I’m excited to welcome Mo Hamzian to the show to discuss the future of workspaces and how to optimize environments for focus, productivity, and well-being. Mo is an entrepreneur, real estate expert, and the co-founder of VEL, a company dedicated to redefining workspaces for the modern workforce. In this conversation, we cover: The Evolution of Workspaces: Mo discusses the rise of remote work and the impact of flexible and hybrid work environments on productivity and collaboration. Designing for ...
Feb 24, 2025•40 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m excited to welcome Duncan Wardle to the show to discuss his new book, The Imagination Emporium: The Creative Tools to Change the Way You Think. Duncan is a former Head of Innovation and Creativity at Disney, a global speaker, and an expert in unlocking human imagination. His book presents practical tools for breaking free from conventional thinking and fostering creativity in work and life. In this conversation, we cover: Reawakening Creativity: Duncan explains why many adults believe they a...
Feb 20, 2025•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m excited to welcome Debra Eckerling to the show to discuss her new book, 52 Secrets for Goal Setting and Goal Getting: How to Stay Focused, Grow Your Network, and Get More Done in Less Time. Debra is a goal-setting expert, author, and the creator of the DEB Method, which helps individuals and organizations define, plan, and achieve their goals. In this conversation, we cover: The Power of Clarity in Goal-Setting: Debra explains why knowing what you don’t want is just as important as knowing w...
Feb 17, 2025•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I’m excited to welcome Tyler Moore, also known as Tidy Dad, to the show to discuss his new book, Tidy Up Your Life: Rethinking How to Organize, Declutter, and Make Space for What Matters. Tyler is a teacher, writer, and advocate for creating intentional, organized spaces that support well-being. Through his Tidy Dad brand, he shares practical strategies for simplifying life and focusing on what truly matters. In this conversation, we cover: The Birth of Tidy Dad: Tyler shares how a pe...
Feb 13, 2025•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m excited to welcome Dr. Mithu Storoni to the show to discuss her new book, Hyperefficient: Optimize Your Brain to Transform the Way You Work. Dr. Storoni is a physician, researcher, and expert in neuroscience and performance optimization. Her latest book challenges conventional productivity methods and introduces a brain-based approach to working smarter, not harder. In this conversation, we cover: Redefining Efficiency: Dr. Storoni explains the difference between traditional efficiency (doin...
Feb 10, 2025•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I’m excited to welcome Ben Orlin to the show to discuss his new book, Math for English Majors: A Human Take on the Universal Language. Ben is a math educator, writer, and the creator of Math with Bad Drawings, a blog and book series that makes math more accessible, humorous, and relatable. His latest book approaches mathematics as a language—one that everyone can learn, even those who’ve struggled with it in the past. In this conversation, we cover: Math as a Language: Ben explains ho...
Feb 06, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m excited to welcome back Ian Morgan Cron to the show to discuss his new book, The Fix: How the Twelve Steps Offer a Surprising Path of Transformation for the Well-Adjusted, the Down-and-Out, and Everyone In Between. Ian is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram expert, and host of the Typology podcast. His latest book explores how the Twelve Steps, originally created for addiction recovery, offer profound transformation for anyone, regardless of whether they identify as an addict. I...
Feb 03, 2025•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I’m excited to welcome back Melissa Urban to the show to discuss her new book, The New Whole30: A Fresh Approach to Food and Life. Melissa Urban is the co-creator and CEO of the Whole30 program, a New York Times bestselling author, and a respected voice in the wellness community. Her new book reintroduces the Whole30 program with updates based on recent science and her personal evolution, making the program more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible. In this conversation, we cover: Th...
Jan 27, 2025•41 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I’m thrilled to welcome back Dr. Michael Breus to the show to discuss his new book, Sleep, Drink, Breathe: Simple Daily Habits for Long-Term Health. Dr. Breus, also known as “The Sleep Doctor,” is a clinical psychologist, board-certified sleep specialist, and a bestselling author. Known for making complex health topics approachable, his latest book simplifies wellness into three fundamental habits: sleep, hydration, and proper breathing. In this conversation, we cover: The Domino Effe...
Jan 20, 2025•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by productivity expert Mike Vardy for Parton of a two part series on the A to Z of Productivity. Mike's experience spans years and includes authoring books, creating courses, and hosting his own podcast, "A Productive Conversation." He's a seasoned productivity strategist known for his unique approach to time management and focus techniques. You can catch Part 2 here: https://mikevardy.com/podcast575/ Or watch both parts here: Part 1: https://youtube.com/live/5QCJcqTtfPQ ...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I welcome back Kendra Adachi to the show to talk about her new book The PLAN: Manage Your Time Like a Lazy Genius. Kendra Adachi is one part systems expert, and one part permission giver. As The Lazy Genius, she aims to help you be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don't. She is the host of The Lazy Genius Podcast, author of The Lazy Genius Way. In this conversation we talk about: The Plan Framework: Kendra introduces her innovative framework: Prepare...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I'm revisiting a conversation with Gillian Tietz. Given the topic and the time of year, I felt it was the perfect moment to bring this discussion back to light. Gillian is a biochemist, educator, and entrepreneur who, after struggling with alcohol moderation, found productivity and success in sobriety. She is the host of the Sober Powered Podcast and works as a biochemist in the Boston area. When she quit drinking in 2019, Gillian dedicated herself to understanding alcohol's influence...
Nov 11, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I was encouraged to welcome Carlos Whittaker to the show for an honest and compassionate talk about his latest book, "Reconnected: How 7 Screen-Free Weeks with Monks and Amish Farmers Helped Me Recover the Lost Art of Being Human." Carlos shares his transformative journey through living with monks and the Amish to understand different worldviews and lessen his dependency on technology. Initially struggling with the absence of his phone, Carlos learns the healing power of solitude and f...
Oct 07, 2024•44 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I was so happy to welcome Jon Acuff back to the show to discuss his newest book, 'How Teens Win: The Student's Guide to Accomplishing Big Goals' for an insightful conversation about goal-setting, parenting, and supporting teenagers. This powerful new book which Jon co-authored with his two teenage daughters is a must read for parents, educators, and mentors. Connect with Erik: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram ______________________________________ This Podcast is Powered By: Descript Descri...
Sep 23, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, I'm excited to revisit this conversation with Lizzie Penny and Alex Hirst discussing their book, Workstyle: A revolution for well being, productivity and society. They coined the term nearly a decade ago during an inspired conversation at a pub. Little did they know that that conversation would lead them to co-found the multi-million pound social enterprise Hoxby to test and prove the concept of workstyle. Today Hoxby has helped thousands of workstylers around the world to set, projec...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we’re revisiting a conversation that left a lasting impact, where I had the honor and privilege of speaking with Seth Godin about his book, The Song of Significance: A New Manifesto for Teams. For most listeners Seth needs no introduction. Seth is perhaps best known for his prolific daily blog, as well as his books Linchpin, Tribes, The Dip and Purple Cow. I’ve been looking forward to this conversation for a long time now, and Seth of course did not disappoint. In our chat, we unpack ...
Aug 19, 2024•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I was excited to revisit a conversation I had with Todd Henry. Todd is a prolific author and speaker who focuses on the creatives and dispelling myths about who is and who is not “creative” within corporate or professional workforces. For over a decade Todd has helped readers unlock their creative potential and find new ways to apply their talents. The Daily Creative is a daily reader for busy professionals, creative and otherwise, designed to help you gain focus for your day and advan...
Aug 12, 2024•47 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, I'm excited to chat with my friend Ian Anderson Gray to dispel the myths and stigmas surrounding ADHD. Ian shares his personal journey of understanding and managing ADHD, shedding light on emotional dysregulation and the pivotal role a family coach played in his life. Discover the inspiration behind Ian's podcast "Smart ADHD," which aims to offer intelligent strategies for those with ADHD, and how it empowers individuals to harness their unique strengths. Listen as Ian discusses...
Jul 29, 2024•52 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I'm excited to revisit a conversation I had with Chris Bailey. Chris has been a guest on the show a number of times, and in this episode, he unpacks the origins, research, and results of his book, How to Calm Your Mind: Finding Presence and Productivity in Anxious Times. I decided to revisit this conversation as the need for calm has been so important for me in recent weeks and months as I suspect it has been for you as well. In our chat Chris and I discuss the events that led up to hi...
Jul 22, 2024•56 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I’m excited to revisit a conversation I had with Michael Hyatt and Megan Hyatt-Miller about their book, Mind Your Mindset: The Science That Shows Success Starts with Your Thinking. Michael is the founder and chairman of Full Focus. Through his coaching program for small business owners, BusinessAccelerator®, and the bestselling Full Focus Planner, Michael has helped hundreds of thousands of achievers reach their biggest goals. Megan Hyatt Miller is the President and Chief Executive Off...
Jul 15, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast In part 2 of 2 of this conversation, John Drury shares about the importance of retreats and sacred time for rest and rejuvenation. John shares his personal experiences with different forms of retreats, emphasizing the value of eliminating distractions and under-stimulation to foster deeper self-reflection and mindfulness. He introduces practical techniques such as "desert days," quarterly overnight retreats, and shorter, regular practices to incorporate these into the business and personal life ...
Jul 08, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In part 1 of a 2 part conversation I am thrilled to bring my longtime friend of 25 years Dr. John Drury. John and I share an interest in productivity and the Enneagram, particularly the unique insights of Enneagram fives. In this episode, John and I talk about the profound impact the pandemic has had on our routines and spiritual practices, introducing the concept of a "rule of life" as a way to anchor ourselves with orienting values and stabilizing practices. We explore the balance between over...
Jul 01, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I’m excited to revisit an insightful conversation I had with Tiago Forte about his book Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential. Tiago walks us through his groundbreaking framework, PARA—Projects, Areas, Resources, Archives—that aims to revolutionize how we organize information in our digital lives. We'll also explore the CODE methodology—Capture, Organize, Distill, Express—that helps manage and make sense of the influx ...
Jun 24, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast I’m thrilled to welcome Jeff Sieh back to the show for an in-depth discussion about the evolution of AI, particularly focusing on Apple’s recent announcements. Jeff and I dive into the historical context of AI, reminiscing about its portrayal in popular culture and significant milestones like IBM’s Deep Blue and Microsoft’s Clippy. We then transition to exploring the exciting developments unveiled at Apple’s WWDC 2024, particularly the introduction of Apple Intelligence. This new system promises...
Jun 17, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I’m happy to welcome fellow podcaster and host of The ProGuide Podcast, Andrew Mason back to the show to discuss current trends and themes within the vast productivity space. Andrew and I discuss how being aware of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors can significantly impact our happiness and self-improvement. We explore various factors like chronotype and personality types that contribute to understanding oneself and the importance of seeking feedback from trusted individuals to unc...
Jun 10, 2024•54 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this solo episode, we pay tribute to Dan Miller, the late author of "48 Days to the Work You Love". Dan passed away in January 2024 after a brief battle with cancer. Erik shares personal stories and lessons learned from Dan, emphasizing his profound impact on people through his generosity, approachability, and commitment to lifelong learning. Erik also highlights Dan’s productive habits and daily routines, recounting personal encounters and professional interactions that left a lasting impres...
Jun 03, 2024•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are opening up the mailbag once again to answer your questions about productivity, task completion, work preparation, quality time, motivation, and so much more. From managing distractions in a noisy office environment to improving the efficiency of your meetings, I hope this mailbag/Q&A gives listeners practical strategies to help you stay focused and achieve your goals. ______________________________________ Connect with Erik: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram __________________________...
May 27, 2024•42 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week I was grateful to welcome Mara Glazel to the show for a chat about her new book, Needy: How to Advocate for Your Needs and Claim Your Sovereignty. In our culture, the word "needy" often carries a negative connotation, suggesting weakness or dependency. But Mara is here to challenge that perception and flip it on its head. She argues that recognizing and embracing our needs is not only essential but can actually make us more productive and fulfilled. In this episode Mara and I discuss t...
May 21, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week it was my pleasure to speak with Jorge Arango about his latest book, Duly Noted: Extend Your Mind Through Connected Notes. Jorge is an information architect, author, and educator. For almost three decades, he has architected digital experiences and made the complex clear for organizations ranging from Fortune 500 corporations to nonprofits. He is the author of "Living in Information: Responsible Design for Digital Places" and co-author of "Information Architecture for the Web and Beyon...
May 13, 2024•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week it was my pleasure to welcome Dr. Barry Kudrowitz to the show for a chat about his great book, Sparking Creativity: How Play and Humor Fuel Innovation and Design. Dr. Kudrowitz is a professor of product design and department head in the College of Design at the University of Minnesota. There, he founded and directed the product design program from 2011-2021. Barry received his PhD from the Mechanical Engineering Department at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studying hu...
May 06, 2024•50 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
