In the episode, Sarah and Laura open with a discussion of school supply buying escapades as well as this year's school logistics. Then, they dive into the subject on many people's minds -- how to grapple with this year's COVID surge and the start of school. Sarah shares her impressions of Florida's current situation, and they both discuss contingency plans for inevitable quarantines. In the Q&A, a listener writes in with a common dilemma - stay in a "gilded cage" at work with good work/life ...
Aug 24, 2021•34 min•Ep 212•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Laura and Sarah open with a list and discussion of Laura's top ten work-related tips. Then, guest and meetings expert Helena Weiss Duman joins Laura to discuss the building blocks of an efficient, effective work meeting. Finally, the Q&A addresses a listener's question about running during pregnancy: how hard to push? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Aug 17, 2021•34 min•Ep 211•Transcript available on Metacast After a full episode that was pretty negative recently (Compare & Despair, #207), Laura and Sarah decided to bring some positivity to the mix with an episode filled with (mostly little) things they are grateful for an appreciate in life, from subscription skincare boxes to summer footwear to things found in nature. In the Q&A, they answer a frequently asked question about the right amount of childcare backup coverage when there are two inflexible careers in play. Learn more about your ad...
Aug 10, 2021•41 min•Ep 210•Transcript available on Metacast Allison Daminger is a PhD candidate in sociology and social policy at Harvard, and in this fascinating episode she shares her insights and research findings she's had so far while studying this hot topic. Before her interview segment, Laura and Sarah do a back and forth exchange about which tasks go to which parent in each household. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about her difficulties keeping a consistent childcare provider. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ...
Aug 03, 2021•50 min•Ep 209•Transcript available on Metacast This episode begins with a discussion about screen time -- different policies for different ages, stages, and personalities. Then, Sarah interviews Emily Oster (a rare repeat interview guest!) about decision-making. They chat about COVID, risk, family decisions, math, and Emily's new book, The Family Firm. In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering if she can do anything to bring more peace and enjoyment to mornings with a toddler. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoic...
Jul 27, 2021•39 min•Ep 208•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode inspired by a recent blog post of Sarah's, Sarah and Laura have a candid discussion about comparisons: where the urge to compare comes from, how it makes each of them feel, their own "compare & despair" triggers, and ways to combat these feelings. In the Q&A, a listener writes in about dealing with unexpected extra demands at work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 20, 2021•33 min•Ep 207•Transcript available on Metacast Sarah and Laura are very excited to have Rachel Rodgers on today's episode. Rachel Rodgers is an author and CEO of Hello Seven, a company dedicating to helping marginalized populations build wealth. In the conversation, Laura and Rachel discuss entrepreneurship, the way the concept of wealth is regarded in women especially, and much more. In the Q&A, a listener with a recent promotion writes in asking about how to learn to be more assertive in her new leadership role. Learn more about your a...
Jul 13, 2021•36 min•Ep 206•Transcript available on Metacast In the intro, Laura and Sarah discuss their current engagement in community activism and giving. Then, Kathleen joins Laura to discuss how she has found success in her career as well as joy in giving back to those in need. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer an audio question about managing kids' clothing. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Jul 06, 2021•40 min•Ep 205•Transcript available on Metacast In this fun and conversational graduation-themed episode, Sarah and Laura first think back to their own graduation experiences. Which were the most memorable? Then, Sarah and Laura delve into tips they would love to impact on their former selves at each of their own graduation milestones! Finally, in the Q&A, the hosts discuss an increasingly common new dilemma: how to handle upcoming shifts for some back into the in-person workplace? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adch...
Jun 29, 2021•34 min•Ep 204•Transcript available on Metacast This episode opens with a discussion of Laura's recent planner matchmaking adventures after doing a guest spot on Sarah's planning podcast, Best Laid Plans. Then, Sarah and Laura review their midyear goals. What has been accomplished, and what needs to leave the list entirely? Both discuss areas of work, family, and personal goals. Finally, they answer a listener's question about using a summer flex hour option vs regular old paid leave. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Jun 22, 2021•30 min•Ep 203•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah open this episode by talking about taking time off and breaks in general, and why it is so important to think about proactively. Then, Dr. Joan Dunlop, a pediatric allergist/immunologist at Johns Hopkins, joins Sarah to tell her story about taking time out of the workforce and looking beyond the traditional medical career path. Her journey went outside the 'usual' but in it she was able to find a way that truly worked for her personal and career goals. She also shares some insigh...
Jun 15, 2021•38 min•Ep 202•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Laura and Sarah share a more intimate look at their highest and lowest parenting moments. Each of them discuss moments of pride . . . and those moments that are almost exactly the opposite. Finally, they end on a positive note, feedback-sandwich style: positive things they have noticed about each kid that make them feel happy and warm inside (yes, all 8 of them!). In the Q&A, they address a listener's question about how to categorize and think about an unpaid side venture. L...
Jun 08, 2021•34 min•Ep 201•Transcript available on Metacast It's a milestone to reach 200 episodes, and Sarah & Laura wanted to celebrate! In this episode, they chat about how the podcast got its start, when it could end, and various highs and lows. Sarah also describes the podcast-making process and how it's evolved. Then, both delve into favorite guests and episodes from the last 100, and big takeaways from these guests as well as each other. The Q&A features an audio question from Lauren, asking for tips on working from home with an infant. Le...
Jun 01, 2021•37 min•Ep 200•Transcript available on Metacast It's a summer fun episode! Laura and Sarah reminisce about summers past (day camp + the Jersey Shore figure prominently!) and then they move onto the Summer of 2021, which is looking at this point to be much better than Summer 2020. They discuss camps, potential travel, summer reading, and more! In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a question relating to retaining aspects of slower pandemic-style living. Is it still something they are seeking? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
May 25, 2021•35 min•Ep 199•Transcript available on Metacast In this fun conversational episode, Sarah and Laura run through their top 5 pet peeves in life - plus a bonus! Themes include technology, people who not respect time or boundaries, and the concept of a "relaxing" vacation with toddlers. The Q&A features a listener contending with the rapidly changing financial landscape that can come with divorce. P.S . In honor of Sarah's birthday, we would love it if you left us a review on your favorite podcast platform! Learn more about your ad choices. ...
May 18, 2021•40 min•Ep 198•Transcript available on Metacast Curran Schiefelbein is a software engineer who has worked full time, part-time, and has stayed home at various points in her career. Her story is poignant and includes the tragic loss of her husband to illness, and she describes how she weathered returning to the workforce while learning to navigate her new life as a widow. In the introduction, Laura and Sarah also share some listener tips on returning to work after a break, and the question features a listener wanting to maximize quality time w...
May 10, 2021•33 min•Ep 197•Transcript available on Metacast In this all Q&A episode, Laura and Sarah answer seven questions, including their very first audio query (submit your own if you would like -- just visit the show notes page on Laura's blog for details!). Topics covered include setting personal weekly goals, navigating grandparent gifts (with an aside on the accumulation of 'stuff'), transitioning from one to two (or more) kids, and a fascinating "what if" question asking each whether they wished they had taken time off to stay home. Learn mo...
May 04, 2021•38 min•Ep 196•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah share what is going on regularly in their families. They discuss schedules, morning routines, weekends, kid bedtimes, and a full week of actual dinners, with a few digressions along the way! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 27, 2021•46 min•Ep 195•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is all about . . . email. That may sound dry, but both Laura and Sarah recently finished Cal Newport's A World Without Email (Laura reviewed in the WSJ!) and had many thoughts about the role our inboxes play in our lives, for better or (sometimes) for worse. They discuss their own inbox habits, tips for managing the deluge, and perhaps some ways of finding some more peace. In the Q&A, they answer a listener question about studying for an important licensing exam as a busy parent...
Apr 20, 2021•42 min•Ep 194•Transcript available on Metacast Sarah and Laura open with a travel discussion -- finally feeling like certain trips are safe to plan again! They discuss vacation rentals vs hotels and why both have moved towards the former for family trips! Then, they welcome You Need A Budget's founder and CEO Jesse Mecham for a fascinating discussion about the role of budgets and the benefits of having one. Then in the Q&A, they answer a very numbers-oriented budget question related to the cost of preschool + a nanny. Learn more about yo...
Apr 13, 2021•38 min•Ep 193•Transcript available on Metacast This episode opens with a celebration of Annabel's 9th birthday (this week) which leads to a discussion on tweenhood and then puberty! Sarah shares her pediatric endocrinology expertise to discuss typical puberty and when it is 'normal' to start, and how it can vary depending on a number of factors. Then, Megan Hyatt Miller -- CEO of Michael Hyatt and Co. -- joins Sarah for an interview! They discuss the "double win": ways to win at work and succeed at life while enjoying life raising a family. ...
Apr 06, 2021•39 min•Ep 192•Transcript available on Metacast Laura discusses some progress on her house renovation front (did you know what "muntins" are?) and Sarah reveals her much (MUCH) lower scale recent home improvement. Then, Redfin's Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather joins Sarah to discuss current trends related to home buying and moving, as well as her own setup for making work and life fit together in a major leadership position with two very young children. In the Q&A, they share thoughts on a common listener dilemma - what to do when you h...
Mar 30, 2021•40 min•Ep 191•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah admit they do not have all the answers to the immense challenging that is parenting a toddler. But what you will find in this episode is plenty of commiseration about how tough the toddler parenting years can be, as well as tips that have helped us both in the past (and present, in Laura's case!). In the Q&A, they answer a fun Q&A from a listener asking about things many people do regularly that they choose to skip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...
Mar 23, 2021•41 min•Ep 190•Transcript available on Metacast Laura and Sarah intended for this episode to be about getting out of ruts, but first, came a debate -- are ruts even a bad thing? Where does routine cross over into "rut" territory, and can that vary? They discuss individual tolerances to repetition and then dive into ideas for getting out of ruts, should you find yourself in one! In the Q&A, they answer a listener question about being ~40 with two kids and deciding whether to go for #3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...
Mar 15, 2021•42 min•Ep 189•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Sarah and Laura open by discussing their own podcast listening habits, from playback speed to queue management. Then, Laura interviews Dr. Christine Koh from the lovely podcast Edit Your Life! They chat about minimalism, and if that works for people with varied interests, how to manage your space during a pandemic, and the importance of restorative care. Finally, Sarah and Laura answer a question from perhaps a budding podcaster: how far in advance do they plan their episodes? L...
Mar 09, 2021•38 min•Ep 188•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Laura and Sarah discuss practices for both individuals and companies to promote wellness and engagement in the workplace. Sarah shares ideas from blog readers and her own experiences, and Laura adds what she has learned in her work and research so far. Then, both dissect their own levels of wellness (and Sarah delves into that of her husband!). In the Q&A, they share tips on an age-old question: how to efficiently get out the door with a toddler! Learn more about your ad cho...
Mar 02, 2021•37 min•Ep 187•Transcript available on Metacast This episode starts with a discussion of summer 2021: are camp spreadsheets yet in effect? Laura and Sarah discuss the merits of keeping things simple (especially this year!). Then, Laura interviews former WSJ journalist Joann Lublin about what she has discovered studying the ways executive mothers navigate work and life. (Her new book on the topic -- Power Moms -- released earlier this month!). In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer a listener question about handling undefined chunks of time wh...
Feb 23, 2021•39 min•Ep 186•Transcript available on Metacast This episode is all about . . . fun! One of Laura's goals for the year was to cultivate more fun in her life, so this episode is an exploration of exactly what we find fun and how one might go about having more of it! In the Q&A, they answer a listener question looking for work-from-home lunch inspiration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information....
Feb 16, 2021•37 min•Ep 185•Transcript available on Metacast Sarah and Laura open up with a discussion of winter doldrums (or lack thereof), and strategies for getting through February, which can feel like a long month (even though it's not!). Then, Sarah interviews Marlise Pierre-Wright, a 3rd-year medical student at Northwestern University and mother to a 5-month-old. Marlise made the decision to start her family during medical school and wrote an excellent article about it to help others. We chat all about the knowledge she has shared, what she has lea...
Feb 09, 2021•39 min•Ep 184•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Sarah and Laura talk about their current parenting stages, and then Sarah asks Laura all about issues pertaining to parenting tweens and teens, something Laura has been experiencing for the past few years. Topics discussed include getting one on one time, how involved to get with school work, current social life/screen time issues -- and more. In the Q&A, Laura answers a question about time tracking. Go to fittrack.com/bestof to take 50% off your order. Learn more about your...
Feb 02, 2021•42 min•Ep 183•Transcript available on Metacast 
