This Organized Life

Hi Friends! Joining me today is entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, my longtime friend, Brad Aronson.Brad’s latest book, HUMAN KIND is on the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today best seller list, and after listening to our conversation you’ll know why!I invited Brad on our show to share his personal journey of walking through his wife, Mia’s,cancer diagnosis, it’s impact on their family, and how that led him to begin documenting simple acts of kindness.During our conversation we talked about:Winning the “zip code lottery” & how he has continued to give back throughout his lifeUsing your superpowers to help othersHow he juggles fatherhood, work, life and fun!The importance of leaning on others when you need helpHow even the smallest gestures can have a large and lasting impact on someone elseIn addition to his writing and being a dad to their son Jack, Brad currently teaches entrepreneurship to 18-25 year olds in Camden, N.J., and sits on the nonprofit boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Hopeworks- an

Joining me today is psychologist, author, podcaster and parenting expert Dr. Robert Zeitlin. Robert is the author of the book, Laugh More, Yell Less: A Guide to Raising Kick-Ass Kids (Stuck-At-Home Edition), and advocate for kids. He brings creativity, curiosity, and bravery to his work in Positive Psychology to support children and their parents. Dr. Zeitlin is also a husband and father to two grown kids, who are both pretty awesome!Kids and parents are navigating through some of the toughest times without a roadmap. I invited Robert on our show to give us some tools to help parents communicate with their children more effectively.Throughout our conversation, Dr. Zeitlin gives specific examples of how we can be more intentional and impactful with our words and actions.Whether you are a parent of toddlers, elementary, middle or high schoolers, this is a great conversation that you won’t want to miss!To learn more, make sure to check out the links below:

     Hi Friends! At the time of this recording, COVID and Quarantine barely on our radar. In fact, my original focus for this interview was supposed to be about “take your kid to work” for the homeschooling mom. Who knew the foreshadowing that was about to happen. My guest today is Kristi Clover is a home organization and #momlife expert. Kristi is the author of M.O.M.=Master Organizer of Mayhem and Homeschool Basics, and host of the Simply Joyful Podcast and YouTube Channel. Her passion is to encourage families to find simple ways to bring more joy into their home and life.She loves to share about her adventures in motherhood and home life through a variety of media that you can find at KristiClover.com. Kristi lives in San Diego with her husband, Steve, and their five children. As a homeschooling mom we talked about how she separates home-life from school-life, and what organization looks like under her roof. If I had any idea of what was about to happen with public school, I would have had a thousand more

     Hi Friends! Today I am joined by fellow working mom and podcaster, Jenny Elliott. Jenny is the host of Career Mom Podcast which helps to support moms working in corporate America (and boy do we need that NOW more than ever!). After the birth of her son, Jenny was so unprepared for the transition from being a CAREER WOMAN to a CAREER MOM that she had a complete identity crisis. We had an honest conversation about how she struggled with a loss of identity as a stay at home mom, why it wasn’t talked about, and how she created a platform to have honest conversations with other women who are struggling with similar issues. We talked about things like: ● Why her decision to return to work after having her son was a no-brainer. ● Dispelling the myths of what defines a “good mom.” ● Feelings of Imposter Syndrome. ● Why removing physical clutter was a big part of freeing up the mental space needed to sort through her new identity. ● How organization and systems are a key part to making working mom life work (alth

Hi Friends! Joining me today is my friend, Karen Cahn. If there is one word I would use to describe Karen, it would be “powerhouse.” Karen is the Founder & CEO of IFundWomen, the go-to funding marketplace for women-owned businesses and all the people who want to support them, from individuals to enterprises. IFundWomen provides online fundraising services, expert business coaching, and a powerful network of women business owners. Karen spends her day advocating for women-owned businesses (can I get an amen!)-she is a voice for the marginalized, and a trailblazer in the pursuit of equality for all women. She is also a mom to 2 kids and is struggling like the rest of us navigating life during COVID-19 and doing the best we can. During our conversation we talked about life under quarantine (yes, when we recorded we were still in lockdown). ● How she has had to pivot her own business and routine without warning ● The challenges of separating work and home when you are literally doing both under the same roof

     Hi Friends! Joining me today is bestselling author, and leadership speaker, Marissa Orr. I asked Marissa to join me on This ORGANIZED Life Podcast to talk about life as a single mother of 3, what prompted her speak out about the inequalities she experienced during her time at Google & Facebook, and what eventually led her to write her breakout book: Lean Out, The Truth About Women, Power, & the Workplace. ● Marissa candidly shared her story, and we talked about her own struggles with clutter. ● She explains why she named her podcast “Nice Girls Don’t Watch the Bachelor” (it’s probably not what you think!) ● We talked about creating margin, giving ourselves permission to not be perfect, and how her future self “Doris,” helps to keep her in check! I could have talked with Marissa for hours (not to worry, we are having her back on our show in a few months!). If you enjoyed our conversation, please share it with a friend. Be sure to check out the links below to connect with Marissa, buy her book, and

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Swarna Anthan. Swarna is a mom to a 6 year old son, and founder and CEO of MagicPolygon-a storytelling platform available in the AppStore. Like so many start-ups, Swarna created this app when she realized that her son preferred STORYTELLING to STORY READING. Recognizing a gap in the marketplace, she set off to create a storytelling platform for kids where grandparents, friends and families living far away can tell stories in their own voice using the interactive picture books available in the app. Prior to starting MagicPolygon, Swarna worked for Motorola, iHeart Radio, Samsung, & NYTimes. As one of the first Engineers of the tech fitness company Peloton, Swarna left Peloton 3 years ago to start MagicPolygon. During this time of quarantine, social distancing, and e-learning, who could have imagined the importance of personalized content and connection derived from digital platforms. MagicPolygon App is also being used in classrooms as a way to bridge creativity, connection

Hi Friends! Joining me today is Renee Appelle, wife, mom, and SVP, Global Partnerships & Strategy at VOX media. Rennee (normally) lives in NYC with her handy husband and their 2 adorable boys, but they have temporarily relocated due to COVID. I invited Renee on our show to talk about life as a working mom, what it looks like to live in NYC during a pandemic, delivering a baby under quarantine, and how her organization skills have helped her juggle career and motherhood. During our conversation we talked about: ● Delivering a baby without her husband there (thank you covid!) ● Uprooting her family 2 days after delivering a baby to get out of the epicenter of NYC ● Having 2 working parents at home with a toddler and newborn (Jesus take the wheel!) ● How routines have saved her life ● Shifting priorities Plus, Renee shares some specific organizing and time management tips that everyone should hear! I’d love to hear your thoughts on the episode. Feel free to comment below, and if you enjoyed the episode, reme

     Hi Friends! Penny Williams is a coffee-lovin’, atypical-parenting-obsessed momma on a mission! Having walked through her own parenting struggles, she now helps families on this always chaotic, often stressful, anything-but-ordinary parenting journey. Through her podcast, award-winning books, online parent training programs, parent coaching, and mom retreats, she has helped thousands of families survive and thrive in the face of ADHD. During our conversation Penny and I talk about  Parenting during a Pandemic How to develop and maintain routine when the world is off its axis How to embrace your kids uniqueness without losing control The importance of self-care (yes moms! I am talking to you!) and what she’s doing to help other mamas feel less alone and more energized.  It’s an honest conversation that I could relate to on so many levels. If you, or someone you know, is struggling with parenting a child with ADHD or Autism, please do them a favor and share this episode with them!         xo - Laurie       

         Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Michaela Foster Marsh.  Michaela  is an acclaimed musician with three albums to her credit. Her work has appeared in television and film, including Dawson’s Creek, Breaking Amish and The Matthew Sheppard Story. She has been invited to sing at the Monaco International Film Festival, the Cannes International Film Festival, and for Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth. Most notable, Michaela is known for her philanthropic work in Uganda. Michaela is the founder and Executive Director of Starchild Charity, which works to support vulnerable children and women by providing education and support; and did I mention that her foundation is responsible for building a School for Creative Arts in Uganda?! I invited Michaela onto TOL to share her story of growing up white with an adopted black brother only weeks apart, and being raised as twins in the late 60’s. We talk about their life together as kids in Scotland, and how her brother’s tragic death in a house fire led her on a quest to f

     (*this episode was recorded pre-COVID, so some of the specific examples cited in the episode  may look different today, however, the guiding principles still apply.)     Hi Friends! Today we are joined by Chanelle Neilson, host and creator of the Moms Who Know Podcast, author of Parenting with Purpose, who’s married to her best friend and mom of 5 adorable kiddos! She loves helping moms take care of themselves and grow so they can take better care of their families. I invited Chanelle to chat with us about what being organized with a big family looks like, her mission for other moms, and how she still manages to carve out guilt free time for herself–an area where many of us struggle. Chanelle talks about her breaking point, and how she learned to absolve herself of the “supermom complex.” Chanelle gives us a front row seat into what life looks like in the following areas:  Meal Prep Laundry Household Chores Chauffeuring Kids to Activities Homework Morning/Bedtime Routines Self-Care  We talk about the imp

     Hi Friends! Brit Kolo is the Creator of the Marketing Personality Type™ Framework at MarketingPersonalities.com. Brit helps small business owners craft their messages authentically by aligning their marketing strategy to their Myers-Briggs Personality Type…..and you know how much I love talking about personality type! During our conversation Brit shares:  An overview of the Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment She explains what the 4 letters stand for (I’m an ENTJ btw) How you can find your Myers-Briggs Personality Type The benefits to understanding your personality type, and those around you Brit shares her thoughts on whether certain personality types are prone to clutter based on their behavior  We recorded this conversation pre-COVID, and I’m glad to finally get a chance to share it with you!         xo - Laurie         A special thanks to our good friends at BeWELL Psychotherapy  for sponsoring this episode of This ORGANIZED Life! Visit BeWELLpsychotherapy.com or text BeWELL to 484848  to get connect

     Hi Friends! Today we are joined by Robbin McManne, author, podcaster, speaker and certified parent coach.  Robbin’s work focuses on building and strengthening the parent child relationship so that children grow up with resilience, confidence and strong emotional intelligence.  She works with parents to help them understand their own emotions and frustrations in parenting, so they can help build their children’s sense of self without losing themselves in the process! In October of 2018 Robbin released her first book, “The Yelling Cure – How stress less and get your kids to cooperate without threats & punishments.” Her book is being read by parents all over the world 100,000 copies sold to date. During the time of our conversation we were knee-deep in quarantine, so anxiety for kids and parents were at an all-time high. We talked about things like:  The important role of routines Advice for the parent who says “the only way my kids listen is when I yell” How to meet your kids where they are  Robbin sha

     Hi Friends! Today I am joined by Chris-Tia Donaldson-who is by far, one of the most inspiring women I know! Chris-Tia’s story is both amazing and inspiring; coming from humble beginnings, to earning an A.B. in Economics from Harvard University with high honors,  to then graduate from Harvard Law School. Currently Chris-Tia is the founder and CEO of Thank God It’s Natural, maker of hair and body products that uses only natural ingredients. Her products are sold in over 10,000 stores including Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Sally’s Beauty, Walgreens and ULTA. Chris-Tia is also a breast cancer survivor.   She has turned her personal journey into activism by raising awareness and the importance of early detection amongst women of color. Chris-Tia is the author of the best-selling book, This Is Only a Test: What Breast Cancer Taught Me About Faith, Love, Hair and Business. I cannot think of a more appropriate person to kick off our series on women overcoming adversity than Chris-Tia! During our conversation we

Hi Friends! Today on This ORGANIZED Life I am joined by Claire Giovino, founder of Inbox Done; A company that helps people reclaim control of their inbox. Claire currently manages a growing team of remote inbox managers and upwards of 3000+ emails a day.  I invited Claire to come on the show today to talk about: The psychology behind compulsively checking email and how to break ingrained habits. How email disrupts deep focus and reduces productivity Why email is often the only thing successful professionals don’t outsource, which takes time away from the things that truly matter most (product creation, partnerships, personal growth, family, travel, etc.) Claire also shares actionable advice for individuals and parents who are not only juggling work emails, but also managing personal email. Add in all the emails related to kids and family and you are left feeling as though you are drinking from a firehouse! Our conversation includes tips on how to: Set up filters to weed out unwanted email Create folders to

     Hi Friends! Today you are in for a treat!. I am joined by Deb Foglia, the creator behind the home decor and DIY blog, Seeking Lavender Lane. A “home enthusiast” and self-taught decorator, Deb has built a following in the online world of sharing what she is most passionate about, her home. Deb’s been featured in The American Farmhouse magazine, the show Flea Market Flip, Rachael Ray, and has collaborated with multiple brands throughout the years in the world of home and design. Deb shares her home and styling tips weekly on her blog, and you can catch her behind the scenes on Instagram, where she hangs out!  She most recently launched a free Home Healing group to help women love their home more while building community during uneasy or tough times. When she’s not working on her blog and home Deb is with her family enjoying the moments and making memories. During our conversation we talked about:  How she started her business Her advice as we spend more time in our homes Some of her favorite projects How s

     Hi Friends! Today we have a special show for you. Last month I hosted What made the event so great, is that I invited an amazing panel of organizing experts to join me our first-ever virtual clutter clinic "quarantine edition". to answer questions, share thoughts, tips, and strategies with you.  We talked about:   Why more time at home doesn’t always translate into motivation How to maintain a sense of routine & organization when your house is a revolving door What to do (or who to vent to) when your spouse and kids aren’t pitching in to help How to avoid falling deeper into a clutter trap Resources to inspire and motivate you.  We had over 100 people register for the event which goes to show that during this time of covid craziness, people are still looking for solutions, permission to let go, and connection to others.  The content was too good not to share with my TOL community, so we turned it into a podcast episode. I hope you enjoy! And we’d love to hear from you, head on over to our fb group, T

Hi Friends! At the time of this recording, we were Pre-COVID, and although our day-to-day lives have changed, the topics discussed on this episode remain relevant.  Today I am joined  by Jenna Arvidson, founder of athomewithkids.com and host of The Simple Home podcast.  Jenna is also a mom &  photographer who thrives on organization and a slower, simpler life (can I get an amen!). She’s taught hundreds of moms through online courses and in person workshops how to take, curate and organize their photos.  I invited Jenna on the show to answer one of the questions that I get asked the most: “How Do I Organize Thousands of Digital Photos?” Technology has made it incredibly simple to take and accumulate photos, but doesn’t  teach how to declutter, and organize them once you have them. During my conversation with Jenna, we talk about: The differences between organizing physical and digital photos How to become proactive with photo editing Why guilt plays an important role when it comes to pictures Jenna and I

         Hi Friends! Today we are in week 497 millionth of quarantine….and despite the uncertainty and frustration that many of us are feeling, there are parts of life that still must continue, and Spring Cleaning is one of them! I am so grateful to have my good friend, Rick Hall joining me today from Little Rock, Arkansas  to share his own organizing tips. We kick off the episode talking about Rick’s recent trip to NYC literally as “shelter in place” took effect.   He also shares his story of losing his job as a result of the pandemic, and how he is using this time to peel back the curtain and declutter his home.  We talk about what his decluttering process looks like How long it took him The hardest thing for him to purge What surprised him along the way His love of converse sneakers

Hi Friends! At the time of this recording, we were Pre-COVID, and although our day-to-day lives have changed, the topics discussed on this episode remain relevant.   Joining me today is Diana Gasperoni, a NYC Psychotherapist, Founder of BeWELL Psychotherapy and host of the podcast, BeREAL with Diana.  FUN FACT: Diana was a guest on TOL back in episode 14,  which I have linked to below. Today we talk about the link between physical clutter and emotional strongholds: Whether it’s taking comfort in our clutter Using distractions like shopping to make us temporarily feel better Placing an unhealthy value of ourselves based on stuff Diana shares her thoughts about how to identify the line between healthy and unhealthy clutter.   (i.e.: unopened mail b/c you’ve been out late every night, vs. unopened mail for months on end and that’s a pattern of behavior) We also talk about what to do if you suspect that a friend, spouse, child, or parent is struggling with emotional clutter. In the second half of our show we ta