
Best of Both Worlds Podcast
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.
Latest episodes

9 snips
Jan 28, 2025 • 37min
Repurposing: Ideas for Using It Again (Plus Bonus "Empties" Segment!) EP 391
The hosts dive into their favorite 'empties'—the products they can’t stop repurchasing. They present clever strategies for repurposing clothes, food, and household items, while minimizing waste. Insights on managing hand-me-downs offer practical advice for delicately navigating family dynamics. Creativity shines through as they explore the sentimental value of objects and innovative uses for everyday goods, encouraging listeners to embrace resourcefulness in sustainable living.

Jan 21, 2025 • 38min
Airtight Task Management: Ideas + Strategies EP 390
Explore the intriguing concept of airtight task management to effectively corral your tasks. Sarah and Laura share personal stories about balancing expectations, from family gatherings to musical performances. Dive into the pros and cons of paper versus digital planning tools and discover effective prioritization strategies. Get practical tips to optimize productivity while acknowledging that organization is an ongoing journey. Plus, they tackle listener questions about tracking inquiries, making the discussion even more relatable!

19 snips
Jan 14, 2025 • 45min
Reading Habits + Book Talk with Traci Thomas of The Stacks Podcast EP 389
Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks podcast, is a book enthusiast and expert in reading habits. In this engaging discussion, Traci shares strategies for balancing reading with a busy life, especially as a parent of twins. She offers insights on curating personalized reading lists and the importance of overcoming reading slumps. The conversation also touches on fostering a love for reading in children and practical tips for carving out uninterrupted reading time amidst family commitments.

27 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 38min
Winter Fun & A Time Tracking Challenge EP 388
Discover creative winter activities, from skiing to cultural outings, that can bring joy to the chilly months. Learn about a time tracking challenge designed to enhance self-awareness and productivity. The hosts share delightful stories from their winter adventures, including a memorable sleigh ride dinner. With a focus on balancing work, family, and personal time, they address the importance of planning for summer activities and encourage listeners to reflect on their time management practices. Embrace the season with mindfulness and fun!

9 snips
Dec 31, 2024 • 39min
2025 Goals Extravaganza! EP 387
Get ready for a goal-setting extravaganza! Two working parents reveal their ambitious plans for 2025 across personal growth, creative projects, and family connections. From completing a book and writing sonnets to improving fitness and reading classic literature, they explore the significance of self-reflection and flexibility in goal-making. They also discuss the joy of fostering musicality in their kids and highlight their intentions to create memorable family experiences, emphasizing the importance of reviewing goals regularly.

27 snips
Dec 24, 2024 • 45min
2024 in Review: Highlights, Lowlights, and Goals Report EP 386
In a reflective look back at 2024, Sarah and Laura share their ups and downs, highlighting memorable achievements and challenges. They evaluate their goal-setting successes, from running and budgeting to creative pursuits like music. The duo explores the importance of personal growth and meaningful relationships while pondering household management strategies. They also express gratitude for their listeners and discuss building a supportive community, all while setting the stage for ambitious goals in 2025.

Dec 17, 2024 • 46min
Kid-Friendly Adventures Abroad with Travel Expert Oneika Raymond EP 385
In this episode, Oneika Raymond, an Emmy-award-winning journalist and travel expert, shares her insights on globetrotting with kids. She discusses the transformative power of family travel and offers practical tips for choosing kid-friendly destinations. Oneika reflects on her adventures in Japan and Namibia, illustrating how travel fosters cultural understanding. From planning flights around nap times to engaging kids with fun activities, she provides valuable strategies for parents on the go, proving that family adventures can be both enriching and enjoyable.

45 snips
Dec 10, 2024 • 32min
Little Life Hacks: Small Actions that Make the Rest of Life Easier EP 384
Laura and Sarah dive into their favorite life hacks, from philosophical musings about the beauty of repetition to practical tips like keyboard shortcuts. They tackle the balance of work and family, sharing personal stories and strategies. Plus, listeners get eco-friendly holiday tips, including reusing gift wrap. A thoughtful Q&A addresses engaging activities for tweens and teens, emphasizing the importance of quality family time and the joys of shared meals. Discover simple changes that can enhance your daily routines!

12 snips
Dec 3, 2024 • 46min
Organizing Your Home and Beyond with Shira Gill EP 383
Shira Gill, an organizing expert and author of LifeStyled, shares her insights on living intentionally and decluttering. She introduces her 'edit then elevate' philosophy, emphasizing the importance of cataloguing belongings before organizing. Shira provides practical tips for tackling large projects and highlights how minimalism can enhance family life. The conversation also touches on maintaining organization in family settings and offers strategies for decluttering while balancing personal freedom and communal order.

Nov 26, 2024 • 39min
Design Your Holiday 2024! EP 382
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things holiday planning, including the idea of going in to plan your holiday season with a 'blank slate' mindset - choosing things to do NOT just based on what you've done before, but because at least someone enjoys them! Laura notes that tradition itself does have value, so likely the things you've done over and over will carry more weight, but nothing necessarily needs to feel 'required'.They discuss various ideas and their own decisions about this year's holiday season in categories: hosting, cooking fancy meals, cards, gifts, parties, decor, and more!In terms of planning next year, Sarah shares two fun options if you'd like a guided planning experience: Detailed 4 hr sessions (with workbook) in Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2025 (https://theshubox.com/courses) OR 1 hour visioning/planning 2025 session that will definitely get you started at the BOBW Patreon: (http://patreon.com/bestofbothworldspod)In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura note which gifts they would choose for themselves :)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.