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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.
#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...
I had plans… but learning didn’t fit my life
Most people don’t stop learning because they don’t want to.They stop because learning stops fitting their life. In this episode of I Had Plans, I talk about what happens when access, location, timing, and real life get in the way of education - and why that experience...
#15 I had plans… I just didn’t ask first
Most of the plans that changed my life didn’t come with approval. No green light.No roadmap.No one saying, “Yes, that’s a good idea.” In this episode of I Had Plans, I talk about curiosity, starting before you feel ready, and doing things without waiting for...
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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.