster, and Blogger. This is her third appearance on the show. Anne’s new book is Don't Overthink It - Make Better Dicisions, Stop Second Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life. This podcast is brought to you by: Wild Alaskan Company Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corbett Barr is a founder/CEO of Fizzle. He's been self employed on the Internet since 2005, earning a living from blogging, podcasting, online courses, memberships, SaaS and more. Recently Corbett announced he was doing a digital house cleaning or online presence reboot. In this conversation Corbett talks with Erik about what he is pruning and keeping digitally, This episode is brought to you by: Usual Wines Use code 'beyond' for $8 off! Streak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ed Hess is a Professor of Business Administration, Batten Fellow and Batten Executive-in-Residence at the Darden Graduate School of Business at the University of Virginia. He is the author of 13 books and over 150 practitioner articles and over 60 Darden cases, etc. dealing with growth, innovation and learning cultures, systems and processes. The common themes of his work is high individual and organizational performance. In this conversation Ed talks with Erik about his new book: Hyper-Learning: How to Adapt to the Speed of Change and how humans can stay relevant In the workplace using hyper-learning to excel cognitively, behaviorally, and emotionally in ways that technology can't. This episode is brought to you by: Fightcamp Kiwico - Get 50% off your first month and free shippoping with promo code 'Beyond' Betterhelp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlie Gilkey is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a website that helps changemakers (creatives, leaders, and entrepreneurs) start finishing the stuff that matters. Productive Flourishing is routinely placed in the Top 50 websites for planning, productivity, creativity, and team development for creative folk. Charlie's new book Start Finishing presents a 9-step method for converting an idea into a project by addressing the challenges you'll face and getting the project on a reality-based schedule. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg McKeown is the author of the New York Times Bestseller, 'Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less'. His new book is 'Effortless: Make It Easier to Do What Matters Most'. He is also the host of the 'What's Essential Podcast'. In this conversation, Greg talks about what Essentialism is and making the most essential activities the easiest ones, so you can achieve the results you want, without burning out. This episode is brought to you by: Sit down, Startup by ZenDesk LinkedIn Jobs Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Swoboda is author of 'The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life'. She's also Director of the Courageous Living Coach Certification where she teaches people how to change old patterns of self-doubt and create courageous habits (and courageous lives) using the principles of habit-formation. She has been a consultant for teams within businesses, and she's spoken at conferences and seminars on the topic of courage as it relates to personal development, releasing overwhelm, business and marketing, money mindset, wellness, increasing emotional resilience, and healthy goal-setting using habit-formation techniques. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff Sieh back to the show for an in-depth discussion about the evolution of AI, particularly focusing on Apple’s recent announcements. Jeff and I dive into the historical context of AI, reminiscing about its portrayal in popular culture and significant milestones like IBM’s Deep Blue and Microsoft’s Clippy. We then transition to exploring the exciting developments unveiled at Apple’s WWDC 2024, particularly the introduction of Apple Intelligence. This new system promises to revolutionize how we interact with our devices by integrating AI with personal context while maintaining a strong emphasis on privacy. Our conversation highlights the practical implications of Apple Intelligence, such as seamless integration across apps, intelligent task automation, and improved personalization. We share our thoughts about features like the new Siri capabilities, which now offer deeper system integration and better language understanding, making it more conversational and useful. Jeff also discusses how these advancements can enhance creative workflows, such as using AI for video editing and content creation. We wrap up by contemplating the future possibilities of AI in everyday life and how these tools can help us focus more on creative and meaningful work while automating routine tasks. Connect with Jeff: Podcast Jeff's ToolBox ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  Threads ______________________________________ 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/adchoices

Eric Zimmer is a behavior coach, podcast host, and author inspired by the quest for a greater understanding of how our minds work and how to intentionally create the lives we want to live. Eric is the host of 'The One You Feed'. The show features conversations with experts across many fields of study about how to create a life that has less suffering and more fulfillment and meaning. In this conversation Eric and Erik explore the differences between spirituality and religion and some of the wisdom he has gleaned from a variety of different spiritual practices he has observed over the years. This episode is brought to you by: Riverside.fm - Use Coupon Code BEYOND for $10 off any subscription CircleDNA - Use code ERIK for 33% OFF any CircleDNA kit Lexus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn Lim has dedicated her career to helping organizations from name-brand industry leaders to innovative governments build workplace cultures that benefit both their employees and their bottom line, with less employee turnover, greater engagement, and higher profits. Her culture consultancy, Delivering Happiness, demonstrates the profound impact happiness can have on businesses' ability to thrive in our ever-changing times. In her new book Beyond Happiness: How Authentic Leaders Prioritize Purpose and People for Growth and Impact https://amzn.to/3qkuFvS Jenn draws on her decades of experience in culture and strategy as a consultant for Zappos and CEO of DH and translates it into a practical “how to” framework for more sustainable workplaces and modern organization design. Jenn guides all of us – no matter our title or role – how to live more meaningful lives through the work we do every day. This episode is brought to you by: Lexus http://lexus.com/NX Net-Results http://net-results.com/beyond Wix http://wix.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was incredibly excited to welcome Zack Arnold to the show for a great conversation about optimizing your life, avoiding burnout and learning to set the right goals. Zack is an award-winning Hollywood film & television editor known for his work on favorites of mine such as, Cobra Kai, Burn Notice, Empire, Shooter, and Glee. Zac is a member of the American Cinema Editors, an American Ninja Warrior, and creator of the Optimize Yourself program.  Zack uses his experience as a creative professional to produce the Optimize Yourself Podcast which aims to give creative professionals insight into how to love what they do for a living without having to sacrifice their health, relationships, or sanity in the process. The podcast also addresses the specifics of creative burnout and ways to avoid it. Previous Episodes Mentioned in This Installment: Marc Champagne on The Importance of Asking The Right Questions Gretchen Rubin on Expectations, Habits and Happiness James Clear on Building Good Habits and Breaking Bad Ones Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Make sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of the podcast where you get all the core takeaways.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan McRae has had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder all of his life, but he wasn’t going to let ADHD run him down. He has worked to figure out how to take all the benefits and cancel out all the drawbacks. In this episode, Ryan and Erik discuss overcoming the productivity challenges of College and University Students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this brief 15 min episode, Erik takes a few minutes to talk about two previous crisis from his past in hopes of being real about how there is no 'one size fits all' approach to life and productivity when a crisis hits. Mentioned in this episode: Anne Bogel on Overthinking, Decision Making and Self-Awareness Jess Cording on Managing Stress and Anxiety Kate Swoboda on Courage as a Habit and Emotional Resilience James Beshara on Caffeine Alternatives for Energy and Productivity Brainfm - Get 20% off a year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, INHC is a registered dietitian, health coach, and writer with a passion for helping people streamline their wellness routine and establish a balanced relationship with food and exercise. Through her writing, consulting, public speaking, and counseling, she works with individuals, corporations, and the media to help make drama-free healthy living approachable and enjoyable. Her new book is The Little Book of Game-Changers: 50 Healthy Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiety. In this converdsation, she and Erik talk scheduling time to worry, getting the right amount of caffeine, and having a plan for loneliness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to speak with fellow podcast host and yoga pioneer Lara Heimann. Laura and I had a fascinating discussion centered on the importance of consistent and effective movement in our everyday lives. If you’re anything like me maybe you have considered yoga as a means for improving your mobility and energy but just never got around to exploring the basics. In this conversation Laura answers all of my questions about how to get started, the array of physical and emotional benefits yoga offers, and how her physical therapy-based practice of "LYT" yoga differs from other more trendy or fashionable techniques. Lara Heimann is the host of the Redefining Yoga Podcast and has an advanced degree in physical therapy and is revolutionizing yoga based on three principles — physiology, kinesiology, and neurology. This episode is brought to you by: Thesis Lexus Loansteady Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Zimmer is a behavior coach, podcast host, and author inspired by the quest for a greater understanding of how our minds work and how to intentionally create the lives we want to live. Eric is the host of 'The One You Feed'. The show features conversations with experts across many fields of study about how to create a life that has less suffering and more fulfillment and meaning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was both excited and intrigued to welcome Gaia Bernstein to the show for an eye opening talk about the addictive nature of technology. Gaia is a Law Professor, Co-Director of the Institute for Privacy Protection and Co-Director of the Gibbons Institute for Law Science and Technology at the Seton Hall University School of Law. She writes, teaches and lectures in the intersection of law, technology, health and privacy.  In her new book, Unwired: Gaining Control Over Addictive Technologies she shatters the illusion that we can control how much time we spend on our screens by resorting to self-help measures. Unwired shifts the responsibility for a solution from users to the technology industry, which designs its products to addicts. The book draws out the legal action that can pressure the technology industry to re-design its products to reduce technology overuse. Gaia has academic degrees in both law and psychology. Her research combines findings from psychology, sociology, science and technology studies with law and policy. Gaia’s research has been featured extensively by the media including the New York Times, Forbes, ABC News and Psychology Today. Connect with Gaia: Website Book Linkedin Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  ________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Ian Sanders to the show. Ian is the author of the new book, 365 Ways to Have a Good Day: A Day-By-Day Guide to Enjoying a More Successful, Fulfilling Life. In this conversation, we explore just a fraction of the year's worth of techniques and tips that Ian has compiled covering everything from mindfulness to gratitude, all in the pursuit of improving our day-to-day lives. Ian reflects on his own personal journey while reminding us all that on this "road trip" called life, it's so vital to take the time to both refuel and reflect daily. Ian Sanders has built an unconventional career out of following his curiosity and sharing what he’s learned along the way. His new book is '365 Ways to Have a Good Day: A Day-By-Day Guide to Enjoying a More Successful, Fulfilling Life'. This episode is brought to you by: CircleDNA - Use the code 'ERIK' to get 33% off any DNA Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carson Tate is the founder and managing partner of Working Simply, Inc., a business consulting firm that partners with organizations, business leaders and employees to enhance workplace productivity, foster employee engagement, and build personal and professional legacies. The author of the best-selling, Work Simply: Embracing the Power of Your Personal Productivity Style. Her newest title is 'Own It. Love It. Make It Work.: How to Make Any Job Your Dream Job'. This episode is brought to you by: Textexpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaime Masters is the CEO of Evential Millionaire. She is a Business coach, author, and professional speaker and has hosted one-on-one interviews with over 350 millionaires and billionaires. In this conversation Jaime and Erik talk about 'Absolute Yes', Flow State, Time Tracking and Nootropics. This episode is brought to you by: Justworks Textexpander Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. His first traditionally published book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success is available for pre-order now at UncommonSuccessBook.com. In this conversation John talks about lessons learned in podcasting, entrepreneurship, writing the book, and how discipline and mentorship helped him get started. This episode is brought to you by: The Great Courses Plus - Get a full month FREE at TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/beyond Vital Choice - Use Code BEYOND10 to get 10% off one order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jonathan Levi grew up struggling with learning disabilities, low self esteem, bullying, and severe depression. Today he helps others as an author (The Only Skill that Matters: The Proven Methodology to Read Faster, Remember More, and Become a SuperLearner) and podcaster (THE SUPERHUMAN ACADEMY PODCAST) to overcome their personal battles & become the person they dream of being. In this episode Jonathan talks about learning, speed reading, memory improvement and memory palaces. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Catherine Price is a science journalist, speaker, coach, consultant, and author of books including How to Break Up With Your Phone and Vitamania. Her newest book is called The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again. This episode is brought to you by: Net-Results Ritual Wix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For more than a decade, Erik Fisher has sat down with productivity experts, authors, creatives as they share their insights on how to implement productivity strategies in both your professional and personal life. People like… Everybody Loves Raymond and Netflix's Somebody Feed Phil Creator Phil Rosenthal on creativity, family, food, and travel.  Productivity expert David Allen on Getting Things Done  Whole 30 founder Melissa Urban on Setting Boundaries To Save Relationships   Our goal is to help you gain perspective, practical knowledge, and productivity insights for living a whole life that goes Beyond The To Do List. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To ring in 2024 I’m excited to revisit an incredibly encouraging and human conversation I had with Carlos Whittaker earlier in 2023. More often than not “productivity minded” people can place too much emphasis on the weeks leading up to and the first few weeks of the New Year. I wanted to reverse that trend and focus on a conversation that reminds us of the importance of human connections and deep relationships in creating a life of contentment and true fulfillment. In this conversation Carlos and I talk about his latest book, How to Human: Three Ways to Share Life Beyond What Distracts, Divides, and Disconnects Us. Carlos is an author, podcaster, and global speaker who I’ve had the privilege of learning from in live settings and through his podcast Human Hope with Carlos Whittaker.  In How to Human, Carlos offers a fresh vision for becoming the best versions of ourselves. We can refuse to let disagreements define us. We can say no to becoming upset, rage-filled humans and say yes to fuller, happier lives. It begins as we make the shift from “me” to “we” to “everybody” in a three-part journey to be human, see fellow humans, and free those around us. This conversation was a real inspiration for me as Carlos and I unpacked the themes and messages of his book. Carlos reminds listeners that it's more powerful to not stand on issues, but to walk with people. That journey of discovering the true value of relationships and the beauty and hope that bind us together rather than focusing on the polarizing divisions is a message I'm so excited for listeners to explore further in this episode. Connect With Carlos: Website Podcast Instagram Connect with Erik: Submit Your Question for the Mailbag Episode LinkedIn  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram  ________________________________________ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I’m thrilled to re-release this episode with Allison Fallon. Allison is an award winning author, sought after public speaker, and nationally recognized writing coach. She has coached hundreds of thousands of writers - from NYT Bestselling authors to total beginners to help them finally get their books written and on shelves. Her most recent book The Power of Writing Things Down walks anyone - even those who swear they aren't "real" writers - through a simple daily practice they can use to reduce anxiety, curb depression, improve their confidence and gain clarity in their life. Grab the first chapter free here. I wanted to bring this episode back out and top of mind moving forward into the new year because even though I don’t particularly subscribe to the idea of doing New Years Resolutions, I do believe in making progress and have been thinking about goals I want to push forward next year.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dane Jenson is the CEO of Third Factor where he works to help leaders be more effective, creative and resilient under pressure. In addition to his corporate work, Dane works extensively with athletes, coaches, leaders and boards across Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic sport system to enhance national competitiveness. Dane's new book is 'The Power of Pressure: Why Pressure Isn’t the Problem, It’s the Solution'. In this conversation dane talks about the power of pressure, how to reduce stress, and performing at your best and master the moments that matter. This episode is brought to you by: Setapp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I’m excited to re-release this conversation with Gretchen Rubin. At the time of this original recording Gretchen was promoting her then new book The Four Tendencies: The Indispensable Personality Profiles That Reveal How to Make Your Life Better. I recently interviewed Gretchen again for a forthcoming book and that conversation will be released soon. However, speaking to her reminded me of how insightful and helpful this talk was. In the Four Tendencies, Gretchen breaks down setting and meeting inner and outer expectations and creating good habits to have greater happiness. I really enjoyed this talk and wanted to share it with everyone in the event that you missed it the first time and get you excited for our new conversation that I will be posting in the coming weeks.  Gretchen Rubin is the author of several books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers, Better Than Before, The Happiness Project and Happier at Home. In addition to writing Gretchen also has a very popular podcast, ‘Happier with Gretchen Rubin’ that she hosts alongside her sister. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome back to the show Joshua Becker. Joshua is a best-selling author, speaker, and blogger whose latest book, Things That Matter...Overcoming Distractions to Purse a More Meaningful Life is available now. Joshua and I break down some of the many insights and discoveries covered in the book including the 8 major distractions he has identified as robbing us from living a life of meaning and deeper value. In addition to covering his latest book, we also discuss how the principles and insights of Things That Matter fit into his overall approach and philosophy towards minimalism and living a more simplified and fulfilling life. This epoisode is brought to you by: Zapier - Try Zapier for Free today! Gusto - Get 3 months of Gusto free today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was really encouraged by my conversation with Jason Feifer. Jason is the the Editor In Chief of Entrepreneur Magazine and author of the new book, Build for Tomorrow: An Action Plan for Embracing Change, Adapting Fast, and Future-Proofing Your Career. If we want to admit it or not, these past few years have been a time of serious change and in this conversation Jason reveals how the ability to cope with and adapt to change is the number one trait that he has observed in successful business leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders.  Through his research and experience interviewing and interacting with countless business leaders coupled with observations that he and his colleagues made in the lead-up and unfolding of the pandemic, Build For Tomorrow captures the principles and realities of change and how the fear of change can both inhibit our growth and stifle our present. Jason unpacks his four phases of change and illustrates how, similar to the phases of grief, change can be paralyzing and emotionally devastating at first, but through resilience and proper framing can liberate us from both fear and false pillars of our identity.  In addition to editing and writing Jason also hosts the podcasts Build For Tomorrow and Problem Solvers, and is a popular keynote speaker, startup advisor, and nonstop optimism machine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Katie Krimitsos is a long time podcaster and business woman and the creator of The Women’s Meditation Network where she produces a number of highly effective meditation podcasts to help women feel more calm, less stress and anxiety and more confident. In this episode Katie lays out her approach to achieving a centered and productive lifestyle, how meditation differs depending on your personality, and how she is achieving balance while managing both a household and a growing business. This episode is brought to you by: Breathwrk - Get 40% off Breathwrk Pro! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it's my privilege to welcome Charles Duhigg to the show for a fascinating and engaging conversion about his brand new book, Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection. Charles is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and the author of two previous books, “The Power of Habit” and “Smarter Faster Better.” Charles has been featured on “This American Life,” NPR, “The Colbert Report,” PBS’s “NewsHour,” and “Frontline.”Duhigg, who previously wrote for the New York Times, was part of the team there that won the 2013 Pulitzer Prize in explanatory journalism for “The iEconomy,” a series that examined the global economy through the lens of Apple. In this conversation, Charles shares the power of clear communication, the significance of aligning conversations to better connect, and how the simple act of writing down meeting goals can lead to impactful communication. We explore not just the different types of conversations – practical, emotional, and social – but also the importance of asking deep questions that invite people to reveal their values and beliefs. Whether you're looking to enhance your personal relationships, foster a collaborative team environment, or simply want to become a more effective communicator in a world crowded with communication channels, this episode will help guide you towards more meaningful connections. ________________________________________ Related Episodes & Fun Intro Link: Charles Duhigg on Peak Productivity and Becoming Smarter, Faster and Better “Darmok” - Star Trek: The Next Generation Connect with Charles: Website Book Twitter LinkedIn Connect with Erik: Sign Up For Our Newsletter LinkedIn  Twitter  Facebook  Instagram  This Podcast Is Powered By: 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/adchoices

This week I was privileged to welcome Dr. Luana Marques to Beyond The To Do List to talk about her new book: Bold Move: A 3-Step Plan to Transform Anxiety into Power. As the Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School (HMS) and the Director of the Community Psychiatry Program for Research in Implementation & Dissemination of Evidence-Based Treatments at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH). Dr. Marques is a national and international expert in Cognitive Behavioral Therapies (CBTs) and a leader in increasing access to scientifically rigorous mental health practices.  In our chat Dr. Marques addresses the many forms that anxiety can manifest both in the workplace and our personal lives. We discuss the spectrum of anxiety and stress and the unique ways every person’s thoughts, behaviors and emotions begin to change in periods of anxiety. This is an extremely broad topic and by no means do Dr. Marques and I begin to address the many forms that anxiety, stress or depression can manifest; however her book is an extremely powerful resource for anyone who wants to identify their anxiety, define the cycles of stress and mindset and start to transform their anxiety into power.  Connect with Dr. Marques  Book Twitter Linkedin Connect with Erik: Facebook  LinkedIn  Twitter  Instagram  Support the show by checking out our sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I'm excited to re-share an episode I recorded almost two years ago with Ryan McRae. Ryan has had ADHD all of his life, but he wasn’t going to let it slow him down. He has worked hard to figure out how to take all the benefits and cancel out all the drawbacks of this condition that many people only associate with young people yet affects millions of adults as well. Ryan has been on the show previously to talk about ADHD, but in this conversation he and Erik talk about Setting resolutions and sticking to them. With the new year upon us many people are either setting or recommitting to resolutions for 2023. Though this practice is by no means unhealthy or unproductive, the act of setting resolutions can at times be demoralizing, resulting in more harm than good. In this hour Ryan and Erik talk about the power of setting realistic resolutions and how having grace and patience with yourself along the road of resolutions can result in more long-term and sustainable practices that will go far beyond 2023.  Ryan’s Guide to ADHD:  https://medium.com/the-adhd-nerd/the-ultimate-adhd-guide-to-time-management-232c9af94a3e Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices