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The
I had plans
Podcast
I’m Smaragda – a tech freelancer, mum, and professional button-presser – sharing the wins, fails, and reality behind the “flexible” work-from-home life. No scripts, no guests, just honest stories, sarcasm, and the occasional snack.
About I had plans
Welcome to I Had Plans, the podcast that tells the truth about freelancing, side gigs, and working from home while pretending to have it all together.
Each episode is short, real, and recorded somewhere between client calls, school pick-up, and a cold cup of coffee. You’ll hear about projects that went well, the ones that didn’t, and everything that happens when “flexible work” meets real life.
If you’ve ever said “I’ll do it tonight” and then fallen asleep instead — this podcast is for you.
Smaragda Vavakaris
Host
New Episodes Weekly
Live Every Tuesday
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About me
I’m Smaragda — a tech freelancer, learning designer, and mum who’s been pressing buttons online for nearly two decades. I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in training and digital learning, but honestly, most days still feel like organised chaos.
After years of juggling deadlines, side gigs, and life in general, I realised that the messy middle is where all the best stories live. So instead of pretending it’s all balance and bliss, I started sharing the truth — the good, the bad, and the snack-fuelled.
Because work-from-home life isn’t perfect. But it’s real, it’s funny, and it’s definitely worth talking about.
#21 I had plans… but the migrant rule said stay
The migrant rule is simple: stay. Stay in the job. Stay grateful. Stay safe. I had plans.But I also grew up with a rule I didn’t choose: keep the job, stay loyal, be grateful, don’t rock the boat. In this episode, I explore the tension between personal ambition and...
#20 Too quiet to relax, too busy to improve
When work is quiet, you stress and chase.When work is busy, you crave space to build. In this episode, I talk about the tension of running a business when it’s never the “right” time to focus on long-term growth. I share what’s been happening behind the scenes while...
#19 Just talk about soemthing you like
I asked my kids what I should talk about on the podcast. My six-year-old said, “Just talk about something you like.” My eight-year-old agreed. Which was funny… because that’s exactly what I’ve always told them when they prepare for school news day or public speaking....
#18 I had plans – and digital tools helped me make them happen
One of my traits — and vices — is exploring new tools and tech.Understanding what they do, why they’re useful, and when they’re not. That curiosity is a big part of how I built my career and the way I work today. In this episode, I share how I think about using...
Turns out my skills are transferable – even in the kitchen
A broken dishwasher, an error code, and a growing pile of dishes during school holidays wasn’t part of the plan — but it turned into a perfect reminder of how transferable skills actually work in real life. In this episode, I share how the same troubleshooting process...
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I had plans
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Freelance chaos, mum life, side gigs, and the glorious mess in between. I’m Smaragda — a tech freelancer, mum, and professional button-presser — sharing the wins, fails, and reality behind the “flexible” work-from-home life. No scripts, no guests, just honest stories, sarcasm, and the occasional snack.