The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms
Kelly Nolan LLC
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
Jan 12, 2026 • 24min
129. Why traditional time management advice doesn't work for many professional working women (and why I focus my work on those women)
Explore why traditional time management strategies often fail professional women. A personal story reveals the misalignment of advice with women's domestic responsibilities. Discover how a unified approach can harmonize paid work and home duties. Delve into the complexities of setting boundaries, especially for women, and learn how to leverage evidence from your schedule. The Bright Method offers practical solutions for managing multiple roles, delegating tasks, and reclaiming peace of mind.
Jan 5, 2026 • 24min
128. "I'd rather be special than happy": Egos don't always lead us to happiness
Explore the fascinating tension between ambition and happiness as the host delves into ego's role in our work lives. Discover how the pursuit of prestige often leads to overwork and detracts from true joy. Hear insights on why high achievers crave visible progress and how to simplify commitments for greater focus. Uncover practical strategies to use time intentionally, ensuring your goals align with what genuinely matters to you. Ultimately, learn to design a life that feels fulfilling rather than merely busy.
Dec 29, 2025 • 31min
127. Practical Tips for Friendship with Danielle Bayard Jackson
In this discussion, Danielle Bayard Jackson, a women's relational health educator and author of *Fighting for Our Friendships*, shares valuable insights on nurturing friendships as busy professionals. She emphasizes the importance of integrating social connections into our hectic lives. Danielle offers practical tips for rekindling friendships, tackling feelings of loneliness, and setting healthy boundaries. With her research-backed advice, she helps listeners recognize how small gestures can strengthen friendships, making connection feasible even amidst responsibilities.
Dec 22, 2025 • 18min
126. How to Practically Build Peace With The Effort Required For or Given To A Result
Discover how to find harmony between effort and results with insights from Oonagh Duncan. Learn to own your life's chapter and align your priorities. Delve into the realities of pursuing ambitious career goals while managing impacts on personal life. Kelly shares practical planning tips to minimize stress during intense work years. Explore the importance of realistic timelines and accept that less effort may yield fewer promotions. This discussion sheds light on preventing overwhelm through clarity and effective time management.
Dec 15, 2025 • 28min
125. Answering 3 Questions: Isn't calendaring like this overwhelming?
Is personal calendaring overwhelming? Dive into common concerns about time-blocking and alerts as tools for managing life. Discover how invisible mental loads can complicate scheduling and learn that calendars should be flexible, not rigid. Kelly emphasizes the benefits of placing personal tasks on the calendar to gain clarity and manage expectations. She suggests adjusting reminders if they become too daunting and shares practical tips for handling unexpected changes. Planning can transform your life into a manageable project.
6 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 14min
124. How to get more strategic, creative ideas
In a surprising twist, school presentations inspire a deep dive into time management. Research reveals homework in early grades has limited benefits. The discussion shifts to how timed tests can stifle creativity and memory. Listeners are encouraged to understand their brain's response to pressure, challenging the myth that last-minute stress enhances performance. Simplifying tasks by scheduling everything helps reduce cognitive load, fostering space for creative, strategic thinking. Balance is key to thriving at work and at home.
5 snips
Dec 1, 2025 • 21min
123. A Lightbulb Moment: Empowerment Without A System Leads to Overcommitment (idea from Eleanor Beaton)
A fascinating discussion highlights the shift from mindset coaching to building operational systems for women entrepreneurs. It emphasizes that empowerment without structured systems can lead to overcommitment and exhaustion. The importance of recognizing personal tipping points in life is addressed, showcasing the need for effective time management frameworks. Practical advice is shared, focusing on how concrete systems can provide clarity and control over time, enabling sustainable growth and better decision-making in both personal and professional realms.
Nov 24, 2025 • 13min
122. Your Capacity & Your Capability Are Different Things (Talking About Suzy Reading's Amazing Quote)
Explore the powerful distinction between capability and capacity. Discover why recognizing your limits can lead to smarter decision-making. Learn how aligning your workload with your actual capacity enhances enjoyment and execution of goals. Kelly shares her journey through law school and how using visual calendars transformed her approach to time management. By embracing your limitations, you can amplify your strengths and make better choices in both personal and professional life.
7 snips
Nov 17, 2025 • 20min
121. Slow-Rolling Tasks & Shiny Object Syndrome Bosses (or Selves)
Feeling guilty about unfinished tasks? Discover how slow-rolling can actually work in your favor. Learn to reassess stale tasks before diving in and find out why some never need to be completed. If you've got a shiny-object boss or inclination, pausing before acting can reduce overwhelm. Explore Kelly's strategies for managing new ideas and reclaiming focus, including the importance of scheduled reflection periods. Slow-rolling not only saves time but also protects your wellbeing and enhances decision-making!
8 snips
Nov 10, 2025 • 17min
120. Time Zones: My Achilles' Heel
Time zones can feel like a small detail, but they can lead to scheduling chaos! Discover smart strategies for clarifying time zones when booking meetings. Learn how to calendar flights and label events carefully to avoid confusion. Plus, get insights on handling unique cases like Arizona's daylight savings quirks. Don't let time zone challenges disrupt your productivity; trust your calendar and stay organized!
