Best Laid Plans – Details, episodes & analysis

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Best Laid Plans

Sarah Hart-Unger

Education

Society & Culture

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 325

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!

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Data updated on 20/10/2026

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https://www.speakpipe.com/bestlaidplans
44 shares
https://www.ixl.com/plans
33 shares
https://www.theessentialcalendar.com/BESTLAIDPLANS
5 shares

https://theshubox.com/newsletter
45 shares
https://theshubox.com/blpa
17 shares

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Score global : 58%

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Current Daily Page Practices + Planning Tactics to Alleviate Anxiety EP 325

Season 4 · Episode 325

Monday, October 19, 2026 • Duration 23:39

In today's episode, Sarah shares her current daily layout (you can see a photo on today's show notes - theshubox.com) in the MD Notebooks she is currently using (Jetpens: https://www.jetpens.com/MD-Notebook-A5-Lined/pd/13606; Amazon affiliate link: https://amzn.to/4ds8jQL) as well as the prompt she uses to help with scheduling.Then, she discusses several planning tactics that help alleviate anxiety.NOTES:Sarah's annual planning course Best Laid Plans: Planning 2027 is open for registration at theshubox.com/coursesPlanning By Season 2027 will release via newsletter in early November - you can subscribe for more info and initial access at theshubox.com/newsletter OCTOBER SPONSORS Boll & Branch: Amazingly comfortable bedding. Get 20% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠bollandbranch.com/plans⁠⁠ with code plans Factor: Healthy meals with ultimate convenience. Visit ⁠⁠factormeals.com/plans50off⁠⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Quince: Beautifully made classic pieces for your fall wardrobe, and more. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Explore Worldwide: Explore Worldwide’s trips are crafted, planned and facilitated by real human experts who know all those hidden local gems. Check out all of the wonderful options at ⁠⁠exploreworldwide.com⁠⁠IXL: Effective home learning for grades K-12! Visit ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Warby Parker: Buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at ⁠⁠WarbyParker.com/PLANS⁠⁠. PrepDish: Strategic and healthy meal planning right in your inbox. Check out ⁠⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠⁠ for 2 weeks, free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Seasonality, Periodicity + October Q&A EP 324

Season 4 · Episode 324

Monday, October 12, 2026 • Duration 27:03

In today's episode, Sarah starts off by sharing some answers to listener question! First comes a planning adjacent question around protein intake, as a listener wanted to know which planning tactics help for meeting nutritional goals. Then, Sarah discusses options for managing on-the-fly screenshots. Finally, a listener with a toddler asks for advice for this challenging era and Sarah shares her experiences and tips from that time!Then, Sarah shifts gears and talks about the idea of seasonality or periodicity -the idea that we can't push hard all the time but instead need different levels of effort + rest within a day, week, month, season, and even year.NOTES:Course info: theshubox.com/courses -- registration OPEN for Planning 2027, and Planning By Season will be available for signup on 11/2 first via the newsletter. OCTOBER SPONSORS Boll & Branch: Amazingly comfortable bedding. Get 20% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠bollandbranch.com/plans⁠ with code plans Factor: Healthy meals with ultimate convenience. Visit ⁠factormeals.com/plans50off⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Quince: Beautifully made classic pieces for your fall wardrobe, and more. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Explore Worldwide: Explore Worldwide’s trips are crafted, planned and facilitated by real human experts who know all those hidden local gems. Check out all of the wonderful options at ⁠exploreworldwide.com⁠IXL: Effective home learning for grades K-12! Visit ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠ to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price. Warby Parker: Buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at ⁠WarbyParker.com/PLANS⁠. PrepDish: Strategic and healthy meal planning right in your inbox. Check out ⁠PrepDish.com/plans⁠ for 2 weeks, free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Top 10 Rules for Planning & Life Management EP 323

Season 4 · Episode 323

Monday, October 5, 2026 • Duration 25:50

Inspired by an episode of EMPowered Radio (https://macroswithem.com/pages/podcast) , Sarah is listing her top 10 Standard Operating Procedures or rules for planning and life management. The summary: Take your time to plan well, FIRST. No task left behind / Airtight Task ManagementEpisode mentioned: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html Planning goes in the planning container - once you have your list, you execute and focus on the task at hand One source of truth!!!! Control your inputs. Planning doesn’t occur in a vacuum - have a communication planLazy Genius Ep mentioned: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/lazy/familymeetings Use the tools that make you happy and fit your current life circumstances. Switch if you want, but you better have a really good reason. Watch your energy and remember you are a human — even during the planning phases. For the most part, TRY to remain faithful to your list. (goes hand in hand with making a realistic list!!!!) Be willing to iterate - don’t let planning box you in too tightly!!! ADDITIONAL INFO:Course info including Best Laid Plans: 2027 registration (now also CME option available!) - visit theshubox.com/coursesNewsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter OCTOBER SPONSORS Boll & Branch: Amazingly comfortable bedding. Get 20% off your first order plus free shipping at bollandbranch.com/plans with code plansFactor: Healthy meals with ultimate convenience. Visit factormeals.com/plans50off and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026.Quince: Beautifully made classic pieces for your fall wardrobe, and more. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.Explore Worldwide: Explore Worldwide’s trips are crafted, planned and facilitated by real human experts who know all those hidden local gems. Check out all of the wonderful options at exploreworldwide.comIXL: Effective home learning for grades K-12! Visit https://www.ixl.com/plans to get the most effective learning program out there at the best price.Warby Parker: Buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/PLANS.PrepDish: Strategic and healthy meal planning right in your inbox. Check out PrepDish.com/plans for 2 weeks, free! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Planner Shopping Tips + 2 Mini-Reviews -- Aura Estelle + Faded Chronicle EP 322

Season 4 · Episode 322

Monday, September 28, 2026 • Duration 29:33

It's a planner-packed episode today!Sarah discusses:- Planner buying season - mindset + shopping tips! For fun, Sarah's 2027 stack can be viewed at youtube.com/@bestlaidplansvideo- Upcoming planning experiences, including Planning 2027 (registration opens 10/1, with details in the newsletter - theshubox.com/newsletter). Special bonus this year - participants also get the brand new Nested Goals workbook (pdf).- Reviews of two fantastic Tomoe River Paper options:1) Aura Estelle Magnet Planner (A5 vertical weekly - https://www.auraestelle.com/products/2027-weekly-vertical-magnet-planner?variant=48662624469224) - $54.95 (preorder)2) Faded Chronicle (A5 Collective - https://fadedchronicle.com/products/preorder-the-2027-chronicle-planner-tn-all-in-one?_pos=1&_fid=ae647e958&_ss=c) - $59If you'd like to be entered for a chance to win one of these, visit today's show notes at theshubox.com (winner drawn 9/30!). OUR SPONSORS: IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠. Factor: Head to ⁠⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠⁠ with code plans. Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠quince.com/plans⁠⁠ PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Mixed Bag Episode! Fall Life Update, Course Info, Weekend Ideas, and Planning FAQs EP 321

Season 4 · Episode 321

Monday, September 21, 2026 • Duration 27:35

In today's mixed bag episode, Sarah chats about:- Current life update, 1 month into Quintile 4 (Back to School)- Hobonichi drama with happy ending (eventual unboxing video will be at https://www.youtube.com/@BestLaidPlansVideo -- but likely not for a week or so!)- Upcoming course offerings (including 2027!) - brief overview, with first 2027 courses launching in October. (Best place to stay up to date about offerings is the newsletter - theshubox.com/newsletter !)- Great listener tips from M on weekend planning to balance intention + spontaneity (love his idea of last-minute performance tickets!)- FAQs -- the 5 things I get asked most often, with overview responses! The questions:1) Where should I capture this task? (Reference - Airtight Task Capture ep: https://theshubox.com/2026/02/blp-ep-288-your-guide-to-airtight-task-management.html)2) I have a lot going on- which planner should I use?3) What do I do if my partner resists planning?4) What happens if the month and season start at the time time (or if the season starts just before the month, or vice versa?)5) What do I do if my plans go up in flames every time I start my work day due to some emergency? OUR SPONSORS: IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠. Factor: Head to ⁠⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠⁠ with code plans. Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠⁠quince.com/plans⁠⁠ PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Planning Big Projects + Making Room for Fun with Gemma Hartley EP 320

Season 4 · Episode 320

Monday, September 14, 2026 • Duration 35:08

In today's episode, Sarah interviews author and mother of 3 Gemma Hartley about her planning system, with a focus on the tools Gemma uses to plan (and enjoy life!) while she tackles bit projects like writing a book.Mentioned on the podcast:Standard Issue planner: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/2026-2027-black-standard-issue-weekly-desk-planner-designworks-ink/1148365276Google TasksNotionCourses page: theshubox.com/courses (find info on the free time management for heathcare providers webinar here!)Sarah's newsletter: theshubox.com/newsletter OUR SPONSORS: IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠. Factor: Head to ⁠factormeals.com/plans⁠ and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at ⁠BollAndBranch.com/plans⁠ with code plans. Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to ⁠quince.com/plans⁠ PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Routines Deep Dive + Weekend Planning Challenges EP 319

Season 4 · Episode 319

Monday, September 7, 2026 • Duration 21:11

Today's episode is all about routines! First, Sarah addresses a listener question around weekend planning - how to avoid feeling like the time was wasted without locking yourself in to too many scheduled activities?Then, Sarah talks all about ROUTINES -- why they deserve attention, and a wide variety of routines you might not have thought about (from your "getting ready" routine to your shutdown ritual!). Note of a FREE 2-session seminar on time management for healthcare providers (Sarah is cohosting along with two Johns Hopkins physicians) - get the signup link on today's show notes post at theshubox.com. OUR SPONSORS:IXL: Make an impact on your child’s learning, get IXL now. Best Laid Plans with listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at https://www.ixl.com/plans.Factor: Head to factormeals.com/plans and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year, while supplies last until 10/31/2026. Boll & Branch: Upgrade your sleep with Boll & Branch. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at BollAndBranch.com/plans with code plans. Quince: Find the fall pieces you’ll reach for most at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers or go to quince.com/plans PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Why Autopilot Doesn't Work + 5 Things Sarah is Loving Now EP 318

Season 4 · Episode 318

Monday, August 31, 2026 • Duration 21:23

In this episode, Sarah discusses why autopilot (or always choosing the default, easiest choices) doesn't work. She starts with the example of health, and then compares the decline of our society's physical health (particularly metabolic health) to cognitive and emotional struggles many face today in our current digital landscape.She then moves on to 5 things she is loving now -- lightening the mood considerably!Mentioned on the ep:- Cal Newport's recent episode discussing cognitive KPIs: https://www.thedeeplife.com/podcasts/episodes/how-to-build-a-cognitive-training-plan-monday-advice/- Hobonichi launch site:https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/magazine/2027/y27/?srsltid=AfmBOopv4kxup7kx0tbdd2yl9WyyElZXI15WfwGg9l-az5ya6klfqXkX August Sponsors: Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026 IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Reasons to Plan Seasonally + Goal Planners (Farewell to PowerSheets + Amplify!) EP 317

Season 4 · Episode 317

Monday, August 24, 2026 • Duration 20:31

In today's episode, Sarah shares some of the ways in which she benefitted from her own seasonal planning session, and then she pivots to a discussion of goal planners- what's out there, what's going away, and what can they help with. She also notes her plans to create a Nested Goals Workbook for 2027 - stay tuned! To stay the most up to date, be sure to subscribe to Sarah's newsletter at theshubox.com/newsletterPlanners Mentioned:Cultivate What Matters PowerSheets (being discontinued): https://cultivatewhatmatters.com/collections/plannersAmplify (being discontinued)https://www.amplifyplanner.com/Ink + Volthttps://inkandvolt.com/collections/planners/datedCommit30https://commit30.com/products/2027-weekly-goal-plannerMakseLifehttps://makselife.com/collections/all-plannersEC Monthlyhttps://www.erincondren.com/monthly-plannerFull Focushttps://fullfocusstore.com/collections/planners August Sponsors: Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026 IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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8 Back-to-School Planning Tactics and All About Quintile 4 EP 316

Season 4 · Episode 316

Monday, August 17, 2026 • Duration 23:02

In today's episode, Sarah confesses to her recent planner switchup, and then shares her love for Quintile 4, her "throwback" fall favorites, and 8 planning tactics for the back to school season.MD Notebook mentioned: https://amzn.to/4wWYhyM (affiliate link) August Sponsors: Factor Meals: Head to factormeals.com/plans50off and and use code plans50off to get 50 percent off and 1 free breakfast item per box while supplies last until 10/31/2026 IXL: Best Laid Plans listeners can get an exclusive 20% off IXL membership when they sign up today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.ixl.com/plans⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. PrepDish: Make your menu planning so much easier! Try it free for 2 weeks by visiting ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠prepdish.com/plans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Best Laid Plans – Details, episodes & analysis

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Best Laid Plans – Details, episodes & analysis

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