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.
In today's episode, both hosts share thoughts on Laura's recent Vanderhakcs post on her favorite habits to embrace for the new years, and add a twist -- the very best habits to AVOID! in the Q&A, a listener wonders about skiing as an adult - how hard is it to learn? Can one still have fun on a family ski vacation if they did not grow up skiing? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi made her name in reality television. More than a decade later she's still filming while building a business that includes multiple locations of The Snooki Shop, the Messy Mawma wine brand, and maybe pickles in 2026! She talks career reinvention, working motherhood, and laundry. In the intro, Laura and Sarah discuss their favorite Jersey shore towns. In the Q&A, a listener wonders about handling breaks when kids attend schools with different schedules. See omnystudio.c...
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open up with some discussion of ringing in the 2026 New Year, and then Lauren Kurakto, an Episcopal Priest, joins Laura for a fascinating discussion about how she leads a meaningful and fun life while thriving in a career that is (by definition!) variable, unconventional, and often demanding. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for Laura and Sarah's take on aptitude tests and categories, from the chronotype to Myers-Briggs to the Enneagram. See omnystu...
It's the annual goals episode! Sarah and Laura share what they hope to accomplish and achieve in 2026, in the following categories: Personal, Relationships, Family/Home, Work, and Fun! In the Q&A, a listener wonders about the hosts' feelings on streaks! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today's traditional 'end of year review' episode, Laura and Sarah chat about all aspects of 2025! From highlights (there were many) to lowlights (definitely some of those too), they reflect back and discuss their progress on goals set one year prior in multiple domains. For the Q&A, a listener ponders how to steer extended family away from large or "million plastic pieces" types of gifts for kids. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah introduce their Patreon curriculum for 2026, and then Sarah shares all about her new book, out TODAY!!! -- Best Laid Plans, a Simple System for Planning A Life That You Love. Learn about the book's origin story and what Sarah feels it adds to the productivity canon! In the Q&A, a listener asks for ideas on how to track her reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things holiday! First, Laura reminder listeners of Sarah's book, coming out next week as this airs (12/16) -- for preorder bonuses, check out theshubox.com/preorders! Then, they delve into several aspects of the holiday season, from Holiday Fun lists to gifting strategies to dealing with looooong winter breaks and beyond. In the Q&A, a listener asks Laura and Sarah for tips on how to get SOME daylight exposure during the work days of winter (pa...
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura reflect on their own paths to motherhood, and then Dr. Rebecca Thompson joins Laura to share about her own complicated journey. Please note: this episode contains discussion of fertility issues and loss, so please skip this one if this kind of content is not for you. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question on how a book goes from idea to finished copy. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share upcoming Thanksgiving plans and then discuss the various way they love to dream about the future, from 100 Dreams lists to Long Term Visioning and beyond. Then, they recap BLP Live -- their 3rd annual planning conference held live in South Friday. They share highlights from the experience and provide lots of suggestions for listeners interested in creating a similar experien See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open with a discussion of their own favorite daily rituals. Then, Sarah interviews Andrea Leigh Rogers, creator of Xtend Barre (currently on BODi) who is a dance who built her own exercise brand and has navigated some personal challenges in recent years. In her recent book, Small Moves Big Life, she explores 7 daily practices that add up to 30 minutes per day (total) that have been instrumental in helping her live a full, energetic and productive life. She cha...
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura discuss ways to rekindle the flame . . . with your job! While hot fiery passion may not actually be feasible (or even the goal!), there are some ways that might help you enjoy your hours spent at work more. Lots of ideas are discussed in this episode, from increased engagement to professional development and PTO use strategies and more. In the Q&A, a listener asks about how to figure out whether "FIRE" is for her (vs work a few more years to benefit her fa...
In today's episode, Laura interviews Suzy Welch, a New York Times best-selling author, business journalist, and television commentator, and also an NYU professor. She and Laura talk career advice and she provides thoughts and advice on finding your purpose -- a topic she talks about in her new book, Becoming You, as well as her popular course at NYU. You can learn more and find Suzy Welch at suzywelch.com. In the Q&A, a listener with young kids writes in wondering how to NOT travel to her ex...
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share a 5-part formula for crafting a weekend that you truly enjoy -- or that at least contains some elements you enjoy! They acknowledge the struggle (it's real!) of weekends feeling like a lot of work during the infant/toddler years and provide suggestions that might help in that era, plus plenty of discussion of how you might built more enjoyment into your weekends during this school aged/teen years. In the Q&A, a listener asks for thoughts on getting a...
In this chatty (and positive) episode, Sarah and Laura trade off naming things making them happy now, in this fall season. Categories run the gamut from Laura's new planner to fresh-caught fish! In the Q&A, they share carpool dos and don'ts for a listener frustrated by a carpool that seems to be taking away more time than it is giving due to logistical challenges and frequent changes. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sarah and Laura kick off this episode with 5 of their most recent reads -- an interesting variety to say the least! Then, they share tips to fit more reading into your life, as well as specifics on how they choose to do it -- including a discussion of paper vs electronic, morning or evening, and how they pick their books. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for advice on creating an affirmations folder or collection. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura talk about their own tendencies to compare + despair at times, as well as what helps them to avoid this! Then, Sarah interviews Kate Strickler, creator of Naptime Kitchen and author of I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy. Kate shares the areas in which she struggles the most as well as what has worked to overcome this mindset over the years. In the Q&A, a listener writes in excited about an upcoming girls' trip, bu...
In today's episode, Laura discusses the merits of time tracking, while Sarah shares how her own time tracking has evolved over time. Laura shares some of the most common findings from the (many) others who have shared their time logs with her, and she also talks about why she's kept put the habit for more than TEN years running now! In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for advice for when one needs more hours to work in a flexible job. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open by remembering the spring of 2020, the last time Jen was on the show and a time frame just a bit before the opening of her new memoir, Awake. Jen shares how she's evolved her career with time and what it was like to share her raw experiences in her recent work, which chronicles the dissolution of her marriage after she woke up to hear her husband dictating a text to his girlfriend one fateful night that summer. In the Q&A, a listener wonders how to be...
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open talking about the upcoming elementary school year, and then Laura interviews Alyssa Blask Campbell, head of Seed and Sew, an organization devoted to raising emotionally intelligent children. Alyssa can be found at seedandsew.org and @tinyhumansbigemotions on IG. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for advice as a beginning runner. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura share things they've learned in their 40s -- a decade people don't necessarily look forward to, but one that they are both definitely enjoying! They also give a round-up of quotes they've found themselves spouting on numerous occasions, from "People are a good use of time" (by Laura!) and several more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their favorite lists to make and to keep! Examples include a 100 Dreams Lists, a Someday Maybe list, Seasonal Fun Lists, various Gift Lists, and more. In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering how to encourage a reluctant child to attend overnight camp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their thoughts, plans, and ideas around back to school -- possibly round 9 of this discussion, but it changes every year! They chat about routines, new challenges, college (!), homework, bedtime, and more. In the Q&A, they discuss: packed or school lunch? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dr. Reshma Shah is a board-certified pediatrician and expert on feeding families and plant-based nutrition. In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open by talking about how their families are doing dinner these days, and then Sarah interviews Reshma who provides insights on her Family Table approach, including her recommendations for selective eaters and cultivating a welcoming dinner atmosphere even with kids going off in every direction to different activities. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah sha...
In today's episode, Sarah and Laura discuss maintaining adult friendships, and then Sarah delves into her recent 'friends trip' -- the planning, the execution, and the fun! In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura provide strategies for fitting in work over vacation or while traveling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this fun episode, Sarah and Laura share their own takes on popular wellness trends that seem to be taking the world by storm. Topics discussed range from cold plunges to GLP-1 medications and beyond, and there are hot takes galore. Then, both hosts share various strategies that help them reset when facing their own habit challenges or just to get out of a rut. In the Q&A, a listener expecting baby #2 asks for ideas for what kinds of big-picture planning questions to think through before t...
Heather Avis is a parent of two children with Down Syndrome. She shares her powerful adoption story and her mission to shift the narratives around special needs. She also has great perspective on helping kids develop resilience and embrace what makes them different. Her new children's book, I Like You So Much, is available wherever books are sold. In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering how she can get her partner on board with planning travel now that they have a 5-year old. See omnystud...
Extended family relationships: they can be wonderful, and they can be hard! In today's episode, Sarah and Laura talk through some common challenges in this arena -- from conflict over traveling for the holidays to family members as babysitters -- and provide ideas that might help make things a little bit easier. Plus, family text chains and a thought-provoking question: what kind of role do you see yourself playing as an extended family member in 20-30 years? In the Q&A, a listener with youn...
In today’s episode, Laura interviews Kristen Holmes, a senior White House correspondant for CNN who just had her second child in Janaury (meaning she spent most of the presidential campaign last year pregnant!). She shares her strategies for combining pregnancy, early parenthood, and work while on a big public-facing career track. In the Q&A, a listener asks about age spacing - is there any particular challenge (or upside) to having kids farther part, such as an age gap over 4 years? See omn...
In today’s episode, Sarah interviews Marcy Syms, former CEO of an apparel corporation and current founding trustee and president of the Sy Syms Foundation. Marcy believes that clothing is a form of self-respect, and a powerful PR tool. She discusses why it makes sense to invest time and money into our wardrobes, and how to do so effectively, with some surprisiing suggestions about where and how to shop! Marcy’s book, Leading with Respect: Adventures of an Off-Price Fashion Pioneer, is out in Aug...
In today’s episode, Laura and Sarah share their traditional mid-year review! They revisit 2025 goals in several categories, including personal, career, relationships, and household, and reflect on their chosen words of the year. In the Q&A, a listener asks for tips about when to fit in more summer reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
