Jonathan Levi on Memory Hacks: How to Learn Faster and Remember More (Shortcast)
In 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.
--------
10:15
--------
10:15
Mamie Kanfer Stewart on Meeting Smarter: How to Stop Wasting Time at Work (Shortcast)
In 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.
--------
10:48
--------
10:48
Mamie Kanfer Stewart on Meeting Smarter: How to Stop Wasting Time at Work (Shortcast)
In 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/adchoices
--------
11:33
--------
11:33
Mike Vardy on The Productivity Diet: Feeding What Fuels You
I’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/adchoices
--------
46:56
--------
46:56
Mike Vardy on The Productivity Diet: Feeding What Fuels You
I’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.
Sobre Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life
Conversations with productivity experts, authors, and creatives on how to implement productivity strategies in both your professional and personal life. The goal as you listen is to help you gain perspective, practical knowledge, and productivity insights for living a whole life that goes Beyond The To-Do List.
Ouça Beyond the To-Do List - Productivity for Work and Life, Os Economistas Podcast e muitos outros podcasts de todo o mundo com o aplicativo o radio.net
Brasil