The Lazy Genius Podcast

Latest Episodes:

#423 - How to Get Unstuck When Your Space Is a Mess Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

People create a mess, and chances are you have more people in your home right now than usual. Obviously that’s not true for everyone, but I’m talking to you at the end of June. June is full of hot weather, bored children, abandoned projects, and therefore almost certainly a mess. Today, let’s take a few minutes to pep talk ourselves into getting unstuck when your space is a mess.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Episode #379: How to Help Kids Clean Their Room
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#422 - Six Small Things I Do Every Day That Are Making a Big Difference Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Naming the small things is so important and a practice I’ll continue long after this podcast is over, and today’s episode is in the same spirit. I want to share with you six small things I’m currently doing every day that are making a big difference. And all of these things are particular to this season I’m in and haven’t really been mentioned in other places, save one. I hope it’s a list that gives you some ideas for your own.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Episode #254: Chores I Do Every Day
Episode #415: How I Keep My Kitchen Mostly Clean
Episode #374: What’s Saving My Life Summer Edition
Caroline Girvan on YouTube Iron series
Brooks Women’s Crossback 2.0 Sports Bra (affiliate link)
The Summer Playbook
Episode #417: My Favorite Planning Tool Ever
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#421 - How to Handle Bad Moods Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Bad moods run rampant in unusual seasons, and for many of you, summer definitely is. Kids are home, temperatures and tempers are high, proximity is constant, and bad moods are inevitable. This episode is definitely not kid-centric because bad moods transcend kids, but many of you will be glad to have this episode as it relates to your occasionally whiny offspring. Regardless, this episode is here to help you navigate bad moods and stay connected to the people you love, no matter their age.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Burnoutby the Nagoski sisters
Breezy Instrumental playlist on Spotify
Episode #409: How to Parent When Your Kid Is Annoying
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

# 420 - How to Plan a Day That Has No Plan Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

When your days are all reaction and no intention, especially with kids, stress tends to take the wheel. In this episode, we’re talking about how a loose plan can help you live with more joy and less chaos.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Episode #419: 5 Things To Do Before Summer Begins
Get the next Latest Lazy Letter that lands in inboxes on Wednesday, June 4
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#419 - 5 Things to Do Before Summer Begins May 26, 2025

Show notes

Today is Memorial Day in the US, so pools are opening, school is starting to slow down or finish completely, and we are entering the abyss, I mean, beauty of the summer season.

Any time we move from one season to another, whether it’s a season of life or a season on the calendar, it’s good to pay attention to a couple of things so that we don’t suddenly find ourselves in the middle of a new season without the tools we need to live in it the way we hope to. I’m going to share five quick things you can do before summer begins in order to enjoy your summer in an intentional, fun way.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Learn more about The Playbooks or grab a Summer Playbook here
The Summer Docket
Summer Break Calendar from The Essential Calendar
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

# 418 - My Take on Kids and Technology May 19, 2025

Show notes

Kids and screen time. Kids and phones. Kids and rotting brains because that’s kind of what we’re afraid of. But also a lot of things about what comes out of screens are great. It just all feels like too much sometimes but never goes away.

Today, I’m sharing with you my personal take on kids and technology, why I think this is hard, and some ways I approach it, both philosophically and practically, that help me parent in a heavily technological world.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Some related episodes you may find helpful: #210 - How to Lazy Genius Kids’ Screen Timeand#196 - How to Lazy Genius Adult Screen Time
Learn more about The Playbooks or grab a Summer Playbook here
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

# 417 - My Favorite Planning Tool Ever May 12, 2025

Show notes

I’m sharing my favorite planning tool ever, something that doesn’t start big or push perfection but instead honors your season, your energy, and what matters most today. If you’ve ever felt let down by traditional planners, this episode is for you.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
How to Bullet Journal: The Absolute Ultimate Guide
Learn more about The Playbooks or grab a Summer Playbook here
Here’s a link to an Instagram Live where I talk about the Summer Playbook
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#416 - What’s Saving My Life May 05, 2025

Show notes

If you’re new here, this is a favorite episode we do once a quarter. Barbara Brown Taylor, a fantastic author, coined this phrase years ago: what’s saving my life, and I love the regular practice of taking note of what that is for me. I’m sharing ten things that are saving my life right now in this particular season of life, and they, as always, are quite the smattering of unrelated things.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Jesus by Jon Guerra
The BEMA Podcast
RMS Coconut Cleansing Balm(affiliate link)
Caroline Girvan YouTube channel
Merlin Bird Identifier app
Get a Summer Playbook
Get the next Latest Lazy Letter that lands in inboxes on Wednesday, May 7
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#415 - How I Keep My Kitchen (Mostly) Clean Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

We spend so much time in our kitchens—making food, cleaning up food, putting away food. The mess that comes out of that room is nothing short of terrifying. In this episode, I’m sharing 10 things that help me keep my kitchen mostly clean on a fairly regular basis. Maybe you’ll find an idea or two that will work in your home or you’ll be inspired to notice the rhythms you already have in place without realizing it.

Helpful Companion Links

Order my new book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
Sam Kelly Notice & Do guide
House Rulesby Myquillyn Smith
Episode #410: How to Deal with All the Paper
Episode #209: How to Keep Your Surfaces Clear
Sign up for the Latest Lazy Listens email.
Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius KitchenorThe Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links)
Download a transcript of this episode.

#414 - What I Hope My Kids Know When They Move Out Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

My oldest is wrapping up his freshman year of high school, and I can feel how fast it’s all going. This episode is about what I hope he—and all my kids—know before they leave home.

It’s not a checklist of adult skills (though those can be great); it’s more about the slow, everyday work of becoming. I’m sharing a few helpful categories and what falls inside them for us, but your version will look different—and that’s the point.

This isn’t about doing it all. It’s about starting small, right where you are.