Welcome to Best Laid Plans -- a podcast all about planning and the planning tools we love. From planning techniques and organizing philosophies to planners and notebooks, we cover it all. Host Sarah Hart-Unger is a mother of 3, physician, podcasting pro, and a lover of lists and all things paper! Listen in weekly for conversations about planning and productivity as well as product reviews and interviews with planning experts!
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Love your career? Love your family? Best of Both Worlds is the show for you! Hosts Laura Vanderkam, author of I Know How She Does It and a mom of five, and Sarah Hart-Unger, a practicing physician and mom of three, discuss work/life balance, career development, parenting, time management, productivity, and making time for fun. Tune in each week for strategies to help you thrive in all spheres of life.
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Would You Rather . . . EP 371
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Today is a fun but also thought-provoking episode -- Sarah and Laura chose "would you rather?" questions to pose to each other, and both the questions and answers provide a lot of interesting fodder for thought and reflection! Would YOU choose to be more attractive or more intelligent (and what did the hosts pick)? Would you rather work the job you…
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Mixed Bag Ep: Planner Peace, Planner News, and Dealing with Stressful / Uncertain Times EP 215
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It's a Mixed Bag Ep! In part 1, Sarah shares a Planner Peace segment from Meredith that covers multiple facets of planning - personal, family, goal setting, and life! Products mentioned are Laurel Denise, Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets, a Family Teams wall calendar, and a Hemlock & Oak Daily. Family Teams: https://shop.familyteams.com/products/…
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Insider College Admissions Advice with Alice Chen, Expert Coach and BrightStory Founder EP 370
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In the intro, Sarah and Laura discuss memories of college applications. There may or may not have been typewriters involved! Then, Laura welcomes Alice Chen, BrightStory founder and top college admissions counselor to chat about all things college admissions, from building a narrative that makes sense to viewing the process as an opportunity for te…
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How to Build More Intentionality Into Your Life EP 214
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In today's episode, Sarah explores the concept of intentionality. She discussed examples and ways we can unknowingly live without much intention and then suggests strategies (large and small) to promote more intentional living. Things to think about: - Career autopilot/drift - Responding to others' expectations - Saying yes to everything - Failing …
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Celebrating 7 Years of BOBW! EP 369
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Happy birthday to the podcast! Laura and Sarah share their memories from the very beginnings of BOBW, and then reminisce and discuss favorite episodes from the past. They share their biggest surprises, favorite guest eps, favorite conversation eps, and then Laura ends with a piece on the "why" behind the podcast -- illustrating how women can love t…
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August Q&A: Inbox Zero, Big Projects, Working Speed, Mindfulness, and More! EP: 213
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It's August's Q&A episode! Join Sarah as she tackles listener questions and comments. Topics include: - an inbox zero success story - approaching nebulous//large projects such as book writing - what does it mean to "work faster" compared to others - thoughts on the Organize 365 Sunday Basket system (Sarah has one!) - teaching planning and organizin…
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Long Weekend with Little Kids: A Survival Guide EP 368
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss the challenges of long weekends home with young kids! These longs stretches of unstructured time can be really challenging when kids are young (babies / toddlers / preschoolers) and so Laura and Sarah share practical strategies to improve your little-kid weekend outlook. In the Q&A, a listener asks: Havin…
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Mixed Bag: PTO Tracking, Post-Vacation Analysis + 2025 Planner Preview (Hobonichi + More) EP 212
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It's a Mixed Bag ep! Topics covered: 1- PTO Spreadsheet - inspired by my friend Kae (gratefulkae.com) 2- Vacation Postmortem! Consider doing a post-trip analysis with a partner. Can also extend to other home areas (summer, a school year, a holiday season, etc!) 3- Two upcoming books I’m excited about - Kendra Adachi’s The Plan and Oliver Burkeman’s…
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Back to School: 2024 Edition EP 367
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Laura and Sarah celebrate back-to-school season with a discussion of all things school-related! They share their own kids' school stages and transitions, and Laura shares a little bit about what it is like to have a college senior (and driving teen with parking permit!). They discuss lunches, back to school shopping, activities, and more. In the Q&…
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Quintile 4 + Q&A Deep Dive: Sticking to Your Plan EP 211
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Today's episode features a discussion of all things related to Quintile 4, the season after summer! Sarah features some back to school discussion, but there she also addresses some non-school-related shifts in the season as well as future planning to think about. Then, she dives into a listener query about sticking to plans -- how do you stick to y…
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Digital Decluttering with Amanda Jefferson EP 366
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with the state of their own digital clutter. Then, Amanda joins Sarah to discuss all things digital decluttering as well as her very simple yet powerful method of brain dumping via Google Sheet. Some notes referenced: Cleaner Kit App for photo cleanup iPhone: swipe notifications --> options --> turn off Aman…
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You Only Die Once: Mortality, Planning, and So Much More with Jodi Wellman EP 210
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In today's episode, Sarah interviews Jodi Wellman on her work on mortality and how the concept of death / our finite lives can inspire living a life with vitality, meaning, and -- for lack of a better term, more "aliveness." Jodi holds a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and spent years exploring and applying these tough topics to help others …
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Design Your Ideal Work Week EP 365
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Today's episode is all about designing your work week! Sarah was given some leeway to choose her clinical days for next year, sparking a whole discussion about strategies once might use to intentionally craft a weekly work rhythm. Laura and Sarah discuss choices that might be made when choosing a part-time schedule or a hybrid WFH/in-office schedul…
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Best Laid Plans Academy: Honing Your Planning Systems at Every Level EP 209
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In today's episode, Sarah discusses her flagship planning course, Best Laid Plans Academy, as she prepares the launch the fourth round (the first in 2024!). She discusses takeaways from prior rounds, why this material works in a course format, and shares the course topics and logistics. To learn more, visit theshubox.com/courses; signup information…
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Rest and Trading Off (A Manifesto!) EP 364
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah talk all about REST. They talk about the realities on rest and leisure time as well ways to really enjoy the downtime we do have. Then, they focus on the idea of trading off parenting duties so that (in two-parent homes) BOTH partners can enjoy some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. They discuss common challenge…
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July Q&A: Planner Peace x 2, Task Management on Paper, Notetaking, and More! EP 208
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In today's episode, Sarah answers questions sent in the last month! First, she opens with two Planner Peace submissions. Then, she answers questions on task management on paper, email management (how long does it REALLY take to clear an inbox?), handling major schedule changes in an already complicated life, and notetaking. Keep your questions comi…
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Mailbag! Podcasting/business questions, back-to-work advice, dream travel destinations, and more! EP 363
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat live, answering listener questions about a variety of topics! Topics include: - all about the podcast itself (the time it takes, division of labor, etc) - advice for returning to work part time - dream travel destinations - thoughts about future child care arrangements - ways to address loaded questions at w…
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Planners, Goals, and Fun with MakseLife Founder Sierra Friend EP 207
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In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sierra Friend, creator and head of MakseLife, a major player in the planner universe today! She discusses how her line of planners came to be, what sets them apart in the market, her thoughts on goal setting, and much more! Teen planning printable discussed in the episode (free!): https://makselife.com/collectio…
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Intentional Subtraction with Amy Laski of the Difference Lab EP 362
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In today's episode, Sarah interviews Amy Laski of the Difference Lab., and they discuss the idea of intentional subtraction -- removing things rather than just shuffling priorities or succumbing to "cram-it-all-in syndrome". Sarah and Laura discuss their own thoughts on this concept, and then Amy joins Sarah to provide her in-depth perspective on t…
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Summer Reading: Reading Habits, TBR Lists, Paper vs Digital, and Favorites of 2024 (so far!) EP206
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In today's episode, Sarah talks all about one of her favorite hobbies -- reading! She discusses her own reading journey over the years and then talks about the practical side: reading routines, to-be-read list management, library holds, physical vs digital, abandoning books, and more! Finally, she shares her top 10 books (so far) in 2024! Detailed …
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The Best Career Advice and Much More with Jessi Hempel EP 361
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of how much their own jobs have changed in the last decade. Then, Laura interviews Jessi Hempel, host of the Hello Monday Podcast on navigating work/life issues, and they also discuss how parenting roles and expectations might be different (or not!) in a two-mom or two-dad household. In the…
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July 1 is the New January 1? Your Virtual Midyear Retreat EP 205
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In today's episode, Sarah shares 10 questions to help you think through the rest of 2024! Sit back, grab a notebook and your favorite pens, and plan along with her -- or do a whole day of planning and dreaming at your own DIY retreat! Either way, this episode will get you inspired for your July 1st fresh start. BOBW Midyear Check In Ep: https://lau…
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Mid-Year Check In 2024! EP 360
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In their traditional midyear episode, Laura and Sarah share progress (or lack thereof, as it may apply!) on 2024 goals, halfway in. They discuss goals in the domains off work, relationships/family, and personal/self, as well as provide updates on daily habits + long term goals. In the Q&A, they address a common question as to where they KEEP all of…
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Thoughts on Time Block Planning EP 204
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In today's episode, Sarah shares thoughts on Time Block planning, a method suggested by Cal Newport, among others. She names pros, cons, and shares her own approach. She also discusses her recent decision to entirely eliminate Reddit scrolling from her life. Resources: Episode that inspired today's Time Block Planning Discussion is here: https://ww…
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Summer Struggles: Bedtime, Bathing Suits, Bugs & Beyond EP 359
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In today's episode, Sarah and Laura tackle some common struggles, starting with BEDTIME. They discuss struggles and strategies in each category, including bathing suit shopping, summer uniforms, kids' summer assignments, screen time dilemmas, and more. In the Q&A, a listener already thinking about *next* academic year writes in asking about creatin…
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June Q + A: Working in Distracting Environments, Budget Planning, Mental Health and More EP 203
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In today's episode, Sarah provides a mini life update and then answers questions that have come from listeners over the past month! Topics/questions include: - Tips for working in distracting conditions - Ideas for budget planning - how does Sarah use YNAB? - What happens when when attempted morning planning sessions get derailed (by a kid, by illn…
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Modern Friendship with Anna Goldfarb EP 358
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Sarah and Laura open today's episode discussing the ways that they keep their friendships (both near + far-flung) alive. Then, Laura interviews Anna Goldfarb, author of Modern Friendship (released just last week!) -- a practical look at how to make and strengthen friendships as an adult in the current very digital world. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah…
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Summer Ideas + Inspiration EP 202
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In today's episode, Sarah shares some ideas and inspiration for your summer -- some of it a little bit outside of the typical (summer cleaning, anyone?). Topics discussed: - Sharing the load of summer planning and fun-making - Summer checklists . . . not just for kids - Summer fun ideas for less than ideal weather - Summer habit / routine changes -…
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Myths of Working Parenthood EP 357
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In today's episode, Laura and Sarah do a deep analysis of some common myths about working parenthood, from "A stranger will raise your baby!" to "You'll never get any free time every again" to "I can't take on this leadership role, I have (insert # here) kids!" -- and many more. This episode goes out especially to anyone just beginning their parent…
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Planning-Adjacent: A Marathon Journey EP 201
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In today's episode, Sarah shares her recent marathon journey, from goal-setting (a looooong time ago!) to the tools and routines that supported her training to the race itself. Episode Sponsors: Jenni Kayne: Find your new uniform at jennikayne.com. Get 15% off your first order when you use code plans at checkout! Earth Breeze: Effective liquidless …
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Parenting in the Teen Years with Ellen Galinsky EP 356
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In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open with a discussion of teen parenting (mostly with Laura's experience so far!) and then Sarah interviews Ellen Galinsky, longtime researcher and author about all things related to teenhood, as inspired by Galinsky's recent book: The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens. One…
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May Q&A: Margins, Travel, Laurel Denise Planners, and Avoiding That "Am I Missing Something?" Feeling EP 200
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In today's episode, Sarah answers questions + shares some listener tips sent during the month of May! Topics include: - Laurel Denise Planners (question from a mom/healthcare provider with a lot going on!). Link to prior mini review: https://theshubox.com/2022/12/blp-ep-123-4-2023-planner-mini-reviews.html - Travel -- packing list tips, Wanderlog a…
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Conquer the World in 40 Hours a Week EP 355
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Today's episode is all about building career capital and raising your profile without working around the clock. Sarah and Laura discuss their own work hours, and then discuss strategies in 4 categories listed below: - Building a schedule that prioritizes space for the important - Minimizing other work and making life sustainable - Paying into caree…
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