Best Laid Plans

Latest Episodes:

Let's Plan the Week Together! EP 294 Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah plans her week on-air! Well, it's a bit of a reenactment (mostly because she needed a quiet house to record), but she goes through all the steps and there are visual aids (please see the show notes @ theshubox.com for photos!).
Steps in her weekly planning process:

Looking back - reflection & review (including migration/review of any prior undone tasks, plus a look at the monthly list)
Looking ahead - upcoming calendar integration
Look around - ensure inboxes are up to date enough & check sneaky sources
Look within - mood and energy assessment
Generate weekly task list and record
Add weekly ops that feel necessary (plus: FUN AUDIT)
Remember the upcoming weekend - think it through
Plan for communication

Episode mentioned where Sarah clears her email on air: https://theshubox.com/2025/11/ep-278-empty-your-inbox-with-me-and-hemlock-oak-daily-weekly-monthly-planner-review.html

Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠for a free 2-week trial.

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Decluttering with Dana K White (Plus An Update from Sarah!) EP 293 Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

Dana K. White is a decluttering expert -- NOT an organizing expert! She shares her mess-free 5-step method in today's podcast, with advice for those who struggle to get started. The 28-day plan she mentions on the episode can be found in her first book, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.
You can find Dana at https://www.aslobcomesclean.com, her most recent organizing book is Organizing for the Rest of Us, and her children's book just came out called Winnie's Pile of Pillows!
Prior organizing guests:
Lisa Woodruff (Organize 365): https://theshubox.com/2021/03/episode-33-organizing-your-home-your-paper-and-your-life-with-organize-365s-lisa-woodruff.html
Tyler Moore (Tidy Dad): https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-234-tidy-up-your-life-organizing-inspiration-for-2025-with-tyler-moore-aka-tidy-dad.html
Shira Gill (Minimalista): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-best-of-both-worlds-podca-29945444/episode/organizing-your-home-and-beyond-with-shira-gill-ep-383-244524397 (This one is actually Best of Both Worlds!)
BLP Live Info: theshubox.com/blplive
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter to be notified when the first (pilot) round of BLPA2.0 is open!

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March Q&A: Planning Your Planning (!), Nested Goals at Work, Email Integration Solutions, and More EP 292 Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the March Q&A episode!
Topics discussed include:
- Do Nested Goals work in the work setting, and if so, would you do the planning for both at the same time, or separate things out?
(Episode mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2026/01/ep-285-sextiles-morning-pages-goals-lists-and-more-listener-tips-qa.html)
- How to plan your planning (very meta - but seriously!) - both at larger and smaller time scales
- How to plan for community engagement or activism?
- Seeking help on syncing Outlook and Google Calendar (listener wisdom requested!)
- Suggestions for mood tracking
Plus, listener Stephanie gives her take on Ramona & Ruth Planners: (https://www.ramonaandruth.com)

Episode Sponsors

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.

Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Peace: Logistics + More in a Family of 8 EP 291 Feb 23, 2026

Show notes

Jessica lives in California with her husband and is a mother of 6! In today's episode, she shares her own detailed planned peace, discussing how she keeps things organized in such a large and active household.
Apps/topics mentioned: Apple's Reminders, Things (for task capture), Laurel Denise Anne layout (https://laureldenise.com/products/2026-the-anne-planner-pemberly-gardens), Essential Calendar (https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/ - if you'd like a coupon code, you can enter BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)
You can find Jessica on Instagram at @stayathomeista

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠⁠⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tracking All The Things: How Much is Too Much? EP 290 Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

In the first part of this episode, Sarah shares some listener follow up to the Task Management episode from 2 weeks ago, including use of Apple Reminders voice entry feature, a simple Notes strategy, Teux Deux, and one listener's analog solution.
Then, Sarah delves into her current thoughts on tracking, which have shifted a bit since her initial episode on the topic. She shares ways in which tracking various metrics has been helpful in recent months and presents a unique use case submitted by listener also named Sarah (a martial artist who blogs at sarahbadatrichardson.com).

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We Can Do This: A February Pep Talk EP 289 Feb 09, 2026

Show notes

This can be a HARD time of year for many! In today's episode, Sarah shares her own February struggles and provides a pep talk for all of us who might be stuck in winter doldrums or feeling less excited about our 2026 goals.
Books recommended: Meditations for Mortals or 4000 Weeks By Oliver Burkeman
Reminder: BLP Live will be Nov 5-7 2026 - be one of the first to be notified by signing up for Sarah's newsletter.

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP ⁠

Green Chef: Visit ⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Guide to Airtight Task Management EP 288 Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

Sarah opens up with a little update on how 2026 is going so far (as we head into February!), and then dedicates the rest of today's episode to airtight task management! She talks inboxes (collecting tasks) and creating a strategy for processing all of the to-do items that tend to come our way in all sorts of forms and timelines.

Our Sponsors

Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP

Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes.

IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans.

PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analog Is Trending! EP 287 Jan 26, 2026

Show notes

Analog is definitely trending, and Sarah is here for it! In today's episode, she discusses the trend, her take on choosing analog when possible, and the unexpected effects on the planner world (!). She also addresses a listener who would like to use more tangible paper tools in her planning system, but struggles with a work system that is all digital.

Link to the WBEZ article: https://www.wbez.org/business/2026/01/15/shoppers-chicago-stationary-shops-atlas-paper-pencil-hobonichi-social-media-analog

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠⁠⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planning Your 2026 Fitness Goals EP 286 Jan 19, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah chats about the evolution of her own fitness goals and interviews Meg Olander, personal trainer and certified group fitness coach. Meg has years of experience helping people with their fitness goals, and in today's episode, she shares her favorite strategies for success in fitness goals, from planning and prioritizing to avoiding optimization to accountability.

You can find more from Meg at https://fitfedfeelinggood.com and her podcast, Redesigning Health & Home

Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your physician before starting or changing any exercise program, especially with any health conditions or concerns. Your safety comes first!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sextiles, Morning Pages, Goals Lists and More: Listener Tips & Q&A EP 285 Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

In today's episode, Sarah shares listener tips and answers questions!
Topics & references include:
- Stationery Store Spotlight: Wonder Fair in Lawrence, KS
- Alyce's alternative to January 1
- Sextiles: A listener creates her own seasons that work for her
- An A-to-Z 26 in 2026 list
- Feedback on the Friends Spreadsheet: A Notion Friends CRM (Customer Relationships Management) Tool
- Corporate uses for the Nested Goals framework
- Morning pages: is Sarah completing the entire Artist's Way course?
- Where do you find other people's goals lists?
- How to develop goals in the thick of little kid/baby life?
THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Sarah in her book launch journey! If you enjoyed Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love, please leave a review anywhere (Amazon, goodreads, B&N, Bookshop)!

Episode Sponsors:

PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at ⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠

IXL: Visit ⁠www.ixl.com/plans⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!)

Organize 365: Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠organize365.com/sunday-basket⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to check out the Sunday Basket® today

Green Chef: Visit ⁠greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza⁠ and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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