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...
Jan 08, 2026•21 min•Ep. 499
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...
Dec 30, 2025•58 min•Ep. 498
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...
Nov 18, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 497
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...
Oct 08, 2025•56 min•Ep. 496
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 ...
Sep 27, 2025•37 min•Ep. 495
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...
Sep 11, 2025•46 min•Ep. 494
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...
Sep 04, 2025•41 min•Ep. 493
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...
Aug 29, 2025•43 min•Ep. 492
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...
Aug 26, 2025•51 min•Ep. 491
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...
Aug 21, 2025•9 min•Ep. 490
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...
Aug 18, 2025•41 min•Ep. 489
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...
Aug 13, 2025•42 min•Ep. 488
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...
Aug 10, 2025•39 min•Ep. 487
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...
Aug 06, 2025•45 min•Ep. 481
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...
Aug 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 485
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 ...
Jul 29, 2025•10 min•Ep. 486
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...
Jul 17, 2025•42 min•Ep. 484
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...
Jul 14, 2025•37 min
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...
Jul 10, 2025•11 min•Ep. 483
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:...
Jul 07, 2025•44 min•Ep. 482
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...
Jul 03, 2025•47 min•Ep. 480
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...
Jun 30, 2025•10 min•Ep. 479
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...
Jun 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 477
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 i...
Jun 23, 2025•42 min•Ep. 478
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 th...
Jun 19, 2025•10 min•Ep. 474
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 ...
Jun 16, 2025•37 min•Ep. 476
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...
Jun 12, 2025•9 min•Ep. 475
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...
Jun 09, 2025•11 min•Ep. 473
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 ...
Jun 02, 2025•40 min•Ep. 477
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 c...
May 26, 2025•35 min
