How I Work - podcast cover

How I Work

Amantha Imberwww.amanthaimber.com
Have you ever wondered if the worlds’ leading entrepreneurs, writers, musicians and business people construct their day differently to you? How I Work delves into the working days of some of the world’s most successful innovators. We discuss tactics, rituals and tricks they use to achieve so much more than the average person, despite having the same number of hours in the day.

Episodes

The 10-minute setup that saves hours of AI frustration

Want to unlock more time-saving AI strategies like this? Join Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade. The next cohort starts July 14, and spots are limited. Get the details and sign up at https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ *** Tired of explaining the same details every time you open a new chat with Gen AI? There’s a fix for that, and it can completely change how you work. It’s called a briefing document, and it turns Gen AI into a tool that sounds like you, knows your context, and delivers e...

Jun 25, 202511 min

Are you a GenAI Gunslinger? Why your approach is costing you results.

Want to learn how to architect your prompts like a pro and unlock 10+ hours of your week? Join Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade. Spots are limited, and the next cohort starts July 14. Find out more and sign up at https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ *** If you’re wrestling with Gen AI prompts - getting outputs that are “just okay” and wasting time going back and forth, you’re probably doing it wrong. Neo Aplin, Inventium’s Gen AI expert, calls this “gunslinging.” It’s a fast-and-loose ap...

Jun 23, 20259 min

Sahil Bloom on building a scoreboard that reflects what matters

You can be ticking off goals, crushing deadlines, and still feel like you’re missing the point. If your time and energy aren’t going where they should, it might be because you’re tracking the wrong scoreboard. In this episode, we explore how to reset the way you measure progress - so your actions align with what truly matters. I’m joined today by Sahil Bloom, New York Times bestselling author of The Five Types of Wealth and Managing Partner of SRB Ventures. Sahil shares how to stay grounded in t...

Jun 18, 202537 min

The AI feature that changed my workflow (Hint: it involves your voice).

If you want to master powerful AI tactics like this and unlock 10+ hours every week, join Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade. Spots are limited, and the next cohort kicks off July 14. Learn more and sign up at https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ *** Tired of typing prompts into AI tools and reading static answers? There’s a better way. Advanced voice mode lets you talk to your AI - brainstorm ideas, rehearse tough conversations, and get real-time feedback like you would from a coach or a ...

Jun 16, 20259 min

The truth about values and how to identify yours - with Dr. Em

What are values really - and how do you know if you’re living in alignment with them? In this episode, I sit down with clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Musgrove (aka Dr. Em from The Imperfects ) to explore how we get stuck in patterns of people-pleasing, avoiding conflict, and living on autopilot - and how to reconnect with the things that matter most. Dr. Emily Musgrove is a clinical psychologist, author of Unstuck , and the Resident Psychologist on Australia’s top mental health podcast, The Imp...

Jun 11, 202535 min

How I condensed a day of research into 5 minutes (without losing quality).

If you’re serious about working smarter (not harder) and unlocking 10+ hours of your week, Inventium’s GenAI Productivity Upgrade course is for you. Learn how to use Gen AI as your second brain - to speed up research, streamline content creation, and make better decisions in less time. Spots are limited, and the next cohort kicks off on July 14. Don’t miss this chance to radically transform the way you work. Learn more and sign up here: https://inventium.com.au/genai-cohort/ *** If you’ve lost h...

Jun 09, 202510 min

The time rules you didn’t know were running your life according to Chris Guillebeau (Part 2)

So much of how we spend our time is shaped by invisible rules we never agreed to. From how often you check email to how long you take to reply, these “time rules” run in the background - until you stop to question them. In part two of this conversation, New York Times bestselling author Chris Guillebeau joins me to talk about how to break free from these hidden rules and why living well beats chasing productivity hacks any day. Chris shares the question that helps him reset when he feels stuck, ...

Jun 04, 202524 min

Quick Win: Ben Shewry’s secret to staying creative with a busy schedule

The big catch with a creative business is that the more successful you get, the more your creative endeavour can feel like a chore instead of a passion. But what if there was one thing you could do to ensure the passion stays? Ben Shewry is head chef and owner of multi-award winning Melbourne restaurant, Attica. Attica has been featured several times in the The World's 50 Best Restaurants and has been named the Best Restaurant in Australia. He is also the author of bestseller Uses for Obsession,...

Jun 02, 20257 min

Feel like you’re always behind? Chris Guillebeau has a fix for your time anxiety (Part 1)

Do you ever get the sense that no matter how much you do, you’re still running out of time? Like there’s something you should be doing, but you can’t quite figure out what it is? In this episode of How I Work , we sit down with New York Times bestselling author Chris Guillebeau to talk about a feeling so many of us carry but rarely name: time anxiety . From guilt over unread emails to the pressure to leave a legacy, Chris shares the practical strategies that helped him stop chasing time - and st...

May 28, 202525 min

Quick Win: How to spend less time worrying

Worrying can take up so much of our time, especially when most of what we worry about never actually happens. This worrying uses up time that could be better spent on the things that truly count, but how can we reduce this and actually free up that time? Oliver Burkeman is a New York Times bestselling author of books such as ‘Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals’ and ‘Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time for What Counts’. Oliver is also a regu...

May 26, 20256 min

The productivity myth I had to unlearn

If your to-do list is full but your energy is gone, this episode is for you. In this special crossover episode from the This Is Work podcast, I sat down with Shelley Johnson to talk about energy, deep work, and why true productivity has more to do with cold water and Kindles than hustle and hacks. I also share what’s working (and what’s not) as I write my fifth book on burnout and depletion, including the habits I’ve doubled down on, and the ones I’ve thrown out. In this episode Shelley and I ta...

May 21, 202548 min

Quick Win: How break out of the email cycle trap

Do you find yourself set up for a productive day, only to be derailed by your emails? Checking and replying to emails can eat up so much time - and what’s worse is that the false sense of productivity checking email provides can be very addictive. The problem of spending way too much time in my inbox has been bugging me for some time, so I was very excited to find out that Michael Bungay Stanier has had similar problems and has been working on solutions. Michael is a renowned speaker, teacher an...

May 19, 20259 min

Unlock your phone's hidden superpowers: Eight game-changing features you're not using

Your phone isn't just a device – it's a Swiss Army knife of untapped potential sitting in your pocket. In this episode, we dive deep into the secret capabilities your smartphone has been hiding from you, transforming how you'll use technology forever. From instantly identifying any plant on your daily walk to scheduling texts that make you look professionally put-together (even when you're not), these features aren't just clever tricks – they're life-changing hacks the tech companies never bothe...

May 14, 202515 min

Quick Win: Lisa Leong reveals why doing a ‘pre-mortem’ could revolutionise how you set and achieve your goals

Do you find yourself setting the same goals year after year, only to leave them unaccomplished? If so, it might be time to try a new strategy for planning your goals. In this quick win I’m joined by ABC broadcaster and Host of ‘This Working Life’, Lisa Leong to talk about why a pre mortem could be the strategy you need to set achievable goals for the year. Lisa shares: What a ‘pre-mortem’ is and how it can help you set achievable goals for the next year How to make sure a ‘pre-mortem’ works if y...

May 12, 20257 min

Ask Me Anything with Dr. Amantha Imber: My productivity systems, daily habits & overrated advice

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes and answering your questions about how I structure my day, manage distractions, and design habits that truly stick. From my early-morning writing sessions to the psychological hacks I use to stay focused (especially on “off” days), I’m sharing what’s genuinely worked for me - and what hasn’t. In this episode, I share: The exact planning process I use every week and month Why I don’t believe in only checking email twice a day How I structure my day around m...

May 07, 202522 min

Are you running on empty? I have a solution.

I’m taking a different approach to writing my next book and I want you to join me. My free eight-week experiment starts Monday, 12 May. Receive 3-5 evidence-based energy-boosting strategies each Monday. Complete the application form using the link below (takes less than 1 minute): https://inventium.typeform.com/to/ZZ56wn6u My latest book The Health Habit is out now. You can order a copy here: https://www.amantha.com/the-health-habit/ Connect with me on the socials: Linkedin ( https://www.linkedi...

May 05, 20256 min

The 5-minute brain workout Muse co-founder Ariel Garten swears by for better focus

You’re not lazy. You’re just out of capacity — and no amount of to-do lists can fix that. So what do you do when your brain is fried, your calendar is full, and you're still trying to show up for the people (and priorities) that matter most? Neuroscientist Ariel Garten has been there. As the co-founder of Muse, the brain-sensing headband used by over 500,000 people and backed by 200+ clinical studies, she’s learned how to work with her brain, not against it — using real-time feedback, five-minut...

Apr 30, 202529 min

Quick Win: How to take a self-compassion break

Did you know that just like a coffee break, or a toilet break, you can take a self-compassion break? And did you know using regular self-compassion can transform how you respond to setbacks? Professor Kristin Neff is a pioneer in the study of self-compassion with multiple best-selling books on the topic, and she believes a self-compassion break can make all the difference to your wellbeing. Kristin shares: 🎧 A special, full walkthrough experience of how to take a self-compassion break. This is ...

Apr 28, 20256 min

BEST OF: How to have a meeting that isn't a complete waste of time with Prof Steven Rogelberg

BEST OF Are the meetings you lead not actually getting enough done? Are you worried that participants are leaving them feeling annoyed? If so, then this episode is for you. Professor Steven Rogelberg is an organisational psychologist, an award-winning author and the world’s leading expert on workplace meetings. He is an award-winning teacher with over 200 publications and has been cited well-over 12,000 times in the academic literature. Steven’s keynotes on meetings span the globe and occur at t...

Apr 23, 202526 min

The art of naming office elephants

We’ve all been there. A weird vibe in a meeting. A team member who’s clearly not themselves. A tension that hums under the surface. And still—silence. In this mini episode, I share a simple but powerful story about what happened when someone called out my mood (in the best way). It reminded me how transformative it can be to name the obvious—and how rarely we do it at work. We’ll explore: Why unspoken tension is more damaging than we think How naming the “elephant” clears the air—without making ...

Apr 21, 20255 min

BEST OF: Want to thrive in uncertain times? Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman wrote the book on it.

BEST OF In the face of uncertainty and change, how do you ensure you don’t feel lost and defeated? More importantly, how do you ensure that doesn’t happen to the team you lead? Dr Gabriella Rosen Kellerman is the Chief Innovation Officer at BetterUp and she sees firsthand their cross discipline research into what can be done to help human flourishing. Professionally she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and CHROs and contributes regularly to Harvard Business Review, MIT Sloan Management Review and Scient...

Apr 16, 202533 min

My 3 non-negotiable health habits

Feel like you’re doing all the health things but still hitting that 3pm crash? Same. For years, I chased every gadget, trend, and supplement that promised more energy and better focus. But after a whole lot of trial and error (and more than a few raw sugar incidents — yes, really), I’ve finally landed on three simple health habits that actually work. In this mini episode, I share: Why your Sunday sleep-in might be wrecking your Monday The surprising psychology behind skipping workouts (on purpos...

Apr 14, 20256 min

Simple and surprising hacks to save money and save the planet with Lottie Dalziel

Think sustainable living is confusing, expensive, or just plain overwhelming? You're not alone. With so much conflicting advice out there, it’s hard to know what actually makes a difference. Lottie Dalziel is here to set the record straight. Founder of Banish, one of Australia’s most trusted sustainability platforms, Lottie has helped thousands of people and businesses cut through the noise and adopt realistic, impactful changes. Recognized as the NSW Young Australian of the Year and a driving f...

Apr 09, 202537 min

How to make your holiday afterglow last 43 days (according to new research)

What if your holiday didn’t just feel good while you were away, but also boosted your wellbeing for weeks after you returned? New research reveals that the benefits of your holiday don’t have to end when you return to work. In this quick episode, I’ll share how to extend that post-break glow far beyond your suitcase unpacking. In this mini episode, I’ll dive into: How to make the most of your time away so the benefits last The holiday activities that actually boost your wellbeing the longest Why...

Apr 07, 20256 min

The decision-making traps you fall into every day: and how Jake Knapp avoids them

Ever wonder if the advice you’ve been following is actually holding you back? What if playing by the rules is the very thing keeping you stuck? Jake Knapp knows a thing or two about breaking the mold. A designer, investor, and New York Times bestselling author, Jake’s books have been translated into over 20 languages, helping teams around the world rethink how they work. He’s helped over 300 startups bring new products to market—including powerhouses like One Medical, Uber, and Slack. Before co-...

Apr 02, 202535 min

Quick Win: How to talk openly with your partner about guilt, with Atlassian's Dom Price

Dom Price was given some pretty bad advice right before he became a father. A well-intentioned friend told him never to share pictures of his overseas work trips with his partner, because it might make her jealous… On his first few long-distance work trips after becoming a dad, Dom didn’t want to tell his partner that he was having a good time in case it made her time home alone with their twins feel even more challenging by comparison. But Dom quickly discovered the opposite was true. Of course...

Mar 31, 20257 min

Work-Life Fusion: Is it a problem if your career becomes your identity?

When asked to describe yourself, is one of the first things you mention your job? Why do so many of us form such a strong connection between our identity and our work? And more importantly, is that actually healthy? To explore the complex relationship between self-identity and work, I'm joined by my good friend Sabina Read for another thought-provoking conversation. Sabina is a clinical psychologist who shares her expertise weekly on 3AW and through her popular podcast "Human Cogs." In this epis...

Mar 26, 202534 min

The Secret formula behind viral LinkedIn posts and killer sales pages

Ever seen a viral LinkedIn post, a compelling sales page, or a perfectly crafted pitch deck and thought, how did they make this so good ? Great content isn’t magic—it follows a formula. And with Gen AI , you can crack that formula wide open . In this episode, Inventium’s Gen AI expert, Neo Aplin , joins Dr. Amantha Imber to reveal a powerful reverse engineering trick that lets you analyse high-performing content , uncover its key elements, and apply those insights to your own writing. What You’l...

Mar 24, 20258 min

Journaling for people who hate journaling: Michael Bungay Stanier's game-changing method

That beautiful leather-bound journal you bought with the best intentions? The one now gathering dust under a pile of books? You're not alone. After 40 years of failed journaling attempts, Michael Bungay Stanier finally cracked the code to sustainable reflection—and it's likely nothing like what you've tried before. Michael is the author behind the Wall Street Journal bestseller The Coaching Habit (which Brené Brown called "a classic"), with over 1.5 million books sold worldwide. Named the #1 Tho...

Mar 19, 202533 min

Want an instant expert Advisory Board? Try this AI trick.

Ever wished you could bring in a team of experts to weigh in on your ideas instantly—without scheduling meetings or waiting for replies? If you're using ChatGPT+ , you can! In this episode, Inventium’s resident AI expert, Neo Aplin , joins Dr. Amantha Imber to reveal a simple but game-changing trick: creating a custom AI advisory board using ChatGPT’s custom GPTs and the "@" trick. You'll learn: How to set up custom GPT personas for different expertise areas (e.g., analytics, legal, problem-solv...

Mar 17, 202511 min
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