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This episode of PM Talks is all about curiosity—how it drives us, how it gets suppressed, and how it intertwines with trust and judgment. Patrick Rhone and I dive deep into the forces that shape our thinking, from societal conditioning to personal experiences. As always, we take a thoughtful (and sometimes humorous) approach to unpacking these ideas.

We explore why curiosity is often discouraged, how judgment can be a shortcut that stifles growth, and what it means to stay open-minded in an increasingly polarized world. Plus, we talk about journaling, trust, and even how sports fandoms can lead to unexpected insights.

Key Discussion PointsThe paradox of curiosity—how it’s both encouraged and discouraged in societyWhy judgment often wins over curiosity and how that impacts trustHow breaking down projects fosters curiosity and prevents blind trust in assumptionsThe role of journaling in cultivating curiosity and letting go of judgmentHow social conditioning teaches efficiency over exploration (and why we need to push back)The concept of a Judgment Journal and a Book of Curiosities as tools for reflectionHow our kids reflect and challenge our own curiosities in unexpected ways

We wrap up by discussing how staying curious can build stronger relationships and deeper understanding—whether it’s in politics, personal growth, or simply learning a new skill.

Links Worth ExploringPatrick’s book, “For You”Patrick’s WebsiteTed Lasso: The “darts” scenePM Talks S2E2: AlignmentSensible DefaultsThe Hartford Whalers goal song (for those who love hockey nostalgia)Mel Robbins’ “Let Them Theory” video (Note: She’s not the originator of “Let Them” – Cassie Phillips is. Read more here.)Watch “The Social Dilemma”Take The Journaling Persona AssessmentCheck out ALL of the PM Talks episodes

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

The post Episode 596: Curiosity | PM Talks S2E3 appeared first on Mike Vardy.

For most of my adult life, I’ve been more inclined to listen to podcasts and audiobooks rather than music. I told myself that I was using my time productively—learning, expanding my thinking, and keeping up with new ideas. But recently, I’ve found myself returning to music. Not just as background noise, but as something more intentional.

It wasn’t a conscious shift at first. I’d hear a song from my past and feel something stir. A single track would transport me back to a specific moment—a car ride on a summer evening, a childhood memory with my parents, or even just the feeling of a different phase of my life. Over time, I realized that I wasn’t just listening to music for entertainment. I was engaging with it as a way to connect with my past and, in some ways, with myself.

That realization led me down a path of exploration: Why does music have this effect on memory? How can we use it intentionally? And what happens when we create playlists that serve as more than just collections of songs, but as memory triggers?

Music and Memory: Why Songs Bring Back the Past

The connection between music and memory is well-documented in cognitive science. Researchers have found that music engages multiple regions of the brain, including those responsible for processing emotions, memories, and even movement. When we hear a song that’s tied to a specific moment in our lives, our brain essentially reconstructs that moment—bringing back not just the sound of the song, but the emotions, sensory details, and context that surrounded it.

This phenomenon is called “music-evoked autobiographical memory” (MEAM)—a term used by neuroscientists to describe how music can unlock vivid personal memories. Studies have shown that music is uniquely effective at retrieving memories because it activates the medial prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain linked to long-term memory. This is the same region that remains active even in patients with Alzheimer’s disease, which is why familiar songs can often trigger strong memories in individuals who have otherwise lost much of their past.

One study, published in the journal Memory & Cognition, found that people could recall personal memories with more detail and emotional intensity when they were associated with music rather than other stimuli, like words or images. Another study from Nature Reviews Neuroscience found that music triggers dopamine release—the same neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and motivation—which explains why certain songs make us feel good even decades after we first heard them.

These findings helped me understand why I was having such strong reactions to certain songs. It wasn’t just nostalgia—it was a deeply rooted neurological response. And that realization made me want to be even more intentional about how I engaged with music moving forward.

Creating Playlists as Memory Portals

Once I understood the science behind music and memory, I wanted to take things a step further. Instead of passively waiting for a song to trigger a memory, I decided to actively curate playlists designed to evoke different moments in my life.

Here’s what I found most effective:

1. Seasonal Playlists

Certain songs just feel like a season. There’s music that reminds me of summer road trips—windows down, the smell of sunscreen, and the heat radiating off the pavement. Then there are songs that make me think of crisp autumn days, bundled up in a sweater, walking through fallen leaves.

I started by creating playlists based on each season, filling them with songs that captured the essence of that time of year. Over time, I realized that these playlists not only helped me relive past experiences but also shaped my present ones. Listening to my “Autumn Memories” playlist while walking outside in September made the experience feel richer, as if I were layering old memories onto new ones.

2. Childhood Favourites

Revisiting the music of my childhood was one of the most powerful experiences in this process. Songs that I hadn’t thought about in years—ones that played in my parents’ car, in my childhood home, or at school events—brought back memories with startling clarity.

This exercise wasn’t just about nostalgia; it was about reconnecting with a part of myself that I hadn’t engaged with in a long time. Music has the ability to remind us not just of where we were, but who we were at different points in our lives.

3. Milestone Moments

Certain songs are forever tied to specific events—graduations, weddings, first dates, travels, or even breakups. These are the “soundtracks” of our lives, whether we consciously chose them or not.

I started compiling playlists tied to specific milestones, including:

A “Travel Soundtrack” filled with songs I listened to while on trips.A “Big Life Moments” playlist featuring tracks from major personal milestones.A “Transitions” playlist—music that got me through change, whether exciting or difficult.

Listening to these playlists became a way to re-experience those moments. Not just as a memory, but as something I could feel in real-time.

How to Build Your Own Musical Memory Playlists

If you want to start using music as a tool for memory and reflection, here are some steps to get started:

Step 1: Choose Your Theme

Decide on the type of playlist you want to create. Some ideas include:

A playlist for each season.A collection of songs from a specific time period in your life.A playlist that tells the story of a relationship or friendship.A list of songs that help you focus or feel inspired.

I used to create playlists for each month of they ear but found that some had too few songs in them, so I went with seasons instead. Those playlists have an end date in mind whereas the others don’t. So you may want to use more than just one of the ideas I’ve shared with you – some playlists that have a chronological start and end date and others that don’t.

Step 2: Gather Your Songs

Take your time with this step. You don’t have to build the playlist all at once—add songs as they come to mind. You might even surprise yourself with forgotten favourites.

As you build your playlist, let your memories guide you rather than forcing the process. A song you haven’t thought about in years might suddenly resurface while you’re doing something unrelated—embrace those moments. Revisit old albums, explore curated playlists, or even ask friends and family what songs remind them of certain times. Each addition should feel like a thread connecting you to a past experience, making the playlist a rich, evolving soundtrack of your life.

Step 3: Use Streaming Services to Organize Your Playlists

Most music services make it easy to create and curate playlists. If you’re not sure how to start, here are guides to help:

Spotify: Create a PlaylistApple Music: Create and Share PlaylistsAmazon Music: Create and Edit PlaylistsYouTube Music: Create a Playlist

Once you’ve created your playlist, take a moment to listen through it from start to finish. Does the sequence of songs feel natural? Do they evoke the emotions and memories you intended? Consider rearranging tracks to enhance the flow, grouping similar moods or moments together. You might also experiment with adding a few unexpected choices—songs that contrast yet still connect in meaningful ways. A well-crafted playlist isn’t just a collection of tracks; it’s a journey through time, shaped by your own experiences.

Step 4: Revisit and Evolve Your Playlists Over Time

Your playlists don’t have to be static. As you continue to make memories, add new songs that capture those moments. Over time, you’ll build a collection that not only reflects your past but continues to grow with you.

Think of your playlists as a living archive—one that evolves alongside you. Just as memories shift in significance over time, so too can the songs that represent them. Revisiting your playlists months or even years later can offer fresh perspectives, reminding you of past emotions while revealing new connections. Don’t be afraid to remove songs that no longer resonate or add tracks that unexpectedly capture your current experiences. In doing so, you’re not just curating music—you’re crafting a personal soundtrack that reflects your journey, one note at a time.

A Playlist to Get You Started

Since Spotify is my family’s music app of choice, I wanted to share one of my own playlists that reflects this idea of music as memory. It’s a collection of songs that instantly bring back moments from my life—tracks that remind me of different seasons, phases, and experiences.

Check out my MMM: A Journey Through Time and Sound playlist on Spotify

If you’d like to revisit this playlist whenever you want, you can add it to your Spotify library by clicking the heart (♡) or ‘Follow’ button on the playlist page. That way, it’ll be saved for easy access whenever you’re in the mood to take a journey through time and sound.

Listen… music has always been more than just sound. It’s a time machine, a memory vault, and a deeply personal art form. By engaging with it more intentionally, I’ve been able to reconnect with my past in ways I never expected.

I have no doubt that the same can happen for you.

The post Rediscovering My Musical Memory: A Journey Through Time and Sound appeared first on Mike Vardy.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ness Labs, to discuss her new book Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World. Anne-Laure is known for blending science with practical strategies for thinking, learning, and working better—without burning out.

We explore how small, low-risk experiments can lead to big changes, why curiosity is a powerful productivity tool, and how to break free from rigid goal-setting. Anne-Laure also shares how she applies scientific thinking to everyday decision-making, along with strategies for balancing structure and flexibility in personal growth.

Key Discussion PointsHow Tiny Experiments challenges traditional goal-setting and promotes flexible, curiosity-driven progress.Why experimentation is a powerful approach to productivity, creativity, and decision-making.How small, low-risk experiments can help overcome perfectionism and fear of failure.The importance of intentional imperfection in balancing work, personal growth, and well-being.How curiosity can serve as a guide for making meaningful progress.Why journaling and self-reflection play a critical role in evaluating experiments.How to create sustainable productivity habits that adapt over time.

This conversation is a great reminder that productivity isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about experimenting, learning, and growing in a way that works for you.

Links Worth ExploringConnect with Anne-Laure: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTubeGet the book we discuss: Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed WorldRelated Conversation: Episode 448: Tiago Forte talks about Building a Second BrainRelated Blog Post: Why You Should Play Productivity “Small Ball”

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

The post Episode 595: Anne-Laure Le Cunff Talks About Tiny Experiments and Sustainable Productivity appeared first on Mike Vardy.

On March 1st 2025, I sent out the first issue of The Lantern. Or at least, I thought I did.

I had spent time refining the content, ensuring it aligned with the vision I had for this new iteration of my newsletter. But as I scanned the email after sending, I noticed something: it read “Vol. 1, Issue 5.”

A minor mistake. One that, in the grand scheme of things, didn’t change the value of the email. The insights, the links, the structure—everything else was as intended. But still, it nagged at me.

And that moment—of noticing but choosing to move forward—got me thinking about the larger relationship we have with details, precision, and tolerance. When do details matter enough to warrant a correction? When do they serve as distractions from meaningful progress? And how do we balance the pursuit of accuracy with the acceptance of imperfection in our relationship with time?

This is where the interplay between precision and tolerance comes into focus.

Defining Precision and Tolerance in the Context of Productiveness

In technical fields—engineering, machining, architecture—precision is paramount. A few millimeters can mean the difference between a bridge standing for a century or collapsing under pressure. Tolerance, in these contexts, is defined as the acceptable margin of error within which something can still function as intended.

But what about in our personal lives? In our work? In how we craft our time?

Precision in productivity might look like scheduling work in 25-minute increments, color-coding projects, or meticulously maintaining a system like PARA or GTD.Tolerance allows for adaptability, ensuring that slight deviations don’t derail momentum. It’s the built-in buffer that lets us move forward even when things aren’t perfect.

Both matter. But the art of managing time productively lies in knowing when to lean on precision and when to embrace tolerance.

When Precision Serves Us and When It Becomes a Hindrance

We live in a culture that overvalues precision in some areas while neglecting it in others.

We agonize over inbox zero while failing to build a sustainable email routine.We strive for the “perfect” to-do list while delaying the actual doing.We hesitate to launch a project because the website font isn’t quite right.

This is where precision becomes a trap—when it moves from being a tool for clarity to an excuse for avoidance.

In my case, would fixing “Issue 5” to say “Issue 1” change anything for my readers? No. But would obsessing over it, resending an email, and overcorrecting slow down meaningful progress? Absolutely.

However, there are times when precision is vital:

If I miswrote a date for an upcoming webinar, that’s a detail that must be corrected.If I were publishing The Productivity Diet and mislabeled a key framework, that could cause confusion.If I failed to double-check the math in an ROI model, it could mislead people into poor decisions.

The question to ask is: Does this detail meaningfully affect the outcome?

If yes, refine. If not, move forward.

Tolerance: The Often-Ignored Key to Managing Time Effectively

If precision is about control, tolerance is about trust. Trusting that a minor imperfection won’t undermine the larger goal. Trusting that time well spent is about alignment, not accuracy.

I’ve often said that time isn’t something we manage—it’s something we have a relationship with. And like any good relationship, it thrives not on rigid precision but on thoughtful balance.

Tolerance in time management means structuring a day without micromanaging every minute. It means setting a theme for the day, knowing that small deviations won’t break the system. It’s about allowing for the natural ebb and flow of work and energy, rather than forcing productivity into an unrealistic mold.

A well-crafted time system—like TimeCrafting—embraces tolerance. It doesn’t demand strict adherence to every detail. Instead, it allows for flexibility, ensuring that precision serves the bigger picture rather than dictating it.

The Relationship Between Tolerance and Attention

Another way to look at this is through the lens of attention.

Where we direct our attention determines the level of precision we apply. The challenge is that modern information systems weaponize our attention, forcing precision where it isn’t needed and eroding tolerance where it is.

Think about it: Social media notifications pull our attention to insignificant precision—whether a comment was liked, whether an algorithm boosted a post, whether we replied fast enough. Meanwhile, we fail to build tolerance for deep work, becoming impatient when focus isn’t immediate.

This is why reclaiming control over our attention is key to mastering the interplay between precision and tolerance. By choosing where to apply detail-oriented focus and where to embrace imperfection, we gain clarity in how we spend our time.

How to Apply This to Your Relationship with Time

So how do we apply this? Here are a few guiding principles:

1. Establish Your Non-Negotiables (Precision Matters Here)

What details, if incorrect, would meaningfully impact your work? What time commitments must remain fixed? What elements of your system require consistency to function well?

These are the areas where precision is essential.

2. Allow for Tolerance Where Flexibility Serves You

Does your day need to start exactly at 9 AM, or can you allow for variation based on energy? Can you work in 50-minute blocks instead of precisely 45? Is it more important to follow a writing routine than to write for an exact word count?

These are areas where tolerance can prevent rigidity from stalling progress.

3. Audit Your Attention: Are You Precise About the Right Things?

Are you spending too much energy on formatting a to-do list rather than doing the tasks? Are you obsessing over minor details that don’t change the outcome? Are you neglecting areas where attention to detail would make a difference?

Redirect your attention accordingly.

4. Build Systems That Support Both Precision and Tolerance

Time theming creates structured flexibility: Precision in themes, tolerance in execution. Attention Paths help define where focus should go, ensuring that energy isn’t wasted on unimportant precision. A form of reflective practice ensures precision in reflection while allowing tolerance in adjustments.

By designing systems that embrace both, we create a more sustainable approach to managing our relationship with time.

The Lantern’s “Issue 5” and the Bigger Picture

If there’s one takeaway from the Issue 5 mishap, it’s this: Mistakes are often magnified in our minds more than they are in reality.

No one unsubscribed because of the numbering. No one called it out. And yet, the impulse to correct it was strong.

This is the challenge we all face in managing our time: learning to distinguish between the details that deserve our attention and the ones we can let go.

We don’t need to be precise about everything. But we do need to be precise about what matters.

And if we can develop that skill—the ability to hold precision and tolerance in harmony—our relationship with time will be far more effective, intentional, and ultimately, productive.

The post Precision vs. Tolerance: The Balance Between Details That Matter and Those That Don’t appeared first on Mike Vardy.

Over the years, I’ve had plenty of insightful conversations on this podcast, and one that still stands out is my discussion with Charlie Gilkey about his book Start Finishing. This Flashback Friday episode brings that conversation back, but with a twist—we start with an update from Charlie on what he’s been up to since then.

Charlie is someone who has spent years helping people make meaningful progress, and since our last chat, he’s been busy launching Momentum, an app designed to reduce productivity friction, and shifting his Productive Flourishing platform over to Substack. In this episode, we pick up where we left off, exploring what’s changed in the way he approaches work, productivity, and team habits.

Key Discussion PointsWhat’s new with Charlie since Start Finishing—from launching an app to shifting his content to Substack.How Momentum helps people with chunking and sequencing work without unnecessary friction.Why project management in teams requires a different approach than solo work.The evolution from Start Finishing to Team Habits—and why team productivity is a whole new challenge.The struggle of balancing efficiency with real productivity, especially in hybrid work environments.Why mastery comes from finishing projects, not just starting them.How leaders need to redefine productivity outputs before demanding return-to-office mandates.

Charlie and I have been in this space for a long time, and it’s always refreshing to catch up and exchange ideas. Whether you’re new to his work or have followed Productive Flourishing for years, this episode has plenty of takeaways on making progress that actually matters. (Originally released September 2019)

Links Worth ExploringConnect With Charlie/Productive Flourishing: Website | YouTube  | LinkedInThe Book We Discussed This Time: Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary ResultsThe Book We Discussed Last Time: Start Finishing: How to Go from Idea to DoneAnother Productive Conversation With Charlie: Watch On My YouTube ChannelRelated Conversation: Episode 127: A Focus on Flourishing with Charlie GilkeyRelated Blog Post: How To Find Your Way Forward (And Finish)

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later.

The post Episode 594: Charlie Gilkey Talks About Finishing What Matters appeared first on Mike Vardy.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Kerry Ann King, the founder and CEO of Eluminate Labs. Kerry Ann has spent more than a decade working inside the tech industry to promote human-centered approaches to well-being. She’s now leading the charge in decolonizing tech, creating inclusive solutions that put people first.

Our conversation explores the transactional nature of productivity, the intersection of art and work, and how we can break free from extractive approaches to time management. Kerry Ann shares insights on how we can shift away from the pressure to do more and instead focus on creating real impact. We also dive into Fin, a positive productivity app from Eluminate Labs designed to help users better understand their productivity style.

Key Discussion PointsWhy productivity shouldn’t be about extraction but about meaningful impact.The difference between transactional productivity and relational productivity.How the arts can teach us about persistence, focus, and creativity.The tension between structure and flexibility in how we measure progress.The role of intention in both personal and professional work.The story behind Fin and how it helps people uncover their productivity style.The importance of recognizing that different seasons of life require different productivity approaches.

This conversation challenges conventional productivity narratives and offers a refreshing take on how we can work with intention rather than just efficiency.

Links Worth ExploringConnect with Kerry Ann: Website | LinkedInCheck out Fin: Click hereRick Rubin’s book: The Creative Act: A Way of BeingWatch what John Cena’s (other) watch saidRelated Conversation: Episode 511: Francesco D’Alessio Talks About Innovative Productivity Apps and MethodologiesRelated Blog Post: Focus On The App Within

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later

The post Episode 593: Kerry Ann King Talks About Productivity, Art, and the Power of Intention appeared first on Mike Vardy.

Time feels unpredictable, but there are patterns in how we work, whether we realize it or not. You likely have certain meetings that always happen on the same day, tasks that repeat at specific times, or habits that naturally fall into your weekly rhythm. Yet when people hear about Daily Theming – an aspect of Time Theming that is part of the overall TimeCrafting approach – they often dismiss it as too rigid or unrealistic.

Daily Theming isn’t about controlling every moment of your day — it’s about setting an intention for what your day should primarily focus on. It helps reduce decision fatigue, create flow in your work, and ensure that what matters most gets the attention it deserves.

Still, some misconceptions hold people back from trying it. So let’s break down the three biggest myths about Daily Theming — and why they couldn’t be further from the truth.

Myth #1: “I can’t have a Daily Theme because my work is unpredictable.”

Many people assume that Daily Theming requires rigid scheduling, where you only focus on one type of work all day. But here’s the truth:

Daily Theming isn’t about restriction—it’s about guidance.

You’re not locking yourself into a single task or project. Instead, you’re giving yourself a primary focus for the day—a way to frame your work so that you always know where your attention should naturally flow.

Think about it:

You already have meetings that happen every Monday.You probably already batch certain tasks together on certain days.You may even have personal routines that align with specific days of the week.

Daily Theming just helps you own that structure rather than reacting to whatever lands on your plate.

Myth #2: “If I set a Daily Theme, that’s the only thing I can work on that day.”

One of the biggest mistakes people make when implementing Daily Theming is assuming that the theme dictates every single task of the day.

Your Daily Theme is an anchor, not a limitation.

For example, if Monday is your “Admin Day,” that doesn’t mean you won’t respond to an important email or take an urgent call. It simply means that when you look at your to-do list, your focus is primarily on administrative work—catching up on invoices, scheduling, or planning the week ahead.

Your Daily Theme shapes your priorities but doesn’t prevent you from handling other responsibilities.

A better way to think about it:

Your theme is your big-picture guide for the day.Your tasks still vary, but they align with the theme when possible.

When implemented correctly, Daily Theming doesn’t confine your work—it makes it easier to manage.

Myth #3: “I have to theme every single day right away.”

A common mistake? Trying to theme every day all at once.

The best way to start Daily Theming is by picking just one theme—ideally the easiest one to implement or one you struggle with the most.

Instead of overwhelming yourself, start by choosing one of the following approaches:

The Simplest Theme: Pick a day where you already tend to focus on a certain kind of task and formalize it. (Example: If you always catch up on emails Monday mornings, officially call it your “Admin Day.”)The Most Friction-Filled Theme: Choose an area of your work that you struggle with and give it a dedicated space in your week. (Example: If you procrastinate on content creation, designate Tuesdays as your “Content Day.”)

Then, once that feels natural, add another theme.

The biggest mistake is assuming you need to perfectly structure your entire week right from the start. Daily Theming is iterative—it evolves as you refine what works for you.

Ready to Get Started? Join Me for The Daily Theming Workshop

Daily Theming isn’t about restriction—it’s about creating focus and flow.

If you want to learn how to set up a realistic, effective Daily Theming framework, I’m hosting a free live workshop where I’ll show you exactly how to do it.

Date: Friday February 28th at 12PM Eastern/9AM PacificLive on YouTube → Click here… and then be sure to click “Notify Me” so you don’t miss it!

Note: This workshop is free to attend, but the replay will only be available for Premium members of TimeCrafting Trust.

If you’ve been looking for a way to create structure without rigidity and productivity without burnout, this is for you.

See you there.

The post The 3 Biggest Myths About Daily Theming (and Why It Actually Works) appeared first on Mike Vardy.

In this Flashback Friday episode, I revisit my 2018 conversation with Dan Schawbel, a thought leader in workplace trends and human connection. We originally spoke about his book Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation, which explores how technology can be used as a bridge—not a barrier—to meaningful relationships.

Since then, Dan has continued to shape conversations around workplace dynamics as Managing Partner at Workplace Intelligence, conducting research with major brands like Amazon and Deloitte. His podcast, 5 Questions with Dan Schawbel, has featured leaders such as Richard Branson and Condoleezza Rice, and his LinkedIn Learning courses have reached over 220,000 students.

Key Discussion PointsThe central theme of Back to Human: using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection.Why leaders need to focus on human-first workplaces to improve engagement and productivity.The benefits of in-person interaction—why one face-to-face conversation is worth 34 emails.The Work Connectivity Index—a tool for assessing the strength of work relationships.How attending events alone can be a powerful networking tool.Strategies for leveraging technology to deepen relationships rather than create distractions.The impact of remote work on workplace connection and long-term employee retention.

This conversation is a timely reminder that productivity isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about fostering meaningful relationships. As we navigate hybrid work environments and digital-first communication, Dan’s insights remain as relevant today as they were when we first published this episode. (Originally released November 2018)

Links Worth ExploringConnect with Dan: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | FacebookGet the book we discuss: Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of IsolationCheck out Dan’s LinkedIn Learning classes (and check out mine too)Listen to Dan’s podcast: 5 Questions with Dan SchawbelRead this: Law of Jante, a Scandinavian Code of ConductRead: The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains by Nicholas CarrRead: How our 269 billion emails a day have made us miserableCheck this out: Introduction to Back to HumanWatch: The Back to Human Office Party [Comedy Sketch] |Related Conversation: Episode 363: Meaningful Online Connections with Misha GloubermanRelated Blog Post: Five Proven Ways To Have a Better Work Day

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later

The post Episode 592: Dan Schawbel Talks About Human Connection in the Digital Age appeared first on Mike Vardy.

In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter to explore the themes of their book, Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide for Designing a Thriving Future. As leaders at Stanford’s d.school—Scott as Creative Director and Carissa as Academic Director—they’ve spent years shaping design education and innovation.

Our discussion goes beyond traditional design thinking and into the complexities of decision-making, efficiency, and the balance between logic and emotion. We also explore the concept of Runaway Design, how the speed of technological change is shaping our world, and why embracing imperfection is essential for building a better future.

Key Discussion PointsWhat Runaway Design is and why we need to “unmake” it to build a better future.The importance of balancing emotion and logic when making decisions.Why uncertainty is inevitable—and how to design with it rather than against it.The role of pausing and curiosity in responding to challenges rather than reacting.How to find harmony in work, life, and productivity instead of seeking rigid balance.Why meaningful work should be measured by quality rather than quantity.The impact of AI, synthetic biology, and other evolving technologies on how we design the future.

Scott and Carissa’s insights offer a thought-provoking look at how we navigate complexity, make better decisions, and create a world that is both innovative and intentional.

Links Worth ExploringConnect with Scott: Website | LinkedInConnect with Carissa: Website | LinkedInGet the book we discussed: Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide to Designing a Thriving FutureGet Scott’s book: Make Space: How to Set the Stage for Creative CollaborationGet Carissa’s book: The Secret Language of Maps: How to Tell Visual Stories with DataRelated Conversation: Episode 191: Designing Your Mindset with Andy MurphyRelated Blog Post: Designs on Life

Want to support the show? Then take a look at our podcast sponsors page.
There you will find a variety of products and services designed to help you lead a more productive life.

Want to support the podcast? Beyond checking out our sponsors, you can subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. You can subscribe on Spotify and also on Apple Podcasts. Not using either of those to get your podcasts? Just click on this link and then paste the podcast feed into your podcast app of choice.

Thanks again for listening to A Productive Conversation. See you later

The post Episode 591: Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter Talk About Designing the Future and Navigating Uncertainty appeared first on Mike Vardy.

Elon Musk is often held up as a champion of efficiency. Whether it’s electric cars, space travel, or mass communication, he’s built his reputation on making things faster, cheaper, and bigger. But the problem with efficiency, in the way it’s commonly understood today, is not the highest measure of success. It is, at best, a secondary effect of something deeper and more important.

Efficiency has been framed as the goal in both business and government, but this mindset often leads to unintended consequences. Productivity, productiveness, and efficacy matter more than sheer speed or cost-cutting. The problem isn’t just with Musk’s view of efficiency–it’s with how efficiency is treated as an end rather than a byproduct. The fixation on numbers, on getting the most output for the least input, has led industries and institutions to prioritize measurable success over meaningful success.

If efficiency were the ultimate metric, then the best books would be the shortest, the best meals would be the cheapest, and the best government services would be the fastest to administer. But everyone knows that cutting corners to save time or money rarely leads to quality results. A meal made in ten seconds isn’t necessarily edible. A novel summarized in a sentence isn’t a satisfying read. And a government that pushes policies through without careful thought doesn’t serve its people well.

Where the Efficiency Argument Falls Apart

The corporate world often treats efficiency as the gold standard. Musk has applied this mindset to Tesla, SpaceX, and X (formerly Twitter), making sweeping cuts and streamlining operations in the name of productivity. But this approach confuses movement with progress. A business can reduce expenses, eliminate roles, and demand more from fewer workers, but those actions don’t always lead to better results. In some cases, they degrade quality, morale, and sustainability.

Take Twitter, for example. Musk’s attempt to make it more “efficient” resulted in mass layoffs, a chaotic verification system, and a degraded user experience. In a traditional business setting, gutting a bloated workforce and optimizing for speed might seem like the right call. But a social media platform isn’t just software–it’s a living network of people who rely on it for connection, information, and discourse. Stripping it down to its bare functions ignores the human element. That’s not efficiency; that’s shortsightedness.

Government, when run purely on corporate principles, faces the same problem. There’s a reason why public institutions don’t operate like lean startups. The purpose of government is not to generate profit or reduce expenses to a minimum. It exists to serve, and service requires more than numerical efficiency. A hospital that maximizes patient turnover without regard for care is failing at its job. A justice system that prioritizes fast resolutions over fair ones is broken. A school that focuses only on test scores without fostering real learning is missing the point.

The Limits of Cutting Costs

The push for efficiency in government often translates to cost-cutting measures disguised as progress. Public transit systems are expected to run with fewer staff, schools are expected to do more with shrinking budgets, and social programs are streamlined until they barely function. The result is predictable: services decline, frustration grows, and faith in institutions erodes.

This happens in business as well. Companies that prioritize short-term efficiency over long-term efficacy often burn out. They cut research and development, lose talent, and diminish the quality of their products. Musk’s own companies have struggled with this. Tesla has faced quality control issues, and SpaceX has had its share of costly mistakes. Speeding up production and slashing costs may look good on a spreadsheet, but it can backfire when the foundation isn’t solid.

Government cannot afford to operate this way. Public services are not products to be optimized for maximum revenue. They exist to meet human needs. The obsession with cutting budgets and streamlining processes often leads to gaps in essential services, forcing people to rely on private alternatives–if they can afford them.

Productivity vs. Productiveness

Musk–and many who share his mindset–treats productivity as the same thing as efficiency. But productivity, in the truest sense, is about making something meaningful, not just making more of something faster. Productiveness goes a step further. It’s not just about output; it’s about results that matter.

Consider education. A system optimized for efficiency would push students through standardized testing at the lowest possible cost. A system focused on productiveness would create an environment where students learn deeply, retain knowledge, and develop critical thinking skills. The former is efficient, but the latter is effective.

Or take healthcare. An efficient hospital might see more patients in less time, but a productive hospital ensures that those patients actually receive the care they need. The difference is stark: one values volume, the other values outcomes.

The same principle applies to government at large. A productive government doesn’t just pass bills quickly–it crafts policies that work. It doesn’t just cut costs–it ensures that resources are used wisely. It doesn’t just serve the majority–it takes care of the most vulnerable as well.

The Misuse of Metrics

A major reason efficiency is so often mistaken for success is that it’s easy to measure. How much money was saved? How many units were produced? How quickly was a process completed? These metrics are simple, concrete, and useful in the right setting. But they don’t tell the full story.

What’s harder to measure is efficacy. Did the policy actually improve lives? Did the product actually make a difference? Did the service actually solve a problem? These questions require more than raw data. They require an understanding of context, consequences, and long-term impact.

Musk’s approach–like that of many leaders who treat efficiency as the highest virtue–overlooks this. His companies may produce impressive numbers, but numbers alone don’t equate to success. The same logic applies to government. A budget surplus isn’t necessarily a sign of good governance if it comes at the cost of essential services. Lower unemployment numbers don’t mean much if people are stuck in low-wage, insecure jobs. A decrease in crime statistics isn’t meaningful if it’s achieved through policies that harm communities.

The Risk of an Efficiency-Obsessed Future

If efficiency remains the guiding principle of business and government, the future looks bleak. The push to maximize output while minimizing input has limits. Workers burn out. Services degrade. Innovation stalls. A system that values speed over sustainability, cost-cutting over care, and automation over human input is bound to collapse under its own weight.

A shift toward efficacy and productiveness is necessary. Businesses that prioritize long-term value over short-term gains tend to last. Governments that focus on meaningful service rather than bare-minimum function create stronger societies. People who think in terms of what works rather than what’s cheapest or fastest contribute more to their fields.

Elon Musk may be a brilliant engineer and entrepreneur, but his version of efficiency is incomplete. The world doesn’t just need things to be faster and cheaper. It needs things to be better. Efficiency alone won’t get us there.

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