Take Back Time: Time Management | Stress Management | Tug Of War With Time

Are you frustrated by the ever-changing LinkedIn algorithm and feeling like your content isn't reaching your connections? Today, Penny Zenker hits LinkedIn sales expert Brynne Tillman, CEO of Social Sales Link and co-author of The LinkedIn Edge, with the hard questions about what's actually working in today's environment.Brynne breaks down the new rules of the LinkedIn "game" and shares her comprehensive "3 Buckets" framework to turn LinkedIn into a powerful sales tool:Profile Optimization: Moving your profile from a resume to a resource that converts.Content and Engagement: Mastering the 5-point content strategy to compel action and engagement.Prospecting: Implementing a strategic, value-driven process to gain warm market referrals.Plus, learn about the powerful CRISPY™ framework for leveraging AI in prompt writing for pre-call planning and generating high-quality content that guarantees meaningful conversations.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivi

Are you constantly doing—but not feeling aligned with who you truly are?In this solo episode, Penny explores the powerful difference between doing and being—and how getting caught in productivity, urgency, and “one more thing” can quietly pull us away from our values, identity, and what matters most.Through real, vulnerable stories (including moments of misalignment, missed presence, and hard-earned awareness), this episode dives into the hidden cost of overdoing—and why success without intention can leave us feeling disconnected.You’ll also learn a simple but powerful 3-step reset practice to help you:Step back and gain perspectiveRealign with your values and prioritiesRefocus your energy on what truly mattersIf you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck in the chase, or disconnected from yourself, this episode is your reminder to pause, reset, and return to who you want to be.

Everyone is talking about AI—but very few are actually using it to drive real results. The truth? AI isn’t a magic button you press for instant success. If you’re treating it like a vending machine, you’re already falling behind.In this conversation, AI expert James Feldman breaks down how to turn artificial intelligence from overwhelming hype into a practical, revenue-generating advantage. From choosing the right tools to setting clear outcomes, the difference between frustration and efficiency comes down to how you approach AI—not just which platforms you use.If you’ve ever felt stuck trying to “keep up” with thousands of new AI tools, this is your reset. Learn how to cut through the noise, build smarter workflows, and use AI as a true assistant that drives productivity, profitability, and competitive edge.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Why are 79% of employees disengaged at work—and what can leaders actually do about it?In this solo episode of Time to Reset , Penny Zenker breaks down one of the most overlooked drivers of disengagement: skepticism.This isn’t about attitude—it’s about attention patterns shaped by past experiences, broken trust, and workplace dynamics. When skepticism takes hold, it limits innovation, slows decision-making, and quietly erodes collaboration.Penny shares:Why skepticism is rising in today’s workplaceHow it impacts trust, performance, and leadership effectivenessThe neuroscience behind threat, focus, and disengagementThe connection between skepticism and the “Nitpicker Effect”5 practical leadership strategies to rebuild trust and re-engage your teamIf you’re a leader, executive, or team manager navigating disengagement, low trust, or resistance to change—this episode gives you a clear, actionable framework to shift from doubt to possibility.What creates skepticism for you at work?What has helped you rebuild trust

Trying to control every outcome in life can feel like the safest strategy, but it often leads to more stress, anxiety, and frustration. In this episode, Penny Zenker sits down with Kati Morton, bestselling author and mental health expert, to explore the control trap—the tendency to overmanage our emotions, circumstances, and even other people in an attempt to feel secure. Kati explains why our brains crave control during uncertainty, why anger often masks deeper emotions like hurt or fear, and how tools like the feelings wheel can help us better identify what we’re actually experiencing. She also shares practical strategies for setting boundaries, managing workplace emotions, and reducing anxiety in a world full of digital distractions—revealing why letting go of unnecessary control can actually create more clarity, resilience, and focus.

In today’s hyper-connected world, we have more ways to communicate than ever before — yet meaningful human connection is becoming increasingly rare.In this solo episode, Penny Zenker explores what she calls the growing “connection deficit” and why it is one of the biggest challenges facing leaders and organizations today.Despite constant messaging, video calls, and social media interactions, many teams feel more disconnected than ever. With workplace disengagement reaching record levels, leaders must rethink how they create trust, belonging, and meaningful collaboration.Penny shares practical examples of how organizations like Shopify, Atlassian, and GitLab intentionally design connection into their cultures — and how leaders can do the same.In this episode, you’ll learn:• Why we are experiencing a modern connection deficit • How shallow communication is impacting employee engagement and leadership • The key psychological drivers behind real human connection at work • Why trust and vulnerability accelerate ex

Mastering decision-making under stress is the ultimate productivity hack for high-pressure environments. In this episode, leadership trainer and crisis communication expert Kevin McIntyre joins the show to discuss why the brain struggles to process choices during a crisis and how to override those biological impulses. Drawing from his experience coaching over 6,000 leaders, Kevin explains the "half-life of adrenaline" and shares tactical tools—like combat breathing and power posing—to reset the nervous system in less than two minutes. Whether you are managing a corporate reorganization or a personal emergency, Kevin’s insights into risk aversion and Prospect Theory provide a framework for maintaining executive presence and making optimal choices when the stakes are highest.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Conferences still matter. But the way we design them must change.With rising costs, economic pressure, and AI reshaping professional development, association leaders can’t afford events that stop at “great content.”In this episode, Penny Zenker shares:Why information is now a commodityWhat Millennials and Gen Z actually expect from eventsHow to use real-time feedback and live polling to increase engagementA practical framework for embedding accountability into your conferenceHow AI can personalize and extend impact long after the event endsBecause the real ROI of a conference isn’t inspiration.It’s implementation.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

In today's hyper-complex, information-saturated world, the impulse is often to do more. More tasks, more meetings, more data consumption. But what if the path to true success lies in doing less while achieving more? We sat down with Rich Horwath, a New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and the leading authority on strategic thinking, to uncover the crucial insights that separate successful leaders from those stuck on the activity treadmill. Horwath, Founder of the Strategic Thinking Institute and author of Strategic: The Skill to Set Direction, Create Advantage, and Achieve Executive Excellence, argues that relying on AI to think for us is a critical mistake. Instead, leaders must intentionally carve out time to gain the "fuel insights"—learnings that lead to new value.In this must-read post, learn how to: Stop reacting and start acting on your own agenda.Implement simple, daily "Reset Practices" to capture one valuable insight a day.Use strategic reflection to clarify success and dou

In a world of constant change, uncertainty can feel overwhelming—especially for leaders responsible for guiding others through it. In this solo episode, Penny Zenker shares a powerful reframe: certainty isn’t about predicting outcomes—it’s about anchoring yourself internally.Drawing from real-world leadership challenges, stress neuroscience, and her proven Reset Mindset, Penny explores how leaders can reduce emotional intensity, regain clarity, and take the next right step, even when the future feels unclear. You’ll learn why logic alone can’t solve emotional overload, how to move out of reactive mode, and how a simple three-step practice—step back, get perspective, and realign—can restore calm, focus, and confidence.This episode is especially relevant for leaders, executives, HR professionals, coaches, and wellness practitioners navigating cognitive overload, market volatility, and emotional fatigue—both in themselves and their teams.If you’re looking for practical leadership tools that support both performa

Technical experts are masters of their specific crafts, but they often find themselves dealing with the universal challenges of overwork, burnout, and micromanagement. Penny Zenker sits down with Alistair Gordon, CEO of Expertunity, who shares how he leads the so-called expertship revolution to address this growing problem happening in most workplaces. Alistair sheds light on how experts and specialists are often trapped in their “technical bubbles,” causing them to be extremely underappreciated and typically overwhelmed. Find out how to regain agency, set clear priorities, and push back on unreasonable demands to finally get the recognition you truly deserve.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

What does it mean to choose a word for the year — and actually live it?In this solo episode, Penny shares why generosity became her word of the year and how it’s shaping the way she moves through each month. Rather than treating generosity as something to do, she explores it as a way of being — one that begins with letting go and unfolds through intentional monthly themes.This episode walks through the structure behind the practice, offering a grounded, sustainable approach to living generosity with clarity, presence, and purpose throughout the year.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Stop letting fear of the wrong choice lead to the biggest mistake of all: no decision making at all. Join the conversation as host Penny Zenker sits down with neuroscientist, researcher, and keynote speaker Lorne Epstein, who consults with senior leaders on improving decision making outcomes. They dive into how to navigate today's volatile, uncertain, chaotic, and ambiguous (VUCA) world by identifying unconscious bias, the critical role of cognitive flexibility, and why you need to master your personal 'reset moment' to filter out the noise and find your signal. Lorne also shares insights on his novel psychometric assessment for teams and explains how AI can be a great advisory tool in your decision making process.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Clarity doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by intention.In this episode, Penny explores the overlooked moment at the start of every day that determines whether you lead with focus or fall into reaction mode. Learn how clarity creates a filter for your energy, helps you challenge false urgency, and allows you to right-size your effort for what truly matters.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Are you ready to dive deep into personalizing the sales process in a world saturated with AI? Nikki Rausch, CEO of Sales Maven, author, and podcast host, joins the conversation to explain why people still buy from people and how a "high-tech" world demands an even more "high-touch" approach. Discover her game-changing techniques for fostering authentic connections, including her specific, powerful questions to ask in a sales conversation, the strategic power of replacing "if" with "when" in your language, and why she believes the most important word for a salesperson's presence right now is "generous."Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Expectations quietly shape our experiences—and often steal our joy. In this solo episode, Penny explores how releasing expectations can reduce stress, create more ease, and help you reset as you move forward. A timely reminder that joy grows when we focus on what’s within our control.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Stop running away from the tough conversations—start cultivating Fruitful Friction® instead. Our guest, Hilary Blair, CEO, CSP Speaker, Leadership Coach, and Group Facilitator, is here to explain why embracing that "messy middle" is essential for true innovation and team co-creation. She unpacks how to move beyond merely being polite, which can act as a wall, to adopt a kindly direct approach that honors relationships and builds trust. Hilary shares practical, actionable methods like "rocking your awkward" and leveraging playfulness to expand the space between "avoid" and "attack," helping you master the art of the proactive reset to elevate your communication, connection, and business results.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Are you feeling scattered, unfocused, or like something inside you is shifting? You’re not alone. In this reflective solo episode, Penny explores the season of expansion—a powerful transitional phase where clarity hasn’t arrived yet, but transformation is underway.Drawing from personal experiences—becoming an empty nester, changing homes, reinventing her work, and navigating major life transitions—Penny reveals why feeling “unfocused” isn’t a failure. It’s an evolution. She discusses how the writing of The Reset Mindset unfolded through its own unexpected transformation, and why clarity is not the starting point but the outcome. ShiftIn this episode, you’ll learn:Why periods of uncertainty are often signs of growthHow to recognize whether you're in a season of narrowing in or zooming outWhy focus is not attention—and how to expand your lens with intentionHow embracing exploration can lead to deeper alignment in your next chapterThe mindset shift that frees you from the pressure to “figure it all out right now

The landscape of career search and hiring is being rapidly redefined by technology, specifically Artificial Intelligence, which, while simplifying the application process, is causing companies to overlook some of the most qualified candidates whose value doesn't translate well onto an automated resume. Mitch McDermott from Talent Ascension Group explains that this challenge requires organizations to look beyond paper credentials and be willing to dig deeper into a candidate's story. Success in the modern workforce also demands that companies move beyond cookie-cutter systems by prioritizing a highly personalized onboarding process and recognizing non-monetary "currencies"—such as impact, fulfillment, freedom, and growth potential—to ensure long-term employee retention and engagement.Love the show? Subscribe, rate, review, and share! https://pennyzenker360.com/positive-productivity-podcast/

Feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or constantly racing from one meeting to the next? In this episode, Penny Zenker pulls back the curtain on her newest AI experiments — including her custom-trained AI agent built on her books, exercises, and leadership tools — and reveals how simple, science-backed reset moments can transform your day. video1209722628You’ll learn:Why stress isn’t always about your workload — it’s about the lack of recovery between tasks.How AI-powered nudges can scan your calendar and remind you to reset exactly when you need it.The neuroscience behind real mental clarity, including why closing your eyes reduces up to 80% of sensory input.A powerful 60-second breathing technique (“Ninja Breathing”) that brings your executive function back online.How micro-rituals — like scent-based reset anchors — instantly calm or energize your nervous system.Why back-to-back meetings are sabotaging your focus (and what organizations must change).What Penny is building next with AI to help leaders reduce burn