Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir Talks About Intuition, Attention, and Inner Alignment

What does it mean to truly listen to your intuition—and why is that more vital than ever in today’s overstimulated world? In this episode of A Productive Conversation, I’m joined by Hrund Gunnsteinsdóttir: Icelandic thought leader, author, and director of the documentary InnSæi: The Power of Intuition. Her new book, InnSæi: Icelandic Wisdom for Turbulent Times, explores the art and science of tapping into your deepest knowing—and how to protect it from modern noise. We discuss the Icelandic concept of “InnSæi,” which translates to “the sea within,” and unpack what it looks like to live and work in alignment with that quiet inner compass. From managing burnout to navigating complexity with grace, Hrund’s insights offer a refreshing call to reconnect with the deeper wisdom already within us. Six Discussion PointsWhat “InnSæi” really means—and why it goes far beyond the word “intuition”How to recognize and rebuild trust in your own judgmentThe danger of becoming biased against your own intelligenceWhy attention is the key to accessing intuition (and how to protect it)How journaling reveals patterns that intuition already sensesFinding alignment in a world that demands speed, certainty, and results Three Connection PointsWatch InnSæi: The Power of IntuitionHrund’s WebsiteListen to APC Episode 475: Megan Hyatt Miller talks about Minding Your Mindset This conversation with Hrund reminded me how easy it is to lose track of our inner compass in the noise of modern life—and how powerful it can be when we stop, breathe, and listen to the quiet voice within. Her work beautifully bridges the poetic and the practical. I hope it helps you, as it did me, recalibrate what productivity really means. Grab My New Book: The Productivity Diet: A Practical Guide to Nurturing your Productive Potential If you’re looking to build a sustainable, personalized productivity practice that actually sticks, my latest book is for you. It’s available now—wherever books are sold. Learn more at mikevardy.com/lit or request it at your favorite local bookstore.