The Seven Kinds of Rest and How to Know Which One You Need (Rerun)
March 5, 2026
True rest requires differentiating between the seven kinds of rest (relax, reset, recharge, break, rest before, during, or after a busy time), as applying the wrong type of rest will leave you unfulfilled.
Simple and Meaningful Ways to Rest
March 2, 2026
Sustainable rest requires simple, meaningful daily choices rather than relying solely on big events like vacations.
How to Get Better at Projects
February 23, 2026
Projects are inherently difficult because they are outside of your ordinary routine and require multiple decisions and tasks, which is why people often struggle to finish them.
The Lazy Genius Makes Soup (Rerun)
February 16, 2026
Soup making success relies on intentionally choosing between three parameters: light vs. heavy, smooth vs. chunky, and mild vs. strong flavor profiles.
How to Get Stuff Done When You Don’t Feel Like It (Rerun)
February 5, 2026
When facing a task you don't want to do, the first rational step is to ask, "Do I have to do this now?" and if the answer is no, immediately follow up with, "If not now, when?"
Office Hours
February 2, 2026
When returning to a habit like planning after a break, the goal should be a slow on-ramp to what is needed *
Chores for Normals: Make 20 Minutes Enough
January 26, 2026
To manage housework effectively, befriend the common obstacles of overwhelm, season of life, distraction, perfectionism, and the illusion of completion, rather than fighting them.
12 Ways to Be a Better Problem Solver, Part 2
January 19, 2026
Becoming a better problem solver in *
12 Ways to Be a Better Problem Solver, Part 1
January 12, 2026
The foundational step to becoming a better problem solver, as discussed in "12 Ways to Be a Better Problem Solver, Part 1" of The Lazy Genius Podcast, is to consistently make the problem as small as possible.
Bonus: A New Year Pep Talk with Gretchen Rubin
January 8, 2026
Perfectionism is driven by anxiety, not necessarily high standards, and managing that anxiety often involves starting tasks early.
Permission to Not Be Great
January 5, 2026
The primary goal in life should be integration (wholeness and connection with all parts of oneself), not the exhausting pursuit of greatness or optimization.
What to Do Before a Winter House Reset
December 29, 2025
Before undertaking a house reset, adopt a mindset of compassion regarding differing needs for calm among household members and focus on what can be done now to ease future seasonal transitions.
Favorite Discoveries of 2025
December 22, 2025
The host, Kendra Adachi, shared 20 favorite discoveries of 2025, ranging from entertainment like the show *
Bonus: How to Approach Holiday Downtime
December 18, 2025
Approaching holiday downtime requires first establishing the specific purpose (rest, play, family time, projects) for that period, which may differ from the busy preparation weeks.
How Wonder Shows Up When You Slow Down
December 15, 2025
Wonder, magic, and memories are not manufactured or planned but arise from slowing down enough to notice the world with curious, intentional, and grateful eyes.
How to Finish Last Minute To-Do Lists (Part 2)
December 8, 2025
The core strategy for finishing last-minute lists is to break the large, overwhelming list into several shorter, more manageable lists assigned to smaller timeframes.
Keeping Up With Chores When Life Is Extra Busy
December 1, 2025
When life is extra busy, the solution to managing chores is not to build new, large systems, but to lean on and nurture existing, established routines, as systems grow rather than being built.
When You’re Maxed Out
November 24, 2025
When feeling maxed out, use the five-step Lazy Genius path: Name the noise, name the problem, name what matters, pick your principle, and plan like a lazy genius.
10 Ways to Simplify a Holiday Gathering
November 17, 2025
To simplify holiday gatherings, focus on using the food itself as table decor and intentionally serving fewer dishes.
Presenting unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver
November 12, 2025
The host of "The Lazy Genius Podcast" is introducing and promoting the new podcast, "unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver," which focuses on bold conversations about women thriving in the second half of life.
What’s Saving My Life
November 10, 2025
The host has stopped the long-standing 'Pasta Mondays' tradition, pivoting it to 'Pasta Wednesdays' to better align dinner choices with family members' current preferences and the weekly schedule's true 'real family dinner night.'
Thoughtful Gift-Giving When Budgets Are Tight
November 3, 2025
Thoughtful gift-giving relies on five core rules: there is no perfect gift, give joyfully, give in your current season, treat it as a project, and never apologize for the gift.
What to Do When Everything Is a Little Annoying
October 27, 2025
Annoyance is best managed by soothing the irritation rather than stimulating it further, similar to treating a mosquito bite.
#440 - How to Make the Rest of 2025 Easier
October 20, 2025
To make the rest of 2025 easier, focus on cultivating connection to the present moment through small joys rather than solely relying on organizational systems or efficiency hacks.
#439 - Chores I Do Every Day, Part 2
October 13, 2025
Household management should be nimble and kind, adjusting routines based on current seasons of life, as demonstrated by the host updating her daily chores routine three and a half years after the original episode.
#438 - Office Hours: Routines
October 6, 2025
A Lazy Genius routine is defined by the desired outcome or feeling, not by adhering strictly to a linear sequence of steps.
#437 - 10 Things I Always Do When I Have People Over
September 29, 2025
Hospitality is defined by being friendly, generous, and welcoming, and the host's personal expression of it should be guided by five core values: warm, relaxed, confident, thoughtful, and safe.
#436 - How to Pivot Gracefully: A Guide for the Sick, Tired, and Overwhelmed
September 22, 2025
Graceful pivots are often small, incremental adjustments that help you stay grounded, rather than dramatic, sudden changes.
Introducing Simpsons Declassified with Nancy Cartwright
September 19, 2025
IXL Learning offers an adaptive online platform for K-12 students covering core subjects, designed to improve understanding and test scores, with a special offer for Lazy Genius listeners.
#435 - Your Five-Step Guide to a Joyful Busy Season
September 15, 2025
To navigate busy seasons joyfully, prioritize slowing down, creating space for essential activities, simplifying regular tasks, triaging extra commitments, and consciously prioritizing personal well-being.