Best of Both Worlds Podcast

Today's episode features a guest all the way in the Netherlands!  Sharon Van Herel is a Dutch insurance executive and has made a somewhat unusual choice for their region to stay full time after having children.  She talks about leadership, the part-time glass ceiling, differences between Europe (and between European countries) in terms of maternity leave and childcare policies, and more!  Our Q&A is inspired by one of the more controversial plotlines on the popular show This Is Us.  

In this episode, Laura and Sarah talk all about children's activities.  Ballet, robotics, karate, wrestling, swim - these are just a few options in the wide world of extracurriculars available for kids these days!  We delve into questions like how much is too much, and how we handle it when kids want to abruptly quit something.  In the Q&A, we answer a listener question about pregnancy - did we enjoy it, and does it get easier after the first time?

Today's episode is a crowd-sourced round up of childcare tips, tricks, and hacks!  Our readers & listeners contributed their best tips and submitted them via blogs, emails, and Instagram.  There were so many great ones, this may be just part 1!  We delve into daycare, date night babysitters, the au pair option and managing nanny care.  In the Q&A, we address a listener's question about her nanny: how reasonable is it to expect her caregiver to help with household tasks in addition to providing childcare

It's another goal-focused episode! Laura and Sarah go through their 2019 goals and how things are going - Q1 specifically. In our usual fashion, we address goals in categories: work, relationship/family, and personal. In the Q&A, we answer a listener question about dealing with unexpected days of lost work - specifically the attitude side of things, rather than the logistics!

In this episode, Laura & Sarah delve into the mysterious topic of SELF-CARE. First, we discuss -- what is it? Is it something specific, fixed, or more relative? Then, we get into our favorite self-care rituals and themes, self-care martyrdom on social media, and self-care vs treats. In the Q&A, we address a tough listener question about whether our podcast advice applies to those without the ability to outsource.

In this special episode, we interview our first male guest. Josh Unger is a vascular surgeon with 3 young children ages 1 to almost 7. He is very passionate about work, his family life, and our podcast. He also happens to be Sarah's husband! Join us as he discusses how he and Sarah met, the challenges of balancing work life with 3 kids, and what he considers his own personal 'midlife crisis' (don't worry, no flashy red sports cars have been purchased!).

In this special book-focused episode, Laura and Sarah chat about Laura's new release - Juliet's School fo Possibilities, a fable on time management, which is out TODAY! We get into the genesis of this idea, explore the (juicy) characters, and find out what Laura is thinking about doing next. In the Q&A, we address a listener who has the (great) problem of two enticing job offers - which to choose?

Travel is the topic of today's episode as we get closer to spring break for many of you! Laura and Sarah share upcoming travel plans and then chat with Jody Robbins, a family travel expert based on Canada. She shares some great family travel hacks as well as pro tips on top Canadian destinations for families. In the Q&A, we tackle a great question from a mother of a one-year-old who plays well independently -- what to do while you're with him, but not necessarily providing active parenting?

Life Management Systems - From swapping out work/kid bags to bedtime routines, Laura and Sarah chat about the systems that are currently working for their families. Hot topics also include laundry, homework, date nights, and morning routines. Join us as we lament always forgetting the socks at bouncy house places! In the Q&A, we answer a listener's query about starting a side hustle as a new mother to an 8-month-old.

In this episode, Laura and Sarah interview Amy Rasdal, an independent consultant who also runs Billable with Baby, where she helps other women set up their own successful consulting practices. She also gives some very practical advice -- including her take on what 80% of independent consultants charge per hour! Sarah & Laura also give some general life updates, talk about reading, and address a great listener question: What would you do with two kid-free weeks at home?

Sarah has just moved -- blog, home, schools, and all! So, the two of us talk about the challenges and logistics around moving, from packing to integrating at a new school. We also talk about using tiny slices of time (inspired by the minutes I'll be losing on my commute!). In our Q&A, we discuss a listener's dilemma -- should she keep her job even if the commute is about to double?

Gearing up for spring break (or even summer)?  In this episode, Laura and Sarah get into traveling with kids, and particularly the planning aspects.  We chat about how much energy we like to expend on vacations with kids, how far in advance we tend to set things, up, and more.

In today's episode, Laura and Sarah chat with Katie Forrest, UK criminal defense attorney, and mother to a 10-year-old girl with special needs.  She also writes novels on the side!  We learned how she handles the challenges that come with raising her daughter while continuing to achieve in both work and her creative endeavors.  To open up, we also revisit "superficial things".  Our question is a great one about sleep deprivation and sharing that very challenging aspect of parenting with your partner.

Welcome to our second mailbag Q&A episode! For this fun and spontaneous episode (recorded together from Philadelphia!), Laura and Sarah asked listeners (via Instagram) for some spur-of-the-moment questions - and provided honest, off-the-cuff answers.  Topics range from enneagram types to dealing with in-laws, and everything in between!

Lori is an attorney, mother of 2, and runs a side business coaching women on creating a mindful return to work after maternity leave. Lori dishes about her daily life in DC with her involvement in all of these important areas, and we talk about the highlights of what she's learned as a post-leave-mentor, from common pitfalls to pumping adventures. Sarah shares her post-pumping thoughts (hint: her life is much easier now!). In Q&A, we discuss 'batching' kids activities.