

PLAN GOAL PLAN | Goals, Transformation for Women, Mindful Time Management, Balance, Working Moms
Danielle McGeough, PhD | Burnout Recovery Strategist
** Top 1.5% Globally Ranked Podcast **
You know that feeling—when life looks full of achievement, but something inside still feels... off-script?
Welcome to the Plan Goal Plan Podcast, where we turn planning and goal setting into a ritual of self-revelation and intentional living.
I’m Danielle McGeough—professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and ritual nerd. After years of chasing big goals and crossing off endless to-do lists, I hit a milestone—and felt completely unmoored. That’s when I stopped planning to prove myself, and started planning to be myself.
Each episode offers tools, insights, and rituals to help you:
Set meaningful goals that reflect who you truly are
Create intentional routines that support joy and purpose
Turn everyday planning into a powerful personal growth practice
Feel focused and fulfilled—without the burnout
Whether you’re leading a team, managing a household, or navigating change, this podcast will help you reclaim your time, reimagine your goals, and build a life that feels lived-in—not just productive.
Let’s plan a life that feels like yours—on purpose, with heart, and one gentle step at a time.
Learn more: https://www.plangoalplan.com/
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-b673334
You know that feeling—when life looks full of achievement, but something inside still feels... off-script?
Welcome to the Plan Goal Plan Podcast, where we turn planning and goal setting into a ritual of self-revelation and intentional living.
I’m Danielle McGeough—professor, mom, recovering overachiever, and ritual nerd. After years of chasing big goals and crossing off endless to-do lists, I hit a milestone—and felt completely unmoored. That’s when I stopped planning to prove myself, and started planning to be myself.
Each episode offers tools, insights, and rituals to help you:
Set meaningful goals that reflect who you truly are
Create intentional routines that support joy and purpose
Turn everyday planning into a powerful personal growth practice
Feel focused and fulfilled—without the burnout
Whether you’re leading a team, managing a household, or navigating change, this podcast will help you reclaim your time, reimagine your goals, and build a life that feels lived-in—not just productive.
Let’s plan a life that feels like yours—on purpose, with heart, and one gentle step at a time.
Learn more: https://www.plangoalplan.com/
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-b673334
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 19, 2023 • 24min
How to Set Financial Goals and Plan for Your Kids’ College Education with Brad Baldridge | Ep. 83
In this episode of Plan, Goal Plan, we delve into the art of funding your children's college dreams without emptying your pockets or compromising your retirement. My guest, Brad Baldridge, a leading expert in college financial planning with over 20 years of experience, shares his invaluable insights.
Brad takes us on a journey through the early stages of college planning, helping parents understand the importance of starting early and setting achievable savings goals. Whether your children are just starting school or getting ready to fly the nest, his advice is golden.
Discover the significance of differentiating between need-based and merit-based financial aid, making college visits manageable, and balancing the emotional aspect of sending your child off to college. As Brad emphasizes, this is an evolving process, but with the right guidance, it can be both manageable and rewarding.
Join us as we explore how to save time, money, and reduce stress while crafting your family's unique college funding plan. If you're looking for expert guidance and insights into making college dreams a reality, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in now to set your financial goals with purpose!
Connect with Brad:
https://tamingthehighcostofcollege.com/resources/
Connect with Danielle:
FREE QUIZ. Identify your productivity nemesis and get wildly helpful tips on how to defeat your nemesis!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Oct 17, 2023 • 13min
Ditch Digital Distractions: How to Reclaim Focus as a Working Mom | Ep. 82
Are digital distractions stealing your precious moments with your family? It's a familiar scenario for many working moms. In this episode, I dive deep into the impact of digital distractions on our focus, productivity, and family relationships. Discover why it's crucial to address this issue and how it's affecting both you and your children.
But don't worry, I’m not here to bring you down. By the end of this episode, you'll gain three actionable strategies to reclaim your focus at work and create more meaningful connections at home. I'll discuss practical steps to break free from the digital addiction cycle, whether it's endless scrolling, multitasking, or constant email checking.
Join me as I explore the insights from Stolen Focus by Johann Hari and learn how our society's design often hinders our ability to concentrate. While we acknowledge the cultural challenges, we also offer solutions, encouraging you to take control of your relationship with digital devices and set up digital-free zones.
Get ready to improve your focus, one step at a time. Whether you choose to limit your screen time, practice mono-tasking, or involve others in your journey, this episode offers valuable tips for working moms seeking a more focused and fulfilling life. Embrace the power of concentration in a world full of distractions and start your journey towards a more focused week. Tune in and be well, friends.
FREE QUIZ. Identify your productivity nemesis and get wildly helpful tips on how to defeat your nemesis!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Oct 12, 2023 • 12min
Imagine, Hope, Act: Goal Setting and Creating Your Ideal Future Self | Ep. 81
What is the relationship between hope and goal setting? In the latest episode of Plan Goal Plan, I explore the powerful connection between dreaming big and cultivating hope as essential tools for setting and achieving meaningful goals. In this episode, I get nerdy, drawing insights from theater studies and performance theory to uncover how imagination can shape a brighter future.
Discover why hope is not an emotion but a way of thinking and a learnable skill that can fuel motivation, problem-solving, and cognitive flexibility. Join me as I explore utopian possibilities and the role they play in transforming your present reality. Learn how dreaming big is not an act of arrogance but a community effort that leads to collective growth.
So, whether you've been holding back on a goal due to fear or uncertainty, this episode will inspire you to embrace a hopeful mindset and envision your ideal future self. Tune in for valuable insights and actionable steps towards a brighter tomorrow.
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE QUIZ. Identify your productivity nemesis and get wildly helpful tips on how to defeat your nemesis!
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Oct 10, 2023 • 12min
10 Tips to Find Your Perfect Paper Planner | Ep. 80
It's planner season, and I'm here to help you find the perfect 2024 planner!
In this episode, I dive into the essential aspects to consider when selecting a paper planner that suits your unique needs. Whether you're a fan of daily, weekly, or monthly layouts, need a planner that covers three months or 18 months, or prefer specific binding styles like coil, ring, or disc – I've got you covered with 10 valuable tips.
I explore factors like size, paper type, add-ons, monthly dashboards, habit trackers, note-taking space, and aesthetics, ensuring you make an informed choice. Plus, I offer bonus insights for family planning and budget considerations.
Discover why paper planning can be a game-changer for productivity and goal achievement. Don't miss this episode full of expert advice and recommendations to make your planner shopping experience wonderfully organized and stress-free. Happy planning!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE QUIZ. Identify your productivity nemesis and get wildly helpful tips on how to defeat your nemesis!
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Oct 5, 2023 • 29min
Finding Confidence in Change: An Interview with Bradley Bertoniere the Author of One Single Push Up: Lift Up Your Mind, Body, and Soul | Ep. 79
In this episode of Plan Goal Plan, I interview Bradley Bertoniere, the author of the inspiring book One Single Push Up: Lift Up Your Mind, Body, and Soul. Bradley shares his remarkable personal development journey, starting from his days as a student to becoming a successful author. He unveils the transformative moment when a single push-up became the catalyst for his incredible life change.
Throughout the conversation, Bradley provides valuable insights for working moms looking to balance personal growth with the demands of family and career. He emphasizes the power of starting small and making incremental changes, even in the midst of busy schedules. Listeners will gain practical tips on financial management, goal setting, and finding confidence in their ability to embrace change. Bradley's concept of “soul integrity” encourages every mom to be true to herself while pursuing a path of personal growth.
Tune in for an inspiring discussion that offers hope and guidance for working moms striving to improve their lives.
Connect with Bradley:
Purchase the book
Substack Article on One Single Pushup
Connect with Danielle:
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE QUIZ. Identify your productivity nemesis and get wildly helpful tips on how to defeat your nemesis!
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Oct 3, 2023 • 14min
The Secret to Designing Spaces That Propel Your Productivity with Purpose | Ep. 78
In this episode, I delve into the often underestimated power of our surroundings in shaping our habits and productivity. I begin by exploring the concept that motivation alone isn't enough to sustain habits; instead, our environment plays a pivotal role in cueing and reinforcing behaviors. Drawing on insights from behavioral experts like James Clear and BJ Fogg, I unveil the secret to success: design for laziness.
Designing for laziness means intentionally shaping your physical spaces to make desired behaviors easy and effortless, while making undesirable ones more challenging. I discuss practical examples, such as keeping healthy eating options easily accessible or blocking social media to reduce mindless scrolling. To guide listeners, I introduce nine different life environments, from physical spaces to information consumption and personal relationships, and offer tips on how to optimize each one.
Ultimately, my goal is to help working moms and anyone seeking greater productivity and purpose create environments that invigorate, inspire, and drive them toward their goals. It's all about designing spaces that support your best self and, most importantly, make the journey delightful.
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Sep 28, 2023 • 12min
2 Methods to Simplify Meal Planning for Working Moms So That You Can Focus Your Energy on Those You Love | Ep. 77
Adulting can be a real struggle, especially when it comes to feeding your hungry family. But what if meal planning didn't have to be a source of stress? In this episode, I delve into 2 methods of meal planning, and I'm here to show you how it can be a game-changer in your daily routine, freeing up your time for those precious moments with your loved ones.
Join me as I help you identify your food priorities, determine the number of meals you truly need to plan, and reveal the game-changing secret of ditching grocery store trips.
Whether you opt for the seasonal Pinterest method or a meal delivery service, I've got your back. It's time to enjoy heartwarming family meals with ease.
Take a deep breath, grant yourself some grace, and let's simplify meal planning together because, working mom, you've got this!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Sep 26, 2023 • 15min
Reflect Bravely: How to Use Quarterly Reviews as a Seasonal Reset for Working Moms | Ep. 76
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Hey there, amazing working moms! Life is a wild adventure, and I've got a story to share with you. Picture this: my kids are playing at the neighbor's house, and I get a call. Chaos ensues when a bird flies into their home – talk about unplanned excitement! But you know what? That's how life feels for many of us, especially as working moms, juggling schedules, home, and everything in between.
In this episode, I dive into the important practice of quarterly reviews. Just like that bird, sometimes life feels like it's flying by. But here's the deal: taking time for a deep, reflective quarterly review can bring clarity and direction to your journey. It's like a breath of fresh air in the midst of the chaos.
I'll walk you through five essential steps to make your quarterly review invigorating and meaningful. We'll reflect, set goals, craft a plan, optimize your efforts, and most importantly, celebrate your wins.
So join me in this episode to embrace the power of quarterly reviews and find your path to success as a working mom. Let's make the most out of every season!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Sep 21, 2023 • 13min
Feel Like You Failed?: Use The DIET Method to Transform Setbacks Into Opportunities | Ep. 75
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Feel like you failed? In this episode, I address the common struggle of setting lofty expectations and the subsequent feeling of failure when those aspirations aren't met. These moments can be disheartening and paralyzing, but the episode offers a practical approach to bounce back.
The episode introduces the DIET method: Describe, Identify, Evaluate, and Theorize. This method guides listeners in processing events that feel like failures, transforming them into opportunities for personal growth. By objectively describing the situation, identifying crucial moments, evaluating decisions made, and theorizing lessons learned, individuals can reframe setbacks as stepping stones to success.
Drawing from personal experience, I share a story from my journey, highlighting the importance of resilience and self-reflection. The episode wraps up with an invitation to a free live workshop designed to help individuals set meaningful goals and conclude the year with a sense of fulfillment and readiness for what lies ahead. Don't miss this empowering episode on embracing setbacks as opportunities for growth!
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com

Sep 19, 2023 • 19min
How to Use the 80/20 Principle to Identify Your High-Impact Practices So That You Can Do Less and Act with Ease | Ep.74
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Feeling "paralyzed with possibility"? In this episode, I explore the phenomenon of being overwhelmed by choices and the fear of making the wrong decisions. I share a transformative conversation with a friend who grappled with this challenge, leading to a perspective shift.
Discover the power of the 80/20 principle, which asserts that 80% of outcomes stem from 20% of causes. Learn how this principle can guide your decision-making amidst a sea of possibilities, helping you identify high-impact practices for goal achievement.
Here are four actionable tips to identify your high-impact practices:
Set bold, audacious goals to narrow your focus.
Explore the question: "What would this look like if it were easy?"
Cultivate mindfulness through regular practices of reflection to adapt and improve your strategies.
Implement measurement and tracking methods for effective progress assessment.
Don't stay stuck in indecision. Embrace freedom over overwhelm and gain clarity and commitment in your actions. Join me as I provide the tools you need to seize opportunities and navigate life's possibilities with confidence.
Listen now to embark on a journey of empowerment and transformation.
Complimentary Time Management Coaching
FREE FINISHED FULFILLED WORKSHOP: REGISTER HERE
Join the FREE Facebook Group
Connect: support@plangoalplan.com


