The Lazy Genius Podcast

I could talk about meals my entire life and never run out of things to say. There are so many decisions, and things like seasons, budgets, and dietary restrictions impact those decisions. It just never ends. You’ll be feeding yourself and maybe others forever. So today, I’m sharing twelve ways to easily feed your people. They work in any season for any family grouping - single to many - and for any cooking level. These are the most dependable meal tools out there, and I’m pumped we’re going to have a whole episode of them. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #97: One Simple Step That Changes Meal Planning Forever Fearless Chicken Tikka Masala recipe Erin Moon’s episode of The Lazy Genius Kitchen video series (making regular dinners on a regular basis) Watch the whole series here The New York Times Food app The Cook’s Book by Bri McKoy Cookish by Milk Street and Christopher Kimball I Dream of Dinner by Ali Slagle (I talked to Ali on the podcast a few years ago, by the way!) Sweet Enough by Alison Roman Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today is a bonus episode where we’re resurrecting an old episode that feels like a good thing to listen to right now. The Seven Kinds of Rest and How to Know Which One You Need is one of those episodes we didn’t expect to become a classic, but it kind of has. It helps differentiate different kinds of rest and what you might actually need. It’s why when people, even people like me, tell you to take a nap and it doesn’t help, it might be because you’re looking for a different kind of rest than what napping offers. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #458: Simple and Meaningful Ways to Rest Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life is full of projects. Some are fun, like my album project of 2026, and some are less fun, like cleaning out a garage. But we all have them, will continue to have them, and you can probably think of one that needs doing right now. It’s nice to have some tools to lean on that help you get better at projects, to start projects you’ll finish, and finish projects that matter to you. So today I’ll share ten ways to get better at projects. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. The Project Playbook Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Well, friends, my voice has officially left the building. She’s been gone for a week now, and despite my best efforts (and an unreasonable amount of tea), she has not returned. So today, we’re doing something a little different. A very special guest is introducing the show, and because she so generously stepped in, I let her choose her favorite episode for us to revisit! So break out your ladles as we head back in time to March 2018, when we first talked about making soup on the show. I can’t wait to be back next week with a brand new episode. Thanks for understanding, y’all! Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Listen to The Office Ladies Podcast (Thank you, Jenna!) How to Tell If a Recipe Is Any Good Aromatics Infograph from Cooksmarts The Lazy Genius Loses Weight Watch me make soup. Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We do these episodes once a quarter where I share the things - big, small, and varied - that are saving my life right now. It’s a beloved practice, one we’ve been doing for a long time together. Barbara Brown Taylor was the person originally credited for this phrase, and many of us on the Internet really love the simplicity and breadth it offers. So today I’m going to share my list. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. In the month of February, 10% of our revenue from Playbook sales will go to World Central Kitchen! Episode #160: Wear Makeup Like a Lazy Genius Elta MD Tinted Sunscreen Merit Beauty Foundation Stick RMS Powdered Bronzer RMS Powdered Luminizer Glossier Cloud Paint in Burst Kosas Eyebrow Pencil Bobbi Brown Longwear Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow Stick in Nude Beach Bobbi Brown Longwear Cream Waterproof Eyeliner Stick in Panther Merit Beauty Clean Lash Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today we’re running an old episode that I think you’ll appreciate hearing now. It’s Episode 238: How to Get Stuff Done When You Don’t Feel Like It. This happens every day, and I hope these tools help you get your stuff done a little more easily. At the end of the episode, I’ll share a short list of personal reminders that help me get stuff done when I don’t feel like it, too. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #91: The Lazy Genius Organizes Paper Episode #403: How I Get Stuff Done When I Don’t Feel Like It Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m always so excited when this episode comes around. Either through voice memo, email, or Instagram, you guys share the challenges of your everyday lives, and we try and Lazy Genius them together, finding compassionate solutions that match the season of life. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. In the month of February, 10% of our revenue from Playbook sales will go to World Central Kitchen! The Instagram post where we collected today’s Office Hours questions. Episode #235: When You Disagree on What Matters Episode #325: Dealing with Differences on How Something Is Done Episode #337: How to Lazy Genius Division of Labor Episode #298: How to Keep Up with Household Habits Episode Three of The Lazy Genius Kitchen video series (making regular dinners on a regular basis) Watch the whole series here Episode #333: 7 Ways to Always Know What to Wear Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler (out April 7) House Rules by Myquillyn Smith (aka The Nester) Episode #332: How to Enjoy Your Evening Hours The Next Right Thing podcast by Emily P. Freeman Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When it comes to normals like us, people are just trying to live our lives with kindness and contentment, we don’t need to get all up in a twist about housecleaning. Let’s be wise about our homes, what matters in them, and find a way to make twenty minutes enough. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Podcast Playlists on my Spotify profile Episode #21: The Lazy Genius Does Laundry Episode #113: The Lazy Genius Does Laundry Updated! Episode #427: When You’re Overwhelmed by the World Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Life has many probelms and learning to navigate them with kindness while practically solving them is such a valuable skill to learn. It’s kind of the whole vibe of what we do here. We’re learning to be better problem solvers in all kinds of situations, and these 12 tools are essential to solving problems like a Lazy Genius. Last week, we covered the first five ways, so if you didn’t catch that episode yet, give it a listen before this one. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #452: How to Be a Better Problem Solver, Part 1 My Absolute Favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe “I Want Them Now” Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it or record your idea and share your voice on the show. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Problems are everywhere. Shoes never get put away, you’re always out of spoons, your brakes are squeaking but you don’t know if it’s bad enough to matter, you miss your friend who lives four states away and feel like you don’t know how to connect anymore. This episode and next week’s are about those kinds of problems and how to solve them. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Bonus: A New Year Pep Talk with Gretchen Rubin Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

January often arrives with a mix of motivation and overwhelm—fresh starts, lofty goals, and the pressure to do things differently. To explore this complicated season, I’m joined by Gretchen Rubin, bestselling author and leading voice on habits, happiness, and human nature. Our conversation is a thoughtful look at how to approach the new year with intention, from embracing clean slates to making space for what matters most. If you're feeling the weight of January expectations, this episode offers both insight and encouragement. Helpful Companion Links Find Gretchen on Instagram and on her podcast, Happier with Gretchen Rubin. Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I’m all for setting goals, trying new things, and tracking what matters. Those are all good and worthy pursuits. But today, I want to offer you a little practical permission to not be great. I’ll even go first and share a few things I’m intentionally choosing to not be great at in this next season of life. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter or if you just want to see what I’ve been reading lately, sign up for The Book List. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I can feel it. This is the week. Or at least the week is coming where you look at the holiday decorations and extra presents and general detritus from the busy fall and get an organizational fire in your eyes. Big black trash bags are coming out. That energy is totally fine, but today, let’s talk about what to do before all that happens. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a roundup of all my favorite things I’ve discovered and loved this year only. It’s a really fun list. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Find our digital products here (which are going into the sunset at the end of the year!) The Diplomat (streaming on Netflix) Albanese Gummi Bears B-word Sauce Merit Beauty Mane Ready or Knot Hairbrush Cozy Earth sheets (use code LGPOD for 40% off as of the recording of this episode) Good Hang with Amy Poehler Columbia Heavenly Long Puffer Tiny Teaspoons Winproper Fruit Colander Caroline Garvin on YouTube Quince Sling Bag Dreamegg portable white noise machine R+Co Essential Calendar Inkwell Threads Enderly Coffee Company Walker Goods Tiny and Snail Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are releasing an extra episode for you as you enjoy your winter holidays. This is an episode from a while back that I think will be a great addition to your podcast listening queue in this quieter week. It's episode 345: How to Approach Holiday Downtime. This is the time when we move from the scurry of holiday preparations and schedules to just like suddenly being home with little to no agenda, and that can be kind of hard. So this bonus episode might be just for you. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #320: How to Feel Good About Free Time Episode #258: The Seven Kinds of Rest and How to Know Which One You’ll Need Episode #212: A Guide to Summer House Rules Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s easy to stay in prep mode after being in it for so long. But today, I want us to remember that the wonder of any season, Christmas or otherwise, often shows up when we slow down. We’ll talk about what it looks like to have eyes of wonder, and then I’ll share some practices to help you notice the sparkle and wonder of the next couple of weeks and then some other practices to help you cultivate that practice of noticing all year long. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Find me (and our episode playlists) on Spotify. One Line a Day Journal One Second Everyday app Yearbook Playbook Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

If you start to go wide-eyed when you look at your to-do list and have a low-key sense of dread that it’ll all get done in time, this episode is for you. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #395: How to Finish Last-Minute Lists The Best Holiday Music Library Ever Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Regular life doesn’t stop just because it’s December. When life is busy, the ordinary things tend to get the shaft because we’re trying to tend to all the unusual, urgent things instead. But those ordinary tasks are in many ways the backbone of staying a little calmer in a busy season. Let’s talk about what that looks like and what not to do with your chores and routines in a busy season. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Find our digital products here (which are going into the sunset at the end of the year!) Episode #439: Chores I Do Every Day, Part 2 Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter or if you’re just looking for book reviews, sign up to receive The Book List. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s that time of year again, when we’re all feeling a bit like, “When it rains, it pours.” Most of the rain is really quite lovely, but this season, at least at our house, sometimes feels like so much. I have not been this close to full on maxed out in a long time, and I am feeling it. Today, I want to share a simple Lazy Genius path to naming what’s maxing you out and tending to it well so that you can enjoy this season. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Check out our newest versions of The Playbooks! Episode #443: What’s Saving My Life The Best Granola Ever Recipe Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I think we could all use some help when it comes to holiday gatherings or just larger family gatherings in general. Uncommon situations often produce the unexpected, so let’s talk through some tools that simplify what might already be complicated enough. I have ten super simple ideas to simplify your gathering, and even if you try one, I think it’ll make your life a little bit easier. Helpful Companion Links Order my book The PLAN or ask your library to consider carrying a copy. Episode #133: Ten Helpful Thanksgiving Strategies The Only Thanksgiving Turkey Recipe You'll Ever Need Underrated Overrated Game Cards Episode #437: Ten Things I Always Do When I Have People Over Codenames Hues and Cues Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza Bananagrams Just One Sign up for our every-other-week podcast recap email called Latest Lazy Listens. Sign up for my once-a-month newsletter, The Latest Lazy Letter. Grab a copy of my book The Lazy Genius Kitchen or The Lazy Genius Way! (Affiliate links) Download a transcript of this episode. Want to share your Lazy Genius of the Week idea with us? Use this form to tell us about it. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices