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When was the last time you actually used a cookbook? Not your phone. Not a blog post. A real physical cookbook, with a spine, pages, and a table of contents. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I share how a simple weekend organizing project unintentionally brought cookbooks back into our daily routine and completely changed how we plan meals, reduce decision fatigue, and connect as a family. Important Links: We’ve been cooking through our family’s cookbook collection! -What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking by Caroline Chambers -Oh $#!% What’s For Dinner? by Maria Sansone -The Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook by Meredith Mann -Kids Cook by Betty Crocker -Cookbookery Collective - The cookbook exclusive Substack I’ve been loving! More from Tidy Dad:📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
What feels “normal” in parenting often depends on where you live… until you step outside your bubble. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tyler is joined by Tara Clark (Modern Mom Probs) for a fun, honest, and slightly unhinged conversation about the everyday choices parents make and judge… even when we say we don’t. This is a conversation about: * Tiny tot transportaion in strollers and wagon * How environment shapes parenting norms * City life vs. suburb life differences * Scooters, screens, and survival-mode decisions * Why “doing what works” looks different for every family This is a light, rant-style episode with plenty of laughs. If you’ve ever had a strong opinion about how kids get from point A to point B… this one’s for you. And here’s the NY Post article about our family in “stroller wars” that I referenced! 🎧 Listen, follow, and leave a review to help more people find Tidy Tidbits. Important Links: 👀 Follow Tara Clark on IG: @modernmomprobs 📚 Order Tara’s book: Modern Mom Probs: A Survival Guide for 21st Century Mothers 🎧 Listen to Tara’s podcast: Modern Mom Probs (I was a recent guest!) — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
What if the thing you’ve been thinking about doing for years… actually started with one small step? In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I sit down with author Ruth O’Leary, whose novel introduced me to the idea of walking the Camino in northern Spain. At the time of recording, I was preparing to walk that very path with my dad and sister, proof that inspiration can turn into action. We talk about what it really looks like to start something new, especially when it feels overwhelming or out of reach. Ruth shares how she didn’t publish her first novel until her late 50s, and how life experience helped her push past imposter syndrome and finally go for it. We also unpack the power of small, consistent steps, including the Pomodoro Method, and why you don’t need hours of time or a perfect plan to make meaningful progress. This conversation is a reminder that: * You don’t need to have it all figured out * You don’t need the perfect timing * You just need to take the next step Whether your goal is writing a book, training for a race, building routines, or simply showing up better for your life, this episode will leave you feeling inspired to begin. Important Links: 👀 Follow Ruth O’Leary on IG: Ruth O'Leary 📚 The Weekend Break: Four Friends, Four Secrets, One Explosive Weekend 📚 A Week to Remember: Three strangers, the Camino, One Week to Change Everything 📚 The Last Week of Him: Thirty Years of Friendship, Three Women, One Devastating Truth — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Shopping these days is overwhelming, especially as an expectant parent staring down a long list of things you’re told you need. Do you buy new? What’s actually safe to buy secondhand? And how do you stop overspending on things you’ll barely use? Today’s episode is sponsored by Stork Exchange, and I’m talking with founder Ben Norment, a fellow dad of three who knows firsthand what it’s like to navigate the overwhelm. We get into the big questions every parent faces: * What do you actually need? * What should you always buy new? * And what’s perfectly safe to buy secondhand? Ben breaks down the categories that matter most, including why car seats should always be purchased new, and where families can save significantly by choosing open-box or gently used gear. Important Links: 👀 Check out Stork Exchange (use code TIDY10 for 10% an order of $100 or more) — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
When you get invited to someone’s house, do you ever plug their address into Zillow first? Just to see the layout, the photos, maybe even the price history? You know you do, and you’re not alone. We’re all a little curious about how other people live. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I talk with Khrystyne Jaspers, who lives with her husband and two kids in a one-bedroom New York City apartment. Her home has sparked a lot of conversation online, mostly because of one question: Where do you sleep? Her answer: a Murphy bed in the living room. What sounds unconventional has completely transformed how their home functions, feels, and flows. Important Links: 👀 Follow Khrystyne on IG: @khrystynejaspers💻 Follow Khrystyne on Substack: Space Jams—📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad talks with Eli Weinstein, therapist and author of the new book, “From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years,” about simple systems that can transform how couples communicate during the busiest seasons of life. Between work, kids, school schedules, and the everyday chaos of family life, many couples feel like ships passing in the night. Conversations that once lasted hours now happen in quick bursts across the kitchen while someone is asking for a snack and someone else is looking for their shoes. Eli shares four helpful questions couples can ask before starting an important conversation. These questions help set the tone, clarify expectations, and reduce misunderstandings before they even start. In this episode, we talk about: * The four simple questions couples can ask before starting important conversations to reduce conflict and misunderstanding * How to create space for communication with a couple’s journal * The importance of having a daily 10-minute check-in Tidy Takeaway Just like maintaining a home requires systems, maintaining a relationship does too. Important Links: 👀 Follow Eli Weinstein on IG: @thedudetherapist 📚 Order Eli’s Book: From I Do to We Do: Navigating Marriage in the Parenting Years — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In American culture, we’re often told that bigger is better: start in an apartment, move to a starter home, and eventually land in your forever home. Somewhere in that story is the idea that the suburban dream of more space, quieter streets, and a bigger house will make you happier. But not every move away from the city sticks. In this episode, I talk with Alexis Adegoke, who moved her family from New York City to Texas, and then a few years later, with three kids in tow, decided to move back to NYC. I first discovered Alexis through a reel she posted while driving down an expansive Texas highway, explaining the decision her family had made to return to the city. She says “the more our kids grew, the more we realized how much we were craving what we left behind… the walkability, the rhythm, the movement, the energy, the ‘step outside and the world is right there’ feeling we loved for almost a decade.” I chatted with Alexis about that decision and what they have learned along the way. Important Links: 👀 Follow Alexis on IG: @alexiskristiana 💻 Follow Alexis on Substack: The Unsubsurban Mom — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Every winter, we hunker down. January and February become survival season. The light fades early. The air is cold. We spend more time inside our homes than any other stretch of the year. And then March arrives. The light shifts. The air softens. The mornings feel brighter. And suddenly… you see everything. The dust. The grime. The fingerprints on the light switches and doorknobs. The hidden surfaces that didn’t bother you in February now feel impossible to ignore. In this episode, we talk about: * A new, flexible Spring Cleaning Bingo Challenge designed to answer the question we all ask this time of year: Where do I start with the cleaning? * Here’s the approach: No rigid calendar. Just five room categories, with six deeper cleaning tasks in each, for 30 cleaning tasks total. * Complete one square a day (or more). Get five in a row for BINGO, or finish the whole board by month’s end. Each task takes 5–20 minutes. * Miss a day? No guilt. Just pick up where you left off. Progress > perfection. Tidy Takeaway: January was decluttering. February was survival. March is a hopeful cleaning reset. 👇 Grab the Spring Cleaning Bingo Card HERE Important Links: 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m joined by Martin, my personal trainer who’s been quietly working behind the scenes during my past year of physical transformation. If you’ve ever wondered how I rebuilt my fitness routine without joining a gym, or how I stayed consistent through a full year, this conversation pulls back the curtain. We discuss how sustainable fitness looks a lot like tidying your home: you don’t need brand-new skills, you just need to layer on routines so that they are actually working for you. Together, we break down how small, realistic shifts, like tracking food and using resistance bands, can create lasting change without burnout. In this episode, we talk about: * Why progressive overload doesn’t require a gym (and how simple resistance bands can actually work to achieve the same goals as fancy workout equipment) * How food tracking became a low-pressure tool instead of an obsession * The power of realistic plans over perfect plans * Why routines matter more than motivation, and how to put them on autopilot * Why accountability changes everything (and how to find the right support) * Reframing fitness as fuel for a full life—not another thing to “fail” at Tidy Takeaway: Sometimes you need to ask for help. That’s a powerful first step towards making progress. Important Links: 👀 Follow Martin on IG: @theteacherspt 💪 Book a FREE discovery call with Martin: details HERE! — 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
I’m starting this episode with a hot take. I recently shared a post on Instagram with 3 hot takes, including one about Disney, and people had thoughts. It got me thinking about why travel feels joyful for some and exhausting for others. Here’s the core idea: Not all vacations are meant to give us the same thing. Some trips are about amusement, fast-paced, full, distracting. Some trips are about a muse, slower, quieter, and inspiring. Neither is wrong, but different seasons of life can call for different kinds of travel. In this episode, we talk about: * The simple framework our family uses to plan trips without burning out: WHY → WHO → WHEN → WHERE → HOW → WHAT * We start with WHY, because when the intention is clear, everything else gets easier. * I walk through how this framework shapes our travel decisions, from family trips across Europe to a largely decision-free February cruise booked by my very thoughtful past self. * We pack light, in carry-on bags only! These duffel bag backpacks are our favorite, and they set us up with code TIDYDAD to share for a 15% off discount. Tidy Takeaway: If travel planning feels overwhelming, it’s usually not the destination, it’s the missing intention. Start with the WHY, and the rest gets lighter. Important Links: 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad talks with Kate Strickler, the creator of the Instagram account Naptime Kitchen, and the author of the book “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits and Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life)”. Together, we explore the mindset shifts needed as we move into February, when the “new year, new you” energy of January often fades and self-doubt creeps in. This conversation focuses on finding the middle ground, breaking free from all-or-nothing thinking, and building sustainable habits that actually stick. If you’ve ever felt like you “failed” a New Year’s resolution, this episode offers practical reframes and gentle strategies to help you reset without starting over. In this episode, we talk about: * Why January should be viewed as a starting line, not a pass/fail test * The importance of the middle ground—and why progress still counts * How to rethink “failure” by asking better, more curious questions * What to do when a goal feels too big or unsustainable * Why consistency matters more than motivation * How to identify one small, doable step to get back on track * Letting go of the all-or-nothing mindset Tidy Takeaway Sustainable change isn’t about perfection, it’s about adjusting, learning, and choosing small actions you can repeat. — Reel mentioned by @No.Food.Rules, about the “all or nothing” mindset”: Important Links: 👀 Follow Kate Strickler on IG: @naptimekitchen 🌟 Kate’s book: “I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen: And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy (Small Habits & Mindset Shifts to Find Contentment and Joy in Life) 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad sits down with Kyshawn Lane, the home maintenance expert behind Weekly Home Check, who’s built a community of almost 2 million followers on Instagram by helping people care for their homes. Together, they unpack why ignoring maintenance can lead to expensive surprises, and why doing one task a week is often more effective than tackling everything at once. Home maintenance doesn’t have to feel overwhelming and a simple, weekly system can save time, money, and stress. If you’ve ever thought, I should really deal with that… but then didn’t, this episode is for you. You don’t need to be “handy” to feel confident in your space. You need an approachable plan that makes maintenance manageable. In this episode, we talk about: * Why home maintenance feels overwhelming and how systems make it manageable * The cost of ignoring small issues until they become big repairs * How Kyshawn learned home maintenance as a first-time homeowner * The power of a 52-week, one-task-a-week maintenance checklist * How learning your home builds confidence and connection, not just savings Important Links: 👀 Follow Kyshawn Lane on IG: @weeklyhomecheck 🌟 Sign up for Kyshawn’s FREE 52-Week Home Maintenance Checklist 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Cooking isn’t just about food. It’s about confidence, creativity, and learning how to make decisions in real time. In this episode, Katie Kimball and I get into the real skills beginners need in the kitchen, from knife skills and reading recipes to planning meals, managing grocery budgets, and thinking on your feet. We also talk about why cooking is such a powerful life skill for teens and young adults. Cooking builds independence and problem-solving, and shared meals build confidence, connection, and a sense of belonging. Wondering how to actually get your teens in the kitchen? Teens Cook Real Food is a comprehensive cooking course designed specifically for teens and young adults. It’s a self-paced online cooking course, teaching over 70 skills like how to read recipes, knife skills, how to boil water, how to make salads, cook veggies on the stovetop and in the oven, how to incorporate herbs, spices, acid, and sauces, how to cook meat and eggs, how to bake bread, and tips for meal planning, grocery shopping, and sticking to a food budget. And MORE! It includes real-food demos, chef talks and kitchen science via professionally filmed video lessons. It’s massively epic. They’re also offering a FREE 3-video series for parents, including a 15-minute workshop on the mindset shift needed for parenting teens. You can start there! If you’ve ever wished your teen could confidently make a meal, this is worth your time. 👀 Follow Katie Kimball on IG: @raisinghealthyfamilies 🌟 Check out Teens Cook Real Food + sign up for the FREE 3-video series for parents 📚 Order my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, Tidy Dad reflects on his own journey of adjusting his sleep schedule to wake up early. He outlines his current morning routine that allows for self-care and productivity before the chaos of the day begins. He encourages listeners to find what works for them, rather than trying to replicate his exact routine. Three key principles that guide his morning routine: * I give myself the first fruits of the day, before I’m “on.” * I look for progress I can repeat, not perfection I can’t sustain. * I rely on a simple sequence of tasks, not an overwhelming set of rules. He shares specific details about his morning activities, from gentle yoga and cleaning to preparing breakfast and engaging with his children. But this conversation isn’t about waking up earlier. It’s about deciding when YOU get to be a person. You don't need a perfect routine. You need one that fits YOUR season of life. What fuels you? Follow Tidy Dad on Instagram! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this engaging conversation, inspired by National Quitters Day, that moment when most people quietly give up on their resolutions, Tidy Dad and Jo Piazza explore the theme of quitting as a form of self-empowerment and personal growth. They discuss the importance of letting go of toxic relationships, the societal pressure to optimize every aspect of life, and the joy of embracing simplicity in wardrobe choices. Jo shares her insights on the significance of having a nemesis and the courage it takes to quit things that no longer serve us. The conversation encourages listeners to reflect on what they can let go of in the new year to make space for joy and authenticity. 👀 Follow Jo Piazza on IG and Substack: @jopiazzaauthor and Over the Influence 🌟 Check out Jo’s books: The Sicilian Inheritance, Everyone is Lying to You (my favorite fiction read of 2025), and The Parisian Heist (coming in July 2026!) 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Resolution season often comes with pressure: big goals, rigid rules, and quiet guilt when things don’t go as expected. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad sits down with Patty Morrissey, Director of KonMari Club and collaborator with Marie Kondo (yes, that Marie Kondo), to explore a lighter, curiosity-driven approach to starting something new. I’ve known Patty for years, interviewed her for my book Tidy Up Your Life, and even included this idea in the Routines chapter, because her concept of 30-day experiments completely changed how I approach resolution season and how I start each month. Instead of rigid promises, this framework offers permission to try, notice, and decide, without burnout. 30-day self-care experiments are a way to try out new habits without turning them into lifelong promises. Together, we talk about curiosity over perfection, giving to your life instead of taking away, and how small experiments can quietly reshape routines, self-care, and connection. If traditional resolutions leave you burned out by mid-January, this episode offers a calmer way forward. What You’ll Learn * What a 30-day self-care experiment is * Why experiments work better than resolutions for habit building * How curiosity replaces guilt when motivation dips * How to reflect at the end of 30 days and decide what stays * Why “giving to your life” creates more lasting change than restriction Resources: * Free Monthly Experiment Calendar by Tidy Dad - A simple thought-catcher with a guiding word for each month to make starting feel lighter and more doable * 30-Day Self-Care Experiments Article from Patty Morrissey Links: 🌟 Check out Patty on IG: Patty Morrissey 👀 Check out KonMari Club: KonMari Club 📚 Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times 📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Every January, the urge to declutter kicks in, but most challenges fall apart fast. Not because we lack motivation, but because we’re asked to declutter things we don’t fully control: shared spaces, other people’s stuff, and emotional or sentimental categories. In this episode, Tidy Dad introduces a different approach: a 31-day decluttering experiment focused only on decluttering your own categories of items. No negotiating. No family meetings. Just your stuff. Each day features one small, specific category you can tackle in 10 minutes or less, using the same four-step process: Clear, Sort, Assess, Plan. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s momentum. Small wins that build decision-making muscles and help you make space for the life you’re living now. 👇 Grab the FREE January Decluttering Calendar and start with one small win. We’re also nearing the one-year anniversary of Tidy Up Your Life. If jumping into decluttering feels overwhelming, the book is a great place to start. It focuses on function over aesthetics and offers strategies that apply to your home, habits, routines, and life. It’s available in hardcover, or ebook, or audio book (read by me)! 📚 Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times 📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Shannon Leyko, host of the Paring Down podcast In this episode, I sit down with Shannon Leyko, who recently made a huge life move, relocating her family from Florida to Alaska. (Yes. Alaska. ❄️) We talk about what it’s really like to move through big transitions—whether that’s a cross-country move, a new job, or a season of loss, and why flexibility and mindset matter more than having a perfect plan. Shannon shares how choosing enthusiasm (even when things feel messy or uncertain) can change the way we experience change. We also dig into the “fresh start effect.” That moment when a big shift gives you permission to rethink what you want, what you need, and how you want your life to feel. It’s especially timely as we head into that New Year, New You energy. Shannon reflects on how transitions invite self-discovery, and why creating a living space that supports your energy and happiness isn’t just nice, it’s essential. If you want a grounding, encouraging listen for a season of change, this one’s for you. Takeaways: * Flexibility is crucial during transitions. * Transitions offer opportunities for fresh starts. * Mindset plays a key role in handling change. 👀 Follow Shannon on IG: @paring_down 📦 Check out Shannon’s podcast: Paring Down 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times 📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Just because you’re capable doesn’t mean you have the capacity. Tidy Dad and organizing expert Shira Gill talk boundaries, intentional living, and how to protect your time, energy, and family connection, especially during the holidays. In this episode, Shira and Tidy Dad unpack the difference between capability and capacity, especially during the high-demand holiday season. We talk about setting boundaries, choosing what actually matters, avoiding performative “doing it all,” and checking in with your family to make intentional decisions instead of defaulting to overwhelm. 🌟 Check out Shira’s books: Minimalista, Organized Living, and LifeStyled 👀 Follow Shira on Substack: The Life Edit 📸 Follow Shira on IG: @shiragill 📚 Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Follow Tidy Dad on Substack: The Tidy Times 📸 Follow Tidy Dad on IG: @Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tyler (Tidy Dad) breaks down what it really feels like to be in full-on holiday surthrival mode. It’s that stretch from Thanksgiving to the ball dropping in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, where everything is joyful, chaotic, and wildly exhausting, like living in a snow globe someone won’t stop shaking. Tyler shares a real-time look at life in the Tidy Dad household: three daughters, NYC schools teaching straight through until December 24th, nonstop events, and everyone feeling the holiday pressure. He also talks about why the popular “just rest” advice doesn’t work for everyone, and how his version of rest oddly includes organizing toy bins and reworking his morning routine. In surthrival seasons, the tidying principles apply: cut the excess, name what matters most, and make intentional space for it. Holiday Surthrival Guide: Tidy up your holidays with your go-to companion guide for thriving while surviving the season. Inside you’ll find my five signature surthrival strategies applied to the holidays, a reflective year-end wrap-up, and a cozy Holiday Bingo game that turns tidying and self-care into something worth celebrating. In My Surthrival Era Hats! If you’re deep in holiday surthrival season, you might as well accessorize. Get an In My Surthrival Era hat and wear your season with pride. Grab one for yourself… or gift one to a friend who’s in their own season of surthrival. For the month of December, use code TIDYDAD for 30% off your order! ORDER HERE! Want the full backstory behind why I’m “ignoring the Lazy Genius” this season?I wrote about that, messy mornings, holiday overwhelm, and why rest doesn’t look the same for everyone, in a slightly cheeky Substack piece. Read it here. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Chris Marcum, from Chris Loves Julia & Hey Old Sport - In this episode, Tidy Dad talks with Chris Marcum from the lifestyle duo Chris Loves Julia. Chris is also a home chef and recently founded the brand Hey Old Sport to launch Overachiever, his versatile seasoning blend. Chris shares insights on the spice blend, and how it can enhance meals while accommodating various dietary restrictions. He shares about the importance of flavor in cooking, how to make meal prep more joyful and less stressful, and the significance of prioritizing fresh ingredients and flavors. Takeaways * Tidy up your cooking by prioritizing what you want to get out of your food * Focus on fresh food, real ingredients, and getting flavor out of your food * The Overachiever seasoning blend enhances flavor and simplifies cooking Overachiever Spice Blend Grab the Overachiever seasoning blend HERE: it’s become a staple in our kitchen, and I’m sure it’ll be one in yours too. Bonus: it makes a great hostess or holiday gift. Recipes Here’s what’s on Chris’ holiday menu: Get all the recipes HERE! And here’s my own recipe: Tidy Dad’s Overachiever Chicken Tenders Crunchy, flavorful, kid-approved, and ready in under 15 minutes Ingredients * 1 lb chicken tenderloins (or sliced chicken breast) * 1 egg + 1 tbsp water (for egg wash) * ½ cup breadcrumbs * 2 tbsp Overachiever seasoning blend * 1 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, but delicious) * Cooking spray Instructions * Prep your coating:In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs + Overachiever (and Parmesan, if using). * Make the egg wash: Whisk the egg and water in a separate bowl. * Dip + coat: * Dip each chicken tender into the egg wash. * Press into the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated on all sides. * Air fry: * Preheat air fryer to 400°F. * Lightly spray the basket with cooking spray. * Add chicken in a single layer (work in batches if needed). * Air fry 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway, until crispy and cooked through (165°F internal temp). * Serve:Let cool for 2 minutes, then serve with your favorite dips—honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, or ketchup. Tidy Tip - Make a double batch of the chicken tenders, slice them up, and store in your snackle box in the refrigerator for quick protein packed snacks or salad toppers! In this episode: Chris Loves Julia, Hey Old Sport, Overachiever spice blend, cooking, lifestyle, meal prep, holiday cooking, spices, flavor, stress-free cooking, cooking tips 👀 Follow Chris and Julia on IG: @chrislovesjulia and @heyoldsportofficial 🌟 Try the Overachiever seasoning blend: Order it HERE 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Margaret Josephs, star of Real Housewives of New Jersey - In this episode Tidy Dad talks with Margaret Josephs. Margaret shares the lessons that keep her from feeling like a total mess, even when the cameras are rolling. The conversation dives into setting boundaries, surviving complicated social dynamics during the holidays, and knowing when to let go of relationships that no longer serve you. This episode is part humor, part therapy, and 100% Real Housewives energy, with a tidy twist. Takeaways * A little tidiness goes a long way. We all have a threshold for how much mess (literal or emotional) we can handle. * Sarcasm can be an messy social situation survival skill. Margaret discusses how humor and sharp wit help her navigate tough moments, both on and off camera. * A little drama keeps life interesting, but it’s just as important to recognize when it’s crossed the line. * Not every relationship is meant to last. Margaret talks about knowing when a friendship or dynamic no longer serves you, and how to gracefully let it go. 👀 Follow Margaret Josephs on IG @therealmargaretjosephs🌟 Check out Margaret’s book: Caviar Dreams, Tuna Fish Budget📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Ashlee Piper, Author of No New Things - In this episode, Tidy Dad chats with Ashlee Piper about rethinking the way we give gifts. Together, they explore how to bring more meaning and mindfulness into the season, shifting the focus from stuff to sentiment. They talk about why so many of us feel caught in the chaos of consumerism, how to make gift-giving feel personal again, and why teaching kids the joy of thoughtful giving might be the best gift of all. Takeaways * Somewhere between wishlists and wrapping paper, some people have lost the true meaning of giving, and replaced it with stress and stuff. * The best gifts can come from considering a person’s needs, not from spending more. Sometimes an act of service means more than anything you could buy. * Gifting doesn’t have to be impressive or expensive, it’s about being thoughtful, making the recipient feel understood and seen, and adding utility and joy. If this episode has you rethinking your holiday habits, you’re not alone. Maybe it’s less about buying more, and more about finding meaning. That’s why I put these resources together for you this season: ✨ The Holiday Surthrival Download: your guide for thriving while surviving! Inside you’ll find five signature surthrival strategies, a reflective year-end wrap-up, and a cozy Holiday Bingo game that turns tidying and self-care into something worth celebrating. 🎁 The Tidy Dad Gift Guide for Kids: 10 of our family favorites from recent toy events, that inspire connection, not clutter. This holiday season, try to choose gifts for kids that make creativity part of everyday life, and inspire play that lasts all year! 🧦 And Stocking Stuffers for Kids, Under $10: Fun, thoughtful, and also practical finds for kids. Because sometimes the littlest gifts can bring the most joy! If NYC is on your holiday list, don’t miss the new NYC Experiences Worth Gifting PDF, filled with festive, family-friendly experiences! Because this year, it’s not about having more things—it’s about making more memories. 👀 Follow Ashlee on IG: Ashlee Piper 🌟 Check out Ashlee’s book: No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your Sanity 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tyler Moore (Tidy Dad) dives into the fascinating world of color analysis, a practice that blends history, psychology, and personal style. From its early 20th-century origins to today’s viral resurgence, Tyler explores how understanding your seasonal palette might simplify your wardrobe, boost your confidence, and even help you see yourself in a new light. Through his own experience getting professionally “draped”, Tyler reflects on what it means to find your season (spoiler: he’s a Bright Winter) and how color can become a tool for both tidying and self-discovery. In this episode you’ll learn: * Color analysis dates back to the 1920s–1930s and categorizes individuals into Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter palettes. * Most people wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time, but maybe color analysis could help change that, by choosing colors you’ll actually wear! * Understanding your best colors can help you to simplify your wardrobe. 🎨 Who analyzed my color palette? @lilyscolorlab 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
This is episode 31 of Tidy Tidbits, and it’s on the topic of Halloween, which always falls on October 31st. Spooky! Today we’re talking about the scary topic of what to do with all the candy after Trick or Treating. Let’s tackle this sweet dilemma! In this episode, Tidy Dad and Megan McNamee discuss the challenges parents face with Halloween candy. They explore the excitement children have for collecting candy, the importance of ownership, and how to manage candy consumption in a healthy way. The conversation includes practical tips for integrating candy into creative snack ideas that use the Halloween treats while maintaining a balanced diet. Tidy Takeaways: * Consider letting your kids choose how much candy to eat on Halloween. * Parents choose WHEN to serve candy - with lunch, after school, after dinner, etc. * When candy doesn’t feel “off limits”, it often loses it’s luster after a few days. 👀 Follow Megan on IG: @feedinglittles 🌟 Check out Megan’s books: Feeding Littles and Beyond and Feeding Littles Lunches 🍬Check out this Feeding Little’s article: How to Stress Less About Sugar 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
It’s easy to ignore small cleaning tasks, until something breaks or starts to smell! My weekday cleaning routine may have gone viral (it’s in the Tidy Toolkit), but these quick monthly tasks also keep our home and appliances running smoothly. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m sharing five cleaning tasks I tackle every month. We’ll cover seeming simple routines that are easy to neglect, like descaling your coffee machine, deep-cleaning the dishwasher, washing machine, and dryer, and cleaning your toilet tank. These tasks take just minutes to complete but can make a lasting impact. I’ve learned that a few minutes of care now saves hours (and headaches) later. In this episode you’ll learn: * Regular maintenance of machines and appliances is crucial. * Maintaining appliances leads to better efficiency and longevity. * Simple routines can make a significant difference in home care. If you’re ready to simplify your cleaning routine, here are the products I mention in the episode! * Coffee Machine: Descaler Solution and Descaler Tablets * Dishwasher: Cleaning Tablets (drop in the detergent tray!) * Washing Machine: Mold Stain Remover and Cleaning Tablets * Dryer Vent: Cleaning Kit (attaches to your vacuum!) * Toilet Bowl: Cleaner Tablets (drop in the tank!) If you want to check out the Tidy Dad “Good Morning America” moments, here they are for your viewing pleasure: * InstaParents Segment * Family Surprise Segment 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Beth Rosenbleeth from Days with Grey - I personally have a tenuous relationship with the New York Post (I can thank them for my “Speedo Dad” moniker). But this week, a headline shared by one of my favorite authors, Jo Piazza, stopped me mid-sip of coffee: “Stay-at-home “hub-sons” are the tradwives of 2025 - and their moms couldn’t be more thrilled” Apparently, guys like Luke, a former door-to-door solar salesman who quit his $170K job to move back home, aren’t just loafing around. They’re doing laundry, cooking, and running errands… basically earning their keep as modern-day homemakers. The article sparked a bigger questions about masculinity, gender norms, and the role that men play in household tasks. What does it really mean to teach life skills, and how do we prepare the next generation to contribute at home? In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I chat with Beth Rosenbleeth, the creator of Days with Grey and mom of three boys. I’m a dad of three girls, so we come at this from both sides of the parenting coin. We talk about why life skills matter, how to gamify responsibility (check out her amazing “Life Skill cards”), and what it looks like to give kids the confidence to manage real-world tasks - without the nagging. Together, we explore: * How chores teach independence and teamwork * Why regression is normal (and how to help kids reset) * Simple ways to make household routines fun and consistent Whether you’re raising hub-sons or tidy daughters, this episode is all about raising capable, confident kids - one life skill at a time. 👀 Follow Beth on IG: @dayswithgrey - and check out her website! 📦 Grab her Life Skill cards: Soft Skills (ages 4+) or Life Skills for Big Kids (ages 7-12) 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Megan McNamee, Author of Feeding Littles Lunches I’m a little obsessed with my snackle box. Every morning, I fill it so it’s ready for that post-school, everyone-is-HUUNNNGGRRRYYYY moment. Think of it like a snack survival kit: eight compartments, a lid, tucked neatly in the fridge. It’s our secret weapon against afternoon chaos. The only problem? I kept filling it with the same things… again, and again, and again. In this conversation, I chat with Megan McNamee about how to take this routine beyond the basics of fruits and veggies. We explore practical tips for creating balanced, appealing snacks that keep kids fueled through the afternoon slump, from adding proteins to pairing foods in smart ways. Megan shares insights from her book Feeding Littles Lunches, reminding parents that snack and lunch prep doesn’t have to be complicated, just simple, fun, and sustainable. Tidy Takeaways: * Pair fruits and veggies with filling proteins and carbohydrates * Use leftovers to creatively enhance snack options * Focus on practicality rather than Pinterest perfection 👀 Follow Megan on IG: @feedinglittles 📦 Check out Megan’s books: Feeding Littles and Beyond and Feeding Littles Lunches 📚 Want more routine ideas? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Tiffany Jenkins, Author of A Clean Mess and High Achiever - When life is “lifing”, it can be really difficult to tidy up your emotions and find a way through. This week my beloved grandma, Noreen Moore, passed away at the age of 94. She was fiesty, independent, and deeply loved. I flew to Kentucky to be with my dad and family, and we began the process of “death cleaning” her home. Sorting through over 60 years in one house, one drawer, one memory at a time. It’s been an emotionally difficult but beautiful process. Grief doesn’t tidy up neatly. But even in the mess, beauty shows up, and along the way, I kept intentionally trying to find the funny. In this episode, I sit down with NYT bestselling author Tiffany Jenkins to explore the role of humor in navigating life's difficult times such as divorce, parenting, the death of a loved one, or other challenging situations. Tiffany shares her journey of finding humor as a coping mechanism, emphasizing the importance of self-deprecation and lightheartedness in her life. In this episode we talk about: * Humor can be a defense mechanism during tough times. * Finding humor in small moments can help cope with challenges. * Acknowledging the irony in difficult situations can provide relief. And as referenced in the opening of the podcast, as we cleaned my grandma’s home of over 60 years, I discovered photographs that proved I’ve been rocking the speedo since the 80s. It brought some laughs. If you look for it, the funny can in fact be found. 👀 Follow Tiffany on IG: @jugglingthejenkins 📦 Order Tiffany’s books: A Clean Mess: A Memoir of Sobriety After a Lifetime of Being Numb & High Achiever: The Incredible True Story of One Addict’s Double Life 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad Even in moments of grief, there’s room for laughter. This episode is dedicated to my grandma, Noreen Moore. . This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this conversation, I chat with Meredith Mann to explore the importance of incorporating protein into daily meals to manage blood sugar levels and enhance overall health. Meredith also shares her personal journey with blood sugar issues and how prioritizing protein has changed her relationship with food. Tidy Takeaways: * Why protein is so important to incorporate into a balanced meal * Practical hacks for sneaking protein into various dishes * The transformative effects of protein on cravings and energy levels Meredith is the author of The Blood Sugar Balance Cookbook: 100 Delicious Recipes That Let You Ditch the Crave, Crash, Fat-Storing Cycle and Heal Your Metabolism. She also sells delicious protein powder in vanilla, chocolate, and cookies and cream flavors. You can use code TIDYDAD for a discount at checkout! And here’s the recipe for her Reese’s Smoothie - it’s so good! 👀 Follow Meredith on IG: @thepeachiespoon 📦 Check out Meredith’s website: https://thepeachiespoon.com/ 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: Tidy Dad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this Small Talk, Sarah and Peterson from La Casa Aldomovar share how they transformed their 750 sq ft NYC rental where Peterson grew up into a home that works beautifully for their family of five. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: * Why redefining home matters more than square footage * How conflict resolution keeps the peace in close quarters * The myth of “bigger is better” when it comes to family life * Setting boundaries, prioritizing experiences, and embracing “just enough” Their story is a masterclass in creativity, adaptability, and the joy of living small—proof that a compact home can hold big love. 👀 Follow Sarah and Peterson on IG: @lacasalmodovar 📦 Check out Sarah and Peterson’s website: https://lacasaalmodovar.com/ 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Feeling a bit of September whiplash? You’re not alone. After a 12-hour road trip, unpacking chaos, and starting school in the same week, I found myself feeling the after effects of pushing summer to the last minute. Everywhere you look, people are in transition. It’s a season of change. A season where routines are desperately needed. In this episode, I’ll share five simple routines helping my family shift from summer chaos to school-year structure - not a total overhaul, just small tweaks layered onto systems we already know work. In this episode you’ll learn: * Why routines work best when applied slowly (not in one giant overhaul) * Why it’s important to show up bright-eyed and bushy tailed * How we’re making mornings less frantic with a fridge checklist and a shoe edit * Why “keep meals simple” is the best cooking philosophy for September * How early bedtimes unlock early mornings * Why movement counts, even if it’s not happening in a gym Bonus: Here are some things helping us this back-to-school season! 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take Ash Brandin, Author of Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family - Screens aren’t the enemy… but without some boundaries, they can turn into tiny, glowing dictators. In this episode, I sit down with Ash Brandin—middle school teacher, parent, and unapologetic gamer—to talk about managing technology in your home without losing your mind. In this episode, you’ll learn about: * Moral neutrality when it comes to technology * The ABCs of tech: access, behavior, and content This conversation will help you hit Power On—without hitting panic mode. 👀 Follow Ash on IG: @thegamereducator 📦 Order Ash’s book: Power On: Managing Screen Time to Benefit the Whole Family 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Feeling worn out by your own ambition? After a year full of “firsts,” I’m swapping shiny new things for one unglamorous word: maintenance. In this episode, you’ll learn how to choose a word for yourself that guides your time and routines—and why sometimes the most radical choice is to keep doing what’s already working. In this episode you’ll learn: Why “maintenance” became my guiding word for the school year How to spot what’s already working—and keep it going A few questions to help you pick your own word to guide your time and routines Why the most radical choice might be not to start something new 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Lee Tilghman, Author of "If You Don't Like This, I Will Die" It’s exhausting trying to get everyone to like you. How much time have you spent replaying conversations, wondering if someone approves of you? How many opportunities have you missed because you worried what someone might think? In this episode, Tidy Dad sits down with author and former wellness influencer Lee Tilghman, who knows firsthand the cost of chasing approval. After building a massive following as @leefromamerica, the internet stopped liking her. Lee then began the hard work of redefining success and self-worth. She shares it all in her new memoir. In this episode, Lee talks about: * How freeing it is to be at peace with not being liked * How to focus on meaningful connections * What she likes about “2025” Lee Tilghman 👀 Follow Lee on Substack and on IG 📦 Order Lee’s book: “If You Don’t Like This, I Will Die” 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Neha Ruch - If life feels like a nonstop to-do list—coffee in one hand, phone in the other—and the idea of slowing down makes you nervous, you’re not alone. Many of us worry that pausing will mean falling behind. That’s why I sat down with Neha Ruch (@neha_ruch -IG and Neha Ruch -Substack), writer, mom, and author of The Power Pause. Neha knows the pressure to keep going, but she also knows that intentional pauses can become a secret weapon for clarity, focus, and growth. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: * Push back against the societal pressure to always be “doing” * Use a simple pause to set thoughtful goals during busy seasons like back-to-school * Find the courage to “slow down” without guilt If you’re ready to trade exhaustion for something slower, hit play and discover how a well-timed pause can help you create the life you actually want. 👀 Follow Neha on IG: @neha_ruch 📦 Grab Neha’s bestselling book, “The Power Pause”: Shop here 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life 🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, I’m breaking down what back to school really feels like—chaotic, hopeful, overwhelming, and deeply human. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone who still gets emotional in the school supply aisle, this one’s for you. And yes, I’ve got credentials. This fall marks my 18th year as a teacher—and I’ve got three kids starting kindergarten, third grade, and fifth. So my brain is currently juggling a mountain of forms, a world-travel-themed classroom, and enough school supplies to stock a small Staples. What we cover: 🧠 Why this season always feels a bit (or a lot) overwhelming 🍎 Five practical mindset shifts to make this season easier 🎒 How to stop chasing perfection and start creating rhythms that work 💥 Why we call it “surthrival”—when you're trying to survive and thrive at the same time This one’s packed with real talk, intentional strategies, and a gentle reminder: you don’t have to do it all. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
A Tidy Take with Beth from Days With Grey - Is your child waking up like a human confetti cannon while you’re still fumbling for coffee? Same. That’s why I wanted to get a Tidy Take with Beth from @dayswithgrey. She’s sharing a genius routine that just might change your mornings: Breakfast Invitations. Beth is a former teacher and mom of three who came up with this simple, screen-free solution to early-morning chaos. In this episode, she breaks down what a Breakfast Invitation actually is, how to set one up (spoiler: it involves paper, markers, and magic), and why it might buy you a few sacred minutes of peace before the day begins. 🎨 What we cover: * What Breakfast Invitations are and the problem they can help solve * How a roll of white paper and a few fresh markers can spark independent play * How to make mornings feel calm(ish), connected, and purposeful Whether you’re a morning person or not, this little shift just might change your routine and save your sanity. 👀 Follow Beth on IG: @dayswithgrey📦 Grab her Breakfast Invitation Bundles: Shop here📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this heartfelt and practical episode of Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad shares a major family transition: saying goodbye to their beloved 2000 Chevy Malibu. For years, this beloved family hand-me-down car carried snacks, backpacks, and three growing kids between New York City and Pennsylvania. But this summer, it officially gave out. We cover: * How the Just Enough framework from Tidy Up Your Life can guide big decisions * Why emotional attachments to stuff (yes, even a 2000 Chevy Malibu) matter * Which features were considered and which ones made the cut for their new ride * How to check your assumptions before getting swept up in comparison culture This episode is for anyone navigating life transitions, car shopping, or looking to simplify the decision-making process with more clarity and less chaos. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
This week on Tidy Tidbits, Tidy Dad shares the whirlwind of going viral… again. We cover: 🛏️ The great bedding debate divides Instagram—duvet cover or top sheet? 📚 A hot take on teacher supply spending lands him in a Threads comment storm. 🏊♂️ The Today Show discussed his swimwear choices (yes, he wears a speedo to swim laps). Here’s the full video clip [debate starts at 2:52] and article! Whether you’re Team Flat Sheet or Team Duvet, this 5-minute episode delivers laughs, insights, and a gentle reminder that tidying up your life includes the way you handle your linens and your internet comments. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I open up “The Random Bin”—both literally and figuratively—to tackle the questions my Instagram audience has been asking. From how to handle junk drawers (spoiler: we don’t have drawers, we have baskets), to documenting kids’ artwork, to navigating life in NYC with three kids in a two-bedroom apartment. Whether you’re trying to tame your clutter, manage sentimental items, or just wondering how I grocery shop without going broke in New York City… this one’s for you. We cover: * Junk drawers, random bins & how to organize the chaos * What to do with all your kids’ art and schoolwork * Favorite organizing tools (hello, 3-tier cart) * Why “clear, sort, assess, plan” is your new decluttering mantra * Tips for living in NYC on a budget (and how we stretch it) * What to do when you feel stuck or overwhelmed * Why success isn’t always what it seems—and what matters most to me ✨ Plus, a few funny stories and confessions along the way—like the time I got recognized on a ferry in Switzerland. 🔗 Mentioned in this episode: – My book: Tidy Up Your Life – Art file bins: use folders for each grade to store sentimental papers – Art frames: display art, and store 100 more papers in the back – Clip hooks: for swimsuits, washcloths, and more – 3-tier cart: use that vertical space! 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Episode Summary: Is your phone battery suddenly tanking the day after you pay it off? Same. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m diving into the strange tech glitches that show up right after your warranty ends—and offering 7 tidy tech tips to help you declutter your digital life and reclaim your mental bandwidth. Whether you're untangling cords, scrubbing subscriptions, or finally naming that photo folder from 2017, this 5-minute episode is your guide to a more organized, less overwhelming digital life. What You’ll Learn in This Episode:🔋 How to survive sudden battery betrayal 🪫 The best external charger that charges itself, too 📆 How we use shared digital calendars (and one old-school one too) 🖼 The easiest way to declutter your camera roll 💽 The boring but essential rule for your external hard drive 📱 Why I name my app folders “I am loved” and “I am enough” 💸 How we uncovered secret subscriptions and even got a few refunds Tidy Tech Tools Mentioned: - Charger Chaos Solved: our external charger for on-the-go - Control Cords: my favorite 6-foot braided “long” charging cord - Shared Calendars = Shared Sanity: our family’s command center is our digital calendar and I’ve got a code for you! Use TIDYTYLER30 for $30 off the 15” Skylight calendar, available globally… and we also still use our little dry-erase magnetic “weekly” board and to-do lists for jotting quick notes on the fridge - The Great Photo Declutter: best tip: declutter from this month, one year ago! Here's a Tidy Toolkit download to help! - External Hard Drive Rule: this one holds up to 6TB - keep photos and documents secure. We store ours in this fireproof safe, or you could use these fireproof bags! - Apps as Affirmations: is it time to rename the app folders on your phone? - Subscription Scrubdown: we used the Rocket Money app to scan for unused subscription services, cancel them, and even got a few refunds back - Tidy up your tech, and reclaim your time, energy, and mental bandwidth! 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain and reintroducing the guy behind the nickname. From being called “Tidy Dad” at the dentist’s office to writing a bestselling book that came out of a mental health breakdown, it’s been a wild ride. I’ll walk you through: * My backstory (hi, I’m Tyler—aka Tidy Dad) * Fast facts from my life as a NYC teacher, dad of three, and Enneagram 7 * What Tidy Up Your Life is actually about (spoiler: it’s not just about closets) * Why I believe tidying is more than just the aesthetics of your home—it’s about making space for what matters * The propaganda I am falling for in 2025 (Saint Dolly, surthrival, and “Skies out, thighs out”) Whether you’re new here or you’ve been following since the beginning (circa 2019), this episode is your intro to what Tidy Tidbits is all about—and why tidying isn’t about perfection, it’s about possibility. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Over the weekend, we kicked off the season with a classic Tidy Dad decluttering calendar tradition: the swimsuit clear-out. Spoiler alert: I had 39. That’s right—one for every year of my life. (Yes, it’s a problem. Yes, I’m working on it.) But it got me thinking… what else is quietly multiplying in our closets? In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I dive into: * The shocking stats behind how little of our wardrobe we actually wear * Why summer is the perfect time to build a capsule wardrobe * My Three C’s of Capsule Building: * Core Colors – Find your go-to shades and build around them. * Comfort – Because no one wants subway-platform bunching. * Combinations – Create more outfits with fewer pieces. Plus for those of you ready to take action, there are tools ready for your in the Tidy Toolkit: * ✅ The Summer Capsule Checklist – Your guide to building a wardrobe that works. * 👕 The 30 Items for 30 Days Challenge – Pick your MVPs and put them to the test. The Summer Capsule Checklist and 30 Items for 30 Days Challenge are available exclusively to paid subscribers. Become a paid subscriber to The Tidy Times for just $5/month and unlock the full Tidy Toolkit—printables, checklists, and visual guides designed to make life a little tidier. You can try it out for a month, grab what you need, and see if it’s a good fit—no pressure, just tidy goodness that keeps getting better. ALSO! If you want to shop directly from my closet, here are some of the latest items I’ve added to my own summer capsule. Tried, tested, and Tidy Dad-approved—these make great gift ideas too (especially for the man in your life). These Shirts, Pants, & Shoe Picks Made the Cut! 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
We came home from a lovely weekend away to a full-blown ant invasion. They weren’t just crawling—they were conquering. What began as an unwelcome infestation quickly turned into a chance to rethink our storage strategies, meal routines, and even that eternal pantry debate: to decant or not to decant? Mentioned in this episode: * The surprising flaws in our “out of sight, out of mind” snack basket system * Our zones-based kitchen organization system * The shift from snack-stocking to whole-food planning * The value—and maintenance—of decanting Plus: a special shoutout to TERRO ant bait (call me, maybe?). 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
🚨 A brand-new Tidy Toolkit download + a splash of summer motivation to help your kids actually get clean (not just wet)! Because bath-time isn’t just cute—it’s curriculum. 🧼✨ What’s in the episode: Our NYC bathtub may be tiny, but the parenting lesson it inspired? Anything but small. In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, I’m squeezing into bath-time chaos and breaking down why our family launched Shower School—a system for teaching kids how to actually get clean. We’ll cover: * 🚿 The difference between relaxing and really cleaning your body * 🧼 Why just saying “Take a shower!” might not mean much * Our official “Shower School Steps”! 🛁 PLUS!! New in the Tidy Toolkit! Paid Tidy Times subscribers now get exclusive access to our Shower School Steps checklist—a visual guide you can laminate and hang right in the shower! Perfect for kids learning how to actually get clean (not just wet). It’s the latest addition to the growing Tidy Toolkit of printables, downloads, and visual routines—designed to make everyday life a little smoother (and a lot less slippery). Join for just $5/month and grab yours today! 🎧 Whether you’re mid-bath, post-bedtime, or knee-deep in shampoo negotiations, this five-minute episode offers a sudsy slice of parenting realness—and a reminder that independence is built, one slippery step at a time. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Tidy Tidbits: The Maycember Spiral This week, I’m recording from my “office” (aka the bathroom), reflecting on the chaos of Maycember—that special spring season when school, work, and life all decide to peak at once. If you’re standing on the edge of Maycember like it’s an 18-foot boat and life is the ocean—this one’s for you. Whether you’re deep in field trip forms or planning all the work off-site team builders, this episode shares real-life strategies to help you stop doing all the work yourself. 💡 In this episode:– Who (or what) can help you share the load– Why outsourcing is strategy, not surrender– Eliminate what you don’t need: dry-clean-only polos taught me about saying no– How my fridge and under-eye masks are in a co-dependent relationship If you want to learn more about “Stop Doing All The Work!” you can check out chapter 5 of my book, “Tidy Up Your Life.” 🎯 Strategies that have helped us stop doing all the work! * Skylight Calendar - Get your schedule organized! Use code TIDYDAD30 to get $30 off Skylight 15 Inch Calendars, available globally, code expires in June. * ButcherBox - Get fresh meat delivered directly to your door. ButcherBox is giving my audience free filet mignon in every box for a year + $60 off ($20 off your first 3 boxes) when you click my link and use code TIDYDAD at checkout (expires 5/31)! * Protein Iced Coffee - Two scoops, cold water, shake - yes, please!!! (This would also make a great Mother’s Day or Teacher Appreciation Week gift!) We have the original flavor in the large bag and smaller variety packets to try different flavors. * Under-Eye Masks - I put these on every morning and clean while they work their magic. (I keep them in the refrigerator so they’re super cold and refreshing!) * My Favorite Power Foaming Toilet Cleaner - This pink stuff is truly incredible. 🍎 A Quick Note on Teacher Appreciation Week Next week is Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9), and if you’ve got school-age kids, I’ve got a simple gift idea that the teachers will truly appreciate. Here’s a free download that’s a version of outsourcing work! It’s a Teacher Top 10 List.Have your child’s teacher fill it out—favorite candy, go-to snack, drink order—and then pick a few to surprise their teacher with throughout the week. Here’s another fun idea: have your kid bring a bagel + coffee order card to school. The teacher fills it out with their order, your kid delivers it the next day. It’s nice for the teacher to know they’ll have an easy morning, and it’s thoughtful and delicious! Want access to the full Tidy Toolkit PLUS Behind the Stories? Consider becoming a paid subscriber to “The Tidy Times”! 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Tidy Tidbits: The Bedroom Debates This week, I accidentally started a war...Over top sheets, mirrors, and closet space. 😅 After launching some very unscientific Instagram polls, my DMs exploded—and today, we’re diving into three highly controversial bedroom topics: sheets, mirrors, and closets! Key Takeaways: * Top sheets are controversial. * Mirrors might be messing with your sleep. * Closet equality is still just a dream. Another important question: Less Wrestling, More Resting * Watch this! Duvet Cover - my “roll hack” (video on Instagram) * Beddy’s zipper bedding sets are a game changer on our bunk beds - they set us up with code TIDYDAD to share for 20% off! (Beddy’s affiliate link) * We use these sheet sets on all of the beds at our short-term rental cottage - they’re good quality, a great price, and have over 300k reviews - along with this basic duvet cover set and duvet inserts (Amazon affiliate links) * Yes, our children share a bedroom, and people have LOTS of opinions - “Three Kids, One Room, Countless Questions” 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
🛏️ Tidy Tidbits: Triple Bunks, Tiny Room, Big Feelings Episode Summary: When a commenter suggested that our shared kids' room only works because we have three girls, it sparked today’s episode. Because here’s the truth: small-space living can work—with boys, girls, or any mix in between. But it takes intention, systems, and a little mindset magic. In this five-minute episode, I’m sharing: * The bold decision we made to give our kids the biggest room in the apartment * Why global norms around shared rooms look very different from the American ideal * How organizational zoning help manage the chaos * Our approach to boundaries, bedtime, and shared spaces that actually function Links to shared kid bedroom favorites: 🛏️ Our triple bunk bed helps to make sure our girls have plenty of floor space to play! 🤸♀️ This zip-up bedding lets up easily make the beds without doing bunk gymnastics. And I have a discount for you - use code TIDYDAD at checkout for 20% off an order! 💡 These clip-on reading lights let our girls read in bed without bothering each other. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Tidy Tidbits: Be Kind to Your Laundry This week’s episode starts with one of my most humbling NYC parenting stories—the day my sweatpants hit the pavement in the middle of a crosswalk. (Spoiler: bright blue briefs, toddler in tow, and a gallon jug of detergent involved.) But that moment of public humiliation led to a total laundry overhaul—and eventually, the discovery of Kind Laundry. We’re talking about: 👖 A parenting moment turned personal folklore 🧺 Why I ditched the detergent jug for good🌱 The power (and portability) of Kind Laundry detergent sheets 🌊 My favorite Ocean Breeze scent boosters—and how they keep towels smelling fresh weeks later✈️ Doing laundry on vacation (yes, really) 🌎 How clean laundry can be kind to your clothes, suitcase, space, and the planet Shop the Tidy Dad Collection I’ve partnered with Kind Laundry to create the Tidy Dad Collection—featuring my favorite detergent sheets + scent boosters. Here’s what you get: ✅ Order the scent boosters → Get 3 free scent sample packs to try! ✅ Order the detergent sheets + scent boosters → Get $5 off the bundle plus the 3 free scent sample packs ✅ Want to try a different Kind product? Use code TIDYDAD for 10% off sitewide Clean laundry, good deals, and fresh-smelling clothes? That’s a win-win-win. → Shop the KIND x Tidy Dad Collection here 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Tidy Tidbits, we're talking about the seven-letter word that haunts every household: L-A-U-N-D-R-Y. Join Tidy Dad as he: * Shares what it’s like doing laundry in a 1914 NYC apartment building (spoiler: no washer, no dryer, and yes, the tub is clogged… again) [update - we unclogged the tub, using this miracle product!!!] * Recounts the time his toddler quite literally pantsed him on a city sidewalk while hauling a giant laundry bag * Breaks down the real cost of laundromat life vs. premium laundry service (and why he’s terrified to enjoy the luxury) * Reveals the magic of doing laundry at his Pennsylvania cottage—and the high-maintenance love affair with his stackable front-loader * Offers practical tips for maintaining a front-loading washer, including mold prevention (here’s my favorite mold remover!), filter cleaning, and the one monthly step most people forget * Invites you to grab the Find Your Filters guide inside the paid Tidy Toolkit 🛠️ 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Episode Summary:In this episode, I’m sharing five family travel truths I swear by—hard-won from years of packing snacks, surviving road trips, and dodging car vomit. From our three-act itinerary strategy to fanny packs full of fidget toys, this one’s for anyone trying to make family travel a little less chaotic (and a lot more memorable). Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or braving spring break with kids, these tips just might keep you sane. What You’ll Hear: 🎭 How we plan every travel day like a Broadway show 🎒 Why fanny packs and fidget toys are parenting gold 🌅 The reason we always start our trips in the dark 📍 The four-hour boundary that keeps weekend trips enjoyable 🚗 Why we’ve never upgraded from our cramped Chevy Malibu—and never will Links to our favorite travel toys: Packing for a trip with kids? You need fanny packs and fidget toys: Check out this list! Planning your own family adventure? Paid subscribers to The Tidy Times on Substack get access to the “Tidy Toolkit” which includes my Tidy up your Travels: Itinerary—a simple tool to help you build trips using my three-act structure. It’s like a writing outline… but for your vacation. ✍️🗺️ 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Episode Summary: In this episode, I’m talking toilet brushes, life skills, and the mysterious disappearance of cleaning education. From early-morning scrubbing to teaching my kids that cleaning isn’t tied to gender, this one’s about the messes we make—and how we learn to clean them up. If you're raising future mess-makers (and future tidy-uppers), this one could be a great listen for them too! What You’ll Hear:🧽 Why seeing a dad scrub a toilet matters more than you think🧼 The missing piece in modern education: basic cleaning skills🏛️ The three branches of cleaning—and why they all matter Want Even More: You filthy animals—it’s time to shake off that winter hibernation and freshen up those spaces! Tidy Dad’s Spring Cleaning Guide is here! 🧽🌸 Tidy Dad’s Spring Cleaning Guide is designed to help you deep clean, declutter, and reset your home this spring—without the stress. Whether you're tackling dust bunnies or stuffed drawers, this guide gives you quick wins and game-changing strategies to make spring cleaning feel doable (and dare we say, fun?). Here’s a sneak peek at what’s inside: 🧼 Top 10 Cleaning ToolsThe right tools = faster, easier cleaning. From steam cleaners to Swedish dishcloths, these are my go-to essentials to help you clean smarter, not harder. 🎯 Spring Cleaning BingoLet’s ditch perfection and aim for progress. This Bingo board turns cleaning into a game, with satisfying mini tasks that make your home shine—one square at a time. ❌⭕ Tic Tac Clean!A fast-paced cleaning challenge for couples, roommates, parents vs. kids, or siblings! Pick a board, complete three tasks in a row, and race to win—because we all make messes, and we can all learn to clean them up. 🗂 Declutter This!It’s not just about scrubbing—it’s about making space. Declutter This! breaks down April, May, and June’s clutter zones into quick, 10-minute missions so you can reset with ease. 🛏 Tidy First, Clean SmartMy golden rule: tidy the night before. Picking up clutter and clearing surfaces makes cleaning the next day so much faster. Separate the tidy from the clean, and thank me later. Ready to clean up your act? The Spring Cleaning Guide is part of the Tidy Toolkit—a growing library of helpful, practical resources for my paid Substack subscribers. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
Episode Summary: Baking, birthdays, and just a little glitter usage—welcome to another episode of Tidy Tidbits! This week, I’m talking about my six-week stretch of birthday joy, my attempts (and failures) at getting cast on a baking show, and the four-gift rule that keeps our family’s celebrations simple and meaningful. From a Barbie cake with a fondant skirt to a caterpillar cake with a sculpted chocolate face (and yes, that unfortunate cake that looked exactly like my swim briefs), baking has become a key part of how I connect with my daughters during birthday season. And while I may never win a baking title, I’ve fully embraced my role as Birthday Baking Dad. Listen to the audio clip above for the full story! Key Takeaways: 🎂 Our Family’s Gifting Philosophy – How the four-gift rule (want, need, wear, read) keeps birthday presents intentional and a bit more stress-free. 🎂 Why I Bake – Big parties aren’t our thing, but a show-stopping cake? That’s our family tradition. 🎂 Why Birthdays Matter – More than just cake and presents, birthdays are a time for reflection, connection, and celebrating the season we’re in. 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe
We’re diving into a steamy love story—and no, it’s not what you think. We’re talking pressurized, piping-hot, dirt-destroying steam. I’m sharing my undying admiration for the Bissell Omni Reach, the cleaning tool that makes me feel like a superhero in the war against grime. It’s chemical-free, powerful, and versatile enough to clean everything from grout to garbage cans to the dreaded zone behind the toilet. Oh, and did I mention I once cleaned my bathroom in full Wicked cosplay to the tune of Defying Gravity? Yeah. It happened. And honestly, I soared. If you’re wondering: ✅ Do you have to wipe after steaming? (Yes.) ✅ Does it take forever to heat up? (Nope—just a couple of minutes.) ✅ Will it burn you? (Only if you use your not-so-smart thinking brain.) ✅ Is it worth it? (Absolutely—a deep clean for $40-$50 is a steal.) So, if you’re looking for a natural, chemical-free way to make your home sparkle, this one’s for you. ✨ Listen now for the full (and slightly dramatic) cleaning love story! ✨ 💨 Check out the Bissell Omni Reach 📚 Want more tips like these? Check out my book: Tidy Up Your Life🗞️ Subscribe to The Tidy Times: tidydad.substack.com 📸 Follow along on IG: @tidydad This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tidydad.substack.com/subscribe