I am no makeup expert by any stretch, but over 20+ years of wearing makeup, I’ve figured out one strategy that works for me, and I want to share it with you today. Helpful Companion Links If you want to be a genius about makeup, follow Jamie B. Golden on Instagram. Do it. Go. And while you’re there, I’d love for you to join in on the Lazy Genius fun, too. More words about the products I use on my four faces here. My monthly newsletter, Latest Lazy Letter, goes out this Wednesday. There will be b...
Jun 01, 2020•18 min•Transcript available on Metacast It can feel like our closing ceremonies are shot because of how things are within the setting of a pandemic, and that’s a very real thing. I’ve said it several times in episodes about a variety of topics, but there’s a lot to grieve right now. But here’s an important thing to remember: the magic of a closing ceremony isn’t really about what you do but that you just do something. Stuff Mentioned Want a refresher on opening and closing ceremonies? Start here: Plan Your Opening Ceremony (119), The ...
May 25, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Right now, we’re separated from each other in ways we never have been before, but there will be other times when we want to stay in touch with people we love when we’re far away from them, whether it’s across the country or six feet apart. So today, how do we stay in touch when we can’t actually touch? Helpful Companion Links Myquillyn Smith, aka The Nester, gave me the framework of “lovely limitations.” Her book, Cozy Minimalist Home (affiliate link), is my go-to Christmas gift for my kids’ tea...
May 18, 2020•31 min•Transcript available on Metacast If you’re stressed about all that’s going on, you might be sleeping less, not eating the same things because of apocalyptic grocery shopping, maybe you’re not able to read or run or get drinks with girlfriends, all things that normally make you feel really good on hard days. So yeah. I feel like it’s a good time to talk about what it means to take care of ourselves. Helpful Companion Links A few extra resources not mentioned specifically in the episode: The Lazy Genius Rests, The Daily Act of Ki...
May 11, 2020•11 min•Transcript available on Metacast Last week, I shared ten principles of lived-in cleaning, but today, we’re diving into the specifics. Laundry, tidying, bathrooms, dusting and all the things. Just how do we keep our homes clean when everyone is in it all of the time? Let’s jump in. Helpful Companion Links We talked about the 10 principles of lived-in cleaning last week, revisit that episode (or catch up on it) here. Here are the most popular cleaning episodes from The Lazy Genius back catalog: laundry, laundry updated, and how t...
May 04, 2020•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast A lot of us are still sheltering in place, and that brings a new set of challenges when it comes to cleaning. Because there are so many challenges, we’re going to make this a two-part miniseries. Today, I’m going to share 10 principles of lived-in cleaning. Then next week, we’ll get into some specifics like laundry, bathrooms, dust, and crumbs on the floor. Here we go. Helpful Companion Links If you’re active on Facebook, we’d love to have you in The Lazy Genius Facebook group. It’s a lovely res...
Apr 27, 2020•26 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re still in a shelter-in-place situation in most parts of the country and part of this process includes not going to the grocery store as often. Thing are weird, and new meals don’t really fit in with our weird. We’re eating a lot of the same things over and over again, but I’m sharing five ways to add freshness to repetitive meals. Helpful Companion Links Bri McKoy is great at a lot of things, but I love love love the sauces and dressings she comes up with. Here’s a link to her cilantro yogu...
Apr 20, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Yes, we’re still in the coronavirus pandemic, but honestly, there are lots of times when time makes no sense. It’s a struggle to get a handle on how to manage our time when our regular average day and the regular average things you normally do to fill it gets turned upside-down. So today we’re going to revisit the three Lazy Genius pillars of time through the lens of time making no sense. Helpful Companion Links The Favorites File is the entertaining homework you didn’t know you needed right now...
Apr 13, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Based on the number of downloads of past episodes related to reading, I know that there’s an overwhelming majority of people listening who really love to read. So when our regular reading rhythms are disrupted by odd circumstances, it’s nice to have a roadmap of how to get back to normal or how to create a new normal. That’s what this episode will do. Stuff Mentioned I’m planning to be on Instagram @thelazygenius this Thursday around noon ET to chat about this topic, so be sure to follow me ther...
Apr 06, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast Whenever I share something about eating outside, the questions pour in on how to do it. Breaking things up a bit and getting into the fresh air sounds really good right about now, so lets Lazy Genius eating outside. Helpful Companion Links The Lazy Genius Cleans the Kitchen is a good refresher on how to reset your kitchen after a meal, so apply the same dishes zone principle to eating outside. If you have ideas on how to eat outside with more ease and fun, share them on Instagram using #lazygeni...
Mar 30, 2020•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast These are weird, scary, surreal times, but, honestly, I am grateful for how this global crisis has already affected how we see. Here are five things to remember when you’re stuck at home…or maybe when you’re just stuck. People and Resources Mentioned in This Episode The Incomparable Mister Rogers, who tells us to look for the helpers Seth Godin, who reminds us the ocean is made of drops Ralph Waldo Emerson, who encourages us to scatter joy Ingrid Fetell Lee, who wrote the book Joyful Myquillyn S...
Mar 23, 2020•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast Note from Kendra: This episode of The Lazy Genius Podcast was recorded before the majority of changes, postponements, cancelations and recommendations for social distancing due to covid-19 were enacted. Please know that I am thinking of the Lazy Genius community during these uncertain times. Be well. Naming what you’re good at is a simple exercise in being kind to yourself. And to be a Lazy Genius, you need to do that! Your gifts and abilities and ways of seeing and being in the world are signif...
Mar 16, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to mark moments, make memories, and give our kids something to remember. Even if you don’t have kids, there’s still a high cultural premium on memories. Scrapbooking, photo albums, daily journals, the Gram. But if we try to manufacture memories, mechanize them, we’ll get overwhelmed by something that our brains already do. Let’s make memories like a Lazy Genius. Helpful Companion Links You can listen to Ten Steps to Creating Your Own Traditions (even if it’s...
Mar 09, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, I’ll give you some ideas on how to move forward with a pseudo-traditional capsule wardrobe, but you’re a really smart person. If you pay attention to what matters, what doesn’t, and you create a few guidelines around those things, you can create your own process for building a capsule wardrobe. Helpful Companion Links My book is about to be a real, physical thing in the world! You can check out the cover and preorder it here. Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing list here to stay...
Mar 02, 2020•27 min•Transcript available on Metacast What’s the problem with picky kids? It’s frustrating to make food that doesn’t get eaten. More than that, we worry that our kids aren’t getting the nutrients they need or that they’ll only eat brown and red foods for the rest of their lives. But really, when it comes down to it, it’s fear. Let’s flip the script and nurture kids who trust their bodies. Helpful Companion Links Here’s the first episode I did on intuitive eating and here’s a list of intuitive eating resources crowdsourced from Lazy ...
Feb 24, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Listen, I know this is super specific. I know this topic is privileged and it comes with baggage. But I also know it’s important to talk about these things, particularly if you’re in a season of life where something’s gotta give. This episode has practical thoughts about hiring a housecleaner, and a little pep talk about letting go of the shame and embarrassment that often comes with asking for help. Stuff Mentioned I first mentioned hiring a housecleaner in my monthly newsletter, The Latest Laz...
Feb 17, 2020•22 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, we’re diving into the logistics of building community — specifically in our female friendships. We all want to get together with friends and do fun things, have traditions and all of that. So this episode is important in its simplicity because friendship matters. Helpful Companion Links There’s a friendly space for Lazy Geniuses here on the Internet in the form of a private Facebook group. Join us and get help or give help in being a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the ...
Feb 10, 2020•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast I believe in a world where it is fun and not loaded to talk about our bodies because our bodies are awesome. Full disclosure: I haven’t always felt this way, not by a long shot. I understand the difficulty here, so let’s move into this topic together. Stuff Mentioned I got on my soapbox last week thanks to an episode on Living Without Food Rules. It’s a RUHL good time if you missed it. Sarah of @thebirdspapaya is one of the most powerful voices I’ve encountered around thinking about our bodies. ...
Feb 03, 2020•10 min•Transcript available on Metacast Let's play a game. Let's name all of the food rules you've experienced in your life. Yeah...we'll be here a while and we probably won't feel that great after we list them all out. That's why I'm so passionate about talking about living without food rules. We don't need them, y'all. Here's why. Helpful Companion Links I host a secret monthly podcast with my sister on Patreon. You can become a patron by signing up for The Lazy Sisters Podcast here. Here’s The Lazy Genius and Healthy Eating episode...
Jan 27, 2020•30 min•Transcript available on Metacast I know that so many of you folks who listen to this podcast love to read. You love books and more books and finding more ways to get more books into your life. In today’s episode, we’ll create a quick and easy path to figuring out what to read this winter if that’s on your radar and how to make the most of your reading minutes over the next couple of months. Helpful Companion Links Here’s my winter stack if you need to see my titles in black and white pixels. I take this seasonal approach to mea...
Jan 20, 2020•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast I love putting the proper importance on food and meals and gathering around the table but not wasting energy on the wrong things. Those wrong things look different for everyone listening, but today we’re going to figure out what matters and what doesn’t around your winter table. Stuff Mentioned The list of actual meals my family is eating from my Winter Dinner Queue this season. Hope*Writers is opening its doors to new members now through Friday, January 17th. If you already know you want in, yo...
Jan 13, 2020•25 min•Transcript available on Metacast Today, I’m giving you two simple questions to ask yourself as you move into 2020 so that you can see your time in a way that makes sense for the season you’re in and makes a difference in your everyday life. Helpful Companion Links January’s Latest Lazy Letter goes out on Wednesday, and I would love for it to land in your inbox if it doesn’t already. Join the Lazy Genius VIP mailing to get this once-a-month email chock full of book recommendations, podcast talk, and a little insight I don’t shar...
Jan 06, 2020•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast Goals aren’t so you’ll look or be the way you think you should. They’re not to make you fit in. They’re not to make you seem like someone who’s got their life together. They’re for you. Helpful Goal-Related Companion Links Don’t set stupid goals. Here’s how. The perfect solution to dealing with screwing up a goal. If you’re craving something a little more tangible today, listen to The Lazy Genius Sets Goals or read How to Set Goals like a Normal Person. If you’re great at setting goals but it’s ...
Dec 30, 2019•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Christmas is in two days. Here’s a super quick pep talk that will remind you of two important things you can do during this season. Merry Christmas! Helpful Companion Links If Christmas Eve Eve has you feeling squirrelly, listen (or relisten) to last week’s episode Ten Ideas for a Holiday Reset. Download a transcript of this episode. This podcast is hosted by Kendra Adachi and executive produced by Kendra Adachi, Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey. To learn more about listener data and our privacy ...
Dec 23, 2019•5 min•Transcript available on Metacast We have one week until Christmas, and it might already be time for a reset. No matter how intentional we are, how much margin we create, things surprise us. And that’s okay and normal and we’ll all be fine. Here are ten tips for a reset in case you need one. Stuff Mentioned A few crowdsourced Lazy Genius holiday traveling road trip tips. Make that trip to visit grandma enjoyable from the first mile through pulling back into your driveway. And here's a companion episode for holiday road trips. I’...
Dec 16, 2019•20 min•Transcript available on Metacast I love a good mood. I love a good vibe. And our holiday memories aren’t always what we did; it’s about how we felt. We remember the vibe, the feeling the environment gave us. Let’s focus on creating that vibe and let the activities happen as they will. Here’s how. Helpful Companion Links Background music is the perfect way to add a little atmosphere to your gathering (or your workday). Here’s a post with my favorite Christmas albums and nine carefully crafted holiday playlists I had the most fun...
Dec 09, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast We’re all in gift-giving and gift-buying mode and spending a lot of time on it or least are gearing up to. I want to help you be happy with the gifts you give and be more strategic and thoughtful about the time you spend on finding and buying those gifts. We’ll go through a step by step process, and I think that by the end of this episode, you’ll feel so much better about things. Stuff Mentioned Check out my Holiday Gift Guide chock full of gift ideas that are things that I have actually bought ...
Dec 02, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog post titled Ten Commandments of Thanksgiving Weekend. Looking back on it, I realized some things changed, and that’s okay. That’s why I’ve put together ten strategies that will help your entire Thanksgiving week whether you’re hosting or not. This can be such a beautiful time of year, especially if you think like a Lazy Genius and be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t. Helpful Companion Links For Thanksgiving Week The ...
Nov 25, 2019•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast I love the idea of being thoughtful and intentional about anything, and traditions definitely fit the bill. So today, we’re going to walk through ten steps to creating your own so you’ll be able to think about traditions like a Lazy Genius and then maybe actually do them. This conversation is all about creating your own traditions, so no matter what your family unit looks like, this conversation is for you. Helpful Companion Links This week’s topic was inspired by a conversation during last week...
Nov 18, 2019•23 min•Transcript available on Metacast Y’all, we’re about to spend an entire episode talking about Thanksgiving turkey. Or just turkey if you periodically cook a ten pound bird when it’s not Thanksgiving. I want to talk through it a little because sometimes we need a voice telling us we’re doing okay, especially when we’re dealing with a giant dead bird and hungry, mildly judgmental family members. Stuff Mentioned I shared my absolute favorite turkey recipe a few years ago, and I still stand by it. Watch the crowd from New Girl defro...
Nov 11, 2019•24 min•Transcript available on Metacast