Productivity Smarts

What if one of the most powerful productivity tools wasn't an app, a planner, or a morning routine, but a passport? For Evelyn Kelly and her daughter Natalie Kelly, travel has been far more than a hobby. Over three decades, it has shaped their resilience, adaptability, negotiation skills, and personal growth. What began as a three-week trip to Europe after a disappointing election loss grew into a lifelong adventure spanning seven continents, 88 countries, and all 50 U.S. states. In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with the world-traveling mother-daughter duo behind Have a Love Affair with Travel: Your Ticket to an Exhilarating Life and Have a Love Affair with the USA. Together, they share how travel transformed their outlook on life, strengthened their relationship, and taught them lessons that extend far beyond airports and tourist attractions. Evelyn and Natalie reveal why getting out of your comfort zone is essential for growth, how negotiating with street vendors sharpened professional leadership skills, and why flexibility may be one of the most underrated productivity habits. They discuss navigating unexpected challenges, from finding themselves in Tunisia during the Arab Spring to adapting to less-than-luxurious accommodations in remote corners of the world. The conversation also explores practical ways anyone can begin traveling, even with limited time, money, or experience. Whether it's exploring destinations close to home, traveling solo, or learning how to maximize rewards programs, the Kellys show that meaningful travel is accessible to more people than they think. If you've ever dreamed of seeing more of the world, breaking free from routine, or finding fresh inspiration in your personal or professional life, this episode will encourage you to stop waiting for the perfect moment and start your next adventure today. Ready to trade comfort for curiosity? Listen now and discover how travel can transform your mindset, your relationships, and your productivity. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:01] Meet Evelyn and Natalie Kelly [05:02] How a failed election campaign sparked a lifetime of travel [06:09] Getting bitten by the travel bug [07:14] Productivity lessons from planning international adventures [08:27] Why using travel experts can save time and stress [10:00] Travel safety and lessons from the Arab Spring [11:31] Travel as transformation, not recreation [12:27] The importance of leaving your comfort zone [13:20] What decades of travel teach about humanity [14:45] Flexibility as a productivity skill [15:55] Learning from uncomfortable travel experiences [17:11] Why travel helps you truly live life [19:03] Managing routines and habits while traveling [20:31] The rise of solo travel [21:10] How to travel despite time and budget constraints [22:00] Smart strategies for affordable travel [24:04] Negotiation lessons learned around the world [25:48] Building patience and resilience through travel [26:46] How to start small and overcome travel fears [28:30] Traveling with disabilities and accessibility considerations [29:23] The lasting impact of seeing the world [31:00] Why everyone should make time for adventure [32:00] Final thoughts and wrap-up Notable Quotes [06:16] "We got bit by the travel bug, and we were never the same." – Evelyn Kelly [12:42] "Get out of the comfort zone because that is what is very, very important. Unless you begin something, you're not going to get into it." – Evelyn Kelly [13:32] "No matter what country you go to, we're all the same. We want a roof over our heads, food, freedom, and our families." – Natalie Kelly [15:10] "You have to learn to be flexible, and I think that's part of being a productive person." – Evelyn Kelly [16:55] "Everybody around me had to deal with it. That is flexibility." – Natalie Kelly [24:28] "One thing travel has helped me with is negotiations." – Natalie Kelly [25:48] "I have learned patience, resiliency, and how to pivot. Those are skills I use every day as a professional." – Natalie Kelly [27:00] "Start small. Look around your local area and discover what you've been missing." – Natalie Kelly Resource and Links Natalie Kelly LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-deputy-7a560952 Book: The Spring Grove Mill House Evelyn Kelly LinkedIn Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

In this episode, host Gerald J. Leonard pulls back the curtain on his personal journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence and accelerated learning. What began as a physical constraint, losing the ability to walk before a TEDx talk, became a catalyst for discovering the neuroscience of learning and the superpower of accelerated adaptation. Gerald shares how he applied principles of music, meditation, and transformational learning techniques to not only recover but to thrive, eventually tackling four simultaneous Ivy League courses in AI. From this intense period of study and experimentation, the Jet Prompt Optimizer was born, a custom tool designed to solve the universal problem of communicating effectively with Large Language Models (LLMs). This conversation is a deep dive into how curiosity and systematic learning can lead to innovation. Gerald explores the direct link between mastering new skills, building intelligent systems, and reclaiming personal time and freedom. He reveals how the right tools can transform chaos into calm, automate heavy lifting, and allow us to focus on what makes us uniquely human, creativity and connection. https://app.jetpromptoptimizer.ai/ What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction [02:04] Gerald's superpower & personal story [02:27] Discovery of accelerated learning techniques [03:16] Inspiration for Jet Prompt Optimizer [05:12] Development journey of Jet Prompt Optimizer [06:31] Patents and unique approach [07:24] Benefits for clients and personal life [08:42] Course and community plans [09:53] How to connect with the guest [10:47] Podcast closing & call to action Notable Quotes [02:16] "I lost the ability to walk six weeks before my TEDx talk, and I was able to recover because I'm a musician as well." – Gerald J. Leonard [04:06] "AI is not broken. We just don't know how to communicate with it clearly." – Gerald J. Leonard [06:05] "I built Six Sigma and evaluation frameworks into the prompts so AI gives you what you actually want." – Gerald J. Leonard [08:23] "The systems are doing the heavy lifting and we can be humans and connect on an emotional level." – Gerald J. Leonard Resources and Links: https://app.jetpromptoptimizer.ai/ Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

Did you know quick, courageous decisions can unlock clarity, confidence, and real progress in life and in work, especially when you approach them in creative, improv-inspired ways? In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard reconnects with longtime friend and former coach Gina Trimarco Klauder, a leadership strategist, international bestselling author, improv comedian, and founder of Carolina Improv Company. Together, they explore how improv-inspired decision-making helps leaders and professionals break free from analysis paralysis and adapt in times of uncertainty. The conversation centers on Gina's latest book, The New Choice Effect: How to Make the Right Decisions Quickly Without Overthinking, which blends improv principles, neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and real-life vulnerability to show how "improvised intelligence" leads to clearer, more confident decisions. Drawing from decades of experience in leadership development, entrepreneurship, and improvisational theater, Gina explains why waiting for the "perfect" choice often keeps people stuck, and how making any thoughtful choice creates clarity and progress. Gerald and Gina dive into the power of intuition, the impact of environment on creativity and healing, and why creativity is often trained out of us over time. They also unpack practical tools like "Yes, and" thinking and the "New Choice" game for disrupting stuck mental patterns and building adaptive decision habits. This episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling overwhelmed by decisions, navigating AI disruption or economic uncertainty, or leading through change. Productivity is not about perfect plans. It is about choosing, learning, and choosing again with confidence. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction to Gina Trimarco Klauder [06:49] Motivation behind the book [08:18] Improv, neuroscience, and emotional intelligence [12:45] Book structure and story hooks [13:40] Using improv to navigate professional uncertainty [14:49] The "follow your feet" principle [15:52] Yes, and validating self and others [16:48] Origin of The New Choice Effect [17:52] Intuition, facts, and the science of improv [18:59] Improv and stroke recovery [19:32] Gerald's health journey and environment [22:00] Team adaptation for inclusivity [23:34] Supportive environments and healing [24:55] Self-advocacy and team learning [26:11] The cyclical nature of growth [26:40] Building adaptive decision habits [27:37] Experimentation in leadership and life [29:47] Improv training exercise: Problem solved [30:16] Science of improv and creativity decline [34:15] Cross-industry creativity examples [35:14] Einstein, music, and creativity [35:30] Practical takeaway: Index card exercise [36:16] Improv, learning, and innovation [37:25] Know a little about a lot [38:25] AI validation and unique thought leadership [40:18] The new choice effect as a skill [41:15] Overcoming analysis paralysis [42:40] GPS analogy and moving forward [43:45] Closing remarks Notable Quotes [07:32] "The problem with improv is, sometimes I feel like people don't take it seriously as an emotional intelligence skill."– Gina Trimarco Klauder [14:42] "When you spend so much time in the 'what if,' you can't live in the now." – Gina Trimarco Klauder [15:37] "If you move, something will happen." – Gina Trimarco Klauder [17:29] "You have to keep changing what you say until you don't hear new choice anymore."– Gina Trimarco Klauder [20:52] "Our mental, physical, social, and emotional environment can turn genes on or off." – Gerald J. Leonard [30:28] "You have to disrupt the brain and try something different that you've never tried." – Gina Trimarco Klauder [42:16] "Every decision is a right decision because it leads you to the next one." – Gina DiMarco [43:00] "Sometimes the universe doesn't move for us until we move." – Gina Trimarco Klauder Resources Gina Trimarco Klauder Website: https://ginatrimarco.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ginatrimarco/ Book – The New Choice Effect: How to Make the Right Decisions Quickly Without Overthinking Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

neuroscientist, former CMO, and author of Make Me Great, for an engaging conversation that redefines productivity from the inside out. Thomas shares his unconventional journey from artificial intelligence and neuroscience into marketing, leadership, and ethical persuasion, revealing how his early work in neuromarketing delivered results but ultimately felt incomplete without a human-centered approach. At the heart of the conversation is one powerful insight: when someone is making a decision, their brain is silently asking, "Make me great." Thomas explains how primal, subconscious forces drive our choices long before logic kicks in, and why people rationalize decisions only after they've already been made. He breaks down concepts like silent listening, subconscious frustration, and why talking about features, products, or credentials too early actually pushes people away. You'll also hear memorable real-world examples showing how simply paying attention, asking better questions, and listening without interruption can instantly change outcomes in business and in everyday life. The discussion expands into purpose, personal "why," and how building tribes around shared values accelerates productivity while reducing wasted effort. This episode is a powerful reminder that productivity isn't just about systems and structure. It's about empathy, intention, and making others feel seen, heard, and valued. What We Discuss [00:00] Introduction to Dr. Thomas Trautmann [06:32] Discovery of neuromarketing and business growth [10:23] The power of positioning and system 1 thinking [14:19] Silent listening and active engagement [16:13] Habits for unforgettable work and the 11-second rule [17:06] Understanding the primal brain and decision-making [21:10] The importance of "why" in productivity [23:16] Personal story: the power of revisiting your why [24:40] Client success story using "Make Me Great" [26:18] The gift of listening and neurochemistry [29:07] Team alignment, purpose, and the tribe concept [31:43] Actionable productivity tool: the "you" language [32:58] Where to learn more about Dr. Trautmann [33:45] Podcast closing and call for reviews Notable Quotes [09:14] "I noticed that neuromarketing was lacking humanity. Even though we are targeting the brain, we are lacking humanity." – Thomas Trautmann [09:52] "When you want a decision from someone, that person's brain is shouting at you, 'Make me great.'" – Thomas Trautmann [14:44] "Active listening is okay, but silent listening is silence. Listen. Write down. Ask questions to clarify. But get that thing up there in your head to shut up." – Thomas Trautmann [17:11] "We make primal decisions that we rationalize afterwards." – Thomas Trautmann [32:22] "If you look at my LinkedIn profile, it's all about you, you, you. Try to use the 'you' language. It's a super powerful tool." – Thomas Trautmann [27:43] " When I smile, when I do the, you know, the nice smile with the little les here, which is called the Duchenne smile, by the way, I get a shoot of endorphin in my brain." – Thomas Trautmann [32:17] "When you start something with someone, use the new language. Try to use 'you, you, you.' It's a super powerful tool. It's the first step to get them to say, 'He cares about me"– Thomas Trautmann Resources Dr. Thomas Trautmann Website: make-me-great.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thomastrautmann Book – Make Me Great Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds

In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard interviews David Suk Brown, co-author of 'Identical Opposites: Find Your Voice and Speak.' They discuss practical strategies for boosting workplace productivity, overcoming the fear of speaking up, and leveraging the power of authenticity and alliances. David shares insights from his research and professional experience, emphasizing the importance of consistent communication and understanding behavioral models to enhance team dynamics. They also explore the impacts of AI on the workforce and how to maintain relevance amid rapid technological advancements. Tune in as they discuss the challenges and opportunities in today's workplace, the significance of the speak framework, and how these concepts can transform not just productivity but also happiness and fulfillment in your life. What We Discuss [00:00] Introducing David Suk Brown and His New Book [06:16] Finding Your Voice in the Workplace [14:53] The SPEAK Framework for Effective Communication [20:37] The Human Element vs. AI [21:13] Leveraging Networks and Skills [24:09] The Importance of Authenticity and Empathy [25:23] Navigating Vulnerability and Consistency [32:25] Adapting Voice and Culture Strategies [36:27] Connecting with the SPEAK Framework Authors [37:55] Podcast Conclusion and Call to Action Notable Quotes [7:00] "Sometimes people can get lost in their position or lost in their responsibilities and not find their individual gifts and talents, and it just made sense for us to make that connection." - David Brown, Sr. [7:46] "95% of employees struggle just to be able to speak and share their voice and opinions." - David Brown, Sr. [9:57] "Get people to understand that there are values that could come from every member of the team, but you let them shine. You let them speak first. You let them flush out their ideas and thoughts, and then you act in a position where you're curious and you're asking more questions, 'cause you want them to bring everything out that they're thinking." - David Brown, Sr. [20:38] "AI, even as much as we're seeing technology advance and progress, it cannot replace certain aspects of the human element." - David Brown, Sr. [24:11] " It's not just about how many degrees you have, your depth of experience. It's about bringing who you are, your whole authentic self to that role, to that environment. That's gonna be the defining factor." - David Brown, Sr. Our Guest David Suk Brown is a seasoned strategic communication and presentation coach who empowers executives, thought leaders, and business owners to enhance their impact through public speaking and executive coaching. As President of DSB Leadership Group, author, and university communications instructor, he has delivered over 2,500 inspiring messages that equip audiences with tools for lasting success. A Lead Minister and identical twin, David brings unique insight into communication, leadership, and collaboration as co-host of the Twins Talk it Up and Twins Talk Tech Leadership podcasts. Resources and Links David Suk Brown Website - https://www.dsbleadershipgroup.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidsbrownsr/ Book: Identically Opposite: Find Your Voice and SPEAK - https://www.amazon.com/Identically-Opposite-Find-Voice-SPEAK/dp/B0FSKWKDZQ Productivity Smarts Podcast Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com Gerald J. Leonard Website - geraldjleonard.com Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard Kiva is a loan, not a donation, allowing you to cycle your money and create a personal impact worldwide. https://www.kiva.org/lender/topmindshelpingtopminds