Creating Cadence

Hosted by Mich Bondesio

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100

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world we live in. Mich Bondesio explores how to re-imagine work and business as part of building more regenerative, sustainable systems, more resilient organisations, and healthier work cultures. Topics include: Organisational resilience. Mindset, habits and behaviour design. The future of work, emerging technology, and sustainable business. Intentional productivity and regenerative working practices. Purpose-driven business and crafting a meaningful work life. Find out more about Mich and the podcast at creatingcadence.co . Podcast produced by Bondesio Media. Creating Cadence is available on all pod platforms. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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60 recent

June 12, 202617 min

100 - Centenary Celebrations

What began as a simple experiment during the early months of the pandemic has evolved into a global conversation about sustainable success, intentional productivity, regenerative leadership, creativity, wellbeing, and the future of work. In this special centenary episode, Mich Bondesio reflects on the journey of creating the Creating Cadence Podcast, the themes that have shaped it, the lessons learned along the way, and the impact this community has had over the past six years. This is both a celebration of community and a reflection on what it takes to demonstrate creating cadence in action. A look back at what we’ve explored together. and a reminder that meaningful things are often built one small, consistent step at a time. In episode 100 of the Creating Cadence podcast: The story behind how Creating Cadence began during the pandemic The surprising growth of a global audience across 60 countries Why podcasting became a catalyst for personal and professional growth The six major themes that have shaped the show over six years The lessons learned from producing 100 episodes The importance of seasonal pauses and sustainable creative practice Episode 100 Timestamps [00:01:33] Introduction & Celebrating 100 Episodes [00:07:59] Thematic Review of Six Years of Creating Cadence [00:08:50] Theme 1: Reimagining Success & Sustainable Leadership [00:09:25] Theme 2: Intentional Productivity, Human Energy & Wellbeing [00:09:57] Theme 3: Creativity, Identity & Meaningful Work [00:10:25] Theme 4: Building Better Work Cultures & Communities [00:10:55] Theme 5: Technology, Innovation & The Future of Work [00:11:28] Theme 6: Nature, Systems & Regenerative Thinking [00:12:15] Lessons Learned from Building a Podcast [00:15:05] Looking Ahead & Seasonal Pause Key insight: 100 episodes. 6 years. 42 guests. Listeners in 60 countries. Meaningful things are rarely built overnight. They grow through consistency, curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to keep showing up — even when you’re not entirely sure who’s listening. Whether you’ve been listening since Episode 1 or discovered the podcast today, thank you for being part of this journey. Here’s to the next chapter, Mich 😊 #Podcasting #Leadership #FutureOfWork #CreatingCadence #IntentionalProductivity #SustainableBusiness #RegenerativeWorkingPractices Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Hosted on: Acast Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 25, 202618 min

99 - One Word To Rule Them All

In a fast-moving world where burnout, distraction, and overwork have become normalised, building sustainable rhythms may be one of the most important leadership skills of all. What if the problem isn’t you… but the framework you’ve been given? In the penultimate episode of Season 15, Mich Bondesio revisits the central concept that has shaped six years of the Creating Cadence Podcast: "Cadence" . This episode brings together the core themes explored throughout the season — burnout, attention, loneliness, regenerative work, focus, constraints, inner capacity, and sustainable performance — and reveals how they all connect through one foundational idea: Rhythm. Rather than chasing the impossible ideal of “work-life balance,” this episode explores why human beings are designed for movement, variation, seasonality, and recovery — and how cadence creates a more sustainable way to work, lead, and live. This is both an introduction to the philosophy of cadence and a reflective wrap-up of the season’s deeper themes before the landmark 100th episode. In this episode: Why “work-life balance” often fails high performers The difference between balance and cadence How cadence supports sustainable performance Why humans are designed for rhythm, not consistency The role of seasonality in work and leadership What “effort waves” are — and why recovery matters The dangers of constant intensity and self-override How flexible beats create adaptable structure Why cadence affects relationships, leadership, and culture Time Stamps: [00:02:17] The Problem with Balance [00:04:51] What Cadence Actually Means [00:06:31] Seasonality as a Design Principle [00:08:40] Effort Waves & The Myth of Constant Intensity [00:10:36] Flexible Beats [00:12:47] The Social Dimension – Cadence in Relationships [00:14:30] Cadence as an Operating Philosophy [00:16:01] Wrap Up About Creating Cadence: Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Hosted on: Acast Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Productivity #FutureOfWork #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #SustainableBusiness #RegenerativeWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 7, 202611 min

98 - Creating Cadence - Signal Over Noise

In this episode of the Creating Cadence Podcast, Mich Bondesio explores the hidden cost of abundance, and why strategic constraints, decision diets, and clearer digital boundaries may be the key to better work. Building on Episode 97’s discussion around rhythmic weeks and regenerative work, this episode dives into the relationship between focus, attention, cognitive overload, and the environments we work within. In this episode: Why too much choice creates friction and decision fatigue The psychology behind the Paradox of Choice How constraints can unlock creativity and momentum What a Decision Diet is — and how to implement one Why founders need to learn to “kill good ideas” How “No Lists” and kill criteria protect strategic focus The hidden cost of being constantly accessible Why digital noise erodes clarity and depth How to create healthier communication boundaries Why protecting focus is a leadership signal Timestamped Sections: [00:01:02] The Overwhelm of Possibility & Enabling Signal Over Noise [00:02:06] The Hidden Cost of Too Much Choice [00:02:51] The Paradox of Choice [00:03:35] Shifting from Abundance to Constraint [00:04:16] The Decision Diet [00:05:02] Killing Good Ideas [00:05:37] Kill Criteria & ‘No’ Lists [00:06:26] From Strategy to Environment [00:06:40] The Noisy Room [00:07:10] The Cost of Constant Access [00:07:37] Signal Over Noise [00:08:14] Async & Expectations [00:08:52] Protecting Focus is a Leadership Signal About Creating Cadence: Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Productivity #FutureOfWork #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #SustainableBusiness #RegenerativeWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 23, 202613 min

97 - Creating Cadence - Rhythmic Weeks & Regenerative Work

In this episode 97 of Creating Cadence, we explore the hidden issue behind modern productivity struggles: time poverty caused by fragmentation , not lack of hours. From reactive schedules to intentional rhythm, learn how to design your week for clarity, creativity, and sustainable success with regenerative working practices and rhythmic weeks. This episode builds on Episode 96 (Inner Capacity & Performance Infrastructure) and introduces a powerful shift — from managing time to designing rhythmic weeks that support clarity, focus, and sustainable performance. You’ll also learn why even a simplified strategy isn’t enough if your system doesn’t support energy, and how regenerative working practices can help you build a business that doesn’t burn you out. Episode 97 - Key Ideas: Why feeling “busy but unproductive” is a design problem, not a discipline issue The real meaning of time poverty (and why it’s about fragmentation) Why most weeks are reactive, and how to redesign them How to structure a rhythmic week around energy and cognitive load The hidden cost of context switching and attention residue Why thinking time is essential infrastructure , not a luxury Why simplifying your strategy doesn’t solve burnout How to implement the 4Rs of regenerative work : Connect with Mich Website: creatingcadence.co Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com Book: thecadenceeffect.com About This Podcast: Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Productivity #FutureOfWork #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #SustainableBusiness #RegenerativeWork #RhythmicWeek Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

April 9, 20268 min

96 - Creating Cadence - Inner Capacity + Performance Infrastructure

What if the real bottleneck in your work isn’t lack of time, but your capacity to hold attention? Mich Bondesio explores the hidden cost of fragmented attention and why traditional productivity models are quietly draining our ability to think, lead, and create effectively. From the “invisible drain” of constant digital interruption to the deeper concept of inner capacity as performance infrastructure , this episode reframes productivity as a function of attention, energy, and recovery, not output alone. In episode 96, you’ll learn why: Busyness often masks a lack of meaningful progress Attention—not time—is your most valuable resource Deep, uninterrupted focus drives disproportionately better results Inner capacity directly impacts decision-making, leadership, and resilience Small, intentional resets can prevent overload and burnout This episode is a powerful reminder that sustainable performance isn’t about doing more—it’s about becoming someone who can think clearly, decide wisely, and create with depth. Connect with Mich Website: creatingcadence.co Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com Book: thecadenceeffect.com About This Podcast: Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Productivity #FutureOfWork #Leadership #BurnoutPrevention #IntentionalWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 24, 202619 min

95 - Creating Cadence - From Isolation to Integration

Mich Bondesio explores the hidden social cost of overwork and the paradox many founders and leaders face: being seen, but not truly known. Episode 95 unpacks how burnout doesn’t just exhaust you, it isolates you, and why the solution isn’t more networking, more visibility, or more doing. Instead, it’s something far more counterintuitive: subtraction. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why visibility doesn’t equal meaningful connection The difference between being seen vs being known How over-functioning erodes real relationships Why modern work creates “connection without depth” The role of strong ties vs weak ties in wellbeing and leadership Why loneliness is a design problem , not a personal failure The concept of a subtraction strategy in business and life How doing less can increase clarity, creativity, and connection Connect with Mich Website: creatingcadence.co Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com Book: thecadenceeffect.com About This Podcast: Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format hosted by Mich Bondesio, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Burnout #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FounderWellbeing #SustainableLeadership #CognitiveLoad #Resilience #FutureOfWork #Loneliness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

March 10, 202619 min

94 - Creating Cadence - Burnout as a Leadership Risk

Mich Bondesio explores why leadership burnout should be treated as a board-level risk rather than a personal failing. Most founders only talk about burnout after the crash. But burnout doesn't start with collapse, it starts with small signals we're trained to ignore. This is about redesigning for a more sustainable business and regenerative leadership style. In episode 94, we cover: Reframing burnout from weakness to risk The real cost of leadership burnout The hidden nervous system tax - Identity erosion and burnout Warning signs of burnout Understanding how your operating system overheats Practical Strategies for building resilience as infrastructure Using design to build more sustainable leadership Connect with Mich Website: creatingcadence.co Substack: creatingcadence.substack.com Book: thecadenceeffect.com About This Podcast Creating Cadence is a podcast about what it really takes to work well and live well in this fast-paced world. The focus is on re-imagining work and business for high-performing founders and teams, creatively-minded entrepreneurs, and purpose-driven business owners who want to make a meaningful impact without sacrificing themselves or their people to burnout, hustle, and overwork. Season 15 follows a monologue format, exploring burnout and overwork and why they have no place in the future of work. Produced by: Bondesio Media Available on: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Edited on: Descript Music: "Changing Their Minds" from Premium Beat #Burnout #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #FounderWellbeing #SustainableLeadership #NervousSystem #CognitiveLoad #Resilience #FutureOfWork Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 17, 202619 min

93 - Creating Cadence - The Hidden Hustle Tax

In Episode 93 of Creating Cadence , Mich Bondesio explores why burnout can keep happening at work — and why it’s not a personal failure. Building on the themes of Burning Bright ( ep. 91) and The Myth of More (ep. 92) , this episode zooms out to examine the invisible architecture of overwork. From hustle culture and digital distraction to decision fatigue and the “infinite workday,” Mich unpacks the hidden tax modern leaders are paying — not in money, but in attention. This episode introduces a powerful concept: your attention ratio — the measure of deep, high-value work versus reactive, fragmented busyness. In this episode: Why you’re not broken The invisible architecture of overwork The hidden hustle tax and the erosion of attention Decision fatigue and its impact on leadership quality Digital whiplash and context switching The trap of “always on” culture How to measure your attention ratio Four evidence-based practices to reclaim focus Key insight: Protecting your attention isn’t indulgent. It’s self-leadership. Links & Resources: Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com Website: https://creatingcadence.co Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com Produced by Bondesio Media. Edited on Descript. Season Music from Changing Their Minds, (Premium Beat) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

February 3, 202613 min

92 - Creating Cadence - The Myth of More

Mich Bondesio explores one of the most pervasive and damaging beliefs in modern work culture: the idea that more is always better. From growth-at-all-costs startups to mission-led entrepreneurs stuck in endless output cycles, the pressure to do more, scale faster, and push harder is everywhere. But as Mich explains, chasing more often comes at the cost of focus, wellbeing, creativity, and long-term business sustainability. Mich reframes enough as a powerful strategic decision, one that protects energy, sharpens priorities, and supports regenerative productivity. Links & Resources: Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com Website: https://creatingcadence.co Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com Produced by Bondesio Media. Edited on Descript. Season Music from Changing Their Minds, (Premium Beat) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

January 20, 202612 min

91 - Creating Cadence - Burning Bright or Burning Out

Mich Bondesio opens Season 15 with reflections on burnout and how to rebuild work and life without burning out again. This episode explores a quieter, often unspoken form of ambition: soul-fuelled ambition driven by purpose, care, and a desire to create meaningful impact. Mich shares her own lived experience of burnout and recovery, and why traditional productivity models fail humans who are deeply invested in their work. In this episode: The hidden dangers of “burning bright” in purpose-driven work How burnout shows up before collapse Why productivity was never the problem Performance vs pacing: why resilience without reflection is a trap Why work-life balance is a myth A new definition of productivity rooted in intention, values, and sustainability What Season 15 will explore: rebuilding after burnout and designing work that lasts Key insight: You don’t need to do more. You need to do more of what matters — with clarity, consistency, and care. Links & Resources: Substack: https://creatingcadence.substack.com Cadence Catalyst Mastermind: https://cadence.kit.com/cadence-catalyst Website: https://creatingcadence.co Book: https://thecadenceeffect.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.