In this episode, Kathy is joined by the marvellous Helen Taylor for what might be the boldest experiment yet: attempting to break up with their phones. Or at least see less of them.

Inspired by How to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine Price, they dive into the weirdly intense relationship we have with our screens. From dopamine doom-scrolling to the panicked need to check WhatsApp mid-Netflix.

Together, they explore:
– Why our phones are basically clingy exes in our pockets
– How they’re quietly trashing our attention spans (and possibly our empathy)
– What a 30-day digital detox actually looks like
– And which small changes have actually stuck

Expect shocking stats (yes, during sex), emotional confessions, and the sort of gentle accountability that only comes from trying to read Deep Work and failing because a dancing parrot popped up.

It's not about ditching your phone entirely, more about setting some boundaries, reclaiming your brain cells, and maybe remembering what it’s like to finish a book without checking three apps in between chapters.

Until next time: may your notifications be few, your focus deep, and your phone…occasionally face-down in another room.

Hello shiny new year, fresh notebooks, and big plans!

In this mini episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy kicks off 2026 with a thought experiment inspired by productivity favourites Ali Abdaal, Will MacAskill (maybe?), and Stephen Bartlett.

It’s a bit of a mash-up - like most good ideas - and it all centres around how we spend our time.

Think of your hours like casino chips. You get 100 a week (after life’s essentials like sleep, snacks and showers). How are you spending them... and more importantly, would you choose to fast forward through some of them?

Kathy introduces the “Fast Forward Test” , a simple but brilliant way to check in with how you’re using your time.

Are you speeding through your days like a bad audiobook on 1.8x speed, or are you actually enjoying the moments that make up your life?

It’s a gentle nudge to be more present, notice what brings real satisfaction, and maybe tweak the parts of your week that feel more chore than choice.

Perfect for business owners, freelancers and permanently exhausted pigeons looking to make 2026 feel a little more intentional.

Nothing says “festive cheer” like a looming tax deadline, right?

In this not-at-all-scrooge-y episode of Productivity Nerd, Kathy is joined by resident tax whisperer Laura Green for a surprisingly comforting chat about self-assessment. Whether you’ve already filed, haven’t started, or are deep in denial, this one's for you.

Expect:

📆 The key dates you really shouldn’t ignore
💸 What happens if you miss them (brace yourself)
📎 Common mistakes people make (and how to dodge them)
🧾 When to call in an accountant (or just call it quits and outsource)
📬 And what to do if you open your return to find a scary number you can’t pay

Plus, Kathy shares a cautionary tale about one very lost Government Gateway number, a swearing fit, and a smug dad with two coffees and a completed return.

So, if you’d prefer your January to involve less panic and more smugness, pop this in your ears. Filing may not be fun...but it can be a whole lot less faffy.