Podcast
Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life
Hosted by Erik Fisher · EN
Beyond the To-Do List is a productivity podcast hosted by Erik Fisher. Each week, Erik sits down with experts, authors, and creatives to explore time management, habits, focus, deep work, work-life balance, mindset, and what it actually means to live and work well.
The show has featured guests like David Allen, James Clear, Cal Newport, Gretchen Rubin, Seth Godin, and Daniel Pink — covering everything from getting things done and morning routines to burnout, procrastination, creativity, digital minimalism, goal setting, and intentional living.
The premise is simple: productivity isn't the point. It's the means to a whole life.
30episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
James Kimmel on Revenge Addiction: Breaking Free and Regaining Control
Jul 17, 202500:42:13Tap to summarizeJames 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 trial,” this episode offers a powerful, science-backed path forward.In this episode, we cover:What Makes Revenge So Addictive: How grievances activate the same reward centers in the brain as drugs, gambling, and other addictive behaviors.Revenge as a Productivity Killer: Why revenge always focuses on the past—and how it hijacks our mental and emotional bandwidth in the present.The Courtroom in Your Head: James explains the mental trial many of us run daily, casting ourselves in all the roles—prosecutor, judge, jury, and warden.Grievance vs. Reality: The neuroscience behind how imagined slights are often just as powerful as real ones.Workplace Revenge Culture: How toxic tit-for-tat behavior spreads through teams and how leaders can disrupt it before it takes root.Rewiring the Feedback Loop: How revenge follows the same cue-craving-reward cycle as other habits—and how to break it.The Science of Forgiveness: Why forgiveness isn’t “soft,” but rather a neurological off-ramp from pain and rumination that reactivates the decision-making part of the brain.The Wonder Drug in Your Brain: How practicing internal forgiveness shuts down pain networks and reduces stress, anxiety, and cortisol levels.Practical Tools for Release: James shares how his free app helps users safely process their grievances through guided mental courtroom exercises.Healing as Productivity: Why letting go doesn’t just make you feel better—it frees up your energy for purpose-driven work and emotional clarity.Connect with James and his work at jameskimmel.com and find The Science of Revenge wherever books are sold.Connect with Erik:LinkedIn ThreadsFacebook BlueskyThis Podcast is Powered By:DescriptDescript 101CastmagicEcammPodpageRodecaster ProTop Productivity Books ListMake sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Eliana Goldstein on Career Clarity: Align Your Work with Your Strengths
Jul 14, 202500:36:44Tap to summarizeCareer 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 feeling drained at work isn’t always about being overworked—it’s often about being out of sync with your strengths.The First Questions to Ask When You Feel Unfulfilled: Eliana shares the foundational reflections around engagement, values, and flow state.The Danger of Chasing Passion Alone: Why loving something doesn’t mean you should work in it—and what to focus on instead.Making a Lateral Move: How to identify if you’re in the right industry but the wrong role—and what small shifts can make a big difference.The 70/30 Rule for Job Satisfaction: A framework for evaluating whether your current role is “good enough for now” or ready for a pivot.Mindset Before Resumes: Why confidence and narrative matter more than you think when job searching or switching careers.How to Separate Facts from Fear: Learn to rewrite the internal stories that hold you back after setbacks like layoffs.Eliana’s 4-Part Framework: Uncover, Align, Build, and Close—how to make an intentional, structured, and productive career transition.Networking That’s Not Awkward: How to build meaningful connections for research and referrals—without feeling transactional.How to Stay Motivated: Small goals, time blocks, and micro wins that keep you moving forward, even in a competitive job market.Whether you’re ready for a career reset or just want to feel more energized at work, this episode will help you move with clarity and confidence.Connect with Eliana on LinkedIn or Instagram @ElianaGoldstein or at elianagoldsteincoaching.com. Connect with Erik:LinkedIn ThreadsFacebook BlueskyThis Podcast is Powered By:DescriptDescript 101CastmagicEcammPodpageRodecaster ProTop Productivity Books ListMake sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →John Jantsch on Self-Reliance: How to Build Resilience, Perseverance, and Perspective (Shortcast)
Jul 10, 202500:11:17Tap to summarizeIn 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, John explains why repeated effort—like walking a mountain trail—is not wasted energy but the very process that builds mastery and meaning.The Danger of Indestructible Contentment: Borrowing from Twain, John challenges the idea of being too comfortable, encouraging us to embrace discomfort as a path to perspective and growth.Redefining Resilience: With a reading from William Wells Brown, John reframes procrastination not as laziness, but as strategic patience born of experience—knowing when to act, and when to wait.Growth Beyond Hustle: John reminds us that true self-reliance isn’t about grinding harder—it’s about trusting yourself, honoring the process, and staying open to what life is teaching you through repetition and challenge.This episode is a refreshing reset—a deeper look at what it really takes to keep going, stay grounded, and lead with presence.Find more Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Kendall Berg on Winning the Career Game: The Rules No One Taught You
Jul 7, 202500:43:56Tap to summarizeIn 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: Kendall explains how the real game isn’t just about doing good work, but about how you talk about that work and build strategic relationships.From Invisible to Irresistible: She shares her turning point—from getting tough feedback to rapidly earning five promotions in six years—and how she translated that into coaching others.Promotable vs. Non-Promotable Work: We discuss how to recognize the difference and how to reframe low-visibility tasks to create impact and visibility.Your Boss Has No Idea What You’re Doing: Kendall explains why self-advocacy is essential and gives practical tips on how to communicate your value without sounding self-important.The Game Is Soft Skills: From communication to conflict management, Kendall walks through the non-tactical traits that make or break your trajectory—and how to grow them with intention.Learn more at https://thatcareercoach.net/ and find Secrets of the Career Game wherever books are sold. Connect with Erik:LinkedIn ThreadsFacebook BlueskyThis Podcast is Powered By:DescriptDescript 101CastmagicEcammPodpageRodecaster ProTop Productivity Books ListMake sure to grab Shortcasts from Beyond The To-Do List by Blinkist. A Shortcast is a 7-10 min version of a podcast where you get the core takeaways. Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Camilla Kring on Chronoleadership and Working With Your Body Clock
Jul 3, 202500:46:57Tap to summarizeIn 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 Chronoleadership? Camilla introduces the concept of leading yourself and others based on chronotype—your body’s natural rhythm for sleep, focus, and energy.The Myth of the Early Bird: We challenge traditional ideas of productivity and explore how early start times can exclude or harm night owls and others with nontraditional energy curves.Designing Rhythms, Not Routines: Camilla helps reframe time management not around fixed schedules but around flexible rhythms that support health and creativity.Chronodiversity in the Workplace: From flexible start times to outcome-based management, we talk about how leaders can design more inclusive work environments.Parenting, School, and Chronotypes: We also explore how respecting biological rhythms applies beyond the workplace—to how we raise kids, structure schools, and design home life.Camilla’s work invites us to stop fighting time and start aligning with it—for the sake of our energy, health, and leadership. Connect with Erik:LinkedIn ThreadsFacebook BlueskyThis Podcast is Powered By:DescriptDescript 101CastmagicEcammPodpageRodecaster ProTop Productivity Books ListMake sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Jonathan Levi on Memory Hacks: How to Learn Faster and Remember More (Shortcast)
Jun 30, 202500:10:15Tap to summarizeIn 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 memory,” explaining that most memory issues are due to poor technique, not inability.Visual Mnemonics: He introduces simple strategies for encoding new information using silly or striking mental imagery—making recall faster and easier.Speed Reading That Actually Works: Jonathan outlines how scientifically supported speed reading (600–750 words per minute) is achievable with the right eye movement training and comprehension techniques.The Memory Palace Technique: Borrowed from ancient Greece, this method helps store and organize large quantities of information with near-perfect recall.Building Cognitive Infrastructure: Jonathan emphasizes the power of mental systems—like categorizing words in a new language—to enhance retention and recall over time.Find more Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Mamie Kanfer Stewart on Meeting Smarter: How to Stop Wasting Time at Work (Shortcast)
Jun 26, 202500:10:48Tap to summarizeIn 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, “What do we want to achieve?” This mindset shift transforms how meetings are planned and executed. Alternatives to Meeting: Mamie highlights when meetings aren’t needed—and how tools like email or asynchronous comments can often deliver the same outcome with less time. Before, During, and After: She outlines a full meeting workflow—from designing the agenda around outcomes, to assigning timekeepers and capturing key decisions and next steps. Fixing Meeting FOMO: We dive into how a culture of over-inviting people to meetings can waste time and lead to disengagement—and what to do instead. Reframing Meetings as Real Work: When done right, meetings are collaborative work, not interruptions. Mamie encourages giving them the same intentionality as solo tasks. Mamie’s insights help shift meetings from draining distractions to meaningful, productive moments that move work forward. Find more Shortcasts like this one on Blinkist here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Mike Vardy on The Productivity Diet: Feeding What Fuels You
Jun 23, 202500:42:11Tap to summarizeI’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 isn’t about restriction, but about choosing sustainable inputs that fuel the life you want. Mental Calories and Decision Fatigue: We explore the idea of cognitive nutrition and how overloading your brain with options, tabs, and to-dos creates burnout. Intentional Constraints: Mike shares how building structure around time, energy, and attention helps avoid binging on urgency and makes space for deeper work. The Language of Productivity: From calling tasks “ingredients” to using meal metaphors, Mike breaks down how naming things differently changes your relationship to work. Identity-Based Planning: He outlines how aligning your calendar and task list with your future self leads to better follow-through and less internal resistance. Productivity Styles and Personalization: Mike introduces the idea of “productivity personas,” encouraging listeners to build systems that honor their natural rhythms. From Should to Could: We talk about reframing productivity from a guilt-fueled obligation into an opportunity to nourish what matters most. This conversation is equal parts practical and philosophical. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by productivity advice—or burned out trying to do it all—Mike’s approach offers a refreshing, sustainable alternative. Learn more at MikeVardy.com or grab The Productivity Diet wherever books are sold. Connect with Erik: LinkedIn Threads Facebook Bluesky This Podcast is Powered By: Descript Descript 101 Castmagic Ecamm Podpage Rodecaster Pro Top Productivity Books List Make sure to support the show by checking out the sponsors! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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Catherine Price on the Power of Fun
Jan 17, 2022Tap to summarizeCatherine Price is a science journalist, speaker, coach, consultant, and author of books including How to Break Up With Your Phone and Vitamania. Her newest book is called The Power of Fun: How to Feel Alive Again.This episode is brought to you by: Net-Results Ritual Wix Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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David Allen on Getting Things Done for Teens (and Their Parents Too!)
Jul 10, 2018Tap to summarizeDavid Allen is the originator of GTD. GTD is the shorthand brand for “Getting Things Done“. GTD enables greater performance, capacity, and innovation. It alleviates the feeling of overwhelm—instilling focus, clarity, and confidence.This is David’s third appearance on the show. You can hear his previous episodes here: Getting Things Done: David Allen shares GTD obstacles and secrets – BTTDL016 GTD: David Allen on how “creative types” can get things done with #GTD – BTTDL086 In this conversation, David discusses the new GTD book: Getting Things Done for Teens. Make sure to check out this conversation between David and the coauthors of the book on the official GTD Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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