

The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms
Kelly Nolan
Ready for a time management approach that is actually designed for professional working women – ones that help you lighten the mental load, draw boundaries with more confidence, focus on the important (not just urgent) stuff at work, and be present with friends and family?
Podcast host, Kelly Nolan, an attorney-turned-time management strategist, mom of two, and creator of the Bright Method™, delivers practical, realistic time management strategies tailored for busy professional women, working moms, and ambitious women juggling careers and home life.
We cover topics like:
How to time-block in a way that actually works and avoid common time-blocking mistakes,
How to manage the mental load around all of our roles at work and at home,
How to handle work deadlines with less stress and scramble,
How to keep distractions in check, from social media to people swinging by your office, and
How to plan in a realistic way so you can feel on top of it all and avoid overcommitment.
Whether you're a lawyer, physician, executive, woman in corporate, professor, entrepreneur, or any woman navigating a full plate, this podcast gives you tools to design a sustainable system that works for your real life—not a Pinterest-perfect version of it.
Follow now, and let's get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.
Podcast host, Kelly Nolan, an attorney-turned-time management strategist, mom of two, and creator of the Bright Method™, delivers practical, realistic time management strategies tailored for busy professional women, working moms, and ambitious women juggling careers and home life.
We cover topics like:
How to time-block in a way that actually works and avoid common time-blocking mistakes,
How to manage the mental load around all of our roles at work and at home,
How to handle work deadlines with less stress and scramble,
How to keep distractions in check, from social media to people swinging by your office, and
How to plan in a realistic way so you can feel on top of it all and avoid overcommitment.
Whether you're a lawyer, physician, executive, woman in corporate, professor, entrepreneur, or any woman navigating a full plate, this podcast gives you tools to design a sustainable system that works for your real life—not a Pinterest-perfect version of it.
Follow now, and let's get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2025 • 27min
117. For my All-or-Nothing Thinkers (🙋🏻♀️)
This one is for my all-or-nothing thinkers. The ones who think, "If I can't do it exactly like I think I should, then what's even the point??" Been there (and still go there sometimes). Let's discuss about how this approach holds us back – and also is incorrect. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Oct 13, 2025 • 16min
116. Flexibility & Accountability: Owning what we really want our time to look like
Discover how flexibility and accountability can redefine your approach to time management. Learn why rigid schedules can be limiting as life changes. Hear real-life examples of women integrating personal needs into their workdays while maintaining high standards. Explore the importance of developing a time-management system that's adaptable rather than a fixed schedule. Lastly, uncover the signs of when flexibility becomes overwhelming and how to assess your workload realistically.

Oct 6, 2025 • 14min
115. Apple Reminders & Google Tasks: Why I Don't Recommend Managing Tasks with Them
Today I’m digging into why I don’t recommend managing your to-dos inside Google Tasks or Apple Reminders—even though they’re handy and even show up in your calendar. The short version: they lock every task into the same tiny time block, which hides how long your work will actually take and muddies your sense of capacity. Google Tasks vs. Apple Reminders isn’t the core issue—the real problem is that both ignore duration, so your calendar can’t reflect reality. We walk through: How a digital calendar plus flexible time blocking gives you the clarity you want: when you’ll do it, how long it will take, and whether it fits with everything else – and Google Tasks and Apple Reminders do not Using your calendar to break big items into bite-sized steps (e.g., renewing a license or sending a birthday card) and spread them across time – again, Google Tasks and Apple Reminders do not really allow for this Why accurate capacity planning beats “15-minute task tiles” for reducing stress and avoiding overcommitment. Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 29, 2025 • 25min
114. An Example of Saying No When You Want to Say Yes
Saying no can be tough, especially to tempting opportunities. A personal story highlights the importance of prioritizing family time over potential business gains. Evaluating the true cost of commitments is crucial, as is recognizing the difference between scarcity and abundance mindsets. The episode emphasizes the power of pausing before making decisions and how saying no can reinforce boundaries and personal integrity. Plus, there’s a twist of generosity as a colleague is recommended for the opportunity, proving collaboration can flourish alongside boundaries.

Sep 22, 2025 • 25min
113. Halloween: A great example of mental load & how calendars help
Halloween is more than just a spooky night—it's a prime example of hidden mental load that sneaks up on busy parents. The discussion highlights how effective calendaring can ease the chaos. Learn practical tips for planning everything from costumes to candy logistics. Discover the power of annual event repeats and weekly planning to streamline your future preparation. This conversation is a treasure trove for anyone looking to reclaim their time and sanity during the holiday season!

Sep 15, 2025 • 27min
112. Three work challenges: getting interrupted on in office days, too ambitious when planning, long commutes that feel like wasted time
Women on Instagram shared their biggest work time management pain points with me. Let's cover three of them today! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Sep 1, 2025 • 15min
111. Getting Less Stress In Your Life Isn't Always Efficient – And We Need To Own That
In this discussion, the host challenges the notion that efficiency equals happiness. They advocate for prioritizing peace and clarity over mere productivity. The conversation highlights the importance of creating breathing space in our busy lives to reduce stress and increase joy. Practical strategies include padding your calendar and letting go of unnecessary commitments. Grounding questions are proposed to help reflect on desired life pace and feelings, emphasizing the idea that less stress can lead to better quality work and more fulfillment.

Aug 25, 2025 • 48min
110. Career Shifts with Your Whole Person in Mind with Career Coach Sarah Wagoner
In this engaging conversation with Sarah Wagoner, a certified leadership and transformation coach, listeners discover how career transitions touch every facet of life, especially for women with young children. Sarah shares the critical importance of aligning personal values with professional paths, revealing how many women experience a 'moment of awakening' that sparks change. Through practical strategies like energy inventories and boundary-setting, she offers insights on crafting fulfilling careers that respect the realities of personal responsibilities.

Aug 11, 2025 • 21min
109. "Brain thinks I need an hour chunk to start. Such a loss."
On Instagram, someone shared that their biggest work time management painpoint was this: "Hard time focusing during short periods. Brain thinks I need an hour chunk to start. Such a loss." I very much get this feeling. Let's talk about three things that might help. Also: my full Bright Method program opens for enrollment on September 10 at 10am CST. Learn all about it here, and let me know if you have any questions! Links you might enjoy: 🌿 Free 5-Day Time Management Program Get five short, practical video lessons packed with realistic strategies to help you manage your personal and professional life with more clarity and calm. 📱 Follow me on Instagram Get bite-sized, real-life time management tips for working women—like reminders to set mail holds before travel, anonymous day-in-the-life calendars from other professional women, and behind-the-scenes looks at how I manage my own time. ✨ The full Bright Method™️ program If you're ready for a full time management system that's realistic, sustainable, and dare I say… fun, check out the Bright Method program. It's helped hundreds of professional women take back control of their time—and their peace of mind.

Jul 28, 2025 • 53min
108. Business Owner Finances with Shanna Skimore
Shanna Skidmore, a business strategist and former Fortune 100 financial advisor, empowers entrepreneurs through financial literacy. She explains how time and finances intersect for business owners, emphasizing the importance of defining your 'enough' number. Shanna discusses balancing client management with personal well-being and the significance of processes in enhancing efficiency. Her insights help listeners navigate financial hurdles and create business strategies that align with their lifestyles.