The Life Administration Podcast: Recent Episodes
Ryan Taillon
Banishing organizational chaos one topic at a time. Join Leslie Loftis and Ryan Taillon for fun uplifting conversations about how to control your time and free up your life. It's #adulting101.
Want more from the Life Administration Team? Check out the links below. Thank you for the support!
Discord - https://discord.gg/uVCsRhaCfy
Website - https://www.lifeadministration.com/
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Twitter - @leslieloftistx and @ryantaillon
Email - Mailbag@lifeadministration.com
Podcasts:
Apple Podcast - http://bit.ly/lifeadminpod
Spotify - http://bit.ly/lifeadminspot
Google Podcast - http://bit.ly/lifeadminpodgoogle
Out of nowhere, Ryan is faced with an unexpected housing crisis. And we had the feeling that he's in not the only one. Today we talk about the current real estate market and how you might navigate it.
In a quick session, Leslie and Ryan discuss why its better to meet new people in person instead of an app. Also, we discuss how perceived risk plays a part in dating.
If you have wanted to run a meeting more effectively, this is the episode for you. Roberts Rules of Order will help you achieve all of the items on your agenda without taking forever.
Today we discuss how bullet journals can actually be a hindrance to accomplishing your long term goals. We'll breaking down what you can do instead and share others experiences.
Plan your day, wake up early, work on your biggest priority before anything else, add more structure to your day control what you can, cope with what you can't and concentrate on what counts
Today we start a new series call "Mindset". Kicking things off will be embracing gratitude. Gratitude is a game changer. It will not only change where you end up in life but also how you get there.
Life shouldn't be lonely. We are meant to be together and thrive! Today we talk about what happened to the village and how we can rebuild it.
Effective delegation is a neglected skill. Circular trap. When it doesn’t quickly work, we often think it is easier to do things ourselves, which makes effective delegation more elusive.
Having now seen school from almost every angle and gotten perspective from the pandemic, we have many thoughts on what we would do differently if we had the chance.
Mentors are good for everyone. It’s the finding that’s hard. Today we talk about how to get a mentor and how to develop the relationship.
Moving around or traveling with kids is both easier and harder than one hears. Easier because you don’t need that much stuff. Harder because the stuff you need, you really do need.
Its the term for the adults still caring for children at home when their own parents care needs rise. It can be complicated, messy and a little uncomfortable. We are here to help navigate.
Official documents are royal pains. The timing on getting these important documents will be critical for most. Planning and preparation is the way.
They grow up so fast! Your newborn is a toddler before you know it. Leslie and Ryan discuss how to set up your toddler for success in life.
Having a newborn come into the world can be a little scary. Leslie and Ryan breakdown myths and speak from personal experience. With some funny stories along the way.
Being a parent is one of the toughest life admin tasks that there is. Not a parent? Don't worry this episode has plenty of info aimed at you too.
The end of the pandemic is in sight. Its time to start considering what the new normal is going to look like. Leslie and Ryan give some time saving tips.
Discord - https://discord.gg/uVCsRhaCfy
Things are changing! We want to get to know you. Leslie and Ryan provide some detail about the show going forward.
Disaster Strikes! Keep cool and claim on. Leslie and Ryan talk through what to do before, during and after you file an insurance claim.
Moving into your own place for the first time is an unbelieving feeling. However there're something things that you should know before moving in. Leslie and Ryan break it down.
Gardening is so much more than just plants! It can be an escape from this crazy world we live in. Leslie and Ryan go through tips and tricks to bring out the green thumb in you.
We've talked about three motion storage to death, but what about the items after that. Storage units, Garages and Attic Spaces. Today we talk about what goes in storage and how to use them.
If we are being honest it's harder than ever to build a sense of community in present times. Leslie and Ryan go over things we can do right now and why its so important.
Where has all the time gone? Do you feel like all of the days are blending together. Your calendar most likely hasn't changed with our current living climate.
Time to shake things up!
What happens when all of your planning goes sideways. Leslie and Ryan give you the steps to get you back on your feet.
If its being a good host or a good guest, Leslie and Ryan have got you covered. Let's throw a fantastic party together!
In the crazy year that has been 2020, Leslie and Ryan discuss everything it takes to ensure that your holiday plans go off with out a hitch.
Ryan and Leslie discuss the planning and execution of home improvement projects from the simple projects like new decks to complicated kitchen or bath redos.
Home Maintenance is the name of the game today. This could be considered a financial episode as well as DYI. We talk about the things that fall through the cracks if they aren't maintained — and that costs more money in the long run. It's filters, appliances, and various other things that can easily be out of sight, out of mind.
Going to the doctor may seem very simple, but we can assure you that it's not. Today Leslie and Ryan talk about making appointments, going to a new doctor for the first time, and paying the bill afterwards.
Leslie and Ryan talk about how you should go about using banks, including types of accounts, like checking, savings, and mutual funds. Is is not a simple as it may seem and building relationships is important.
Leslie and Ryan walk through subscription services, from magazines to bulk goods. Are they worth it? Do they actually save you money? The answer may surprise you.
Leslie and Ryan break down the jigsaw puzzle that is student loans. We talk about the different types of student loans, your mindset when approaching loans, and ways to save money on the front end. This is a must listen for anyone thinking about college or applying for student loans.
Leslie and Ryan talk about how to vote, from getting registered to vote to actually voting. Different states have different requirements so be sure to check your state. We also debunk some misconceptions about how often you actually can vote (more than you think) and which votes effect your life more.
Moving is one of life's big stressors. While there is no cure for the stress, there are best practices that can help. This is the second part of the episode because we couldn't quite get to all we wanted to in the first part.
Moving is one of life's big stressors. While there is no cure for the stress, there are best practices that can help.
Guest Cynthia Wyche joins the podcast to talk about sewing skills that make life easier (think hems, straight edges, and zippers and buttons). Cynthia also covers the essential items for a sewing kit and quick fixes.
Preparing to cook is part of cooking. With a little practice and a good recipe, cooking prep can become second nature. Plus, we tell you things that cooking shows don't.
Bonus: A rant about food blogs
Leslie and Ryan turn back the clock a year and update the "Intro the Life Administration" episode. We discuss key terms that you will need to know and equip you with everything you'll need to start the life admin journey.
Leslie and Ryan talk today about all different kinds of credit cards and offer up advice from the past to help all of us navigate the murky waters that is credit card debt.
Mortgage companies have never been busier as people are snapping up homes outside of urban areas. So Ryan and Leslie talk mortgages, the loans people take out when buying a home. They don't work like other loans, and since they are usually the biggest debt people carry, applying for a mortgage is more involved than other loans.
Whether they are driven by urban fatigue and want to get out of the city or would like to buy with really low interest rates, people are looking to purchase homes. We go over the home buying process, from offer and acceptance to option periods to title insurance. (There was so much to cover that the episode became a two-parter. All about mortgages will follow.)
More retro summer. With airline travel limited, people are road tripping. Leslie is freshly back from a road trip, and both Ryan and Leslie did them as kids (and young adults, actually). We talk about how to effectively prepare for a road trip. It sounds simple, but there is more to consider than at it seems to ensure a great experience for everyone. Plus, we take a fun trip down memory lane.
Leslie and Ryan break down arts and crafts from to totally different perspectives, music and hands on craft. They talk about learning a skill, the benefits that come from learning these skills, and the lasting effects on your family. (Really.)
Email isn't going away anytime soon, even if we prefer text, it is still the go to coms method for work and many personal situations. Ryan and Leslie discuss how to use email, what to do when you need to start from scratch, and about the coveted "zero inbox".
With a lot options off the table for summer activities, there's an opportunity for a Retro Summer. Leslie and Ryan talk about how to plan (or not plan) for the summer of 2020.
Jim is back for today's episode! Jim breaks down all of the different aspects of conflict resolution. He shares his wisdom from years of dealing with different types of negotiations in the workplace and at home.
We welcome Jim, Leslie's husband, to the podcast to discuss communications in professional settings. This is a must listen for anyone who is in the professional space or aspiring to be there. Setting the right tone is key. Bonus: Tips on Video Calls for the Professional
Leslie and Ryan invite a friend with experience, Eileen Hairel, into the studio to talk about how to prepare for a disaster that is not a pandemic. Floods. Fires. Storms. We cover basic steps and people that you will deal with, as well as the best way to help those in need.
Leslie and Ryan discuss the positive things that have come out during the pandemic and how we can go about keeping those positive things after the lockdowns and distancing are over.
What are the habits you should have when it comes to keeping your bathrooms clean? Ryan and Leslie discuss with some fun facts and some mandatory bathroom comedy. Germs are hiding everywhere!
Ryan and Leslie talk about the types of questions that you will face in your interview and provide a formula to answer with confidence and integrity. We discuss other interview strategies and what to do after it's over.
In the monotony of lockdown, it's been easy to get complacent. Ryan and Leslie answer a question about what we are doing v.s. what we should actually be doing, and how to tell the difference.
Ryan and Leslie talk about all of the things that go into the typical job interview. How to do the research, prep for the group interviews, and get the mindset before you ever answer a single question.
Leslie walks us through how to keep our pantries ingredients fresh! And how to swap things in and out. Never buy sour cream again after listening to this episode!
What to do when each day feels like it is on repeat. If you aren’t one of those directly affected by the Coronavirus, then sometime recently, last week perhaps, our temporary new normal became our very repetitive normal. Ryan and Leslie discuss the Groundhog Day of it all.
Tired of eating snack food or delivery? Check. Have time for basic cooking? Check. Need an essential grocery list? Leslie explains how to get a stocked pantry and recommends recipe progressions for beginner cooks. (Ryan calls this the cherry jam episode. Jam as a staple he gets. Cherry jam, one of the basic flavors for the Lofti, not so much.)
A peek behind the curtain! There's lots of admin that goes into a podcast. Ryan does most of it on the back end, so Leslie checks in with Ryan to see how the life of a podcast producer is going. It's a tale that shows no matter what you face, sometimes you just got to keep going. Also, an update on Ryan's growing life administration skills.
How to make working from home, well, work is a question on many minds. Ryan and Leslie have each worked from home for about a decade and have some insight on the typical home office advice.
Leslie and Ryan share their thoughts about screen time. We talk about some of the myths that are out there, and how we should be managing our kids' time on these devices (to the extent we can). Also, there's some thoughts on fandom.
With our normal schedules on hold right now, many find themselves needing to create their own. It is harder than it seems, so we offer a few guidelines for making a schedule, and sticking to it — or knowing when to modify it.
Auto, life, fire, and health. It is all pretty boring and often not pleasant to think about, but understanding insurance and choosing the best options available to you can be a big boost when life goes sideways. Ryan and Leslie discuss the basics.
You know all that stuff that you keep planning to get to but never seem to have the time to get to? Well, now you have some freed up time. This is a making lemonade out of lemons episode. Ryan and Leslie have lots of suggestions and some tips for getting started on your quarantine to do list.
Critical thinking is life admin? Yes, it is. It affects how we consume information from news to studies about health and nutrition or relationships. It is another of those things that we want, and need, to constantly have working in the background of our lives. And like other life admin, there are some basic skills to critical thinking.
Leslie and our very special guest Ginny Arnold answer a Twitter question about bathroom organization.
Ryan and Leslie cover the how tos of creating and maintaining a calendar and contacts app.
With tax season here, Leslie and Ryan talk about how to do your taxes, as well as the traps and pitfalls of the process.
We think of the kitchen as the heart of a home, because it often is the busiest, most constantly used space. Setting it up so it works for you is a fundamental life skill.
"How am I supposed to know what to do with my life?" Les and Ryan answer that Twitter question with a song from the 90's and a movie from the 80's.
Ryan and Sean, our camera guy, have gotten an intense course in life admin because we recorded the first dozen episodes over just a few weeks in the summer of 2019. They've been practicing life admin, so for this episode Leslie picks the guys' brains on how it is all going.
Longtime marrieds, name three things that helped you stay together. Leslie and Ryan respond to a Twitter question.
Leslie and Ryan talk about some of the misconceptions of recycling and go through the slogan "Reduce, reuse, recycle" — there is reason in the order of terms.
Leslie and Ryan talk about our closets, including what to keep, what to donate, and what are the must haves. Also we talk about the 80/20 rule and how it applies to your life.
Ryan and Leslie talk emerging rules of etiquette, specifically the new rules around communication. They also do some demonstrating in the minicasts.
We don’t know our neighbors because most of the rhythms and ways we once met no longer exist. But we need our neighbors, more than we realize. Ryan and Leslie discuss ways of getting our neighborhoods back.
We do not need precise plans for having a baby, but we do need general ones. Those general plans also need to cover more than pregnancy and finances.
Ryan and Leslie each have learned in their combined 30 years of marriage that the answer to having a good marriage is both simple and difficult. This is part two.
Ryan and Leslie each have learned in their combined 30 years of marriage that the answer to having a good marriage is both simple and difficult. In this two part episode, they explain how.
How to have a warm, welcoming, and joyful home, whether art deco or mid-century modern. It is a discussion of beautiful in the excellent standard sense, not in the decor and aesthetic sense.
Ryan and Leslie discuss essential elements for running a household like weekly, monthly, and yearly schedules, to do lists, and paper management.
Life needs a Goldilocks plan, not too detailed but not too vague, either. Ryan and Leslie cover the whys and hows of such a plan.
Ryan and Leslie discuss a dry but important topic: basic finances. Discussion covers household budgets, savings, and debt.
So many questions: What is life administration? Why does it need to be taught? And who are the hosts, Ryan and Leslie?