Best of Both Worlds Podcast

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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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469 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes469

Newest first

Jan 14, 2025 · 45 min
Reading Habits + Book Talk with Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast EP 389
If you're looking to increase your reading in 2025, today's episode is for you!. Sarah and Laura discuss their reading habits and the Traci Thomas joins Sarah to discuss all things books, from reading habits during busy seasons (Traci has twins!), curating your reading lists, getting out of ruts, tracking reading, and much more. In the Q&A, a listener asks about the logistics of having overnight care for a couples getaway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jan 7, 2025 · 37 min
Winter Fun & A Time Tracking Challenge EP 388
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss their ideas for a Winter Fun list, even though they definitely have different winter climate experiences. Then, Laura introduces this year's Time Tracking Challenge! Sarah asks Laura questions about her time tracking practices, from methods to insights gained. Laura invites listeners to join her in tracking a week in January - visit her website for details (http://lauravanderkam.com)! In the Q&A, a listener asks if it's really necessary to start thinking about summer camp now . . . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 31, 2024 · 38 min
2025 Goals Extravaganza! EP 387
It's that time of here - here comes the annual goals ep, just in time for 2025! Today, Sarah and Laura share their 2025 goals (in mostly-finalized form) in several domains: personal, work, relationships, and home! In the Q&A, they discuss how often they review their own lists: seasonally or more? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 24, 2024 · 44 min
2024 in Review: Highlights, Lowlights, and Goals Report EP 386
It's the annual "look back" episode, covering 2024 in review! Sarah and Laura share their 2024 highlights, lowlights, and do a detailed reviews of the goals they set one year ago (and shared on the show!). Find out how close they came to their stated goals (spoiler: nailed it in some areas, not so much in others), and stay tuned for next week when they share goals for 2025! Domains discussed included personal, work, relationships, and household. In the Q&A, they answer a question about the role of house manager. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 17, 2024 · 46 min
Kid-Friendly Adventures Abroad with Travel Expert Oneika Raymond EP 385
Laura and Sarah open by discussing the top trips they've ever taken with kids, and whether they ever dreamed of living abroad. Then, Sarah interviews Oneika Raymond! Known as Oneika the Traveller, she is an Emmy-award-winning journalist, speaker, and TV host with a passion for travel and sharing all about it! She has a 5-year old, and shares tips, best destinations, and what she has learned over the years of including her daughter in her adventures starting from a young age. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for ideas to get through a long winter break sans childcare! (Episode referenced: https://lauravanderkam.com/2024/08/best-of-both-worlds-podcast-long-weekends-with-little-kids-survival-guide/ ) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 10, 2024 · 32 min
Little Life Hacks: Small Actions that Make the Rest of Life Easier EP 384
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah record live together! They take turns alternating their favorite life hacks, from the philosophical (be okay repeating certain things, if you love them) to the mundane (keyboard shortcuts and apps)! In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about activities for tweens and teens - what are some things this age group will be excited to do with the family? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 3, 2024 · 46 min
Organizing Your Home and Beyond with Shira Gill EP 383
In today’s episode, Sarah chats with Shira Gill, author of LifeStyled, out this week about all things organizing. Shira shares all about her philosophy of “edit then elevate”, and discusses cataloguing all of her belongings, and her advice for getting started w a big intimidating organizing project! In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about management of tasks that need to happen “soonish”, but not necessarily on a defined date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 26, 2024 · 39 min
Design Your Holiday 2024! EP 382
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things holiday planning, including the idea of going in to plan your holiday season with a 'blank slate' mindset - choosing things to do NOT just based on what you've done before, but because at least someone enjoys them! Laura notes that tradition itself does have value, so likely the things you've done over and over will carry more weight, but nothing necessarily needs to feel 'required'. They discuss various ideas and their own decisions about this year's holiday season in categories: hosting, cooking fancy meals, cards, gifts, parties, decor, and more! In terms of planning next year, Sarah shares two fun options if you'd like a guided planning experience: Detailed 4 hr sessions (with workbook) in Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 (https://theshubox.com/courses) OR 1 hour visioning/planning 2025 session that will definitely get you started at the BOBW Patreon: (http://patreon.com/bestofbothworldspod) In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura note which gifts they would choose for themselves :) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 19, 2024 · 37 min
Lighten Your Mental Load EP 381
Today's episode brings you lots of ideas for lightening your own mental load. Sarah and Laura share their own current 'mental load' challenges, and then Laura shares 7 tips that you might consider if you're looking to feel less overwhelmed by the cognitive and emotional effort it takes to manage life. Strategies discussed include writing things down (always!), batching, automation, embracing vertical ownership, encouraging kids to be independent, spending out when it will help your mental peace, and the all-time favorite: care less. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about what the best high-paying AND flexible jobs are. (Interesting question with no straightforward answer!) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 12, 2024 · 50 min
The Kids ARE All Right: Enjoying Parenting with Less Stress with Gabrielle Blair EP380
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of what they wishes parents could be less stressed about (or fixated on, as the case may be!). Then, Sarah interviews Gabrielle Blair, longtime (18 yrs!) blogger at Design Mom and coauthor of The Kids Are All Right, along with her husband. Gabrielle feels strongly that current parents worry too much about some of the wrong things, and offers her valuable perspective as a mom of 6. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about kids' activities - is it true that one has to develop soccer talents as a toddler to play in high school? Do the hosts wish they had pushed their kids more in younger childhood? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 5, 2024 · 39 min
168 Hours of Meals: We All Have to Eat! EP 379
Need a break from politics? In today's episode, Laura and Sarah provide a 'palate cleanser' of sorts in the form of 168 hours of food! It's always interesting to hear what "real people" do in the everyday, and so this episode captures the minute of 1 week of meals from each of them. It's pumpkin season. . . does this popular fall flavor make an appearance? Listen to find out! In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah share their favorite cookbooks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 29, 2024 · 40 min
Plannerpalooza V2.0: Your 2025 Planner Guide! EP 378
If you are trying to decide on a planner for 2025, you are in luck! Sarah provides guidelines for choosing a planner for 2025, and Laura shares her current planning systems as well. They discuss various choices/preferences that will dictate options available, some popular brands to consider, and more! In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering what the highest costs are in raising teens. Please note that most of the things discussed are absolutely optional, but they will give you an idea of what teens may ask for and what you may want to provide! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 22, 2024 · 35 min
Getting Outdoors with Kids Featuring Sara McCarty EP 377
Are you an "outdoorsy" family? Would you like to enjoy nature with kids more than you do right now? In this episode, Laura interviews Sarah McCarty, head of Run Wild My Child, to learn tactics for getting outside together, even if it isn't your family's natural inclination. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about Halloween costumes -- how do you handle it when kids change their minds? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 15, 2024 · 38 min
Fall Favorites + Energy Ideas EP 376
Today's episode is an expanded Love of the Week in multiple categories, from personal care to clothing to kids' stuff and household goods, with some of the items fall themed or inspired. Then, Sarah and Laura answer a listener question related to energy management as a toddler parent (doing lots of solo parenting, to boot!). Finally, they share their thoughts on a bonus Q&A on common time derailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 8, 2024 · 37 min
Doing Good Together: Kind Acts as a Family with MiaLisa Millares EP 375
Laura and Sarah open with a brief discussion of the ways their kids have been exposed to service and volunteer work, and then Laura interviews MiaLisa Millares, mom of 3 and executive director of Doing Good Together, a national nonprofit based in Minneapolis that equips families with tools to raise kids who care and contribute. In the Q&A segment, a listener expresses (understandable!!) frustration about not being able to reliably obtain childcare, despite spending a lot of time and energy on the issue. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 1, 2024 · 35 min
Mixed Bag: New routines, whining, and preschool vs daycare EP 374
It's a mixed bag episode! Sarah and Laura open by sharing a bit about their current routines now that the school year has been in full swing for a few weeks. Then, they discuss all things whining, from the inevitability to tips to help tone it down. Finally, they address a great (and interesting!) question from a listener about the merits of preschool vs daycare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 24, 2024 · 47 min
Getting Kids to Notice + Contribute with Sam Kelly, Creator of Little Cycle Breakers EP 373
Sam Kelly is a therapist turned course creator with a passion for getting kids to NOTICE and contribute to household management. Sarah and Laura discuss their own current statuses in this realm, and then Sam joins Sarah for the interview portion of the episode. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking how to manage teens not wanting to participate in as many family activities, in part because they are busy with school and their own stuff? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 17, 2024 · 42 min
Nobody Cares About Your Career with Erika Ayers Badan EP 372
To open, Laura and Sarah talk about previous visions for their own career. Then, in the interview portion Erika Ayers Badan shares some fascinating ideas around work and what it takes to build a career that is truly fun and fulfilling -- she and Sarah discuss failure, boss challenges, coming back from maternity leave, and much more. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about career coaches. Are they useful, and if so, how do you find a good one? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 10, 2024 · 38 min
Would You Rather . . . EP 371
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 have now for a year at double pay, or take a year off with regular pay? . . . and many others. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for a "permission slip" to outsource cleaning even though her current hourly rate is less than that of a service. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sep 3, 2024 · 41 min
Insider College Admissions Advice with Alice Chen, Expert Coach and BrightStory Founder EP 370
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 teens to learn valuable life skills. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about paying for college. Find more from Alice and BrightStory here: http://www.brightstory.info/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Best of Both Worlds Podcast

Reading Habits + Book Talk with Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast EP 389

Winter Fun & A Time Tracking Challenge EP 388

2025 Goals Extravaganza! EP 387

2024 in Review: Highlights, Lowlights, and Goals Report EP 386

Kid-Friendly Adventures Abroad with Travel Expert Oneika Raymond EP 385

Little Life Hacks: Small Actions that Make the Rest of Life Easier EP 384

Organizing Your Home and Beyond with Shira Gill EP 383

Design Your Holiday 2024! EP 382

Lighten Your Mental Load EP 381

The Kids ARE All Right: Enjoying Parenting with Less Stress with Gabrielle Blair EP380

168 Hours of Meals: We All Have to Eat! EP 379

Plannerpalooza V2.0: Your 2025 Planner Guide! EP 378

Getting Outdoors with Kids Featuring Sara McCarty EP 377

Fall Favorites + Energy Ideas EP 376

Doing Good Together: Kind Acts as a Family with MiaLisa Millares EP 375

Mixed Bag: New routines, whining, and preschool vs daycare EP 374

Getting Kids to Notice + Contribute with Sam Kelly, Creator of Little Cycle Breakers EP 373

Nobody Cares About Your Career with Erika Ayers Badan EP 372

Would You Rather . . . EP 371

Insider College Admissions Advice with Alice Chen, Expert Coach and BrightStory Founder EP 370