Beyond The To-do List

This week I was excited to welcome Justin Zorn and Leigh Marz to the show to discuss their new book, Golden: The Power of Silence in a World of Noise. This book instantly rocketed up my list of the best productivity books of the year! Golden reveals how to go beyond the ordinary rules and tools of mindfulness. It’s a field guide for navigating the noise of the modern world—not just the noise in our ears but also on our screens and in our heads. Drawing on lessons from neuroscience, business, spirituality, politics, and the arts, Marz and Zorn explore why auditory, informational, and internal silence is essential for physical health, mental clarity, ecological sustainability, and vibrant communities. Justin Zorn is a Senior Adviser to the Center for Economic and Policy Research, a Truman National Security Fellow, and a strategic adviser for a variety of mission-driven businesses, think tanks, and advocacy groups. Leigh Marz an author, leadership coach, and collaboration consultant teaching experimental mindset

This week I was excited to welcome Laura Vanderkam back to the show for her sixth appearance! Laura has been coming on Beyond The To Do List for the past ten years and this time she is here to talk about her newest book: Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make Time for What Matters. In this conversation we address the nine “rules” for making more time in your hectic schedule while diving deep into three of the rules I could most intriguing.  This is a really insightful and practical conversation about simple suggestions for both gaining back your time and finding a greater sense of calm and purpose during your week. Laura addresses the research process for the book and points out how a test group of 150 people learned her rules and lived them out for 9 weeks providing practical and insightful feedback for people from all walks of life. Laura Vanderkam is the author of several time management and productivity books, including the new Tranquility by Tuesday: 9 Ways to Calm the Chaos and Make T

This week I was excited to welcome Tara McMullen to the show to hear her insights, research, and reflections on her new book, What Works: A Comprehensive Framework to Change the Way We Approach Goal Setting. Tara is a writer, podcaster, and producer who for over 13 years has studied small business owners - how they live, how they work, what influences them, and what they hope for the future. In this conversation Tara shares with us how to transform the way you set and achieve your goals to create a gentler and more fulfilling way to work toward what you truly want. In the book, you’ll explore what’s driving your pursuit of “more” (more money, more things, more prestige, etc.), set commitments to help orient your growth, and organize your actions as part of a holistic learning process. In addition to writing and speaking Tara is the host of What Works, a podcast about navigating the 21st-century economy with your humanity intact. Tara is also the co-founder of YellowHouse.Media, a boutique podcast production c

This week I was excited to welcome Dr. Nicole Byers to the show to discuss the correlation between neuroscience and specifically neuropsychology with productivity and efficiency. Nicole brings a wealth of knowledge and research gained during her Ph.D. studies in clinical psychology to the world working by explaining some of the strange ways our brain copes with stress, anxiety, lack of sleep, and mood.  In this episode Nicole unpacks the four signs of procrastination while offering tips and tricks for rewiring our brain to avoid such behavior. In addition Nicole explains some of the science of sleep and why getting quality sleep is so important to our physiology and in turn our productivity! Dr. Nicole Byers is a productivity and leadership coach and host of The Bold Life Podcast. Boasting a Ph.D. in clinical psychology with a specialty in neuropsychology, Nicole uses neuroscience-based strategies to help her clients boost their efficiency at work and defeat overwhelm so they can feel productive, not just bus

This week I was thrilled to welcome back to the show Joey Cofone of Baron Fig. You can find the previous episode here. Joey Cofone is the Co-Founder at Baron Fig. Baron Fig is a New York design startup that is rooted in its mission to champion thinkers around the world through inspiration, imagination and productivity.  Joey’s new book is ‘The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius’. The book is a revealing and practical exploration of creativity: what it is, how it works, and how you can harness it in your everyday life. In the book he demystifies the creative process by uncovering the thinking and science behind it, empowering the reader with practical, actionable steps toward creative excellence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to speak with Melissa Urban about her new book, The Book of Boundaries: Set the Limits That Will Set You Free. Melissa and I had an extremely insightful conversation about how setting healthy boundaries with family members, co-workers, friends and even yourself can transform your relationships, eliminate stress and improve your daily outlook.  In this chat, Melissa breaks down the vital steps towards identifying if a boundary needs to be set and the three unique levels of instituting a boundary with both honesty and kindness. Oftentimes we can think of boundaries as barriers towards achieving authentic relationships. Melissa is here to reveal why the exact opposite is the case and how when implemented properly boundaries can help save relationships and strengthen bonds. Melissa Urban is a six-time New York Times bestselling author and has been featured by Good Morning America, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and CNBC. She is based in Salt Lake City. Melissa is the

This week I am rereleasing an episode with Joey Cofone of Baron Fig in advance of his upcoming new episode where we talk about his new book: The Laws of Creativity: Unlock Your Originality and Awaken Your Creative Genius. Joey Cofone is the Co-Founder at Baron Fig. Baron Fig is a New York design startup that is rooted in it’s mission to champion thinkers around the world through inspiration, imagination and productivity. In this conversation Joey and Erik talk about how Baron Fig was founded, the meaning behind the name and their design workflow using digital and analog. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week it was my privilege to speak with Alan Stein Jr. Allan is former professional performance coach and now serves as a public speaker and author. In this conversation we unpack a wide variety of lessons he has learned throughout his career including tips on how to avoid burnout and how to sustain a level of high performance by embracing the most fulfilling aspects of your work while not allowing that work to invade upon your personal and family time. Alan and I discuss a wide variety of techniques and teachings contained in the book while also discussing some of the practical strategies he has employed with former clients and world class athletes. Alan Stein, Jr. teaches proven strategies to improve both individual and organizational performance by empowering people to develop winning mindsets, rituals, and routines. As an internationally renowned veteran basketball performance coach, he spent 15+ years working with the highest-performing athletes on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, S

This week I was privileged to be joined by Anita Stubenrauch. Anita is a former Apple Computers Executive and graduate of The Art Institute of Chicago. As a creative sojourner Anita is paving her own path towards both creative and professional success by thinking outside the bounds of typical corporate boxes. In this conversation Anita and I discuss the challenges that face creatives in today's workforce and how remote work is presenting both limitations and opportunities for creatively minded individuals.   Anita Stubenrauch is a former Apple Executive who was able to pivot her success and experience into creating her own creative business. As the founder of Cause:Effect Creative and the developer of the soon to be Land of Make+Believe, Anita is leading small business owners and entrepreneurs to an enlightened way of thinking and making decisions. Anita currently lives in Murphys, California, where she's building a beautiful retreat space, The Land of Make+Believe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg

This week I was excited to welcome Dr. Jennifer Heisz to the show to discuss her new book, Move the Body, Heal the Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve Focus, Creativity, and Sleep. This was a really motivating conversation about the incredible benefits of exercise and movement on not only our body's fitness but our brain’s functions. Dr. Heisz unpacks a host of benefits that exercise has on cognitive functions, memory, creativity, and of course productivity. In addition to discussing the many benefits that movement and exercise can have on creativity and focus in our work lives, Dr. Heisz also discusses the litany of ways that exercise can reward the pleasure centers of our brain helping to both prevent and assist various behaviors associated with addiction. Jennifer also addresses the relationship between exercise and depression and how important it is to be aware of the rhythms of our movement and how they can change throughout the seasons. Dr. Jennifer Heisz is a leading expert on

Ryan McRae has had Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder all of his life, but he wasn’t going to let ADHD run him down. He has worked to figure out how to take all the benefits and cancel out all the drawbacks. In this episode, Ryan and Erik discuss overcoming the productivity challenges of College and University Students. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I was excited to welcome Todd Henry back to the show for the sixth time to discuss his latest book, Daily Creative: A Practical Guide for Staying - Prolific, Brilliant, and Healthy. 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.   In this new book Todd explores the benefits of reflecting on creative practices on a daily basis by creating a daily guide which succinctly and contemplatively welcomes readers to reflect upon both their creative potential and the ways that creativity can be applied in the most unlikely of work and life circumstances. Todd Henry is the founder of Accidental Creative, a company that helps creative people and teams be prolific, brilliant and healthy. He regularly speaks and consults with companies about how to develop practices that lead

This week I was so happy to welcome Jon Acuff back to the show to discuss his newest book, Your New Playlist: The Student Guide to Tapping into the Superpower of Mindset. This powerful new book which Jon co-authored with his two teenage daughters is a must read for parents, educators, and mentors seeking to empower young people with the mindset and tools that allow them to not only reshape their thoughts, but change the trajectory of negative voices that often plague young people’s everyday life. When Jon’s previous book, Soundtracks, came out, one reaction surprised him. Parents across the country all said the same thing: "Do you have a version for teenagers? If I knew how to change my mindset when I was that age, my entire life would have been different." Why did they say that? Because truth grows like compound interest. Saving money when you're young has a bigger impact than it does when you save in your 40s. A single new soundtrack--Acuff's phrase for a repetitive thought--believed when you're 14 or 18 ca

This week I had a great conversation with Kim Rittberg about her new project the ‘Mom’s Exit Interview Podcast'. Kim and I discuss her checkered career and some of the reasons she chose to leave the corporate world and strike out on her own, producing and consulting on a range of content and media projects.  Kim has a wealth of insights and tips for not just Moms, but anyone considering transitioning into a new career or entrepreneurial endeavor. We discuss the importance of establishing your priorities before you make any major career changes and what she has been learning from her guests on the new podcast.  Kim Rittberg is a Video Marketing Strategy & Podcaster, former media executive, corporate quitter, and mom. She is an award-winning Video & Content Strategist, On-Camera Coach previously at Netflix, PopSugar, and Us Weekly. Kim is the host of ‘Mom’s Exit Interview Podcast’ where she interviews inspirational moms who are taking control of their lives while achieving (gasp!) true work-life balance: entrep

This week I was thrilled to speak with Tiago Forte about his groundbreaking new book, Building a Second Brain: A Proven Method to Organize Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential. In this conversation, I discovered just what a second brain is and how productivity-minded people like me, (and likely you) can benefit from the methodologies laid out in this book to more powerfully, creatively, and effectively capture life experiences, journal entries, and and musings in order to free our brains of needless clutter and begin to more effectively create and organize our thoughts. This is an exceptional book and has rocketed into my top 10 productivity books of all time and after you listen you will see why. Tiago Forte is one of the world’s foremost experts on productivity and has taught thousands of people around the world how timeless principles and the latest technology can revolutionize their productivity, creativity, and personal effectiveness. He has worked with organizations such as Genentech, To

This week I was excited to welcome Kate Tellers to the show to help us understand the power, purpose, and practicality of effective storytelling. Kate is the Director of Mothworks at the Moth, a live storytelling podcast that features everyday people sharing powerful, humorous, and insightful stories about their lives and experiences. In this conversation Kate shares her experiences with both helping to craft stories and why effective and well conceived storytelling is so important in both our professional and personal lives. We discuss how storytelling is not only a key element of empathetic, and impactful communication but also how it can be a key productivity tool for laying out your ideas, visions, and concepts in a way that is both authentic and relatable. Kate Tellers is the Director of MothWorks at The Moth, a host of their live storytelling series and Webby award-winning podcast, storyteller and director. Since then she’s developed stories with her heroes from her Pittsburgh childhood to the present d

This week I was excited to welcome Omar Zenhom to the show. Omar is the host of the award-winning podcast The $100 MBA Show and the creator of the popular software tool Webinar Ninja. In this conversation, we cover a range of business and entrepreneurial topics including preparing to make the leap from a nine to five job to an entrepreneurial lifestyle and the challenges involved in that process.  We also discuss Omar’s personal journey toward becoming a successful podcast host and content creator as he reflects upon how his early setbacks were actually preparing and teaching him the skills he would need when the right opportunity came along. We conclude by reflecting on both of our journeys and the importance that mentorship, friendships, and support had in shaping our careers.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phil Simon is a frequent keynote speaker, recognized collaboration and technology authority, and college professor for hire. He is the award-winning author of a dozen books, most recently Project Management in the Hybrid Workplace. He helps organizations communicate, collaborate, and use technology better.  In this conversation Phil talks with Erik about the problem of getting things done in the new world of work. When it comes to project management, the issues breaks down into: Communication, Collaboration, Coordination, and Expectation. We talk about where we are, how we got here, and offer some solutions for moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had a wonderful conversation with Jason Harris about his new book The Soulful Art of Persuasion: The 11 Habits That Will Make Anyone a Master Influencer. In this chat, Jason dispels some of the toxic chatter about influencers in the internet age and reminds listeners that the art of influence and persuasion is more about compassion, empathy, and finding common ground than Instagram fame or soulless clickbait. We cover his four principles of persuasion: original, generous, soulful, and empathetic by breaking down how each principle is applied and how their application can transform organizations and workplaces from spaces of dysfunctional conversations into communities of healthy and sincere communication.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week I had a great conversation with John Brandon focused on his new book, The 7-Minute Productivity Solution: How to Manage Your Schedule, Overcome Distractions, and Achieve the Results You Want. This was an excellent discussion on the power of taking just seven minutes out of key moments of your day in order to more effectively plan for your day, achieve moments of self-reflection, and remove oneself from digital distractions and ubiquitous media and technology that is robbing us of achieving our goals and living a more productive and fulfilling lifestyle. John Brandon has written over 15,000 articles for major publications like Inc. Magazine and Forbes, Wired, Popular Mechanics, Entrepreneur, TechRadar, Popular Science. For the last 10 years before starting at Forbes, he wrote a daily column for Inc.com. His new book is The 7-Minute Productivity Solution: How to Manage Your Schedule, Overcome Distraction, and Achieve the Results You Want Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices