Best The Planner Stack Podcasts (2025)

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Systems Switchups for 2026 + Sarah Dissects a Big Gnarly Goal EP 282 24:19

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3d ago24:19

24:19

In the first half of this episode, Sarah talks METAPLANNING - intentional dissection of one's systems and planning tactics. Then she shares some of her own potential systems upgrades for 2026, from seasonal planning with her husband to digital organization and a possible new screen time tracker. Then, Sarah dissects her own Big Gnarly Goal for 2026…

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Episode 80: retired Chicago Fire Department District Chief Bill Shatz and daughter Firefighter/EMT Becca Schatz pt 1 1:05:01

5d ago1:05:01

1:05:01

History with retired District Chief Bill Schatz, who joined the Chicago Fire Department in 1965 and his daughter Becca Schatz is a 3rd generation chicago FirefighterBy Fire & Iron Media

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December Q&A: Sarah's Morning Routine + Using the Planner You Have, Plus Listener Tips EP 281 22:08

10d ago22:08

22:08

In today's episode, Sarah shares a listener tip, a store spotlight, and some great Q&A centered around morning routines and actually USING one's planner on a daily basis! Keep your questions coming - Sarah can be reached via email (sarah hart unger at gmail) or via 305-697-7189! PS: Sarah's book, Best Laid Plans: A Simple Planning System for Living…

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Another Innovative Planning Technique: Monthly Workflows with Ronna EP 280 23:12

17d ago23:12

23:12

In today's episode, Sarah opens by reminding listeners of her upcoming book launch (T-8 days and counting - you can still get the preorder bonuses by visiting theshubox.com/preorders). And, she shares the happy news that Best Laid Plans was named by Amazon as one of 9 nonfiction editor's picks for December! (See the full list here: https://www.amaz…

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Planner Stack 2026: Audio AND Video! EP 279 20:58

24d ago20:58

20:58

In today's episode, Sarah goes through the physical tools she used in 2025 and shares her 2026 Planner Stack! This episode has a video component if you'd like to see the planners -- visit https://youtu.be/Bf5G8_pSr2s to get a visual! Products mentioned: - Hobonichi Cousin Avec - Hobonichi Weeks - Hobonichi Day Free - Ashley Shelley x Amanda's Favor…

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Empty Your Inbox (with me!) and Hemlock & Oak Daily/Weekly/Monthly Planner Review EP 278 36:50

1M ago36:50

36:50

In today's episode, Sarah empties her email inbox (and some other life inboxes) in real time! Find out how much time it took her to get from ~140 messages (half a week's worth of accumulation) in her primary gmail inbox to 0, what she did with all of those little pieces of information, and some takeaways for you if you struggle with task management…

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Life Updates, BLP Live Takeaways, and Your Mini DIY Planning Primer for 2026 EP 277 23:50

1M ago23:50

23:50

In today's episode, Sarah shares some life updates coming off of a tough week! Then she delves into an overview of BLP Live and some of her own key planning takeaways from the event. Finally, she responds to a listener request for a "DIY Planning Primer", providing a list of 15 episodes that cover essential planning topics -- from building a system…

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Planning Spotlight: Annual Rituals, Spontaneity, and More with Jodi Wellman EP 276 34:59

2M ago34:59

34:59

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once: How to Make it to the End with No Regrets. This is Jodi's second visit to the podcast, and this conversation is all about the planning rituals that Jodi herself uses to ensure the (finite) life she is living has all of the elements that make it feel truly well-lived. Th…

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Your Celebration Season On Ramp with Jen Ludwig EP 275 33:37

2M ago33:37

33:37

Jen Ludwig loves holiday planning -specifically, she loves planning around her traditions of Christmas. However, this episode is for you no matter what you love to celebrate at the end of the year! In today's episode, Jen shares her tips for creating a celebratory season that is filled with fun and not overwhelm. She also has some fantastic gift ti…

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Inspiration for Your Analog Fall, Updates & More EP 274 21:23

2M ago21:23

21:23

In today's episode, Sarah shares an update for the listener seeking high-contrast planner options, with products mentioned including the Marjolein Delhaas Planner from Wms&Co, Rad & Happy, and Passion Planner. Then, she shares a listener's story of ordering the Personal Planner from Sweden -- and being extremely surprised by fees (over 4x the value…

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Feeling Stuck? 6 Practices to Get Your Dreams and Reflections Flowing EP 273 21:49

2M ago21:49

21:49

In today's episode (and inspired by her recent girls' trip!), Sarah shares 6 practices to help you think through your big picture goals and dreams as we gear up for Reflection Season and starting to think about annual planning for 2026! These include: - Inspiring reading (or audio) - 100 Dreams List - 10, 5, or 1-year Visioning Exercises - The gift…

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Episode 79: Bob Dodovich retired Lt. from Chicago Fire departments Squad 2 and Clay Whiteley from episode 64 1:43:26

2M ago1:43:26

1:43:26

Bob Dodovich retired Lt. from Chicago Fire departments Squad 2 and Clay Whiteley from episode 64. Bob fell through the roof of a currency exchange and lived to tell about it.By Fire & Iron Media

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October Q&A: An All-Paper Planner Peace, Paper/Digital Hybrid Tips, Managing a Life with Many Moving Parts, and More EP 272 19:39

2M ago19:39

19:39

Today's episode is a very planner-centric Q&A episode (since it's that time of year!). First, Cynthia opens with her planner peace - a mashup of prior BLP mentions, from the Passionate Pennypincher Planner to Planner Pad and a Stalogy notebook! Then, Kristin shares a pro tip for melding her digital planning (via Google calendar) with a paper system…

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ADHD-Friendly Planning Solutions with Skye Waterson EP 271 25:55

3M ago25:55

25:55

In today's episode, Sarah interviews Skye Waterson, ADHD strategist, host of a podcast in the ADHD space, and an expert in building systems that help entrepreneurs and execs with ADHD (or suspected ADHD) scale their businesses. Skye shares the strategies that she's currently using herself, as well as some great tips for prioritizing when everything…

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Course News + The Case For Planning In Fun (and tips for how to do it!) EP 270 22:26

3M ago22:26

22:26

In today's episode, Sarah opens with news about upcoming courses - both Best Laid Plans at Home: Planning 2026 AND Planning By Season will be back for next calendar year! Get details about the courses at theshubox.com/courses and be sure to sign up for her newsletter for registration info (newsletter drops 10/1). Newsletter: theshubox.com/newslette…

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Chicagoland 1800 board up episode 78: former State Fire Marshall Matt Perez , Nate Rice Peoria FD and John Koch Joliet FD 1:36:34

3M ago1:36:34

1:36:34

CBS talks to former state Fire Marshall Matt Perez, Nate Rice from Peoria FD and John Koch from Joliet FD about a data driven ground breaking program for the fire service that has shown success in targeting problem areas of their community and providing proactive measures to slow them downBy Fire & Iron Media

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10 Things To Consider If You’re Feeling Scattered EP 269 23:33

3M ago23:33

23:33

Inspired by her own recent period of feeling a bit overwhelmed and all over the place, Sarah shares 10 tips for those feeling scattered. Please be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you'd like to receive October's edition: theshubox.com/newsletter Email Sarah with questions or comments at sarah hart unger @ gmail or text (305) 697-7189 Episode S…

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Planner Peace & Accessibility + Discussing Wirecutter's 2026 Planner Picks EP 268 22:37

3M ago22:37

22:37

In today's episode, Sarah shares a Planner Peace submission from R, a lover of paper planners with a vision issue that makes small print and light colors difficult to work with. Please send Sarah any ideas for bright and bold planner brands to share with our listener! Then, Sarah shares her notes on Wirecutter's picks for next year's planners! The …

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Roll call episode from chicagoland 1-800-boardup: from the Gurnee Mills Fire Expo retired Capt Kevin Calhoun FDNY with Tunnels to Towers Foundation 18:45

3M ago18:45

18:45

CBSP talk to Trudy Maatta from Newport Township fire protection district and Kevin Calhoun retired Captain from FDNY. Trudy is organizes the Gurnee Mills first responder expo. Kevin is a 9/11 survivor and travels with the "Tunnels to towers" mobil memorial exhibit. "tunnels to towers" helps America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold …

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September Q&A: Planner News, Planner Peace from a SAHM, Work/Life Separation, and More EP 267 25:07

4M ago25:07

25:07

In today's episode, Sarah shares some recent planner news. She discusses price changes at Hobonichi (she compares her recent order to years prior), and then shares about the new Minimalist option available from Full Focus. Then, she goes through Q&A, tips & planner peace submissions for September! Topics include: - Feedback from a teacher about sep…

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Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 2 1:25:21

4M ago1:25:21

1:25:21

CBS talk to Southside FOOLS members Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan about the FOOLS and the upcoming training opportunity Mac a Palooza on October 4th at the Calumet City Public Training CenterBy Fire & Iron Media

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Sarah's Systems Update: What's Working, What's Not, and What's In Store for 2026! EP 266 23:27

4M ago23:27

23:27

In today's episode, Sarah goes through a techo kaigi -- her own assessment of how her current tools are working for her, along with some musing about what's up ahead for 2026! Products mentioned: Hobonichi Cousin Avec Erin Condren B6 18 Month Softbound Hobonichi 5-Year Journal Erin Condren Whiteboard Essential Calendar (affiliate link: https://www.…

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August Q&A: Hobonichi, Taylor Swift, and More EP 265 25:45

4M ago25:45

25:45

In today's episode, Sarah shares two things that made her (tough) week, and then answers 6 questions from the August Q&A collection! Topics include: - Can you use Apple Notes to include attachments + graphics - Big projects: fewer longer sessions, or consistent shorter ones? - Ideal week during the newborn phase: yay or nay, and suggestions for an …

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Episode 77: Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan of the Southside fools pt 1 1:09:30

4M ago1:09:30

1:09:30

CBS talk to Southside FOOLS members Richard Stack, Matt Berk and Joe Keenan about the FOOLS and the upcoming training opportunity Mac a Palooza on October 4th at the Calumet City Public Training CenterBy Fire & Iron Media

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Episode 76: Pt 2 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle 1:12:44

4M ago1:12:44

1:12:44

Vince and Josh Hill talk to real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle. Alex and Chris are also urban Firefighters who work for a busy fire department East of Chicago. listen how to, over time, grow your hard earned money into wealth to help with your futureBy Fire & Iron Media

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Planning to Travel for Less with Kathleen Paley EP 264 41:10

4M ago41:10

41:10

If you've ever been curious about how you can leverage your planning and organizing skills to help you save money, this episode is for you, especially if yo love to travel. Kathleen Paley is a litigator, mother of 2, and podcast host who loves saving and having fun with her family. She joins Sarah today to share her top 5 strategies for traveling o…

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5 Things (Other Than Planners) To Consider Carefully Heading Into Back-to-School EP 263 22:21

5M ago22:21

22:21

In today's episode, Sarah shares her thoughts on 5 aspects of life to reflect on (other than planners!) as you head into the back-to-school season, whatever that means for you. She provides a detailed overview of routines to think through / audit / consider tweaking, and then discusses sleep, communication strategies, mood management, and fun. Shar…

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ADHD or Neurodivergent? Two Planner Mini-Reviews For You! EP 262 27:02

5M ago27:02

27:02

Sarah reviews two planners specifically designed to help those with different planning needs. First, she discusses the Order Out of Chaos Planner, designed by ADHD parent and ADDItude Magazine columnist Leslie Josel. This planner is designed for students and might be particularly helpful for those with ADHD, though it could definitely serve other s…

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Planner Peace + Efficiency Hacks from Seasoned Professor Sarah McConnell EP 261 37:28

5M ago37:28

37:28

It's not QUITE back to school season, but depending on where you live, it may be closer than you think! In today's episode, Sarah interviews Sarah McConnell, a professor of anatomy and histology for undergrads, graduate students and med students. Professor Sarah McConnell shares own current planner peace lineup and functional system, and then provi…

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Episode 77: Mike Rossi from Des Plaines FD and Carson Zastrow from Arlington Heights FD promote FIRE & ICE hockey Charity Tournament Aug 2 2025 46:39

5M ago46:39

46:39

Mike Rossi and Carson Zastrow are firefighters who organize the FIRE & ICE charity hockey Tournament and have helped raise money for charities like the 100 club of illinois and Shield 23By Fire & Iron Media

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Mental Load Expert Allison Daminger Answers Your Burning Questions About Planning and Household Management EP 260 32:20

5M ago32:20

32:20

In today's episode, sociology professor Allison Daminger joins Sarah for a fascinating discussion about mental load, division of labor, and the role of planning! She answers three great questions from listeners, tackling challenging questions about a partner not interested in long-range planning, a partner with little predictability to his job, and…

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Episode 76: Pt 1 The financial episode with real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle 53:33

5M ago53:33

53:33

Vince and Josh Hill talk to real estate investor Alex Moore and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER Chris Bauchle. Alex and Chris are also urban Firefighters who work for a busy fire department East of Chicago. listen how to, over time, grow your hard earned money into wealth to help with your futureBy Fire & Iron Media

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Roll Call with Jose Perez: " Im walking out of here" Jose is a Chicago firefighter/Paramedic who was paralyzed during a triathlon in San Francisco 1:04:48

5M ago1:04:48

1:04:48

Vince talks with Jose Perez from Colorado where Jose is currently doing rehab for an injury suffered at a triathlon in San Francisco which left him paralyzed. Vince and Jose talk about Jose's boxing and firefighting career. Jose wanted to thank everyone who supported him and shares his ultimate goal of walking out of the hospital on his own…

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Real Talk: Podcast Behind the Scenes with Sarah EP 259 25:35

5M ago25:35

25:35

In today's episode, Sarah shares some real behind-the-scenes podcast talk with listeners. She chats about how Best Laid Plans came to be, how she chooses guests, how she tracks podcast logistics, what she outsources, how she handles listener emails, and much more! Visit her website, theshubox.com, if you haven't been for links to all of her prior e…

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July Q&A: Airtight Task Capture, Planning Time Away from Work, and More! EP 258 21:33

6M ago21:33

21:33

In today's episode, Sarah answers accumulated questions for July! Topics include: Laurel Denise + Full Focus is too much -- what do use instead? Task management (2 questions on various angles of this common challenge!) and how not to lose all of those great ideas that come to you that you want to see at the right time Discussion of the Alistair Met…

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Mid-Year Check In: Tips & Sarah's Own Midyear Review EP 257 29:59

6M ago29:59

29:59

In today's episode, Sarah shares rationale and ideas for completing your own mid-year check in session, where you take stock of where things are, look at annual goals, and decide how you'd like to move forward. She provides ideas for the setting/scope of this session, and then shares her very own mid-year check in - processing her own progress on t…

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June Q&A: Planner Swapping, Partner/Friend Planning Dilemmas, Planning with Unpredictable Time Blocks, Planners for Tweens/Teens with ADHD, and More EP 256 28:08

6M ago28:08

28:08

It's a Q&A podcast! Topics include: - Ways to plan/manage tasks when your time is unpredictably chopped up (gig worker)? - How to move into a new planner midyear? - How to talk with a partner who feels your planning systems are over the top (and you feel like they are absolutely necessary for a functional family life)? - How to handle a close frien…

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Travel Planning: Strategic Planning + Anticipatory Fun at Every Time Horizon EP 255 25:36

6M ago25:36

25:36

Today's episode centers around strategies for travel planning, from super-long range (5-10+ years) to daily planning while on vacation! Sarah shares her favorite strategies at each time horizon to craft travel plans that reflect your values and highest priorities, while meeting your actual real-life needs (budget, kids' ages, etc!). Mentioned: Kels…

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Where Planning Meets Etiquette with Lizzie Post of the Emily Post Institute EP 254 29:46

7M ago29:46

29:46

Lizzie Post is the great-great-grandaughter of famed etiquette expert Emily Post and serves as co-president at the Emily Post Institute along with her cousin Daniel Post Senning. In today's episode Sarah interviews her on all things planning AND etiquette adjacent! First, Sarah inquires about Lizzie's current favorite planning tools and rituals, an…

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10 Quirky Planning Habits that Might Work for You! EP 253 29:00

7M ago29:00

29:00

In today's episode, Sarah welcomes listeners into summer (and southern hemisphere listeners into winter!). Then, she shares 10 less common (possibly quirky!) planning habits that work for her, from her tracking methods to her use of "defaults" and strategic use of break times, and more. She also shares a listener follow up to the new mom wondering …

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Monthly Planning Rhythms + Completist Mini-Review EP 252 29:47

7M ago29:47

29:47

Today's episode is dedicated to monthly planning rhythms! Sarah discusses why the monthly planning level can be a challenging one, but then provides reasons to try giving it some attention! Elements Discussed: - Ways to add to the "fresh start" energy - screen backgrounds + monthly tracking - Monthly work plan (new element for Sarah!) - Monthly goa…

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Mini-Review of Kendra Adachi's Playbooks + Planner Peace from A Completist Listener EP 251 21:32

7M ago21:32

21:32

In today's episode, Sarah shares a detailed Planner Peace submission (from a listener who listened to all 250 episodes of the BLP back catalog!) and provides a mini-review of Kendra Adachi's The Playbook, designed to be planner companions for each season, rather than planners themselves! Find The Playbook here: https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.c…

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Out of the Weeds + Listener Q&A: Processing Paper, Ideas for Digital/Paper Hybrid Systems, Planner Peace from NZ, and Visualizing Summer EP 250 32:19

8M ago32:19

32:19

In today's episode, Sarah share the strategies that got her feeling much less "in the weeds", including airtight task capture and inbox cleaning, plus monthly work planning! Then, she shares a Planner Peace segment from Ross in NZ, who uses mostly digital tools plus a paper daily and has an incredibly well-thought-out and organized overall ecosyste…

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Episode 75: Nick Bostic pt 2 pizza delivery guy turned hero 43:31

8M ago43:31

43:31

special co-hosts Josh Hill and Damien Cuppello sit down with Vince and guest Nick Bostic. Nick was driving when he found a house on fire, Nick entered the house and rescued 3 girls from the flames before having to jump out of the 2nd story window with a little girl in his armsBy Fire & Iron Media

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In the Weeds: Thoughts on Climbing Out from Overwhelm + Overload EP 249 24:59

8M ago24:59

24:59

In today's episode, Sarah gets real: she shares her current feelings of being "in the weeds", how she got there, and the strategies she hopes to employ to climb out. Additional Notes: Best Laid Plans LIVE in Florida: Planning 2026 has very few remaining slots - grab yours now at theshubox.com/blplive Sign up for the newsletter at theshubox.com/news…

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Planning Meals and the Rest of Life with Allison Schaaf, Business Owner and Mother of 4 EP 248 31:39

8M ago31:39

31:39

Allison Schaaf is the creator and owner of PrepDish (longtime BLP sponsor!) and her business is based on planning, specifically around meals! But she also has plenty of wisdom to share around planning the rest of life, from long term goals to handling emails and managing a team. She is also highly interested in streamlining tasks as she is a mother…

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Routines (general thoughts + personal revamp!) + Planning Your Weekends EP 247 28:30

8M ago28:30

28:30

In today's episode, Sarah reflects on routines, noting that her recent episode on morning routines is already obsolete (as it applies to her own morning routine, anyway!). She shares thoughts about being flexible as you set your routines, and the need to continually re-evaluate, as well as her new morning routine. Then, she pivots to all things wee…

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Spring Planner Releases + Thinking About Summer EP 246 24:14

9M ago24:14

24:14

In today's episode, Sarah reflects on where we are in the year and offers encouragement and ideas to help you start thinking through summer. She also provides an overview of some fun planner releases for spring, including new editions from Erin Condren, Simplified, and Laurel Denise. Episode of Amanda's Favorites where she describes designing a pla…

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Episode 75: Pt1 with Nick Bostic, Nick is the pizza delivery guy turned hero after he rescued 4 girls from a house fire 1:03:48

9M ago1:03:48

1:03:48

special co-hosts Josh Hill and Damien Cuppello sit down with Vince and guest Nick Bostic. Nick was driving when he found a house on fire, Nick entered the house and rescued 3 girls from the flames before having to jump out of the 2nd story window with a little girl in his armsBy Fire & Iron Media

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The Gap Between Planning and Doing EP 245 22:01

9M ago22:01

22:01

Sometimes there is vast space (and struggle) between planning and executing on our plans. In this episode, Sarah delves into why that might be an offers some solutions. She also mentions Lisa Woodruff's Medical Binder and Carolyn Cohen's Wellness While Walking podcast. Episode where Carolyn was a guest: https://theshubox.com/2025/01/blp-ep-232-plan…