This Organized Life

Hi Friends! I am super excited to share todays guest with you.  Joining me is Cara Harvey, host of the popular podcast A Purpose Driven Mom, and successful business owner where she helps women in the areas of finances, schedules, health, and most of all themselves! Cara has built an incredible community with thousands of women who come from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, who learn from and support one another. But it wasn’t always this way. I invited Cara to join me today to share her personal story which includes being on food stamps as she and her husband struggled to make ends meet, while both working multiple jobs and raising 3 small children. Cara talks about how she navigated life during that rough season, how she started her business and why she believes that we all have purpose, even if we have lost our way.During our conversation, we talk aboutthe most common struggle she hears from womenThe power of permissionGoal ChasingThe importance of a time inventory and “thought catchers”Whet

Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Mary Davis, founder of In Good Order, and our SBO Partner in Richmond, Virginia (if you’re in the Richmond area and looking for a professional organizer, give her a call!)On a personal level, Mary is married to her husband and together they have two boys ages 9 &12. During our conversation Mary shares her own organizing journey as a self-described “reformed packrat” whose organizing career started to form when her Dad died unexpectedly and she was left to navigate over 5000 square feet of STUFF.I invited Mary to join me on This ORGANIZED Life to talk about Donation Etiquette…WHAT to donate, What NOT to donate, and WHEN to donate.We break it down into several categories including:ClothingSmall Household AppliancesFurnitureLinens/Towels/BeddingBooksBuilding SuppliesElectronicsThis episode was filled with so much useful information and resources on what and where to donate.  Make sure to check out the links below to access Mary’s donation guide and other information discussed

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Cherylanne Skolnicki, host of the top-rated Brilliant Balance podcast, speaker and coach. Cherylanne’s advice has been featured in The Huffington Post, Forbes, and Women’s Day. She appears on TV news shows as an expert on work life balance, productivity, and purpose. On a personal note, Cherylanne lives in Cincinnati with her husband John and their three children. I invited Cherylanne to come on our show to talk about the notion of “Balance.”  Is it a unicorn? Or something truly attainable? During our conversation we talk about:How Health & Wellness, Career, Relationships and Organization are the most common areas of stress, especially among women. Why it’s important to “press pause” and reset when things are feeling out of control.How creating systems has helped Cherylanne in both her personal and professional life. We also talk about the Enneagram (of course!) and how her Enneagram type has played a role in her relationship with clutter and organization.This was a super f

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Autumn McKay, created of the Best Mom Ideas Blog -an online community for moms (or dads!) that provides support, encouragement, and practical resources for parents with littles. During our conversation we talk about real-life struggles parents are facing during the pandemic. From virtual learning to limiting screen time and knowing when everyone needs a time-out (including you!)As a former educator, and mom of 3, Autumn speaks candidly about her own parenting struggles and how she navigated through it. Autumn shares why boredom is good for our kidsHow she encourages kids to readWhat organization looks like in her house (and what responsibilities her kids have)Make sure you listen until the end of the show where Autumn shares a special free gift for all TOL listeners! I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, hats off to anyone parenting little ones during a pandemic. I thank Jesus every day that He spared my kids from having to be educated by me for even a minute.  You guys

Hi Friends! I was introduced to today’s guest, Franziska Iseli, after reading her book, The Courage Map. The book chronicles her personal journal of traveling from Switzerland to Kazakhstan on a motorbike with nothing but a backpack and a notebook.Franziska is one of the most interesting guests I have had on the show. She is an adventure-seeking Swiss-Aussie who has authored 3 Best Selling books, in addition to being a social entrepreneur who is passionate  about ocean conservation.She has been featured across major media platforms including  INC, Forbes, Business Insider, Marie-Claire, and Cosmopolitan, but  I invited her to join me on TOL to talk about the experiences  and lessons learned from writing The Courage Map.During our conversation we talked aboutWhat prompted her to set off on a multi-country bike adventureLessons that she learned on her trip including: truth, intentions, trust, and loveWhy it’s easy for her to let go of material things (you have to listen to her story about giving her jacket to a

Hi friends! I am so excited to share today’s guest with you. Joining me is health and wellness coach, Elizabeth Sherman. Elizabeth works with folks to design the right health program for their body and lifestyle.  Her core demographic are women in their forties who may be struggling keeping weight off, and changing habits that no longer work like they may have in their 20’s & 30’s.  Yes, she may as well have been speaking to me directly!  Elizabeth has been through her own weight loss journey which she shares on the show. During our conversation we talk about:The pivotal moment that was her “wake up call” that something had to changeWhere to begin? Elizabeth shares her first step into creating new habitsWhat to do when you have a setback along the way What habits and routines she has adopted to support her new and improved lifestyle Common obstacles that her clients face and how to overcome themI loved her simple, honest and down to earth approach and suspect you will too! She is also offering our listene

Hi Friends! I know how much you love products, so you are in for a treat!  Joining me today are 2 of the founders of 1Thrive, Brett Stern and Mayra Kavan.  You may have seen their stylish command centers around facebook, Pinterest or the IG because they are taking the organizing & lifestyle space by storm!It’s no surprise why everyone is loving them considering that they were designed by a team of moms-(can I get an amen!)I invited Brett and Mayra on TOL to talk about:How 1Thrive began & why they felt compelled to create a niche product lineHow visual learners are benefitting from the 1Thrive systemHow the entire family can use the same system in their own unique wayMake sure to stick around until the end of the episode where Brett shares a special promo code exclusive for our TOL community!As we wrap up January, let’s continue on the path of organization together.  I always say, a great product won’t make you organized, but it can help to inspire you and make it fun along the way!XOXO - LaurieP.S. Do

I’d like to welcome our newest sponsor, 1Thrive.com.  Start the New Year off Organized with these stylish & customized command centers. Visit 1Thrive.com to check out the entire collection. Make sure to enter promo code SB10 at checkout to receive 10% off of your entire order! Hi friends! If you enjoyed last week’s episode with money expert, Rachel Cruze, then you are going to love today’s guest!  Joining me is advocate, activist, and attorney, Shakisha A. Morgan, Esq.(yes, she has an esq after her name!) With over a decade of legal experience,  Shakisha is currently the Maryland Practice lead for The Griffin Firm, PLLC, an estate planning, probate, and business succession planning firm with offices in Maryland, DC, and Virginia.Shakisha uses her knowledge and expertise to empower communities by helping individuals, families, and business owners create, protect, and transfer wealth through estate planning. The daughter of Jamican immigrants, Shakisha is a graduate of Stanford University and Georgetown Law

I’d like to welcome our newest sponsor, 1Thrive.com.  Start the New Year off Organized with these stylish & customized command centers. Visit 1Thrive.com to check out the entire collection. Make sure to enter promo code SB10 at checkout to receive 10% off of your entire order!Hi Friends! Today we are talking all about Money Habits with money expert, Rachel Cruze.Since 2010, Rachel has served at Ramsey Solutions, where she teaches people to avoid debt, save money, budget and how to win with money at any stage in life. She’s authored three best-selling books, including Love Your Life, Not Theirs and Smart Money Smart Kids, which she co-wrote with her father, Dave Ramsey.  I invited Rachel to join me on TOL to talk about her latest book Know Yourself, Know Your Money: Discover WHY You Handle Money the Way You Do and WHAT to Do About It  that just released last week!  During our conversation we talked about The motivation that led her to write this bookThe role that fear plays into how we use, save and spend

Hi Friends! Happy New Year everyone!  We are kicking off 2021 with a bang!  Joining me today is Author, Speaker, and Coach, Alli Worthington. You may know Alli from her books The Year of Living Happy, Fierce Faith, and Breaking Busy, or from her popular podcast, The Alli Worthington Show.  I invited Alli onto TOL to talk about her most recent book, Standing Strong which was released in September 2020.Alli shares what she calls ”unlocking your superpower”  (she even has a short, fun quiz on her website which we have linked to below).During our conversation Alli talks about her relationship with her husband Mark, raising 5 boys, and her own journey of overcoming adversity and living with confidence. Alli is also an Enneagram Junkie, so of course we spent a few minutes chatting about personality types (you’ll have to listen to hear what her Enneagram Type is!) If you’re looking for some motivation to help start your New Year off on the right foot, this is the episode for you.xoxo - LaurieConnect with AlliWEBSITE

Hi Friends! Today is the last day of 2020 and our final episode of the year. Congratulations for persevering through unforeseeable trials and tribulations–you made it!There’s no denying that 2020 was filled with loss and change-whether personal, professional, financial, or social; we each have a story, battle-scars, and experiences to pull from as we enter a new year.  We’ve had to redefine priorities, reinvent ourselves, our businesses, relationships, and how we “do life.”My guest day is no stranger to any of it.  Joining me on TOL is Alexandria Maria. Alexandria is an Empowerment Coach & Business Mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs. Her mission is to help women make their dream life a reality. She aims to help women move from feeling overwhelmed, stressed, and lost to feeling aligned, motivated, and driven by a clear vision. Having always followed the “rules of life”, Alexandria was thriving on the outside but on the inside, she was fighting a battle with anxiety which ultimately resulted in a breakdown.

Hi Friends! Today we are taking a walk down memory lane as we recap our most popular episodes of 2020.  We looked at which ones were the most popular from you based on downloads, and which were my personal favorites. One thing is for certain, we’ve had some incredible guests this year on TOL, and I’m not going to lie, it was hard for me to choose my top five.As I sat down and listened to hours of content, what I found super interesting was that the one common theme that kept recurring from our guests is something that I have been talking about for years: clutter and disorganization isn’t limited to what you see on the outside, it’s how you feel on the inside.Whether you are riddled with guilt, overwhelmed with fear, or struggling with procrastination, getting to the root of your clutter gives you freedom. This list runs the spectrum of topics, and includes guests from Boomers to Millennials. If you haven’t already listened to these, I encourage you to go back and check them out.  If you have already listened,

Hi Friends! Every year we put together a holiday gift guide to make your shopping a little easier.  Despite 2020 turning the world upside down, we were determined to find some great clutter-free options for you and the family!  Joining me today is SBO Partner, Melynda Weiland. Melynda is the founder of Order to Everything in Austin, TX. Together we scoured the internet to find a variety of gifts that won’t add to the clutter or break the bank!  We broke our gift guide down into 8 categories: CandlesBath and BodyGamesFood & BeverageWorkoutExperiences Personalized Giftsand my personal favorite, Gifts that Give BackAlthough many of these items are physical in nature, they made the list because they are something to use, wear or play-without taking up much space.In years past, experiences like concerts, sporting events and theater tickets topped the list, however given our current climate, we opted to bring the fun experiences inside our homes.Every company on our list was hand selected by either Melynda or m

Hi Friends! Today we are wrapping up our series on Clutter & The Enneagram with Enneagram 9, Marissa Orr.  You may remember Marissa from episode 191 where we talked about her book Lean Out, The Truth About Women, Power & The Workplace.A lot of what Marissa talks about in her book has to do with personality styles, so I invited her back on TOL to talk about the influence on her Enneagram type to her life both in the workplace, and as a mom.  Nines are known as The Peacemakers, and truth be told, some of my favorite people on this planet identify as an Enneagram 9.Below are a few things that we talked about during our conversation:The difference between merging and martyringWhy 9s avoid controversy and despise conflictThe importance of alone time for 9sWhy procrastination is real.The role of decision fatigueMarissa shares how her “nine behavior” traces back to childhood. As someone who parents a nine, I would have paid a million dollars to have this wisdom when my daughter was small. I cannot think of a

Hi Friends! Today on TOL I sat down with fellow Enneagram 8, Abi Robins. Abi is a trained Enneagram Teacher & Yoga Therapist in Austin, TX. Abi is the author of the book, The Conscious Enneagram. I invited Abi on the show to talk about all things Enneagram 8-otherwise known as The Challenger. Of all 9 types, Eights are one of the most misunderstood numbers on the Enneagram. We can be seen as bossy, intimidating, or b*&chy when in reality, a healthy 8 is a leader, crusader for social justice, and champion of the underdog.During our conversation Abi shares what it’s like to be Queer & Non-Binary as an Enneagram 8, the value of authenticity as eight, and the role of intensity within the eights.Abi talks about their first introduction to the Enneagram, how quickly it took to identify their type, and how they have incorporated Enneagram wisdom into their teachings.Although Abi and I are both 8’s on the Enneagram and have many similarities, I found it fascinating to see the differences in our sub-types

Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Enneagram 7, Sarajane Case. Sarajane is an author, speaker, podcaster, and now YouTuber based out of Asheville, NC. With an Instagram account (@enneagramandcoffee) of over half a million followers, a podcast that regularly stays at the top of the charts, and a book: The Honest Enneagram, Sarajane is a rising leader in the self-help industry.I invited Sarajane on This ORGANIZED Life, to talk about life as an Enneagram 7- otherwise known as The Enthusiast.During our conversation, we talk about:● How she reframes even the most mundane tasks into something fun (have you ever heard of housecleaning rummy?)● When she learned about the Enneagram● Why Sevens like having options● Which of the 5 clutter pitfalls resonates most with herSarajane talks about her book, The Honest Enneagram, and the role of compassion when understanding yourself and others.Sarajane shares specific strategies that keep her organized and offers some advice for people who love a Seven to better understand them.

Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Enneagram 6, Leslie Bley. Leslie is a therapist, and founder of Your Enneagram Consultant where she incorporates Enneagram teaching into private practice with her clients. Leslie lives in Austin with her husband and their (almost) 10-year-old twin boys.I invited Leslie to come on TOL to shed some light into the world of Enneagram sixes, otherwise known as “The Loyalists.” Sixes are in the thinking triad, and their unconscious motivation is fear: think about the “worst-case scenario” people in your life.When Leslie and I sit down we talk about:● Her introduction to the Enneagram● How she has incorporated Enneagram wisdom into her private practice● The role that being “present-focused” plays into her relationship with clutter● Why having an outer accountability partner is important for sixes when it comes to decision making● What specific strategies she uses to help her live a more organized life.Plus, Leslie shares some nuggets of wisdom for anyone who loves a six on how to com

Hi FriendsI hope you are enjoying our series on Clutter & The Ennenagram. If you are just joining us, I encourage you to go back and listen to the other guests in this series, including author of the best selling book: The Road Back to You, Ian Morgan Cron.Today sit down with Enneagram 5, Elizabeth Evans. I don’t have a lot of 5’s in my life, but as an Enneagram 8, I do share a line with them, so I was excited to chat with Elizabeth about life through her lens.Elizabeth is an entrepreneur and founder of Elizabeth Evans Marketing Studio-where she helps people amplify their story through the world of podcasting (my fav!) Her background is as a business analyst (which seems very much in line with Enneagram 5). I invited Elizabeth on my show to share her story and talk about how organization and clutter fits into her world.During our conversation we discuss:● The superpowers of fives● The difference between strategy and discipline● Growth opportunities for fives● How being thinking dominant and doing represse

Hi FriendsToday we are continuing with our series on Clutter & The Enneagram through the lens of the Enneagram 4, otherwise known as The Romantic. My guest is bestselling author and Enneagram 4, Ian Morgan Cron whose books include the national bestseller, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery (my go-to book for anyone looking to learn about the Enneagram). Ian is also a psychotherapist, speaker, and host of the popular podcast, Typology. He recently released a new course called True You: A Deeper Exploration of Your Enneagram Type.During our conversation Ian shares his personal journey into the world of the Enneagram and its impact on his relationships both personally and professionally.We talked about the role of Emotional Clutter in the world of a four, and why having accountability partners can play a pivotal role in helping fours stay organized.We did a deep dive into:○ Whether certain numbers have predispositions to different types of clutter○ Why is it important to understand

Hi Friends! Are you enjoying our series on Clutter and the Enneagram? Today’s guest is Enneagram 3, Abbey Howe. You may know Abbey from YouTube or Instagram as EnneagramAbbey. Her YouTube channel has over 1 million views, and all you have to do is watch one of her videos to know why!In true Enneagram three form, she is funny & relatable. During our conversation, Abbey talks about how she manages Physical, Emotional, and Calendar clutter in all her “three-ness.” We also talk about some strategies that have helped her live an organized life.Josh is an Enneagram three, so you know that they hold a special place in my heart! If you are a three, or love a three-this episode is for you!After listening, head on over to our Facebook group, This ORGANIZED Life Podcast, and let me know what you think!Make sure to tune in next week to hear my conversation with Enneagram 4, Ian Morgan Cron, host of the Typology Podcast and Author of The Road Back to YouConnect with Abbey!YOUTUBE | INSTAGRAM   XOXO-  Laurie  P.S. If y