The Lazy Genius Podcast

Latest Episodes:

A New Year Pep Talk with Gretchen Rubin (Bonus) Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

January often arrives with a mix of motivation and overwhelm—fresh starts, lofty goals, and the pressure to do things differently. To explore this complicated season, I’m joined by Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author and leading voice on habits, happiness, and human nature. Our conversation is a thoughtful look at how to approach the new year with intention, from embracing clean slates to making space for what matters most. If you're feeling the weight of January expectations, this episode offers both insight and encouragement.

Helpful Companion Links

Find Gretchen on Instagram and on her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin.
Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#451 - Permission to Not Be Great Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

I’m all for setting goals, trying new things, and tracking what matters. Those are all good and worthy pursuits. But today, I want to offer you a little practical permission to not be great. I’ll even go first and share a few things I’m intentionally choosing to not be great at in this next season of life.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.

Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letteror if you just want to see what I’ve been reading lately, sign up for The Book List.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#450 - What to Do Before a Winter House Reset Dec 29, 2025

Show notes

I can feel it. This is the week. Or at least the week is coming where you look at the holiday decorations and extra presents and general detritus from the busy fall and get an organizational fire in your eyes. Big black trash bags are coming out. That energy is totally fine, but today, let’s talk about what to do before all that happens.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#449 - Favorite Discoveries of 2025 Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

This is a roundup of all my favorite things I’ve discovered and loved this year only. It’s a really fun list.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Find our digital products here (which are going into the sunset at the end of the year!)
The Diplomat (streaming on Netflix)
Albanese Gummi Bears
B-word Sauce
Merit Beauty
Mane Ready or Knot Hairbrush
Cozy Earth sheets (use code LGPOD for 40% off as of the recording of this episode)
Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Columbia Heavenly Long Puffer
Tiny Teaspoons
Winproper Fruit Colander
Caroline Garvin on YouTube

Bonus: How to Approach Holiday Downtime Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

We are releasing an extra episode for you as you enjoy your winter holidays. This is an episode from a while back that I think will be a great addition to your podcast listening queue in this quieter week. It's episode 345: How to Approach Holiday Downtime. This is the time when we move from the scurry of holiday preparations and schedules to just like suddenly being home with little to no agenda, and that can be kind of hard. So this bonus episode might be just for you.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Episode #320: How to Feel Good About Free Time
Episode #258: The Seven Kinds of Rest and How to Know Which One You’ll Need
Episode #212: A Guide to Summer House Rules
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#448 - How Wonder Shows Up When You Slow Down Dec 15, 2025

Show notes

It’s easy to stay in prep mode after being in it for so long. But today, I want us to remember that the wonder of any season, Christmas or otherwise, often shows up when we slow down. We’ll talk about what it looks like to have eyes of wonder, and then I’ll share some practices to help you notice the sparkle and wonder of the next couple of weeks and then some other practices to help you cultivate that practice of noticing all year long.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Find me (and our episode playlists) on Spotify.
One Line a Day Journal
One Second Everyday app
Yearbook Playbook
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#447 - How to Finish Last Minute To-Do Lists (Part 2) Dec 08, 2025

Show notes

If you start to go wide-eyed when you look at your to-do list and have a low-key sense of dread that it’ll all get done in time, this episode is for you.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Episode #395: How to Finish Last-Minute Lists
The Best Holiday Music Library Ever
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#446 - Keeping Up With Chores When Life Is Extra Busy Dec 01, 2025

Show notes

Regular life doesn’t stop just because it’s December. When life is busy, the ordinary things tend to get the shaft because we’re trying to tend to all the unusual, urgent things instead. But those ordinary tasks are in many ways the backbone of staying a little calmer in a busy season. Let’s talk about what that looks like and what not to do with your chores and routines in a busy season.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Find our digital products here (which are going into the sunset at the end of the year!)
Episode #439: Chores I Do Every Day, Part 2
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letteror if you’re just looking for book reviews, sign up to receive The Book List.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#445 - When You’re Maxed Out Nov 24, 2025

Show notes

It’s that time of year again, when we’re all feeling a bit like, “When it rains, it pours.” Most of the rain is really quite lovely, but this season, at least at our house, sometimes feels like so much. I have not been this close to full on maxed out in a long time, and I am feeling it. Today, I want to share a simple Lazy Genius path to naming what’s maxing you out and tending to it well so that you can enjoy this season.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Check out our newest versions of The Playbooks!
Episode #443:What’s Saving My Life
The Best Granola Ever Recipe
Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens.
Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it.

#444 - 10 Ways to Simplify a Holiday Gathering Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

I think we could all use some help when it comes to holiday gatherings or just larger family gatherings in general. Uncommon situations often produce the unexpected, so let’s talk through some tools that simplify what might already be complicated enough. I have ten super simple ideas to simplify your gathering, and even if you try one, I think it’ll make your life a little bit easier.

Helpful Companion Links