Episodes

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 trial...

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 f...

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...

In this episode, Kendall Berg, author of Secrets of the Career Game: 36 Simple Strategies to Win in the Workplace, shares how to navigate the hidden rules of career advancement. Kendall opens up about her journey from being a technically strong but overlooked employee to someone who rapidly rose through the ranks by learning to play the “career game”—mastering soft skills, advocating for herself, and helping others do the same. In this conversation, we explore: Unspoken Rules of the Workplace:...

In this episode, Camilla Kring, author of Chronoleadership: How to Create Healthier and More Productive Rhythms in Your Work and Life, explains how understanding your biological rhythms—and leading with them instead of against them—can unlock greater well-being and performance. Camilla shares how workplaces can become more inclusive by embracing chronodiversity, and how individuals can set boundaries and routines that honor their energy patterns. In this conversation, we explore: What Is Chron...

In this Shortcast edition, Jonathan Levi, author of The Only Skill That Matters, shares practical techniques to improve memory, focus, and reading speed by training your brain rather than relying on talent or willpower. Levi breaks down the myths about memory and introduces powerful tools like visual mnemonics, speed reading, and memory palaces that can transform how we learn and retain information. In this Shortcast, we explore: Memory Is a Trainable Skill: Jonathan debunks the idea of a “bad...

In this Shortcast edition, Mamie Kanfer Stewart, co-author of Momentum: Creating Effective, Engaging and Enjoyable Meetings, explains why meetings are one of the biggest productivity drains—and how to fix them. From clarifying desired outcomes to optimizing who’s in the room, Mamie shares practical, people-focused strategies to make meetings more effective, purposeful, and energizing. In this Shortcast, we explore: Start With the Outcome: Don’t ask, “What’s the purpose of the meeting?” Ask, “W...

I’m excited to welcome back Mike Vardy to the show. Mike is a productivity strategist, longtime friend of the podcast, and the author of The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing Your Productive Potential. In this conversation, we dive into how the language, systems, and inputs you choose each day can either nourish or deplete your ability to do meaningful work. In this episode, we cover: Productivity as Nutrition, Not Punishment: Mike explains the “diet” metaphor—how productivity ...

In this Shortcast edition, Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, shares how applying storytelling principles can bring clarity, purpose, and momentum to your personal and professional life. Drawing from narrative theory, Donald explains how to see your life as a story—complete with a clear goal, supporting characters, and an inciting incident—and how productivity begins with the power of focus and finish. In this Shortcast, we explore: The Life-as-Story Framework: Donald outlines the...

In this episode, Cynthia Kane, author of The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, joins the show to discuss how to improve communication by mastering the art of pausing. Cynthia, a communication expert, explains why taking a moment to pause before reacting in difficult situations can lead to more effective and mindful communication, preventing misunderstandings and reducing stress. In this conversation, we explore: The Power of Pausing: Cynthia discusses how the pause is...

In this Shortcast edition, Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, shares how we can reclaim our time and attention by taking control of our relationship with digital technology. Rather than rejecting tech entirely, Cal proposes a minimalist approach—using technology with intention and only when it supports what truly matters. In this Shortcast, we explore: Digital Minimalism Defined: Cal explains how minimalism isn’t about abandoning tech, but usin...

In this special Shortcast, Jess Cording, author of The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress and Anxiety, shares practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety by making small, sustainable changes across mind, body, and spirit. Jess offers gentle, doable practices that go beyond willpower—emphasizing progress over perfection. In this Shortcast, we explore: Scheduling Worry Time: Rather than ignoring anxious thoughts or letting them spiral, Jess shares how setti...

In this episode, Shira Gill, author of Lifestyle: Your Guide to a More Organized and Intentional Life, joins the show to discuss her approach to minimalism and intentional living. Shira, a professional organizer, shares how she applies the principles of minimalism not just to physical possessions but to all aspects of life—helping to create space for what truly matters. In this conversation, we explore: The Meaning of Minimalism: Shira discusses how minimalism is not just about owning less but...

In this episode, Jim Guinn, co-author of How to Get Along with Anyone: The Playbook for Predicting and Preventing Conflict at Work and at Home, joins the show to discuss the art of conflict prevention. Jim, an expert in mediation and conflict resolution, shares practical tools for recognizing and managing conflict before it escalates into full-blown disputes. In this conversation, we explore: Predicting Conflict: Jim discusses how many conflicts can be anticipated and prevented by recognizing ...

In this special Shortcast edition, Baratunde Thurston, shares his experience of unplugging from social media for 25 days—and what he learned about stress, productivity, and the importance of being present. Baratunde reveals how stepping away from constant digital interaction can lead to more meaningful real-world connections and less burnout. In this Shortcast, we explore: The Cost of Constant Connectivity: Baratunde explains how being “always on” took a toll on his mental health, productivity...

In this episode, Melody Wilding, author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from People in Charge, joins the show to discuss the often-overlooked skill of managing up. Melody shares insights on how to communicate more effectively with those in higher positions, ensuring that you get the support and guidance you need for your career while maintaining a positive working relationship. In this conversation, we explore: What “Managing Up” Really Means: Melody explains that managing up isn’t ab...

In this episode, Courtney Carver, author of Rest More, Stress Less: How to Live the Life You Actually Want, shares her transformative approach to prioritizing rest and reducing stress. Courtney, a simplicity and decluttering expert, discusses how rest is not just a reward but a necessity for productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. In this conversation, we explore: • The Importance of Rest: Courtney explains why rest should be prioritized, not as a reward, but as an essential part of ...

In this special Shortcast edition, Jeremy Kubicek, author of The 100X Leader: How to Become Someone Worth Following, shares how we can lead with both support and challenge to help others reach their full potential. Drawing inspiration from Sherpas guiding climbers on Mount Everest, Jeremy illustrates what it means to lead others by being fully for them and helping them succeed—not just in tasks, but in personal growth. In this Shortcast, we explore: What Makes a Leader Worth Following: Why bei...

In this episode, Angus Nelson, author of Confidence Comes Later, discusses his journey of building confidence through action and embracing uncertainty. Angus, an entrepreneur and personal development coach, explores how to disrupt your life by taking bold steps instead of waiting for confidence to appear, and how this can lead to personal growth and transformation. In this conversation, we explore: • The Myth of Confidence: Angus explains why confidence is often misunderstood as something you ...

In this episode we revisit a conversation with Julie Fast, author of Getting It Done When You’re Depressed: 50 Strategies to Help You Achieve Productivity Even with Depression, Anxiety, or ADHD. She shares her expertise on how to overcome productivity barriers caused by mental health struggles. Julie, who has lived with bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and ADHD, offers strategies and real-life insights on how to get things done even when your brain isn’t cooperating. In this conversation,...

In this episode, Sara Sherman, author of Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, joins the show to discuss the powerful and often underestimated role of music in our lives. Sara, a classical musician and educator, explores how music can not only enhance our emotional well-being but also improve focus, productivity, and social connections. In this conversation, we explore: • The Power of Music Beyond Entertainment: Sara shares how music goes beyond being something we enjoy to somethi...

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...

In this episode, Madelin Mann, author of Reverse the Search: How to Turn Job Seeking into Job Shopping, joins the show to share her expert advice on transforming the traditional job search process. With years of experience in HR and recruiting, Madelin provides valuable insights into how to stand out in today’s competitive job market by shifting from a job seeker to a job shopper. In this conversation, we explore: • Reversing the Job Search: Madelin explains how to rethink job seeking by focus...