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.

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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.

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In this Shortcast edition, Donald Miller, author of Building a StoryBrand, shares how applying storytelling principles can bring clarity, purpose, and momentum to your personal and professional life. Drawing from narrative theory, Donald explains how to see your life as a story—complete with a clear goal, supporting characters, and an inciting incident—and how productivity begins with the power of focus and finish.

In this Shortcast, we explore:

• The Life-as-Story Framework: Donald outlines the classic storytelling structure and how it applies to real life: a character with a problem, a guide, a plan, and a call to action that leads to either success or failure.

• The Power of an Inciting Incident: We discuss how deliberately creating an inciting incident—like signing up for a marathon or making a public commitment—can push you into meaningful action.

• Designing the Ideal Workday: After battling writer’s block, Donald took a road trip and absorbed every productivity audiobook he could, using what he learned to build a personalized, high-focus day planner.

• Focus and Finish: Donald explains how the two most important productivity principles are narrowing your focus and completing what you start—because only finished work makes an impact.

• Clearing the Clutter of Life’s Script: By eliminating unnecessary “characters” and distractions from your life story, you can make space for the plot that actually matters.

Donald’s insights offer a unique, narrative-driven approach to productivity that helps you clarify your goals, trim the distractions, and finish what matters most.

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In this Shortcast edition, Cal Newport, author of Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World, shares how we can reclaim our time and attention by taking control of our relationship with digital technology. Rather than rejecting tech entirely, Cal proposes a minimalist approach—using technology with intention and only when it supports what truly matters.

In this Shortcast, we explore:

• Digital Minimalism Defined: Cal explains how minimalism isn’t about abandoning tech, but using it selectively and purposefully to maximize benefit and minimize distraction.

• The 30-Day Digital Declutter: A key process in Cal’s philosophy—taking a 30-day break from optional digital tools to reflect, reset habits, and rediscover values.

• Clearing the Slate and Starting Fresh: Cal encourages removing all non-essential apps and tools, then rebuilding your digital life from the ground up based on what serves your goals.

• Embracing Analog Life: Real-world activities like solitude, deep conversation, and hands-on tasks are vital for human well-being—and often lost in a screen-saturated culture.

• Mental Health and Focus: Cal highlights how overuse of screens increases anxiety and fragments focus, while digital minimalism promotes clarity, calm, and purpose.

Cal’s insights are a powerful reminder that the goal isn’t to use less tech, but to use it better—with clarity, intention, and aligned values.

Learn more at CalNewport.com and explore more ⁠Shortcasts like this one on ⁠⁠Blinkist⁠⁠⁠.

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In this special Shortcast, Jess Cording, author of The Little Book of Game Changers: 50 Healthy Habits for Managing Stress and Anxiety, shares practical strategies to manage stress and anxiety by making small, sustainable changes across mind, body, and spirit. Jess offers gentle, doable practices that go beyond willpower—emphasizing progress over perfection.

In this Shortcast, we explore:

• Scheduling Worry Time: Rather than ignoring anxious thoughts or letting them spiral, Jess shares how setting aside designated “worry time” can help free up mental space and increase focus.

• Finding Your Caffeine Sweet Spot: We discuss how caffeine affects productivity and stress, and how small swaps—like reducing serving size or switching to decaf—can restore balance without total deprivation.

• Creating a Loneliness Game Plan: Jess highlights how identifying personal, enjoyable activities to do when loneliness hits can protect both mental health and productivity.

• Mind, Body, and Spirit Alignment: The episode encourages a balanced approach to self-care, recognizing that managing stress isn’t about grand gestures but consistent, mindful tweaks to daily routines.

• Sustainable Wellness: Jess’s tips focus on low-pressure, practical strategies that anyone can start implementing right away—even on a busy schedule.

Jess’s insights are a powerful reminder that small, intentional steps can help us manage anxiety and lead a more focused, grounded life.

Learn more about Jess at JessicaCordingNutrition.com and explore more Shortcasts like this one on ⁠⁠Blinkist⁠⁠.

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