Best Laid Plans

By Sarah Hart-UngerSociety & Culture Education Self-Improvement Personal Journals

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Typical duration
23 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

Best Laid Plans episodes

September 08, 2025 September Q&A: Planner News, Planner Peace from a SAHM, Work/Life Separation, and More EP 267
In today's episode, Sarah shares some recent planner news. She discusses price changes at Hobonichi (she compares her recent order to years prior), and then shares about the new Minimalist option available from Full Focus.
Then, she goes through Q&A, tips & planner peace submissions for September! Topics include:
- Feedback from a teacher about separating work + life into different planner systems
- Tip from Sara about using ToDoist as a way to remind her future self about upcoming tasks
- Planner Peace (mostly digital!) from SAHM Ashley
- Suggestions for compact planners designed to be used for just one month at at a time?
- Advice for rebuilding one's system after a life-changing medical event
To submit your questions, email sarah hart unger at gmail or visit theshubox.com!
Episode Sponsors:
IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
September 01, 2025 Sarah's Systems Update: What's Working, What's Not, and What's In Store for 2026! EP 266
In today's episode, Sarah goes through a techo kaigi -- her own assessment of how her current tools are working for her, along with some musing about what's up ahead for 2026!
Products mentioned:
Hobonichi Cousin Avec
Erin Condren B6 18 Month Softbound
Hobonichi 5-Year Journal
Erin Condren Whiteboard
Essential Calendar (affiliate link: https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS + use code BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)
Digital: Apple Notes, YNAB, Google Sheets
Sticker printer: Canon Selphy X20
Episode Sponsors:
IXL: Make an impact on your child's learning this school year with IXL! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
24 min
August 25, 2025 August Q&A: Hobonichi, Taylor Swift, and More EP 265
In today's episode, Sarah shares two things that made her (tough) week, and then answers 6 questions from the August Q&A collection!
Topics include:
- Can you use Apple Notes to include attachments + graphics
- Big projects: fewer longer sessions, or consistent shorter ones?
- Ideal week during the newborn phase: yay or nay, and suggestions for an alternative if not?
- Are there circumstances where a 'work specific' planner can make sense?
- Work & rest-of-life planning sessions: separate or together?
- How long does it take to implement the routines of the nested planning sessions?
Get your questions to Sarah and you may hear the answers on a future episode! Email at sarah hart unger @ gmail or leave a comment on the show notes at theshubox.com.
Remember the newsletter comes out at the start of each month -- we're close to September, so sign up at theshubox.com/newsletter to receive it!
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
August 18, 2025 Planning to Travel for Less with Kathleen Paley EP 264
If you've ever been curious about how you can leverage your planning and organizing skills to help you save money, this episode is for you, especially if yo love to travel. Kathleen Paley is a litigator, mother of 2, and podcast host who loves saving and having fun with her family. She joins Sarah today to share her top 5 strategies for traveling on credit card points -- everything from which cards to start with, how to maximize point earnings, and how to spend most cost-effectively.
Please note: neither Sarah nor Kathleen are affiliated with any of the companies mentioned on the episode, and these strategies should only be employed if you are paying credit card balances off in full every month -- otherwise they will cost you money rather than offer savings!
Kathleen can be found at the Reframe Podcast and The Minimalish Mom on IG.
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
42 min
August 11, 2025 5 Things (Other Than Planners) To Consider Carefully Heading Into Back-to-School EP 263
In today's episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on 5 aspects of life to reflect on (other than planners!) as you head into the back-to-school season, whatever that means for you.
She provides a detailed overview of routines to think through / audit / consider tweaking, and then discusses sleep, communication strategies, mood management, and fun.
Share your favorite planners for kids/teens or best communication strategies with Sarah - email [email protected] or leave a comment at the show notes on theshubox.com!
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
23 min
August 04, 2025 ADHD or Neurodivergent? Two Planner Mini-Reviews For You! EP 262
Sarah reviews two planners specifically designed to help those with different planning needs.
First, she discusses the Order Out of Chaos Planner, designed by ADHD parent and ADDItude Magazine columnist Leslie Josel. This planner is designed for students and might be particularly helpful for those with ADHD, though it could definitely serve other students well, too!
Link to the planners: https://ooocplanner.com/collections/academic-planners
Second, she reviews the Fast Brain Friend Daily Productivity Planner, described as "an intentional design for the neurodivergent mind" by creator Alanah Purtell. These are Australian monthly planners with varying (and somewhat unusual!) daily layouts as well as monthly + weekly planning tools.
Link to the planners: https://www.creatorsfriend.com.au/products/fast-brain-daily-productivity-planner-single
For some visuals, visit the show notes at theshubox.com.
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint Mobile: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
28 min
July 28, 2025 Planner Peace + Efficiency Hacks from Seasoned Professor Sarah McConnell EP 261
It's not QUITE back to school season, but depending on where you live, it may be closer than you think! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sarah McConnell, a professor of anatomy and histology for undergrads, graduate students and med students. Professor Sarah McConnell shares own current planner peace lineup and functional system, and then provides some fantastic tips for others in academic, from using templates to leaving helpful breadcrumbs so that each year builds on past experience without friction.
Planner Sarah mentions: Proaction Planner https://www.alifemadesimple.com/proaction-planner/
BLP Review of Proaction Planner:
https://theshubox.com/2022/01/blp-ep-79-qa-proaction-planner-review.html
Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Courses: theshubox.com/courses
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans
listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min
July 21, 2025 Mental Load Expert Allison Daminger Answers Your Burning Questions About Planning and Household Management EP 260
In today's episode, sociology professor Allison Daminger joins Sarah for a fascinating discussion about mental load, division of labor, and the role of planning! She answers three great questions from listeners, tackling challenging questions about a partner not interested in long-range planning, a partner with little predictability to his job, and a partner with ADHD.
Find more from Allison and her book, The Mental Workload of Family Life, at her website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/book, and she can also be found on substack at https://allisondaminger.substack.com.
Submit your questions for Allison on the show notes page at theshubox.com!
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans
listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
33 min
July 14, 2025 Real Talk: Podcast Behind the Scenes with Sarah EP 259
In today's episode, Sarah shares some real behind-the-scenes podcast talk with listeners. She chats about how Best Laid Plans came to be, how she chooses guests, how she tracks podcast logistics, what she outsources, how she handles listener emails, and much more!
Visit her website, theshubox.com, if you haven't been for links to all of her prior episodes.
Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter
Courses: theshubox.com/courses
Books Read in 2025: theshubox.com/2025-books
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans
listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠ixl.com/plans⁠⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
July 07, 2025July Q&A: Airtight Task Capture, Planning Time Away from Work, and More! EP 258
In today's episode, Sarah answers accumulated questions for July!
Topics include:
Laurel Denise + Full Focus is too much -- what do use instead?

Task management (2 questions on various angles of this common challenge!) and how not to lose all of those great ideas that come to you that you want to see at the right time

Discussion of the Alistair Method for the listener struggling to fit tasks into an unpredictable schedule (details on this method here: https://bulletjournal.com/blogs/bulletjournalist/projects-the-alastair-method

Ways to structure/plan out a period of lighter work (sabbatical of sorts)
As mentioned early in the episode, Sarah's Mid-Year Check In is available for viewing -- great for those looking for a mid-year boost! This 1-hour guided mid-year planning session is available for instant viewing for anyone who purchases access to Planning 2026 (Sarah's 4 hour annual planning course, held in December/January).
Visit theshubox.com/courses for details!
Episode Sponsors
IXL: Learning doesn't have to stop in the summer! Best Laid Plans
listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠ixl.com/plans⁠.
Green Chef: Make this summer your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Head to ⁠greenchef.com/50BESTLAID⁠ and use code 50BESTLAID to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months with free shipping.
PrepDish: Healthy menu plans and prep instruction to take the mental load out of dinner! Visit ⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠ for your first 2 weeks, FREE.
Mint: Affordable unlimited wireless! Get your new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for $15 a month at ⁠mintmobile.com/BLP

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

About Best Laid Plans

From the publisher's feed

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…