Because who actually knows how to parent teenagers? I definitely don’t know what I’m doing, but I’ll take a shot at talking about it.

If you’re not a parent but still want a dose of Monday morning Lazy Genius, try Episode 378: 13 Principles that Will Change Your Life. It’s The Lazy Genius Way’s birthday month, and that episode from a couple of years ago is all about the original 13 Lazy Genius principles, which could be a nice reminder this time of year. 

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Episode 378: 13 Principles that Will Change Your Life
• Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email that goes out every other Thursday!
• Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter that goes out the first Wednesday of the month!
• 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

As you can tell, today is not Monday. Today is Thursday, but on the occasional Thursday, we share a bonus episode from the archives that we think will be helpful this time of year. Since it’s the end of August and regular rhythms have already or are about to pick up, we’ve got to figure out how to get out the door. Here’s an episode from years’ past about getting out the door with not only the stuff we need but with kindness, too.

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.
• Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter.
• Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

This is a phrase popularized by Barbara Brown Taylor, and it’s a simple question that helps you notice and contentedly appreciate where you are right now. What’s saving your life right now? My list is pretty light-hearted this season, but no matter what is on your list or mine, the practice is what matters. Notice what is happening in your life, the good things that make it lighter, easier, or better, and celebrate them.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• The board game Magical Athlete
• Brick device
• Eadem sunscreen primer stick
• Merit minimalist stick in oak
• The Rhode pocket blush in the color pinky tan
• The Playbooks
• 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

One of the greatest benefits of being a Lazy Genius is learning how to solve problems in a smarter, smaller, kinder way, and these Office Hours episodes are like getting in our reps. Even if these problems aren’t yours, it’s great practice to see how Lazy Genius principles can impact quite literally every single problem out there. Today, I’m answering questions sent in via email.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Episode #238: How to Get Stuff Done When You Don’t Feel Like It
• Episode #337: How to Lazy Genius Division of Labor
• Get on The Book List right here
• 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 Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

Joy isn't the reward you earn after all the work is done. Joy is the work. That's what a new series on For the Love with Jen Hatmaker is all about, the Sacred Yes. It's choosing delight, rest, and pleasure on purpose because saying yes to yourself, that's the thing that finally lets you fill your table with everybody else. Come find your Sacred Yes with Jen. Follow and listen to For the Love wherever you get your podcasts.

The start of school might still be several weeks away for some of you, but there are ways that we can make that transition easier by doing just a little bit of thinking and planning now.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Episode #274: The Back-to-School Starter Pack
• 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 Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

When I shared in last month’s newsletter that my teenage boys finally got cell phones, the response was overwhelming. It was so big, we pivoted our plan for today’s episode to talk about it. This is such a personal conversation, which is why I’m going to share our personal experience. This isn’t prescriptive nor should it be. But in the age of parenting kids and especially teenagers, I think we need all the examples we can get. So whether your kid has had a phone for years, you’re years away from thinking about it, or somewhere in between, hopefully this episode offers encouragement to choose wisely according to what matters most to you.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Brick device/app
• Life360 for driving safety
• Gabb Phone
• Pinwheel Phone
• Episode #477: What Is and Isn’t Working For Me This Summer
• 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 Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

Last week, I shared all kinds of tips from you guys about making summer easier, and this week I’m sharing the things that have and have not worked for me in my house. A list is always a good time.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Let us know how we’re doing in our annual survey
• Magical Athlete
• Emily P. Freeman
• Shannan Martin
• 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 Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.

Today is a bonus episode perfect for the middle of the summer. Chances are good you’re having people over or very much want to. Summer feels like an ideal time to finally open your home and invite more people over for a cookout or hangout, or to watch the World Cup, which you still have a couple of weeks to do. Whether you’re a seasoned host, freaked out about inviting people over, or somewhere in the middle, this episode will be a big help.

Helpful Companion Links

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

We are smackdab in the middle of summer, and now seems like a great time to assess what’s working and what’s making summer easier. One of the best parts about being a Lazy Genius is getting better at solving small problems. The more we keep things small, the more helpful change we actually make, and this episode is that in a nutshell. Thanks to everyone who sent in so many great ideas.

Helpful Companion Links

• Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy.
• Let us know how we’re doing in our annual survey
• Episode #266: How to Lazy Genius a Summer at the Pool
• 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 Kitchen or The 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 or record your idea and share your voice on the show.