Podcast

In this eye-opening episode, Brian Nelson-Palmer sits down with Rachel Druckenmiller—keynote speaker, singer-songwriter, and founder of Unmuted—to expose a hidden productivity killer: the quiet, limiting beliefs that shape how we work.

Drawing on her own experience with burnout and recovery, Rachel shares how phrases like “I’m not the kind of person who…” silently sabotage high performers—and how reframing identity-based self-talk can shift everything.

Listeners will walk away with powerful mindset tools, including Rachel’s go-to reframe question—“What kind of person do I want to be?”—and a deeper understanding of how imposter syndrome, perfectionism, and internal narratives impact productivity.

Want to go deeper? Check out the show notes and resources linked in the episode

In this lively episode, Brian Nelson-Palmer sits down with Jess Pettitt—speaker, author, and founder of Good Enough Now—to uncover the hidden productivity killer most teams overlook: the conversations they’re avoiding.

Drawing on years of experience with organizations nationwide, Jess explains how curiosity, vulnerability, and a willingness to get uncomfortable can unlock real productivity and stronger teams.

Listeners will walk away with practical tools—like Jess’s three-part conversation framework—and fresh perspective on handling feedback, workplace disagreements, and team communication.

Want to go deeper? Check out the show notes and resources linked in the episode!

In this engaging episode, Brian Nelson-Palmer interviews Theresa Ward, founder of Fiery Feather, who reveals how communication protocols can transform team productivity and effectiveness.

As a team effectiveness coach with experience across multiple industries, Theresa shares how structured systems combined with emotional intelligence create thriving workplaces.

The conversation explores practical steps for crafting and implementing a communication protocol, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to streamline communication and boost team efficiency.

In this engaging episode, Brian Nelson-Palmer interviews Skye Waterson, founder of Unconventional Organization, who challenges common myths about ADHD while sharing research-backed strategies for productivity. As a former academic turned entrepreneur who has ADHD herself, Skye offers unique insights about how ADHD can actually be an entrepreneurial advantage when properly managed. The conversation explores practical tools for focusing, including Skye's innovative "dopamine dial" approach, and reveals the surprising fact that many successful CEOs and business leaders have ADHD, making this episode valuable for both people with ADHD and those who work with them.

In this engaging episode, project management expert Bonnie Biafore shares invaluable insights about the human skills and techniques that software and AI simply can't replace.

She reveals her top "non-tech hacks" for successful project management, including smart approaches to estimating, cost management, and running effective meetings.

Whether you're a seasoned project manager or just starting out, you'll learn practical strategies for leading teams, negotiating outcomes, and organizing information that will make you more effective in any project role.

Ready to win back hours of your life?

In this episode, productivity experts Brian Nelson-Palmer and Marcey Rader reveal 18 tasks they've successfully outsourced - from hiring a culinary grad to chop vegetables to finding affordable ways to never do laundry again.

They break down exactly how to decide what to outsource (including a simple calculator to determine if it's worth it), share hilarious stories like the infamous "single Brussels sprout" delivery, and offer practical tips and examples for both your personal & professional life.

Whether you're just starting to explore outsourcing or you’re experienced and looking to level up, this episode packed with actionable strategies shows how you can reclaim your time without breaking the bank.

Productivity expert Maura Thomas joins Brian to tackle this #truthbomb:
Your team's biggest productivity barrier might be you.

Through engaging stories and practical examples, Maura reveals how leaders unknowingly create chaos through their communication habits and "always available" mentality.

Learn simple yet powerful changes you can make as a leader to transform your team's effectiveness, including why "I trust your judgment" might be the most important phrase in your leadership vocabulary, and why being too available to your team can be just as damaging as being unavailable.

Stan Phelps joins Brian and explores the deep connection between purpose and productivity. They dig into the importance of aligning personal and organizational goals with a clear purpose.

They also dive into helpful tangents including:

• The 4 versions of the workplace and how productivity is tied to the current version 4.0

• the significance of warmth in relationships,

• Generational shifts in workplace values.

• The 8 purpose archetypes

• Practical advice for individuals seeking to find their purpose.

This episode features a debate between Brian and Eric Girard. There’s 5 Productivity Hacks that these two disagree on. The discussion includes: tasks written on calendar vs to-do list, planning out every minute of the day on your calendar, wake-up times (early vs. late), meditation, and the use of Amazon Subscribe & Save. Throughout the episode, both participants present their opposing viewpoints. Which side do you agree with? What did they miss or not consider?

Joel MacCharles joins Brian to discuss discuss managing your interruption overload and staying focused. They share their personal strategies for staying organized and productive, including using to-do lists, calendars, and focus music. They emphasize the need to prioritize tasks and eliminate unnecessary meetings and emails. Joel expresses his frustration with the amount of time wasted on interruptions and emphasizes the importance of making a change.

Ann Kerian, an author, executive coach, & consultant joined Brian for a candid discussion on managing older employees. The episode is fuil of practical tips and personal insights. Brian and Ann explore strategies for building respect across generations, avoiding common pitfalls, and leveraging diverse strengths in the workplace. It's a must-listen for leaders who, whether formally or informally, lead team members that are older than them.

In this episode, Brian unveils the Gladiator Life Balance Blueprint, the piece of the puzzle you’ve been missing. The 5-Pointed Star represents your balance, and you’ll want to plan how brightly your star GLOWS - Growth, Love and relationships, Others, Work, and Self (GLOWS). Brian provides a full collection of practical tips advice on implementing this blueprint as well. You’ll want to dive into these, whether you're deeply struggling with life balance or simply looking for a few ways to tune yours up.

Dr. Amanda Crowell, a cognitive psychologist and author of "Great Work", shares powerful insights on successfully starting something new. From overcoming mental blocks to having honest conversations about bandwidth, she provides a refreshing perspective on thriving at work without sacrificing everything else. Her relatable personal journey adds depth to this must-listen conversation on productivity and meaningful work.

Drowning in emails? This is your life raft. Discover the shockingly simple 4D system for inbox mastery and the little-known hacks top performers use to never miss an important email and stay on top of tasks. Listen now, so you can close your inbox with confidence.

Leadership expert Sara Canaday joins Brian and shares insights on the key differences that turn a good leader into a great one. Unlike vague general leadership training, this conversation is specific for a change, delving into what a good leader and a great leader would do in the same situation, to unlock their team's potential and become truly memorable leaders.

Brian Nelson-Palmer shares 14 creative prompts to leverage generative AI (like ChatGPT) to supercharge your productivity at work and in your personal life. This is especially relevant to Project Managers and Aspiring Leaders. From data analysis to contract summaries to infusing humor into speeches, he provides practical examples of how AI can be your "brilliant intern." He also introduces his new Productivity Gladiator membership course where you can learn these skills in a more hands-on learning environment.

Chris Croft, an author and speaker on productivity and happiness, joins Brian on the show to share his unique "productivity animal" framework. He explains how different animal personalities represent different combinations of goals, efficiency, enjoyment, and achievement. The banter between Chris and Brian is humorous and insightful. Take the quiz to find out your Productivity Animal, and tune in to find out what it means.

Dean Karrel, a sales trainer and career advisor, joins Brian to discuss everyday sales tactics that can be used to influence and persuade, not just in a sales role but in all aspects of life - with kids, family, bosses, and clients. They discuss emotional intelligence, listening, understanding the other person's perspective, telling stories, being prepared, focusing on benefits over features, building trust through integrity, and character, as key skills for effective "selling" and positive influence in all your relationships. Selling is a valuable skill in all your roles throughout your life. Everyday persuasion is right!

Ever been in a meeting and thought “Ugh, this could have been an email!”

This episode is a massive knowledge share, where Brian reveals some of the tips, tricks, and hacks he teaches in his training on this topic. It’s time to pull back the curtain on meeting efficiency, effectiveness, and skill.

Can we be productive at work without ruining our own wellbeing? Jeanette Bronée shares insights gained while recovering from burnout and losing both parents. We discuss tangible ways individuals and leaders can shift perspectives to promote sustainable productivity grounded in humanity and wellbeing.

Dr. Todd Dewett joins Brian to dive into story telling at work and at home. They uncovered tips and tactics on how to tell better stories, when to leverage the power of a story, and where stories are most effective. These hacks will help you level up your story telling game, so you’ll shine even brighter at work, and in your personal life.

Eric Girard joins Brian as a co-host in this episode to unveil 10 time management hacks for new managers, empowering them to balance their increased responsibilities efficiently. These hacks will help you carve out the time necessary to fulfill your team's needs while handling your personal responsibilities.

Chris Westfall joins Brian on the show to dissect what it is that makes a winning elevator pitch. He is a regular contributor to Forbes, the author of The NEW Elevator Pitch, and one of the most sought-after business coaches & keynote speakers in the world.

Christopher Lind, Chief Learning Officer at ChenMed and industry thought leader around AI joins Brian to talk about AI & The Human Experience, with practical applications and implications of AI for employees and supervisors right now at work.

Brian Glass, Attorney and Host of the Time Freedom For Lawyers podcast joins Brian to talk about Life Balance Mistakes & Best Practices for people that work in a billable hours career, and passive income strategies.

In this episode, April Myers, a Vice President and Realtor with RLAH @Properties,
joins Brian to talk about Life Balance Mistakes & Best Practices for people that work on Commission. 

In this episode, Soness Stevens, the Original TEDx Speaker Coach, joins Brian to talk about getting, giving, & excelling at, a TEDx Talk. This episode is a departure from the normal episode, since Brian’s TEDx talk went live and went viral, Brian’s received a lot of questions about how to get a TEDx talk, and tips or advice on giving one. This episode with Soness shares solid answers to those questions.

In this episode, Brian shares his “year in review” for 2022, the process he uses to create the review, a template so you can try your own, and the steps he follows to automate the reminders to check back in throughout the year(s) to see if you’re still on track.

In this episode, Maggie Gough, Chief Operating Officer of The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) joins Brian to talk about the right and wrong metrics to measure life balance and wellness. Some good “truth bombs” in here like measure well being as a light inside yourself instead of a destination really shared some interesting perspectives which you may not have already heard.

Haysing Han, founder of H. Manifest joins Brian to talk about the ways productivity should create capacity to advance your life & career. If you only give 110% to your tasks, without any capacity left to network, or meet with a mentor, then you’ll only ever get more tasks instead of advancement. The “mother hen” discussion around the office was really interesting in this episode!

Dr. Katina Sawyer and Dr. Patricia Grabarek of Workr Beeing join Brian to discuss tactics and tips to reduce stress in hectic work environments. We shared 49!

Your workload just tripled, what do you do? How do you handle it? We delivered more than 41 tips which you can apply right away!

I spoke with Andrew Lawless, a high performance coach, and the founder of The Consultant Profit System. Andrew coaches people to go from $100K to $1Mil a year. That’s a 10x increase in work. Clearly in those circumstances you need to change your processes during that much growth, and he had some great insights!

In this episode Brian and Paul dive into life balance, looking at it through the lens of what you CAN control as an employee and as a supervisor, and setting outside the things that are out of your control like company culture and policies. Getting over that helpless feeling of “there’s nothing I can do”.

Paul McFadden is a high performance coach, a culture change expert, and the founder of Zero Point Leadership

What IS this show about? I want to share knowledge, hacks, and ideas on life balance & personal productivity. I also want to share more than just my perspective, talking to knowledgeable people in these areas

I used to write a blog, but some people prefer to listen, and some people prefer to watch. This show covers all those mediums. It’s taking the educational topics that would have become blog posts, and bringing them to life. not just writing a few hundred words. This show gives you a front-row seat to those conversations as well.