The Productive Woman
A podcast intended to help busy women find the tools and the encouragement to manage their lives, their time, their stress, and their stuff so they can accomplish the things that matter most to them.
Episodes
The Busy Woman’s Guide to Batching Tasks – TPW516
In this episode, we explore task batching — grouping similar tasks together so you can reduce mental switching, improve focus, and move through your day more calmly and efficiently.
Designing Your Ideal Week (with Flexibility for Real Life) – TPW515
Many of us don’t design our weeks — we inherit them. Appointments, obligations, and responsibilities fill the calendar, and before we know it, the week is full. But a full week isn’t always a meaningful one. In this episode, we explore how to design an ideal week—a flexible template shaped by your values, priorities, and real-life responsibilities—so your time reflects what matters most.
Values-Based Planning: Heart Before Calendar – TPW514
A full calendar doesn’t always mean a meaningful life. This week we explore values-based planning — a thoughtful approach to organizing your time around what matters most, so your schedule reflects your priorities and your life moves in the direction you truly care about.
The One-Hour Organizing Sprint – TPW513
Organizing often feels like something that requires a full weekend, lots of energy, and a perfectly clear schedule. But for most busy women, that kind of time is hard to come by. In this episode of The Productive Woman, we explore a simpler, more approachable strategy: the One-Hour Organizing Sprint. By focusing on a small, clearly defined space for just one hour, you can make meaningful progress
Quarterly Planning: The 90-Day Year (For Real Life) – TPW512
Annual goals can feel overwhelming. Weekly plans can feel reactive. But 90 days? That’s a timeframe that allows for meaningful progress — without pretending life won’t change. In this episode of The Productive Woman, we explore how to use quarterly planning as a realistic, flexible, and values-aligned way to move what matters forward.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves About Productivity – TPW511
Productivity isn’t just about planners, calendars, and systems. It’s also shaped by the quiet stories we tell ourselves — about who we are, what we’re capable of, and what it means to “do enough.” This week we explore how our internal narratives influence our habits, confidence, and choices — and how gently revising them can change everything.
Where Things Go: Creating Simple Homes for the Stuff You Use Every Day – TPW510
When the things we use every day have a place to go, life runs more smoothly, decision fatigue decreases, and daily stress softens. In this episode, we explore a simple but powerful organizing principle: giving everyday items a clear, logical home.
Time Blocking for Real Life: Flexible Systems for Busy Women – TPW509
Time blocking is often talked about as a strict, rigid way to organize your day — but for busy women managing responsibilities, interruptions, and shifting energy levels, it needs to be flexible, supportive, and intentional. In this episode, we explore how to use time blocking in real life — not as a rigid schedule, but as a flexible system that helps protect what matters most.
The Enough Equation: Knowing When You’ve Done Enough Today – TPW508
Many of us end the day tired, busy, and still feeling like we didn’t do enough. The to-do list isn’t finished, there’s always more that could be done, and rest can feel undeserved. In this episode of The Productive Woman, we explore a different way of thinking about productivity — one that helps you decide when to stop, without guilt, and recognize when enough really is enough.
Decluttering with Purpose, Not Pressure – TPW507
Decluttering often shows up early in the year — and so does pressure. Pressure to clean, organize, simplify, or “get your life together.” In this episode of The Productive Woman, we take a different approach. Instead of decluttering out of guilt or obligation, we talk about decluttering with purpose — using your values, priorities, and current season of life as your guide.
A Gentle Restart: Getting Back Into Routine After Time Away – TPW506
Getting back into a routine after time away can feel harder than starting from scratch. Whether your break was planned or unexpected — a sabbatical, illness, caregiving, burnout, or simply life — restarting often comes with pressure, guilt, and unrealistic expectations.
Photo by tatonomusic on Unsplash
In this episode of The Productive Woman, we explore a gentler, more compassionate approach to
Productivity and Purpose: Aligning Your To-Do List with Your Legacy – TPW505
What if your to-do list could reflect the legacy you want to leave behind? In this episode we’ll define legacy, explore why daily tasks often feel disconnected, and share ways to align them with your purpose.
Productivity Through the Seasons: Adapting to Life’s Changes – TPW504
Life isn’t one-size-fits-all, and neither is productivity. Although there are productivity principles that can apply across the board, what works for making a meaningfully productive life can vary from one woman to the next, and can change over time as our life changes. We can stay productive through all the seasons of our life if we're willing to assess, adapt, and anchor in what matters most to
Getting and Staying Healthy – TPW503
Experiencing a health emergency served as a wake-up call for me, highlighting the importance of taking care of my health. This week I'm sharing some things I've learned and changes I've made to get and stay healthy after a stroke last fall.
Decluttering Your Mind: Mental Habits for Overwhelmed Women – TPW502
This week we're exploring why mental clutter builds up, how it affects us, and three simple habits to help reduce overwhelm, regain clarity, and focus on what matters.
Post-Sabbatical Update – TPW501
After a longer-than-planned sabbatical, I'm back with an update! Find more at TheProductiveWoman.com/501
Sabbaticals – Time to Rest and Refocus – TPW500
Have you taken (or thought about taking) a sabbatical? This week we look at the why and what of sabbatical. (And listen for a special announcement at the end of the episode.)
10-Year Podiversary – Lessons Learned – TPW499
In this episode we’re celebrating 10 years of The Productive Woman podcast and I’m sharing some lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Productive Living: Getting Unstuck, with Britt Frank – TPW498
This week I'm talking with Britt Frank, a therapist, trauma specialist, and author of The Science of Stuck, about getting unstuck and making a life that matters.
Preparing for a Productive Retirement – TPW497
No matter your age, preparing now, with a focus on what matters most to you, can ensure a smooth transition to a rewarding, meaningful, and productive retirement when the time comes.
Productive Reading: Slow Productivity, by Cal Newport – TPW496
In this week's installment of our recurring Productive Reading series, we look at key takeaways from Cal Newport's newest book, Slow Productivity.
10+ Ways to Manage Stress – TPW495
There are ways to manage stress--and good reasons to do so.
Productive Living: Becoming CEO of Your Health, with Andrea Nakayama – TPW494
Andrea Nakayama, Functional Nutritionist and founder of Functional Nutrition Alliance, shares new ways to look at our health and nutrition while improving our productivity
Managing Expectations – TPW493
Disappointment (and worse) can result when we aren't clear on our expectations. Today we’re talking about managing expectations for less stress and more productivity.
Crafting a Life That Matters: 10 Essential Questions – TPW492
Self-reflection is always time well spent, especially if it's helping us grow as an individual. In this episode we’re talking about questions we can ask ourselves to help us create a life that matters
Productive Living: Financial Wellness, with Tamara Dias – TPW491
Certified financial social worker Tamara Dias joined me to talk about financial wellness and making a life that matters.
From the Vault: Working from Home – TPW490
Working from home has its benefits--and its challenges. This week I talk about both--and some solutions for the challenges
Mental Load and a Life that Matters – TPW489
How do you manage the mental load that's part of managing a household, a career, relationships, and a life in general? And how do we get others to share that mental load?
The Art of Balancing Solo and Social Time – TPW488
A meaningfully productive life includes a balance of solo and social time--but that balance is different for each of us.
My Tools for Efficient Work – TPW487
The tools we use can make all the difference. In this episode I discuss some of the tools I use for efficient work.
Productive Reading: Switch Craft, by Elaine Fox, PhD – TPW486
This week features an installment in our recurring “Productive Reading” series, looking at key takeaways from Switch Craft, by Elaine Fox, PhD, and the tools that can help us thrive in a constantly changing world.
Swedish Death Cleaning – TPW485
Swedish Death Cleaning offers a thoughtful approach to decluttering that benefits us in the present and our loved ones when we're gone.
Productive Living: Having It All, with Brooke Bentley – TPW484
Former NFL journalist Brooke Bentley chats with me about choices she's made over the course of her life and career, and the pressure to have it all.
Work-Life Integration – TPW483
What's work-life integration and how is it different from (maybe better than) work-life balance?
Resources for Making a Life That Matters – TPW482
There are tons of resources that can help us make a life that matters. Let's look at a few of them.
Productive Living: Reimagining Success, with Anna Lundberg – TPW481
What does success mean to you? In this week's installment of our Productive Living series, I chat with author, podcaster, coach, and former marketing professional Anna Lundberg about how to make the most of our professional and personal lives.
Overcoming Imposter Syndrome – TPW480
We all have moments of self-doubt and insecurity. Today we’re talking about imposter syndrome, also know as the imposter phenomenon, and a few things we can do to prevent it from hampering our productivity and our life.
Harder Than It Needs to Be? – TPW479
We can make life (and productivity) harder than it needs to be by our own thoughts and actions--but we can also turn that around.
My New Year’s Wish for You – TPW478
In this week's short episode I share a brief update on TPW plans and my wishes for you in the coming new year.
6 Elements of a Productive Day – TPW477
We all lead incredibly busy lives, but it's important we don't neglect ourselves or those who matter most to us. In this episode I’m sharing some elements I think are necessary for a truly productive day (and life).
10 Gifts to Give Yourself for the New Year – TPW476
Not all gifts can be wrapped and put under the tree, especially the ones that are the most valuable. This week let's consider some gifts you can give yourself during this holiday season and for the coming year...which could be your most productive ever.
Twenty 2-Minute Habits to Keep Your Space (and Life) Organized – TPW475
Here's quick rundown of a few habits that take only a few minutes but can help you be more organized and productive every day. What can you add to the list?
Productive Reading: Dopamine Nation, by Dr. Anna Lembke – TPW474
In this installment of our Productive Reading series we look at Dr. Anna Lembke's fascinating book, Dopamine Nation. (Spoiler alert: I recommend it!)
Productive Living: Sacred Rest, with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith – TPW473
This week's episode features my conversation with physician Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, author of Sacred Rest, about the 7 types of rest we all need to maximize our quality of life and our positive impact on the world.
Preparing for a Joyful Holiday Season – TPW472
Let's talk about preparing for joy in the upcoming holiday season, all while remaining productive and keeping our most important priorities in mind.
Productive Living: Productive Business Communications, with Elizabeth Pearson – TPW471
This week's episode of our Productive Living series features a conversation with author, speaker, and executive career coach Elizabeth Pearson about productive management of business communications.
Seasonal Productivity – TPW470
Let's talk about ways to stay productive in different seasons and how to show up at our best year-round.
Productive Living: Hormones & Productivity, with Lahana Vigliano – TPW469
Let's chat with clinical nutritionist Lahana Vigliano about the importance of gut health and hormones for our health and our productivity.
Productive Living: Mindful Financial Independence, with Emily Guy Birken – TPW468
This week I talk with financial writer Emily Guy Birken about overcoming financial anxiety and confidently achieving mindful financial independence.
Productive and Low-Stress Travel – TPW467
What are your best tips and tricks for productive and low-stress travel? That's what we're talking about in this week's episode.
Productive Living: Finding and Using Your Voice, with Jessica Doyle-Mekkes – TPW466
Professor, vocal coach, and author Jessica Doyle-Mekkes talks about finding your voice (and your power) by speaking up with confidence in your message.
Cultivating Flexibility and Resilience – TPW465
Intentionally cultivating flexibility and resilience can boost our productivity as we better navigate change and bounce back from adversity.
Productive Living: Creative Self-Care, with Mary Adkins – TPW464
Creative expression is an important component of a productive life. This installment of our Creative Living series features my conversation with lawyer, novelist, and writing coach Mary Adkins about creative self-care.
Productivity Slumps and What to Do About Them – TPW463
This week we’re talking about productivity slumps, what we can do to avoid them, and how to manage our minds to be our most productive when they inevitably happen.
Productive Living: A Holistic Approach to Productivity and Impact, with Angela Shurina – TPW462
This episode of our Productive Living series features my conversation with coach, nutritionist, and author Angela Shurina about a holistic approach to productivity for maximum positive impact on the world.
Getting It All Done, Part 2 (Some “Best Practices”) – TPW461
Following up on last week’s episode, this week we talk more about getting it all done, looking at some of the "best practices" recommended by experts.
Getting It All Done, Part 1 (How I Do It) – TPW460
This week we’re starting a 2-part series about getting it all done, with Part 1's focus on some of the things I personally do to accomplish what matters most to me.
Overcoming Productivity Obstacles – TPW459
Overcoming productivity obstacles is possible with the right steps. In this week's episode we discuss ways to overcome productivity roadblocks.
From the Vault: Back to School Routine Review – TPW458
The back-to-school season (or any change in seasons) is a great time to re-evaluate our daily and weekly routines to make sure they're serving us.
Productivity Myths – TPW457
Let's talk about productivity myths: "productivity" beliefs that can actually make us less productive.
Making the Most of Today – TPW456
Tomorrow isn't promised to us, so let's make the most of today.
9 Reasons to Declutter – TPW455
This week we do a quick review of some good reasons to declutter your space, your calendar, and your mind.
Productive Reading: Indistractable, by Nir Eyal – TPW454
This week features the next installment in our recurring “Productive Reading” series, this time talking about key takeaways from Indistractable, by Nir Eyal.
From the Vault: Saying No Gracefully – TPW453
This week we're revisiting an episode from the TPW archives in which I talk about saying no without feeling guilty.
Making Time for What Matters Most to You – TPW452
This week we’re reviewing some of the basics for making time for what matters most to you, essential to a meaningfully productive life.
Productivity When You’re Exhausted – TPW451
How can we get stuff done when we're exhausted and a nap isn't an option?
Productivity in Chaotic Times – TPW450
How can we stay productive even when we’re surrounded by chaos?
Organizing Your Digital Life – TPW449
This week we’re talking about organizing our digital life--why it matters and some suggestions on how to organize key areas of our digital life.
Managing Distractions in a Digital Age – TPW448
Technology can be a double-edged sword when it comes to our productivity. We're discussing how to manage distractions in a digital age.
Small Changes Today for a More Productive Tomorrow – TPW447
As we enter into a new season of the year, let's talk about a few small changes we can make today to create a more productive tomorrow.
Productivity Tools for Getting Things Done – TPW446
All the planning in the world won't help if we don't actually do the stuff we plan. In this episode we'll finish our mini-series about the GTD® method and talk about some of the tools we can use to implement the method and get stuff done.
A Deeper Dive Into GTD Reflect and Review – TPW445
This week we continue our mini-series about the GTD method and talk about a crucial step in any productivity system: reflect and review.
Balancing Work, Family, and Self-Care – TPW444
A lack of balance in our lives can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and burnout. Let's talk about healthy ways to juggle the multiple roles most of us fill in life.
A Deeper Dive Into GTD Clarify and Organize – TPW443
This week we’re continuing our GTD short series by talking about the clarify and organize steps.
Boundaries – TPW442
Sometimes we "bite off more than we can chew," so to speak. Setting appropriate boundaries in our personal and professional life can protect our productivity--and our mental health.
A Deeper Dive Into GTD Capture – TPW441
Last week we discussed David Allen's GTD™ system. Today we’re taking a deeper look at the first component of a functional productivity system: capturing all the things.
A Quick Refresher on GTD – TPW440
David Allen's GTD™ system includes important concepts and tools for a productive life. This week we're reviewing the fundamentals of Allen's system.
Getting Things Done When You Don’t Feel Like It – TPW439
How can we get things done when we just don't feel like it?
9 Guidelines for Productivity at Work – TPW438
This week we're talking about things we can do to maximize our productivity and effectiveness at work.
Taking Better Care of Things That Matter – TPW437
Important things can get overlooked in the daily hustle. As we approach the end of this year's first quarter, let's pause, think, and commit to spending just a little of our time, energy, and attention taking care of what matters.
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