What We Get Wrong When We Try to Manage Time
Dawna Ballard has spent decades studying time and human communication. Her research reveals why slowing down is often the fastest strategy — and what we get wrong when we treat speed as the goal.
The Podcast
Grace Is Not a Soft Skill — It’s a Daily Practice
Grace gets dismissed as soft, but it might be the most load-bearing skill in a productive life. In this post — and in the latest episode of PM Talks — Patrick Rhone and I explore what it really means to practice grace: in travel, in relationships, in the face of change, and most importantly, toward yourself.
Why Overwhelm Isn’t the Problem
Overwhelm isn’t new—it’s human. A conversation with Max McKeown on loops, space, and adaptation.
Before You Try Harder, Ask a Better Question
Mark Manson joins A Productive Conversation to challenge the core assumption of almost every productivity system—that more effort, applied more efficiently, is always the answer. What if the belief that you need to improve is itself the problem?
The Most Dangerous Productivity Myth Is the One You Can See
After more than a thousand conversations about productivity, the number one mistake isn’t the system. It’s confusing motion with meaning.
You Are Not a Manager of Time. You Are a Steward of Energy.
Erin Coupe crossed out “routines” on the cover of her book and replaced it with “rituals” — and that single strikethrough says everything. In this episode, we talk about why rituals and routines are fundamentally different, how autopilot living quietly drains your energy, and why the real game is energy stewardship, not time management.
The Case for Doing Nothing
What if doing nothing is the most human response? A reflection on restraint, curiosity, and perspective.
The Try Trap: Why Half-Hearted Commitment Is the Most Expensive Habit You Have
Carla Ondrasik joins Mike Vardy to examine the one word that’s quietly undermining your productivity, your relationships, and your ability to commit — and what to do instead.
Procrastination Is Not Resistance
Procrastination isn’t resistance—it’s misalignment. Here’s how to recognize it and move forward with intention.