Episodes

I’m excited to revisit this conversation with Charlie Gilkey on his book, Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results . Charlie is the founder of Productive Flourishing, a company that helps professional creatives, leaders, and changemakers take meaningful action on work that matters. He is an internationally recognized thought leader on productivity, planning, strategy, and leadership, and is also the author of Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to Done and The Small Business...

I'm excited to revisit this conversation with Claire Diaz-Ortiz discussing her book, One Minute Mentoring , co-authored with legendary leadership expert Ken Blanchard. Claire is a keynote speaker, author, and former head of social innovation at Twitter who helps individuals and organizations build more intentional, meaningful connections — and this conversation is one of the most practical we've had on the show when it comes to how relationships actually help us grow. In this conversation, we co...

What happens when you delete every app off your phone for 21 days? In this solo episode, Erik shares what he discovered during a Christmas break internet break — and what the research says about why so many of us feel like we can't put the phone down in the first place. In this episode, Erik covers: How We Got Here Without Deciding To: The boiled frog drift into five-to-seven hours of daily screen time wasn't a choice anyone made — it happened gradually, and the data from researcher Gloria Mark ...

I’m excited to welcome back my good friend Dr. John Drury for part two of our conversation on the rule of life and how ancient practices can help us live and work with more intention. John is a New Testament scholar, professor, and thoughtful guide when it comes to integrating spiritual rhythms into ordinary life. In this continuation, we move from the big-picture ideas we introduced in part one into the practical how-to of building rhythms that create space for rest, reflection, and renewal bef...

I'm excited to revisit this conversation I had with John Drury to the show to discuss how ancient spiritual practices can reshape the way we approach productivity, rhythm, and life itself. John is a professor at Indiana Wesleyan University's School of Theology and Ministry, holding an M.Div. and Ph.D. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a close personal friend of mine for over 25 years. In this conversation, we cover: Rethinking the Rule of Life: John introduces the concept of regula vitae ...

Welcome to the first episode of 2026! If you’re feeling that “new year, new me” pressure: goals, plans, fresh calendars, the whole thing—this one’s for you. Because when life inevitably punches your perfectly color-coded week in the throat, the issue isn’t your planning… it’s what you thought planning could control. This episode is all about Control vs. Agency—and how to stay productive when outcomes refuse to cooperate. In this episode we cover: • Why Control Breaks (and Agency Doesn’t): Contro...

I’m excited to welcome Mike Vardy back to Beyond The To-Do List for one of our ongoing traditions: Productivity A-Z! This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation — and we split it across both shows. Part 1 is over on Mike Vardy’s podcast, A Productive Conversation . You can also watch the whole two part video here . Here on Beyond The To-Do List , we pick up the thread and cover letters N-Z. In this part of the conversation, we cover: What “Nuance” Actually Means for Productivity: Moving beyond rig...

I’m excited to revisit this conversation with Annie Duke to the show to talk about her book, How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices . Annie is a former professional poker player turned decision strategist who blends cognitive psychology, high-stakes poker, and practical frameworks to help us make better choices in work and life—even when we don’t have all the information. In this conversation, we cover: Luck, Skill, and Outcomes: Annie explains why we need to stop judging our deci...

In this shortcast episode, Erik Fisher talks with Tamsen Webster about the hidden structure behind every message that sticks. Tamsen introduces the Red Thread —a framework for crafting ideas that feel obvious in hindsight and impossible to ignore. Whether you’re pitching a project, leading a team, or launching a product, this episode will help you connect what you’re saying to what people are already thinking. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Belief Comes Before Behavior: Tamsen explains why p...

Margaret Andrews is the founder of Mind and Hand Associates, faculty at Harvard Extension School, and author of Manage Yourself to Lead Others: Why Great Leadership Begins with Self-Understanding . In this episode, she breaks down the MYLO framework—a practical, science-based system built around Motivation , Learning , and Opportunity —and explains how leaders at any level can use it to grow with intention, clarity, and effectiveness. In this episode, we cover: What Is MYLO? Margaret introduces ...

Shawn Lemon is the founder of The Digital Organizer , where he helps individuals and teams eliminate friction and chaos in their digital workflows. In this episode, we go deep into digital file systems, tool audits, naming conventions, AI clutter, and the underestimated cost of daily digital disorganization. This isn’t about color-coding your folders for fun—it’s about recovering your focus, time, and mental energy by organizing your digital life on purpose . In this episode, we cover: What Digi...

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Harry Cohen , a leadership consultant and author of Be the Sun, Not the Salt . In this uplifting conversation, Harry unpacks how small moments of positive energy can have massive ripple effects—and how each of us can show up as a force for good in our relationships, teams, and communities. In this episode, we explore: The Heliotropic Effect in Human Behavior: Just like plants gravitate toward sunlight, people naturally respond to warmth, encouragement, and posi...

This week, we’re revisiting one of our most impactful conversations—with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and bestselling author Charles Duhigg , about his latest book Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection . In a world where remote work, digital communication, and polarized conversations are the norm, knowing how to truly connect is more important than ever. This episode couldn’t be more timely. In this updated revisit, we explore: The Secret to Better Conversation...

Pat Flynn returns to the show to share insights from his newest book, Lean Learning: How to Achieve More by Learning Less . In a world overflowing with content, Pat offers a powerful solution for those overwhelmed by endless podcasts, videos, and inspiration rabbit holes. Instead of more input, Lean Learning is about acting on just the right information at the right time—and ditching the rest. In this episode, we cover: Inspiration Overload vs. Just-in-Time Learning: How consuming too much conte...

In this Shortcast edition , Alan Gannett, author of The Creative Curve , demystifies the myth that creativity is an inborn talent. Instead, he lays out how great ideas emerge at the intersection of familiarity and novelty—and how anyone can train themselves to consistently produce creative work. The Creativity Curve Explained: Alan introduces the “creative curve”—the balance between what’s familiar and what’s new—and how it influences what ideas catch on. Exposure Breeds Creativity: Why intentio...

Michael Long is a bestselling author and speechwriter who co-wrote Taming the Molecule of More , the follow-up to the hit book The Molecule of More . In this conversation, we dive into how dopamine—the brain’s “molecule of more”—drives distraction, craving, creativity, and productivity, and how we can train it to serve us instead of sabotage us. In this episode, we cover: What Dopamine Actually Does: Michael explains the two dopamine systems—desire and control—and how they influence everything f...

Professional organizer Ingrid Jansen, co-author of Reset Your Home , explains why clutter is more about emotions than “stuff,” why decluttering is a process (not a project), and how to start small—think kitchens, cupboards, and daily resets—to build your “decluttering muscle” over time. In this conversation, we discuss: Process over project: Decluttering is never “done”—as things come in, things must go out. Start in the kitchen: Fewer emotions than books/photos; clear storage first, then put su...

Bill McGowan, author of Speak Memorably: The Art of Captivating an Audience , shares practical ways to make your ideas stick—on stage, on Zoom, and in any high-stakes moment. We get into dynamic delivery, smarter structure, and memorable language devices you can use immediately. In this conversation, we discuss: Dial it up (a bit): Why what feels “over the top” on video usually plays just right. Story over stats: Using Francis Ford Coppola’s “three best things” idea to craft stronger openings an...

In this episode, Paul Kirby, author of The FUSE Pathway: How to Find and Lead a Fulfilling Life , shares how to identify your core passions, combine them into a unique vision, and build a realistic, evolving plan to pursue them. Drawing from his own experience of designing a robot that paints, Paul explains the FUSE framework—Find, Upgrade, Start, Evolve—and how it can guide anyone toward a life filled with purpose and creativity. In this conversation, we explore: The Concept of Fusion: Paul int...

Dr. Zorana Ivcevic Pringle is a leading researcher in creativity psychology and author of The Creativity Choice: The Science of Making Decisions to Turn Ideas into Action . In this episode, she unpacks how creativity isn’t just a moment of inspiration—it’s a series of choices. Whether you think you’re creative or not, Zorana shares how motivation, attention, risk tolerance, and constraint shape the process of turning ideas into reality. In this episode, we cover: Creativity Is More Than Ideas: Z...

In this shortcast edition of Beyond the To-Do List , Jeffrey and Jamie Downs , creators of the Streaking method and authors behind streakingmastery.com explore how laughably simple daily habits can help you build momentum, boost confidence, and turn goals into long-term identity shifts. Why Simplicity Wins: Simple actions are doable even on your hardest days, ensuring consistency over time. How Streaking Builds Self-Credibility: Each completed action is a commitment kept—with yourself. Patience ...

James Kimmel, author of The Science of Revenge , joins the show to unpack one of the most overlooked forms of distraction and emotional hijacking: revenge. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and decades of legal and public health research, James reveals how revenge isn’t just an emotional reaction—it’s an addictive cycle that can derail our focus, well-being, and relationships. If you’ve ever ruminated about a workplace slight, stewed in a sense of injustice, or mentally put someone “on tria...

Career coach Eliana Goldstein joins the show to help listeners navigate career uncertainty, burnout, and the desire for more meaningful work. After walking away from a “successful on paper” corporate job, Eliana built a coaching business helping high-achieving professionals uncover their ideal roles—without starting over. In this episode, she shares practical tools to find clarity, build momentum, and create a work life that truly fits. In this episode, we cover: Burnout and Misalignment: How fe...

In this Shortcast edition , John Jantsch, author of The Self-Reliant Entrepreneur , draws wisdom from great American writers like Henry David Thoreau, Mark Twain, and William Wells Brown to explore three essential traits for thriving in life and business: perseverance, perspective, and resilience. Rather than chasing productivity hacks, John invites us to dig deeper—into reflection, discomfort, and slow growth. In this Shortcast, we explore: Perseverance Through Practice: Inspired by Thoreau, Jo...