

Best Laid Plans
Sarah Hart-Unger
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 39min
Planner Peace + Efficiency Hacks from Seasoned Professor Sarah McConnell EP 261
In this engaging discussion, Sarah McConnell, an Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Rochester, shares her academic planning secrets. She reveals her personal planner system and emphasizes the importance of templates and efficient time management strategies. Listeners will learn how to utilize tools like bullet journaling and the ProAction Planner to enhance productivity. McConnell also introduces her innovative 'breadcrumbs' note-taking approach, showcasing how past experiences can streamline future planning for both educators and students.

9 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 34min
Mental Load Expert Allison Daminger Answers Your Burning Questions About Planning and Household Management EP 260
Allison Daminger, a sociology professor and author on mental load, discusses the intricacies of household management and planning. She tackles listener questions about partners with different planning styles, including those with ADHD and unpredictable jobs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of effective communication and adaptability in sharing responsibilities. Allison also highlights strategies to navigate varying approaches to task division, making everyday routines more manageable while reducing stress in family dynamics.

7 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 28min
Real Talk: Podcast Behind the Scenes with Sarah EP 259
Sarah dives into the journey of creating her podcast, sparked by the challenges of 2020. She shares her criteria for selecting guests and sponsors, emphasizing authenticity and personal connections. Listeners get a glimpse of her unique recording setup in a closet and the bliss of cozy conversations with familiar faces. The discussion also touches on her experiences with Marathon Nutrition and how it reshaped her course design, highlighting the importance of community and flexibility in learning.

6 snips
Jul 7, 2025 • 24min
July Q&A: Airtight Task Capture, Planning Time Away from Work, and More! EP 258
In July's Q&A, listeners discover alternatives to overwhelming planning systems like Laurel Denise and Full Focus. There’s a deep dive into mastering task management and the Alistair Method for tackling unpredictable schedules. Sarah shares tips for structuring lighter work periods and emphasizes the importance of intentional planning during free time. Finally, strategies for balancing leisure and work are discussed, inviting listeners to reflect on their own planning methods.

22 snips
Jun 30, 2025 • 32min
Mid-Year Check In: Tips & Sarah's Own Midyear Review EP 257
Discover the power of a mid-year check-in as Sarah shares tips for reassessing your goals and accomplishments. She dives into her personal reading habits, aiming for 50 books a year and reveals strategies for tracking progress. Listeners will hear her candid reflections on personal and professional aspirations, acknowledging struggles while maintaining optimism for the rest of the year. Plus, learn about a guided planning video that could help in setting up for next year's success!

10 snips
Jun 23, 2025 • 30min
June Q&A: Planner Swapping, Partner/Friend Planning Dilemmas, Planning with Unpredictable Time Blocks, Planners for Tweens/Teens with ADHD, and More EP 256
In this engaging Q&A discussion, listeners learn practical strategies for effective planning amidst constant interruptions. The host shares tips on handling planner transitions smoothly midyear. Relationships take center stage as communication techniques are explored for couples facing planning conflicts. The challenges of dealing with friends who struggle to commit to plans are addressed, along with ADHD-friendly planner recommendations for tweens. It's a treasure trove of advice for anyone navigating the chaos of life!

12 snips
Jun 16, 2025 • 28min
Travel Planning: Strategic Planning + Anticipatory Fun at Every Time Horizon EP 255
Discover innovative strategies for travel planning across multiple time horizons, from decades to daily activities. Learn how to tailor trips to fit family dynamics, budgets, and schedules. Gain insights into optimizing travel experiences through group trips and using travel points effectively. Hear personal anecdotes about the logistics of seasonal travel and the importance of flexibility in plans. Lastly, explore ways to build anticipation and document memories creatively while embracing the journey!

6 snips
Jun 9, 2025 • 32min
Where Planning Meets Etiquette with Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute EP 254
Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of etiquette icon Emily Post and co-president of the Emily Post Institute, shares her insights on planning and etiquette. She discusses her favorite planning tools and rituals, offering tips for managing group plans and overcoming planner fatigue. Lizzie emphasizes the importance of clear communication and inclusivity in social gatherings, while also exploring the creativity in paper-based planning. Plus, she highlights the challenges and joys of balancing etiquette with modern technology.

30 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 31min
10 Quirky Planning Habits that Might Work for You! EP 253
The host dives into ten quirky planning habits that can revolutionize your routine. From tracking strategies to the clever use of defaults, these tips aim to simplify life. Listeners will also hear a heartfelt follow-up about managing tasks when thoughts pop up away from their planner. Emphasizing seasonal shifts, the discussion touches on family traditions to celebrate milestones and the excitement of a new book project. Overall, it's a refreshing take on enhancing productivity while embracing personal wellness!

25 snips
May 26, 2025 • 32min
Monthly Planning Rhythms + Completist Mini-Review EP 252
Explore the transformative power of monthly planning and how it can spark a fresh start. Discover practical tips for breaking down big projects, setting meaningful goals, and tracking habits. Learn how simple rituals, like changing screen backgrounds, can boost motivation. Dive into creative extras like budgeting and fitness ideas to create a balanced life. Plus, hear about the latest planners from The Completist that cater to all your organizational needs!