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In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard chats with Steven Puri, a former Hollywood studio executive turned entrepreneur. Steven has worked on blockbuster films like Independence Day and Transformers, but today he's focused on helping remote workers stay productive, happy, and focused through his company, Sukha.
Steven shares his personal journey and what led him to rethink productivity. Instead of chasing long hours and constant hustle, he now believes in working with intention and finding flow. He talks about how our environment, like having a creative workspace, can really boost performance. Drawing from his Hollywood background, he explains how the same creative principles can apply to remote work.
The conversation also dives into Sukha, an AI-powered tool he created to help people manage overwhelm. It helps users stay focused by organizing tasks, using music to encourage deep work, and creating simple, structured workflows.
Throughout the episode, you'll hear plenty of practical tips, like how to mentally "commute" to your home office, how to work in sync with your body's natural energy patterns (your chronotype), and how to use AI as a support tool rather than a replacement for creativity.
What We Discuss
[02:01] Introduction to Steven Puri
[05:49] Evolution of productivity: Then vs. now
[09:22] Steven's film industry background
[11:24] Legacy and meaningful work
[12:47] Flow state: Hollywood lessons for remote work
[16:48] Environmental triggers and productivity barriers
[19:44] Morning routines and focus
[21:54] Leadership lessons from film for remote teams
[28:30] Chronotypes and personal productivity rhythms
[30:20] Maintaining boundaries in remote work
[33:35] AI and the future of remote productivity
[36:44] How to connect with Steven
Notable Quotes
[07:40] "Now, I really measure my productivity by the effect, not by how many hours I work." – Steven Puri
[08:39] "I was just burning the candle at both ends and being really productive, but after I recovered, I realized I was more productive by being mindful and intentional." – Gerald J. Leonard
[21:47] "You talk a lot about purpose and intention. These are powerful. When you apply them, powerful things happen." – Steven Puri
[24:28] "It's always about the other thing. The part of your mind that does the cool, 'ooh, peanut butter and chocolate' — that can only function when you have something else to focus on." – Steven Puri
[35:33] "It's not AI that's replacing you. It's people who know how to use AI. Because someone who really understands how to use it can do the work of 10 to 20 people." – Steven Puri
Our Guest
Steven Puri is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company with the mission to help millions of people find their focus, achieve more and have a healthy work life. Steven's career started as a newscaster/interviewer for the #1 youth news show in the DC/Baltimore market (on WTTG-TV) and then as a junior software engineer & Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM. After attending USC in Los Angeles, he began working in film production and produced computer-generated visual effects for 14 movies including Independence Day which won the Academy Award for Visual Effects.