Influencer marketing is a case study in how easy it is to sell things to followers who trust their favorite online personalities. But offering that elusive 'personal recommendation' for EVERYthing has normalized both inauthentic endorsing and impulse shopping. It has normalized the buying and selling of your precious attention, too.

Here's a sneak peak of today's episode for subscribers. Listen to the whole episode by becoming a paid supporter! On Apple Podcasts hit the "Try Free" button or, if you listen elsewhere, sign up via Substack. Thanks for considering!

There are few things more satisfying than completing a proper spring cleaning. Deep cleaning when the weather warms is a biological imperative that's rooted in centuries of tradition because the practice lightens moods and improves health. It also symbolizes renewal as we come out of hibernation and back into the sunshine.

You aren't alone in your seasonal desire to deep clean. On today's show: Opening the windows, deep-cleaning those closets, stripping the beds, and vacuuming those oft-ignored places just in time for the Spring Equinox.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] The evolutionary reasons that may explain why humans have "shaken their houses" for over 3 thousand years

[8:00] Using newspapers to clean your windows, mopping every week, and other cleaning myths

[18:00] Yes, you do need to spring clean your appliances! Here's how

[24:00] Exactly how to deep clean your bedding in 4 steps

[30:00] Love a good spring cleaning and want extra credit? Don't forget about these 5 oft-overlooked areas

Resources mentioned:

When we let go of what doesn't serve us, we remove weight that holds us down. On today's show we turn to Zen Buddhism for wisdom on letting go of anxiety about the future, grudges, stuff, dead relationships, and more.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Insanely anxious about the future? (Me too!) Don't spend your energy worrying; do this instead

[12:00] Think of decluttering not as throwing stuff away; think of it instead as setting your stuff (and yourself!) free

[19:00] How to let go of lost friendships and relationships, straight from the mouths of Buddhist monks

[26:00] Holding a grudge requires vast amounts of energy so become skilled at forgetting

[34:00] You're going to get to where you're meant to go, so there's no need to second-guess your choices

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Women have been targeted for decades with the message that shopping is recreation. It?s a way to relax and unwind, sure, but recreational shopping also contributes to the climate crisis, supports the worst of shareholder capitalism, and creates an awful lot of unnecessary waste.

Enter Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy, a hard-hitting new Netflix documentary that forces viewers to look at our waste-related woes. On today?s show producer Flora Bagenal offers a behind-the-scenes look at the documentary?s creation; she also answers your pressing, post-viewing questions.

Here?s a preview:

[7:00] People find it hard to look at waste, and yet the film makes us look. A behind-the-scenes examination all those hard-hitting images

[16:30] Adidas, Amazon, Unilever, and Apple: Here's why the film featured former employees-turned-whistleblowers

[26:00] Corporate execs must show growth, and corporations are on a treadmill of extracting more and more $$ by pushing unnecessary and redundant products. Is not buying an effective act of resistance?

[30:00] Mindset shifts! Quality is a climate issue, and once you press ?Buy Now? you become responsible for the item?s end of life

[36:00] Exactly how to Use. Your. Rage!

Resources mentioned:

Have you ever thought about what your life would be like without a trash can?

Here in the US, we don't think much about what happens to stuff once we're done with it. Indeed, American infrastructure isn't equipped to properly handle waste, and our wonton wastefulness on the cultural level exacerbates the climate crisis.

It's entirely possible to take matters into your own hands by stepping up as a change maker. On today's show activist and author Fredrika Syren suggests tangible ways to treat waste with the reverence it deserves by systematically creating less of it.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Recycling is broken in America, and yet other countries have figured out how to do it right

[17:00] Being a change maker means asking guests to take their trash home with them

[26:30] Exactly how Fredrika saves $18,000 each year thanks to her zero-waste lifestyle

[30:00] Pick a self-sufficient skill and teach yourself! Thoughts on taking your zero-waste efforts up a notch in 2025

Does it feel like there?s something hypocritical about New Year?s resolutions? They run counter to the idea that we should accept who we are. That we should give ourselves grace.

Resolutions shouldn?t be so grand that we set ourselves up to fail; they shouldn't attempt to "fix" what we've been told is broken, either ("I should be skinnier! I should make more $$!"). There?s a way to work towards personal development without believing you are deficient, and author Tyler Moore is here to show us how.

Here's a preview:

[10:00] Where can you edit to make the time and space to flourish?

[15:00] Differentiating between becoming the best you can be versus "fixing" what you've been told is broken

[22:00] Clearing mental clutter is an awful lot like decluttering your closet

[27:00] Instead of a New Year's resolution, try 12 monthly 'experiments', instead

[32:00] Why hitching your star to external markers of success rarely works, plus: Don't move the goalpost!

Resources mentioned:

Have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? While capsule wardrobes are often touted as the singular solution to closet overwhelm, many report that they can be restrictive, boring and, frankly, unrealistic in practice.

A minimalist closet is best served by first identifying the outfits needed to live YOUR unique life. On today's show podcaster Lauren Morley shows us how to streamline our wardrobes, say goodbye to clutter, and feel effortlessly put together every day by focusing less on capsules and more on a 20 outfit wardrobe, instead.

Here's a preview:

[5:30] Identifying exactly where and why capsule wardrobes fall short

[11:00] Why doesn't buying more clothes solve the problems associated with getting dressed? Conversely, why isn't decluttering the singular solution?

[16:00] Say goodbye to capsule wardrobes and hello to your 20 outfit wardrobe

[20:00] Getting to the root of our cultural reverence for bottomless closets

[28:00] The trend cycle is not your friend, so hop off that bandwagon!

Resources mentioned:

In Scandinavia, daily interaction with nature has helped turn many people into passionate advocates for the environment. But there are forces at play in American society that divide humans from nature. To name just a few? Schools cut recess to make more time for academic instruction, cities boast sprawl over walkability, and our societal reverence for cleanliness prevents many Americans from getting outside and getting a little dirty.

Best-selling author Linda McGurk was born in Sweden and, later, raised her own children in the US. Linda is on the show to highlight the ways in which the two cultures diverge with regard to interacting with and respecting the natural world; she also offers both the encouragement and the how-to to get outside in all weather.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Nature isn't an essential part of childhood here in America. Why not?

[18:00] Not competitive, not motorized, and 3 other ways adults prioritize the open-air life in Scandinavia

[23:00] No such thing as bad weather? What about extreme, climate change-induced weather events?

[28:00] Revisiting our very-American need to be comfortable at all times

[32:00] American schools are slowly eliminating outdoor recess. Here's how to advocate for more outdoor time at your child's school

What is the "holiday season", really?

Savvy marketers have inserted gingerbread lattes, blow up lawn decor, and lots of gifts as synonymous with December. But we aren't in some made-up season of buying; instead, we are approaching the Winter Solstice. And when nature is our guide, living seasonally is less about shopping hauls and more about existing in pace with the changing seasons.

In a world where we can buy just about anything, it takes intention to live in alignment with nature. On today's show Bailey Van Tassel offers suggestions for weaving what's outside your front door ? not what's in Target! ? into your seasonal celebrations.

Here's a preview:

[11:00] Transitioning from commercialized seasonal living to interacting with nature at your feet

[15:00] The ways in which nature's pace complements modern life (if, of course, we allow it)

[19:30] Minimalists, unite! Don't buy more ultra-trendy seasonal stuff; do this instead

[25:00] Slow down your life by making your family traditions crave-able

[33:00] Connections between seasons of a year and seasons of a life

Resources mentioned:

Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs.

And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion's biggest environmental footprints. On today's show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming this wardrobe staple into a sustainable solution.

Here's a preview:

[7:00]  Stone-washed with actual stones? Dyed with carcinogenic dyes? Uncovering your favorite pair's dirty little enviro-secrets 

[13:00] Want some stretch? Revisiting our desire for synthetic fibers in our denim 

[23:00] The trend cycle = smoke and mirrors

[27:00] It's a marriage not a fling (and other tried-and-true sustainable fashion tips)

[31:00] Stephanie's nihilist thoughts: What happens when collective action matters, and yet the collective isn't doing its part?

Resources mentioned:

We Americans may indeed be "rich" in material terms, but we suffer from what Mother Teresa calls a poverty of spirit. As we chased economic growth we closed ourselves off. We abandoned interconnectedness with other people, beings, and things. We also abandoned ourselves.

Many of the problems in our world today are visual manifestations of such abandonment. If the world isn't looking the way you want it to look right now, author Jeff Golden argues that solving our (numerous) issues starts by healing our culture-wide poverty of spirit.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Money doesn?t make us happy, and the extent to which we strive for stuff is a manifestation of how unhappy we actually are inside

[8:00] How we feel about ourselves impacts how we show up in the world. How we treat others! Whether we regard other beings with love and respect!

[16:00] Exactly why healing our world (and ourselves!) may indeed start by getting out of our heads

[32:00] Debunking heady intellectual conversations about the importance of the economy, plus: a laundry list of the ways we use stuff as stand-ins for well-being

[38:00] Tangible ways to "drop into yourself" (because you and others deserve it!)

Resources mentioned:

Many of us shy away from the word 'activist' because the term brings to mind a very specific type of person. But if you're regularly taking action to make the world a better place? Guess what my friend, you're already an activist (yes, really!).

What matters is not the size of the action, nor how vigorous the action is. It's all about consistency. On today's re-air author Omkari Williams helps us find the kind of social justice engagement that feels both empowering *and* sustainable.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Activism isn't just marching and picketing: Here's what micro activism looks like in the day to day 

[10:30] Are you a headliner, an organizer, a producer, or an indispensable? How to determine your unique activist archetype

[22:00] The status quo isn't working for the vast majority of us. So where's the passion for change?

[30:00] How to know whether your efforts constitute shallow work or deep work

Resources mentioned:

Capitalism has transformed the world, sure. But at what cost? (Immense environmental ones, of course.)

Americans, it's high-time we accept that the Golden Age of capitalism is long gone. On today's show: A frank discussion with sustainable finance visionary Kara Perez about insulating ourselves from late-stage capitalism's most damaging effects with individual and collective action.

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Money is a tool for change, and yet it's literally something we made up

[11:00] Can we be nickled and dimed even more than we already are? (Spoiler alert: Yes.)

[14:00] A few of the ways in which shareholder capitalism limits society's ability to progress

[22:00] Tangible ways you and I can "change the flow of money"

Resources mentioned:

Cyberpsychology is an emerging field that examines the ways in which technology influences human behavior. On today's show we discuss what happens to our purchasing habits when psychology, sociology, and 21st century tech collide.

Here's a preview:

[1:30] Who you think you are is influenced by others (hello, looking glass self!)

[8:30] It's human nature to compare and compete: Here's how and why we internalize social media messaging

[16:00] 3 reasons why shoppers feel better when they purchase items that contribute to self-repair

[20:00] 2 ways dopamine and online algorithms work together and entice us to buy

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

Our culture is marked by both comparison and overconsumption, and we are constantly urged to hustle for something bigger, better, or more expensive because (supposedly) happiness lies within the next purchase or achievement. But what if the key to living a more satisfied life is to simply slow down and listen to your intuition?

On today's show: A conversation with best-selling author Stephanie O'Dea about breaking free from hustle culture for increased fulfillment, reduced stress, and a stronger sense of purpose.

Here's a preview:

[8:00] Doing things out of guilt, obligation, or acceptance versus Simply Looking Only Within (SLOW!)

[12:00] It's a lot easier to sell to people who are unhappy. Enter our preponderance for fast living

[20:00] Is conventional 'success' possible when we are living slow?

[25:00] What to do when you can't hear the voice within because daily life is too fast and too noisy

[27:00] The more social media scrolling, the more disenchantment. And yet we are creatures of comparison ...

Resources mentioned:

There's no way around it: more stuff means more sedentarism.

Products of convenience move on our behalf, and our kids are moving their bodies less than any other generation in human history. Our culture?and the items the market produces to support our ways of life?dissuade self-sufficiency, and so creating a movement-rich life for our health and for the planet's may often feel like an uphill battle.

This week I speak with author and biomechanist Katy Bowman. Katy offers tangible ways to reclaim the movement opportunities that have been lost to the conveniences associated with modern living.

Here's a preview:

[7:30] The relationship between carbon footprints, pleasure, and movement lost

[16:00] How to become more tolerant of movement in the house

[19:15] Ways to engage kids who don't consider themselves "outdoorsy"

[22:45] Multitasking versus stacking: What's the difference (and why does it matter?)

[25:20]  2 steps listeners can take right now to reclaim movement opportunities that have been lost to convenience

Resources mentioned:

Water is a finite resource. Freshwater shortages are increasingly striking regions around the globe and, as demand for water rises while supply continues to drop, the price of water will likely skyrocket.

It?s more important than ever to be smart about water. On today's show horticulturist Noelle Johnson offers easy ways to save water and have a beautiful yard ? even amongst challenging climatic conditions. 

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Globally, less rain is falling. And simultaneously the planet is desertifying. What are the consequences?

[11:00] Exactly why rainwater is better for our plants than water from the hose, plus: 3 ways to effectively capture rainwater

[15:00] Did you know you can repurpose gray water in your yard? (I sure didn't!)

[26:00] Musings on lawns

[32:00] 7 ways to use less water in your vegetable garden (hint: raised beds require more water!)

Resources mentioned:

Many people ? and many societies, for that matter ? rely on short-sighted quick wins as their Number One go-tos when managing oversized problems. But what works in the short-term likely isn?t best in the long run; worse, such near-sightedness rarely considers its impacts on generations to come.

Enter longpath thinking, a mindset that prioritizes future-conscious thinking and behavior.

On today?s episode I speak with author and futurist Ari Wallach. Ari argues that when we step away from knee-jerk reactions we will both reclaim meaning in our lives and help preserve the planet for future generations. And if making daily decisions by considering their reverberations 500 years from now sounds revolutionary to you, you?re absolutely right. Ari?s on the show to ease the transition to future-consciousness in 3 simple steps.

Here?s a preview: 

[2:00] ?Future? isn?t a noun; it?s a verb. Here?s why

[4:30] Debunking lifespan biases so as to create a better world for future generations

[6:00] 3 problems associated with short-termism

[11:30] How an understanding of transgenerational empathy encourages us to act on behalf of future generations

[17:00] What doubling down on sandbag strategies means for fulfilling our collective moral obligations

[20:00] 3 ways to start practicing longpath thinking and acting right now

Resource mentioned:

These days, dry cleaners press shirts, industrialized farms grow monocrops, and factories churn out single-use varieties of (nearly) everything. And when a possession looks a little worn or a little torn? Many Americans trash it and buy new without a second thought.

Life can be simpler, more affordable, and downright sweeter when you do things yourself and maintain what you already own. On today's show: Calling on the timeless wisdom of our great grandparents to re-learn specific, self-sufficient skills for the long haul.

Here's a preview of the skills we are re-learning today:

[5:30] How to  season your cast iron skillet

[9:30] How to buy local food every week

[21:00] How to best care for your leather footwear

Resources mentioned:

Clothing swaps (or toy swaps, or book swaps, or home goods swaps) are a low-stakes way to declutter your closet and acquire new-to-you clothes. These events also happen to be the epitome of communal care and can fundamentally change how others view secondhand items.

Share resources with your neighbors, reduce waste, and get socializing without exchanging money! On today's show 4-time clothing swap host Jess Schroeder divulges her pro secrets to hosting a successful event. 

Here's a preview: 

[8:00] The price of clothes has dropped dramatically in the last 30 years. Are clothing swaps pointless amidst our cultural reverence for cheap goods?

[13:30] What is it about a swap that's so darn fun?

[19:00] Your questions answered: Exactly how to host a killer clothing swap

[24:00] How to be size inclusive and other pro tips for hosts and guests alike

Resources mentioned:

Since the dawn of the chemical era more than 300,000 chemicals have been invented, and many are made from oil and natural gas. While some manufactured chemicals have indeed provided benefit (Disinfectants! Antibiotics!), they have also caused great harm. Manufactured chemicals pollute every corner of the planet. They kill bees, fish, and mammals. They nearly destroyed the ozone and, yes, they give us cancer.

Many types of cancer are on the rise in the US, and one explanation for this increase lies in our world of chemicals. On today's show environmental investigative reporter Kristina Marusic identifies the harmful environmental exposures linked to cancer; she also provides a step-by-step roadmap for reducing your cancer risk.

Here's a preview: 

[2:00] Breaking down exactly what's happening with cancer rates around the world and why

[12:00] The 3 Ps: 3 categories of pollutants that have clear links to childhood cancer

[20:00] Pay special attention to these preventable environmental exposures if you have children

[24:00] Revisiting the personal care product conundrum 

[28:00] The harmful environmental exposures you should zero in on at your child's daycare or school 

[36:00] In defense of being a loudmouth: You've been given a voice; here's how to best use it

Resources mentioned: 

Our To-Do lists are never-ending, sure. But it's neither realistic nor fair to assume we can excel in every arena. 

Enter selective mediocrity, a.k.a. that conscious choice to let some stuff go. 

We simply can't do it all, and selective mediocrity enables us to give our whole selves to the tasks and goals that really matter. On today's show: A conversation with Dr. Whitney Casares about *actually* lowering our expectations (not just pretending we lowered them!) and preserving our precious time and energy.

Here's a preview:

[3:30] Feel like you're doing it all? Here are the 9 areas that take up the majority of a woman's time and energy

[9:30] We moms aren't broken. The system is broken!

[21:00] How do you decide when and where to be 'selectively mediocre'?

[24:00] Anxiety loves perfection because anxiety loves control. Musings on being OK with letting some things go

[28:00] Women have been conditioned to put others' needs ahead of their own. Time to enact self-boundaries!

Resources mentioned:

Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be

A recent study finds Americans are spending notably more time at home, and it's not wholly the pandemic's fault. Thank technology: For the last 20 years Americans have slowly traded their social institutions ? like churches and clubs ? for isolation.

Have we forgotten how to be social creatures? On today's show: A conversation with journalist Rosie Spinks about concrete ways to rebuild your proverbial village. 

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Counting the ways in which the pandemic hastened a cultural shift toward isolation already in progress

[9:00] You don't need friends; you need 50 people

[16:00] Be the person who asks twice!

[24:00] The quiet genius of enacting place-based rituals

[31:00] Reminder! Canceling is not a form of self-care

[35:00] Are your social efforts rarely reciprocated? Enact this 3-second mindset shift

Resources mentioned:

Life is noisier, messier, and more complicated than ever. In our quest to keep up, we can try to do it all?with mixed results.

Instead of life passively happening TO us, we each have the power to create the life we want to live. On today's show: A conversation with author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta about figuring out what matters most and hitting delete on what doesn?t.

Here's a preview:

[7:00] Before we edit, we must first examine: 3 questions to regularly ask when seeking a life of intention

[9:30] The paradox of choice, plus: Why many of us rarely go after our first choice

[16:00] Words of encouragement for listeners who examine their life and don't like what they see

[21:00] Using your unique "core competencies" as organizing principles when editing your life

[27:00] Editing for generosity: How to edit your narrative to benefit the collective

[33:00] Elisabeth and Stephanie's thoughts on enjoying life despite the world's messiness

Resources mentioned:

The US hails consumption as a patriotic duty. But refraining from buying isn't a punishment, and practicing a bit of self-control both resets our hedonistic baseline and re-centers our behaviors around moderation. 

It's paradoxical but true: Imposing temporary limits ultimately sets you free. On today's show author John Oakes discusses the numerous benefits associated with fasting from food, from spending, and everything in between.

Here's a preview:

[9:00] What do ancient philosophers have to say about self-control, holding back, and managing desires?

[13:00] Musings on why it's important to put limits on ourselves even though our economy thrives when we consume without limits

[25:00] We can do hard things! The personal benefits associated with embarking on a challenge and accomplishing it

[29:00] Is overconsumption contributing to our nationwide 'modern malaise'?

Resources mentioned:

Big tech trains kids to become consumers from ? well, birth.

Child-targeted marketing is cringe-worthy at best and unethical at worst. It also undermines children?s healthy development because it robs them of opportunities to play, imagine, and learn freely without manipulation.

Today I speak with Dr. Susan Linn about the ways in which technology exploits children (and what we can do about it at home).

(The podcast is approaching its 500th episode and in celebration I'm re-airing my Top 5 favorite episodes of all time. Here's #5.)

Here?s a preview:

[3:30] Brand loyalty? How media corporations exploit our children for profit

[6:30] Societal implications associated with perpetually up-selling to kids

[11:30] The ways in which big tech manipulates children into bonding with their devices

[17:00] A good, hard look: Addressing our collective preoccupation with technology

[28:00] Thoughts on breaking an older child?s screen addiction

Resources mentioned:

The Japanese argue that we each have three faces. The first is your idealized, near-perfect version; it's also the mask you present to the world. You reveal your second face selectively to very close friends and family, and you keep your third face ? your true self ? hidden from everyone (including, perhaps, yourself).

Our first mask conveys self-assuredness. Of being happy, put together, and in charge. But beneath our masks, we are messy creatures. We may even be living in deep emotional pain. On today's show: A conversation with author Jarod K. Anderson about removing our masks, being vulnerable, and boldly accepting our authentic, messy selves.

* A note from Stephanie: The future of this show is uncertain, and it needs hundreds (hundreds!) more supporters to stay afloat. If you find yourself thinking about the world differently after listening, please consider supporting the show with $5 per month or $45 per year. Thank you for doing your part  to keep Sustainable Minimalists in existence! https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Shoulds, musts, and our cultural love of billable productivity

[10:00] Jarod's thoughts on why we tend to turn to external validation and societally-approved markers to enhance self-esteem

[13:00] The toxic myth that is 'rugged individualism'

[18:00] Exactly why vulnerability is terrifying but essential 

[25:00] How to view the natural world as a medicinal anchor that accepts us just as we are

Resources mentioned:

Resources mentioned:

Want to be "up to date" with your wardrobe choices? Fashion forwardness understands that the textile industry is incredibly polluting; having your finger on the fashion pulse, then, is about consciously choosing not to participate in trends.

And yet we somehow must dress ourselves. While fast fashion is quite literally made to fall apart, wearing what we wore decades ago isn't a good look. So what on earth is a sustainable minimalist to do?

On today's show: How to mindfully refresh your wardrobe with tips straight from experts. 

* A note from Stephanie: The future of this show is uncertain, and it needs hundreds (hundreds!) more supporters to stay afloat. If you find yourself thinking about the world differently after listening, please consider supporting the show with $5 per month or $45 per year. Thank you for doing your part  to keep Sustainable Minimalists in existence! https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com

Here's a preview of the expert-backed techniques we are discussing today:

[8:30] All Killer, No Filler! Stop settling for garments that are "good enough"

[17:00] Adapt, Don't Abandon: How to pair an outdated item with something that's on trend

[24:00] Refine your style with The 3-Word Method

[26:00] Raise the dead! (A.K.A. bring back to life high-quality, foundational pieces)

[31:00] When all else fails, consider a uniform 

Resources mentioned:

More free time and less stress. Extra money in the bank. While minimalists often report such benefits of the lifestyle over and over, for many of us, it goes deeper. Indeed, a minimalist lifestyle may fundamentally change the way we interact with the world.

As this podcast approaches its 500th episode I find myself curious about the ways in which adopting a minimalist or minimal-ish outlook has altered the ways in which we as community act and think.

On today's show: A conversation with minimalist Elaina Jindra about just some of the ways her life is different these days.

Here's a preview of the minimalism-inspired habit changes we are discussing today:

[8:00] Watching less television and turning away from mass media

[14:00] Buying in bulk, no more

[19:00] Storing it at the store? Sure. Plus: Storing it at Goodwill!

[22:00] Eating healthier and drinking less alcohol

[25:00] Stepping into the role of 'creator' while losing the identity of 'consumer'

Resources mentioned:

Just because a product is marketed to babies or kids doesn't mean it's safe, and new research published just last week has alarming things to say about the presence of phthalates in personal care products for children. 

While minimalists know that excess stuff harms our emotional well-being and mental loads, *sustainable* minimalists understand that products can harm our physical health. On today's show: Applying the tenets of sustainable minimalism to the hair and skin products our children use each day.

Here's a preview:

[7:00] If phthalates make plastics flexible and bendy, what on earth are they doing in personal care products?

[10:00] Don't see the term 'phthalate' on a product's ingredients list? That doesn't mean it's phthalate-free!

[13:00] Are phthalates the reason why our daughters are getting their periods younger and younger?

[19:00] No 10-step skincare regimen to see here: Here's a 5-step cleanup regimen for your household

[25:00] Musings on the tween and teen skincare beauty craze

Resources mentioned:

Products mentioned on today's show:

Meal planning and prepping, laundry, and taking out the trash: These non-negotiable household tasks are never truly "done". And because it's impossible to get ahead of these mundane chores, they are likely the reason you feel like you?re always busy but never accomplish anything.

The bad news? Non-negotiables are a part of adulting. The good news? Streamlining such chores with a reduces the time and mental load associated with getting them done. 

On today's show: How to streamline meal planning *for the rest of your life* in under an hour.

Here's a preview: 

[6:30] Breaking down exactly how much extra you're paying for meal kits

[12:00] How to create a 28-day meal plan so you never have to meal plan again

[16:00] Take it a step further with one-and-done and done grocery lists 

Resource mentioned:

American culture is heavily influenced by a ?rise and grind? reverence for hustling, and many of us have adopted the belief that sleep is a waste of time. When we dismiss the importance of sleep, we have more time to work harder and longer. And when we have more money in our pockets, what we are really doing is keeping our capitalist engines turning.

Contrary to what you've been told, sleep is not time wasted. On today's show: The Number One way to improve your health, wellness, and quality of life without spending any money at all (ahem ... prioritizing sleep).

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Rise and grind culture promotes sleep deprivation!

[9:00] What happens when we sleep? Hop on a metaphorical submarine and explore the Sleep Sea 

[15:00] A laundry list of bad sleep's deleterious health and wellness effects

[21:00] In your 40s or 50s? You especially need to prioritize sleep, and here's why

[29:00] 6 research-backed ways to prioritize sleep every darn night

Resources mentioned:

We humans are evolutionarily primed to live in concert with the natural world, but these days Americans spend over 92% of time either indoors or inside a vehicle. The result? Stress, inflammation and ? for some of us ? a pervasive sense of malaise. 

American culture is designed to keep us indoors because capitalist engines make money when we are distracted, and yet cutting-edge science supports the reality that life on this planet is radically interconnected. On today's show author Lyanda Lynn Haupt introduces the concept of rooted living to benefit of both humans and nature.

Here's a preview:

[11:00] Nature provides connection, and yet 21st century life vilifies the outdoors

[16:00] Exactly why our capitalist engines benefit when we live indoors lives 

[22:00] Musings on our collected extractive mindset, plus: how roots are the antidote

[28:00] Lyanda's Number One tip for re-rooting yourself and your children (It's a good one!)

Resources mentioned:

A product needs to fit into someone?s life seamlessly in order for it to be bought, and it?s the job of the advertiser to show exactly how the item in question will fit into a life. On today's show: 5 crucial insights advertisers know about us (that we perhaps don't know about ourselves).

Here's a preview:

[1:00] Examining our clutter problem through metaphor (bathtub, baby!)

[9:00] Selling isn't about emotion; it's about seduction

[13:00] We humans are animals, and animals are evolutionarily primed to heed warnings

[15:00] Curiosity versus urgency: Both emotional states convert!

[21:00] How companies slowly but surely increase market share, plus: here's what happens when a product differentiates itself on eco-friendliness

[26:00] Insider advertising works!

Resources mentioned:

The Hidden Clutter Creator Right Under Your Nose (via Your House Machine on Substack)

One football field's-worth of forest is lost every single second of every single day. Loss of forests means loss of species and loss of stored carbon; it also means an increased risk of pandemics.

On today's show: Explaining the ways in which deforestation is linked to the pandemic prevalence, with tangible action steps for conscious consumers.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] It's not *just* about timber; it's about livestock, soy, and palm oil too

[12:30] Exactly what happens when we raze forests and the generalists (ahem ... the rats, the mosquitos) march in

[26:00] Breaking down the differences between the 3 Forest Stewardship Council certifications

[29:00] Revisiting the palm oil problem

 [32:00] The industrialized food system is broken, and it pays to shorten your personal food chain

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Parenthood is awash with immense pressure to do right by our kids. We are told that children need certain (expensive) experiences to 'get ahead', and many of us observe our parenting peers investing in countless extracurriculars. But children need downtime, and recent research suggests that children should experience twice as much unstructured time as structured enrichment.

On today's show podcaster Kathryn Garland and I discuss how to find the structured, extracurricular sweet spot for your family. 

Here's a preview:

[4:30] Scheduling rule #1: Family First (not Kid First!)

[15:00] When dabblers don't fit into a world of specializers

[22:00] Musings on extracurriculars, the 'rat race' and getting ahead

[26:00] Start with the end in mind (and other tips for finding the extracurriculars sweet spot)

[31:00] Words of encouragement for leaning into the quiet and into the slow

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?Tis the season for back-to-school door busters, price slashes, and closeouts. On today?s re-air: How to reduce clutter, save money, and help the planet by shopping for back-to-school with greater intention.

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Let?s pull back the curtain on back-to-school marketing, shall we?

[11:00] Here?s what it actually means (and what it actually looks like!) to shop your own home

[18:30] Revisiting the kids? capsule conversation

[26:00] Thoughts on teacher wishlists (from a former teacher)

Resources mentioned:

Welcome to Back To School Week 2024!

In many homes, back to school season means back to packing lunchboxes. It's a stress-inducing chore, sure, as many parents find it difficult to think up new, creative lunch ideas that are actually healthy (and will actually get eaten!).

On today's show registered dietician nutritionist Megan McNamee offers up her tried and true lunchbox formula; she also suggests simple lunch ideas that will make prepping lunches a breeze.

Stay tuned for Thursday's Back To School episode about acquiring school supplies, clothes, and gear like a sustainable minimalist. 

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Is there anything "wrong" with school lunches?

[8:00] Pack when your kitchen is open! (And other practical ways to make lunchbox packing easier)

[13:00] Add balance and variety by following Megan's Lunch Formula

[20:00] Lunchbox ideas you've never heard of before

[26:00] Must lunchboxes have a dessert?

[33:00] How to best use after school snack time as a sneaky way to supplement your child's diet

Resources mentioned:

Scientists have found unsettling details about the potential health risks of common household cleaning products. And yet Big Cleaning capitalizes on fear of germs, bacteria, and disease to sell us home cleansers with traditional chemical compounds on the regular.

It behooves us to ask ourselves whether the ways things have always been done align with our own values. On today's show Zac Kieffer argues it's high-time we redefine what it means to clean.

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Three reasons why it's important to perpetually question the way we clean and disinfect

[8:00] Are you disinfecting correctly? (Answer: Probably not.)

[16:00] Ammonia! 2-Butoxyethanol! BACs! Here's what cleaning companies don't want you to know about the (very powerful) chemical compounds in traditional cleansers

[21:00] Big Cleaning and fear-based marketing

[28:00] Does microfiber = microplastics?

Resources mentioned:

If you're like me, you're likely dealing with constant, low-grade clutter situations, and that's because once a purchase is made, the item is ours to maintain, manage, and store. Sadly, consumerism never talks about the negative wellness effects of buying (I'm looking at you, cortisol!).

If clutter keeps piling up despite your best efforts, my guest today argues that it's time to dig deeper. Not deeper into the piles, of course. Deeper into yourSELF.

On today's show professional organizer Jenny Albertini argues that decluttering is an act of self-care; it can also become a habit that enhances wellness. Put this episode on while you tackle an oft-forgotten space in your home and get to work!

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Why do we clutter?

[5:30] Breaking down the bidirectional exchange between clutter and wellness

[12:00] Our personal thresholds for clutter tolerance ebb and flow throughout life (and that's totally normal)

[24:00] Tangible ways to stop the many clutter streams coming into our homes

[27:00] Thoughts on right-sizing other people's gifts and hand-me-downs with our own space confines

[31:30] The quiet genius of the "Someday Maybe" technique

Resources mentioned:

Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use my code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/

In our hyper-capitalist society, it's often implied that the only things worth savoring are the really fancy, really shiny, really new, and really exotic. Let's push back against that narrative by finding the glimmers, also known as those simple moments of pleasure that pop up during our days.

We minimalists already know that it's in the small things that beauty lies. On today's show: Research-backed ways to spot life's glimmers and reap the most joy possible from every instance.

Here's a preview:

[8:00] Glimmers are all around us all the time. Are you paying attention?

[16:00] Savoring offers many wellness benefits. One of them? It's an active way to fight back against our innate negativity bias

[26:00] Introducing savoring's evil cousin, dampening (plus: how to stop it right this second)

[32:00] Add in some effort! Determine a glimmer in your life and get optimizing

[37:00] Downtime is a necessary part of life (it's also a time when we are most available to catch the glimmers)

[42:00] Say it loud and say it proud! Verbalize the simple pleasures as a means of extending and expanding the pleasure

Resources mentioned:

We talk an awful lot about "climate science" and "what climate scientists predict" on this podcast. Today, I'm talking to one of them. 

What exactly are the next 100 years likely going to look like for humans? What needs to happen for the US to mobilize for real? On today's show: A conversation with Michael Barnard about climate solutions, with an emphasis on that pesky air conditioning problem. 

Here's a preview:

[9:00] When it comes to cooling the planet, here's why my guest is "cautiously optimistic" despite the impending "ugly process"

[14:00] Why climate change must first become impossible to ignore

[20:00] The hotter it gets, the cooler we need our homes to be. And yet cooling our homes demands energy, which heats the planet more

[27:00] Do we need to worry about mass electric grid failures in summer months?

[32:00] Exactly why heat pumps are our collective heating and cooling future

Resources mentioned:

Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/

When it comes to environmental concerns, there's certainly plenty to worry about at the moment. Whether you and your family is eating microplastics on the regular may not be your list of top concerns.

But it?s an important topic to cover. While the health effects of microplastics on humans are not fully understood, common sense measures that reduce our exposures to both the plastic itself and also the endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are on and in such particles are certainly prudent. On today's show: How to eat, drink, and inhale fewer microplastics as you go about your days.

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Synthesizing the latest research into the effects of microplastics on human health

[11:00] Stop eating microplastics! 3 practical action steps in the kitchen

[27:00] Inhalation and absorption matters: Why vacuuming and dusting helps

[35:00] 3 (super easy) ways to reduce your plastics exposure when you're out and about

Resources mentioned:

In 1901, American families spent 20% of their income on non-necessities.  But 123 years later? These days that figure has risen to 50%. Many of us spend hard-earned money in hopes of acquiring things that money can't buy, and the result? Nearly 3 and 4 of Americans identify finances as a top stressor in their lives.

Marketers have created consumer desire, sure, but it's entirely possible to spend in alignment with your values. In a world of disposable incomes, global warming, and far too much cortisol, we need values-based spending now more than ever, because spending on your core values benefits your wallet, your sanity, and the planet all at once.

On today's show author Jill Sirianni encourages us to drill down our core values so we spend less, save more, and recenter our lives around what's actually important.

Here's a preview:

[8:30] The Number One reason not to buy to solve your problems (It rarely works!)

[15:00] Faith, Family, Friends, and Fulfilling work: Identifying core values and the Four Fs

[18:00] It's not deprivation, but it could be sacrifice ... How does self-care fit into the values-based spending conversation?

[26:00] Nailing down your values and curb impulse spending for good

Resources mentioned:

Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use my code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide at: https://us.e-cloth.com/

Once upon a time (oh, about 175 years ago) we were epic creators. Human hands made things, grew things, built things, and even invented things on the regular. But these days? By and large, we identify as consumers, and our hands are mostly used for typing and swiping.

And yet, when we consume too much, many of us experience stress, anxiety, and depression. We know it because we're living it: Our possessions can possess us. 

If we create more, we may very likely consume less. On today's show: Moving the needle of contentment away from over-consumption back to self-sufficiency by highlighting what research has to say about the wellness benefits associated with using our hands to create.

 Here's a preview:

[4:30] Exactly when and how did we lost our collective abilities to create (Here's lookin' at you, mail-order catalog)

[9:30] Our hands are marvels. Marvels, I say!

[15:00] Crafting is good for you, so pick up those knitting needles, woodworking tools, or art supplies

[20:00] In defense of active leisure (and I do mean active!)

[24:00] Puzzles, board games, and the wellness benefits associated with "supercharged socializing"

Resources mentioned:

Tomatoes, green beans, peaches, and so much more: Our great-grandmas knew a thing or two about food preservation, and yet these days few of us can. It's a time- and labor-intensive practice, sure. But it's also a self-sufficient life skill. 

Whether you grow some or all of your own food or seek out bargains at the store and farmers' market, canning the season's bounty means you'll be eating well all year round. You'll also be participating in a nearly waste-free practice (no plastic to see here!). 

Back to our great-grandmas for a hot minute: They infused love in every jar, and so can you. On today's show author Sarah Thrush invites us to go back to food preservation basics with advice on how to integrate canning into a self-sufficient, money-saving, and sustainable lifestyle.

Here's a preview:

[10:00] Say it loud, say it proud: There's no self-sufficiency without community!

[15:00] The #1 Rule of canning, plus: why it's super important to start small

[19:0o] The One Week, One Month, One Year principle: Here's exactly how Sarah keeps enough food on hand to feed her family for an entire year

[25:00] Troubleshooting the most common canning conundrums

[33:00] Take it outside and make it a party! The benefits to canning outside with your family

Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/

Resources mentioned:

Does it sometimes feel as though the passive act of being alive is too expensive and too difficult? You're not alone: Many scholars argue that late stage capitalism is what happens when everything (literally everything!) is commodified. Existing feels unnecessarily hard, too.

There IS good news: Surviving (and perhaps even thriving!) in a late stage capitalist society is possible. On today's show Laura Oldanie shows us exactly how to sur-thrive, with 6 actionable steps.

Here's a preview of the strategies we're discussing today:

[15:00] Pay attention to when and how you're influenced

[17:00] Think of yourself less as a consumer and more as producer

[21:00] Use your attention capital wisely

[27:00] Embrace different forms of currency (free time, perhaps?)

[35:00] Reduce unnecessary consumption and get off that capitalist hamster wheel, for good

Resources mentioned:

Despite our massive financial and material gains, happiness in the US has been in a consistent state of decline since at least the 1940s.

The research is clear: Materialism is toxic to human happiness. On today's show author Jeff Golden suggests practical ways to nourish in our lives the things that can help us live well (while simultaneously avoiding the hooks of money and stuff).

Here's a preview:

[5:30] We live amidst unimaginable wealth, yet we are unhappier than ever before. Here's why

[10:00] Materialism is toxic to happiness, and not for the reasons you think

[16:00] Exactly why you should choose your neighborhood wisely

[22:00] Want to be happier? Don't put your effort into amassing stuff; put it here instead

[30:00] Are we overly concerned about owning stuff so that we don't have to face our internal lacks?

For so many of us, day in and day out home maintenance feels like a gigantic weight on our shoulders. And because conventional gender roles pervade, matters of the home often continue to be one (wo)man's burden.

Decluttering, tidying, organizing, and cleaning, oh my! On today's show: A conversation with professional organizer Sona Avetisyan about getting our partners and our children to pitch in.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] What is it about clutter that's so triggering for women?

[10:00] Status quo fallback prevention 101

[13:00] Sick of nagging? Here's what works when I need my kids to help the heck out

[18:00] Let's talk partners! Musings on what to do when your partner can't/won't pitch in

[28:00] In defense of bringing playfulness back into our closest relationships (It's not that deep!)