Time to Reset

We’re more connected than ever. We have followers, downloads, views, emails, messages, and endless ways to reach one another.

But are those connections actually meaningful?

In this solo episode of Take Back Time: Time to Reset, Penny Zenker reflects on a question she’s been asking herself about the podcast: Is it still creating the kind of connection and value she wants it to create?

It’s a question that goes far beyond podcasting.

Sometimes we get so focused on doing the work, producing the co...

Your team can be productive, efficient, and incredibly busy—and still be focused on the wrong things.

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with John J. Murphy, global authority on change mastery, operational excellence, and leadership, to explore why leadership alignment is essential for sustainable business performance.

John explains why many organizations mistake symptoms for root causes, how individual departments can become highly efficient while the overall business remains inefficient, and why leaders need to stop measuring activity and start examining the entire value st...

Why is it so hard to simply accept a compliment?

Someone tells you that you did a great job, that you look great, or that they appreciate you, and suddenly you're explaining it away, minimizing it, or deflecting the attention.

In this short episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker explores why learning to receive can be just as important as learning to give.

A compliment is a gift. When we immediately deflect it, we may be missing an opportunity to receive appreciation, recognition, support, and connection...

What separates exceptional leaders from everyone else?

It's not talent.

It's not intelligence.

And it's not working harder.

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with Sébastien Page, Chief Investment Officer at T. Rowe Price and author of The Psychology of Leadership, to explore the mental habits that help leaders thrive under pressure.

Together they unpack why the most successful leaders focus on mastery over ego, why resilience is built through setbacks—not avoiding them—and h...

Scripts can help you prepare for a presentation, sales conversation, negotiation, or difficult conversation. But when you become too dependent on getting every word right, you can lose the one thing that matters most: connection.

In this solo episode of Time to Reset Penny Zenker explores how to prepare for important conversations without sounding rehearsed or losing your ability to listen and respond in the moment.

Penny breaks down why scripts should be used as a framework rather than something you have to follow word for word, how over-preparing...

What if the biggest threat to your team isn't resistance to change—it's apathy?

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with keynote speaker, improv expert, and bestselling author Avish Parashar to explore how the simple phrase "Yes, And" can transform leadership, communication, innovation, and workplace culture.

Drawing lessons from the world of improv comedy, Avish reveals why the best leaders don't shut down ideas—they build on them. Together, Penny and Avish discuss how curiosity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence help leaders navigate uncertainty, inspire engagement, and create teams that are will...

How do great leaders make employees feel valued?

What increases employee engagement without spending more money?

How can leaders create stronger workplace culture through everyday interactions?

In this episode of Time to Reset, productivity expert and leadership strategist Penny Zenker explores why the most memorable leaders aren't necessarily the loudest or the busiest. They're the ones who intentionally create moments that matter.

Using a personal story about planning a milestone birthday celebration, Penny reveals how the same principles can transform team meetings, customer experiences, employee...

Most companies measure financial performance with precision—but struggle to measure the true value of their people.

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with entrepreneur and former Wall Street investment banker Jacob D. Chase, founder of The INFIN, to explore a new approach to measuring human capital, employee contribution, and organizational value.

As AI transforms the workplace and top performers create exponentially more value, traditional performance reviews and compensation models are becoming outdated. Jacob explains why annual reviews often miss the employees making the bi...

AI can write, code, brainstorm, organize, and solve problems faster than ever—but that doesn't mean it's always right.

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker shares hard-earned lessons from building real AI-powered projects using Claude and ChatGPT. She explains why treating AI like a brilliant teammate—not an infallible expert—can dramatically improve your results while preventing costly mistakes.

You'll learn:

In this episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with addiction expert Amber Hollingsworth, founder of Put the Shovel Down, to discuss functional alcoholism, denial, and the communication strategies that actually help someone change.

Rather than relying on confrontation, blame, or emotional reactions, Amber explains why influence—not force—is the key to supporting someone struggling with alcohol addiction. Together, they explore how emotional intelligence, strategic communication, and understanding human psychology can create meaningful change in relationships, leadership, parenting, and recovery.

Whether you're supporting a spouse, family member, friend, or sim...

Why do smart people make poor decisions?

Often, it's not because they lack intelligence. It's because they're only seeing one version of the problem.

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Focusologist Penny Zenker explores how our experiences, assumptions, beliefs, and pressure shape what we notice—and what we completely miss. Through one powerful leadership exercise and practical coaching questions, you'll discover how expanding your perspective leads to better decisions, greater creativity, and stronger leadership.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why we o...

What separates breakthrough leaders from everyone else? In this episode of the Time to Reset Podcast, Penny Zenker sits down with renowned leadership expert and motivational speaker Brian Biro, known as America's Breakthrough Speaker, to explore the mindset shifts that create extraordinary results in leadership, business, and life.

Brian shares his powerful framework for controlling the controllables, revealing the three essential elements of breakthrough leadership:

✅ Vision: Focus on what you want to create, not what you fear

✅ Energy: How purpose, movement, and gratitude fuel performance

✅ Presence: The leadership skill...

What if the biggest thing holding you back isn't your circumstances—it's where your attention is?

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker shares one of her most memorable keynote moments, revealing how our focus shapes our emotions, behaviors, and results. Through a simple audience exercise, she demonstrates just how quickly we can change our cravings, our fears, and even our confidence by changing the meaning we assign to what we're experiencing.

This isn't really about chocolate, cinnamon rolls, or potato chips. It's about leadership, resilience, em...

What if the answers you’re searching for aren’t found through logic alone? In this episode of the Time to Reset podcast, Penny Zenker sits down with intuitive coach and former engineer Ali Sweeney for a powerful conversation about intuition, alignment, emotional awareness, and the hidden ways our conditioning shapes decision-making.

Ali shares her personal transformation from a data-driven engineering career into the world of intuition, energy work, and spiritual growth after the loss of her brother changed the trajectory of her life. Together, Penny and Ali explore why logic is not always obje...

Is AI making us smarter—or slowly making us dependent on technology?

In this episode of the Time to Reset Podcast, Penny Zenker explores one of the most important questions facing leaders, professionals, educators, and organizations today: Is AI making us dumb?

After a thought-provoking conversation with executives and HR leaders, Penny dives into both sides of the debate. Some believe AI is reducing creativity, weakening critical thinking, and encouraging people to outsource their judgment. Others see AI as a powerful tool that accelerates learning, boosts productivity, and amplifies hu...

What’s broken in customer experience today—and why does it feel harder than ever to get real help?

In this episode of Time to Reset, customer experience expert Barbara Khozam reveals why businesses are losing customers despite better technology, faster systems, and more automation than ever before.

The problem? We’ve optimized for efficiency—but forgotten how to connect as humans.

You’ll learn:

Why “processing customers” is hurting your business

Is inbox zero actually making you more productive… or just more reactive?

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker challenges one of the biggest productivity myths of the modern workplace: the obsession with clearing your inbox.

Penny breaks down why email has become one of the greatest drains on our time, energy, and focus — and why using your inbox to drive your day keeps you stuck in reaction mode instead of focused on what truly matters.

She also shares:

What does purpose at work really mean—and why are so many people getting it wrong?

In this powerful episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker sits down with bestselling author and workplace behavior expert Joshua M. Evans to challenge conventional thinking around purpose, engagement, and fulfillment in today’s workplace.

Together, they unpack why modern work culture has “cheapened” the idea of purpose—and how shallow definitions of success, roles, and productivity are driving disengagement across organizations. With nearly 80% of employees feeling disconnected, this conversation dives deep into what’s mis...

What if the key to better decisions, stronger relationships, and less stress was learning how to manage your emotional state in the moment?

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker explores practical techniques for emotional regulation, shifting your energy, and responding calmly under pressure instead of reacting emotionally.

You’ll learn:

In this episode, we sit down with Alex, co-founder and CEO of Fuel, to explore why traditional learning methods are failing—and what’s replacing them. With information overload at an all-time high, simply consuming knowledge is no longer enough. The real advantage comes from applying what you learn in real time.

We dive into the science behind the “forgetting curve,” why most learning management systems don’t work, and how microlearning, AI, and performance-based platforms are reshaping the way we grow, lead, and succeed. Alex shares how Fuel is helping individuals and organizations move from...

Feeling overwhelmed, stretched thin, or stuck in the weeds of your business or life? In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker introduces a powerful concept: The Clarity Compression Effect.

Learn how intentionally limiting your time, energy, or resources can actually create sharper focus, better decisions, and higher productivity. Inspired in part by ideas from Tim Ferriss, Penny shares how constraints can become a catalyst for clarity—not chaos.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Success in modern entrepreneurship often hinges on your ability to build a "parasocial" bond with your audience, and there is no better medium to achieve this for small businesses than podcasting. Productivity guru and entrepreneur Raymond Sidney-Smith joins the show to share the essential blueprint for launching a show that converts listeners into loyal clients by leveraging the "magic" of audio storytelling. 

Ray shares his background in productivity, organization, and entrepreneurship, explaining how his passion for helping small business owners led him to podcasting. The conversation highlights why he believes every business should consider having a...

Feeling mentally foggy, overwhelmed, or stretched too thin? You’re not alone—and it’s not a lack of discipline. It’s cognitive overload.

In this solo episode of Time to Reset, Penny Zenker breaks down why constant inputs are draining your energy, slowing your decisions, and leading to burnout. More importantly, she shares a simple but powerful framework: aligning your inputs with your outputs.

Learn how to:

✔ Audit what’s consuming your attention

✔ Reduce “brain fry” and reclaim your focus

✔ Create a reset rhythm that actually works

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:

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...

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.

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:

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 shar...

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 GitL...

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 fram...

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:

Because the real ROI of a conference isn’t inspiration.

It’s imp...

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...

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 p...

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.

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.

...

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...

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."

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 you...