Productivity Smarts

Episode 146 - Route 66, Research, and the Writer's Mind: Productivity Lessons from a Lifelong Storyteller

What does it take to stay creatively productive for five decades? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Annette LaFortune Murray, storyteller, educator, and Route 66 expert, to unpack the habits and mindset behind five decades of prolific, purposeful creativity. Annette shares how she spent years researching the life of Cyrus Avery, the visionary behind America's most iconic highway, and how that deep dive transformed her approach to writing and productivity. From structuring her peak energy hours (8 to 10 AM) to using the BIC (Butt in Chair) method, Annette reveals how she balances disciplined focus with intentional breaks, field trips, and real world inspiration. She discusses overcoming writer's block by "trying on a new hat," using virtual writing communities on Zoom to combat isolation, and organizing research with visual templates borrowed from award winning authors. Annette also emphasizes the power of mentorship, peer critique, and reading work aloud to sharpen its impact. Her four keys, listen and look, write down the thought, stay happy with your work, and read it aloud, offer a practical framework that writers and creators at any stage can apply immediately. Ready to unlock your own prolific creativity? Listen to the full episode now, and put Annette's four keys into action on your very next project.Let's dive in! What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:02] Meet Annette Le Fortune Murray [04:12] Route 66 book and research origins [05:42] Learning from other researchers [06:52] Productivity lessons from research [07:48] Organizing research and writing tools [08:55] Writing process and book structure [09:38] Learning during the pandemic [10:37] Creative prompts and experiential writing [11:03] Daily writing structure [12:51] Editing and peer critique [13:41] Engaging storytelling techniques [14:11] Maintaining focus and motivation [16:42] Editing by listening [18:12] Dealing with writer's block [20:02] Coping with solitude in writing [22:18] Balancing passion and discipline [23:25] Research and outlining methods [24:39] Virtual writing communities [26:26] Book marketing and public speaking [27:41] Mentorship and networking [29:12] Closing remarks Notable Quotes [07:14] "Productivity in his world meant go out and explore. Go to the territory, take little field trips." – Annette LaFortune Murray [10:07] "What you're doing at your desk is important, but also you need to get out in the world and be creative. Go to a park, a museum, a concert, a restaurant you've never been to – and take notes." – Annette LaFortune Murray [12:19] "I'm disciplined enough and I enjoy it. The writing process, to me, it's fun, it's invigorating." – Annette LaFortune Murray [15:28] "So many times you're trying to please others. Make sure you're happy with it." – Annette LaFortune Murray [23:12] "To me, writing is playful. It's experimentation, it's creative." – Annette LaFortune Murray [25:49] " There's a transfer of consciousness and there's a transfer of energy." – Gerald J. Leonard (on Zoom writing groups) [28:25] "Don't be afraid to make connections to the people around you who you admire. They can be your mentors and help you get where you want to be." – Annette LaFortune Murray Resource and Links Annette LaFortune Murray Website: https://annettemurraybooks.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/annette-lafortune-murray-2a484719/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annettemurraywrites YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@murraymedia111 Book: https://annettemurraybooks.com/books Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 145 - Crack the LUCK Code: How to Change Your Business and Personal Life Using the 4 Personality Expressions

2w ago00:39:27Tap to summarize

How often does an employee's personality get mistaken for a performance problem, quietly undermining productivity across teams? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Ariel Vox, award-winning author of Crack the Luck Code. Ariel blends psychology, storytelling, and leadership to help individuals unlock hidden strengths. Drawing on her unique LUCK personality archetypes, Lion, Umbrella Cockatoo, Coral, and Koala, she explains why high achievers often feel stuck, how weaknesses can become superpowers, and why one-size-fits-all productivity advice rarely works. Gerald and Ariel explore how understanding your dominant archetype (and those of your team or family) can transform communication, reduce conflict, and dramatically improve results. From the goal-driven Lion who needs big challenges to the detail-obsessed Koala who struggles to launch, you'll learn practical ways to work smarter, not harder. Ariel shares memorable analogies (including how each archetype would talk about buying a car) and real-world applications for leaders, employees, and families. She also opens up about sharing the stage with legends Les Brown and Jack Canfield, and the powerful lesson she learned about owning your unique voice. If you've ever felt misunderstood at work or home, or if you're leading a team that just can't seem to click, this episode will help you decode the personalities around you and unlock a new level of productivity. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Meet Ariel Vox and Cracking the Luck Code [05:04] Book Crack the Luck Code and the four archetypes [06:26] L.U.C.K acronym explained [06:56] Lion personality [08:20] Umbrella Cockatoo (Parrot) personality [09:08] Coral personality [09:46] Koala personality [11:07] The car analogy [14:54] Communicating by personality type [15:42] Weaknesses as strengths [17:02] Balancing traits for growth [19:26] Gerald's mix (Lion + Koala) [21:18] Most people are mixed types [22:48] Goal setting for Lions [24:59] Productivity pitfalls and burnout [26:18] Leading different types [29:18] Travel plans for a family of four with different personalities [30:44] Stress and personality awareness [31:57] Lessons from Les Brown & Jack Canfield [33:41] One practical productivity tip you can apply today [34:41] Owning your unique value and voice [36:46] Where to find Ariel and her book [38:46] Podcast outro Notable Quotes [05:30] " The reason productivity is very low sometimes, so with some people, some employees is because often they remain misunderstood." – Ariel Vox [05:59] " By overcoming these negative qualities, they achieve their superpowers." – Ariel Vox [06:41] " No one is just one expression of personality, but some of them are more dominant than others." – Ariel Vox [07:13] " Lions, they get excited by big goals. They would never go to chase a mouse. They would go to chase an antelope." – Ariel Vox [14:17] " You need to understand the personality of the other person, and it's very important the people give a subtle cues all the time, but you need to learn to read them." – Ariel Vox [15:48] " I firmly believe that behind your weakness is where your greatest strength is hidden." – Ariel Vox [16:48] " You need to adopt some of the other qualities. Or if you cannot adopt these other qualities, maybe find a partner." – Ariel Vox [23:53] " A lion person would need not just to delegate the low value tasks, but understand that they can overlook the low value tasks as well." – Ariel Vox [27:40] " I plan every single outfit that I'll put in my suitcase. Someone else would just go and pick it, but not a Koala person." – Ariel Vox [33:49] " Les Brown is Les Brown. He will always be Les Brown because he's the only Les Brown. The same with Jack Canfield." – Ariel Vox Resource and Links Ariel Vox Website: arielvox.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ariel-vox/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fear2Fierce Book: Crack the Luck Code Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 144 - Gray Divorce: My Life, Rewritten

3w ago00:37:59Tap to summarize

What do you do when life looks successful on the outside but deep down you feel stuck, unfulfilled, and disconnected from yourself? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Anne Smith, a seasoned corporate trainer and HR expert who transformed her life after the end of a 29-year marriage. Instead of staying stuck, Anne chose to rebuild, turning her journey into her powerful memoir Gray Divorce: My Life, Rewritten. Gerald and Anne dive into what it really takes to create meaningful change, not just externally but internally. From developing self-awareness and breaking lifelong patterns to using journaling as a tool for clarity, Anne shares how she moved from simply surviving to intentionally designing a life aligned with her values. They explore the hidden cost of "hustle culture," why many high achievers feel stuck despite success, and how small daily practices like early morning routines, reflection, and creative thinking can unlock a completely new direction in life. Anne also shares practical tools like the "Five Whys" framework, identifying core values, and asking the right questions to uncover what is really holding you back. If you have ever felt like you are going through the motions or questioning what is next, this episode will challenge you to pause, reflect, and start rewriting your story. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:03] Meet Anne Smith [04:12] The secret sauce: making space for your own feelings [05:57] Why hustle culture fails us [06:38] Making time to write: waking up at 4:30 AM [08:32] The role of self-awareness in divorce and productivity [08:57] Being the common denominator in two failed marriages [11:47] Journaling for self-reflection [14:46] Advice for feeling stuck in your 40s and 50s [16:24] The Five Whys (Lean/Six Sigma) for personal growth [17:34] Limiting beliefs and the shadow self (Peter Pan metaphor) [21:35] 95% of life is non-conscious how to wake up [24:04] How to discover your core values (the dinner party exercise) [26:08] Protecting your peace as a core value [27:00] The importance of being creative [29:19] FedEx, banks, and thinking differently [32:19] "This I Believe" exercise from Jeffrey Berlin [36:04] Where to find Anne's book and website [37:18] Podcast outro Notable Quotes [04:12] "I think the core of it for me, I had to learn to listen to what I needed. And in order for me to do that, I had to make space for my feelings." – Anne Smith [06:53] "I was never going to magically find the time, they were not going to be extra hours manufactured and added to my day or my evening that I needed to make the time." – Anne Smith [09:00] "I was the common denominator in both relationships. It's easy to point fingers, but you miss out on learning about yourself." – Anne Smith [15:16] " Whatever environment you operate best in to listen to yourself. Make space to listen to yourself and don't numb yourself. Don't stay so busy." – Anne Smith [16:35] "The Five Whys is a fabulous tool for professional and personal life. It's like peeling the onion to get to the root cause." – Anne Smith [20:24] "The shadow self that you created as a child that helped you grow up is no longer serving you, and you've got to unscrew your shadow." – Anne Smith [26:08] "Protecting my peace became a core value. I realized I had sacrificed it for 10 or 12 years." – Anne Smith [27:38] "Creativity takes many forms…connecting different dots is creativity in itself." Anne Smith [33:13] "We tend to focus on all the things that keep us up at 3:00 in the morning that we can't affect or change." – Anne Smith [32:41] "Oftentimes our fears when we put them down, when we acknowledge them, they're really not that big." – Anne Smith Resource and Links Annee L. Smith Website: https://Anneelsmith.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Anneesmithauthor/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AnneeLSmithAuthor Book: Gray Divorce: My Life, Rewritten Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 143 - Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs: Turning Life's Setbacks into Stepping Stones

4w ago00:24:52Tap to summarize

What happens when a Hollywood insider faces career-ending setbacks, cancer, and a Parkinson's diagnosis all while refusing to give up? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, Gerald J. Leonard chats with Tommy Burke, a film and TV veteran who turned some of life's hardest punches into stepping stones. From getting kicked off a film set early in his career to working alongside stars like Ben Affleck and Johnny Depp, Tommy shares how grit and persistence became his superpowers and how those same traits help him face Parkinson's head-on. Gerald and Tommy dig into the real, everyday side of resilience. Tommy talks about why staying busy can be a survival strategy, how he flipped a career-ending rejection into a turning point, and the daily habits like exercising and sticking to a strict routine that keep him moving when life feels unpredictable. Drawing from stories in his book, Tommy also shares the secrets of smart networking, why he shows up in shorts and a button-up to doctor's appointments, and how he turned a life of nonstop hustle into a mission to inspire others. Tune in to hear how Tommy proves that no matter how many times you mess up, the key is simple, you just don't give up. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [00:52] Meet Tommy Burke [02:13] The "don't give up" philosophy [03:50] An early career setback [04:53] Bouncing back with hard work [06:06] The strategy of networking [07:41] Working with Hollywood stars [08:32] Battling cancer and Parkinson's [10:32] The necessity of daily exercise [12:47] Current focus: book and workouts [14:18] Dealing with uncertainty [17:20] The book's inspiring message [18:06] The power of a daily routine [21:08] Where to find Tommy's book [22:29] Podcast outro Notable Quotes [02:18] "I screwed up so many times, but I just don't give up. I just keep plugging away." – Tommy Burke [05:24] "I bust my ass, and a few months later, they hired me again. I became the number one PA boss, which is like being a dishwasher—it's not a big deal, but it was good." – Tommy Burke [06:19] " Don't call people when you don't have work. Even though you're the best actress in the world, it sounds desperate. Call it when you have job," – Tommy Burke [08:43] " Cancer was tough. The cancer was set the ground for my Parkinson's. I mean, I was working 70 hours a week and I did chemo midnight. I drive after work."– Tommy Burke [10:35] "When you get diagnosed with Parkinson's, you go right home and exercise. I work out every day. I don't have a choice." – Tommy Burke [14:24] "I just kept moving. I came from a hardworking family. We always worked. Now, I try to do a lot to keep my mind straight."– Tommy Burke [19:44] "I keep my life straightforward… I wake up at 7:00, go to bed at 9:00, eat well, and have boundaries." – Tommy Burke Resource and Links Tommy Burke Website: https://tommyburke.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tommyburke Book: Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 142 - Breaking the Binge Cycle: How Sugar, Stress, and Hidden Triggers Sabotage Your Productivity

Apr 1400:39:55Tap to summarize

What if the "sugar high" you rely on for a productivity boost is actually the very thing sabotaging your focus, mood, and long-term performance? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Connie Bennett, a transformational speaker, certified health coach, and bestselling author of Sugar Shock!, Beyond Sugar Shock, and I Blew My Diet! Now What? Together, they uncover the profound connection between what we eat and how we perform, revealing that productivity isn't just about time management, it's also about biochemistry. Connie shares her deeply personal journey from a self-described "sugar-addicted journalist" suffering from 44 unexplained ailments to a leading voice in health and empowerment. She explains how processed carbs and sugar create a vicious cycle of fake productivity followed by debilitating crashes, and why willpower alone is never enough to break free. Backed by research and real-world coaching experience, Connie introduces the concept of the "Big Four Binge Triggers," including heartbreak, relationship stress, trauma, and caregiving, and explains how identifying your why is the first step toward lasting change. She also offers practical, neuroscience-backed techniques like the "Broccoli Process" to help listeners shift their state in moments of temptation. Whether you're struggling with afternoon slumps, emotional eating, or simply want to sustain high performance without burning out, this conversation will help you understand how to align your food choices with your goals. Tune in to learn how to stop fighting your cravings and start designing a lifestyle that supports steady energy, mental clarity, and true productivity. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Guest introduction: Connie Bennett [05:13] Connie's journey: from journalist to health coach [07:21] The turning point: quitting sugar [09:33] Relapse and carb addiction [11:53] Researching binge triggers [13:14] The four big binge triggers [16:27] Journaling and creative expression for healing [19:39] Sly shopping catalysts and blood sugar roller coaster [20:52] Practical tips: avoiding snacking and habit stacking [23:48] Other sly chompers: stress and mindless munching [26:59] Consequences of poor eating habits [28:36] Goal power vs. willpower [31:13] Healthy eating strategies and food choices [32:15] Developing a healthy eating plan [33:29] Book structure and coaching approach [34:02] How to connect with Connie and book giveaway [34:48] The broccoli process: overcoming temptation [38:46] Podcast wrap-up and final thoughts Notable Quotes [07:12] "So I was like a fake productivity high, eat sugar or carbs, get my buzz so I can be productive and then come crashing." – Connie Bennett [08:32] "Once I decided I quit. Every single ailment vanished." – Connie Bennett [10:52] " We could be sabotaged by ourselves, by our non-conscious habits, because our subconscious and non-conscious habits actually runs about 95% of our life.." – Gerald J. Leonard [12:45] " After the loss of my mother, I was doing what I now call heartbreak binging." – Connie Bennett [15:16] "Once you know your why, that can enable you then to move on, to become, to learn." – Connie Bennett [20:00] "If you start your day and you just have coffee and then you go to the gym, or you take your kids to school or whatever, you're setting yourself up for a major blood sugar low." – Connie Bennett [24:41] "If you want to be a really highly productive person who creates wonderful things and helps other people, you know, to to do their best. You are not going to be your best or your brightest. If you are eating junk foods." – Connie Bennett [28:55] "I say that we live in basically junk foods jungle." – Connie Bennett [29:15] "You don't want to rely on willpower. Willpower, the research shows it can, like, run out." – Connie Bennett [30:00] "When you eat better, you will feel better. You will become better. You will be more the kind of person that you want to be." – Connie Bennett Resource and Links Connie Bennett Website:www.connieb.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conniebennett/ Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/ConnieBennett? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/conniebennettauthor/ Twitter (X): https://x.com/smarthabitsgirl Books: Sugar Shock!, Beyond Sugar Shock, and I Blew My Diet! Now What? Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Additional information One sheet ConniebMedia One Sheet – Connie Bennett, Your Bounce-Back Boldly Guide™ Press kit ConniebPress Kit – Connie Bennett, Your Bounce-Back Boldly Guide™ PDF of my new book, I Blew My Diet! Now What? Sync- AMAZING! - I_Blew_My_Diet_PagePerfect_V8.pdf Rave reviews (mostly rave) of I Blew My Diet! Now What? Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 141 - The Montessori Home and Beyond: Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family

Apr 700:46:50Tap to summarize

Did you know the habits and environment you create in your child's first six years can shape how they focus and function for life? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Teresa Angeles, a Montessori educator, parent mentor, and author of The Montessori Home and Beyond. Together, they explore how early childhood development connects directly to adult productivity, and how a Montessori approach can bring more calm, clarity, and intention into everyday life. Teresa explains the Montessori method in a practical way, showing how ideas like the "Absorbent Mind" and a thoughtfully prepared environment influence both children and adults. Backed by modern neuroscience, these principles help us raise emotionally balanced kids while also becoming more focused and less stressed ourselves. Hear simple but powerful insights, like how clutter affects your nervous system, why following curiosity helps you get into flow, and how your surroundings quietly shape your behavior. The conversation also touches on epigenetics, highlighting how a peaceful, organized space can support productivity at a deeper level. Teresa shares easy, actionable steps you can start using right away to create a more supportive environment, whether you have children or not. Tune in to learn how to design your home and routines in a way that reduces stress, builds focus, and supports lasting productivity. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Guest introduction: Teresa Angeles [05:08] Teresa's success with Montessori and its impact on her parenting [08:45] The role of environment and epigenetics [10:41] Montessori's focus on environment [12:32] Montessori principles [16:21] Multiple intelligences and nurturing gifts [18:18] Montessori practices: circle time and self-trust [19:38] Normalization and flow [21:16] Right brain development and language acquisition [23:28] Structure, order, and emotional regulation [26:34] Decluttering and creating order [28:33] Observation and the Montessori adult [31:47] Practical habits and learning areas [33:06] Setting up the Montessori home [39:38] Observation and self-reflection [44:08] Where to find Teresa and her work Notable Quotes [07:37] "There were three things impacting the child… the child, the adult and the environment." – Teresa Angeles [09:31] "If you set up the right environment for the children and for yourself as an adult, you begin to turn on productive genes." – Gerald J. Leonard [11:19] "Give them time to plan their own schedules, even as toddlers. It creates the executive functioning skills." – Teresa Angeles [14:18] "Neuroscience is now confirming that the right brain is totally in control for the first five to six years of a child's life." – Teresa Angeles [14:57] "The first six years is the time that you want to give your child everything beautiful—your heart, your presence, your kindness." – Teresa Angeles [17:59] "Montessori said that every child has what she called an inner teacher. It's like the inner sense." – Teresa Angeles [19:44] "Normalization is the idea that, again, by doing what we love to do. By learning to concentrate, we develop flow." – Teresa Angeles [26:35] "Try to clear out the clutter in your home." – Teresa Angeles [27:00] "I finally learned from being in a Montessori environment that I have to order my environment before I can even think." – Teresa Angeles Resource and Links Teresa Angeles Website: https://montessorifamilies.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresa-angeles Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nurturingyourchildsheart/ Book: The Montessori Home and Beyond Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 140 - Fertility as a Vital Sign: What Reproductive Health Reveals About Productivity

Apr 100:30:57Tap to summarize

We often measure productivity by output, deadlines, and achievements. But could one of the most powerful indicators of human performance be something we rarely discuss in leadership conversations, our fertility and overall biological health? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Marina, an experienced OBGYN and educator with more than 30 years of experience in women's health and reproductive medicine. Drawing from insights in her upcoming book, Optimize Your Fertility Naturally, they explore the surprising connection between fertility, overall health, and long-term productivity. Dr. Marina explains why fertility should be viewed as a vital sign of overall health, much like blood pressure or heart rate. When the body is functioning optimally, reproductive health reflects that balance. But when lifestyle factors such as poor sleep, chronic stress, unhealthy diets, and environmental toxins accumulate, they can disrupt the body's natural systems and reduce both fertility and overall well-being. Throughout the conversation, Dr. Marina highlights how modern lifestyles often prioritize quick pharmaceutical solutions instead of addressing the underlying biological foundations of health. She emphasizes that sustainable productivity begins with the basics: quality sleep, nutrient-dense food, physical activity, stress management, and reducing exposure to harmful chemicals in everyday products. The discussion also explores the hidden role environmental toxins and endocrine-disrupting chemicals play in modern health challenges, including declining fertility, obesity, and chronic fatigue. Dr. Marina shares practical tools, including the Environmental Working Group's Healthy Living App, which helps consumers identify safer household and personal care products. If you want to improve your energy, protect your long-term health, and build the foundation for sustainable productivity in both your career and personal life, this episode offers practical insights you won't want to miss. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Guest introduction: Dr. Marina [02:31] Personal motivation and upcoming book mention [05:10] Producing healthy humans as productivity [05:42] Holistic health vs. crisis response [06:24] Fertility as a vital sign of overall health [07:44] Holistic medicine vs pharmaceutical-first healthcare [10:02] Biological energy as productivity foundation [11:05] Managing stress for productivity [12:22] Invisible performance disruptors [13:21] Environmental Working Group and Healthy Living app [14:34] Water and air quality concerns [17:36] Environmental toxins and longevity [18:06] Long-term health and productivity mindset [18:41] Burnout and biological costs [20:28] Processed foods and weight loss challenges [22:56] Core pillars of high-performance health [23:38] Importance of sleep and circadian rhythms [25:38] Shift work and health challenges [26:12] Productivity as lifetime legacy [27:16] Health, wealth, and purpose [28:00] Resource recap: Healthy Living app [28:22] Where to find Dr. Marina and the book prelaunch Notable Quotes [05:22] "In order to produce healthy humans, you have to be healthy yourself." – Dr. Marina [06:36] "Fertility should be considered a vital sign as well because it's a very good reflection of your overall state of health." – Dr. Marina [07:20] "What's going to solve the problem is you getting enough sleep, you eating a good diet, you moving your body, you are reacting to stress in a positive way." – Dr. Marina [10:23] "If you're not thinking clearly because you're exhausted, if you're stressed and you haven't dealt with it, it's very hard to be productive in a positive way." – Dr. Marina [12:40] "It's been estimated that 90% of doctors visits are due to stress related factors." – Dr. Marina [19:16] "If you rely on burning the candle at both ends, it's like the turtle and the hare." – Dr. Marina [22:01] "We tend to look at overweight people and think it's their fault, but that's no longer the case. They are being affected by the environment, chemicals, and the food itself." – Dr. Marina [22:58] "You want a diet that's nutrient dense that doesn't contain a lot of junk food and sugar." – Dr. Marina [27:34] "If you're wealthy but your health is bad, you'll spend all your wealth trying to get healthy." – Gerald J. Leonard Resource and Links Healthy Living App Dr. Marina Website: https://drmarinaobgyn.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/marinaobgyn/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.marina.obgyn/ Coming Soon: Optimize Your Fertility Naturally Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 139 - The Productivity of Wholeness with Terry and Carol Moss

Mar 1700:50:47Tap to summarize

Are you leading from a place of wholeness or simply performing while carrying hidden emotional wounds? What if your struggles in leadership, creativity, or relationships are not really about strategy or productivity systems, but about deeper issues that have never been addressed? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Terry and Carol Moss, relationship architects, leadership mentors, and co-authors of Hold You Before Two. With more than five decades of combined experience in ministry and corporate leadership, they explore the powerful connection between emotional wholeness and sustainable productivity. Terry and Carol explain that real productivity is not just about output, efficiency, or performance metrics. Instead, it begins with emotional maturity. This means knowing who you are, loving who you are, and living true to who you are in every environment. When leaders operate from that foundation, they create healthier workplaces, stronger relationships, and more effective teams. Drawing from their own life experiences, including Terry's difficult journey through divorce after 26 years of marriage and ministry, they share how painful moments can become catalysts for growth, healing, and deeper self-awareness. The conversation also explores how unresolved emotional wounds can trigger stress responses in the brain, pushing people into survival mode and undermining creativity, empathy, and clear decision making. In contrast, emotionally grounded leaders create environments where people feel valued, heard, and inspired to contribute their best. If you want to strengthen your leadership, build healthier relationships, and discover how personal wholeness fuels sustainable productivity, this episode is a must-listen. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:02] Introduction to Terry and Carol Moss [10:04] How emotional wholeness impacts a leader's productivity [13:58] Adam and Eve: Biblical principles and self-worth [16:24] Learning emotional maturity [20:18] AI vs. human wisdom in relationships [25:01] Leadership patterns when emotional intelligence is ignored [28:20] Unresolved conflict and women's creativity [31:18] Amygdala hijack and work performance [38:24] Applying Biblical principles in high-pressure environments [42:09] Human skills in the age of automation [44:35] First step to getting unstuck [49:35] Podcast closing Notable Quotes [10:11] "Emotional wholeness is when your emotional, spiritual, and relational life is aligned." – Terry Moss [12:54] " Emotional intelligence, emotional wholeness is so important, especially when you're blending a family."– Carol Moss [21:53] "AI can give you the knowledge, but wisdom comes from experience." – Carol Moss [25:18] "When you are emotionally whole and you have self-awareness, you know who you are and so you have strength because I know who I am and I'm not intimidated or I'm not insecure." – Terry Moss [27:12] "We can look at each other's eyes, and we can feel that emotional, we can pick up on that vibe and we can even impact each other to produce the same neural chemicals."– Gerald J. Leonard [43:14] "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."– Carol Moss [43:53] "When you have wholeness, you can communicate in a way that elevates, encourages, and inspires."– Terry Moss Resource and Links Terry and Carol Moss Website: https://onefleshministries.org/ New For-Profit Initiative: Whole Leader Blueprint, LLC Book: Hold You Before Two: How Emotional Wholeness Transforms Every Relationship Book: In the Beginning It Was Not So Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 138 - The StressRx with Dr. Trupti Gokani

Mar 1000:46:16Tap to summarize

Do you know your unique stress personality pattern? What if your stress isn't coming from your workload… but from a hidden personality pattern running your life? Why do some people shut down under pressure, others explode, and others spiral into anxiety and overwhelm? And what if understanding your unique stress personality could completely transform your productivity, health, and leadership? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Trupti Gokani, board-certified neurologist, stress expert, and author of The Stress Rx: A Neurologist's Ayurvedic Prescription for Happiness and Health. Together, they explore the powerful connection between stress, trauma, brain function, and performance. Dr. Gokani explains how stress hijacks the brain, shifting control from the prefrontal cortex to the amygdala and survival centers. When that happens, we lose clarity, creativity, and executive function. Instead, we default into reactive patterns rooted in ancient wiring and often unresolved trauma. Drawing from Ayurvedic medicine and neuroscience, she breaks down the three stress personality states: windy (scattered and anxious), fiery (critical and reactive), and earthy (withdrawn and stuck). Understanding your state is the first step toward reclaiming balance. They also explore how hidden trauma, limiting beliefs, and unconscious narratives quietly shape leadership style, workplace dynamics, burnout, and even chronic illness. Through breathwork, awareness, and simple daily practices, Dr. Gokani shares how anyone can interrupt the stress cycle and return to optimal performance. If you want greater clarity, energy, emotional resilience, and productivity, this conversation offers both science and practical tools to help you reset from the inside out. What We Discuss [02:05] Introduction to Dr.Trupti Gokani [03:45] The relevance of stress today [04:47] Dr. Kokanee's personal journey with stress [06:34] Defining true healthy: Western vs. Eastern perspectives [08:08] The disconnection of mind, body, and spirit in medicine [09:09] Stress personality states & Vedic elements [12:05] How stress states show up at work [14:46] Early trauma and generational influence [22:57] The power of narrative and self-talk [24:14] The three-brain model & emotional awareness [26:14] Creating space between stimulus and response [28:16] Physical manifestations of emotional stress [35:17] Types of trauma and workplace dynamics [36:34] Limiting beliefs and the reticular activating system [41:19] Key practice: self-awareness and the stress quiz [42:42] Closing thoughts & where to learn more Notable Quotes [05:16] " I got into the stress world because of my own journey with trying to understand why 30 years ago I was struggling with sleep issues." – Dr. Trupti Gokani [06:08] " Once I discovered my stress state, I was able to help others figure theirs out." – Dr. Trupti Gokani [06:55] "What healthy really is is being in that state of optimal mind, body, and spirit."– Dr. Trupti Gokani [19:57] "When someone's at work and saying, "Why am I so scattered? Why am I so stressed?" remind yourself first and foremost, this isn't you. This is your personality, your alter ego, showing up to protect you from perceived danger." – Dr. Trupti Gokani [32:46] " Trauma is when the experience has fundamentally shifted your reactive state, meaning that you start to now look at things in a different way and your nervous system is a little bit more on danger mode.It's almost perceiving danger and danger doesn't exist." – Dr. Trupti Gokani [43:53] " Life is a journey. The more we learn about ourselves, the happier and more productive and powerful our lives can be." – Dr. Trupti Gokani Resource and Links Dr. Trupti Gokani Website:https://truptigokanimd.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trupti-gokani-md-17533a8 Book: The Stress Rx: A Neurologist's Ayurvedic Prescription for Happiness and Health Book: The Mysterious Mind (2015) Take Stress Personality Quiz: https://truptigokanimd.com/stress-personality-type/ Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

Episode 137 - Future of Work with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez

Mar 300:32:20Tap to summarize

If AI can plan your day, write your reports, and automate the busy work, what's really left for you? Are we all project managers now? Or is the bigger shift that entire organizations have to become project driven just to stay relevant? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard reunites with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez, the world champion of modern project management and author of the new Harvard Business Review book Powered by Projects. This time, they go deep into the core ideas of his book and what they mean for the future of work. Antonio breaks down why organizations must become project driven if they want to survive and grow. Despite decades of refined methodologies, 70 to 80 percent of projects still fail. The problem is not a lack of tools. It is outdated structures, weak governance, and leadership that has not adapted to change. As artificial intelligence and automation take over routine tasks, Antonio explains that innovation, transformation, and strategic initiatives will define human contribution. That shift requires building what he calls a transformation muscle at both the organizational and individual level. Gerald and Antonio unpack the three dimensions outlined in the book, why leaders must spend more time outside their comfort zones, and why killing the wrong projects can be just as important as launching the right ones. Whether you're a CEO looking to transform your company, a team leader managing initiatives, or an individual navigating your career path, this episode provides a blueprint for thriving in the project economy. What We Discuss [00:00] Podcast introduction [02:01] Guest introduction: Antonio Nieto Rodriguez [04:13] Antonio's success and goal setting [06:01] Keeping goals front and center [08:58] The project economy and project driven organizations [11:36] Adapting to change and building transformation muscle [15:01] Project driven organizations key concepts [15:39] Blueprint for project driven organizations [17:27] Leadership's role in projects [18:36] Finishing and sunsetting projects [20:50] Working on vs in the business [22:19] Advice for project driven organizations/Three big bets [23:53] Laser focus vs multitasking in projects [24:25] Embracing failure and stopping projects [28:30] Harvesting value from failed projects [29:44] Final advice for job seekers [30:42] Where to find Antonio and his books [31:08] Podcast closing Notable Quotes [10:16] "Robots and AI and automation, they will take over the whole operations that you don't need people to run any parts of the operations." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [10:33] " I see the future of work is project based work and you need to put projects at the center." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [11:42] " If you currently work always in the same place with the same people doing the same thing every day of the week, then your job was, will disappear for sure in six to 12 months. You have a problem." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [13:05] "As human beings, we crave normal. At the same time, we crave novelty." – Gerald [11:23] " AI's not gonna take your job, but a person who really knows how to use AI will." – Gerald [16:12] " We have organizations built to be successful for the 19th century." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [16:50] " If you launch more projects than you finished, you're a bad leader. You're creating an overflow of projects. " – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [19:49] " Most leaders don't feel like spending time in projects and transformation because they're uncomfortable." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [23:19] " How can a company with 50,000 people have people working of on a project of 20 people have everyone part-time. It's the worst you can do." – Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [25:51] " You should not see failure as failure. It's not failure. I think you're experimenting."– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez [30:07] "If there's something that is going to set us apart is that entrepreneurship mindset."– Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez Resource and Links Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez Website: https://antonionietorodriguez.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/antonionietorodriguez/ Book: Powered by Projects (Harvard Business Review) Book: Harvard Business Review Project Management Handbook Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Transcribe →

All episodes

Episode 146 - Route 66, Research, and the Writer's Mind: Productivity Lessons from a Lifelong Storyteller

Episode 145 - Crack the LUCK Code: How to Change Your Business and Personal Life Using the 4 Personality Expressions

Episode 144 - Gray Divorce: My Life, Rewritten

Episode 143 - Not Just Sunglasses and Autographs: Turning Life's Setbacks into Stepping Stones

Episode 142 - Breaking the Binge Cycle: How Sugar, Stress, and Hidden Triggers Sabotage Your Productivity

Episode 141 - The Montessori Home and Beyond: Nurture the Heart of Your Child and Family

Episode 140 - Fertility as a Vital Sign: What Reproductive Health Reveals About Productivity

Episode 139 - The Productivity of Wholeness with Terry and Carol Moss

Episode 138 - The StressRx with Dr. Trupti Gokani

Episode 137 - Future of Work with Antonio Nieto-Rodriguez