Time and Attention - podcast cover

Time and Attention

Chris Baileychrisbailey.com
Time and Attention is a podcast that will help you become more intentional and productive. Hosted by Chris Bailey, the author of two productivity books, and Ardyn Nordstrom, a nerdy economist, the show covers topics as diverse as productivity, focus, procrastination, time management, money, happiness, gratitude, and disconnecting. We occasionally also welcome a bestselling author onto the show to talk about a book they wrote.
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Episodes

Something is Brewing…

On this episode, we chat about an exciting new direction for the podcast—and also share a bittersweet announcement :-) You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Something is Brewing… appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Apr 01, 202619 min

166: The Happiness Dollar

On this episode, I chat with author Ashley Whillans about her book, Time Smart ! Here’s a link to the book. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: The Happiness Dollar appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Feb 17, 202629 min

165: Productive with AI

On this episode, we explore how AI tools like Claude Cowork are automating the drudgery layer of knowledge work, and why the most important skill is now how well you can guide intelligent systems. Topics covered include: What Claude Cowork actually does well: file manipulation, web navigation, and closing the manual screenshot loop How work is shifting from execution to direction and intention-setting The morning briefing system: AI executing on goals set at daily, weekly, and strategic levels A...

Feb 03, 202639 min

164: 50 Shades of Goals

On this episode, we chat about the four types of goals we set—including outcome goals versus process goals, and learning goals versus performance goals! Here’s the link to Chris’s book, which digs more into these ideas! You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: 50 Shades of Goals appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Jan 20, 202629 min

163: Intentional (Goal Attainment)

On this episode, we chat about Chris’s new book, Intentional , which is about the science of goal attainment! Here’s a link to the book. And here’s a link to learn more about it. Enjoy! You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Chris’s New Book, Intentional! appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Jan 06, 202634 min

162: Nobody Cares About Productivity During the Holidays

On this episode, we reflect back at the year and look to 2026, when Chris’s book Intentional will come out :-) Have a great holiday! You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Nobody Cares About Productivity During the Holidays appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Dec 23, 202516 min

161: The Intention Stack

On this episode, we chat about a central idea from Chris’s new book, Intentional : The Intention Stack! Here’s the image we chat about in the episode: You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! All the timelines across which we are intentional. The post Podcast: The Intention Stack appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Dec 11, 202527 min

160: Success is a Numbers Game

On this episode, I chat with Kyle Austin Young about his new book, Success is a Numbers Game ! Hope you enjoy our conversation :-) You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Success is a Numbers Game appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Nov 25, 202528 min

159: Waking Up Early

On this episode, we chat about Chris’s experiment to wake up at 5:30 every morning for a month—including what he learned from it, what he’d do differently, and what the research says about our wakeup time and daily productivity. We also dig into his experiment to drink only water for a month—cutting out sugary drinks, caffeine, and booze. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Waking Up Early appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Nov 11, 202536 min

158: Working 90-Hour Weeks

On this episode, we chat about lessons learned from two of Chris’s experiments—one to work 90-hour weeks for a month, and another to take a three-hour afternoon siesta for three weeks! Links mentioned in this episode: Chris’s new book: Intentional: How to Finish What You Start ! Chris’s article: 10 huge productivity lessons I learned working 90-hour weeks last month Chris’s article: Productivity Experiment: Should you take a three-hour afternoon siesta? You can listen (and subscribe) to the podc...

Oct 28, 202542 min

157: Being Productive When You Don't Feel Like It

On this episode, we chat about how to be productive when you just don’t feel like it. Topics covered include: Why our energy and attention fluctuate so much each day; Figuring out why you feel “off”; How we can tactically accommodate our fluctuating energy; Our different “levels” of energy; “Billion dollar walks”; Drinking caffeine strategically (and not habitually). Links mentioned in this episode: Laura Vanderkam’s article: 40 lessons learned on the way to 40 You can listen (and subscribe) to ...

Oct 07, 202527 min

156: Last Call (And a Review)

On this episode we chat about Chris’s new course and the four webinars that come with it! Signups close September 24. (You can also use the discount code POD30 for another $30 off.) We also give a brief review of the AirPods Pro 3, which we’re both loving. The post Podcast: Last Call (And a Review) appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Sep 22, 202534 min

155: Values-Based Goals

On this episode, we chat about how to root your goals into what you value. Topics covered include: A recap on our twelve values ; How to connect our goals with what we value; The interplay of our values and procrastination; How values affect our level of goal attainment; How our values influence our relationship with our goals; Editing our goals to be aligned with our values; Dropping more goals, more often. Links mentioned in this episode: The sample values test ! Shalom Schwartz’s page on Goog...

Sep 11, 202532 min

154: Why We Procrastinate

On this episode, we begin our deep dive into the science of overcoming procrastination. Topics covered include: The triggers of aversion; The logic war that happens in our mind as we procrastinate; Impulsiveness, perfectionism, and procrastination; Details on Chris’s upcoming course; Aversion journaling; The art of making tasks more challenging. Links mentioned in this episode: Chris’s newsletter Study: Personal values in human life , in Nature Human Behaviour You can listen (and subscribe) to t...

Aug 26, 202537 min

153: Managing Attention

On this episode, we chat about how to create an attentional foundation for deeper focus—and then share some strategies for managing our attention every day. Chris also teases his next book (coming out in January)! Link mentioned in this episode: Chris’s Reddit question: Is my book title offensive in the UK? You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Tactics for managing your attention appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

May 27, 202531 min

152: Reel Talk

On this episode, we chat about how to manage our attention to the fullest. We also chat about how our relationship with novelty has changed over time, how algorithms wire our mind, and the natural rhythm of our attention. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Full Attention appeared first on Chris Bailey .

May 13, 202527 min

151: Distractions

On this episode, we chat about how to think about and tactically overcome distraction—including by knowing the four types of distractions, keeping a “distractions list,” and using a distractions blocker. Links mentioned in this episode: The four types of distraction that derail our focus The Distractions List Our distraction blocker of choice: Freedom You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Overcoming Distraction appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Apr 29, 202532 min

150: Fake Deadlines

On this episode, we chat about how to set “fake deadlines,” the perks (and drawbacks) of the four-day workweek, and how managing our attention can be more effective than managing our time. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Fake Deadlines appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Apr 15, 202526 min

149: Everyday Carry

On this episode, we chat about what we carry around with us on the go to get stuff done. In Chris’s bag: Lululemon’s closest backpack to Chris’s 22oz Takeya water bottle Davek Solo umbrella (the best umbrella) Davek Mini Umbrella Sonos Ace headphones AirPods Pro earbuds The book Chris mentioned: Our Green Garden , by Diana Beresford-Kroeger MacBook Pro In Ardyn’s bag: Ardyn’s go-to handbag company Bellroy laptop case Neat little screen wipe/cleaner thing Pilot V5: Lid , Click Matt and Nat backpa...

Apr 01, 202535 min

148: Fancy Health Stuff

On this episode, I give my long-term review (and a few rants) about three health investments: the Ozlo Sleepbuds, Apple Watch 10, and the Peloton Bike+. We also chat about whether fancy health stuff is even necessary… Links mentioned in this episode: The Ologies episode on Reality TV Ozlo Sleepbuds Apple Watch Series 10 Peloton Bike+ Our referral code is, XQVZA6—if you use it, you get $100 worth of accessories at purchase. (We will also get $100 of accessories and will donate an equal amount to ...

Mar 18, 202548 min

147: Good Productivity

On this episode, we chat about how to tame instant messages—and pursuing greater productivity for the right reasons. Links mentioned in the episode: Article: No, I don’t want AI to write for me Article: There are just 10 basic values You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Good Productivity appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Mar 04, 202526 min

146: Econ Corner 2.0

On this episode, we chat about the economics of productivity—including our “comparative advantages,” finite resources, and how we can think “on the margin.” Links mentioned in this episode: Episode 71: Tradeoffs Episode 114: Commitment Devices Episode 102: Couples That Work interview Episode 133: How to Learn Anything interview Episode 69: How to Scale Up Your Work interview You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Econ Corner 2.0 appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Feb 18, 202530 min

145: Inbox Zero Is Dumb

On this episode, we chat about all of the ways that “Inbox Zero” misses the mark and is the wrong goal to have with email—but also the few cases where it can be helpful. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Why “inbox zero” is dumb appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Feb 04, 202527 min

144: Bad Productivity Advice

On this episode, we chat about how to separate good productivity advice from bad. Links mentioned in this episode: Reddit post: **ck your productivity system. Seriously. Chris’s article: Don’t use productivity advice to procrastinate You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Bad productivity advice appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Jan 21, 202523 min

143: The End of Year Survey

Here’s a link to the survey to help determine what I write about next year! We hope you have an incredible holiday! —Chris and Ardyn The post Podcast: The end of the year survey appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Dec 19, 202425 min

142: Smart Home Shenanigans

On this episode, we chat about how we have automated our home, and the smart home tech we have adopted over time. A couple of links about the tech we mentioned: Smart Home Protocols: Thread Explained! Amazon’s Ring doorbell fares on Privacy Not Included Here are the products we use and mentioned: The two routes with lights—choose to make either the switch or the bulb smart: Smart switch: Lutron Caseta starter system and their great Diva switches (terrible name) Smart bulb: Philips Hue starter sy...

Dec 03, 202444 min

141: Trip Wires

On this episode, we chat about trip wires—which can serve as“habit interrupts” to lead us to follow through on our goals more often. You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: How to plant a trip wire appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Nov 19, 202432 minEp. 140

140: Tech Setups

On this episode, we chat about the tech stacks we use to get work done on a daily basis. A few select pieces of gear that we mentioned in this episode: Ardyn’s Sony headphones Lululemon’s great backpacks Belkin mount for Mac notebooks The Caldigit TS4 dock You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Our tech setups! appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Nov 05, 202430 min

139: Writing Workflows

On this episode, we chat about our writing workflows—with books, academic papers, and other forms of writing. A couple of links from the episode: Bear app (great font!) Book: How to Write a Lot: A Practical Guide to Productive Academic Writing You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Our writing workflows appeared first on Chris Bailey ....

Oct 22, 202437 min

138: Tactics That Haven’t Stuck

On this episode, we chat about which tactics and habits from past episodes haven’t stuck for us! You can listen (and subscribe) to the podcast below! The post Podcast: Tactics that haven’t stuck for us appeared first on Chris Bailey .

Oct 08, 202432 min
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