Best Laid Plans
Sarah Hart-Unger
Show overview
Best Laid Plans has been publishing since 2020, and across the 6 years since has built a catalogue of 302 episodes. That works out to roughly 130 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 6th season.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 22 min and 29 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Education show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 3 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Sarah Hart-Unger.
From the publisher
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!
Latest Episodes
View all 302 episodesMay Q&A: New Fave Pen, Does Planning Help Save Money? and More EP 302
The Intersection of Time Management x Planning with Laura Vanderkam EP 301
Gratitude Episode: Thank You for 300! EP 300
Can AI Help You Plan Your Life? A Real-Life Experiment with Emilie Schario EP 299
April Q&A: Planning vs Execution, Delegating Tasks, and Spring Planner Releases EP 298
Sarah's Planner Peace: 10 Tactics Working Well in 2026 EP 297
S4 Ep 296Your Busy Season Survival Guide EP 296
In today's episode, Sarah shares 10 tips for getting through a particularly full season of life, inspired by a very travel-heavy spring schedule coming up for her.Interested in BLPA2.0? Be sure you are getting Sarah's newsletter, out in early April with signup details. Visit theshubox.com/newsletter! Episode Sponsors IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans. Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 295Where To START, and Planning to Revolutionize Your Social Life EP 295
In today's episode, Sarah answers a question from Nate (who heard Sarah on Cal Newport's Deep Questions Podcast), who asked where it makes sense to START in terms of implementing all of the planning systems she talks about on this podcast (and in her book!). How does one begin to build a system - all at once, or piece by piece?Useful references mentioned:Airtight Task Management Episode: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.htmlAnnual Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/11/ep-226-your-mini-guide-to-2025-annual-planning.htmlSeasonal Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2024/03/blp-episode-189-diving-into-quintile-2.htmlMonthly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2025/05/blp-ep-252-monthly-planning-rhythms-completist-mini-review.htmlWeekly Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2020/08/day-140-blp-ep-2-weekly-review.html (note: this is the SECOND EVER ep of BLP, so stay tuned for a renewed weekly planning episode coming soon!)Daily Planning Episode: https://theshubox.com/2021/02/blp-ep-28-daily-planning-routines-and-crowding-out-bad-habits.htmlThen, Sarah interviews September Gerety, an CEO in her empty nest phase who has found herself with a thriving community and social life -- and it all started with some planned. She shares her story (as well as a bit about her current systems!). If you have questions for September, you can find her via this episode's show notes at theshubox.com. Episode Sponsors IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans. Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S1 Ep 294Let's Plan the Week Together! EP 294
In today's episode, Sarah plans her week on-air! Well, it's a bit of a reenactment (mostly because she needed a quiet house to record), but she goes through all the steps and there are visual aids (please see the show notes @ theshubox.com for photos!).Steps in her weekly planning process: Looking back - reflection & review (including migration/review of any prior undone tasks, plus a look at the monthly list) Looking ahead - upcoming calendar integration Look around - ensure inboxes are up to date enough & check sneaky sources Look within - mood and energy assessment Generate weekly task list and record Add weekly ops that feel necessary (plus: FUN AUDIT) Remember the upcoming weekend - think it through Plan for communication Episode mentioned where Sarah clears her email on air: https://theshubox.com/2025/11/ep-278-empty-your-inbox-with-me-and-hemlock-oak-daily-weekly-monthly-planner-review.html Newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter Episode Sponsors IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans. Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 293Decluttering with Dana K White (Plus An Update from Sarah!) EP 293
Dana K. White is a decluttering expert -- NOT an organizing expert! She shares her mess-free 5-step method in today's podcast, with advice for those who struggle to get started. The 28-day plan she mentions on the episode can be found in her first book, How to Manage Your Home Without Losing Your Mind.You can find Dana at https://www.aslobcomesclean.com, her most recent organizing book is Organizing for the Rest of Us, and her children's book just came out called Winnie's Pile of Pillows!Prior organizing guests:Lisa Woodruff (Organize 365): https://theshubox.com/2021/03/episode-33-organizing-your-home-your-paper-and-your-life-with-organize-365s-lisa-woodruff.htmlTyler Moore (Tidy Dad): https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-234-tidy-up-your-life-organizing-inspiration-for-2025-with-tyler-moore-aka-tidy-dad.htmlShira Gill (Minimalista): https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-best-of-both-worlds-podca-29945444/episode/organizing-your-home-and-beyond-with-shira-gill-ep-383-244524397 (This one is actually Best of Both Worlds!)BLP Live Info: theshubox.com/blpliveBe sure to sign up for the newsletter to be notified when the first (pilot) round of BLPA2.0 is open! Episode Sponsors IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans. Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 292March Q&A: Planning Your Planning (!), Nested Goals at Work, Email Integration Solutions, and More EP 292
Welcome to the March Q&A episode!Topics discussed include:- Do Nested Goals work in the work setting, and if so, would you do the planning for both at the same time, or separate things out?(Episode mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2026/01/ep-285-sextiles-morning-pages-goals-lists-and-more-listener-tips-qa.html)- How to plan your planning (very meta - but seriously!) - both at larger and smaller time scales- How to plan for community engagement or activism?- Seeking help on syncing Outlook and Google Calendar (listener wisdom requested!)- Suggestions for mood trackingPlus, listener Stephanie gives her take on Ramona & Ruth Planners: (https://www.ramonaandruth.com) Episode Sponsors IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans. Green Chef: Healthy meals that fit your nutrition goals (and are delicious too!). Head to Greenchef dot com/50bestlaid and use code 50bestlaid to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Save money by changing your wireless plan to Mint Mobile! Shop plans at mintmobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 291Planner Peace: Logistics + More in a Family of 8 EP 291
Jessica lives in California with her husband and is a mother of 6! In today's episode, she shares her own detailed planned peace, discussing how she keeps things organized in such a large and active household.Apps/topics mentioned: Apple's Reminders, Things (for task capture), Laurel Denise Anne layout (https://laureldenise.com/products/2026-the-anne-planner-pemberly-gardens), Essential Calendar (https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/ - if you'd like a coupon code, you can enter BESTLAIDPLANS for 10% off)You can find Jessica on Instagram at @stayathomeista Our Sponsors Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 290Tracking All The Things: How Much is Too Much? EP 290
In the first part of this episode, Sarah shares some listener follow up to the Task Management episode from 2 weeks ago, including use of Apple Reminders voice entry feature, a simple Notes strategy, Teux Deux, and one listener's analog solution.Then, Sarah delves into her current thoughts on tracking, which have shifted a bit since her initial episode on the topic. She shares ways in which tracking various metrics has been helpful in recent months and presents a unique use case submitted by listener also named Sarah (a martial artist who blogs at sarahbadatrichardson.com). Our Sponsors Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 289We Can Do This: A February Pep Talk EP 289
This can be a HARD time of year for many! In today's episode, Sarah shares her own February struggles and provides a pep talk for all of us who might be stuck in winter doldrums or feeling less excited about our 2026 goals.Books recommended: Meditations for Mortals or 4000 Weeks By Oliver BurkemanReminder: BLP Live will be Nov 5-7 2026 - be one of the first to be notified by signing up for Sarah's newsletter. Our Sponsors Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 288Your Guide to Airtight Task Management EP 288
Sarah opens up with a little update on how 2026 is going so far (as we head into February!), and then dedicates the rest of today's episode to airtight task management! She talks inboxes (collecting tasks) and creating a strategy for processing all of the to-do items that tend to come our way in all sorts of forms and timelines. Our Sponsors Mint Mobile: Affordable wireless plans that let you keep your own number and phone. To make the switch, visit mintmobile.com/BLP Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef and FREE Graza Olive Oil set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes. IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. BLP listeners get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ixl.com/plans. PrepDish: Healthy meal plans straight to your inbox (and now with easy Instacart ordering!). Visit prepdish.com/plans for a free 2-week trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 287Analog Is Trending! EP 287
Analog is definitely trending, and Sarah is here for it! In today's episode, she discusses the trend, her take on choosing analog when possible, and the unexpected effects on the planner world (!). She also addresses a listener who would like to use more tangible paper tools in her planning system, but struggles with a work system that is all digital. Link to the WBEZ article: https://www.wbez.org/business/2026/01/15/shoppers-chicago-stationary-shops-atlas-paper-pencil-hobonichi-social-media-analog Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at prepdish.com/plans IXL: Visit www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!) Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 286Planning Your 2026 Fitness Goals EP 286
In today's episode, Sarah chats about the evolution of her own fitness goals and interviews Meg Olander, personal trainer and certified group fitness coach. Meg has years of experience helping people with their fitness goals, and in today's episode, she shares her favorite strategies for success in fitness goals, from planning and prioritizing to avoiding optimization to accountability. You can find more from Meg at https://fitfedfeelinggood.com and her podcast, Redesigning Health & Home Disclaimer: This episode is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Always consult your physician before starting or changing any exercise program, especially with any health conditions or concerns. Your safety comes first! Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at prepdish.com/plans IXL: Visit www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!) Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 285Sextiles, Morning Pages, Goals Lists and More: Listener Tips & Q&A EP 285
In today's episode, Sarah shares listener tips and answers questions!Topics & references include:- Stationery Store Spotlight: Wonder Fair in Lawrence, KS- Alyce's alternative to January 1- Sextiles: A listener creates her own seasons that work for her- An A-to-Z 26 in 2026 list- Feedback on the Friends Spreadsheet: A Notion Friends CRM (Customer Relationships Management) Tool- Corporate uses for the Nested Goals framework- Morning pages: is Sarah completing the entire Artist's Way course?- Where do you find other people's goals lists?- How to develop goals in the thick of little kid/baby life?THANK YOU to everyone who has supported Sarah in her book launch journey! If you enjoyed Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living a Life That You Love, please leave a review anywhere (Amazon, goodreads, B&N, Bookshop)! Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at prepdish.com/plans IXL: Visit www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!) Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 284Welcome to 2026! Top 10 Tips for Making The Most of Your Annual Goal Setting EP 284
In today's episode, Sarah welcomes listeners to 2026 and shares 10 tips for making the most of your annual goal setting efforts! Link to mentioned episode on Nested Goals:https://theshubox.com/2024/01/episode-182-nested-goals-explained.html YouTube Channel:https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo Episode Sponsors: PrepDish: Start the year off with healthy meal plans from prep dish! Get your free two-week trial at prepdish.com/plans IXL: Visit www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price (20% off!) Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Visit greenchef.com/bestlaidgraza and use code bestlaidgraza to get started with 50% off Green Chef + FREE Graza Olive Oil Set in your 2nd and 3rd boxes! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
S4 Ep 283Sharing 2026 Goals + A Few Q&A! EP 283
In today's episode, Sarah shares her own 2026 goals list, set in 5 domains (Self, Relationships, Family/Home, Work, and Fun)! She goes into detail about each of the items on her list and the strategies she hopes to employ to help some of them come to fruition.Additional info:- Sarah's email - sarah hart unger at gmail - feel free to send your goals lists along, or message 305-697-7189- Sarah's BOOK IS OUT - Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living A Life that You Love is out wherever books are sold. Find all of her methods in one place -- a complete system in a fun readable format.- 2026 Courses are still open with sessions of Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 held in January! Visit theshubox.com/courses to register! Episode Sponsors: Organize 365: Visit organize365.com/sunday-basket to check out the Sunday Basket® today Green Chef: Make this season your healthiest yet with Green Chef. Visit greenchef.com/50bestlaid and use code 50BESTLAID to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Mint Mobile: Ready to save on your wireless? Make the switch at mint mobile.com/BLP. PrepDish: Meal plans ready to go, in your inbox each week. You can try 2 weeks free at prepdish.com/plans! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices