what is a podcast

How to Listen to The Productive Woman Podcast

You know I have a podcast, right?

Somebody reminded me recently that not everybody knows what a podcast is or how to listen to it. So I thought I should explain.

What is a Podcast?what is a podcast

A podcast is basically audio on demand. (There are video podcasts, but that's not what mine is.) It's kind of like a radio show, but it's “broadcast” on the internet, via a blog (like this one), and sometimes–often–made available through podcast directories like iTunes or Stitcher. Unlike radio, though, you can listen to a podcast whenever you want to, rather than at the times set by the station or network.

Podcasts are a great way to learn new things or find information, entertainment, or inspiration. You can take them with you on your smart phone and listen while you work out, commute, or work. I subscribe to a couple dozen of them. Most of them are probably too geeky for most of my friends, but a couple that I really like for getting ideas about how to be more efficient and productive are Beyond the To-Do List and Simple Life Together. For general inspiration, I like my friend Mary DeMuth's Uncaged Podcast.

My podcast, The Productive Woman, is a 30-minute (give or take a few) weekly show about productivity for busy women. Its purpose is to help us all find tools and encouragement to get stuff done that matters to us. I have guests from time to time who share from their lives and experiences about how they get their stuff done.

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If you want to listen, there are three basic ways you can do that:

How to Listen to the The Productive Woman Podcast:

1. Listen on the blog. Go to The Productive Woman on your computer and click the play button at the beginning of each post. Make sure your speakers are on or your headphones are plugged in and the sound is turned to a comfortable volume.

2. Listen on your smartphone or tablet. There are a lot of great podcasting apps. Apple has a free one in the app store; it comes on every new iPhone. There is also one called Downcast; that's the one I use most of the time. It allows you to search for shows, subscribe to them, and even speed up the audio. If you use an Android device, try subscribing via Stitcher.

3. Subscribe to the Podcast. Access the podcast in iTunes (click here). You can also search for it on your smartphone app (like the ones listed above) and subscribe. If you prefer to listen on your computer and want to receive the podcast posts via email each week, there's a button there on the The Productive Woman website where you can subscribe by entering your email address.

If you listen, and if you find it helpful, I'd appreciate it if you'd consider sharing it with the other busy women you know. And I'd love to hear from you–feedback is the only way for me to know whether I'm on track.

Hope your week is going well!

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Dallas, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
Podcast: The Productive Woman
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

Giving Thanks and Catching Up

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I'm enjoying time with family and working on the last edits of Do No Harm. Thought I'd share a few updates:Thanksgiving in the palm of your hand

  1. This week I had a guest post on the American Christian Fiction Writers blog, sharing my thoughts on thankfulness.
  2. Last weekend I was honored to be a guest on the brand new Voice of Texas podcast, hosted by Matthew Hinman.
  3. I've recently published episode 20 of The Productive Woman podcast, sharing my top 10 favorite productivity apps for smart phones. The Productive Woman is now part of the Noodle.mx network of podcasts. I've been so thrilled by the response to the podcast and am planning something special for the 25th episode. See below for more details on how you can participate, and maybe win a $25 Amazon gift card. More info at the TPW website.
  4. Do No Harm is coming along. I've been working on the final edits, aiming to send it to the requesting agent before Christmas. It's a scary proposition, so I'd appreciate prayers.

If you're interested in contributing to the upcoming 25th episode of The Productive Woman podcast, and perhaps winning a $25 Amazon gift card, here are the details:

Help Me Celebrate a Milestone!

What are your best tips for getting things done, making the most of your time and energy, and making a life that matters? I want to feature them in episode 25 of The Productive Woman podcast. Email your tips to feedback@theproductivewoman.com, or click on the button at the right side of The Productive Woman website to leave a voice message. (If you have more than one tip to share, leave each one as a separate message, and start by telling me who you are–first name only is fine if you're more comfortable with that–and where you're from.) If you're sharing a great productivity tool, be sure to tell us how to find it. From those who contribute a tip, either via email or voice message, by December 31, 2014, I'll draw a name randomly for a $25 Amazon gift card! More information at The Productive Woman.

I hope to hear from you soon. In the meantime, happy Thanksgiving.

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Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
Podcast: The Productive Woman
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom

Email me

The Productive Woman MOVES

© Olivier26 | Dreamstime.com

© Olivier26 | Dreamstime.com

How's your week going? Me, I'm going through a few growing pains. It's overwhelming and wonderful to see the good reception The Productive Woman podcast has had, but a little scary as I ponder where it all might be going. This week the podcast moved to its own website over at the Noodle.mx podcast network site. If you normally listen to it here online, you can still do that–just click on over the The Productive Woman at its site, and you can listen to it there and see the show notes. Of course, you can also subscribe to The Productive Woman in iTunes or subscribe in Stitcher!

Blog SizeEpisode 16 of The Productive Woman podcast picks up where episode 14 left off, and outlines a step-by-step process for decluttering your home (or office), one room at a time. I hope you'll take the time to listen and let me know what you think.

In the meantime, I'm working hard at the final manuscript edits of Do No Harm, having promised one of my favorite (and most encouraging and supportive) authors that I would wrap up the two-year-long writing/editing process and send the manuscript to the requesting agent before Christmas of this year. I can't break my promise to Susie!

Now that the podcast has moved to its own site, I'll be focusing on other topics in the blog here. In the near future I'll be posting a short survey to invite your input on the blog, the website, and how I can best serve you. I look forward to hearing from you. In the meantime, have a great week!

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Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
Podcast: The Productive Woman
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

Summer’s End and a New Adventure

2013-08-06 05.37.49Are you as surprised as I am how fast this summer–this year–is flying by? It's August already! Here in north Texas we're enjoying triple-digit temps this week–the forecasters are promising Dallas highs to hit around 106 degrees in the next day or two! Ikes–I'm glad my day job keeps me indoors!

As the summer winds to its inevitable end, I'm committed to using as much of my “free” time (that is, time when I'm not working at my day job) to finish my novel, so a lot of other things are falling by the wayside for the next few weeks. But there are two quick things I wanted to share with you:

First, as a reminder, I am giving away four books this month. If you haven't yet read my recent post about good summer reads (which didn't go out to my subscribers due to a glitch in the feed), be sure to click over to that post, read the brief summaries of the four novels I recommend there, and leave a comment at that post for your chance to get a free copy of the book of your choice. The list includes really wonderful novels by Beth Vogt, Julie Klassen, Pamela Meyers, and D.M. Webb. You won't want to miss this opportunity!

2013-08-06 05.30.31Second, I'm taking the plunge and starting a podcast! Working on the first episodes now. It's going to be focused on productivity and time management types of topics, helping women find ways to create the lives they dream of and accomplish the things that matter to them. I envision it as being short episodes with practical, useful information–something you can listen to while running errands or cooking dinner or taking a walk. I hope to include interviews with inspiring women about how they manage their busy schedules, etc. I haven't yet set the firm date for the first episode to go live, but it'll be soon, so if you're interested, be sure you're subscribed to this blog, because my blog readers will be the first to hear about it. And if you you have any questions related to organization, managing time, etc., I'd love to hear what they are so I can perhaps address them in coming podcast episodes.

Questions for you–please share your thoughts in the comments. I'll be choosing one commenter to receive a special prize!

  1. Do you listen to any podcasts? (Do you know what a podcast is?!) If so, which ones, and what do you like about them?
  2. What is your biggest challenge when it comes to organizing your life and stuff, or managing your time and tasks?

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Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . . 
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me

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There Are No Words

I had a post topic in mind for today, but everything I have to say seems so trivial in light of the devastation and suffering dominating the news just now. The only words I have are these:

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Ps 46:1)

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He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Ps 147:3)

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Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Ps 23)

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Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. (Ps 61:1-3)

My thoughts and prayers are with those in Oklahoma and west Texas who are suffering, grieving, and afraid.

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Greenville, Texas
I Was Just Thinking . . .
Legal Blog: Real Estate Law Blog
Twitter: @LauraMcMom
Email me