The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms (Kelly Nolan)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management and Productivity for Working Women & Working Moms
| Date | Titre | Durée | |
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| 11 Mar 2024 | 45. Motivating to do the things you calendared | 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. | |||
| 14 May 2023 | 3. Five Social Media Time Management Tips: How to Set Healthy, Realistic Social Media Boundaries (Without Going Cold Turkey) | 00:19:34 | |
Love social media and low-key resent how much time you spend on it? Same. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, time management strategist Kelly Nolan explores how professional women can use social media intentionally—without the all-or-nothing guilt spiral or rigid rules. If you find yourself mindlessly scrolling Instagram, wondering where your evening went (again), this episode offers practical, realistic strategies to help you take back control of your time—without giving up social media altogether. You’ll learn:
Plus, Kelly shares the power of: This episode is for working moms, professionals, and ambitious women who want to stop wasting time on their phones—and start spending time more intentionally, without shame or overwhelm. 🎧 Tune in for judgment-free strategies that work in real life. 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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| 13 Jan 2025 | 84. When Email/Slack/Teams Interrupt Your Focus Time | 00:20:23 | |
Email and/or Slack/Teams can often interrupt the time we've set aside and protected for focused, heads-down work. Let's dig into some strategies to help us get the focused time during work hours that we crave. 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. | |||
| 21 Oct 2024 | 72. Dr. Christine Koh: Micro-Decluttering, Radical Rest & More | 00:32:15 | |
I'm been a fan of Dr. Christine Koh and her podcast, Edit Your Life, for a long time. It's an honor to have her on the podcast today to discuss topics like decluttering (in a doable and exciting way), handling the holidays, and radical rest. Enjoy – and check out her podcast, Edit Your Life. 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. | |||
| 29 Apr 2024 | 52. [Listen before you rule it out] Hiring a House Manager with Kelly Hubbell of Sage Haus | 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. | |||
| 05 Feb 2024 | 40. When is Hard Work Worth It? | 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) | |||
| 16 Oct 2023 | 25. Current reality first - then add in the aspirational changes | 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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| 05 Aug 2024 | 63. It's Harder Than "Just Schedule Time for Self-Care": How to Actually Enjoy Downtime | 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. | |||
| 22 May 2023 | 4. How to Prioritize in a Way that Actually Works Even When Everything Feels Important (Without the Confusing Ranking Systems) | 00:23:48 | |
Tired of being told to “just prioritize” with no real explanation of how? In this episode, Kelly Nolan breaks down five clear, realistic steps to help working women prioritize what matters—without color-coding, overthinking, or trying to fit 10 projects into a day with carry-on level capacity. Prioritization sounds simple… until everything on your list feels important. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, time management strategist Kelly Nolan offers a realistic take on how to actually prioritize—especially when your to-do list is overflowing and the traditional “rank everything high/medium/low” approach just doesn’t cut it. You’ll learn:
This episode is for busy professional women who want to stop overcommitting, start saying no with confidence, and finally create realistic game plans that honor their actual time, energy, and season of life. 🎧 Listen in for practical strategies that feel just as empowering as they are doable. Links you might enjoy:
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| 04 Nov 2024 | 74. AI & Time Management with Woody Taylor | 00:51:22 | |
Today, I'm joined my Woody Taylor, someone with far more knowledge about AI than me, to discuss AI applications at work and in our personal lives. I find all of this new and fascinating, and this discussion dove into a lot of topics that I think you'll find thought-provoking and practical. Let me know what you think once you listen! To learn more about Woody's work, please visit his website: www.paramis.ai Platforms mentioned:
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| 03 Feb 2025 | 87. The Power of the Long-Term Play (vs. Getting Hung Up On Short-Term Timelines) | 00:22:05 | |
This is definitely not my most articulate, succinct podcast, but I think there's something here that's worth sharing – and it'll continue to evolve. The older I get, the more I see the value of shirking American culture's "quick results now"/focus on short-term time horizons and focusing on the long game. Let's talk about it, and I'd love to hear what you think! And as I mention at the end, if you'd like my travel checklist of things to calendar for each personal trip you take, you can get your copy here. Hope it's helpful! | |||
| 02 Oct 2023 | 23. Managers v. Makers (And What It Means For Your Schedule) | 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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| 24 Jul 2023 | 13. Life Feeling Too Tight? The Power of “Negative Space” in Your Calendar | 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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| 11 Dec 2023 | 33. Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans | 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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| 04 Aug 2023 | 15. Managing Back-to-School Logistics with Less Stress | 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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| 12 Feb 2024 | 41. When Your Calendar Overwhelms You | 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. | |||
| 06 May 2024 | 53. Commutes & Non-Commutes: Transitioning from Home to Work and Back | 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. | |||
| 18 Dec 2023 | 34. Friendships: Using your calendar to help you show up as the friend you want to be | 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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| 01 Apr 2024 | 48. Digital Spring Clean & Physical Work Environment Organization | 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! | |||
| 27 May 2024 | 56. Not Letting Overactive Loyalty Prevent Us From Drawing Boundaries at Work | 00:12:00 | |
Many of us (myself included) have deep loyalty to many in our lives, and sometimes, it causes us to make decisions about work that are different than what we want or tolerate situations at work much longer than makes us happy. My dad gave me incredibly useful advice on this front when I was 25 that's stuck with me since then. Let's talk about it – with the aim of helping us reign in that overactive loyalty so we can draw boundaries 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. | |||
| 23 Sep 2024 | 68. Outsourcing the Mental Load at Home with Emily King of Faye | 00:34:03 | |
We've talked in previous episodes about outsourcing work at home in ep. 29 (including emotional and even "moral" hangups about doing so) and, specifically, about hiring a house manager in ep. 52 with Kelly Hubbell of Sage House. Today, we're continuing this conversation with another option to help outsource more of the mental load. Emily King is the co-founder and CEO of Faye, an AI-powered platform that makes it affordable to hire a local personal assistant to help with those day-to-day, mentally exhausting tasks. Let's dig into examples of what people outsource to Faye and how it works. I have no financial affiliation with and gain no benefit from sharing about Faye. I just think it's an interesting platform that might provide you with the relief you're looking for, so wanted to make you aware of it! A bit more about Emily: Prior to entrepreneur life, Emily was the VP of Digital & Product at Blue Bottle Coffee, where she oversaw digital marketing, e-comm, and mobile, as well as physical product development: cafe drinks/culinary, merchandise, and all CPG. Prior to Blue Bottle, she led revenue operations and direct sales at Nextdoor; merchandising at Good Eggs; and e-comm and home services at LivingSocial. Emily started her career as a writer and editor at National Geographic, before discovering the exciting, fast-paced world of consumer tech. She currently lives in Ogden, UT, with her husband Patten and their 6-year-old daughter, Vivian. Learn more at https://www.findfaye.com/, and follow along on Instagram at @tryfaye. 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. | |||
| 20 Nov 2023 | 30. Swingerbyers: Dealing with people who swing by or call for a "quick word" | 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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| 04 Sep 2023 | 19. How to Prep for Busy Seasons at Work | 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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| 08 Jul 2024 | 60. Mistakes: How to Recover & Move Forward Using the Bright Method | 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. | |||
| 10 Jun 2024 | 58. The Summer Episode: Three Tips about Summer Work, Travel, & Working Parent Logistics | 00:32:10 | |
Hi there! Hopefully this is the last episode with bad sound quality. (Reminder: I’m in a rental and had to switch up my sound set-up in the move – and apparently did not do well). I tried to fix it once I realized it (we’ll see how I did next episode), but I’d already recorded this one. Today, we'll talk three sets of summer tips:
For more resources on these topics, check out:
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. | |||
| 30 Dec 2024 | 82. Protecting Time for Your Health | 00:25:37 | |
One of the most common time management pain points many women experience is trying to find time (and energy) for their own health, whether that's working out, eating how they want, sleeping, and even medical appointments. Let's discuss. 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. | |||
| 07 Apr 2025 | 96. Part 2: The Heavy-Before / Lighter-After Adulting Stuff (Wills & Trusts, Healthcare Proxies, House Furniture Inventory, etc.) | 00:29:27 | |
>> Click here for the list. << Recently, I shared on Instagram that I re-did our wills, trusts, etc. in Minnesota. We’d done it in California, where we lived when our first daughter was born, and we amended there when our second was born. And then we needed to re-do them here. When I shared, I got a lot of “ah I need to do that too” messages and questions about how to get started. It also prompted other conversations around parts of adulting that we know are important but we don’t do because they don’t seem urgent and/or we don’t know where to start, so we avoid them. I get it. I also had someone ask me to to do a podcast episode on some of this stuff, so I started outlining it – and it got a bit unwieldy. So, this will be a two-part-er: This week’s episode and next. For the list of all the things discussed in the episode (remember: typo-ridden; function over perfection), click here. | |||
| 21 Aug 2023 | 17: Why white space is actually NOT helping you get more breathing space | 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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| 01 Jan 2024 | 35. How to work with your energy when it comes to time management | 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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| 26 Feb 2024 | 43. Five Strategies to Improve Your Meetings | 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! | |||
| 18 Sep 2023 | 21. When to say "no" when you want to say "yes" | 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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| 18 Mar 2024 | 46. Work Travel: Time Management Strategies for Working Women Who Travel for Work | 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. | |||
| 02 Dec 2024 | 78. The "Years are Short" Spreadsheet: Long-Term Planning Snapshot | 00:15:54 | |
While I love the Bright Method's ability to help you plan long term (e.g., calendaring when to start your passport renewal process in three years), one thing missing from the Bright Method is a high-level snapshot of your long-term planning. Enter Kelsey Wharton's "The Years are Short" spreadsheet. Here's my written article about it, too. Here's an article about the Bird's Eye View. And finally, episode 33 is about "Long-Term Planning: How to feel like YOU & create long-term plans." 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. | |||
| 03 Jun 2024 | 57. Ugh An Election Year: How to Protect Your Peace of Mind | 00:24:06 | |
Just a heads up that the sound quality is worse. We're in a rental now, and I need to figure out the recording quality again. Thanks for sticking with me through it! Turning to the substance, we all know the election is this year. Before it consumes us whole, let's talk about some practical things we can put in place to help us protect our peace of mind and sanity through it – while also being as involved as we want to be.
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| 10 Feb 2025 | 88. An Example of a Work Flow: Personal Travel | 00:27:09 | |
So often, we calendar a deadline or an event and think either there's not much that goes into it or we'll just remember what do to for it. But when you actually write down everything that goes into it, it's a surprising lot of stuff, takes up more time than we realize, and the sheer volume of things explains why we forget to do some of it every time. Let's talk workflows, their benefits, how to do them (simplicity is great!), and walk through an example relating to personal travel. 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. | |||
| 23 Dec 2024 | 81. Too Many Meetings! Time Management Tips When You Meetings Prevent You From Doing Your Work | 00:27:24 | |
One of the most common time management challenges working women have is that their work hours are dominated by meetings, pushing heads-down work into nights and weekends. Let's talk about what to do if this is your work life. Referenced episodes:
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| 11 Nov 2024 | 75. Acting (or Not Acting) Because of What Others Think (Wear the Mittens) | 00:11:16 | |
This time of year reminds me of a post I wrote two years ago about doing or not doing things we want to do take care of ourselves and make us happy – because of what others will think of us. 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. | |||
| 09 Dec 2024 | 79. Self-Evaluations: How to Make Your Next Performance Review A Lot Easier | 00:14:01 | |
Regardless of when your next performance review happens, let's talk about things you can do now to make writing your self-evaluation easier – and then how to use this gathered information to make your self-eval more effective. This episode is based off of this article if you also want to see it written out. 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. | |||
| 11 Sep 2023 | 20. Nine Reasons Why Paper Planner Lovers (Like Me) Should Go All In on a Digital Calendar to Manage Your Time & Tasks | 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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| 23 Oct 2023 | 26. Working with a Sick Kid at Home - Part 1: What to do ahead of time to prepare for a sick kid | 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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| 16 Sep 2024 | 67. Listener Question: Handling Too Many Incoming Tasks to Calendar (Plus Meeting Overload) | 00:19:04 | |
A woman on Instagram asked me to address in a podcast episode, in short, what do you do when you have too many tasks coming in from so many different places that you struggle to even calendar them all? And, on top of it, you spend many hours of your day in front of the computer in meetings. Great questions! Let's discuss. In this episode, I reference my previous episode on the weekly planning session, which is episode 8, "Your New Weekly Planning Session." Enjoy! | |||
| 30 Sep 2024 | 69. How to Dig Out After a Curveball Week | 00:24:23 | |
After those curveball weeks – whether it's an illness in the family or a work fire that puts off all other work – it can be overwhelming to look at the backlog on top of upcoming meetings and deadlines. Let's talk practical strategies to help dig out and get you back to feeling more stable and on track. 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. | |||
| 28 Oct 2024 | 73. My Time Management Journey | 00:30:54 | |
A few weeks ago, when I asked people on Instagram what to record a podcast episode about next, three people asked me to share about my time management journey. So, here goes! In addition, a heads up that:
Thanks for being 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. | |||
| 29 Jan 2024 | 39. Dr. Chelsea Pierotti on Managing Stressful & High-Pressure Situations | 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. | |||
| 31 Jul 2023 | 14. How to Stop Saying "Yes" Too Much on Zoom Calls: Protecting Your Time and Boundaries in Real Time | 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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| 14 Apr 2025 | 97. People Pleasing with Michelle Gauthier | 00:40:39 | |
In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I’m joined by professional life coach Michelle Gauthier to explore a topic that deeply affects how we spend our time—people pleasing. If you’ve ever said yes when you wanted to say no, or agreed to something before even thinking it through, this episode is for you. We break down:
Michelle and I share examples from our personal and professional lives, including the awkward conversations we’ve had to navigate and the mental load that comes with trying to control how others perceive us. If you’ve ever resented someone for asking you to do something—because you felt like you “had” to say yes—this episode will help you step back, get curious, and reclaim your time. Michelle Gauthier is the host of the Overwhelmed Working Woman podcast and helps high-achieving women create calmer, more intentional lives through private coaching and group programs. She brings warmth, humor, and a down-to-earth approach to this powerful and all-too-relatable conversation. Whether you’re looking to set stronger boundaries at work, say no to another PTA role, or just want to stop defaulting to yes, you’ll walk away from this episode with tools you can actually use—starting today. Learn more about Michelle at www.michellegauthier.com, and listen to her podcast, Overwhelmed Working Woman, wherever you get your podcasts. Additional links you might enjoy:
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| 25 Sep 2023 | 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 | 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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| 18 Nov 2024 | 76. When your partner is gone a lot: How to share the home labor | 00:29:13 | |
While there are many great approaches for sharing the load at home with a partner, like Fair Play, for those of us with partners who aren't around consistently (e.g., some physicians, travel, military), those approaches don't really work. A partner can't own, e.g., taking out the trash or cleaning up the kitchen or staying on top of what groceries you need and ordering them when they're not home when those things need to happen. So, let's talk about it. This is somewhat more of a personal share about our situation and how we manage things. I'm not saying it's totally right, and I'm more than willing to hear how you do something that works for you if you're in a similar boat! That said, I hope it's helpful – if only to normalize the struggle of it a bit! 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. | |||
| 31 Mar 2025 | 95. The Heavy-Before / Lighter-After Adulting Stuff (Wills & Trusts, Healthcare Proxies, House Furniture Inventory, etc.) | 00:34:57 | |
>> Click here for the list. << Recently, I shared on Instagram that I re-did our wills, trusts, etc. in Minnesota. We’d done it in California, where we lived when our first daughter was born, and we amended there when our second was born. And then we needed to re-do them here. When I shared, I got a lot of “ah I need to do that too” messages and questions about how to get started. It also prompted other conversations around parts of adulting that we know are important but we don’t do because they don’t seem urgent and/or we don’t know where to start, so we avoid them. I get it. I also had someone ask me to to do a podcast episode on some of this stuff, so I started outlining it – and it got a bit unwieldy. So, this will be a two-part-er: This week’s episode and next. For the list of all the things discussed in the episode (remember: typo-ridden; function over perfection), click here. | |||
| 10 Jul 2023 | 11. Dealing with Anxiety About Tackling To-Do's | 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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| 15 Apr 2024 | 50. An Example of Saying No: Why I'm Not Speaking This Year | 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. | |||
| 29 May 2023 | 5. Just Ask: The Time-Saving Power of Just Asking (Even If You Hate Inconveniencing People) | 00:13:56 | |
Asking for what you need doesn’t always feel like time management—but it’s one of the most powerful (and yet, ignored) tools we have. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan gets personal about the fear of “inconveniencing people” and how it can quietly sabotage our time, energy, and clarity. From car repairs to calendar tweaks to microphone returns, Kelly shares how practicing the simple skill of just asking opened up time, reduced stress, and even helped her reconnect with what she actually wanted. You’ll hear:
Whether you’re a recovering people pleaser, a working mom, or a high-achieving professional who hesitates to ask for help (or all three!), this episode will help you reframe asking as a powerful, strategic, and kind act of self-respect—and a sneaky-smart time management move. 🎧 Press play for a gentle nudge to take up space and reclaim some time. Links you might enjoy:
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| 24 Mar 2025 | 94. Newborn Life & Time Management | 00:33:21 | |
I've had a few people ask me recently about time management during the newborn baby phase. Here are my random tips – take them or leave them! | |||
| 06 Jan 2025 | 83. When You Have No Energy After Work For "Productive" Things | 00:13:21 | |
I hear from many women that they have no energy after work to do "productive" things. Let's talk about what to do about that. | |||
| 06 Nov 2023 | 28. When Your Work Relies on Others, Making It Hard to Plan | 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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| 22 Jan 2024 | 38. Limited time is frustrating – How to feel more empowered | 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! | |||
| 03 Jul 2023 | 10. Which stage of overwhelm do you fall into? (And how to get out) | 00:21:37 | |
Feeling overwhelmed? This episode breaks down the 5 stages of overwhelm and helps you identify where you are—and how to move toward more clarity and control over your time. If you’re constantly juggling responsibilities and wondering why time management feels so elusive, this episode is for you. Kelly walks through the five stages of overwhelm she sees working women experience—from frozen overwhelm to firefighting to feeling empowered and calm. You’ll learn how mental freedom and realistic intentionality are the key ingredients to finally ditching the overwhelm and feeling more on top of it all. We’ll cover:
Whether you're a working mom, a corporate professional, or a business owner, this episode gives you a clear roadmap for identifying where you are in the overwhelm cycle—and how The Bright Method can help you break out of it. For the chart discussed, visit this page. Links you might enjoy:
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| 14 May 2023 | 1. Bright Method Basics: A Realistic Time Management System for Working Women & Working Moms | 00:19:10 | |
Welcome to the very first episode of The Bright Method Podcast: Realistic Time Management for Working Women & Working Moms! 🎉 In this kickoff episode, Kelly Nolan—former patent litigator turned time management strategist—introduces the Bright Method™, a practical time management system designed specifically for professional working women, including busy attorneys, physicians, corporate professionals, entrepreneurs, and working moms. You’ll learn:
This episode covers the three foundational principles of the Bright Method: ✔️ Simplify your system If you're ready to stop juggling everything in your head, reduce stress, hold firmer boundaries, and start falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what’s on tap tomorrow, you’re in the right place. 👉 Hit follow and share this episode with the professional women in your life who are ready to reclaim their time—and their peace of mind. 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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| 16 Dec 2024 | 80. Getting Clear About How You Process To-Do’s & Ideas | 00:31:03 | |
Are you clear about what you do with every to-do or idea that comes your way? Not how you actually do the thing or use the idea – just how you process it? i.e., Do you have a system that helps you take in that to-do/idea, process it, and then bring it to life? It's a basic question perhaps, but one that I don't think we always get clear on. And clarity here helps us in our day-to-day lives, where such much is flying at us all the time. So, let's talk 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. | |||
| 26 Apr 2023 | Welcome to the Bright Method Podcast | 00:02:37 | |
Welcome to the Bright Method Podcast, where we’ll discuss practical, realistic time management strategies designed for the professional working woman. Let’s help you reduce stress, get more breathing space in your life, and take breaks and actually enjoy them! I’m Kelly Nolan, a former patent litigator who now works with working women to set up the Bright Method™️ in their lives. The Bright Method is a realistic time management system that helps you manage it all personally and professionally. On this podcast, we dig into practical strategies to manage those personal life logistics, work deadlines and distractions, and how to use time management tools to reduce stress and design and live out a life that lights you up. We’ll cover things like:
Every now and then, I’ll throw in mom-specific episodes about dealing with sick kids, childcare, and more. But this podcast is not just for moms, so we won’t let that dominate. Hit subscribe so each episode downloads so you’re ready to listen on your next dog walk, commute, or while washing the dishes – and let’s get you falling asleep proud of what you got done today and calm about what's on tap tomorrow.
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| 10 Mar 2025 | 92. Why plan when nothing goes to plan?! | 00:16:11 | |
Coming out of January and February, months when lots of curveballs hit, it's hard to motivate to plan after likely weeks of plans getting derailed. Let's talk about that frustration – AND why it's still worth planning (even when those plans later get derailed). Ep. 8 gives you a high-level overview of my weekly planning session if you're curious. | |||
| 20 Jan 2025 | 85. Home Organization: Making Time for & How to Do It with Laura Kinsella of Urban OrgaNYze | 00:42:18 | |
Decluttering and home organization projects can be a major time management painpoint for people on the home front. To help with that, I'm thrilled to have Laura Kinsella on the podcast to help us hear about how to manage our time around it, how to do it, how to get support doing it, and more. Follow Laura on Instagram here: http://www.instagram.com/urbanorganyze Or reach out to Laura via her website here: http://www.urbanorganyze.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. | |||
| 20 May 2024 | 55. “You waste years by not being able to waste hours”: The Critical Role Planning Plays | 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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| 17 Feb 2025 | 89. When You Feel Resistance to Calendaring Your Activities, Projects, etc. | 00:24:52 | |
Often, women I work with or talk to online share that, while they want to use the Bright Method, they resist implementation because of, what I can see, two buckets of very understandable reasons:
Both make total sense. So, let's talk about them more. 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. | |||
| 02 Sep 2024 | 65. When You're Anxious About the Next Calendared Entry | 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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| 08 Jan 2024 | 36. Deadlines: How to avoid choking yourself up on your deadlines | 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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| 13 May 2024 | 54. Ever-changing schedules: If you or your partner have ever-different weeks bc of your job, this one is for you | 00:15:39 | |
For people with ever-different schedules, from ER physicians and nurses to pilots, this episode is for you! | |||
| 26 Jun 2023 | 9. Strategies to Get More Ease in Your Life: Practical Strategies for Energy and Time Management | 00:24:20 | |
If you're feeling drained—even by good things—you’re not alone. In this episode, I share how I’m creating a “Year of Ease” using realistic time management, energy protection, and intentional decision-making to create breathing room and feel more grounded in daily life. In this episode, I unpack what’s been working (and what hasn’t) in my own Year of Ease and how you can apply these strategies in your own life if you're balancing a demanding career and full personal life. You’ll learn:
This isn’t about perfection or a spa-day life—it’s about crafting a season of life that runs more smoothly and supports your real needs right now. Whether you’re a professional woman, a working mom, or both, tune in to explore how to realistically manage your energy, time, and life with more calm and clarity. Links you might enjoy:
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| 27 Nov 2023 | 31. Leadership mindset shifts with Jodi Flynn: Ditching "busy," protecting your focus, and leading your team | 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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| 07 Oct 2024 | 70. Menstral Cycles & Time Management with Carmen Amador Barriero | 00:29:37 | |
We talk a fair bit about matchmaking your activities to your energy level patterns in a typical day or week. Let's kick this up a notch with Carmen Amador Barriero as she walks us through how those of us experiencing menstrual cycles can think about our natural tendencies during different phases of our cycles (plus how to know which phase you're even in!). Carmen is an Organizational & Business Psychologist, Community Builder at Oyster, and Women's Health Mentor. Carmen is on a mission to transform the way people see themselves, their workplaces, and the world they live in. Through her current work as the Community Lead of Oyster's People Builders Community, she regularly empowers and facilitates leaders and professionals to transform their workplaces into authentic, inclusive & thriving remote & hybrid environments. Whether speaking to hundreds of delegates at a conference or facilitating workshops virtually, Carmen is known for creating curiosity, enthusiasm and interactivity around any topic at hand. Carmen has also spent the last 3 years training as a certified Holistic Women's Wellness Mentor, Womb Awakening Practitioner, and is on a mission to guide women in reconnecting with their bodies through menstrual cycle and womb work, helping them remember their magic. To learn more about Carmen, visit: The books she recommended are: 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. | |||
| 17 Jul 2023 | 12. Home Paper & Personal Email: How to Manage Personal Admin Tasks | 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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| 14 Aug 2023 | 16. How to Deal with Work "Fires" and Curveballs | 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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| 15 Jan 2024 | 37. Time Management is a System Failure – Not a Character Flaw | 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. | |||
| 22 Apr 2024 | 51. Stop Comparing Your Tired to Other People's | 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. | |||
| 05 Jun 2023 | 6. Three Email Strategies to Help You Reclaim Control from Your Inbox | 00:26:29 | |
Email is necessary—but it doesn’t need to run your day. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan walks through three realistic, practical email strategies that help you stay on top of communication without living in your inbox. Because if you want to protect time for your higher-value work, you’ve got to take control of the reactive pull of email. Inside, you’ll learn:
Whether you’re a manager, an individual contributor, or juggling both work and family life, these practical strategies will help you take back control of your day—without pretending email doesn’t exist. 🎧 Press play for tools to help you get your inbox under control in a way that actually works. Links you might enjoy:
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| 09 Oct 2023 | 24. Running Effective 1x1 Meetings with Nicole Case, an Executive & Leadership Coach | 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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| 30 Oct 2023 | 27. Working with a Sick Kid at Home - Part 2: | 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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| 04 Dec 2023 | 32. How to Capture To-Do's in a Realistic Way | 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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| 21 Apr 2025 | 98. Your Boss Has No Idea What's on Your Plate Today – and 5 Things that Means | 00:28:00 | |
In this episode of the Bright Method Podcast, I dig into something I wish I’d fully appreciated earlier in my career: your boss likely has no idea what’s actually on your plate. That’s true whether you work for multiple people or just one—and it matters when it comes to managing your workload in a realistic and less overwhelming way. We’ll cover:
I also talk through how a visual, calendar-based system helped me go from feeling constantly underwater to confidently managing what I could take on—and even turning down work in a clear, strategic way. Plus, I share a client story about how this clarity led to a more reasonable workload and enjoyable work that made a bigger impact. If you’d like a free way to get started with this system, check out my 5-day Reset & Refresh series at kellynolan.com/refresh. You can also DM me the word “refresh” on Instagram to get the link. Links you might enjoy:
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| 27 Jan 2025 | 86. How to Handle Surprise 15-Min Windows at Work – And Time Management Tips of Physicians | 00:15:25 | |
So often, when we get free 15-minute windows we didn't anticipate during work hours, we spend too much time deciding what to do and/or fritter them away on stuff that doesn't matter (cough*social media*cough). But these small windows of time add up, and using them effectively can help you leave work earlier and feel more accomplished. Let's talk about how to do that. This episode also spends some time focusing on time management strategies for phsycians in a related context. Enjoy – and share with a physician in your life! | |||
| 09 Sep 2024 | 66. Practical Examples of How Everything Comes Back to Time | 00:29:03 | |
You've probably heard me say (98493 times) that everything comes back to time. This explains why it's smart to streamline tasks (which all require time) in your calendar. It also plays another role: anything that bugs you in your life can also be alleviated and/or have clarity and progress brought to it through using our calendar. Let's discuss a lot of practical examples! 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. | |||
| 19 Aug 2024 | 64. How to get your partner to buy into a time management approach | 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. | |||
| 17 Mar 2025 | 93. Finances & Calendars with Emilie Dayan Hill | 00:35:47 | |
Finances can be so tricky. I anticipate more conversations around budgeting, etc. (just like time, how we spend money matters just as much as what we make/have), and this is a wonderful kick off episode with Emilie Dayan Hill. To learn more from Emilie: 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. | |||
| 24 Feb 2025 | 90. How to Handle Scheduled Kid Days Off (e.g., Holidays, Teacher Professional Development Days) | 00:21:46 | |
We've talked about how to handle sick kids at home (resources on that below), but what about all of the scheduled days off of school. Someone asked me to discuss those days, so let's do it! Sick kid resources:
Other kid-related 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. | |||
| 22 Jul 2024 | 61. Goli Kalkhoran of Lessons from a Quitter & Resisting the Desire to be the "Perfect Employee" | 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. | |||
| 08 Apr 2024 | 49. The Vacuum Effect: Context Matters When It Comes to Time Management | 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. | |||
| 19 Jun 2023 | 8. Your New Weekly Planning Session | 00:24:13 | |
Planning isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the foundation of realistic time management. In this episode, I walk you through why weekly planning matters, when to do it, and how to make it easier and more effective (even if you don’t love it). If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your calendar, unsure how everything will get done, or stuck in a cycle of Sunday Scaries, this episode is for you. We’re diving into weekly planning—the habit that maintains your time management system, reduces stress, and gives you the clarity to move through your week with confidence. You’ll learn:
Whether you're a lawyer, physician, manager, or any busy professional or working mom, solid weekly planning is your secret weapon to stay organized, proactive, and less stressed—even when life throws you curveballs. For the Fast Company article I mention, click here.
Links you might enjoy:
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| 12 Jun 2023 | 7. Seven Apps That Make Life Easier | 00:24:52 | |
From digital calendars to grocery list hacks, I’m sharing 7 phone apps that help me manage my time, reduce stress, and keep things running at work and home. Some are classic, some are a little unexpected, but all have earned a spot on my home screen. Looking to simplify your daily life with just your phone? In this episode, I walk you through the seven phone apps I personally use to manage both life and work—from time management staples to helpful tools for shopping, security, and capturing ideas on the fly. These apps can free up time, reduce stress, and help you stay organized. Apps discussed:
Whether you adopt all or just one, I hope something here makes your life a little easier. And I’d love to know: what app are you loving lately that I should check out?
Here are some links to some resources I mentioned:
Links you might enjoy:
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| 03 Mar 2025 | 91. The Good News about Realizing You're Choking Yourself Up with Deadlines | 00:22:32 | |
Sometimes, we realize we're the ones giving ourselves too-tight deadlines – either out of a desire to show how eager we are or because the sense of urgency makes us react too frantically. Instead of beating ourselves up for that tendency, let's talk about why this can actually be a great thing to realize – and what to do about it!
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| 28 Aug 2023 | 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) | 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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| 14 May 2023 | 2. Underestimating how long things take you & what to do about it | 00:15:48 | |
Struggling to stick to your calendar because everything takes longer than you thought it would? You’re not alone—and there’s nothing wrong with you. In this episode of The Bright Method Podcast, Kelly Nolan, time management strategist and former patent litigator, breaks down one of the most common challenges professional women face when time blocking: underestimating how long things take. You’ll learn:
Whether you’re a busy working mom, corporate professional, lawyer, physician, or entrepreneur, these practical strategies will help you create a calendar you can actually stick to—without the stress, shame, or decision fatigue. Plus, Kelly shares how the Bright Method helps you: ✔️ Embrace flexibility while still sticking to a plan 🎧 Tune in to learn how to stop feeling defeated by your calendar and start using it as a tool to design a life that actually works for you. And if this episode resonated with you, please share it with a friend! It’s how more women can discover a calmer, more realistic way to manage their time. 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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| 04 Mar 2024 | 44. Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger & Paper Planners, Planning Privilege, and Digital Detox | 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. | |||
| 19 Feb 2024 | 42. Overcoming Burnout with Dr. Shanika Esparaz | 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/ You can also learn more about Shani's coaching here: https://envisionyourwellness. 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. | |||
| 24 Jun 2024 | 59. For Parents: The One-Year Shakeup & the Divvy of Labor | 00:27:06 | |
Without any scientific data to back me up, I believe kids push parents into traditional gender norms (at least in same-sex couples) because of legitimate (though frustrating) biological reasons during that first year with a baby. Because of that, kid (and home) labor gets unevenly distributed to women, and this pattern of the labor division gets established. And then, because of the new crazy pace of life with a kid, the pattern persists beyond the first year and beyond any legitimate rationale for it. Let's talk about this and how we can get intentional around it to at least prevent the pattern from persisting beyond any rationale for it. This is also obviously informed by my own experience. I would love to hear your thoughts – positive or negative – around this. Email me at kelly@kellynolan.com. And please feel free to send this episode to a friend, too! Thank you! Other resources that might be relevant: Time Management Tips for New Moms (Majka) 13 Strategies to Plan Maternity Leave What Do Working Moms Do During The Summer 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. | |||
| 13 Nov 2023 | 29. Outsourcing at Home | 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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| 25 Mar 2024 | 47. Three Email Management Tips | 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. | |||
| 25 Nov 2024 | 77. Logistically overwhelmed by the holidays? Let's talk about it. | 00:20:49 | |
Around now is when the holiday logistics overwhelm can kick in. Let's talk 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. | |||
| 14 Oct 2024 | 71. "How Do I Do Things Faster?" | 00:21:43 | |
During a presentation, someone once asked me a question: "Presentations take me too long to prep for. What do I do about that?" Let's talk about ways to do things faster – and also a more empowered approach to take when it comes to managing your time. | |||