Learn and Work Smarter

Is it okay to work on weekends? And what’s going on when you sit down to work during the week but just… can’t? 

In this Q&A episode, I’m answering two listener-submitted questions that get at the heart of time, focus, and burnout.

We’ll talk about when weekend work can actually serve you, and when it’s just masking deeper problems. I’ll also walk you through the most common reasons people lose weekday focus (hint: it’s not lazine...

If you’re overwhelmed, distracted, or constantly wondering where your day went, time-blocking can help. 

And if you've tried time blocking before and thought it “didn’t work”, I invite you to try it again using the strategies I teach in this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast.

Listen in as I break down how to use time-blocking to improve focus and productivity without cramming more into your schedule. Whether you&apos...

Most of us have a digital calendar… but few of us are using it to its full potential. 

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I’m walking you through 10 practical ways to turn your digital calendar into a true productivity tool.

Part 1 covers 6 calendar power moves. These are simple but game-changing ways to make your calendar work for you instead of against you.

Part 2 is all about building a reliable calendar habit s...

What if your college education could cost just $1,500? Seem too good to be true?

In this expert interview episode, I chat with Dave Peterson of Scholarship GPS about how he helped his own son do exactly that. Now, he now helps other families across the country find and win scholarships to pay for school without student loans.

What You’ll Learn:

✅The actual best time to start applying for scholarships

✅Common myths that stop students fr...

Should you change jobs or change companies? And how do you protect your time at work without feeling guilty? In this Q&A episode, I answer two powerful questions submitted by listeners. 

The first question dives into a major career decision: whether to change jobs within your current company or look for new opportunities elsewhere. I share practical steps for making this decision, including how to assess your skills, talk to you...

Want to get better at something, but not sure how? Do you read more about it? Practice more? Ask someone for help? Close your eyes and wing it?

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share a two-pronged strategy for improving at anything, whether it’s a skill for school, a work task, or a personal goal.

You’ll learn why most people only use one side of the strategy (and stay stuck), and how you can use both sides to...

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, we tackle one of the biggest energy drains no one talks about: unfinished projects.

You’ll learn how to get clarity on your half-done tasks, make intentional decisions about what to finish (and what to release without guilt), and reignite your momentum for what matters most.

Whether you’re a working professional with unfinished work projects, or a student with unfinished academic...

Why do you still forget tasks even though you write everything down? And how are you supposed to keep up with grad school reading when there’s more than you could ever finish — and you’re already behind?

In this Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions that hit close to home for so many of us. 

The first question comes from a professional who says his system feels “full of holes” — he’s writing things down but still missing t...

What makes someone a strong leader? How do you manage people without micromanaging? And how do systems help you lead with clarity and calm?

In this expert interview, I talk with Richard Regitano, Managing Director of Engineering and Operations, about the real-world habits and mindsets that support effective leadership. We talk about emotional intelligence, team trust, recurring one-on-ones, and why every leader should know...

Ever feel like you're smart and trying—but still constantly behind?

You might be missing the one set of skills that makes everything else possible: executive function.

In this episode, I break down the 10 executive function skills you actually need in the real world—skills like starting tasks, managing your time, organizing your space, regulating emotions, and following through on long-term goals.

These aren’t just school skills....

Ever feel like your calendar should be manageable—but you’re still totally maxed out? In this episode, I unpack one of the most frustrating time traps we all fall into: the invisible overhead that comes with saying yes.

I’m not talking about classic time management tricks today. Instead, I’m digging into why your schedule feels heavier than it looks, and how all the “invisible” tasks—like prep, logistics, and mental energy—add up fa...

What does it really mean to “think critically”? In this episode, I chat with college professor Mark Massaro about how students can build critical thinking skills through reading and writing—and why these skills matter way beyond the classroom. 

We talk about everything from resume writing and job interviews to recognizing bias and reading the room in high-stakes situations. If you’ve ever wondered how analyzing a short story could h...

Do you ever find yourself wasting time at work or between college classes, even though you want to be productive? Despite your best intentions, you’re just NOT getting done what needs to get done?

In this Q&A episode, I answer two listener questions — one from a remote marketing professional and one from a college sophomore — about how to actually get work done instead of spinning their wheels.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why an admin ...

We all know that feeling — Monday morning hits, and suddenly we’re overwhelmed, scrambling to figure out what’s due, what meetings we have, and where the weekend even went. But what if we could prevent that Sunday night dread with a simple reset routine?

In this episode, I walk through five core elements of a solid Sunday Reset — plus ten optional add-ons—to help us start the week with clarity and confidence. 

A Sunday Reset doesn’t ...

We all know that feeling: you sit down to start something challenging, and suddenly, everything else feels more appealing. Your phone, a snack, even cleaning out your sock drawer. Anything to avoid the hard thing in front of you.

But here’s the truth: being able to do hard things is one of the most valuable skills you can develop.

In this episode, I’m sharing seven practical strategies to help you move forward when something feels im...

You know how satisfying it is to have a good, solid productive day — a day where we accomplish what we set out to accomplish and make progress on our goals. 

We feel balanced, rested and like it was a day well spent.

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share my personal strategy for having a productive day. I’ve been using this method for years (can I call it a method? I’m going to) and I figured if sharing it on...

In this episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I tackle two questions submitted by listeners – both about email overwhelm and procrastination. If your inbox feels like a chaotic mess or you find yourself avoiding certain emails, you're not alone!

📩 Question 1: Where do I start when my entire email inbox is a mess? The unread emails are out of control and I'm tempted to delete everything and start fresh.

📩 Question...

Preparing for meetings isn't just about avoiding embarrassment. (Although it's certainly about that too!) 

Preparing adequately for meetings not only makes it easier to do our job, but doing so also gives the impression that we take our jobs seriously.

Plus, being unprepared is unprofessional -- and that's not a look we're going for, is it?

In this week's episode of the Learn and Work Smarter podcast, I share ...

Workplace conflict is inevitable. That's because relationships with our colleagues are just like any relationship: they require communication, compromise and compassion.

In this interview with international HR expert Jessica Alvarez (think JetBlue and HubSpot!), we have a strategy-packed conversation about how to handle workplace conflict productively and effectively -- while using it as an opportunity for growth.

New profession...