Best of Both Worlds Podcast

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. Pleas...

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? Se...

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 dera...

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!!) frustr...

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 pr...

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 t...

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....

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...

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,...

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 doin...

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 omnystud...

Laura and Sarah celebrate back-to-school season with a discussion of all things school-related! They share their own kids' school stages and transitions, and Laura shares a little bit about what it is like to have a college senior (and driving teen with parking permit!). They discuss lunches, back to school shopping, activities, and more. In the Q&A, they discuss the question of when to (and w...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with the state of their own digital clutter. Then, Amanda joins Sarah to discuss all things digital decluttering as well as her very simple yet powerful method of brain dumping via Google Sheet. Some notes referenced: Cleaner Kit App for photo cleanup iPhone: swipe notifications --> options --> turn off Amanda's brain dump acronym: 5-step FOCUS Method...

Today's episode is all about designing your work week! Sarah was given some leeway to choose her clinical days for next year, sparking a whole discussion about strategies once might use to intentionally craft a weekly work rhythm. Laura and Sarah discuss choices that might be made when choosing a part-time schedule or a hybrid WFH/in-office schedule. Finally, they discuss the Ideal Week exercise a...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah talk all about REST. They talk about the realities on rest and leisure time as well ways to really enjoy the downtime we do have. Then, they focus on the idea of trading off parenting duties so that (in two-parent homes) BOTH partners can enjoy some much-needed rest and rejuvenation. They discuss common challenges such as variations single parents might consider...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat live, answering listener questions about a variety of topics! Topics include: - all about the podcast itself (the time it takes, division of labor, etc) - advice for returning to work part time - dream travel destinations - thoughts about future child care arrangements - ways to address loaded questions at work after mat leave return - where do all the epis...

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Amy Laski of the Difference Lab., and they discuss the idea of intentional subtraction -- removing things rather than just shuffling priorities or succumbing to "cram-it-all-in syndrome". Sarah and Laura discuss their own thoughts on this concept, and then Amy joins Sarah to provide her in-depth perspective on this idea and how it can be applied in both persona...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of how much their own jobs have changed in the last decade. Then, Laura interviews Jessi Hempel, host of the Hello Monday Podcast on navigating work/life issues, and they also discuss how parenting roles and expectations might be different (or not!) in a two-mom or two-dad household. In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura provide tips for a liste...

In their traditional midyear episode, Laura and Sarah share progress (or lack thereof, as it may apply!) on 2024 goals, halfway in. They discuss goals in the domains off work, relationships/family, and personal/self, as well as provide updates on daily habits + long term goals. In the Q&A, they address a common question as to where they KEEP all of these goals! See omnystudio.com/listener for...

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura tackle some common struggles, starting with BEDTIME. They discuss struggles and strategies in each category, including bathing suit shopping, summer uniforms, kids' summer assignments, screen time dilemmas, and more. In the Q&A, a listener already thinking about *next* academic year writes in asking about creating a "last minute school request" emergency kit...

Sarah and Laura open today's episode discussing the ways that they keep their friendships (both near + far-flung) alive. Then, Laura interviews Anna Goldfarb, author of Modern Friendship (released just last week!) -- a practical look at how to make and strengthen friendships as an adult in the current very digital world. In the Q&A, Laura and Sarah answer respond to a question about how to bes...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah do a deep analysis of some common myths about working parenthood, from "A stranger will raise your baby!" to "You'll never get any free time every again" to "I can't take on this leadership role, I have (insert # here) kids!" -- and many more. This episode goes out especially to anyone just beginning their parenting journey and wondering whether to believe the h...

In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open with a discussion of teen parenting (mostly with Laura's experience so far!) and then Sarah interviews Ellen Galinsky, longtime researcher and author about all things related to teenhood, as inspired by Galinsky's recent book: The Breakthrough Years: A New Scientific Framework for Raising Thriving Teens. One thing that sets Galinsky apart is how positive sh...

Today's episode is all about building career capital and raising your profile without working around the clock. Sarah and Laura discuss their own work hours, and then discuss strategies in 4 categories listed below: - Building a schedule that prioritizes space for the important - Minimizing other work and making life sustainable - Paying into career capital accounts - Be everyone's favorite to wor...

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with some recent travel planning talk, and then delve into all things packing! They share thoughts on carry-on vs check, current luggage situations, packing processes, and include a discuss ion on packing cubes and the merits of unpacking at your destination. Then, they address some listener travel questions. Topics include managing selective eaters on inte...