What does it truly take to grow a business while juggling all the hats women wear in their daily lives?

Today I’m talking with Kate Alpert, co-founder of Women Belong, to talk about the power of connection, community and of course organization. We dive into the intersection of life, business, and the systems that keep us moving forward.

Kate opens up about her journey creating Women Belong, a networking organization designed specifically for women looking to grow their businesses and themselves. From finding the courage to step into entrepreneurship to building sustainable systems that support your goals, this episode is a must-listen for any woman ready to take the next step.

Whether you’re overwhelmed by your to-do list or just looking for a way to feel more seen and supported, you’ll find encouragement and practical takeaways in this conversation.

What we talk about:

• The origin and mission of Women Belong
• How strategic networking can drive personal and professional growth
• Stories of real women who’ve built successful businesses through community
• Tips for balancing business goals with family life and self-care
• Why organization is the secret weapon behind so many successful entrepreneurs

Key Takeaways:

• Building a business doesn’t mean doing it alone. Community matters.
• Organization is more than color-coded calendars, its about clarity, confidence, and connection
• Women Belong offers a fresh and supportive take on traditional networking, one that values authenticity and mutual growth
• Saying yes to your business dreams sometimes means letting go of what’s not serving you. 
• You can make space for both ambition and balance.

Why You Should Listen:

If you’re a woman entrepreneur (or aspiring to be one), this episode will remind you that you’re not alone in the chaos. You’ll walk away feeling empowered, encouraged, and maybe a little more organized than before. Plus. you’ll learn how building meaningful connections can transform not just your business, but your life.

Links mentioned in this episode:

Connect with Kate

Fall Cohort is starting soon

Hey friends, Today’s episode is a little different, and a lot important. We’re diving into the topic of legacy planning. Yes, it’s one of those things that’s easy to put off, but crucial to get ahead of. 

Not only am I sharing a bit of my own personal experience to help you understand why this matters not just for your peace of mind, but for your loved ones too, I’m also introducing Kate Hufnagel and her business The Digital Wrangler. Kate helps people get all their essential documents and information organized whether it’s for your personal life or your business. If you’ve ever thought, “I really should have all this stuff in one place…” then Kate is your girl.

Plus we’re talking about our new show, a 12-episode mini series on How to Grow and Start A Professional Organizing Business. It’s up now wherever you listen to your podcasts and on YouTube!

Why You Should Listen:

Legacy Planning isn’t just about paperwork, it’s about love, preparedness, and making sure your people aren’t left scrambling. If you’ve been meaning to tackle this but don’t know where to start this episode gives you the guidance you need.

Links Mentioned in this episode:

The Digital Wrangler
How to Grow and Start Your Own Professional Organizing Business
Fall Mentoring Cohort

Hey friends,

You are in for a treat with today’s episode of This Organized Life! I had the absolute joy of sitting down with my longtime friend and organizing powerhouse, Martha Carol Stewart of Chaos Organizing in Baton Rouge. If you’ve ever wondered how someone goes from teaching kindergarten to building a thriving professional organizing business—this one’s for you.Martha shares her real-world experience, her wins (and mistakes!), and her heart for helping people find peace in their spaces. We dive into so many listener questions—covering everything from how to deal with those sentimental items, to renter-friendly storage hacks, and how to price your services without selling yourself short. Whether you’re a fellow organizer or just trying to make sense of your own home, there’s gold here for you.

🎧 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• How Martha went from classroom to chaos (organizing, that is!)
  
  
• Tips for getting started with organizing clients—and finding your first paid job
  
  
• Renter-friendly storage hacks that actually work
  
  
• What to do with sentimental stuff you just can’t let go of
  
  
• Daily habits to keep your kitchen clutter-free
  
  
• Why pricing feels hard (and what to do about it)
  
  
• The organizing tools Martha swears by
  
  
• The underrated power of Google and email marketing
  
  
• How mentorship shaped both of our careers
  
  

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Start where you are. Martha didn’t have it all figured out, but she took the leap—and so can you.
  
  
• Systems are your best friend. Even (especially!) in creative businesses like organizing.
  
  
• Let go of the guilt. Your memories aren’t in the item. We talk about how to honor the past without drowning in it.
  
  
• Business is personal. Whether it’s marketing, pricing, or serving your clients, authenticity always wins.
  
  
• Mentorship matters. Surround yourself with people who lift you up, challenge you, and help you grow.
  
  

Links + Resources:

• Connect with Martha: chaosorganizing.com
• Want to be mentored by me? → Check out my 1:1 and group mentoring for organizers
• Speakpipe → Leave us a message, a review, or ask us a question.
  

If you loved this episode, would you take a sec to leave a review? It helps more people find us and supports the work we’re doing in this amazing community. 💛Until next time—stay organized!

Hey friends! 

I’m so excited to welcome my longtime friend Amy Revell  from The Art of Decluttering back to the show. Amy and I go way back—we actually started our podcasting journeys around the same time, and it’s always a treat to catch up with her.

In today’s episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on what it really looks like to juggle podcasting, running a business, and, oh yeah—renovating properties at the same time! Amy shares the inside scoop on a recent renovation project she took on at a neighboring investment property, and let me tell you, it’s a transformation story you won’t want to miss.

But we don’t stop there. We also dive into the fascinating world of entropy (yes, the scientific concept!) and how it relates to the clutter in our homes. Amy breaks down why understanding this idea can totally shift your mindset when it comes to maintaining an organized space.We talk about balancing logic with emotion during the decluttering process, why it’s so hard to let go of certain things, and how to create spaces that truly support your lifestyle—not just your Pinterest board.

What we talk about:
🕕 Juggling podcasting and professional life
🏚️ Amy’s renovation adventure and what she learned
⚛️ How the concept of entropy explains the chaos in our homes
🧠 Emotional vs. logical decision-making when decluttering
💡 Practical, real-life organizing tips you can use todayWhether you’re deep in a reno project or just trying to keep your junk drawer under control, there’s something in this episode for you.
xo,
Laurie

Links Mentioned:

• The Art of Decluttering Podcast 
• Follow Amy on Instagram
• Start Your Organizing Business: A Step-by-Step Mini-Series for Aspiring Professional Organizers

Hey friends!

In this week’s episode, I’m diving into something we all struggle with—someday stuff. You know… the juicer you might use when you start eating healthier, or the crafting supplies you swore you'd use when you had more time. These items might seem harmless, but they often come with a lot of emotional weight—guilt, fear, nostalgia—you name it.

I also share an inside peek at our Clutter Clinic live workshop series (so excited about this!) and how we’re helping people tackle not just the physical clutter, but the emotional clutter too. We’re talking decision fatigue, scarcity mindset, identity clutter—all the behind-the-scenes stuff that makes it so hard to let go.Whether you're sorting through your own “someday” piles or helping clients as a professional organizer, this episode is full of practical tips and real talk to help you move forward with intention. I walk you through:

• Why “someday stuff” is so common (and sneaky!)
  
  
• How to identify the emotional triggers behind your clutter
  
  
• My go-to 4-pile method for simplifying decisions
  
  
• Questions to ask when you're stuck in the “what if” loop
  
  
• Special insights for pros in the organizing space
  
  

Plus, I give a little teaser about a new podcast series I’m working on just for my fellow organizing professionals. I can’t wait to share more soon!Thanks for hanging out with me today—and remember, progress, not perfection

💛XO,
Laurie

Resources Mentioned:

• Clutter Clinic Live Workshop Series
• Letting Go Guide
• How to Start and Grow A Professional Organizing Business

Hey friends!

If your home is starting to feel stale or cluttered, but you're not quite ready for a complete renovation or big shopping trip, this episode is for you. I'm diving into practical, budget-friendly ways to breathe new life into your space using what you already have.

Whether you're craving a fresh vibe for spring (or any season), I'm sharing five easy areas to focus on that can totally transform your space—and your mindset.

Here's what we cover in this week's episode:

• How a simple mindset shift can reignite your motivation
• Ways to shop your home and repurpose décor you already love
• Clearing out high-clutter zones like your entryway and kitchen counters
• Tips for managing overflowing bookshelves without feeling guilty
• Closet refresh ideas to make your wardrobe feel new again (without buying anything!)

I also discuss seasonal decorating and how small tweaks to your routines can help you stay organized for good. The best part? You don't have to spend a dime to start feeling better about your home.

✨ Ready to go deeper? Don't forget to check out my monthly Clutter Clinic, where we take these strategies even further with real-life solutions and support. You'll walk away with fresh inspiration and a clear action plan.

Let's make your space work for you—without being overwhelmed or overspending.
xo,
Laurie

Links Mentioned in this episode:

Clutter Clinic
Start a Professional Organizing Business

Hey friends! 
What if I told you your garage could actually be an organized, functional space? In this episode, I'm giving you practical, actionable tips to declutter and organize your garage. We talk about the biggest reasons garages get out of control, how to create zones that work for you, and what to do when decision fatigue hits.

And if you're ready to roll up your sleeves and want a little extra help, don't miss our next LIVE Clutter Clinic: Garages. It's the perfect way to get guidance and accountability to finally tackle that space.

Key Takeaways:

• Garages get cluttered for a reason. Understanding why helps you fix it long-term.
• Zones are your best friend. Define clear areas for tools, sports gear, seasonal items, etc.
• Decision fatigue is real. Learn how to work around it and still make progress.
• Respect your garage. It deserves the same attention as your kitchen or bedroom—because it impacts your daily life just as much.
• You don't have to do it alone. Join our Clutter Clinic Garage workshop and get your support to make it happen.

Whether your garage is a total disaster or needs a little fine-tuning, I promise you something in this episode.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

LIVE CLUTTER CLINIC WORKSHOP
COLOR GURU (use code TOL for 10% off your purchase)
START ANYTIME MENTORING BUNDLE

New Listener? Start Here.

Tired of the clutter taking over? Let’s fix that—together.If you’ve ever looked around and thought, Where did all this stuff even come from?!, you’re not alone. Life gets busy, piles grow, and suddenly, the mess feels impossible to tackle.That’s where Clutter Clinic comes in. Think of it as a judgment-free reset—where we’ll tackle the chaos together and create simple, realistic systems that actually work for your life. No perfection required.Closets, kitchens, garages, that endless stack of paper you keep meaning to deal with—we’re covering it all with strategies that make organizing easier, doable, and (dare we say?) kinda fun.✨

Come join us and take back your space! → Grab your spot here.

Let’s be honest—most of us have a love-hate relationship with our to-do lists. One minute, they make us feel like we have our lives together, and the next, they’re an overwhelming scroll of things we should be doing but would rather ignore. Sound familiar?In this episode of This Organized Life, I’m breaking down how to transform your to-do list from a stress-inducing monster into a tool that actually works for you. I’ll walk you through five simple strategies to make your list more effective, realistic, and—dare I say—enjoyable? Plus, I’ll call out some of the most common to-do list mistakes (yes, I see you adding “make a to-do list” just to check something off).Whether you’re a busy parent juggling a million things or an entrepreneur trying to stay on top of it all, this episode is packed with practical tips to help you get stuff done without feeling overwhelmed.

Why You Should Listen:

• You’re tired of rewriting the same unfinished tasks every week.
  
  
• You want to feel accomplished instead of guilty when you look at your list.
  
  
• You’re curious about the “Top Three Rule” and how it can simplify your day.
  
  
• You need some encouragement (and maybe a little tough love) to stop overloading your schedule.
  
  

Key Takeaways:

✅ How to write tasks that are clear and actionable (no more vague “work on project” nonsense).
✅ Why prioritization is the secret sauce to a functional to-do list.
✅ The importance of being realistic with your time (because 27 tasks in one day? Not happening).
✅ How flexibility can actually make you more productive.
✅ The power of celebrating small wins—because progress is progress!

Loved this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss a new one! If you found these tips helpful, share this episode with a friend who’s drowning in their to-do list too. And if you’re looking for more organization strategies, head over to simplyborganized.com for more resources!

New Listener? Start Here.

LIVE WORKSHOPS!  Join us for our Clutter Clinic Workshops, where we’ll tackle the mess and create simple systems that actually work for your life! Whether it’s your closet, kitchen, garage, digital files, or even that endless pile of paper, we’ve got you covered with practical, doable strategies that make organizing easy—and even a little fun! 

Thanks to our amazing sponsor, Kate Hufnagel, aka the Digital Wrangler, we’re starting the year with a focus on decluttering not just our homes, but our digital lives, too. You can check out her offerings here.

It’s the final week of our Spring Cleaning Series, and we’re wrapping things up with a topic every parent can relate to—TOYS. 

If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in stuffed animals, building blocks, and tiny figurines that somehow multiply overnight, you’re not alone! This week, I’m sharing practical strategies to tackle toy clutter, make the cleanup process easier, and even get your kids involved.

🚨 LAST CALL: Clutter Clinic—Closets! 🚨

If you’ve been thinking about joining our Clutter Clinic workshop on closets, now’s the time! This is your last chance to sign up before we close registration, so don’t miss out.

Why You Should Listen

• Get simple, stress-free strategies to tackle toy clutter
  
  
• Learn how to involve your kids so YOU aren’t the only one cleaning up
  
  
• Discover the importance of seasonal toy purging (trust me, you don’t need all those Happy Meal toys!)
  
  
• Find out more about upcoming Clutter Clinic workshops
  
  

Key Takeaways
✔️ Break decluttering into phases so it doesn’t feel overwhelming
✔️ Sort and categorize toys to make clean-up easier
✔️ Create a rotation system to keep playtime fresh and reduce clutter
✔️ Involve your kids by making it fun—think donation days, toy swaps, or a “goodbye party” for outgrown items🎧 Listen now and take control of your toy clutter!

🔗 Sign up for Clutter Clinic before it’s too late!