This Organized Life: Decluttering Tips for Moms, Entrepreneurs and Professional Organizers

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Swarna Anthan. Swarna is a mom to a 6 year old son, and founder and CEO of MagicPolygon-a storytelling platform available in the AppStore. Like so many start-ups, Swarna created this app when she realized that her son preferred STORYTELLING to STORY READING. Recognizing a gap in the marketplace, she set off to create a storytelling platform for kids where grandparents, friends and families living far away can tell stories in their own voice using the interactive picture books available in the app. Prior to starting MagicPolygon, Swarna worked for Motorola, iHeart Radio, Samsung, & NYTimes. As one of the first Engineers of the tech fitness company Peloton, Swarna left Peloton 3 years ago to start MagicPolygon. During this time of quarantine, social distancing, and e-learning, who could have imagined the importance of personalized content and connection derived from digital platforms. MagicPolygon App is also being used in classrooms as a way to bridge creativity, connection and collaboration among students and teachers. During our conversation we talk about: ● Her decision to leave a successful, secure career to embark on a start-up journey ● How educators and parents are using the app to connect with loved ones beyond platforms such as zoom, facetime and skype ● Why kids ages 3-7 are her core demographic Swarna also opens up about her own struggles juggling life as a mom and entrepreneur managing a full-time career. As a champion of women, and women entrepreneurs, I hope you find inspiration in her story, and support her work by clicking the SHARE button! xo - Laurie      Links Mentioned in this Episode WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST DOWNLOAD THE MAGICPOLYGON APP  Other Promo Codes for You!  STREAMLINE YOUR INBOX WITH INBOX DONE | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Renee Appelle, wife, mom, and SVP, Global Partnerships & Strategy at VOX media. Rennee (normally) lives in NYC with her handy husband and their 2 adorable boys, but they have temporarily relocated due to COVID. I invited Renee on our show to talk about life as a working mom, what it looks like to live in NYC during a pandemic, delivering a baby under quarantine, and how her organization skills have helped her juggle career and motherhood. During our conversation we talked about: ● Delivering a baby without her husband there (thank you covid!) ● Uprooting her family 2 days after delivering a baby to get out of the epicenter of NYC ● Having 2 working parents at home with a toddler and newborn (Jesus take the wheel!) ● How routines have saved her life ● Shifting priorities Plus, Renee shares some specific organizing and time management tips that everyone should hear! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Feel free to comment below, and if you enjoyed the episode, remember to share the link with your peeps! XOXO- Laurie

    Hi Friends! Penny Williams is a coffee-lovin’, atypical-parenting-obsessed momma on a mission! Having walked through her own parenting struggles, she now helps families on this always chaotic, often stressful, anything-but-ordinary parenting journey. Through her podcast, award-winning books, online parent training programs, parent coaching, and mom retreats, she has helped thousands of families survive and thrive in the face of ADHD. During our conversation Penny and I talk about  Parenting during a Pandemic How to develop and maintain routine when the world is off its axis How to embrace your kids uniqueness without losing control The importance of self-care (yes moms! I am talking to you!) and what she’s doing to help other mamas feel less alone and more energized.  It’s an honest conversation that I could relate to on so many levels. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with parenting a child with ADHD or Autism, please do them a favor and share this episode with them!         xo - Laurie         Links Mentioned in this Episode  STOP BATTLING 8 WEEK COURSE|MAMA RETREAT | BEYOND BEHAVIORS BOOK  Connect with Penny WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |PODCAST   Other Promo Codes for You! 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE” STREAMLINE YOUR INBOX WITH INBOX DONE   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

        Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Michaela Foster Marsh.  Michaela  is an acclaimed musician with three albums to her credit. Her work has appeared in television and film, including Dawson’s Creek, Breaking Amish and The Matthew Sheppard Story. She has been invited to sing at the Monaco International Film Festival, the Cannes International Film Festival, and for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Most notable, Michaela is known for her philanthropic work in Uganda. Michaela is the founder and Executive Director of Starchild Charity, which works to support vulnerable children and women by providing education and support; and did I mention that her foundation is responsible for building a School for Creative Arts in Uganda?! I invited Michaela onto TOL to share her story of growing up white with an adopted black brother only weeks apart, and being raised as twins in the late 60’s. We talk about their life together as kids in Scotland, and how her brother’s tragic death in a house fire led her on a quest to find his birth family in Uganda. She shares the impact that first visit to Uganda had on her life; how it led her to write a book, start a charity, and build a school that now serves hundreds of kids and families in Uganda. She shares about what she calls “The Magic in the Universe,” and how her perspective on life, material possessions, and success has evolved and changed over time. Our conversation is filled with joy, loss, and inspiration. I invite you to share this episode with your people, and if you feel so inclined, leave us a comment or review. With Gratitude,         xo - Laurie Connect with Michaela         WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER  Starchild Charity WEBSITE | PROJECTS | THE BOOK   Other Promo Codes for You! 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    (*this episode was recorded pre-COVID, so some of the specific examples cited in the episode  may look different today, however, the guiding principles still apply.)     Hi Friends! Today we are joined by Chanelle Neilson, host and creator of the Moms Who Know Podcast, author of Parenting with Purpose, who’s married to her best friend and mom of 5 adorable kiddos! She loves helping moms take care of themselves and grow so they can take better care of their families. I invited Chanelle to chat with us about what being organized with a big family looks like, her mission for other moms, and how she still manages to carve out guilt free time for herself–an area where many of us struggle. Chanelle talks about her breaking point, and how she learned to absolve herself of the “supermom complex.” Chanelle gives us a front row seat into what life looks like in the following areas:  Meal Prep Laundry Household Chores Chauffeuring Kids to Activities Homework Morning/Bedtime Routines Self-Care  We talk about the importance of establishing boundaries, and setting up routines, not just for the kids, but for herself too! Whether you have 1 kid or 10, no one is immune to feelings of guilt and overwhelm. I hope you find this conversation helpful and inspiring!         xo - Laurie           Connect with Chanelle WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | PODCAST   Other Promo Codes for You! 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    Hi Friends! Brit Kolo is the Creator of the Marketing Personality Type™ Framework at MarketingPersonalities.com. Brit helps small business owners craft their messages authentically by aligning their marketing strategy to their Myers-Briggs Personality Type…..and you know how much I love talking about personality type! During our conversation Brit shares:  An overview of the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment She explains what the 4 letters stand for (I’m an ENTJ btw) How you can find your Myers-Briggs Personality Type The benefits to understanding your personality type, and those around you Brit shares her thoughts on whether certain personality types are prone to clutter based on their behavior  We recorded this conversation pre-COVID, and I’m glad to finally get a chance to share it with you!         xo - Laurie         A special thanks to our good friends at BeWELL Psychotherapy  for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Visit BeWELLpsychotherapy.com or text BeWELL to 484848  to get connected with a therapist today  For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations with This ORGANIZED Life click here.           Links Mentioned in this Episode 16PERSONALITIES.COM | TAKE THE CLUTTER QUIZ Connect with Brit WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK    Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    Hi Friends! Today we are joined by Robbin McManne, author, podcaster, speaker and certified parent coach.  Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence.  She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! In October of 2018 Robbin released her first book, “The Yelling Cure – How stress less and get your kids to cooperate without threats & punishments.” Her book is being read by parents all over the world 100,000 copies sold to date. During the time of our conversation we were knee-deep in quarantine, so anxiety for kids and parents were at an all-time high. We talked about things like:  The important role of routines Advice for the parent who says “the only way my kids listen is when I yell” How to meet your kids where they are  Robbin shared so many great nuggets of wisdom, I hope you find value in the resources below!         xo- Laurie         A special thanks to our good friends at BeWELL Psychotherapy for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Visit BeWELLpsychotherapy.com or text BeWELL to 484848  to get connected with a therapist today For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations with This ORGANIZED Life click here.           Links Mentioned in this Episode  THE YELLING CURE BOOK | PODCAST   Connect with Robbin WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK   Please Support Us!   SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!      Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Chris-Tia Donaldson-who is by far, one of the most inspiring women I know! Chris-Tia’s story is both amazing and inspiring; coming from humble beginnings, to earning an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University with high honors,  to then graduate from Harvard Law School. Currently Chris-Tia is the founder and CEO of Thank God It’s Natural, maker of hair and body products that uses only natural ingredients. Her products are sold in over 10,000 stores including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty, Walgreens and ULTA. Chris-Tia is also a breast cancer survivor.   She has turned her personal journey into activism by raising awareness and the importance of early detection amongst women of color. Chris-Tia is the author of the best-selling book, This Is Only a Test: What Breast Cancer Taught Me About Faith, Love, Hair and Business. I cannot think of a more appropriate person to kick off our series on women overcoming adversity than Chris-Tia! During our conversation we talk about:  What her life was like growing up Why women of color (specifically in urban areas) don’t have the same access to quality healthcare as in suburban areas How she is serving a marginalized group of women, and the impact that makes on a daily basis The role that organization plays in her life How her relationship with “stuff” has changed throughout her journey Who inspires her, and what keeps her motivated  Chris-Tia wraps up the show by sharing her advice and suggestions for all women, aspiring entrepreneurs and change-makers on where to begin in their own journey. To learn more about Chris-Tia, make sure to check out the links below.         xo - Laurie       A special thanks to our good friends at BeWELL Psychotherapy  for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Visit BeWELLpsychotherapy.com or text BeWELL to 484848  to get connected with a therapist today For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations with This ORGANIZED Life click here.           Links Mentioned in this Episode TGIN FOUNDATION | BOOKS  Connect with Chris-Tia WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN | TWITTER     Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

Hi Friends! Today on This ORGANIZED Life I am joined by Claire Giovino, founder of Inbox Done; A company that helps people reclaim control of their inbox. Claire currently manages a growing team of remote inbox managers and upwards of 3000+ emails a day.  I invited Claire to come on the show today to talk about: The psychology behind compulsively checking email and how to break ingrained habits. How email disrupts deep focus and reduces productivity Why email is often the only thing successful professionals don’t outsource, which takes time away from the things that truly matter most (product creation, partnerships, personal growth, family, travel, etc.) Claire also shares actionable advice for individuals and parents who are not only juggling work emails, but also managing personal email. Add in all the emails related to kids and family and you are left feeling as though you are drinking from a firehouse! Our conversation includes tips on how to: Set up filters to weed out unwanted email Create folders to keep your emails organized How to avoid treating your email like a to-do list Whether you work outside or inside the home, email is another mode of communication that can easily become clutter, but it doesn’t have to. Below are some statistics that demonstrate the impact email has on productivity, time, and concentration. Interesting Stats about email: Business owners currently spend 650 hours/year (or 13 hrs/week) on email, mostly on reactive, low-value work (McKinsey Global Institute) Corporate professionals spend 1/3 of their office time on email and 1/2 of the time they work at home inside their inbox (Carleton University) It takes 23 minutes to return to deep focus after an interruption (Harvard Business School) Please check out the links below to connect with Claire, and feel free to share this with anyone who you think could benefit from the information discussed. xo - Laurie   A special thanks to our good friends at BeWELL Psychotherapy  for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Visit BeWELLpsychotherapy.com or text BeWELL to 484848  to get connected with a therapist today For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations with This ORGANIZED Life click here. Links Mentioned in this Episode UNROLL.ME | EP133: MEAL PLANNING MADE SIMPLE | EP 89: INSTANT POT MANIA Connect with Claire WEBSITE | INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | LINKEDIN  Please Support Us! SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week! REVIEW.  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show! Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz! Stop feeling like a Hot Mess! HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold. Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST

    Hi Friends! Today you are in for a treat!. I am joined by Deb Foglia, the creator behind the home decor and DIY blog, Seeking Lavender Lane. A “home enthusiast” and self-taught decorator, Deb has built a following in the online world of sharing what she is most passionate about, her home. Deb’s been featured in The American Farmhouse magazine, the show Flea Market Flip, Rachael Ray, and has collaborated with multiple brands throughout the years in the world of home and design. Deb shares her home and styling tips weekly on her blog, and you can catch her behind the scenes on Instagram, where she hangs out!  She most recently launched a free Home Healing group to help women love their home more while building community during uneasy or tough times. When she’s not working on her blog and home Deb is with her family enjoying the moments and making memories. During our conversation we talked about:  How she started her business Her advice as we spend more time in our homes Some of her favorite projects How she time blocks her day as wife, mom, and entrepreneur Where she finds her inspiration  My conversation with Deb was fun, lighthearted, and much needed during this time of uncertainty. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Happy Organizing!         xo - Laurie         A special thanks to our good friends at CURIO-PRESS for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! They have an incredible line of personalized stationery, lists & notepads. Visit CURIO-PRESS.COM and enter the code ORGANIZED at checkout to receive 15% your entire order   *Please shop local when you can, small businesses have been greatly impacted by COVID-19 and appreciate your support.  For sponsorship inquiries and collaborations click here           Links Mentioned in this Episode Ebook | Candle Subscription   Other Promo Codes for You! 15% OFF CURIO-PRESS WITH CODE “ORGANIZED” | 10% OFF YOUR COLOR GURU WITH CODE “ORGANIZEDLIFE”   Please Support Us!  SUBSCRIBE to TOL to have new episodes downloaded each week!    REVIEW .  Social influence is the most impactful way to help others find our show!  Struggling with Clutter? Click HERE to take our FREE clutter quiz!     Stop feeling like a Hot Mess!  HOT MESS: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized is my witty little survival guide that helps you get to the root of your clutter. Learn about the 3 types of clutter, Physical, Emotional, and Calendar, along with how to avoid the 5 Clutter Pitfalls.  Now is the time to reclaim time, find freedom, and feel empowered from the “stuff” that is holding you back. Available on amazon, barnes & noble or wherever books are sold.  Connect with Deb WEBSITE |IG | FB | Home Healing Group  Connect with Me WEBSITE | FB | IG | PINTEREST