

Best of Both Worlds Podcast
iHeartPodcasts
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 21, 2025 • 32min
Things Making Us Happy Now: Fall Edition EP 429
In a lively chat about autumn delights, the hosts share their newfound joys, from Laura's beloved planner to fresh-caught fish. They discuss the mental health benefits of small pleasures and how homegrown tomatoes can elevate simple dinners. Sarah highlights the fun of ice cream Fridays as a family ritual, while Laura shines a light on regional favorites like deviled eggs. They also tackle carpool logistics with practical tips for success, ensuring smoother rides. Get ready for a cozy fall filled with seasonal treats and meaningful connections!

Oct 14, 2025 • 39min
The Busy Woman's Guide to Reading More EP 428
In this engaging discussion, the hosts share their recent reads, highlighting diverse genres. They explore practical tips for fitting more reading into a busy schedule, including the ongoing debate of paper versus electronic books. A powerful message emerges about the importance of curating your reading life. They offer insights on how to abandon books that don't resonate and highlight the joys of book clubs. Plus, they provide advice on fostering a love of reading in children, making it a perfect episode for busy bibliophiles.

Oct 7, 2025 • 44min
Avoiding the Comparison Trap & More with Kate Strickler EP 427
In this engaging conversation, Kate Strickler, creator of Naptime Kitchen and author of *I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen*, tackles the pervasive issue of comparison in the age of social media. She reveals how success doesn’t shield us from feeling inadequate and shares her journey in turning a hobby into a thriving career. Kate reflects on managing mom guilt, redefining personal space, and teaching children about true worth versus material possessions. Her practical strategies and honest insights resonate with anyone navigating life’s challenges.

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Sep 30, 2025 • 37min
Time Tracking Manifesto! EP 246
Dive into the world of time tracking as Laura shares her decade-long journey and personal insights. Discover how Sarah transformed her tracking habits with the Toggl app. Uncover surprising findings about commuting and the true constraints of energy versus time. Explore the concept of viewing a week as 168 hours to better balance work, sleep, and leisure. The conversation also tackles flexible work schedules and the importance of logging both work and personal time for clearer productivity insights.

Sep 23, 2025 • 35min
Sharing Truth with Jen Hatmaker EP 425
Jen Hatmaker, a bestselling author and podcaster known for her memoir *Awake*, dives deep into her life-changing experiences following her marriage's unexpected end. She shares the traumatic moment that catalyzed her transformative journey, reflects on the importance of community in healing, and reveals how solo trips, dubbed 'Me Camp,' have been pivotal for her recovery. Jen also discusses her new relationship and underscores the importance of embracing truth in life, alongside a fun listener Q&A about navigating teen driving.

Sep 16, 2025 • 36min
Big Kids & Big Feelings with Alyssa Black Campbell EP 424
Alyssa Blask Campbell, Head of Seed and Sew and author of Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, shares her insights on raising emotionally intelligent children. She discusses the power of effective communication and empathy in helping kids express their feelings. Listeners will learn practical strategies for connecting with older children and navigating common parenting challenges, such as fostering independence. Alyssa emphasizes the importance of modeling kindness and accountability to equip kids with essential life skills.

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Sep 9, 2025 • 35min
Surprising Things About Our 40s: Laura and Sarah Share What They've Learned So Far EP 423
Sarah and Laura dive into the joys and surprises of their 40s, shedding light on the complexities of parenting in a tech-driven world. They humorously tackle misconceptions about fertility and fitness, embracing the ongoing journey of raising children. The hosts reflect on personal growth and wellness, sharing valuable lessons and memorable quotes. With anecdotes about time management and insights from classic literature, they discuss how maturity reshapes understanding. Tune in for relatable stories and encouraging advice on navigating life’s evolving challenges!

Sep 2, 2025 • 37min
So Many Lists! From 100 Dreams to Someday/Maybe and Beyond EP 422
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their favorite lists to make and to keep! Examples include a 100 Dreams Lists, a Someday Maybe list, Seasonal Fun Lists, various Gift Lists, and more.In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering how to encourage a reluctant child to attend overnight camp.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 26, 2025 • 37min
Annual Back to School Extravaganza: From Kindergarten to College! EP 421
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their thoughts, plans, and ideas around back to school -- possibly round 9 of this discussion, but it changes every year!They chat about routines, new challenges, college (!), homework, bedtime, and more.In the Q&A, they discuss: packed or school lunch?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aug 19, 2025 • 40min
The Family Table: Dinner + Beyond with Dr. Reshma Shah EP 420
Dr. Reshma Shah is a board-certified pediatrician and expert on feeding families and plant-based nutrition. In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open by talking about how their families are doing dinner these days, and then Sarah interviews Reshma who provides insights on her Family Table approach, including her recommendations for selective eaters and cultivating a welcoming dinner atmosphere even with kids going off in every direction to different activities.In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah share crowd-pleasing dinner ideas for a listener in a rut.Find Reshma here: https://www.reshmashahmdparentcoaching.comHer recent book is NOURISH: The Definitive Plant-Based Nutrition Guide for Families, available wherever books are sold.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.