Best Laid Plans

By Sarah Hart-Unger

What's Best Laid Plans about?

Welcome to Best Laid Plans -- a podcast all about planning and the planning tools we love. From planning techniques and organizing philosophies to planners and notebooks, we cover it all. Host Sarah Hart-Unger is a mother of 3, physician, podcasting pro, and a lover of lists and all things paper! Listen in weekly for conversations about planning and productivity as well as product reviews and interviews with planning experts!

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LAST EPISODE

Planner Fail? Two Great Wee...

01.30.2023

First, Sarah opens with some follow up from the last Q&A episode, where a listener asked for help organizing meeting notes. Suggestions include scanning and uploading to OneNote, or just doubling down on color coding and separate binders/notebooks! Then she ...

Best Laid Plans episodes:

01.30.2023 Planner Fail? Two Great Weekly Options: Haroo Planner + Roterunner Purpose Planner EP 131 First, Sarah opens with some follow up from the last Q&A episode, where a listener asked for help organizing meeting notes. Suggestions include scanning and uploading to OneNote, or just doubling down on color coding and separate binders/notebooks! Then she ...
01.23.2023 Planning for Sick Days & Illnesses EP 130 In this shorter episode, Sarah -- currently dealing with her own viral illness -- share some tips on planning ahead for illnesses that will inevitably occur! Pre-stock your favorite over the counter medications or supplements, create a resilient schedule, and ...
01.16.2023 Q&A: Keeping Track of Meeting Notes, Irregular Schedules, Erasable Pens, Tracking Ongoing Tasks + Planner Peace Gold! EP 129 Sarah shares a minor update on her 2023 planner stack, and then opens today's Q&A episode with a Planner Peace submission from a successful scientist that is packed with ideas and tips about goal-setting, handling meetings, and more. Then, the ...
01.09.2023 Bullet Journaling, Mindfulness + More with Ryder Carroll EP 128 Welcome to the first interview episode of 2023! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Ryder Carroll, best-selling author, digital product designer, TEDx speaker, and inventor of the Bullet Journal method. Ryder shares the story of how the Bullet Journal came to ...
01.02.2023 A Successful + Fun Kickoff to 2023 + Sarah's 2023 Goals EP 127 Welcome to 2023!! In this episode, Sarah shares 5 tips for a successful and fun start to the new year, and then shares her own personal goals list for the new year. Interested in BLP Academy? Learn more + join ...
12.26.2022 Last 22 Q&A: Keeping Track of "On-the-fly" Tasks, Fitness Planners, Planner Move-In Rituals, Setting Goals with a New Baby + More EP 126 In this Q&A episode -- the last of 2022, Sarah tackles questions from listeners and shares 2 listener tips! Topics include: 1) Goal setting in a year with a new baby 2) Planner move-In rituals 3) Ideas for blank calendar ...
12.19.2022 Finite Lives and Infinite Goals with Oliver Burkeman In today's episode, Oliver Burkeman joins Sarah to discuss his popular and fascinating book, 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. Sarah delves into how Oliver plans, how he went from self-help critic to personal development authors, and how to reconcile ...
12.12.2022 Planner Stack 2023! EP 124 In today's episode, Sarah opens with a listener who had a very minimal but effective planning style, and then she shares all of the physical products (planners + notebooks) she intends on using in 2023! These include: Hobonichi Cousin A5 ...
12.05.2022 2023 Planner Review Round Up! Sterling Ink Common Planner, Laurel Denise All-in-One, Full Focus Binder & Proaction Planner EP 123 Today's episode opens with a detailed planned peace segment from Andrea, a busy physician who has embraced bullet journaling + has also discovered an easy and functional way to keep her email organized. Then, Sarah delves into four mini-reviews: Sterling ...
11.28.2022 Planner Peace with a Stack, Sticky Note Suggestions, Email, and a DIY Goals Planner for 2023 EP 122 In this episodes, Sarah shares a Planner Peace submission from Cheryl, who has found peace (and joy!) with a Planner Pad and Full Focus combo, plus lots of stickers and homemade cloth covers. Then, she discusses some daily planning sticky ...
11.21.2022 Where Planning Rituals and Time Management Collide: Interview with Laura Vanderkam EP 121 Sarah welcomes Laura back onto Best Laid Plans for this fun episode about her planning techniques. Laura recently released a book called Tranquility By Tuesday, which includes a set of 9 rules to help readers enjoy their 'regular' days even ...
11.14.2022 The Intersection of Planning & Fitness with Allison Sizemore EP 120 Allison Sizemore is a coach and head of Couture Fitness Coaching -- and she's also a long-time BLP listener who is passionate about planning! Sarah and Allison share the ways they plan in fitness, down to details about Allison's monthly ...
11.07.2022 Live from Our Planning Retreat: Interview with Joshua Unger EP 119 Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from listener Ursula who has kept things simple and effective with a weekly planner + a notebook! Then, Sarah's husband Joshua Unger joins in for a conversation live from one of their mini ...
10.31.2022 Planning-Adjacent: 10 Rules for Life EP 118 Sarah was inspired by a fellow podcaster (Laura McClellan on The Productive Woman) to share her own 10 rules for life! Some are planning-related, and others are more global. She also shares some upcoming topics + her surprise and gratitude ...
10.24.2022 Mixed Bag Ep! Planner Peace, Ideas, Keeping Track of Tentative Events, and Some Life Updates EP 117 It's a mixed-bag episode! Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from Amanda who shares what she loves about some brands never covered before on BLP: the Legend Planner + Living Well Planner. Then Sarah discusses some release news from ...
10.17.2022 Meal Planning & More with Nakita from The Mama Manual EP 116 In this episode, Sarah opens by sharing an audio Planner Peace Submission from Hannah, who shares her daily/weekly/monthly and quintile planning rituals! Then, Sarah goes into her own meal planning habits over the years and then welcomes guest Nakita Attard ...
10.10.2022 Plannersphere News & Listener Q&A - Family Meetings, Blog/Podcast Recs, and More! EP 115 Today's episode opens with a discussion of some planner news from Erin Condren and Cultivate What Matters. Then, she delves into an expanded Planner Peace segment from a listener who has adapted many BLP techniques into her own comprehensive system, ...
10.03.2022 Deep Dive: Getting Things Done (GTD) EP 114 Sarah opens with a listener sharing about her blinged-out and colorful Hobonichi (pix available at show notes on theshubox.com). She then gives a shout out to Routine and Things with Ashley Brown, who is releasing her first planner this October! ...
09.26.2022 Planning Dates, Media, Reading & More with Kristen Meinzer EP 113 In this fun episode, after sharing a digital planning tip from listener Sonali, Sarah chats with Kristen Meinzer, a podcaster, culture critic, author, and more! They chat about aspects of planning that are incredibly important but that might not instantly ...
09.19.2022 Nolki & Other Planner Updates + Planning Profile: Kate Hanley, Author + Podcaster EP 112 Sarah opens with a review of Nolki notebook, journals, planners, and washi, and then shares updates on Hobonichi, Cultivate What Matters, and more. Then, author and podcaster Kate Hanley joins Sarah in the kickoff to "Planner Profiles" -- a series ...
09.12.2022 Q&A: Thinking Through the Holidays, Habit Tracking, Collecting Memories Long Term, and 2 Planner Matchups EP 111 In this Q&A episode, Sarah tackles 5 listener questions! Topics include: 1) Planning sustainable and enjoyable holiday seasons 2) Tips for tracking (and not forgetting to track) 3) Planner matchup request: daily pages with gridlines + colorful tabs? 4) A ...
09.05.2022 How Sarah Organizes Her Life EP 110 Inspired by a podcast episode of similar title (Cal Newport's Deep Questions Ep #211), Sarah decides to offer a 10,000 foot view of how she organizes . . . pretty much everything! This episode is more about principles than tools ...
08.29.2022 2023 Hobonchi Deep Dive EP 109 It's Hobonichi season, and Sarah is excited! She opens with a Planner Peace submission from Hobonichi user, and then goes into a detailed exploration of the current Hobonichi offerings, from planners to covers and more. Learn about the ordering process, ...
08.22.2022 Back to School Energy, Q&A: Scrolling Habits, Planner Matchups, and Apple Notes EP 108 In this episode, Sarah opens with a discussion of back to school energy, with a shout out to the Hobonichi 2023 releases + the new Full Focus designs. Then, she shares some listener tips related to reading journals and book ...
08.15.2022 Digital Time Management with Kelly Nolan EP 107 In today's episode, Kelly Nolan joins Sarah to talk all things digital planning and calendar management. Kelly is a lawyer, previously working as a litigator. She became passionate about helping women manage their time and thrive in busy jobs, and ...
08.08.2022 Reading Habits & Reading Journals EP 106 This episode is dedicated to all things reading! In the first half, Sarah discusses her reading habits through the years, including a few habits she has embraced recently to help her read more. Then, she provides mini-reviews of 4 reading ...
08.01.2022 Planner Chat with Bloom Cofounder Michelle Askin EP 105 Today's episode is a deep dive into the world of a planner founder and company leader! Michelle Askin cofounded Bloom when she was just 20 years old (!), and 12 years later their products are widely available, addressing planning needs ...
07.25.2022 Getting Though Tough Times: COVID Edition ReAir EP 104 Today's episode is a ReAir, in part because Sarah's voice is a bit out of commission due to COVID. She records a brief intro (and promises to be back when she sounds better), and this is followed by a replay ...
07.18.2022 Listener Tips, A Planner Hub, and a Deep Dive into Current Planning Practices EP 103 In today's episode, Sarah opens with a listener tips about daily theme dressing by color, and shares some info on The Planner Wire, an online hub (created by another planner aficionados) for all things planning related. Then, she takes a ...
07.11.2022 Mid-Year Goals Check In & Triage, Plus an In-Depth Digital Planner Peace EP 102 In this episode, a listener Beth opens with a fantastic Planner Peace submission, all about her transition to digital planning with Artful Agenda. Then, Sarah discusses her process for checking into goals midway through the year. She shares questions to ...
07.04.2022 Listener Tips + Mini-Review: The Plan by Lauren Truslow EP 101 In this episode, Sarah shares a few listener tips! Amanda discusses her own self-care strategy for busy times, Jen shares a cautionary tale about Frixion pens, and Xoke provides some fantastic email tips. Sarah then discusses the upcoming Cultivate What ...
06.27.2022 Ask Me Anything! EP: 100 Today's episode is an Ask Me Anything in honor of the #100 milestone! Sarah received questions from listeners and answers more than 15 of them in this fun episode -- from pencil cases to the ways planning has changed her ...
06.20.2022 Intentional Practices for Harder Times EP: 99 Today's episode opens with a Planner Peace segment from Emelia, who created custom nursing school planners for herself AND shared her beautiful system with her classmates! Then, Sarah answers a question from Lori and suggests 3 options for larger family ...
06.13.2022 Email Musings & More EP 98 In this episode, Sarah opens up with a Planner Peace submission from another Sarah -but that one lives in Australia! Then she quickly discusses a few product finds (Washi Tape Shop, Pilot Frixion Gel Pens). Finally, she gets into a ...
06.06.2022 An All-Digital Planner Peace, Work Notebook Recs, and Vacation Planning (and Packing!) Strategies EP 97 In this episode, Sarah opens with an all-digital Planner Peace submission from Catherine, who organizes everything in various Outlook/Microsoft Products (calendar, tasks, to-dos, and email). Then, Sarah answers a listener asking for work notebooks. Sarah then delves into a discussion ...
05.30.2022 A Detailed Planner Peace and a Review of the 2022/23 EC Daily Duo EP 96 In this episode, Sarah shares a long but incredibly impressive planner peace submission from Heather, who has built an amazing custom system primarily using Agendio. Then, Sarah dives into her review of the Erin Condren A5 Daily Duo! This is ...
05.23.2022 Q&A: Current Lineup, Long Term Planning with a Partner, Ring-Bound Options, Planner Anxiety, and More EP 95 In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace voice memo sent in by Tara! Then she moves to listener Q&A (plus a tip!). Question topics include: 1) Current planner lineup 2) Tip from a listener - idea and resource ...
05.16.2022 Planning Your Summer EP 94 In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace segment from Cindy, who uses MakseLife and Passion Planner currently, and also explains why she prefers her weekly planner separate from her daily. Then, she gets into all things summer planning! ...
05.09.2022 Planning for Stress Relief + Hemlock & Oak Review EP 93 In this episode, Sarah delves into a listener email sent about planning as stress relief. Then, she shares Peggy's Planner Peace submission, which combines use of the Monk Manual, google calendar, todoist, and Organize 365! Then, she goes into an ...
05.02.2022 Planning Your Style & Wardrobe with Lani Inlander EP 92 Today's episode is a veer away from our usual planning topics - stylist Lani Inlander joins Sarah to answer some great listener questions received regarding planning your wardrobe + style! Lani discussed ways one might consider planning outfits for the ...
04.25.2022 Q&A: Planning Household Division of Labor, A Gardener's Planner, Planning Kids' Reading, and Planning for Part-Time Work EP 91 In this episode, Sarah opens up with a new Planner Peace segment, and then shares several listener questions (and answers!). Q1 - Tips for planning to help share the mental load with one's partner Q2 - Recommendations for a hobby ...
04.18.2022 When Life Gets Messy: How to Dig Yourself Out and Feel Better EP 90 In this episode, Sarah opens with a Planner Peace submission from Lynn, a fellow doctor-mom and planner lover! Lynn uses a combination of MakseLife, Midori Traveler's Notebooks, and a Hobonichi Cousin. Next, Sarah mentions a listener tip for those looking ...
04.11.2022 Follow Ups & Planner Launches EP 89 Sarah opens this episode with some follow ups -- thanking those who reached out to listener E, and discussing possible platforms for sharing more together. Then, she shares listener Amye's version of imperfect planner peace! Finally, she provides some details ...
04.04.2022 Tracking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly EP 88 This episode opens with a listener question about eco-friendly planners and also communication your plans with a childcare provider. Another listener writes in looking for ideas for a project to commemorate her 25 years of marriage (awwww!). Then, Sarah discusses ...
03.28.2022 Accountability Partner Ideas + Inamio Review EP 87 A listener writes in searching for a planning accountability partner, and Sarah discusses ways that perhaps the BLP community could come together and share lists (preferably without the temptations of social media platforms). Then, she goes into a review of ...
03.21.2022 Nir Eyal: Planning to Fight Distractions EP 86 Nir Eyal is a former Stanford Business and Design School professor and most recently author of Indistractible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life. Sarah greatly enjoyed the book and her interest was piqued even further when she ...
03.14.2022 Q&A: Digital Planning, Unstructured Days + MaskeLife 6 Month Undated Planner Mini-Review EP 85 In the first half of the episode, Sarah addresses two audio Q&A, one from a digital planning-curious listener and another juggling many professional demands with a 5 month old! A listener writes in about another seasonal family planning option - ...
03.07.2022 Planning a Full and Thoughtful Life with Dr. Christine Koh EP 84 In this fun conversational episode, Sarah joins Dr. Christine Koh -- former professor, podcaster, author, and self-proclaimed internet unicorn -- to chat abut all things planning and planning-adjacent! Christine shares her favorite planning techniques, her gentle way of goal-setting, and ...
02.28.2022 Deep Dive: Notebooks EP 83 It's an all-notebook deep dive episode! Sarah opens with a slew of ideas for uses of notebooks, and then transitions to a discussion of many of her favorite brands and products out there. Brands mentioned: Papier Stalogy Wonderland 222 Hobonichi ...
02.21.2022 Favorite Planning-Adjacent Podcasts + A Bit of Retail Therapy EP 82 In this episode, Sarah shares 8 of her favorite podcasts centered around -- you guessed it -- planning! She also mentions two of her favorites to follow on Patreon, Amanda's Favorites and Planners & Wine. She then shares some planning ...

Older episodes

Best Laid Plans

What's Best Laid Plans about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Best Laid Plans episodes:

Planner Fail? Two Great Weekly Options: Haroo Planner + Roterunner Purpose Planner EP 131

Planning for Sick Days & Illnesses EP 130

Q&A: Keeping Track of Meeting Notes, Irregular Schedules, Erasable Pens, Tracking Ongoing Tasks + Planner Peace Gold! EP 129

Bullet Journaling, Mindfulness + More with Ryder Carroll EP 128

A Successful + Fun Kickoff to 2023 + Sarah's 2023 Goals EP 127

Last 22 Q&A: Keeping Track of "On-the-fly" Tasks, Fitness Planners, Planner Move-In Rituals, Setting Goals with a New Baby + More EP 126

Finite Lives and Infinite Goals with Oliver Burkeman

Planner Stack 2023! EP 124

2023 Planner Review Round Up! Sterling Ink Common Planner, Laurel Denise All-in-One, Full Focus Binder & Proaction Planner EP 123

Planner Peace with a Stack, Sticky Note Suggestions, Email, and a DIY Goals Planner for 2023 EP 122

Where Planning Rituals and Time Management Collide: Interview with Laura Vanderkam EP 121

The Intersection of Planning & Fitness with Allison Sizemore EP 120

Live from Our Planning Retreat: Interview with Joshua Unger EP 119

Planning-Adjacent: 10 Rules for Life EP 118

Mixed Bag Ep! Planner Peace, Ideas, Keeping Track of Tentative Events, and Some Life Updates EP 117

Meal Planning & More with Nakita from The Mama Manual EP 116

Plannersphere News & Listener Q&A - Family Meetings, Blog/Podcast Recs, and More! EP 115

Deep Dive: Getting Things Done (GTD) EP 114

Planning Dates, Media, Reading & More with Kristen Meinzer EP 113

Nolki & Other Planner Updates + Planning Profile: Kate Hanley, Author + Podcaster EP 112

Q&A: Thinking Through the Holidays, Habit Tracking, Collecting Memories Long Term, and 2 Planner Matchups EP 111

How Sarah Organizes Her Life EP 110

2023 Hobonchi Deep Dive EP 109

Back to School Energy, Q&A: Scrolling Habits, Planner Matchups, and Apple Notes EP 108

Digital Time Management with Kelly Nolan EP 107

Reading Habits & Reading Journals EP 106

Planner Chat with Bloom Cofounder Michelle Askin EP 105

Getting Though Tough Times: COVID Edition ReAir EP 104

Listener Tips, A Planner Hub, and a Deep Dive into Current Planning Practices EP 103

Mid-Year Goals Check In & Triage, Plus an In-Depth Digital Planner Peace EP 102

Listener Tips + Mini-Review: The Plan by Lauren Truslow EP 101

Ask Me Anything! EP: 100

Intentional Practices for Harder Times EP: 99

Email Musings & More EP 98

An All-Digital Planner Peace, Work Notebook Recs, and Vacation Planning (and Packing!) Strategies EP 97

A Detailed Planner Peace and a Review of the 2022/23 EC Daily Duo EP 96

Q&A: Current Lineup, Long Term Planning with a Partner, Ring-Bound Options, Planner Anxiety, and More EP 95

Planning Your Summer EP 94

Planning for Stress Relief + Hemlock & Oak Review EP 93

Planning Your Style & Wardrobe with Lani Inlander EP 92

Q&A: Planning Household Division of Labor, A Gardener's Planner, Planning Kids' Reading, and Planning for Part-Time Work EP 91

When Life Gets Messy: How to Dig Yourself Out and Feel Better EP 90

Follow Ups & Planner Launches EP 89

Tracking: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly EP 88

Accountability Partner Ideas + Inamio Review EP 87

Nir Eyal: Planning to Fight Distractions EP 86

Q&A: Digital Planning, Unstructured Days + MaskeLife 6 Month Undated Planner Mini-Review EP 85

Planning a Full and Thoughtful Life with Dr. Christine Koh EP 84

Deep Dive: Notebooks EP 83

Favorite Planning-Adjacent Podcasts + A Bit of Retail Therapy EP 82