Explore every episode of the podcast The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 65. When You're Anxious About the Next Calendared Entry | 02 Sep 2024 | 00:14:53 | |
Someone asked me if I could address what to do when you're anxious about the next calendared event, which prevents you from focusing on the current thing you're trying to work on. Let's discuss – both in terms of if certain things cause that feeling to set it and if it's everything you calendar. Also, if you have time and are willing, I'd so appreciate if you'd rate and review this podcast. Thank you!
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| 64. How to get your partner to buy into a time management approach | 19 Aug 2024 | 00:27:58 | |
If you have a partner, getting them onboard with a time management approach can be tricky. Let's dig into some tips on how to do it. Here's the article referenced in the episode, How to Get Your Partner's Help at Home: Help Them See the Ocean. | |||
| 55. “You waste years by not being able to waste hours”: The Critical Role Planning Plays | 20 May 2024 | 00:34:40 | |
American culture is fixated on DOING – and those of us in it struggle to stop the doing to plan and prioritize. This quote caught my attention on that front: “You waste years by not being able to waste hours." The quote is by Amos Tversky and doesn't relate to planning, but it made me think that we do risk wasting weeks, months, and years by not planning and prioritizing where we want to go. Busyness without direction doesn't always get us where we want to go. Let's discuss – and walk through what this means from a practical perspective. Other episodes referenced:
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| 54. Ever-changing schedules: If you or your partner have ever-different weeks bc of your job, this one is for you | 13 May 2024 | 00:15:39 | |
For people with ever-different schedules, from ER physicians and nurses to pilots, this episode is for you! | |||
| 53. Commutes & Non-Commutes: Transitioning from Home to Work and Back | 06 May 2024 | 00:22:27 | |
Someone asked me on Instagram to address commutes from a time management perspective. So, let's dig into some strategies for traditional commutes & non-commutes for the days you WFH. | |||
| 52. [Listen before you rule it out] Hiring a House Manager with Kelly Hubbell of Sage Haus | 29 Apr 2024 | 00:39:19 | |
Listen to at least the first five minutes before you decide whether or not this episode is for you. And I'd love to hear your feedback. Resources mentioned:
A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 51. Stop Comparing Your Tired to Other People's | 22 Apr 2024 | 00:14:00 | |
I recently had this breakthrough that's been very empowering and practically helpful, so I figured I'd share it here with you. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 50. An Example of Saying No: Why I'm Not Speaking This Year | 15 Apr 2024 | 00:26:42 | |
I personally find it fascinating to hear what people are saying "no" to and why. In addition, hearing examples helps normalize saying no and sparks ideas for what others might say no to – all of which helps us manage our workload and life so that we have energy and time for the things we decide are most important to us. So, here's an example from my own life: How and why I decided to say no to speaking engagements for the rest of 2024. If you're already saying no to a category of activities or decide to after listening to this episode, let me know! I'd love to hear. Email me or DM me on Instagram. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 49. The Vacuum Effect: Context Matters When It Comes to Time Management | 08 Apr 2024 | 00:25:40 | |
I keep seeing a theme in my time management work I want to talk about – the Vacuum Effect. Let's dig into it. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 48. Digital Spring Clean & Physical Work Environment Organization | 01 Apr 2024 | 00:19:06 | |
If you're ready for a digital spring clean (think: email, calendar, phone), jump into my free 5-day digital spring clean email series here! Over the course of five days (starting when you sign up!), you'll get one digital spring clean tip emailed to you that you can act on right away to get more fresh air in your digital life! In this episode, we dig into three of my physical work environment tips and others that I crowdsourced from other working women on Instagram and via my email list. I also compiled all of the strategies in an article if you'd like to read it here. Enjoy! | |||
| 47. Three Email Management Tips | 25 Mar 2024 | 00:22:38 | |
Email can be a huge time management pain point for some of us. Let's go over three strategies we can use to help alleviate that pain. | |||
| 46. Work Travel: Time Management Strategies for Working Women Who Travel for Work | 18 Mar 2024 | 00:17:10 | |
In my most recent 8-week Bright Method program, during one of the corporate breakout sessions, work travel came up – specifically, how to leverage the Bright Method when you travel for work frequently. It was a great example of how we can use Bright Method strategies in a specific scenario to bring more clarity and peace of mind to our lives, so I figured I'd share here for those in a similar spot. Enjoy – and share with a friend who travels often! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 63. It's Harder Than "Just Schedule Time for Self-Care": How to Actually Enjoy Downtime | 05 Aug 2024 | 00:19:36 | |
It irks me when I hear people say, "Just schedule time for self-care." Many people I work with might find the time for a break, but struggle to enjoy it because they feel anxious they should be doing something "productive" with that time. Let's talk about that – and what to do about it. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 45. Motivating to do the things you calendared | 11 Mar 2024 | 00:26:16 | |
A woman emailed me asking me about having the self-discipline to do the task you calendared when the time rolls around. Let's discuss! Resources mentioned:
To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 44. Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger & Paper Planners, Planning Privilege, and Digital Detox | 04 Mar 2024 | 00:30:03 | |
Time management is incredibly personal, and not everyone wants to go all in on a digital calendar(s) like I teach. Because of that, I'm thrilled to have Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger on the podcast to discuss how she manages her life with a paper planner. We also discuss planning privilege and digital detoxing. Enjoy! To learn more about Sarah, her podcasts, courses, and newsletter, visit theshubox.com A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.
-- To take my free 5-day program, the Reset and Refresh, click here: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh. | |||
| 43. Five Strategies to Improve Your Meetings | 26 Feb 2024 | 00:15:02 | |
Meetings are critical for much of what we do, but they can also quickly become overused and ineffective. Let's talk through five strategies you can use to improve your meetings so they're more useful and everyone has more clarity coming out of them. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. -- I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there! | |||
| 42. Overcoming Burnout with Dr. Shanika Esparaz | 19 Feb 2024 | 00:32:35 | |
So many of us have struggled with burnout – at work, at home, or because of the tension between the two. Dr. Shanika Esparaz, a double board-certified physician in Ophthalmology and Lifestyle Medicine, has as well and has come out on the other side (while staying in medicine). On this episode, she'll share her burnout and recovery story and strategies that helped her (and now, her clients) manage the journey. You can learn more about Shani and message her on IG @shani_esparazmd https://www.instagram.com/shani_esparazmd/ You can also learn more about Shani's coaching here: https://envisionyourwellness.mykajabi.com/coaching A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 41. When Your Calendar Overwhelms You | 12 Feb 2024 | 00:17:50 | |
Putting everything in your calendar we do in the Bright Method can be overwhelming. Let's go over reasons why it's worth playing through the discomfort. | |||
| 40. When is Hard Work Worth It? | 05 Feb 2024 | 00:26:14 | |
This is a little outside my lane but relevant to many women I work with, so let's discuss when hard work is worth it – and when it's not. Resources mentioned: Career coach/consultant recommendations (recommended by others; I have not worked with any of these people) | |||
| 39. Dr. Chelsea Pierotti on Managing Stressful & High-Pressure Situations | 29 Jan 2024 | 00:42:48 | |
No matter how awesome we are at time management, there are just parts of our jobs that are stressful. Dr. Chelsea Pierotti, a social psychology professor and mental performance coach, joins us to discuss how to manage that stress more effectively so we can show up in the way that we want to. Dr. Chelsea's work aims to create healthier and happier athletes through positive mental skills training – and much of it translates well to the work environment. I'm excited for you to get to listen to her words of wisdom and strategies in this episode. If you want to learn more about Chelsea, you can listen to her podcast, Passion for Dance, on your podcast platform of choice. You can also learn more about her on her website, https://chelseapierotti.com, and follow her on Instagram here. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode publishs. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 38. Limited time is frustrating – How to feel more empowered | 22 Jan 2024 | 00:22:30 | |
Part of realistic and effective time management is acknowledging how limited time is, which can be frustrating. Let's talk about some approaches to take to make us less focused on the frustration and more focused on what we do about it.
A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.
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I also share actionable bite-sized time management strategies on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/. Come hang out with me there! | |||
| 37. Time Management is a System Failure – Not a Character Flaw | 15 Jan 2024 | 00:12:45 | |
If you're struggling with time management, a critical thing to realize is that your time management struggles are not a character flaw – they're just symptoms of you using a system you likely learned around middle school to manage your ever-more-complicated life. Let's talk about it – and what to do about it. To jump into a Bright Method program, click here. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 36. Deadlines: How to avoid choking yourself up on your deadlines | 08 Jan 2024 | 00:19:38 | |
When you're scrambling to hit deadlines, it's smart to take a step back and ask, "Where are all of these deadlines coming from?" Many deadlines come from us, which is great news because anything in our control is easier to fix. Let's talk about how to give ourselves more breathing space at work.
A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.
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To learn more about and sign up for the Bright Method 8-week program, click here: https://kellynolan.com/the-bright-method-time-management-course-with-kelly-nolan.
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| 35. How to work with your energy when it comes to time management | 01 Jan 2024 | 00:27:39 | |
Ever hit a wall of exhaustion and then beat yourself up for not being productive? In this episode of the Bright Method podcast, I dig into how to work with your natural energy levels—rather than fight them—so you can approach time management in a more realistic and sustainable way. We’ll cover:
Plus, I share how this concept has played out in my own life and what it looks like inside the Bright Method system, where we use digital calendars not just to manage time, but to help tailor your plans to you—your focus, your energy, your real life. If you want to bring more intention and ease to your life, this episode will help you do just that—without needing to overhaul your entire lifestyle or become a morning person. Referenced episodes:
A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode.
Links you might enjoy:
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| 34. Friendships: Using your calendar to help you show up as the friend you want to be | 18 Dec 2023 | 00:25:11 | |
If you're like most of the women I work with, your relationships, including your friendships, are the most important parts of your life – more important than work or home logistics. Even when friendships are a top priority, it can be hard to consistently show up the way we want to. Life gets busy, and despite our best intentions, remembering to call a friend or text them during a tough or joyful moment often slips through the cracks. If that resonates with you, you’re not alone—and it doesn’t mean you’re a bad friend. It just means your brain can’t do it all on its own. In this episode, I share calendar-based time management strategies that help me and many of my clients be the kinds of friends we truly want to be, especially during busy or emotionally draining seasons of life. We talk about:
If you want to feel confident and proud of how you show up in your relationships—without expecting your brain to carry the full load—I hope this episode gives you practical tools to do that. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and select the episode.
Links you might enjoy:
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| 33. Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans | 11 Dec 2023 | 00:23:24 | |
Whether you want to decide some long-term plans now or NOT, this episode is for you. You can download the accompanying guide (including more examples than I shared in the episode) here. In this episode, I walk through how I approach long-term planning and goal setting in a realistic, pressure-free way. I don’t believe every woman has to be constantly striving to improve—and that can make traditional New Year’s resolutions feel out of step with real life. So I share:
Whether your goal is tangible and action-oriented (like training for a race) or more internal (like drinking less or listening more), I walk through how to make it actionable with your calendar—and, more importantly, how to adjust and not overcommit. Because even if you’re not “doing” a big thing, you’re still doing a lot. Let’s give that credit—and get realistic about what one more thing would actually take. I also mention:
Links you might enjoy:
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| 32. How to Capture To-Do's in a Realistic Way | 04 Dec 2023 | 00:17:28 | |
I do NOT break out my calendar every time I get an idea of something I need/want to do and find the perfect home for it in there. That's just not realistic for me – or, likely, you. In this episode, I walk through how I personally capture to-dos when they pop into my brain—whether I’m sitting at my desk, juggling kids, driving in the car, or even lying in bed—and how I make sure those to-dos don’t just live on scraps of paper and in my Notes app forever. I’ll also share:
We all live in the real world. This episode helps you find a capturing system that matches how your life actually works—and ensures that important tasks don’t fall through the cracks. Links you might enjoy:
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| 31. Leadership mindset shifts with Jodi Flynn: Ditching "busy," protecting your focus, and leading your team | 27 Nov 2023 | 00:42:37 | |
If you’ve recently stepped into a leadership position—or want to be ready for the next opportunity—this conversation with Jodi Flynn is a must-listen. Jodi is the CEO and founder of Women Taking the Lead, where she helps organizations and individuals close the gender parity gap by developing more women into senior leadership roles. In this episode, Jodi and I dive into the critical mindset shifts that need to happen when you move from being a doer to being a leader. We explore:
We also talk about the role of women as “emotional caretakers” in organizations, and how to set respectful boundaries while still showing up for your team. If you’re a manager, a newly promoted executive, or simply want to feel more confident leading your team, this episode will give you practical tools and mindset shifts to get there. Jodi’s mix of mindset coaching and leadership development blends beautifully with the time management strategies I teach, and I’m so excited for you to hear from her. 🔗 Learn more about Jodi Flynn and her work at womentakingthelead.com
Other resources you might enjoy:
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| 30. Swingerbyers: Dealing with people who swing by or call for a "quick word" | 20 Nov 2023 | 00:22:05 | |
If you’ve ever had your workday derailed by a coworker who “just swings by” your office or pings you for a “quick call” that turns into 20–30 minutes, this episode is for you. In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I’m diving into how to handle interruptions from those well-meaning—but time-consuming—colleagues I call “swingerbyers.” We’ll cover simple, practical strategies you can implement to both prevent and manage these interruptions. From setting standing meetings and communication boundaries to using visual cues like door signs and headphones, you’ll leave with actionable tools to protect your time and focus. We’ll also talk about how, as women in the workplace, we're often the “safe space” person in the office, and how to handle emotional unloads from coworkers. And we'll talk about how to gracefully exit conversations that are dragging on too long and how to use friendly phrases and even movement (like getting up to grab coffee) to signal wrap-up time. If you’re a hybrid employee, I share tips to help you match your work environment to the type of work you need to get done—so you can optimize your productivity whether you're at home or in the office. Whether you love your coworkers but need more focused time or you're drowning in daily interruptions, this episode gives you realistic ways to take back some control. Let’s help you stay on track, get your deep work done, and still be the kind, approachable colleague you want to be—just with a few more boundaries that work for you. 🎧 Mentioned in this episode: Links you might enjoy:
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| 29. Outsourcing at Home | 13 Nov 2023 | 00:42:08 | |
Outsourcing home responsibilities can stir up all kinds of emotions—money concerns, societal pressure to "do it all," and even our own internal narratives about what we should be able to handle. In this episode, I dig into the practical and emotional sides of outsourcing tasks at home so you can reclaim time, reduce stress, and focus more on what truly matters to you. I break down three mindset barriers that often prevent us from getting help at home, including guilt around spending money, cultural messaging about financial responsibility, and the feeling that outsourcing is somehow failing at being able to do our roles. I also share a research-backed shift in perspective that helped me start valuing my time more than I used to—and how that shift has made a meaningful impact on my life and my happiness. From there, I walk through a three-step framework to identify what’s draining your time and energy, evaluate your thoughts about those tasks, and explore creative outsourcing solutions. I also dive into specific examples of home-related outsourcing—ranging from hiring a cleaner or laundry service to getting help with cooking or even working with a private chef. Whether you're cooking for yourself or a whole family, I offer a range of options so you can find something that works for your needs, budget, and values. We also talk about “seasonal outsourcing”—making intentional decisions to outsource during particularly intense work or parenting seasons without feeling like it's a forever commitment. I also share ideas for outsourcing beyond the traditional, like hiring someone to hang holiday lights or help with birthday gift shopping. My goal with this episode is to give you a nudge to rethink how you're spending your time, especially on repetitive, time-consuming home tasks that you don’t enjoy. Outsourcing isn't just about getting more done—it's about making space for what brings you joy, peace of mind, and rest. If you're curious about outsourcing but unsure how to start—or if you're already outsourcing but want to do it more intentionally—this episode is for you. Resources mentioned:
We Should All Be Millionaries by Rachel Rodgers
Busy season episode: Episode 19 of this podcast
Links you might enjoy:
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| 28. When Your Work Relies on Others, Making It Hard to Plan | 06 Nov 2023 | 00:23:56 | |
In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I tackle a listener-submitted question that so many of us face: How do you manage your workload when your work depends on others—especially when they don’t stick to a timeline? Whether you're a corporate attorney waiting on client edits, a project manager juggling partner input, or anyone who can’t move forward until someone else delivers, this one’s for you. I share three key time management strategies to help you navigate this frustrating challenge:
Plus, I offer a bonus tip: if your role is constantly reactive and full of curveballs, check out Episode 16 for how to use flex time to protect your time and sanity. Whether you're a working woman in law, medicine, corporate, or any fast-paced, people-dependent field, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you manage your time more proactively—even when others don’t. 🎧 Listen in for practical ways to:
Other episodes referenced: Ep. 16 - Curveballs & Fires.
Links you might enjoy:
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| 27. Working with a Sick Kid at Home - Part 2: | 30 Oct 2023 | 00:30:53 | |
Once your child is home sick, the day you had planned often goes out the window. In this episode, we discuss how you can navigate your days and weeks once illness strikes—from recalibrating your calendar to finding focused work time amidst naps and screen time. This episode is the second part of a two-part series (so if you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, check that out—it’s all about prepping in advance before illness hits). In this episode, I walk through nine strategies for navigating the chaos once you’re in it. We cover:
I also share tips from fellow parents who generously shared their own strategies, from asking for grace to reminding yourself that this phase is temporary. Whether you're knee-deep in a sick-kid week now or want to be better prepared for the next one, this episode is here to give you a practical, realistic approach that helps you feel just a little more grounded and in control. Here's the full article these two episodes are based on. Links you might enjoy:
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| 26. Working with a Sick Kid at Home - Part 1: What to do ahead of time to prepare for a sick kid | 23 Oct 2023 | 00:25:35 | |
The referenced article has been updated since this episode was recorded, and I highly recommend checking it out here & reading tip 1 – all about how to proactively divvy up sick kid backup time with your partner if you have one. When your child gets sick and still needs to stay home, everything—from your meetings to your sleep—can feel like it unravels. In this two-part series, I’m sharing practical, doable ways to reduce stress when your kid is sick and you're still trying to work. In this first episode, we’re focusing on what you can do ahead of time to make those inevitable sick days easier. This episode is for you if you’ve ever thought:
We’ll cover:
Whether you’re in the thick of cold and flu season or just want to be better prepared this year, this episode will help you set yourself up for a little more calm, even on chaotic days. 🎧 In Part 2, we’ll talk about what to do on the actual day when your kid is home sick and you're trying to juggle work—so be sure to tune in to that next! And if you want to read the full article this episode is based on, here's the full article these two episodes are based on. Episode 9 is the episode I mention on the Year of Ease.
Here are links for free covid tests if you want to stop up:
Links you might enjoy:
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| 61. Goli Kalkhoran of Lessons from a Quitter & Resisting the Desire to be the "Perfect Employee" | 22 Jul 2024 | 00:32:14 | |
Too often, we women struggle to say no at work to keep our workload reasonable and maintain boundaries because we want to be a "good employee," which many of us subconsciously believe means we need to be the "perfect employee." As a result, we say yes to things we don't want to do, answer emails at night, are always on Teams/Slack, etc. Let's talk about how to handle these thoughts so that we can reclaim more control of our time. To do that, I am thrilled to have Goli Kalkhoran of Lessons from a Quitter join us. I've been a big fan of Goli and her work for a long time, so it's a true honor to have her on the podcast. For those of you who don't know her, Goli Kalkhoran is Master Certified Life Coach, and former attorney, who helps unfulfilled professionals create a career (and life) they actually like. She is the host of the Lessons from a Quitter podcast where she uses her platform to de-stigmatize quitting and provide resources and inspiration to individuals looking to pivot in their established careers. She challenges people to exceed their own expectations and guides them through the initial steps of starting over in order to build a more intentional, fulfilling life. Learn more about Goli's work at: https://www.quitterclub.com/class https://www.lessonsfromaquitter.com/quitterclub And definitely check out her podcast, Lessons from a Quitter. Enjoy – and let me know what you think! A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 25. Current reality first - then add in the aspirational changes | 16 Oct 2023 | 00:19:08 | |
When we aim to get a handle on our time and task management, we sometimes inadvertently try to do two big things at once:
It makes total sense but can have some big pitfalls. Let's talk about why we need to address our current reality before working in aspirational goals so we can set ourselves up to actually get the reality – current and future – that we want. In this episode, I break down:
If you’ve ever tried a new planner, time-blocking approach, or goal-setting strategy and it didn’t stick, this episode might help you understand why—and give you a more practical way to make lasting progress. And if you’re looking for a system to help you get your arms around your current reality first, check out my free five-day program at www.kellynolan.com/refresh. We’ll start with where you are, organize what’s already on your plate, and then talk about how to build toward what you want—without burning out on Day 3. Let’s stop trying to change everything all at once—and instead create change that lasts. I’ll see you in there! Links you might enjoy:
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| 24. Running Effective 1x1 Meetings with Nicole Case, an Executive & Leadership Coach | 09 Oct 2023 | 00:39:21 | |
Standing one-on-one meetings can be incredibly powerful tools for connection, career development, and productivity—but only if we run them with intention. In this episode, I’m joined by Nicole Case, an executive and leadership coach with a background in corporate HR, to discuss how to hold truly effective one-on-ones—both as a manager and as an employee. Nicole walks us through what one-on-one meetings are meant to be (spoiler: not status meetings), common mistakes managers and individual contributors make, and how to use these meetings to build trust, increase visibility, reduce burnout, and prevent misalignment. She also shares practical strategies for setting up and running these meetings, including guidance on cadence, agendas, meeting prep, follow-up, and more. We also talk about:
Whether you're a manager wanting to lead better or an employee looking for more meaningful time with your boss, this episode is full of practical takeaways that can transform how you view and use your one-on-one meetings. Nicole also created a free template to help you run more effective one-on-ones—grab it at https://www.theupgradedleader.com/meeting You can also follow Nicole on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-case-leadership-coach-and-keynote-speaker-for-women/
And Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/nicolecasespeaks/
Links you might enjoy:
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| 23. Managers v. Makers (And What It Means For Your Schedule) | 02 Oct 2023 | 00:26:46 | |
When I first read about the manager v. maker distinction and what it means for each person's work schedule, it was a big lightbulb moment for me. Let's discuss how you can use this framework for your schedule and ensure you're not imposing, e.g., a manager's schedule on a maker to the detriment of their ability to do their maker job. In this episode, I dive into the powerful distinction between managers and makers—a concept originally explored by Paul Graham and shared by Farnam Street. Makers are the deep-focus workers who need uninterrupted time to create, draft, research, and produce. Managers, on the other hand, are tasked with team communication, meetings, and moving projects forward—often through collaborative work. And here’s the kicker: many of us are expected to do both without adjusting our schedules or workload to reflect those dual demands. We’ll explore:
I’ll also walk through how The Bright Method helps you see these patterns more clearly, so you can plan smarter, make the case for support, and stop feeling like you’re constantly failing in both roles. Whether you’re purely a maker, a manager, or wearing both hats, this episode will help you get real about what your time is currently spent on—and how to shift it toward where you add the most value, all without burning out. Referenced articles:
Links you might enjoy:
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| 22. Tried Time-Blocking Before & It Didn't Work? Understandable AND Don't Give Up On It – Let's talk about how to time block effectively | 25 Sep 2023 | 00:32:48 | |
If you’ve tried time-blocking before and it didn’t work, you’re in good company—and I want to show you why that doesn’t mean time-blocking doesn't work or that time-blocking isn’t right for you. In this episode, I dig into eight common and completely understandable mistakes that make time-blocking feel overwhelming, rigid, and sometimes even defeating. More importantly, I share how to fix those mistakes so you can start using this powerful strategy in a way that actually works with your life, your job, and your goals. We cover:
I also share what this looks like inside The Bright Method program—how we build a full calendar-based system around time-blocking that helps you feel calm and clear, not overwhelmed and defeated. If you’ve ever thought, “Time-blocking just isn’t for me,” give this episode a listen. It might just change your mind—and your relationship with time.
Links you might enjoy:
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| 21. When to say "no" when you want to say "yes" | 18 Sep 2023 | 00:28:53 | |
We often think overcommitment stems from saying yes to things we don’t want to do—but what about the things we do? In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, I explore a different kind of overwhelm: the kind that comes from saying yes to exciting, meaningful, energizing opportunities... that still tip us into burnout when they collide with everything else already on our plates. If you're someone who’s energized by life and wants to say yes to everything that lights you up, or if you’ve ever found yourself drained and wondering, “Why does this all feel like too much, even though I love these things?”—this episode is for you. We’ll talk about:
I also walk through the concept of life chapters, how to practically plan for them, and why using a digital calendar or long-term planning spreadsheet can help you feel more grounded in what to say yes to—and when. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a new lens to evaluate the things you’re excited about—so you can pursue them with more intention and fewer regrets. If you're ready for time management strategies that take your full life into account—including your goals, energy, values, and capacity—you’ll love this one.
Resources mentioned: Links you might enjoy:
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| 20. Nine Reasons Why Paper Planner Lovers (Like Me) Should Go All In on a Digital Calendar to Manage Your Time & Tasks | 11 Sep 2023 | 00:27:37 | |
I used and loved a paper planner through law school. But many of us reach tipping points where paper planners just can't keep up with our ever-more-complicated lives. If that you still use a paper planner (at least in part) and that sounds like it might be the case, here are nine reasons you might want to consider going all-in on a digital calendar.
Note: This does not mean I'm for going all digital on everything (e.g., note-taking). I still take notes on a legal pad with a pen. I just then bridge any action items to a digital calendar to make sure my plans are realistic, see how they all interact, and to help me share the load with others. You’ll learn how digital calendars help you: ✅ Capture your invisible to-do list (think: making dinner, getting ready, kid routines) Kelly also shares ideas for how to bridge your love of paper with the practical power of a digital calendar—plus a bonus tip for using scheduling tools like Acuity and Calendly. ✨ If you’ve been wondering whether The Bright Method could work for you—even as a paper planner lover—this episode will help you see how and why going digital can reduce stress, boost clarity, and create the calm you’re craving. Links you might enjoy:
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| 19. How to Prep for Busy Seasons at Work | 04 Sep 2023 | 00:22:39 | |
Have a busy season at work coming up? In this episode, Kelly Nolan shares how to plan ahead—so you can reduce stress, protect your personal time, and even build in recovery space on the other side. Whether you’re staring down a trial, tax season, year-end, an upcoming board meeting, or just know things are about to ramp up, this episode will help you: ✅ Identify how you want to feel during your busy season—and how to support that Kelly also shares mindset reminders about delegation, how to test out support systems early, and why planning now can help you actually enjoy the season—not just survive it. ✨ If you’re heading into a high-demand stretch at work and want to navigate it with more control and less burnout, this episode is a must-listen. Links you might enjoy:
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| 18. Planning for the Holiday Season: What you can calendar now to make your holidays less stressful and more enjoyable (Thanksgiving planning, Halloween planning, Christmas planning, Yom Kippur planning) | 28 Aug 2023 | 00:21:39 | |
🔗 Grab the holiday guide for less stress here: https://kellynolan.com/holiday-guide The holidays are coming—and with them, a lot of stress. In this episode, Kelly walks you through how to start holiday prep now (including managing work around the holidays), so you can enjoy more peace and less scramble this season. We're not aiming for a Pinterest-perfect season but to reduce mental load, plan realistically, and reclaim your ability to enjoy the holidays. In terms of the holidays, think: the Jewish high holidays (Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and the winter holidays (including things like holiday cards). You’ll learn:
Kelly also shares details on the free companion guide, The Working Professional's Guide to Making Your Fall & Winter Holidays Less Frantic & More Enjoyable, packed with action items for Halloween, Thanksgiving, winter holidays, gift giving, cards, travel, guests, and more. Pick what you want, ignore what you don't want, and calendar it all out so you can enjoy the season and the lead-up to it. ✨ If you’ve ever felt like the holidays were more work than fun, this episode is for you. Links you might enjoy:
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| 17: Why white space is actually NOT helping you get more breathing space | 21 Aug 2023 | 00:21:55 | |
We've traditionally strived for white space in our calendar because we think it will get us more breathing space, but that's not an effective strategy – it's not getting you the breathing space you crave. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan breaks down why white space often leads to stress, confusion, and overcommitment—and what to focus on instead. You’ll learn:
Kelly also tackles the common resistance to scheduling free time—and shares how reframing your calendar as a life design tool can help you better protect what matters most. ✨ If you feel like your calendar is always packed or that “free” time keeps slipping through your fingers, this episode is a must-listen. Related episodes to check out:
Links you might enjoy:
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| 16. How to Deal with Work "Fires" and Curveballs | 14 Aug 2023 | 00:14:30 | |
We all know the frustration of having a solid plan for the day and having it derailed by work fires and curveballs. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan walks through two powerful and realistic time-management strategies to help you manage workplace curveballs while staying focused on what matters most. Whether you’re a manager constantly pulled into unexpected issues, or you’re just tired of your days getting hijacked by surprise emails, calls, or last-minute requests, this episode will help you:
If you're tired of ending your day unsure of what you actually got done—or you assume The Bright Method won’t work for your unpredictable job—this episode is a must-listen. Links you might enjoy:
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| 60. Mistakes: How to Recover & Move Forward Using the Bright Method | 08 Jul 2024 | 00:30:19 | |
If you're like me, making a mistake can wash you in shame and derail you for a period of time. Let's talk about some guiding principles that have helped me, including advice I've received from others and ways I've used the Bright Method to help me get out of that mistake shame spiral. A full transcript of this episode is available on my website about two weeks after the episode is published. To find it, click here and then select the episode. | |||
| 15. Managing Back-to-School Logistics with Less Stress | 04 Aug 2023 | 00:26:29 | |
🔗 Download the free back-to-school PDF: https://kellynolan.com/back-to-school Back-to-school season can feel like a chaotic whirlwind, even when you're trying your best to be prepared. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan walks you through a practical, realistic approach to reducing stress and overwhelm during the school transition period—without trying to do it all at once. Whether you're a mom of one or juggling multiple kids with different schedules, this episode will help you:
Plus, Kelly shares a helpful free resource—a downloadable PDF checklist with all the action items and more. Grab it via the link in the show notes to make implementation even easier. Whether you’re new to school logistics or looking to streamline a system that feels clunky, this episode gives you the step-by-step game plan to help you breathe easier during this busy season. 🔗 Download the free back-to-school PDF: https://kellynolan.com/back-to-school Links you might enjoy:
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| 14. How to Stop Saying "Yes" Too Much on Zoom Calls: Protecting Your Time and Boundaries in Real Time | 31 Jul 2023 | 00:16:38 | |
Do you say "yes" more easily on Zoom or a phone call than you work via email?
Me, too. Let's talk about practical strategies we can use to avoid overcommitting just because we were asked on Zoom/the phone – strategies that don't ask us to change but still get us where we want to go.
In this episode, Kelly shares practical strategies to help you hold firm on your boundaries during phone calls and video meetings—without the panic or guilt. You’ll learn:
Plus, Kelly shares how her core belief—that time management strategies must be realistic—informs every part of her system and why learning to work with your tendencies, not against them, leads to more confidence and peace of mind. This episode is for you if you're craving more intentional control over your time—but your real-time interactions keep derailing your best efforts. You'll walk away with tangible, kind-to-yourself tools you can use in your next Zoom call. Links you might enjoy:
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| 13. Life Feeling Too Tight? The Power of “Negative Space” in Your Calendar | 24 Jul 2023 | 00:18:34 | |
Feeling stretched too thin even after cutting back? In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly introduces a fresh perspective by applying the art concept of “negative space” to time management. Just like the blank spaces around a drawing bring balance and clarity to the whole picture, your schedule needs intentional, protected breathing room to feel sustainable and calm. You’ll learn:
Whether you're single, partnered, a parent, or not, this episode is packed with actionable tips to help you create more calm in your days—not by doing more, but by giving yourself the space you need. Links you might enjoy:
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| 12. Home Paper & Personal Email: How to Manage Personal Admin Tasks | 17 Jul 2023 | 00:19:54 | |
In this episode, we’re diving into a deceptively powerful topic in time management: personal admin time. Let's talk about dealing with the emails, the paper piles on the kitchen counter, the school forms, and the never-ending stream of to-dos that live in your personal life—and absolutely impact your professional life, too. Many time management strategies focus only on the professional side of life, but the reality is that personal tasks draw from the same limited pool of time and mental bandwidth. And if you don’t have a system to handle them, they pile up and steal your focus—even at work. So, how do we tame this kind of admin overwhelm? We’ll cover:
You’ll leave with a step-by-step process for designing a sustainable personal admin routine—and why doing so will actually support your professional success, not just your personal sanity. Links you might enjoy:
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| 11. Dealing with Anxiety About Tackling To-Do's | 10 Jul 2023 | 00:29:18 | |
Struggle to focus because of anxious thoughts about everything you’re not doing? This episode covers five time management strategies that help reduce anxiety around your to-do list so you can focus, follow through, and finally relax.
Do any of these phrases feel familiar:
Women wrote in asking me to address these issues. So, let's talk about it. In this episode, I break down five practical strategies that help address the mental swirl, reduce stress, and give you more peace of mind around your time. Whether you’re a working mom constantly interrupted by kids or a professional juggling back-to-back meetings, this episode will help you:
You’ll walk away with actionable ways to manage your time with more calm and clarity—even when life is unpredictable. ** Disclaimer: I address these issues from the standpoint of anxiety as used in the general, colloquial sense – not a medical one. I'm not a medical and psychology professional – I just have a time management system that works for me and many other women and talk often with women describing these feelings. All that to say, take my input with that context. Links you might enjoy:
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