The Program Design Podcast

Have you ever felt like you're running out of time in your day... or that it's hard to balance marketing with delivery... or maybe you're newer in your business and you're wondering how you should really be spending your days at your desk (now that you get to choose how to spend it)?

Or maybe... You're curious to see how other people are spending their days as entrepreneurs?

In this series I'm diving into how I organize my days, my weeks and my months as a coach so that you can feel organized and focused in 2026.

In this Part 1 episode, you'll hear:

• How I plan out my quarter (and if you really need to plan out your year)
• How I plan out my month to balance revenue generation and client delivery
• The difference between sales and marketing and where you should be spending your time, depending upon the season of business you're in
• How to think about planning our your own time big picture before we dive into the more micro planning (daily and weekly) next week

In Part 2, we'll dive into my weekly and daily rhythms. Stay tuned!

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

Do you choose a word for your year? I really wanted to share this episode with you in December 2025, but it wasn't quite ready yet. I was very much in the doing doing doing (which definitely relates to the word I'm choosing this year!)...

I needed the time to pause and reflect over the break to refresh and get really clear on where I'm going this year- and I know it was exactly what I needed.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• My word for the year and the lesson I needed to relearn at the end of 2025 (the same one I often end up coaching my clients on)
• How I bridged the gap from going from 1:1 to a group format (it didn't happen overnight)
• Why giving yourself permission to run your business your way is not only "allowed"- it will actually make it sustainable for you in the long run
• Why this is the perfect segue into my next series coming next week: How I Organize My Days, Weeks and Months as a Coach

My intention for this episode is to help you reflect on where you want to go in 2026 and to give you permission run your business on your own terms.

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

One of the main challenges I hear from coaches who have launched programs before:

Their past mentors have recommended they build it as they go... but it doesn't feel professional... And is a major cause of stress.

It does not have to be that way! And it doesn't mean preparing your entire program in advance either.

In this episode, you'll hear: 

• Why building as you go can stress you out... and why creating it all first can leave you overthinking or giving up 
• The exact elements I would prioritize having prepared in advance if I were to start a new program (and what I'd leave for later... and how I get them done) 
• How to find the right balance for you

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

It can be so tempting to move onto the next thing in your business-

Especially when it doesn't feel like it's "working". The next launch, the next strategy, the next shift.

But I know for me, when I actually take the time to look back, that's when I know what to focus on for the next year... and what to stop repeating.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• The identity shift that quietly guided my best decisions this year- long before the strategy made sense on paper
• The financial lens that completely changed how I evaluate growth (and why I didn’t see it sooner)
• The boundary I tend to let go of (that can cost me in time and money!), and when I needed to bring it back into place
• How I stopped leaving things up to chance in my business 
• How I went from thinking "I hope this works" to knowing with certainty that it would

Interested in Signature Program Design?

If you're interested in finding out more info about our Signature Program Design coaching program, DM the word SIGNATURE on Instagram! I'd love to chat about it with you. 

https://www.instagram.com/laurenmonique.business/ 

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

In last week's episode, Part 1 of Delivery Systems, we looked at delivery systems for your 1:1 work to save you time each week-

(Because one of the challenges to creating a more scalable offer is actually having the time to create it when you're already maxed out at 1:1's!)

Listen to Part 1 of the series here.

In Part 2, we're diving into Group Program Delivery Systems- how to think about systems so that your program is set up to grow, without sacrificing a quality client experience. 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Delivery Systems are more than just tech platforms, and what to look at instead
• What to look at when you onboard new clients, and how to make sure they feel supported (without you having to do everything manually)
• Why every deliverable needs a system, and how to think about creating a system for each one of yours
• How to think about renewals and offboarding: two often-overlooked parts of your Delivery Systems that quietly make or break your referrals, retention, and repeat revenue.

Resources Mentioned:

Want to get on the Early Bird registration list for the bonus Pilot Program Design December call? Send me a DM on Instagram @laurenmonique.business!

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

Here's the challenge of creating a more leveraged offer so that you can spend less time in 1:1 work:

There's a lag time.

There's a creation period- where you're likely balancing your 1:1 clients with designing and launching your new group program.

We often have to do more upfront work to have it pay off later, even if you're not fully creating your program before you launch.

The solution? Upgrading your Delivery Systems.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why Delivery Systems can be the solution to your time crunch
• If your business could improve your systems to get more time back, even if you've already got some in place
• How to start thinking about your Delivery Systems so you can add in the right ones for you

This is Part 1 of the series. Listen in to Part 2 here!

Resources Mentioned:

Want to get on the Early Bird registration list for the bonus Pilot Program Design December call? Send me a DM on Instagram @laurenmonique.business!

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

Introducing... The Program Design Podcast!

After 69 episodes of Align and Inspire, I was ready to evolve the name- but it's so much more than that.

If you're a coach or mentor who has been feeling stuck between two niches, overthinking, or wondering if it's time to pivot, this episode is absolutely for you.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why I decided to change the name of the podcast
• Why coaches get stuck in the idea phase of their next offer and what to do instead
• Simple tips to name your own podcast or program
• What it means at a manifestation and identity level and how you can bring that way of thinking into your own business 

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

Ever feel like you're "playing" business?

Like you're working on your laptop, but there's a part of you that feels like you're kidding yourself? Or like it's really more of a hobby... and not a "real" business?

If you're in that place - I get it. It's not like you have a brick and mortar that you're driving to, physically unlocking and then working every day.

It can feel a bit... pretend when you're building an online business- especially if you're not making the money you want yet.

The challenge with this perspective though is that if you stay here, that's where your business will stay: a hobby. 

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why staying in the phase of "playing business" can keep you stuck (and why it actually feels safer, even if you're not making enough money)
• How I got over feeling like I was playing business
• 5 strategies to help you stop seeing your business like a hobby so you can actually manifest the business you want

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

A big hurdle for some when you create a group coaching program? Tech.

Even if you are reasonably "techy" the sheer amount of options for your group program can be time consuming to look through...

But if you're telling yourself you're "bad at tech" (because yes, it's a belief, not a fact!) it can feel like a massive block.

In this episode, you'll hear:

• What main types of tech platforms you need for different stages of business: when you're creating your first group program, and what you might need as you grow it
• The difference between an "all in one" platform and a standalone one 
• Questions to think through what tech "stack" you really need for your offer, market and stage of business
• Recommendations for email list software and course platforms

My Favourite Platforms

Email Lists:

1. Kit (formally Convertkit) : Note that this is an affiliate link. They do have a 60% off deal coming up for Black Friday that you can check out too!
2. FloDesk: I haven't used it personally but I know others have said great things. If you value creating beautiful emails, it could be a great option for you.

Course Platforms:

1. Kajabi: Note that this is an affiliate link. If you're looking for software that's professional, easy to use and has great support, Kajabi is popular for a reason!
2. Membervault: Not an affiliate link, just a great option if you're looking for something cheaper and easy to use.
3. Zenler: I haven't personally used it, but I know some clients who do and like it as an all in one platform.

Scheduling Tools:

1. My favourite is Calendly!

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business

In this podcast, you've likely heard me use the terms group program, pilot (or beta) program, and signature program... 

So what's the difference?

And which one is right for you?

In this quick episode, you'll hear:

• The difference between a group program, a pilot program and a signature program... and even an online course
• How to know which one is right for you
• What you need to get started as a scalable group offer

Mentioned In This Episode

Registration is now open for Pilot Program Design - my brand new program designed to help you create and launch your first ever group program.

If you know you want to launch your program in the next few months (and like the idea of getting in this round at a sizeable discount!), send me a DM on IG @laurenmonique.business for more details- we can chat to see if it's right for you.

Did you find this episode helpful? Leave us a review - Lauren reads and appreciates each and every one!

Connect with Lauren on Instagram @laurenmonique.business