Love your career? Love your family? Best of Both Worlds is the show for you! Hosts Laura Vanderkam, author of I Know How She Does It and a mom of five, and Sarah Hart-Unger, a practicing physician and mom of three, discuss work/life balance, career development, parenting, time management, productivity, and making time for fun. Tune in each week for strategies to help you thrive in all spheres of life.
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Sarahhartunger Podcasts

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Big Kids & Big Feelings with Alyssa Black Campbell EP 424
35:35
35:35
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35:35In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open talking about the upcoming elementary school year, and then Laura interviews Alyssa Blask Campbell, head of Seed and Sew, an organization devoted to raising emotionally intelligent children. Alyssa can be found at seedandsew.org and @tinyhumansbigemotions on IG. In the Q&A, a listener writes in asking for ad…
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Surprising Things About Our 40s: Laura and Sarah Share What They've Learned So Far EP 423
34:48
34:48
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34:48In today's episode, Sarah and Laura share things they've learned in their 40s -- a decade people don't necessarily look forward to, but one that they are both definitely enjoying! They also give a round-up of quotes they've found themselves spouting on numerous occasions, from "People are a good use of time" (by Laura!) and several more. See omnyst…
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So Many Lists! From 100 Dreams to Someday/Maybe and Beyond EP 422
36:34
36:34
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36:34In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their favorite lists to make and to keep! Examples include a 100 Dreams Lists, a Someday Maybe list, Seasonal Fun Lists, various Gift Lists, and more. In the Q&A, a listener writes in wondering how to encourage a reluctant child to attend overnight camp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Annual Back to School Extravaganza: From Kindergarten to College! EP 421
37:24
37:24
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37:24In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share their thoughts, plans, and ideas around back to school -- possibly round 9 of this discussion, but it changes every year! They chat about routines, new challenges, college (!), homework, bedtime, and more. In the Q&A, they discuss: packed or school lunch? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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The Family Table: Dinner + Beyond with Dr. Reshma Shah EP 420
40:20
40:20
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40:20Dr. Reshma Shah is a board-certified pediatrician and expert on feeding families and plant-based nutrition. In today's episode, Sarah and Laura open by talking about how their families are doing dinner these days, and then Sarah interviews Reshma who provides insights on her Family Table approach, including her recommendations for selective eaters …
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Trips with Friends: How + Why to Make it Happen EP 419
36:37
36:37
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36:37In today's episode, Sarah and Laura discuss maintaining adult friendships, and then Sarah delves into her recent 'friends trip' -- the planning, the execution, and the fun! In the Q&A, Sarah and Laura provide strategies for fitting in work over vacation or while traveling. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…
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Wellness Trends (from GLP-1s to Digital Detoxes!) + Ideas to Help You Reset EP 418
42:24
42:24
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42:24In this fun episode, Sarah and Laura share their own takes on popular wellness trends that seem to be taking the world by storm. Topics discussed range from cold plunges to GLP-1 medications and beyond, and there are hot takes galore. Then, both hosts share various strategies that help them reset when facing their own habit challenges or just to ge…
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Disability Advocate Heather Avis on Shifting Narratives and Promoting Inclusivity EP 417
35:32
35:32
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35:32Heather Avis is a parent of two children with Down Syndrome. She shares her powerful adoption story and her mission to shift the narratives around special needs. She also has great perspective on helping kids develop resilience and embrace what makes them different. Her new children's book, I Like You So Much, is available wherever books are sold. …
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Family Matters: Navigating Extended Family Relationships EP 416
39:39
39:39
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39:39Extended family relationships: they can be wonderful, and they can be hard! In today's episode, Sarah and Laura talk through some common challenges in this arena -- from conflict over traveling for the holidays to family members as babysitters -- and provide ideas that might help make things a little bit easier. Plus, family text chains and a thoug…
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Pregnancy in the Spotlight with CNN Correspondent Kristen Holmes EP 415
35:36
35:36
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35:36In today’s episode, Laura interviews Kristen Holmes, a senior White House correspondant for CNN who just had her second child in Janaury (meaning she spent most of the presidential campaign last year pregnant!). She shares her strategies for combining pregnancy, early parenthood, and work while on a big public-facing career track. In the Q&A, a lis…
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Dressing for Self-Respect: Work Wardrobe Secrets with Fashion Expert Marcy Syms EP 414
40:48
40:48
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40:48In today’s episode, Sarah interviews Marcy Syms, former CEO of an apparel corporation and current founding trustee and president of the Sy Syms Foundation. Marcy believes that clothing is a form of self-respect, and a powerful PR tool. She discusses why it makes sense to invest time and money into our wardrobes, and how to do so effectively, with s…
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2025 Mid-Year Review: Ups, Downs, and Surprises EP 413
34:32
34:32
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34:32In today’s episode, Laura and Sarah share their traditional mid-year review! They revisit 2025 goals in several categories, including personal, career, relationships, and household, and reflect on their chosen words of the year. In the Q&A, a listener asks for tips about when to fit in more summer reading. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy in…
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Skip the Misery: From Ice Baths to Spa Showers EP 412
33:30
33:30
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33:30In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss ways to add more joy into every day, as opposed to seeking out opportunities for suffering (ice baths being one trendy example of this)! They discuss elevating daily routines, finding high points in the work day (including good breaks), and making the most of those golden evening hours. In the Q&A, a list…
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Kids + Tech from Silicon Valley Insider Rachel Fuld Cohen EP 411
38:29
38:29
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38:29In today's episode, Laura and Sarah share the apps they wouldn't want to go without, and then Rachel Fuld Cohen joins Laura to discuss kids and tech from an insider's perspective; Rachel is co-founder and COO of Silicon Society, an EdTech company focused on creating scalable, personalized, & cutting edge learning experiences in the AI Age, and is p…
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Fun for the Whole Family (Even with a 13-Year Age Gap!) EP 410
36:16
36:16
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36:16In today's episode, Sarah and Laura chat about the start to their summers, and then dive into the topic of whole-family fun. Laura's kids are 5-18, and Sarah's are 7-13 -- both acknowledge the challenge that "whole family fun" can present especially with decent-sized age gaps, and provide some ideas to help (or in some cases, arguments for throwing…
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Preserving Family Memories + More with Chatbooks Founder Vanessa Quigley EP 409
43:35
43:35
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43:35Sarah and Laura share their current practices for preserving family memories, and then Vanessa Quigley joins Sarah to share her experiences in building Chatbooks, as well as her take on why printing family memories are so important. She also discusses her entrepreneurial journey and some of the ways in which Chatbooks has become a company known for…
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Advancement at Work with Lareina Yee, Author of The Broken Rung EP 408
40:41
40:41
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40:41In today's episode, senior consulting partner Lareina Yee comes on to discuss career advancement, with a discussion of what is behind fewer women n top leadership positions. She shares the current challenges, but also practical tips to help avoid missing out on important career opportunities. Lareina Yee is an author of The Broken Rung: When the Ca…
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Thinking Through Summer: Top 5 Edition EP 407
33:36
33:36
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33:36In today's episode, Laura and Sarah discuss all things summer, with the format of: - 5 ways to celebrate the kickoff of summer - 5 summer challenges - 5 things they want to do - 5 summer-themed loves of the week! In the Q&A, they discuss the common dilemma of handling that last week of summer before school starts (when camp options are sparse!) See…
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Later Phases of Parenting + Midlife Leisure Pursuits with Meagan Francis EP 406
41:34
41:34
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41:34In today's episode, Meagan chats with Laura about launching kids into the real world (timely!), and they also pivot to talking all things fun and leisure. Meagan's book, The Last Parenting Book You'll Ever Read: How to Let Our Kids Go and Embrace What's Next is out this month and available wherever books are sold. Find lots more from Meagan at meag…
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Hybrid Careers and More with Dr. Tiffany Moon (of Real Housewives of Dallas!) EP 405
42:05
42:05
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42:05In today’s episode, Sarah interviews Dr. Tiffany Moon, anesthesiologist and reality TV start (Real Housewives of Dallas)! They chat about Tiffany’s unique life and career journey, Tiffany’s hybrid career, handling negativity as a public figure, and weaponized professionalism. Dr. Tiffany Moon’s new book, Joy Prescriptions: How I Learned to Stop Cha…
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Sarah Armstrong on Divorce and Working Motherhood EP 404
37:56
37:56
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37:56Laura and Sarah open by discussing topics that people seem to be talking about more openly, including divorce. Listeners had requested a divorce expert, and Sarah Armstrong delivers here as the author of The Mom's Guide to a Good Divorce: What to Think Through When Children are Involved. Sarah has spent years thinking about how to best move forward…
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Organize First and Decorate Second with Whitney English EP 403
40:20
40:20
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40:20Author and designer Whitney English chats with Laura in this episode about organizing and decorating, which she recommends always doing in that order! First, Sarah and Laura chat about Whitney's planner creations, and delve into their own organizing projects. In the Q&A segment, a listener writes in asking for bathing suit recommendations! Whitney'…
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Your RTO (Return to Office) Survival Guide EP 402
35:21
35:21
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35:21This episode begins with a great soapbox discussion about RTO mandates, and then Sarah and Laura delve into ways to try to help if you are in this situation. Sarah lists some positive aspects she's found about working in an office (in her case, a clinical setting) and then both share tips to help moving forward. In the Q&A, a listener writes in ask…
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"I Thought It Would Be Better Than This": Expectations vs Reality with Jessica Turner EP 401
37:44
37:44
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37:44In today's episode, Laura and Sarah open with a discussion of things that seemed like they would be . . .well, better than they actually turned out to be. Then, author Jessica Turner joins Laura to discuss this topic, also covered in her new book called I Thought It Would Be Better Than This: Rise from Disappointment, Regain Control, and Rebuild a …
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Celebrating 400 + Carving Out Deep Work Time EP 400
35:07
35:07
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35:07In today's episode, Laura and Sarah celebrate reaching the big 4-0-0, with some discussion of accumulated topics and lessons learned. Then, Laura and Sarah share tips of carving out enough time to get focused work done. Everyone knows it's important to have time to really delve into work and concentrate, but the practical aspects of doing that aren…
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