

Organize 365 Podcast
Lisa Woodruff
Lisa Woodruff is a home organization expert, productivity specialist, and author of multiple books including The Paper Solution.
Lisa's research-based teaching shines a light on the invisible work being done at home and in the workplace. Lisa's sensible and doable organizing tasks appeal to multiple generations. Her candor and relatable style make you feel she is right there beside you, helping you get organized as you laugh and cry together.
Lisa believes organization is not a skill you are born with. It is a skill that is developed over time and changes with each season of life. Lisa has helped thousands of women reclaim their homes and finally get organized with her practical tips, encouragement, and humor through her blog and podcast at Organize365.com.
Lisa's research-based teaching shines a light on the invisible work being done at home and in the workplace. Lisa's sensible and doable organizing tasks appeal to multiple generations. Her candor and relatable style make you feel she is right there beside you, helping you get organized as you laugh and cry together.
Lisa believes organization is not a skill you are born with. It is a skill that is developed over time and changes with each season of life. Lisa has helped thousands of women reclaim their homes and finally get organized with her practical tips, encouragement, and humor through her blog and podcast at Organize365.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 12, 2025 • 47min
653 - Advocating For Your Own Medical Needs
Sarah Hart Unger, a pediatric endocrinologist and co-host of the Best of Both Worlds podcast, shares her surprising journey from marathon runner to facing a medical emergency. During a race, she experienced a life-threatening condition, Arrhythmic Cardio Myopathy, which transformed her understanding of health and fitness. Unger discusses the importance of advocacy within the healthcare system, maintaining personal medical records, and the invaluable support from her family during her hospital stay. Her experience highlights the need for preparedness and effective communication in medical crises.

May 9, 2025 • 43min
652 - Organizing Your Role as a Power of Health Care
Listeners share empowering stories of transformation through organizational strategies, including hurricane preparation. The discussion delves into the invisible load of caregiving, highlighting emotional and practical challenges, particularly for women. Key strategies for managing health information include maintaining a crucial medical binder. The complexities of caregiving in a multi-family context are explored, along with the role of AI in simplifying medical details. Lastly, effective communication and caregiver well-being are emphasized to enhance support for both patients and families.

May 7, 2025 • 58min
Transformation with Amy L
Amy L., a busy mom with a love for chickens and a knack for organization, shares her transformative journey amidst chaos. From navigating family challenges, including her father's health issues, to managing her son's autism and daughter's learning differences, Amy found solace in the Sunday Basket concept. She candidly discusses the trials of remodeling her home and the emotional toll of caregiving. Through humor and resilience, Amy emphasizes the importance of organization and seeking community support while adapting to life's unexpected changes.

May 2, 2025 • 1h 4min
651 - Productive Disaster Preparation and Relief
Prepare for the unexpected with a Go Bag filled with essentials for any emergency. Discover the value of building a packed suitcase to ease the chaos of sudden departures. Explore the shift towards flexibility in disaster readiness, moving beyond traditional checklists. Learn about proactive strategies and the importance of community support in times of crisis. This conversation is not just about survival but about investing in self-sufficiency and being part of the solution when disaster strikes.

Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 34min
650 - Productive Solutions For Easing Teacher Overwhelm
Teachers face significant overwhelm, especially post-pandemic, as they navigate high workloads and communication challenges. The discussion offers practical strategies for reducing administrative burdens and enhancing organization. A supportive community is key, with peer collaboration and events like Teacher Camp fostering connection. Emphasis is placed on personalized organizational systems, self-care, and establishing boundaries to prevent burnout. The importance of open communication with administrators and adapting planning styles to individual needs are also highlighted.

Apr 25, 2025 • 53min
649 - Planning to Care For Abby & Grayson After Abby's Back Surgery
Well the time is here! Abby is finally getting a back surgery we knew would need to be done despite all the cortisone shots and physical therapy. I don't share this so you can plan when your next family member needs you for a surgery. I'm sharing all my planning thoughts and iterations because where else do we hear this stuff? How do you learn how others plan? This is for any event you have coming up that requires a lot of shifting and planning. I'm going into a time where there will be a plan and I can not just "not feel like it." I have to do what is on the plan in order to have success. Operation "Take Care of Grayson" What does this mean for me? Full time primary care giver to Grayson. Honestly, I'm using the lens that this is a unique opportunity to spend these months with Grayson and support Abby. The first thing I knew I needed was to think about how I was going to entertain this active big 4 year old. I have a routine I am going to try out based on tiny details of care that Grayson needs and what he's used to. And I've thought about a lil lunch box I can pack for on the go, what all needs to be in my purse at all times for Grayson, and a backpack in the back of the car with things we may need when we are out. The routine is in small chunks of time that I can start to give back to Abby as she recovers. Next Layer: The Family When going into a time of new demands on your time and capacity, you need to look at it in reverse order to figure out how to still meet as many personal and family obligations as possible. So next my brain went to the rest of my family. How will I care for Greg, Joey, and help Abby through recovery. Greg has this trip to the Keys planned to take with Joey and his dad. It's important and I encouraged them to still take it. It's during the first week after Abby's surgery. I'm asking Greg to take on a few tasks to make sure we all get fed and Grayson gets to and from Daycare. I've been reading up on this surgery and the recovery process. I have tried to consider the physical things Abby may need to aid her in her recovery. But I have also been considering the emotional toll this may have on her. Might be tough watching me play mom to her child for a while. I will do my best to include Abby to keep her spirits up. And the physical therapy! Likely I will have those scheduled before the surgery takes place. I'm sneaking in an adult field trip before surgery to fill my cup and one after Abby's surgery to give me something to look forward to. I also looked at work and rearranged the things I need to be in person at, to the mornings, when I will be in the office. I've decided to work from home for the first week. And Saturday showed itself as a day I can take advantage of being in the office because Greg can be home with Abby and Grayson on Saturdays. I will be working on my dissertation starting now because I have time and then Saturdays. Please cross your fingers all the research I'm going to do in advance about Prospective Memory will be worth it because I have not got the green like on this yet. But it's a risk, for times sake, that I have to take. How Will My Planning Day Workbook Look This Time? So after taking 32 minutes to tell you all about my planning, I opened the Planning Day workbook. I walked through the workbook and shared, off the cuff, my thoughts about how I will plan according to each page. Ha! I was actually caught off guard on a couple of upcoming things like birthdays and our anniversary. Yeah, Abby needs an oil change and I checked but my car is good for a while. These are the things you should be thinking about going into something this big, what can I get done now to make this upcoming busy time more smooth? I am trying to think of everything. I will continue to mull over my calendar and rearrange things as necessary. This is a ridiculous amount of planning that my future self will thank me for doing. This is the kind of detailed planning we do in Planning Day! EPISODE RESOURCES: The Sunday Basket® Planning Day Sign Up for the Organize 365® Newsletter Did you enjoy this episode? Please leave a rating and review in your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend and be sure to tag Organize 365® when you share on social media!

Apr 23, 2025 • 49min
Transformation with Heather S.
Heather S., a mental health counselor and mother of five, shares her transformative journey through organization and self-care. She discusses the emotional challenges of caregiving and how the Sunday Basket® helped her manage a busy household. Heather emphasizes the importance of self-care in organization, tackling grief, and mindful living. She also reveals creative strategies for holiday preparations and how decluttering can empower families, all while navigating life's ups and downs with resilience and a sense of humor.

Apr 18, 2025 • 42min
648 - Planning for the next 120 Days
Dive into the art of planning in 120-day chunks, inspired by the rhythms of nature and life events. Discover how seasonal energy can boost productivity and reshape personal organization. Explore the balance between academic ambitions and family commitments, and learn intentional strategies for managing time effectively. Hear personal stories about navigating the challenges of pursuing a PhD while keeping family life vibrant and fulfilling.

7 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 47min
647 - Productivity Comes from Habits & Routines
Dive into the fascinating world of habits and routines, discovering how they shape our daily lives. Learn the importance of strategic planning to establish productive habits that align with personal goals. Explore the influence of environment on behaviors, and how simple changes can lead to better choices. Hear personal anecdotes about childhood planning experiences and their impact on productivity today. Balance work and family life while embracing leisure, utilizing tools like self-tracking technologies to enhance well-being and enjoyment.

Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 8min
646 - The Impacts of Tariffs on Organize 365®
Explore the current economic landscape, reflecting on how uncertainties mirror past crises like COVID-19. Discover the diverse responses to these challenges, from those overly cautious to proactive decision-makers. Delve into job security and the stock market's unpredictability, all while navigating the complexities of tariffs and supply chain issues in small businesses. Learn about the impact of sourcing challenges on product quality, and gain insights on effective household management strategies during turbulent times.


