

Before Breakfast
iHeartPodcasts
In each bite-sized, daily episode of Before Breakfast, host Laura Vanderkam shares a time management strategy or an answer to a listener’s schedule question. How can listeners make the most of their time, both at work and at home? The mission is to give listeners practical tools to feel less busy and get more done.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 20, 2025 • 5min
It doesn't always have to be you
Explore the importance of building a broad support system for loved ones. Discover how you don’t have to shoulder every responsibility yourself as community and family can step in. Learn practical tips like enlisting grandparents for school events or organizing meal trains. Laura shares relatable stories about juggling life’s demands and highlights the power of a supportive network. This discussion reminds us that it truly takes a village to foster connection and alleviate individual burdens.

8 snips
Nov 19, 2025 • 26min
Waste less time, with Megan Sumrell
Megan Sumrell, a time management expert and founder of The Pink Bee, shares her insights to help listeners conquer overwhelm. She emphasizes the importance of planning for the year realistically, introduces her Christmas in July strategy to ease holiday stress, and reveals why Monday morning meetings can hinder productivity. With tips on batching email processing and the power of taking time for oneself, Megan highlights the transformative impact of intentional routines and eliminating time waste for a more harmonious work-life balance.

Nov 18, 2025 • 4min
Don't leave without scheduling the next time
Learn how scheduling your next appointment before leaving can significantly boost your follow-through. Discover the benefits of setting placeholders for long-term medical visits to sidestep frustrating phone calls. Plus, hear tips on planning social events in person to simplify logistics and enhance connections. This discussion highlights practical strategies to make the most of your time and keep life organized!

Nov 17, 2025 • 6min
Make your holiday fun list
Unlock the joy of the holidays by creating a fun list of activities to build lasting memories! Discover how to plan festive events while avoiding overbooking by assigning specific dates. Learn to incorporate both flexible traditions and fixed outings for the perfect balance of spontaneity and structure. Plus, hear tips on sharing your list with loved ones for added fun and ensuring there’s room for surprise plans. Make your holiday planning a delightful adventure!

Nov 16, 2025 • 4min
Second Cup: Unplug to get things done
Discover how unplugging from digital distractions can significantly boost productivity. A personal Wi-Fi outage forced focused writing, showing the power of offline time. Learn to use flights as a perfect opportunity for distraction-free work. Constant connectivity often leads to easy breaks, but intentional unplugging can enhance focus. Laura shares practical tips for creating a distraction-free environment, including using airplane mode and designating no-Wi-Fi zones. Balance concentrated work with short check-ins to maintain effectiveness.

Nov 15, 2025 • 4min
Second Cup: If you've got the aspirin
Discover how to make people recognize their needs before offering solutions. Laura shares the powerful aspirin/headache metaphor, illustrating the importance of highlighting real problems to motivate change. She provides insights on addressing common time challenges through practical advice. Examples from various professions show how to effectively point out specific issues. Plus, learn how this approach can benefit families and encourage better habits in kids. Honesty is key—help others notice their struggles without inventing needs.

6 snips
Nov 14, 2025 • 6min
What's your recipe for a good weekend?
Discover the key to a fulfilling weekend by identifying your favorite activities. Learn how intentional planning can enhance your downtime. Get insights on including exercise, adventure, and social time to balance everyone’s needs. Hear about a recent weekend enriched by family-friendly activities like bike rides and concerts. Plus, find tips on adapting your weekend plans when unexpected changes arise. This fun exploration encourages you to craft your ideal weekend recipe!

7 snips
Nov 13, 2025 • 5min
Upgrade your defaults
Routines shape our behavior, and small changes can lead to significant benefits. A recent project highlighted how tracking time can help identify better time-management strategies. While routines can promote good choices, they can also lock us into unproductive patterns, like excessive screen time. Simple swaps, such as replacing evening device use with hobbies or reading, can enhance our nights. Reflecting on our automatic behaviors can reveal opportunities for positive tweaks, especially during life changes.

14 snips
Nov 12, 2025 • 25min
Editing your life, with Christine Koh
Christine Koh, a former music-and-brain scientist turned writer and podcast host, shares her insights on editing life for better well-being. She defines life editing as identifying and removing pain points, encouraging micro-routines for daily joy. Christine discusses planning systems, tackling tough tasks first, and the power of micro journaling. She reveals her newfound passion for gardening and how she generates ideas off-screen, highlighting the importance of noticing small joyful moments in everyday life.

11 snips
Nov 11, 2025 • 6min
30 minutes can change your evenings
Discover how setting a single intention can transform your weekday evenings. Dive into why these hours are often wasted on chores or mindless activities. Learn tips for selecting a 30-minute activity you'll enjoy and how to logistically integrate it into your routine. Find out how those precious minutes can lead to more joyful experiences, even expanding beyond their original time frame. Elevate your evenings one intention at a time!


