Welcome to "Never Ending Faith," the podcast that shines a light on the extraordinary journeys of individuals who have triumphed over adversity and emerged stronger than ever. Whether you are battling addiction, life choices, or simply seeking inspiration to overcome everyday problems, this podcast is your beacon of hope! Join us on a transformative journey filled with uplifting stories, authentic conversations, and practical insights. Our show is a sanctuary for those seeking real answers, ...
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The Short Coat: An Inside Look at Getting Into and Getting Through Medical School
Dave Etler and the Students of the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
The HONEST guide to medical school, featuring real students from the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine–skip this show if you’d rather not know (and hate laughter)!
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"Join the dynamic duo of Dave and Cindy Carver on 'A Pillow Away,' where 25 years of marriage, a journey spanning from Dave's roles as a former police officer, pipeline safety instructor, and federally credentialed investigator for the Department of Defense to Cindy's extensive dispatching career converge. In each episode, they blend their unique perspectives to discuss current news, engage in candid conversations, and emphasize the profound significance of the person closest to you in life."
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Hosted by productivity strategist Mike Vardy, A Productive Conversation offers insightful discussions on how to craft a life that aligns with your intentions. Each episode dives into the art of time devotion, productiveness, and refining your approach to daily living. Mike invites guests who are thinkers, doers, and creators to share their strategies for working smarter and living more intentionally. From practical tips to deep dives on mindset shifts, this podcast will help you reframe your ...
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From Broke to Bulletproof: The White Coat Investor’s Advice
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1:03:01Don’t be the doctor making $400k with $0 in the bank. You risk your financial future by ignoring this ER doc’s advice — and Dr. Jim Dahle should know. The emergency physician and founder of The White Coat Investor joins M1s Luke Geis, Zach Grissom, Hunter Fisher, and Katherine Yu to share how he got burned early in his career — and what he did to f…
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Anne Marie Anderson Talks About Cultivating Audacity and Navigating Fear
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32:20This episode features a truly audacious guest—Anne Marie Anderson. A three-time Emmy award-winning broadcaster and the author of Cultivating Audacity, Anne Marie has spent her career on the sidelines of high-stakes sporting events and inside boardrooms, observing what sets bold, high performers apart. But this isn’t just about elite athletes or exe…
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Med School’s Unique Problems (AITA)
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1:13:15Behind every successful doctor is someone who paid their rent or walked their dog. What makes someone a real astronaut? Dave Etler, MD/PhD student Miranda Schene, M1 Jay Miller, and M3 Jeff Goddard blast off this episode with ass-tronaut Katy Perry before diving into Reddit’s finest med school dumpster fires. Should you crush (AKA, be vocally reali…
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Kerry Hoffman Talks About Order, Chaos, and Planning with Purpose
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35:36When you gain agency over your time—whether stepping out of a traditional 9-to-5 job or shifting into self-employment—it can feel liberating… and overwhelming. Kerry Hoffman knows this tension well. As someone who helps individuals and teams make sense of what they’re doing and when they’re doing it, she offers a refreshingly practical approach to …
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From Perfect Plans to Grease Fires: The Med School Spectrum
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1:01:57Behind the façade lies chaos, confidence, and occasional kitchen fires. What do med and PA students really think about their lives? We check the vibes. Jeff Goddard (M3), Kim Fairhead (M1), Gabbi Bullard (PA1), and Annie Dotzler (PA1) for a game that checks med student experiences on their vibes. The group tackles the truth about reflex hammer skil…
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A VERY SPECIAL EPISODE: Mike Vardy Talks About The Productivity Diet
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47:28What happens when the host becomes the guest? In this special episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit on the other side of the mic as Tim O’Hare—an active and insightful member of the TimeCrafting Trust Premium community—interviews me about my latest book, The Productivity Diet. We explore why this book took years to come together, what makes i…
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Medicine Can Cure TB—But Humanity Won’t
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1:04:07When a CURE exists but ACCESS doesn’t, who do we blame? Tuberculosis is curable. We just don’t care enough to cure it. That’s the premise behind John Green’s book, Everything Is Tuberculosis. In this episode, M1s Zach Grissom, Kate Timboe, and Tyler Pollock, and Srishti Mathur consider that premise, and what it says about humanity’s stubborn failur…
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Yvonne Heimann Talks About Building Freedom Through Systems
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1:08:51In this episode, I reconnect with productivity strategist Yvonne Heimann—aka AskYvi—who’s not only made a bold geographic shift but is navigating personal and professional freedom with intention and clarity. We explore what it looks like to trust the systems you’ve built, especially when life throws curveballs or invites you into a new chapter. Yvi…
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Send us a text From the cross to the empty tomb, the story of Christ is more than history - it is the hope we need today! Whether you are standing in sorrow or waiting for a breakthrough, remember this: Sunday Always ComesBy Dave Carver
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How Med Students Redefine Ability and Success
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1:02:07Real students, real barriers, and the daily fight to stay in the game. Everyone knows med school is hard. For some, it’s even harder. Dave Etler hosts a raw conversation with med students M1 Emily Baniewicz, M3 Jeff Goddard, PA 1 Chloe Kepros, and M3 Madeline Ungs about the reality of navigating disability during medical training. With insights fro…
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Keith Ferrazzi Talks About Teamship and Transforming the Way We Work
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36:56It was a real treat to welcome Keith Ferrazzi back to the show—especially to discuss his latest book, Never Lead Alone: 10 Shifts from Leadership to Teamship. Keith’s work has long pushed beyond traditional leadership models, and this conversation builds on that legacy with his fresh concept of “teamship.” We dig into how the book is structured lik…
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From Fire Hose to Final Decision–How Med Students Choose Careers
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1:13:58Picking a Career in Medicine is Insane. All of med school leads up to one moment: Match Day. But how do get there? Dave Etler sits down with graduating M4s Mallory Kallish (surgery), Matt Engelken (OB/gyn), Jacob Lamb (radiology), and Will Sai (famiy medicine) to unpack the uncertainty and pressure around choosing a medical specialty. They share ho…
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This episode is the latest in our monthly PM Talks series, where Patrick Rhone and I go deep on foundational elements of productiveness. And for this one—our 600th episode, no less—we dive into a topic that touches everything from our to-do lists to our dinner prep: focus. What does it really mean to focus? And more importantly, how do we hold onto…
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Send us a text In the quiet of our everyday lives, there are moments when we hear the voice of God calling to us—beckoning us to step out of our comfort zones and into His purpose. As you go through your day, consider how God may be calling you. Are there areas in your life where you can step forward with the willingness to say, "Here am I, send me…
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She Got Into Med School… But Now She’s Not Sure
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1:08:15Turning down that med school acceptance might cost more than you think. Listener “ARM” got into medical school—cue the confetti—but now that reality’s set in, she’s not feeling great about her only acceptance. The school is small, expensive, and far from home. Should she go anyway or risk reapplying in hopes of a better fit next year? MD/PhD studen…
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David Kolbe Talks About Doing More Naturally and Unlocking Instinctive Productivity
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44:15When I first heard the term conative, I was surprised I hadn’t come across it before. After all, I live in the productivity space. But after my conversation with David Kolbe, it became clear just how crucial it is to understand this third part of the mind—especially if we want to work more naturally and avoid burnout. David is the CEO of Kolbe Corp…
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If you’re asking, you might be the a**hole (Recess Rehash)
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1:09:10[Because of Spring Break, instead of a new episode you can enjoy this re-run! If NPR can do it, so can we. We’ll be back next week.] Life’s grey areas, offered up for internet discussion Sometimes, you need someone to tell you if you’ve crossed the line. That’s why Reddit’s Am I The A**hole subreddit exists. M2 Holly Hemann brought some med-school …
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Austin Kleon Talks About Routine, Creativity, and Paying Attention
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35:03It was a real treat to reconnect with Austin Kleon for this episode of A Productive Conversation. Before we got into the heart of the conversation, Austin gave us a quick update: his next book Don’t Call It Art is in the works, inspired by the playful creativity he’s witnessed in his kids. He also mentioned that his once-weekly newsletter has now d…
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Send us a text Our world never stops talking, every achievement is posted, every success is shared, and every milestone is measure in likes and views. However, the greatest victories are still won in silence. There is a time for recognition, but true success is forged in the unseen hours - the moments when no one is watching, no one is paying atten…
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Prescribing Meet-ups Instead of Meds…it seems to work!
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57:18Can Art, Nature, and Community Replace Pills? What if doctors prescribed a painting class instead of or alongside pills? Journalist Julia Hotz, author of The Connection Cure, joins M3 Jeff Goddard, and MD/PhD student Riley Behan-Bush to discuss social prescribing, a growing healthcare movement that treats patients with art, nature, movement, and co…
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Krish Ramineni Talks About AI, Meetings, and Staying Focused While Building
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33:48In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Krish Ramineni, co-founder and CEO of Fireflies.ai. Krish has had an impressive journey—from being one of Microsoft’s youngest product managers to launching Fireflies, an AI-powered meeting assistant. He’s also been named to Forbes’ 30 Under 30 and has guest lectured at Stanford on deep …
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Medfluencers and Patient Education: Helpful or Risky?
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1:05:59How future doctors are navigating social media’s impact on public education. How can a well-meaning medfluencer be sure they’re actually helping? M1 Zach Grissom, M2 Fallon Jung, M3 Jeff Goddard, and M4 Matt Engelken sit down with third-year DO student Nik Bletnitsky to discuss the role of social media in medical education. Current and Future docto…
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This episode of PM Talks is all about curiosity—how it drives us, how it gets suppressed, and how it intertwines with trust and judgment. Patrick Rhone and I dive deep into the forces that shape our thinking, from societal conditioning to personal experiences. As always, we take a thoughtful (and sometimes humorous) approach to unpacking these idea…
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Send us a text This is the launch of NEF Radio, a collection of songs born from deep, personal moments of faith. Songs written by me, but created for you. These aren’t just songs—they’re reflections of struggle, hope, redemption, and grace. They are raw, powerful, and, above all, uplifting. Each note and lyric was crafted to remind you that no matt…
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Demand to Be Called ‘Doctor,’ or Let It Slide (AITA)?
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1:06:40Reddit’s “Am I the Asshole?” makes us question everything. It showcases the best and worst in people—and this week, we’re analyzing some choice cases through the lens of med school. M1s Srishti Mathur, Sahana Sarin, Maria Schapfel, and Mahaasrei Ghosh debate whether people in these scenarios are truly in the wrong or just victims of someone having …
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Anne-Laure Le Cunff Talks About Tiny Experiments and Sustainable Productivity
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37:20In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anne-Laure Le Cunff, neuroscientist, entrepreneur, and founder of Ness Labs, to discuss her new book Tiny Experiments: How to Live Freely in a Goal-Obsessed World. Anne-Laure is known for blending science with practical strategies for thinking, learning, and working better—without burnin…
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Send us a text In this episode, we dive into the beautiful, transformative power of creativity—a gift that we believe has been passed down to us by the Creator Himself. Life often hits us hard, knocking us down, but even in our brokenness, we are still called to create. In this episode we reflect on how God's presence uplifts and guides us through …
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Charlie Gilkey Talks About Finishing What Matters
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1:09:56Over the years, I've had plenty of insightful conversations on this podcast, and one that still stands out is my discussion with Charlie Gilkey about his book Start Finishing. This Flashback Friday episode brings that conversation back, but with a twist—we start with an update from Charlie on what he's been up to since then. Charlie is someone who …
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They might know the citric acid cycle, but do med students know what ancient doctors used for pain relief, or the shape of wombat poop? Join us for Blechardy! the trivia game show that involves a certain amount of suffering! Contestants answer medical and pop culture questions—but with potentially disgusting jellybeans that make any actual knowledg…
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Kerry Ann King Talks About Productivity, Art, and the Power of Intention
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42:51In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Kerry Ann King, the founder and CEO of Eluminate Labs. Kerry Ann has spent more than a decade working inside the tech industry to promote human-centered approaches to well-being. She’s now leading the charge in decolonizing tech, creating inclusive solutions that put people first. Our co…
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Send us a text Today, we are diving into a profound and comforting topic: God’s Grace. As believers, understanding His grace is not only essential to our faith but also to our everyday walk with Him. Let us explore how we can recognize God’s grace in our lives and why it reassures us that we are never truly alone.…
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Dan Schawbel Talks About Human Connection in the Digital Age
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32:11In this Flashback Friday episode, I revisit my 2018 conversation with Dan Schawbel, a thought leader in workplace trends and human connection. We originally spoke about his book Back to Human: How Great Leaders Create Connection in the Age of Isolation, which explores how technology can be used as a bridge—not a barrier—to meaningful relationships.…
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4 Writers Explain How Telling Stories Makes Better Doctors
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1:03:01There are many reasons healthcare professionals write: to process trauma, build empathy, or simply because stories demand to be told. This week we've got a thought-provoking conversation with Dr. Carol Scott-Conner, a surgeon, poet, and editor of The Examined Life Journal; Katie Runde, a novelist exploring themes of love and loss; Jeff Goddard, an …
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Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter Talk About Designing the Future and Navigating Uncertainty
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46:41In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Scott Doorley and Carissa Carter to explore the themes of their book, Assembling Tomorrow: A Guide for Designing a Thriving Future. As leaders at Stanford's d.school—Scott as Creative Director and Carissa as Academic Director—they've spent years shaping design education and innovation. O…
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Courtney Carver Talks About Gentle Living and Project 333
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42:30Fifteen years into her journey of simplicity, Courtney Carver continues to inspire people to do more with less. In this special Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, we revisit a past conversation from March 2020 about Project 333, her minimalist fashion challenge that has helped thousands streamline their wardrobes and their lives…
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First Semester Med School: What Worked, What Failed, and How We Fixed It.
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1:05:47Anki? Lecture notes? Study groups? Med students spill the truth about what actually works. First semester of med school is like eating a never-ending stack of pancakes—it’s fast, overwhelming, and it doesn’t care if you’re full. Listener G asked us for some tips, and in this episode, M1s Zach Grissom, Megan Perry, Jay Miller, and Srishti Mathur tak…
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The latest episode of PM Talks is here, and this month, Patrick Rhone and I dive into alignment—a concept that is critical for making meaningful progress in both work and life. As we move beyond the fresh-start energy of January, February is often when things begin to fray. That’s why now is the perfect time to step back and examine whether our act…
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Send us a text Life is filled with disruptions. Some are small—like unexpected delays or changes in plans—while others shake the very foundation of who we are. Many of us have experienced these disruptions firsthand, whether through personal struggles, societal conflicts, or global crises. But what if I told you that disruption is often God’s way o…
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Joshua Becker Talks About Distractions, Meaning, and What Really Matters
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34:05In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Joshua Becker to discuss his book Things That Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a More Meaningful Life. Joshua is known for his work on minimalism, but this book goes beyond decluttering physical possessions—it’s about eliminating the distractions that keep us fro…
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Into the Deep End: Surviving Our First Clinical Rotations (Tips and Tricks!)
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1:03:31What happens when medical students trade books for the chaos of real patient care? They spent months and months learning medicine from books. Then suddenly, they were thrown into hospitals with real patients, real pressure, and only the barest clue what they were doing. In this episode, Dave sits down with M4s Jacob Hanson and Happy Kumar, and M3s …
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Nathan J. Murphy Talks About The Ideas That Rule Us
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56:22Ideas shape our lives—sometimes without us even realizing it. In this episode, I sit down with Nathan J. Murphy, founder of Prepolitica and author of The Ideas That Rule Us, to explore how the ideas we inherit, adopt, and hold onto influence our decisions, beliefs, and behaviors. Nathan brings a deep, research-driven approach to understanding the p…
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Send us a text Today we're delving into a topic that resonates deeply with many of us: COURAGE Specifically, the courage to make righteous choices, to choose the path that aligns with God's will, and to walk away from people, situations, and things that aren't beneficial for our spiritual journey.By Dave Carver
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Nir Eyal Talks About Becoming Indistractable and Managing Distractions
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51:25In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I talk with Nir Eyal, the bestselling author of Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Nir offers actionable strategies for avoiding distractions and making time for what matters most. We discuss the difference between traction and distraction, how internal …
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When Your Partner is in Med School… What You Need to Know
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52:56In this episode, host Dave Etler has been (kidnapped? It's unclear) and replaced by his grumpy brother Dominic Etler, MD, Harvard, Class of '96. Confused M1s Megan Perry, Jay Miller, Cara Arrasmith, and M4 Matt Engelken nevertheless buckle down to address listener Giovanni's question about supporting his fiancé during her trip through med school. T…
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Shawn Lemon Talks About Digital Peace and Organization
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38:13In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I chat with Shawn Lemon, digital organizer and founder of The Digital Organizer. Shawn has helped countless individuals and organizations regain control of their digital lives, offering practical solutions to manage clutter, streamline workflows, and achieve “digital peace.” We explore the hidden challe…
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Letters From Listeners - US Military Veteran "Ted"
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8:39Send us a text Over the past months, we have been so blessed to hear from many of you, our listeners. Your stories remind us why we do what we do. Today, we want to share one letter in particular. It is from a man named Ted, a military veteran, who was deeply impacted by our episode on doom scrolling. Ted’s letter is both honest and inspiring, and …
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Robin Hills Talks About Emotional Resilience and Leadership
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39:21In this Flashback Friday episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Robin Hills, author of The Authority Guide to Emotional Resilience in Business. Robin is an expert in emotional intelligence and resilience, with over 35 years of experience in business and personal development. His work is rooted in helping individuals and organizations…
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The Secret to Getting Better Health Care: Be Different
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57:19Do Patients Have to Perform to Be Taken Seriously in Medicine? How does "respectability politics" play out in healthcare, and specifically, pain management? PA1 Chloe Kepros, M1 Zach Grissom, M1 Srishti Mathur and M3 Jeff Goddard unpack how patients often adjust their behavior and appearance to gain credibility in medical spaces. From the history o…
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Anders Indset Talks About The Viking Code and High-Performance Culture
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38:19In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I sit down with Anders Indset, the renowned business philosopher and author of The Viking Code: The Art and Science of Norwegian Success. Known for his profound insights into leadership and technology, Anders shares a compelling exploration of how modern Vikings channel timeless values like collectivism…
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Doomscrolling: A Dangerous Spiral for Those in Recovery
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13:16Send us a text Today we’re going to tackle a topic that’s affecting more and more people every day—especially those in recovery from addiction. It is something that has been creeping into our lives over the last several years, thanks to the rise of social media and the 24/7 news cycle. I am talking about "doomscrolling", or what I like to call "doo…
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