Mike Vardy, Author at Mike Vardy

Episode 600: PM Talks S2E4: Focus

Patrick Rhone and I explore what it really means to focus—through stories, frameworks, and everyday decisions.

Mike Vardy holding a vintage night owl-themed pocket watch in his hand, symbolizing time as something to honor, not own.

Your Time is Not Thine: Rethinking “Know Thy Time”

Peter Drucker said, “Know thy time.” But what if time isn’t yours to know or control? In this piece, I explore why time isn’t something you own—but something you live with. Not a possession, but a partner.

Episode 599: David Kolbe Talks About Doing More Naturally and Unlocking Instinctive Productivity

David Kolbe joins me to explore conative strengths, doing more naturally, and why knowing how you instinctively operate might be the productivity edge you’ve been missing.

A masked professional wrestler stands triumphantly on the top turnbuckle, raising his fist in the air under arena lights as a referee holds his leg for balance, with a cheering crowd in the background.

How to Maximize Your Minutes

Jim Ross once said, “maximize your minutes” — and that’s exactly what this post is about. Blending wrestling wisdom with real-life productivity, we explore how to seize opportunities, show up when it counts, and make your time count for something deeper.

Podcast artwork with Austin Kleon as the guest on A Productive Conversation with Mike Vardy

Episode 598: Austin Kleon Talks About Routine, Creativity, and Paying Attention

Austin Kleon returns to talk about his routines, paying attention, and how creative work happens in the space between structure and spontaneity.

A close-up of a desk setup featuring a candle labeled “The Writer” in the foreground, next to a motivational card with the bold heading “WE ARE ALL A PROJECT.” In the background are Green Lantern-themed sticky notes, a white 12-sided productivity die with various icons, a wooden stand, and a LEGO figure of Parallax. The overall scene evokes a creative, intentional workspace grounded in themes of focus, identity, and personal growth.

You Are Your Greatest Project: Why Process Matters More Than Perfection

You are your greatest project—and the process you follow shapes everything. From motivation found in the gym to wisdom from Dwayne Johnson and Jeff Goins, discover how to improve yourself every day with intention and clarity.

Episode 597: Krish Ramineni Talks About AI, Meetings, and Staying Focused While Building

Krish Ramineni, CEO of Fireflies AI, joins me to discuss AI-powered productivity, meetings, and staying focused while scaling a business.

A stack of newspapers with the bold headline "WORLD NEWS ATTENTION!" emphasizing the connection between constant attention and news.

The News and Your Attention: Engaging Without Being Consumed

Noticing, Awareness, Focus, and Concentration help you manage news consumption by filtering noise and staying engaged without distraction. Learn how to apply these Spheres of Attention, as introduced in The Productivity Diet, to stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Episode 596: Curiosity | PM Talks S2E3

In this episode of PM Talks, Patrick Rhone and I explore the tension between curiosity and judgment, discussing how trust plays a role in shaping our perspectives. We also dive into the power of journaling, social conditioning, and why curiosity is often the key to deeper understanding.