

Before Breakfast
iHeartPodcasts
In each bite-sized, daily episode of Before Breakfast, host Laura Vanderkam shares a time management strategy or an answer to a listener’s schedule question. How can listeners make the most of their time, both at work and at home? The mission is to give listeners practical tools to feel less busy and get more done.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 31, 2026 • 5min
Second Cup: A video is worth 1000 words
Short videos show problems clearly for repair techs and capture intermittent faults with precise timing. Experts can record questions and demos so others share issues accurately. How-to clips help beginners and future-you by preserving rare tasks. Visuals often replace long explanations for tricky tasks.

12 snips
Jan 30, 2026 • 5min
Find gentle accountability
Light accountability makes big goals feel doable and less lonely. Examples include a yearlong time-tracking challenge and NaNoWriMo-style prompts. Simple partner systems with weekly check-ins and small group monthly Zooms keep momentum. Joining existing challenges or short classes leverages built-in support and nudges people back on track.

7 snips
Jan 29, 2026 • 5min
Do what you've always wanted to do
A pep talk about finally doing small adventures you keep putting off. Stories about visiting a long-delayed miniatures show and why proximity still feels like procrastination. Tips for distinguishing big goals from doable wants and planning one big and one little outing each week. A prompt to make a ten-item 'always wanted' list and start crossing items off.

Jan 28, 2026 • 25min
Achieving excellence, with Brad Stulberg
Brad Stulberg, performance coach, author, and professor focused on human flourishing, shares practical strategies for pursuing excellence. He discusses quitting versus grit, pairing big goals with process-minded daily work, and routines for better focus and recovery. He also covers scheduling by chronotype, digital sabbaths, and simple morning rituals.

7 snips
Jan 27, 2026 • 5min
When your world feels small
The conversation explores why life can feel small during parenting, remote work, winter or pandemics. It outlines simple habits to broaden your world, like finding third places and joining recurring activity groups. Short day trips, cultural outings, and reconnecting by text or email are offered as ways to refresh perspective. The closing message encourages choosing a larger, more connected life.

5 snips
Jan 26, 2026 • 5min
Your remembering self will thank you
A look at why your future remembering self benefits when you push beyond comfort zones. A family trip to the Galapagos illustrates memorable tradeoffs. Tips for picturing future reflections to decide whether to take small risks. A short case for how memorable moments can make time feel richer.

9 snips
Jan 25, 2026 • 5min
Second Cup: Make a little extra on Sundays
A simple plan: cook a bit extra on Sunday to shorten weekday meal prep. Tips for stretching grilled proteins into fajitas and sauced dishes. Double soups for easy lunches and extra dinners. Batch grains and quick sides to assemble fast meals. Advice on keeping weekend cooking small so you still get time to rest.

5 snips
Jan 24, 2026 • 6min
Second Cup: Go with the closer one
A short case for choosing nearer options to save time and reduce friction. Examples include picking a closer grocery over a cheaper one and preferring nearby activities unless the commute is clearly worth it. Discussion of how small travel differences add up and how living closer can free up hours. Notes on how proximity changes behavior and keeps local conveniences usable.

15 snips
Jan 23, 2026 • 5min
List low energy intentions
Explore the value of planning low-energy leisure activities to combat evening fatigue and avoid mindless scrolling. Discover simple yet rewarding activities like slow walks, light baking, and gentle yoga that can elevate your mood. Consider engaging with easy reads or audiobooks for satisfying downtime. Learn how to create a list of low-energy intentions to help guide your evenings and find joy in non-screen activities like stargazing or enjoying nature. Small actions can lead to greater happiness with minimal effort!

31 snips
Jan 22, 2026 • 5min
Are your routines routine?
Explore how your routines might not be as routine as you think! Discover the truth through time tracking, revealing gaps in what you claim to do. Challenge common myths about routines and find out why certain habits fail. Simplifying ambitions into achievable tasks, like writing a paragraph daily, can lead to more sustainable changes. Ultimately, it's about adjusting your narrative and making rational choices about your daily habits.


