Note: If you have differently-abled children, you might want to skip this episode if a discussion of typically-timed childhood milestones would be triggering to you. The counterpoint to the classic "Just You Wait . . ." adage, this episode discusses lots of positive aspects of kids growing older, more verbal, and independent -- from baby and toddler milestones to Laura's (positive!) experiences with teens. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about WHEN personal/family tasks get done. See...
Mar 11, 2025•43 min•Ep 397•Transcript available on Metacast What comes up when you Google yourself, and are you happy the result? Sarah and Laura discuss ways of letting the world know about your expertise, from providing evidence of your competency, the value of persistence, being open to opportunity, and more! In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for non-travel spring break ideas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 04, 2025•37 min•Ep 396•Transcript available on Metacast There's always plenty to worry about, but things can get overwhelming for kids very quickly. In today's episode, licensed therapists Ashley Graber and Maria Evans chat with Laura about how we can encourage calm, even when the news feed isn't. BONUS: many of these tips apply to adults, too! In the Q&A, a listener wonders: at what age do kids start cutting their own nails!? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Feb 25, 2025•39 min•Ep 395•Transcript available on Metacast What does a "good mother" image conjure up for us, and WHERE did we get those ideas, anyway? Nancy Reddy seeks to answer these questions in her book The Good Mother Myth, and this interview goes through many of these myths (those that apply to the early years and the later parenting years, too) with a nod to where they came from and where we might go next. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a question about how they find babysitters. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 18, 2025•46 min•Ep 394•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Sarah and Laura are going to share listener challenges and tips around keeping the spice in their relationships. (Neither will get too personal given the nature of the topic, so grateful for the anonymous contributors!) You might want to use headphones on this one around kids :) Topics addressed include time challenges, hormonal fluctuations, strategies for prioritizing relationships, and more -- with lots of ideas submitted by listeners! In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura answe...
Feb 11, 2025•34 min•Ep 393•Transcript available on Metacast This is a money-themed episode WITHOUT the usual tips to invest in low-fee index funds and avoid the expensive avocado toast. Laura revisits some of the interesting lessons from her 2012 book All the Money in the World, and provides some thought-provoking money questions that she and Sarah answer. Take these prompts as a chance to do some money-related soul-searching for yourself! Examples: - What would you do with an unexpected windfall? What would change about your life? - What's the biggest f...
Feb 04, 2025•41 min•Ep 392•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah open by discussing "empties" in several categories - the things they find themselves buying over and over again. Then, they discuss the concept of repurposing and share ideas for repurposing in multiple categories, from intellectual property to kids' clothes and household items. In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering how to handle it when a friend or relative offers them hand-me-downs and they'd prefer not to keep most of them. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Jan 28, 2025•37 min•Ep 391•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Sarah and Laura conquer a common January conundrum: task management! Sarah came up with the term "airtight task management" to describe a system that allows for you to effectively corral all of your tasks and also ensure they bubble up at the right times! In general, this involves capturing all of the necessary inputs and prioritizing them in places you know you will look, but there are nuances and variations, too. Laura and Sarah discuss their systems, practices for handling...
Jan 21, 2025•38 min•Ep 390•Transcript available on Metacast If you're looking to increase your reading in 2025, today's episode is for you!. Sarah and Laura discuss their reading habits and the Traci Thomas joins Sarah to discuss all things books, from reading habits during busy seasons (Traci has twins!), curating your reading lists, getting out of ruts, tracking reading, and much more. In the Q&A, a listener asks about the logistics of having overnight care for a couples getaway. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jan 14, 2025•45 min•Ep 389•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss their ideas for a Winter Fun list, even though they definitely have different winter climate experiences. Then, Laura introduces this year's Time Tracking Challenge! Sarah asks Laura questions about her time tracking practices, from methods to insights gained. Laura invites listeners to join her in tracking a week in January - visit her website for details (http://lauravanderkam.com)! In the Q&A, a listener asks if it's really necessary to start th...
Jan 07, 2025•38 min•Ep 388•Transcript available on Metacast It's that time of here - here comes the annual goals ep, just in time for 2025! Today, Sarah and Laura share their 2025 goals (in mostly-finalized form) in several domains: personal, work, relationships, and home! In the Q&A, they discuss how often they review their own lists: seasonally or more? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Dec 31, 2024•39 min•Ep 387•Transcript available on Metacast It's the annual "look back" episode, covering 2024 in review! Sarah and Laura share their 2024 highlights, lowlights, and do a detailed reviews of the goals they set one year ago (and shared on the show!). Find out how close they came to their stated goals (spoiler: nailed it in some areas, not so much in others), and stay tuned for next week when they share goals for 2025! Domains discussed included personal, work, relationships, and household. In the Q&A, they answer a question about the r...
Dec 24, 2024•45 min•Ep 386•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah open by discussing the top trips they've ever taken with kids, and whether they ever dreamed of living abroad. Then, Sarah interviews Oneika Raymond! Known as Oneika the Traveller, she is an Emmy-award-winning journalist, speaker, and TV host with a passion for travel and sharing all about it! She has a 5-year old, and shares tips, best destinations, and what she has learned over the years of including her daughter in her adventures starting from a young age. In the Q&A, a li...
Dec 17, 2024•46 min•Ep 385•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Laura and Sarah record live together! They take turns alternating their favorite life hacks, from the philosophical (be okay repeating certain things, if you love them) to the mundane (keyboard shortcuts and apps)! In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about activities for tweens and teens - what are some things this age group will be excited to do with the family? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Dec 10, 2024•32 min•Ep 384•Transcript available on Metacast In today’s episode, Sarah chats with Shira Gill, author of LifeStyled, out this week about all things organizing. Shira shares all about her philosophy of “edit then elevate”, and discusses cataloguing all of her belongings, and her advice for getting started w a big intimidating organizing project! In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about management of tasks that need to happen “soonish”, but not necessarily on a defined date. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy info...
Dec 03, 2024•46 min•Ep 383•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things holiday planning, including the idea of going in to plan your holiday season with a 'blank slate' mindset - choosing things to do NOT just based on what you've done before, but because at least someone enjoys them! Laura notes that tradition itself does have value, so likely the things you've done over and over will carry more weight, but nothing necessarily needs to feel 'required'. They discuss various ideas and their own decisions about t...
Nov 26, 2024•39 min•Ep 382•Transcript available on Metacast Today's episode brings you lots of ideas for lightening your own mental load. Sarah and Laura share their own current 'mental load' challenges, and then Laura shares 7 tips that you might consider if you're looking to feel less overwhelmed by the cognitive and emotional effort it takes to manage life. Strategies discussed include writing things down (always!), batching, automation, embracing vertical ownership, encouraging kids to be independent, spending out when it will help your mental peace,...
Nov 19, 2024•37 min•Ep 381•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of what they wishes parents could be less stressed about (or fixated on, as the case may be!). Then, Sarah interviews Gabrielle Blair, longtime (18 yrs!) blogger at Design Mom and coauthor of The Kids Are All Right, along with her husband. Gabrielle feels strongly that current parents worry too much about some of the wrong things, and offers her valuable perspective as a mom of 6. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about kids' activiti...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min•Ep 380•Transcript available on Metacast Need a break from politics? In today's episode, Laura and Sarah provide a 'palate cleanser' of sorts in the form of 168 hours of food! It's always interesting to hear what "real people" do in the everyday, and so this episode captures the minute of 1 week of meals from each of them. It's pumpkin season. . . does this popular fall flavor make an appearance? Listen to find out! In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah share their favorite cookbooks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Nov 05, 2024•40 min•Ep 379•Transcript available on Metacast If you are trying to decide on a planner for 2025, you are in luck! Sarah provides guidelines for choosing a planner for 2025, and Laura shares her current planning systems as well. They discuss various choices/preferences that will dictate options available, some popular brands to consider, and more! In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering what the highest costs are in raising teens. Please note that most of the things discussed are absolutely optional, but they will give you an idea of ...
Oct 29, 2024•41 min•Ep 378•Transcript available on Metacast Are you an "outdoorsy" family? Would you like to enjoy nature with kids more than you do right now? In this episode, Laura interviews Sarah McCarty, head of Run Wild My Child, to learn tactics for getting outside together, even if it isn't your family's natural inclination. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about Halloween costumes -- how do you handle it when kids change their minds? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 22, 2024•36 min•Ep 377•Transcript available on Metacast Today's episode is an expanded Love of the Week in multiple categories, from personal care to clothing to kids' stuff and household goods, with some of the items fall themed or inspired. Then, Sarah and Laura answer a listener question related to energy management as a toddler parent (doing lots of solo parenting, to boot!). Finally, they share their thoughts on a bonus Q&A on common time derailers. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Oct 15, 2024•39 min•Ep 376•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah open with a brief discussion of the ways their kids have been exposed to service and volunteer work, and then Laura interviews MiaLisa Millares, mom of 3 and executive director of Doing Good Together, a national nonprofit based in Minneapolis that equips families with tools to raise kids who care and contribute. In the Q&A segment, a listener expresses (understandable!!) frustration about not being able to reliably obtain childcare, despite spending a lot of time and energy o...
Oct 08, 2024•37 min•Ep 375•Transcript available on Metacast It's a mixed bag episode! Sarah and Laura open by sharing a bit about their current routines now that the school year has been in full swing for a few weeks. Then, they discuss all things whining, from the inevitability to tips to help tone it down. Finally, they address a great (and interesting!) question from a listener about the merits of preschool vs daycare. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 01, 2024•36 min•Ep 374•Transcript available on Metacast Sam Kelly is a therapist turned course creator with a passion for getting kids to NOTICE and contribute to household management. Sarah and Laura discuss their own current statuses in this realm, and then Sam joins Sarah for the interview portion of the episode. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking how to manage teens not wanting to participate in as many family activities, in part because they are busy with school and their own stuff? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Sep 24, 2024•47 min•Ep 373•Transcript available on Metacast To open, Laura and Sarah talk about previous visions for their own career. Then, in the interview portion Erika Ayers Badan shares some fascinating ideas around work and what it takes to build a career that is truly fun and fulfilling -- she and Sarah discuss failure, boss challenges, coming back from maternity leave, and much more. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking about career coaches. Are they useful, and if so, how do you find a good one? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inf...
Sep 17, 2024•42 min•Ep 372•Transcript available on Metacast Today is a fun but also thought-provoking episode -- Sarah and Laura chose "would you rather?" questions to pose to each other, and both the questions and answers provide a lot of interesting fodder for thought and reflection! Would YOU choose to be more attractive or more intelligent (and what did the hosts pick)? Would you rather work the job you have now for a year at double pay, or take a year off with regular pay? . . . and many others. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for a "per...
Sep 10, 2024•39 min•Ep 371•Transcript available on Metacast In the intro, Sarah and Laura discuss memories of college applications. There may or may not have been typewriters involved! Then, Laura welcomes Alice Chen, BrightStory founder and top college admissions counselor to chat about all things college admissions, from building a narrative that makes sense to viewing the process as an opportunity for teens to learn valuable life skills. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about paying for college. Find more from Alice and Brigh...
Sep 03, 2024•41 min•Ep 370•Transcript available on Metacast Happy birthday to the podcast! Laura and Sarah share their memories from the very beginnings of BOBW, and then reminisce and discuss favorite episodes from the past. They share their biggest surprises, favorite guest eps, favorite conversation eps, and then Laura ends with a piece on the "why" behind the podcast -- illustrating how women can love their jobs AND their families, and truly enjoy doing both. In the Q&A, a listener writes in with job dilemma - choose the one with more flexibility...
Aug 27, 2024•41 min•Ep 369•Transcript available on Metacast In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss the challenges of long weekends home with young kids! These longs stretches of unstructured time can be really challenging when kids are young (babies / toddlers / preschoolers) and so Laura and Sarah share practical strategies to improve your little-kid weekend outlook. In the Q&A, a listener asks: Having a 3rd kid! Do I need a minivan? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 20, 2024•37 min•Ep 368•Transcript available on Metacast 
