Cal Newport: How Entrepreneurs Can Cut Distractions to Instantly Boost Productivity | Productivity | E360

Is everything we know about productivity wrong? Cal Newport thinks so. After years of watching busyness, distraction, and burnout dominate the workplace, he realized the real issue isn’t our workload, but how we’ve been taught to work. In this episode, Cal shares his game-changing philosophy of slow productivity, revealing how entrepreneurs can build deep focus, avoid burnout, and pursue their goals more sustainably. He also explores how AI is shaping the future of work and what it means for productivity. In this episode, Hala and Cal will discuss:  (00:00) Introduction (02:38) His Path to Productivity Thought Leadership (08:42) Deep Work vs. Shallow Work for Life Balance (13:38) The Brain Science Behind Achieving Maximum Focus (25:38) The Evolution from Deep Work to Slow Productivity (33:18) The Three Principles of Slow Productivity (37:16) Push vs. Pull: Smarter Systems for Managing Workload (45:14) Realistic Goal-Setting for Sustainable Productivity (53:37) Multi-Scale Planning: The Key to Time Management (59:35) Building a Mindset of Obsessing Over Quality (01:07:53) How AI Is Shaping the Future of Work and Productivity Cal Newport is an MIT-trained computer science professor at Georgetown University and a New York Times bestselling author who writes about how productivity and technology work together. His books, including Deep Work, Digital Minimalism, A World Without Email, and his latest, Slow Productivity, have sold millions of copies and been translated into over forty languages. Cal also writes for The New Yorker and hosts the Deep Questions podcast. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Cal’s Book, Slow Productivity: bit.ly/Slow_Productivity  Cal’s Book, Deep Work: bit.ly/_Deep_Work  Cal’s Book, Digital Minimalism: bit.ly/Digital_Minimalism  Cal’s Book, A World Without Email: bit.ly/AWorldWithoutEmail  Super Intelligence by Nick Bostrom: bit.ly/_Superintelligence Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Motivation, Manifestation, Resolutions

Now on Spotify Video! Podcasting isn’t just content anymore; it’s a tool to scale your business. After being rejected from radio, TV, and even her dream corporate job, Hala Taha launched the Young and Profiting podcast as a side hustle with no team and no solid plan. Today, she hosts a top-ranked business and entrepreneurship show and leads an award-winning social media and podcast agency on track to hit eight figures. In this episode, Hala shares how entrepreneurs and brands can leverage podcasting for business growth and reveals her blueprint for building a podcast empire from scratch. In this episode, Hala will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (03:24) Why Top Entrepreneurs Prioritize Podcasts (05:10) Leveraging Your Audience for Business Growth (12:25) Three Steps to Starting a Successful Podcast  (14:40) Monetizing Podcasts Without a Huge Following (18:09) Guest Networking: The $6 Million Business Strategy (22:49) The Four Key Principles for Podcast Growth (26:58) How Rejection Led Her to Become a Founder Hala Taha is the host of Young and Profiting, a top 10 business and entrepreneurship podcast on Apple and Spotify. She’s the founder and CEO of YAP Media, an award-winning social media and podcast agency, as well as the YAP Media Network, where she helps renowned podcasters like Jenna Kutcher, Neil Patel, and Russell Brunson grow and monetize their shows. With her business on track to hit eight figures in 2025, Hala stands out as a leading creator-entrepreneur. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Hala’s Podcast, Young and Profiting: bit.ly/_YAP-apple  Goal Digger Podcast by Jenna Kutcher: bit.ly/TGDP-apple  The Russell Brunson Show by Russell Brunson: bit.ly/TRBS-apple  Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap: bit.ly/FF-apple  Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder: bit.ly/EYH-apple  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap YouTube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Business podcast, Startup, Starting a Business, Passive income, Online Business, Solopreneur

Now on Spotify Video! After realizing that climbing the corporate ladder didn’t bring fulfillment, Jenna Kutcher left her stable job to start a photography business. But by the time she scaled it to six figures, she was burned out. Determined to create a more sustainable lifestyle, she pursued multiple side hustles, worked on her own terms, and built various income streams, ultimately creating a multi-million-dollar online business. In this episode, Jenna shares the strategies that helped her build passive income, scale her business, all while fiercely protecting her work-life balance. In this episode, Hala and Jenna will discuss:  (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Quitting Her Corporate Job to Start a Business (05:21) Creating Online Courses as a Side Hustle (09:10) Growing Your Audience on Social Media (14:32) Scaling to 7 Figures Through Affiliate Marketing (18:30) Marketing Tips for Entrepreneurs with a Small Following (22:01) The Journey to Real Estate Investment (30:58) Building a Business with Your Partner (32:58) Prioritizing Family Over Opportunities Jenna Kutcher is an entrepreneur, online marketing expert, author, and the host of the Goal Digger Podcast. She is also a digital educator and has created multi-million-dollar revenue streams through online courses, affiliate marketing, podcasting, and real estate. Jenna has built a massive online following by authentically sharing her journey and empowering women to create businesses they love and lives they enjoy. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo   Resources Mentioned: Jenna’s Podcast, Goal Digger Podcast: bit.ly/TGDP-apple  Jenna’s Instagram: instagram.com/jennakutcher Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business Podcast, Startup, Solopreneur, Founder, Networking

After losing his entire life savings to a failed investment, Donald Miller came face-to-face with the brutal truths of entrepreneurship. Instead of giving up, he took full ownership of his setbacks and rebuilt from the ground up, scaling his company to $17 million in revenue with over 50% profit margins. In this episode, Donald breaks down his 6-step framework for building a profitable, scalable, and system-driven business. He shares how entrepreneurs can streamline operations, master sales and marketing, and transform any startup into a thriving revenue-generating business. In this episode, Hala and Donald will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02: 40) Why Most Small Businesses Fail (05:13) The “S” Curve That Crashes Business Growth (08:21) Professionalizing Operations to Scale (14:56) The Airplane Model for Business Strategy (21:33) Crafting Mission Statements with Economic Goals (33:34) Core Values That Guide Business Leadership (36:47) The 3 Types of Business Leaders (39:35) The 6-Part Sales Email That Closes Deals (48:47) Why Story-Driven Selling Closes More Deals Donald Miller is a New York Times bestselling author, entrepreneur, and the CEO of Business Made Simple and StoryBrand. Renowned for his ability to simplify complex business concepts, Donald has helped thousands of entrepreneurs clarify their message, increase revenue, and scale sustainable companies. He’s also the host of the Business Made Simple podcast and has trained teams at major organizations like Procter & Gamble, Ford, and Tempur-Sealy. His six-step business framework is revolutionizing the way small businesses operate, grow, and succeed. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Donald’s Book, How to Grow Your Small Business: bit.ly/Grow_SmallBusiness  Donald’s Book, Building a StoryBrand: bit.ly/_StoryBrand  Donald’s Instagram: instagram.com/donaldmiller Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals       Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap  Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/  Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/  Social + Podcast Services - yapmedia.com   Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship podcast, Business, Business podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal development, Starting a business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side hustle, Startup, Career, Leadership, Health, Growth mindset, Entrepreneurs, side hustle, Startup, Starting a business, Passive income, Online business, Solopreneur, Founder, Networking

What if the key to unlocking true productivity is letting go of control? Mel Robbins had a mindset shift on her son’s prom night when she found herself fussing over details that didn’t matter. That’s when her daughter grabbed her arm and said, “Let them. Let them run in the rain. Let them eat where they want. Let them.” This moment sparked the creation of her Let Them Theory, a powerful mindset that transforms how we approach control in both business and life. In this episode, Mel shares the pivotal moments that shaped her career and how the Let Them Theory can help entrepreneurs let go of control, take empowered action, and thrive. In this episode, Hala and Mel will discuss:  (00:00) Introduction (04:46) How a TEDx Talk Sparked the 5 Second Rule (10:25) Action Over Motivation: The Key to Success (16:19) Leveraging Life's Lessons for Personal Development (26:49) How Thoughtful Actions Drive Business Growth (34:52) Why Your Competitors Should Be Your Allies (38:16) The Let Them Theory: A Powerful Mindset Tool (48:06) Is Control Hardwired in Human Nature? (52:44) The Let Them Theory for Entrepreneurs (56:34) Applying the Let Them Theory in Leadership Mel Robbins is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, award-winning podcast host of The Mel Robbins Podcast, and one of the world’s leading experts in mindset, self-improvement, and behavior change. Recognized as a Forbes 50 Over 50 Honoree and one of USA Today’s Top 5 Mindset Coaches, her books, including The 5 Second Rule and her latest, The Let Them Theory, have been translated into 50 languages and sold millions of copies worldwide. As CEO of 143 Studios, Mel produces award-winning content for top brands like LinkedIn and Audible. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting  OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Mel’s Book, The Let Them Theory: bit.ly/_LetThemTheory  Mel’s Book, The 5 Second Rule: bit.ly/_5SecondRule  Mel’s Podcast, The Mel Robbins Podcast: bit.ly/TMRP-apple  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new    Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Manifestation, Time Management, Life Balance, Goal Setting, Goals, Resolutions

Dr. Michael Gervais was a promising young surfer—until the pressure to perform shattered his focus. A single offhand comment flipped his mindset from fear to possibility, launching a lifelong fascination with the psychology of peak performance. Today, he's a world-renowned high-performance psychologist. In this episode, Michael shares how to conquer Fear of People’s Opinions (FOPO), train your mind for peak performance, and build a purpose-driven identity through mental techniques like breathing, imagery, and mindset training. In this episode, Hala and Michael will discuss: (00:00) Introduction (02:00) A Mindset Shift That Rewired Michael’s Life (07:53) Why Mental Strength Beats Raw Talent (11:25) Coaching Elite Athletes vs Rising Performers (14:20) High-Performance Challenges in Leadership (17:50) How Sleep Impacts Mental Performance (20:59) Breathing Techniques for Mindset Control (24:35) How to Practice Mental Imagery Effectively (30:01) The 90-Second Mindset Routine for Success (32:50) The Psychology of FOPO and How to Combat It (48:26) Performance-Based vs Purpose-Based Identity Dr. Michael Gervais is a world-renowned high performance psychologist and expert on the connection between mindset and peak performance. His elite client roster includes Super Bowl-winning NFL teams, Olympic medalists, Fortune 50 CEOs, and internationally acclaimed artists.  As the host of the Finding Mastery podcast, Dr. Gervais dives deep into the minds of elite performers - interviewing legends like David Goggins, Brené Brown, Toto Wolff, and Satya Nadella. He is the author of The First Rule of Mastery and co-founder of Compete to Create, a mindset training company that partners with Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Amazon, and AT&T. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting  OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo Resources Mentioned: Michael’s Podcast, Finding Mastery: bit.ly/FindingMastery-apple  Michael’s Website: findingmastery.com/  Michael’s Book, The First Rule of Mastery: bit.ly/RuleofMastery  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals       Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap  Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting  LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/  Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/  Social + Podcast Services - yapmedia.com   Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, entrepreneurship podcast, Business, Business podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal development, Starting a business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side hustle, Startup, Career, Leadership, Health, Growth mindset, Mindset, Habits, Positivity, Human Nature, Human Psychology, Critical Thinking, Robert Greene, Chris Voss, Robert Cialdini

What habits help you stay positive in the face of overwhelming adversity? At just 20 years old, Hal Elrod was hit by a drunk driver, declared dead for six minutes, and told he'd never walk again. Later, he faced bankruptcy and a rare, aggressive cancer with only a 30% survival rate. Despite these challenges, Hal found the motivation to transform his mindset, conquer the impossible, and create the life-changing Miracle Morning routine. In this episode, Hal delves into the psychology of habit formation and explains how a commitment to the SAVERS framework can boost mental health and unlock peak productivity, especially for entrepreneurs. In this episode, Hala and Hal will discuss:  (00:00) Introduction (03:32) Reframing Rock Bottom with the Five-Minute Rule (09:04) Shifting Your Mindset to Overcome Adversity (17:11) The Power of Self-Belief in Achieving Success (19:35) What is the SAVERS Framework? (25:10) Goal-Setting with Effective Affirmations (31:04) The Role of Sleep in Visualization (37:10) How Exercise Fuels Health and Wellness (39:38) Reading and Scribing for Personal Development (45:00) Why Entrepreneurs Struggle with Morning Routines (49:56) A Three-Phase Strategy for Forming New Habits Hal Elrod is a keynote speaker, bestselling author, and host of the Achieve Your Goals podcast. He is best known for creating The Miracle Morning, a global movement and bestselling book series that has sold more than two million copies and been translated into 42 languages. Hal’s SAVERS framework has empowered millions to take control of their mental health, build sustainable habits, and adopt intentional morning routines. Sponsored By: Shopify - Start your $1/month trial at Shopify.com/profiting. Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit to boost your job's visibility at Indeed.com/PROFITING Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting  OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first 6 months at OpenPhone.com/profiting. Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits by going to joinbilt.com/profiting. Airbnb - Find a co-host at airbnb.com/host Boulevard - Get 10% off your first year at joinblvd.com/profiting when you book a demo   Resources Mentioned: Hal’s Book, The Miracle Morning: bit.ly/The_MiracleMorning  Hal’s Book, Taking Life Head On: bit.ly/LifeHeadOn  Hal’s Podcast, Achieve Your Goals: bit.ly/AYG-apple Hal’s Website: halelrod.com Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz: bit.ly/Psycho_Cybernetics  The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer by David A. Whitsett: bit.ly/Marathon-Trainer  Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Startup, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Work-Life Balance, Work Life Balance, Team Building, Manifestation, Time Management, Life Balance, Goals, Resolutions.

To lead with greater alignment and less burnout, entrepreneurs must prioritize mental health, mindset, and self-healing. Gabby Bernstein’s childhood was rooted in spirituality, but a high-pressure PR career in New York’s nightclub scene led to addiction, burnout, and anxiety. Realizing her health, business, and identity were at risk, Gabby began her journey to inner healing and is now a leading voice in spirituality and manifestation. In this episode, Gabby shares how Internal Family Systems (IFS) can enhance leadership, boost productivity, and improve decision-making for entrepreneurs. In this episode, Hala and Gabby will discuss:  (00:00) Introduction (01:18) The Nightlife Career That Nearly Broke Her (05:08) How She Transformed Her Life and Business (12:35) The Power of IFS Therapy in Self-Healing  (16:52) Self-Led Leadership for Business Growth (25:18) Four Steps to Reconnect with Your Inner Self (33:06) The Role of Protector Parts in Team Building (36:22) Setting Boundaries in Entrepreneurship (38:23) Healing a Perfectionist Mindset Gabby Bernstein is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of ten books, including her latest, Self-Help. A motivational speaker, spiritual teacher, and founder of the Gabby Coaching Membership, Gabby was named a "Next Generation Thought Leader" by Oprah Winfrey. She is also the host of the Dear Gabby podcast, where she combines physical, mental, and spiritual wellness to inspire lasting change. Sponsored By: Indeed - Get a $75 sponsored job credit at indeed.com/profitingIndeed  Shopify - Sign up for a one-dollar-per-month trial period at youngandprofiting.co/shopify  Mercury - Streamline your banking and finances in one place. Learn more at mercury.com/profiting  LinkedIn Marketing Solutions - Get a $100 credit on your next campaign at linkedin.com/profiting   Bilt - Start paying rent through Bilt and take advantage of your Neighborhood Benefits™ by going to joinbilt.com/PROFITING.  Airbnb - Find yourself a co-host at airbnb.com/host    Resources Mentioned: Gabby’s Book, Self-Help: bit.ly/SelfHelp-GB  Gabby's Podcast, Dear Gabby: gabbybernstein.com Active Deals - youngandprofiting.com/deals  Key YAP Links Reviews - ratethispodcast.com/yap Youtube - youtube.com/c/YoungandProfiting LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/htaha/ Instagram - instagram.com/yapwithhala/ Social + Podcast Services: yapmedia.com Transcripts - youngandprofiting.com/episodes-new  Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurship Podcast, Business, Business Podcast, Self Improvement, Self-Improvement, Personal Development, Starting a Business, Strategy, Investing, Sales, Selling, Psychology, Productivity, Entrepreneurs, AI, Artificial Intelligence, Technology, Marketing, Negotiation, Money, Finance, Side Hustle, Mental Health, Career, Leadership, Mindset, Health, Growth Mindset, Psychology, Biohacking, Motivation, Brain Health, Life Balance, Positivity, Happiness, Sleep, Diet.