Best of Both Worlds Podcast

Sarah has just moved -- blog, home, schools, and all! So, the two of us talk about the challenges and logistics around moving, from packing to integrating at a new school. We also talk about using tiny slices of time (inspired by the minutes I'll be losing on my commute!). In our Q&A, we discuss a listener's dilemma -- should she keep her job even if the commute is about to double? Learn more...

Gearing up for spring break (or even summer)?  In this episode, Laura and Sarah get into traveling with kids, and particularly the planning aspects.  We chat about how much energy we like to expend on vacations with kids, how far in advance we tend to set things, up, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat with Katie Forrest, UK criminal defense attorney, and mother to a 10-year-old girl with special needs.  She also writes novels on the side!  We learned how she handles the challenges that come with raising her daughter while continuing to achieve in both work and her creative endeavors.  To open up, we also revisit "superficial things".  Our question is a g...

Welcome to our second mailbag Q&A episode! For this fun and spontaneous episode (recorded together from Philadelphia!), Laura and Sarah asked listeners (via Instagram) for some spur-of-the-moment questions - and provided honest, off-the-cuff answers.  Topics range from enneagram types to dealing with in-laws, and everything in between! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...

Lori is an attorney, mother of 2, and runs a side business coaching women on creating a mindful return to work after maternity leave. Lori dishes about her daily life in DC with her involvement in all of these important areas, and we talk about the highlights of what she's learned as a post-leave-mentor, from common pitfalls to pumping adventures. Sarah shares her post-pumping thoughts (hint: her...

In this episode, Laura and Sarah take on the question of what it actually means to be organized, and Lisa joins us in the interview segment with popular tips and tricks from her own organizing programs and podcast. In the Q&A, we discuss a reader's question on pregnancy, baby, and parenting books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for pr...

Laura and Sarah dive into 2019 with this episode on 2019 goals for each quarter (or quintile, in SHU's case). In the Q&A, we answer a listener question on maternity leave: what is the right length, and does Sarah wish she could have taken more? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy holidays and we hope this light and shorter episode helps to get some of you through long-haul holiday travel to some fun destinations! Sarah and Laura are excited about winter weather (well - Sarah is!) and enjoy going through 2018 highlights, from personal to professional to family!  We spend some extra time on our favorite books of the year and our biggest achievements of 2018.  In the Q&...

In this episode, Laura and Sarah dip a toe into somewhat controversial waters and talk about money: making it, spending it, and their history and feelings about it. Find out whose kids get allowances and who is using a handbag held together with dental floss . . .  In the Q&A, we address making the most of family travel when loved ones are separated in far-flung regions. Learn more about your...

Guest Mel Johnson joins Sarah and Laura all the way from the UK to talk about single motherhood by choice. She gives us insight into the process, her decision making, and what it's like to parent as an SMBC (single mother by choice). Laura and Sarah also discuss holiday prep, and Sarah celebrates being DONE with pumping (she's excited!), and our Q&A listener question tackles the holidays and w...

This episode will release on a milestone birthday for Laura (listen to find out which one!). Join Laura and Sarah as they trade their favorite strategies for getting work done with efficiency and a minimum of angst (hint: so much of this is about finding focus and avoiding overload and distraction!).  In the Q&A, they talk fitness with a listener who wanted tips on fitting workouts into an alr...

Kathleen Burns is a partner at a large law firm -- and she achieved this status while having 4 children in the span of 6 years! While Kathleen is truly in the thick of it (her children are 1.5, 3, 5, and 7), she has a number of strategies that help keep her work and home life fitting together well.  And as a maternity leave veteran x 4, she helps answer a listener question about maternity leave -...

Emily Garnett is an attorney and mother of a 3-year-old who was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in November of 2017. We had an inspiring, moving, and educational conversation with her about illness, uncertainty, logistics in the face of a true challenge, and resilience.  Laura and Sarah also talk about Thanksgiving and gratitude, and in the Q&A, a listener asks about how a planner migh...

In this thought-provoking episode, we pick apart the concept of emotional labor with Gemma Hartley, whose Harper·s Bazaar article Women Aren·t Nags · We·re Just Fed Up went viral last year. Gemma is releasing a book on the subject the day this episode airs called Fed Up: Emotional Labor, Women, and the Way Forward.  Gemma talks about why she feels doing less isn’t always the answer, her feelings o...

Welcome to this year·s Plannerpalooza! Last year, Sarah took a deep dive into her own planning techniques and the system she·s honed for herself over the years. This year, she delves into 10 fantastic paper planner options! There is something for everyone on this list, from giant daily custom planners to beautiful goal setting planners and beyond.  If you’re looking for some visual aids, she is fe...

In this episode, Sarah and Laura chat with Kimmery Martin, emergency medicine physician AND author of the delicious, popular, and medically-inspired novel, The Queen of Hearts. We learn about how her career has taken unexpected turns, her advice to other aspiring authors with day jobs, her workday habits, and we even get a glimpse into her next project.  In the Q&A, we tackle a question about...

In this special MAILBAG episode, Laura & Sarah chat about Halloween and then address some great listener questions. We get into kid room-sharing, dealing with the unpredictable nature of parenting as a type A personality, fresh starts at work,  and dealing with a dysfunctional work cycle of overwhelm/recovery.  Listen and then submit your question for a future episode! Learn more about your ad...

Our guest this week is Dr. Stacey Simon Ph. D., a scientist who researches sleep - a fascinating and incredibly important subject! She delves into sleep training basics, sleep needs over the age spectrum, and variations in sleep from child to child. We also learn how she makes her life work as a full-time sleep psychologist and mother of 3, including twins!  Laura and Sarah also discuss work plans...

Meagan Francis is a self-described "entrepreneur, conversationalist, and mother of invention." She hosts the popular Mom Hour podcast, and now runs her own podcast network as well! She is also a mother of 5 and has recently gone through a divorce. She has plenty of wisdom to impart in this episode, including my favorite quote:  "Just because I can do something doesn’t mean I should.”  Learn more a...

Laura came up with the concept of creating a list of 100 dreams in one of her earlier books, 168 Hours, and both Laura and Sarah have a great time revisiting some vintage lists and sharing what is on their new ones. We talk dreams big and little, from fitness and travel aspirations to big family and career goals. In our Q&A, we handle a topic that is frequently mentioned - ways to deal with fe...

Running for office is an intense experience - and so is having an 18-month old! Anne Johnson Landry chats with us about it is possible to do both, sharing her experience of hitting the campaign trail during those toddler days. Sarah recaps their big summer trip out west, and our Q&A is from a sleep-deprived mother of twins. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices See omn...

Jessica Turner is known for her gorgeous crafting and her popular blog in addition to writing two books and sustaining a full-time job! She's also a mother of two, and she shares a glimpse of her multi-faceted life with us on this episode. Jessica's blog is The Mom Creative and her book Stretched Too Thin is out this week. In addition, we discuss Sarah's latest pumping/nursing update and Laura's D...

In this reflective episode, we discuss mistakes and missteps we have made over the years, both big and small. We wonder what life would have been life had we chosen differently, from career choices to website hosting platforms! We also have some fun book talk, and answer a listener question about increased efficiency and reaping the time dividends that come with getting more done in less time. Lea...

What a great topic - who doesn·t want to be happier as a parent!? KJ Dell·Antonia joins Laura LIVE in a Philadelphia hotel room to discuss this great topic and her new book. We delve into travel, homework, and getting kids to do chores. That last part is challenging, but according to KJ very worth it!  In our Q&A we talk about having childcare providers in the home. Learn more about your ad ch...

Happy 1st Birthday to Us, and Back to School! Laura and Sarah revisit some of their favorite episodes, moments, and even a few of their low moments! They also get into the spirit of the Back to School season, discussing school supplies, homework, and the increasingly complex puzzle of after-school activities.  In the Q&A, we address a listener’s backpack woes. Learn more about your ad choices....