Best of Both Worlds Podcast

Guest Mel Johnson joins Sarah and Laura all the way from the UK to talk about single motherhood by choice. She gives us insight into the process, her decision making, and what it's like to parent as an SMBC (single mother by choice). Laura and Sarah also discuss holiday prep, and Sarah celebrates being DONE with pumping (she's excited!), and our Q&A listener question tackles the holidays and what to do when your nature (introverted, task-oriented, upholder) clashes with that of your relatives.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode will release on a milestone birthday for Laura (listen to find out which one!). Join Laura and Sarah as they trade their favorite strategies for getting work done with efficiency and a minimum of angst (hint: so much of this is about finding focus and avoiding overload and distraction!).  In the Q&A, they talk fitness with a listener who wanted tips on fitting workouts into an already-full life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kathleen Burns is a partner at a large law firm -- and she achieved this status while having 4 children in the span of 6 years! While Kathleen is truly in the thick of it (her children are 1.5, 3, 5, and 7), she has a number of strategies that help keep her work and home life fitting together well.  And as a maternity leave veteran x 4, she helps answer a listener question about maternity leave - both how to prepare, and what it's like to come back.  Sarah also talks about her family's upcoming move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emily Garnett is an attorney and mother of a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in November of 2017. We had an inspiring, moving, and educational conversation with her about illness, uncertainty, logistics in the face of a true challenge, and resilience.  Laura and Sarah also talk about Thanksgiving and gratitude, and in the Q&A, a listener asks about how a planner might contribute to the "invisible workload" of women (and how to avoid it!). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this thought-provoking episode, we pick apart the concept of emotional labor with Gemma Hartley, whose Harper·s Bazaar article Women Aren·t Nags · We·re Just Fed Up went viral last year. Gemma is releasing a book on the subject the day this episode airs called Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward.  Gemma talks about why she feels doing less isn’t always the answer, her feelings on 50/50 splits, and much more.  In the intro, Sarah admits she may have planning fatigue, and a listener writes in about whether to prioritize job satisfaction/opportunity vs being home to greet kids after school. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to this year·s Plannerpalooza! Last year, Sarah took a deep dive into her own planning techniques and the system she·s honed for herself over the years. This year, she delves into 10 fantastic paper planner options! There is something for everyone on this list, from giant daily custom planners to beautiful goal setting planners and beyond.  If you’re looking for some visual aids, she is featuring reviews weekly of these products (theshubox.com) most Fridays until the new year.  In the Q&A, we answer a listener question about how to make use (or not) of a morning hour when there’s an 8 year old looking for attention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Sarah and Laura chat with Kimmery Martin, emergency medicine physician AND author of the delicious, popular, and medically-inspired novel, The Queen of Hearts. We learn about how her career has taken unexpected turns, her advice to other aspiring authors with day jobs, her workday habits, and we even get a glimpse into her next project.  In the Q&A, we tackle a question about handling winter illnesses, and we announce our survey — please take the time to respond if you can!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this special MAILBAG episode, Laura & Sarah chat about Halloween and then address some great listener questions. We get into kid room-sharing, dealing with the unpredictable nature of parenting as a type A personality, fresh starts at work,  and dealing with a dysfunctional work cycle of overwhelm/recovery.  Listen and then submit your question for a future episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest this week is Dr. Stacey Simon Ph.D., a scientist who researches sleep - a fascinating and incredibly important subject! She delves into sleep training basics, sleep needs over the age spectrum, and variations in sleep from child to child. We also learn how she makes her life work as a full-time sleep psychologist and mother of 3, including twins!  Laura and Sarah also discuss work plans for next year and their own sleep habits.  In the Q&A, we answer a tough question about whether to stick out a job that has great benefits but is no longer stimulating.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Meagan Francis is a self-described "entrepreneur, conversationalist, and mother of invention." She hosts the popular Mom Hour podcast, and now runs her own podcast network as well! She is also a mother of 5 and has recently gone through a divorce. She has plenty of wisdom to impart in this episode, including my favorite quote:  "Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should.”  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.