
Best Laid Plans
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!
Latest episodes

14 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 26min
Spring Planner Releases + Thinking About Summer EP 246
Spring brings exciting new planner releases from popular brands like Erin Condren and Simplified, each offering unique designs. As summer approaches, there’s a strong emphasis on pre-planning to create a fulfilling experience, especially for parents. Listeners can expect practical tips for maintaining healthy habits, planning activities, and adjusting routines to ensure a relaxed atmosphere. With insights on tailoring summer wardrobes and scheduling, this episode is all about fostering a joyful summer amid the busy season!

25 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 24min
The Gap Between Planning and Doing EP 245
Navigating the tricky terrain between planning and execution can be a struggle. Insights into burnout and mental overload reveal how they stifle productivity, while practical strategies help tackle intimidation in task management. Personal stories illustrate the psychological barriers that make action challenging, and solutions emphasize breaking down projects into achievable steps. Reflection and accountability are highlighted as key to overcoming obstacles and ensuring plans become reality.

Mar 31, 2025 • 25min
10 Benefits of Planning That Have Nothing to Do With Productivity EP 244
Planning is about more than just getting things done. It can significantly reduce stress and enhance creativity. Dive into the unexpected joys of planning, like fostering self-discovery and personal growth. Reflective planning sessions can lead to deeper self-awareness and even inspire career shifts. Embrace a more intentional approach that not only organizes your tasks but also enriches your relationships and overall well-being. Discover all the fun benefits that effective planning can bring to your life!

4 snips
Mar 24, 2025 • 25min
Recovery Routine, New Planners, and Amazing Answers to the "Too Many Tabs!" Question EP 243
A journey of personal recovery takes center stage, emphasizing the value of supportive routines and community. The conversation dives into reflections on goal-setting and gentle planning practices. Exciting new planners for 2025 get a mini-review, showcasing tools for enhanced organization. Finally, they tackle the stress of overwhelming reading materials, offering tips to streamline browser tabs and embrace guilt-free consumption. It's a blend of self-care, planning, and practical solutions!

Mar 17, 2025 • 29min
Planning Your Spring: Quintile 2 Planning Deep Dive Bonus Replay EP 242
Discover the joy of spring planning with strategies to alleviate stress through daily organization. Explore meal planning tools like PrepDish and engaging educational resources such as IXL. Dive into the unique challenges of the second quintile of the academic year, especially for those in the Southern Hemisphere. The discussion also covers significant events like graduations and practical steps for spring cleaning. Get ready to balance fun and responsibilities while setting actionable goals for the lively season ahead!

Mar 10, 2025 • 20min
Unexpected Things Happen: Sarah's Current Challenges EP 241
A common question sent into BLP is about planning in the face of hard things or uncertainty. This episode is a raw/current one about some challenges Sarah is going through now and how she is going to try to handle them. Please note: this episode was recorded from a hospital room with no special mic so the sound quality might be a little different.Episode Sponsors:Green Chef: Thrive all year with clean, easy meals from Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidfree and use code bestlaidfree for free salads for 2 months plus 50% off your first box!PrepDish: Convenient meal plans, recipes, and shopping lists to reduce your weekly mental load! Visit prepdish.com/plans for your first 2 weeks, FREEMint Mobile: Low-cost wireless phone service – a great way to save every single month! Learn more at mintmobile.com/BLPIXL: Tailored and effective online learning (my kids have used this for years as part of their school curriculum)! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at IXL.com/PLANS. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 3, 2025 • 40min
Intentional + Sisterly Planning with Azizi and Malika of the Happier Ladies! EP 240
In a lively chat, sisters Azizi Williams and Malika Amandi, co-hosts of the Happier Ladies podcast, dive into their love for planning and goal setting. They share their favorite tools and personal productivity hacks, exploring both digital and traditional methods. The duo highlights the significance of daily rituals and accountability, especially within their sisterly bond. They also discuss the impact of their innovative 25 for 25 list and the collaborative spirit that fuels their podcast, inspiring listeners to embrace their own planning journeys.

Feb 24, 2025 • 27min
February Q&A: Planning for the Family, Managing Goals Lists + Big Projects, Planning in Pregnancy, and Keeping Track of Things You Want to Read (Eventually) EP 239
This episode dives into planning challenges for family events like birthdays and camps, offering practical strategies. Expectant parents receive tips on navigating pregnancy and postpartum planning. The discussion also covers how to integrate extensive goal lists seamlessly. For the busy working parent, there are insights on fitting in a morning planning routine. Plus, discover efficient ways to organize reading materials beyond just books. It's all about balancing life’s complexities with effective planning!

Feb 17, 2025 • 26min
Top 10 Tools: Planning & Planning Adjacent Favorites EP 238
Dive into the world of planning with top favorites like Kokuyo Campus Notebooks and Uniball Jetstream pens for that perfect writing experience! Discover how Zebra Mildliners can add color to your organization. Learn about essential apps like Apple's Screen Time for managing time effectively. Meal planning gets easier with PrepDish and Green Chef, perfect for busy families. Plus, uncover tools to enhance educational experiences for kids. Join the conversation and find out how these favorites can transform your planning routine!

Feb 10, 2025 • 28min
Morning Routines + Some Exciting News EP 237
Dive into the art of morning routines, where personal sleep needs meet daily responsibilities. Discover insights on how to design a fulfilling start to your day with meditation, exercise, and daily planning. The host shares exciting news about an upcoming book release focused on simple planning strategies. Explore how morning routines adapt through various life stages, especially in early parenthood, and learn to customize practices that balance self-care with responsibilities!
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