Productivity Nerd

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy Soulsby hosts a roundtable with three brilliantly honest, occasionally exhausted mums, Laura Green, Sarah Cheesman and Romaine Howard, to chat all things childcare, chaos and creative coping strategies over the long summer break. While Kathy’s two border collies remain blissfully unaffected by the school calendar, working parents face a different beast...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy tackles a very specific kind of chaos: the “pre-holiday panic”. You know the one — where you're meant to be packing sun cream but instead you're firefighting inbox mayhem and whispering “just one more email” like a caffeinated gremlin. She shares practical, funny and quietly persuasive advice on how to actually step away from work — without the guilt, t...

This week on Productivity Nerd , Kathy is joined by fellow VA, Helen Taylor, to unpack Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal—a book that suggests the key to getting more done might just be feeling better while you do it. They dive into why play, power, and people aren’t just nice extras—they’re essential fuel for staying energised. Expect tales of chocolate-fuelled experiments, plate-spinning physi...

In this week’s episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy explores the idea of glimmers — those small, quiet moments that make your nervous system breathe a sigh of relief. They’re the opposite of triggers. A whiff of toast. A stranger’s kind wave. That one perfect pen. These tiny cues of safety and calm can help shift us into a more focused, grounded state — which, as it turns out, is very good news fo...

This week on Productivity Nerd , Kathy is joined by the magnificent Helen Taylor — Ops VA, podcast wrangler, and the reason this show actually makes it to your ears. They dive into Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker, a book that argues sleep isn’t just for lazy Sundays and luxury spa retreats — it’s essential for, well, everything. They talk memory, creativity, emotional regulation, and why one bad ni...

In this teeny-tiny episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy pokes gently (okay, slightly sarcastically) at The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod — that perky book that wants you to get up at dawn and do six uplifting things before breakfast. Kathy chats about “SAVERS” (Silence, Affirmations, Visualisation, Exercise, Reading, Scribing), why intentional mornings are powerful, and also why pretending four hou...

What if the secret to getting more done… was caring slightly less? In this episode, Kathy is joined by the marvellous Claire Ennion to chat about Half Arse Human , a book by Leena Norms that’s basically a love letter to doing things imperfectly, on purpose. They cover: – Why perfectionism is overrated (and exhausting) – Bother points: those tiny but mighty obstacles that stall us – Why decision-ma...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy explores the role of morning rituals in setting up a productive day — without demanding a 4:40am start. From cold plunges to cup-of-tea routines, she looks at why what you do first thing matters, and how even small actions (like making your bed or drinking a glass of water) can give you a sense of control, clarity, and calm before the day runs away with...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy Soulsby is joined by business speaker, coach and author Zena Everett to unpack the chaos of modern work life — and how to actually get out from under it. Zena is the author of The Crazy Busy Cure , Mind Flip , and most recently Badly Behaved People , and she specialises in helping people stop glorifying busy… and start focusing on what matters. Together...

In this mini(ish) episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy’s talking rituals — not the incense-burning, robe-wearing kind, but the everyday habits that quietly help us get stuff done. She shares how simple rituals (like her gym-day routine) can reduce decision fatigue, build momentum, and stop you faffing about wondering what to do next. There’s also a bit of chat about: – Why brushing your teeth does...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , host Kathy Soulsby is joined by mindfulness and wellbeing expert Jana Nightingale for a thoughtful, engaging conversation about the often-overlooked connection between mindfulness and productivity. With over 13 years of experience helping individuals and organisations thrive, Jana brings a unique blend of psychology, neuroscience, and holistic wellbeing to th...

In this minipod, Kathy tackles the curious case of coworking — also known as “working near other people voluntarily (and hopefully not next to a shouty estate agent)”. From café tables to fancy shared spaces to mates around the kitchen table, coworking has come a long way since the office 9-to-5. But does it actually help with productivity… or just distract you with biscuits and chit chat?

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy is joined by her colleague and fellow productivity enthusiast Claire Ennion to take a fresh look at one of the OG productivity bibles — Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People . Originally published in 1989 (aka pre-email, pre-Slack, pre-meme), Covey’s classic has shaped modern thinking about work, life, and leadership — but does it stil...

In this bite-sized minipod, Kathy dives into the surprisingly motivating world of the "Don’t Break the Chain" method — a simple yet powerful strategy that helps you build habits by doing something every day . Whether it's DuoLingo, Wordle, or anything else you’re trying to stick with, this technique taps into your brain’s love of patterns, streaks, and (let’s be honest) those satisfy...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy is joined by the brilliant Holly Copsey , founder of Virtually Priceless and the Visionary VA Circle , to dive into the magic of planning and how it fuels productivity. They chat about: ✅ Why planning is a game-changer for productivity ✅ The biggest planning mistakes people make (and how to fix them) ✅ Strategies for balancing ambitious goals with re...

In this minipod, Kathy dives into body doubling —a powerful technique that helps you stay focused and get more done by working alongside others, either in person or virtually. Discover the science behind body doubling, including the Hawthorne Effect , and why having someone else “watching” can boost your motivation, productivity, and even creativity. Kathy shares her own experiences using body dou...

What if kindness was the secret weapon for workplace productivity? 🎯 In this episode of Productivity Nerd , host Kathy Soulsby welcomes back best-selling author and productivity expert Graham Allcott to discuss his latest book, KIND: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work . You might not immediately associate kindness with productivity, but the research is clear—creating a culture of kindness leads...

This minipod dives into the eternal struggle of productivity versus rest—just in time for the spring clock change! Kathy breaks down why adjusting to the time shift can throw off our focus, energy, and overall efficiency. But don’t worry, she’s got practical tips to help you stay on top of your game without losing your mind (or your sleep). If you’ve ever felt the productivity rollercoaster after...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy is joined once again by Helen Taylor , her brilliant Operations VA and the magic behind this podcast, to explore When: The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing by Daniel Pink. They discuss how timing influences productivity, decision-making, and even long-term career success. From understanding your natural daily rhythm to the importance of well-timed b...

In this bite-sized episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy talks about mind maps—what they are, how they work, and why they might just be the secret weapon your productivity toolkit is missing. Whether you're planning a project, writing a book, or even just prepping for a holiday, a mind map helps you see connections, move things around, and get unstuck. And the best part? You don’t need to be an...

Ever feel like you're only scratching the surface of what Microsoft Office can really do? You're not alone! This week Kathy is joined by Shelley Fishel, aka The MS Office Maestro—a Microsoft Office trainer with over 25 years of experience helping people unlock the full potential of tools like Outlook, Teams, and SharePoint. In this episode, Shelley shares: ✅ Why mastering Microsoft Office is stil...

In this teeny tiny episode of Productivity Nerd , Kathy dives into appointment booking apps. You know, those nifty little tools like Calendly and Acuity Scheduling that should make life easier by automating diary bookings. But do they always work? Well… that depends. Used properly, they’re brilliant. Used badly? Expect scheduling chaos, double bookings, and maybe even a golf day ruined by back-to-...

In this episode of Productivity Nerd, I'm extremely excited to get to talk to one of my productivity heroes, Prasanth Nair. If you've been in a room with me for more than 20 minutes I've probably talked to you about the Stack Method. Yes, even at parties. I should not be let out. Ever. It's called Nerd for a reason.... The Stack methodology for email management developed by Prasant...

In this minipod, Kathy Soulsby dives into the world of household robots. From robot vacuum cleaners like her trusty Dobby and Winky, to the dream of a robot that tackles ironing, Kathy shares her personal experiences and future hopes for robotic helpers. Discover the quirks and conveniences of these AI-driven gadgets and explore what the future holds for home automation. Whether you're a robot ent...

In this episode Kathy dive's into the world of AI and productivity with Fiona Young, AI expert from Carve. Fiona shares her insights on how AI can revolutionize the way we work, making us more efficient and effective. They discuss everything from common productivity misconceptions to the best AI tools for enhancing your workflow. Fiona also offers practical tips on safely integrating AI into y...