Shows
Sustainable MinimalistsHow To Let Stuff GoWhen 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...
2025-02-0435 minSustainable MinimalistsThe Shopping ConspiracyWomen 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.
A note from Stephanie: This episode was recorded before...
2025-01-1445 minSustainable MinimalistsZero-Waste In The Land Of Wasteful MaximalismHave 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...
2025-01-1036 minSustainable MinimalistsNew Year, Same Ol' Wonderful YouDoes 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 e...
2025-01-0242 minSustainable MinimalistsRevisiting The Capsule Wardrobe ConversationHave 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 e...
2024-12-1739 minSustainable MinimalistsNo Such Thing As Bad WeatherIn 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 t...
2024-12-1038 minSustainable MinimalistsLiving Seasonally, Not CommerciallyWhat 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...
2024-12-0345 minSustainable MinimalistsHow Many Jeans Do You Own?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 ac...
2024-11-1941 minSustainable MinimalistsA Poverty Of SpiritWe 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 p...
2024-11-1248 minSustainable MinimalistsMicro ActivismMany 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] Act...
2024-11-0833 min
Sustainable MinimalistsIntroducing Front Row Seat with Ken ColemanI cannot stop listening to the all new Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman podcast. It's a show for professionals who are looking to up their game in their careers and in life. Hope you check it out to see why I'm a regular listener!
2024-11-0802 minSustainable MinimalistsIntroducing Front Row Seat with Ken ColemanI cannot stop listening to the all new Front Row Seat with Ken Coleman podcast. It's a show for professionals who are looking to up their game in their careers and in life. Hope you check it out to see why I'm a regular listener!
2024-11-0802 minSustainable MinimalistsHow To Be An Anti-CapitalistCapitalism 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: Y...
2024-11-0538 minSustainable MinimalistsThe Distorted MirrorCyberpsychology 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...
2024-11-0131 minSustainable MinimalistsA Life Of PurposeOur 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 t...
2024-10-2932 minSustainable MinimalistsReclaiming Movement OpportunitiesThere'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...
2024-10-2529 minSustainable MinimalistsWater SmartsWater 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 bet...
2024-10-2242 minSustainable MinimalistsFuture-Conscious ThinkingMany 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 fo...
2024-10-1828 minSustainable MinimalistsStuff You Should KnowThese 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 a...
2024-10-1726 minSustainable MinimalistsHow To Host A Clothing SwapClothing 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...
2024-10-1533 minSustainable MinimalistsThe C Word (Cancer!)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 iden...
2024-10-1143 minSustainable MinimalistsSelective MediocrityOur 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. Her...
2024-10-1037 minSustainable MinimalistsRebuilding Your VillageA 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 d...
2024-10-0840 minSustainable MinimalistsEdit Your LifeLife 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[9:3...
2024-10-0439 minSustainable MinimalistsThe Antidote To Hedonic AdaptationThe 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 wh...
2024-10-0134 minSustainable MinimalistsThe Commercialization Of KidsBig 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...
2024-09-2734 minSustainable MinimalistsRemoving The MaskThe 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...
2024-09-2639 minSustainable MinimalistsA Mindful Wardrobe RefreshWant 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.
2024-09-2429 minSustainable MinimalistsRipple EffectsMore 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...
2024-09-1931 minSustainable MinimalistsPhthalates And Kids ProductsJust 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...
2024-09-1729 minSustainable MinimalistsStreamlining Non-NegotiablesMeal 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...
2024-09-1221 minSustainable MinimalistsSleep Is MedicineAmerican 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...
2024-09-0538 minSustainable MinimalistsRootsWe 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...
2024-09-0335 minSustainable MinimalistsWhat Advertisers KnowA 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...
2024-08-2930 minSustainable MinimalistsIf Trees Could TalkOne 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...
2024-08-2739 minSustainable MinimalistsExtracurriculars Are ExtraParenthood 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...
2024-08-2036 minSustainable MinimalistsBack To School Shopping‘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:
Episode #391: Predictors Of Back To School Suc...
2024-08-1538 minSustainable MinimalistsFeeding Littles LunchesWelcome 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.
2024-08-1338 minSustainable MinimalistsBig CleaningScientists 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...
2024-08-0840 minSustainable MinimalistsDecluttering For Self-CareIf 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 tha...
2024-08-0637 minSustainable MinimalistsGlimmersIn 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 y...
2024-08-0146 minSustainable MinimalistsClimate SolutionsWe 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...
2024-07-3041 minSustainable MinimalistsHow To Stop Eating MicroplasticsWhen 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...
2024-07-2542 minSustainable MinimalistsValues-Driven SpendingIn 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...
2024-07-2345 minSustainable MinimalistsCreate More, Consume LessOnce 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 b...
2024-07-1833 minSustainable MinimalistsPreserving With A PurposeTomatoes, 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 inf...
2024-07-1638 minSustainable MinimalistsSurviving Late Stage CapitalismDoes 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...
2024-07-1140 minSustainable MinimalistsCharting A Rich LifeDespite 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...
2024-07-0945 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHome OverwhelmFor 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 wor...
2024-06-2732 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThere's Nothing Wrong With YouWhen we buy something, it's not necessarily about the *thing*. Oftentimes we are buying into a story about ourselves; namely, what we simply must fix as we seek to get one step closer to our aspirational, in-a-perfect-world self.Important truth time: You are not a perpetual self-improvement project, and no product can fix what was never broken in the first place. On today's show: A conversation with author Cait Flanders about why she broke up with self-help content and flaws-first marketing messages (and why, too, she never looked back). Here's a preview:[5...
2024-06-2535 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Great OutdoorsAmericans spend about 21 hours per day inside. On the whole, we are also more depressed and anxious than ever before.Many of us have been trained to seek out commodified services to unwind (I'm looking at you, #selfcare!). But what if a potential solution cost zero dollars and offered zero risk?On today's show: An invitation to welcome nature back into your life, with 5.5 novel suggestions that are backed by science. Here's a preview:[9:00] Walk barefoot! (Around your yard, at least)[14:00] D...
2024-06-1341 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHyper-CapitalismHyper-capitalism — also called late-stage capitalism — is what happens when material resources, lifestyle activities, and everything in between becomes both commodified and consumable. In hyper-capitalistic economies, products get invented that no one needs or wants. Celebrities are revered like gods. Inequity is everywhere, and citizens internalize the idea that their worth is measured by some mysterious combination of career success and amassed material goods.Many argue that the United States has entered its hyper-capitalist era, as Americans report that the relentless demands of trying to keep up results in working longer hours, increasing loneliness, and lowered life satisfaction.
2024-06-1139 min
Sustainable MinimalistsAre You Smartphone Addicted?There's plenty of distressing research into what smartphones are doing to adults' attention spans, focus, and memory. And on child/teen development? Emerging research is even more alarming. We are change makers, and change making means making difficult decisions, having difficult conversations, and going against the grain. On today's show: Why we need to (yet again!) rethink our approach to technology and delay the age at which we give our children access to smartphones. Here's a preview:[8:30] 57% of Americans report being "addicted" to their smartphones. Are you one of them? [1...
2024-06-0651 min
Sustainable MinimalistsBreath AwarenessWant to feel calmer and happier? You don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars for the newest wellness product or service. In fact, the solution doesn't cost a cent: simply get in touch with your breathing.Breath is an amazing and responsive teacher. That's because if we breathe as we live — take in and let go — we can't go wrong.On today's show: An invitation to meet yourself with author Jean Hall. Here's a preview:[5:00] The breath underpins everything we do in life, and yet we rarely bring aware...
2024-06-0442 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThings We've Lost To The InternetFrom phone calls to blind dates to punctuation to civil discourse, the internet has changed every aspect of human life. While some losses are insignificant, the rise of the internet has also resulted in larger repercussions, like shorter attention spans, a collective inability to sit in solitude, and the the utter demolition of personal privacy.On today's show: A conversation with author and New York Times columnist Pamela Paul about the ways in which the internet has fundamentally changed human existence. Here's a preview:[8:00] Do humans need to experience boredom once i...
2024-05-3038 min
Sustainable MinimalistsShared SolutionsI received an email last month from two Dutchmen who have been sailing around the world for 8 years in search of climate solutions. They asked to visit my home and chat. I obliged, and I'm so happy I did.On today's show: an in-person interview with Floris van Hees and Ivar Smits — also affectionately known as Sailors For Sustainability — about the wisdom they've gained from their adventure.Here's a preview of 4 pieces of wisdom we are discussing today: [7:00] Leaving the "golden cage" is big risk, sure. But there's also big reward
2024-05-2849 min
Sustainable MinimalistsCooking With Cast IronBefore aluminum coated in Teflon, there was cast iron.Our great-grandparents revered cast iron in the kitchen because it lasts *forever*. And with proper care? It's naturally non-stick, no PFAS necessary.These days cast iron is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and for many good reasons. On today's show cast iron historian Kyle Seip answers our burning questions about how to cook on and care for our beloved cast iron cookware (it's way easier than you think!). Here's a preview:[6:00] Before aluminum, it was iron: A brief cast iron histo...
2024-05-2335 min
Sustainable MinimalistsAn Attitude Of GratitudeIs the glass half empty, or is it half full? According to Tony Robbins, trading your expectations for appreciation instantly changes everything. Psychological research agrees: Gratitude has the power to improve every single aspect of your life.On today's show: how to truly feel gratitude for your stuff and people. Here's a preview:[3:00] Want to be 18% happier? It's as easy as putting on a new pair of glasses, metaphorically speaking[10:00] HABITUATION! Our brains are primed to forget why certain stuff and people are important [19:00] Say it wi...
2024-05-2144 min
Sustainable MinimalistsToxic FashionPackaged foods (obviously) have ingredients lists. Our favorite beauty products have ingredients lists. And those cleaning products under the kitchen sink? Yup, they've got ingredients lists, too.Ever wonder why our clothes don't have ingredients lists? While we'd *like* to think our favorite garments are made of woven fibers and nothing more, the sad truth is there are countless unregulated chemicals in our closet go-tos (and these chemicals are likely harming our health).On today's show investigative journalist Alden Wicker explains why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with th...
2024-05-1640 min
Sustainable MinimalistsOptimizing Your WalksModern life panders to our innate desire to be sedentary, and never has it been more difficult to resist the alluring convenience of screens.Yet walking matters. On today's show author Annabel Abbs-Streets suggests tangible ways to attain the full range of benefits that walking has to offer — physical, emotional, and spiritual — that's backed by latest research. Here's a preview:[7:00] A laundry list of all the physiological benefits of walking and hiking for movement (get ready to be blown away)[11:00] Why it's important to walk with our eyes, plus: the men...
2024-05-1437 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHEADLINES: Shrinking FishThe environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, May 10 2024:[00:30] Fish are shrinking around the world and no one knows why[4:00] Have a gas stove? Here's another thing to worry about [7:00] Exactly how green initiatives push some voters to the far right [11:30] A Sriracha shortage has climate change to blame[15:00] Climate change raises the risks of another pandemic, and here's why
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2024-05-1018 min
Sustainable MinimalistsProduce Without PesticidesWhile fresh fruits and vegetables are irreplaceable parts of a healthy diet, pesticides aren't benign. Sadly, many of our favorite produce items carry unhealthy levels of pesticides, and each one comes with its own unique risk profile.On today's show: A comprehensive review of the most recent research into pesticides in produce.Here's a preview:[5:00] Not all pesticides are the same, and different pesticides have different risk profiles[10:00] DDT, bald eagles, Silent Spring, and America's history with pesticides[19:00] Stephanie's thoughts on the EWG's Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen
2024-05-0944 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Cost Of Climate ChangeWe know climate change is expensive, but how expensive is it really?A new analysis finds that beyond its effects on the broader economy, rising temperatures seriously hurt our personal finances. On today's show: A conversation with Alexandra Grose about what happens when climate change reduces lifetime income and simultaneously raises prices on ... well, everything. Resource mentioned:Climate Change Could Cost Each American Born Today $500,000 (via Consumer Reports)
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2024-05-0732 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHEADLINES: Ulterior MotivesThe environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, May 3 2024:[1:30] Newly released documents and Big Oil's secret climate strategy[7:00] Here's what Patagonia's doing with all its profits[13:00] Therapists are trading the couch for the great outdoors, and here's why[16:00] Sea levels are rising in the US coastal South faster than anywhere else on Earth Resource mentioned:
Tell DOJ to Investigate Big Oil (via Action Network)
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2024-05-0318 min
Sustainable MinimalistsRoads Less TravelledSomething semi-sad happens as we age: We lose our nimbleness. So many of us white-knuckle grip long-held habits and beliefs and thus fail to question whether such routines and ideas are working in our best interests. Worse, such rigidity goes directly against our "factory settings" as human beings: As a species, we fully live when we prioritize resilience, light-footedness, and fearlessness. (Don't believe me? Just observe a child!)On today's show: embracing fresh starts, prioritizing roads less travelled, and unpacking pressures associated with cultural uniformity with author and podcaster Shannon Leyko. Here's a p...
2024-05-0237 min
Sustainable MinimalistsGreenwashing 2.0Many corporations are hopping on the sustainability bandwagon these days, but it's not for altruistic reasons. It's likely due to the green premium: because eco-friendly products cost more, business owners see an opportunity for increased revenue. The result? Greenwashed products abound (And guess what? You're likely paying *extra* for a product that isn't at all eco-conscious!). On today's show Aidan Riehl offers advanced tips for avoiding greenwashing in today's ever-changing market. Here's a preview:[6:30] Some questions to ask: Is this eco-friendly product owned by a conglomerate? Is this one produc...
2024-04-3031 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHEADLINES: Biggest Plastic Polluters RevealedThe environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, April 26 2024:[00:30] The world's biggest plastic polluters revealed[2:30] Biden limits oil drilling in the Alaskan arctic (it's also an election year)[5:00] One of the worst coral bleaching events happening right now in the Great Barrier Reef[8:00] Nearly 2 in 5 Americans live in a place with unhealthy or hazardous air. Are you one of them?[12:00] Can cloning be a legitimate solution to species extinction? Resource mentioned:One million species face extinction, U.N. report says. And h...
2024-04-2615 min
Sustainable MinimalistsPleasure-SaturatedWe Homo Sapiens are notorious for avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. In fact, we have transformed the planet from a place of scarcity to a place of overwhelming abundance, with ample opportunities to flood our brains with dopamine at every turn.But over-consuming has consequences: Exposure to prolonged and repeated pleasurable stimuli decreases our capacity to tolerate pain and increases our threshold for experiencing pleasure. On today's show: Resetting your neural set point to make dopamine work FOR you, not against you.Here's a preview:[3:00] Here's exactly why o...
2024-04-2338 min
Sustainable MinimalistsLabors Of LoveLast year was the hottest year on record, so it's safe to say that Earth Day as we traditionally celebrate isn't working.On today's show I suggest what I believe is the antidote to the climate crisis (and I'm willing to bet you won't be able to guess what it is!). Here's a preview:[3:45] The Big 5: We know what we should do environment-wise, so why aren't we doing it?[7:15] Communal care is anti-capitalist, and that's really darn important[16:30] Here's what research finds re: the relationship between collectivist c...
2024-04-1840 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Great ConnectorReminder! Our hands can do more than type and text. In fact, they can grow things.On today's show — and in honor of National Gardening Day! — permaculture expert Kareen Erbe lists countless tangible and intangible benefits associated with active participation in your local growing community; she also offers practical suggestions for getting off our screens and reengaging with the natural world. Here's a preview:[8:00] Industrializing our food systems has benefits, sure. But in doing so, what have we sacrificed?[19:00] Industrial agriculture is the problem, but agriculture is also the solutio...
2024-04-1644 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHEADLINES: GeoengineeringIdentifying 5 expensive and downright impractical geoengineering ideas designed to curb global warming:[5:30] 2 direct carbon capture projects (one of which plans to drill more oil)[8:30] A gigantic umbrella in space?[10:00] Adding iron to the ocean in hopes of spurring algae blooms[13:00] Sending sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere in weather balloons, oh my Resources mentioned:
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2024-04-1216 min
Sustainable MinimalistsStealthily FrugalTake stealth wealth and reverse it: Stealth frugality is what happens when a person lives big without spending lots of money. On today's show: A laundry list of the ways in which we can each live a rich life but do so frugally. *A note from Stephanie: I mention a ridiculous amount of companies in today's show. None of them are sponsored! Here's a preview:[6:00] Home is where the heart is, so open up your home![10:30] Pizza? Cocktails? Manicures? Learn how make/do what you love but bett...
2024-04-1137 min
Sustainable MinimalistsDisconnectingWork emails. Social media notifications. Weather alerts. The constant news cycle.In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get lost in the chaos of endless distractions. Yet research has shown that information overload can lead to mental exhaustion, reduced cognitive function, and an inability to make sound decisions. On the other hand, intentional disconnection has the power to enhance creativity and productivity. It improves overall well-being, too.On today's show podcaster Diane Boden and I discuss exactly why it's so important to disconnect from modern distractions at least once in awhile; we...
2024-04-0939 min
Sustainable MinimalistsCan We Have Kids And Nice Things?Can a white couch and a toddler coexist? Research finds that environment impacts well-being, and we shouldn't have to wait 18 years to enjoy our homes. On today's show we address the age-old question: Can we have kids and nice things? The answer is yes; here's how. Here's a preview:[6:00] Hey you. (Yes, you!) You don't have to wait 18 years to enjoy your home[21:00] Don't invest in expensive accents and accessories! Go big on the timeless staples, instead [25:00] Making a case for proudly using and displaying heir...
2024-04-0443 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Low-Tox LifestyleLiving the low-tox life can seem expensive and out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be.On today's show podcaster Regan Nelson suggests 7 research-backed ways to reduce your exposure to toxins that just so happen to *also* be free. Here's a preview:[10:00] Lead! Pesticides! Here's what's on the bottom of your shoes [14:00] Sure, this household staple is convenient (but it's also bisphenol- and phthalate-laden)[19:00] Be wary of these "regrettable substitutions"[26:00] Are you still using products with synthetic fragrance? (Stop!)[34:00] Teens, tweens...
2024-04-0238 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHEADLINES: The Economics Of Climate ChangeThe enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 29 2024:[00:30] Here's why Americans pay the most after a natural disaster[6:00] New laws against intentional methane release, plus: why this new law is a money maker [9:00] Throwing $$ at the industrial carbon emissions problem[12:00] Introducing radar gaps (a.k.a. another thing to worry about) Resources mentioned:
Radar gaps threaten millions as severe weather season ramps up in U.S. (via WaPo)
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Join our (free!) community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minima...
2024-03-2917 min
Sustainable MinimalistsLights OutFossil fuels power our modern lives, and yet fossil fuels are also powering global warming. Because many of us lack the self-sufficient skills necessary to survive an extended power outage event, we are one thing and one thing only: vulnerable.We have become over-reliant on the very thing that's destroying our planet. On today's show: Imagining the ways in which modern life, interpersonal connections, well-being and more would change in a hypothetical, fossil fuel-free world. Here's a preview:[6:00] We are so reliant on electricity that we are incapacitated without it. This is...
2024-03-2836 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHouse RulesWhen it comes to furnishing and styling ours homes, we all deserve spaces that facilitate easeful living. But for those of us without an eye for design? Furniture and decor mistakes can happen (and they can be costly).On today's show best-selling author Myquillyn Smith reveals her signature house rules for homes of every size, style, and budget; she also shows us how to get the most amount of comfort from our space with the least amount of stuff.Here's a preview of the house rules we are discussing today:[16:30] Th...
2024-03-2639 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThree ActsToday's show is a series of 3 very diverse updates straight from developments in my own life: The first is about self-sufficiency, the second is sustainability-focused, and the final act dedicates itself to intentional living.Here's a preview:[3:00] Act 1: The hydroponic growing hype. (Stephanie's good, bad, and ugly experiences with her new grow tower)[16:00] Act 2: Electrify Everything? (Our boiler is leaking. Here's where we are at with regard to heat pumps: costs, struggles, etc.)[28:00] Act 3: More intention, please! (Here's what I'm working on to avoid the busy trap) R...
2024-03-1440 min
Sustainable MinimalistsSMART ResolutionsA New Year's resolution is a tool that helps us become the best possible versions of ourselves. And yet research finds most people abandon their resolutions by February. Many New Year's resolutions fail because they're too broad, too lofty, and not at all time-sensitive. On today's show we set ourselves up for resolution success by applying the 5 components of SMART goals to our 2024 aspirations. Here's a preview: [2:00] What do the statistics say? Here's just how many resolutions fail, and when[4:30] How to use the SMART acronym to improve your own...
2023-12-2729 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHow To Buy SoapChoosing the right hand soap and body wash isn't *just* about cleanliness. You deserve non-toxic products and our waterways deserve non-polluting ones, so it's really about committing to a higher standard of care.We're likely using soap every day for the rest of our lives; it's prudent, then, to get intentional about this must-have product. On today's show: conscious consumerism in the soap aisle. Here's a preview:[3:00] Are antibacterial/antimicrobial soaps really necessary?[6:30] A hand sanitizer tangent: pro tips for buying and using sanitizer the *right* way[9:00] R...
2023-11-0932 min
Sustainable MinimalistsEdit Your LifeLife 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[9:3...
2023-03-2137 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Gifting ExperienceWhen we return an unwanted gift to the manufacturer, it goes back on the shelf to be resold, right? Wrong. Most returned gifts (5.8 billion tons, to be exact) end up in landfills each and every year.The solution lies in responsible gifting, which alleviates the consequences associated with massive finite resource waste; it also saves shoppers time, money, and unnecessary stress.Today author Tracey Lynch explains how to tweak your gifting philosophy to save our planet while also ensuring every gift you give is actually wanted and used.Here's a pr...
2023-01-3138 min
Sustainable MinimalistsYour Right To RepairStuff breaks. In 2023, stuff breaks often. Few amongst us possess the knowledge to fix the evermore complex gadgets we use every day; worse, professional repairs (if they're even available) often cost more than replacing the item outright. What's a sustainable minimalist to do?On today's episode we discuss all-things conscious consumption as it relates to home appliances, planned obsolescence, and the Right To Repair movement (it'll be fun, I promise!).Here's a preview:[3:00] An electricity primer: where it comes from and why it's important to choose energy-efficient appliances[9:00] Exactly how long...
2023-01-0539 min
Sustainable MinimalistsFinite ResourcesWe may indeed live in a world in which we can get whatever we want whenever we want it, but there's a problem with such instant (and incessant!) gratification: Resources are finite. On today's show, a conversation with blogger and author Liz Frugalwoods about how to teach our children that money doesn't grow on trees and buying new isn't consequence-free. Here's a preview:[4:30] Getting our kids on board: How to reframe eco-frugality as a game[11:00] Proaction as a handy Waste Not, Want Not tool [20:00] The why and how b...
2023-01-0336 min
Sustainable MinimalistsRE-RELEASE: Listeners Call In! 20+ Non-Consumer Gift IdeasWhen it comes to giving presents, sustainable minimalists understand that less is more and thoughtful is better. Indeed, minimalist holiday gift ideas don’t manifest themselves when walking the mall; you can’t find them by panic buying in the days leading up to Christmas, either.Need some inspiration? Today I’m thrilled to turn the mic over to you the listeners as you offer up nearly 2 dozen non-consumer gifts for the holiday season. *A note from Stephanie: This episode originally aired in November 2021 and it's too good to not re-release!Here’...
2022-12-0220 min
Sustainable MinimalistsSomething For NothingAre you getting all you can from your library?Libraries are quiet pillars of our communities that often get overlooked. That's unfortunate because libraries are one of the few places where you can truly get something for nothing.On today's show I'm outlining 7 goods and services you likely never knew you could get for free from your library. Here's a preview:[9:00] Exactly how much you're paying for multiple video streaming services (plus, how much the library can help you save)[16:30] Stephanie's favorite hack for cooking magazine lovers
2022-12-0128 min
Sustainable MinimalistsHow To Buy Laundry DetergentThere's lots to consider when searching for an eco-friendly and non-toxic laundry detergent. Are those strips and pods actually environmentally conscious if they're wrapped in PVA? Why don't detergents offer a full list of ingredients on their packaging?As it turns out, laundry detergents have lots of misleading claims (ahem ... marketing gimmicks) designed to confuse consumers. On today's episode we're breaking down everything you need to know about detergent so you can make informed purchasing decisions moving forward. Here's a preview:[2:00] Pricing discrepancies: Do eco-friendly laundry detergents always cost more?...
2022-11-0333 min
Sustainable MinimalistsLow-Waste Lunchboxes"One of the hardest things we haven’t been able to tackle is our kids' snacks: we still end up using a good amount of single use plastic wraps. Do you have any ideas?" Citing convenience, ultraprocessed foods are often sold in single-serve packs. But such snack and lunch items are overpriced (you're literally paying for that extra plastic!); they're also often unhealthy for both people and the planet.I get it: We're overtired and overstressed, and packing wholesome foods can feel like yet another daunting chore. That's why on today's show I ans...
2022-09-2231 min
Sustainable MinimalistsClimate Reparations?A hotter planet is here, my friends. Don't believe me? Just turn on the news.On today's show we first break down major current climate events; we then ask ourselves a set of ethical quandaries. Should the global north pay reparations to the global south for its centuries-long polluting behaviors, or are the inequitable and unjust natures of climate change simply bad luck? Here's a preview:[4:00] How'd summer go? (Hint: not great, especially in Pakistan)[12:30] The climate reparations argument: What it is and why it has legs[20:00] 3 et...
2022-09-1522 min
Sustainable MinimalistsMaterialism's Sweet Spot"Much of the time I tell my kids that material possessions aren't that important, but I also want them to take care of the possessions they have. How should I best juggle these messages and still get my points across?" As sustainable minimalists, we want our children to devalue stuff, as we certainly don't want them to associate their sense of self-worth with what they own. But at the same time we also want them to care for their existing possessions even though such care requires a certain amount of 'stuff' reverence.It's a...
2022-09-0832 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Golden TriangleA triangle is complete only when its three corners are intact. Our wellbeing similarly demands that three pillars work together in quiet harmony.The Australian Wellbeing Index is a 15-year-and-counting study with data from over 60,000 participants. Its results remain consistent year after year: optimal wellbeing hinges upon 3 essential intangibles.The good news? These three intangibles are entirely within our control.On today's show we discuss the golden triangle of wellbeing for optimal life satisfaction.Here's a preview:[2:30] How to nurture interpersonal relationships when relationships get hard[6:30] The...
2022-09-0121 min
Sustainable MinimalistsThe Right-To-Know RevolutionIn 1986, California passed Proposition 65. The legislation forced companies that sell products with chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects to label them as such. While the legislation was originally a gigantic win for environmentalists, these days it's a running joke. Cancer warnings adorn everything from organic soaps to steering wheel covers, bikinis, parking garages, Disney Land, and much more.Proposition 65 is a case study in the ways in which good intention advocacy can go woefully wrong. Do consumers have a right to know and, if so, do we truly *want* to know? What lessons can we learn...
2022-08-1822 min
Sustainable MinimalistsA Better BagWhen it comes to trash bags, there's plenty of confusing verbiage. Compostable? Biodegradable? Bags with post-consumer recycled content?While one could certainly make the argument that biodegradable and compostable trash bags aren't worth the money since they're headed to the landfill anyway (those pits aren't gardens, after all); the more cynical amongst us could say there's no such thing as an eco-friendly trash bag if it holds bad-for-the-planet waste.Purchasing eco-friendly-ish trash bags doesn't give us carte blanche to throw away as much as we want, but buying the right bags is a simple and...
2022-08-1126 min
Sustainable MinimalistsMinimalist Game NightAh, game night. Something special happens when we put our phones away, sit around the table, and have fun with our loved ones. But if you have children, game night can be fraught with whines, groans, and tantrums. And after a long workweek? Game night can feel like another To-Do item.On today's show we discuss what research says about the benefits of game night. In Part 1 I offer 6 strategies for curating a successful family game night; in Part 2 I sit down with Ali Aydar, CEO of SPORCLE.com. Ali is on the show to make the po...
2022-07-1227 min
Sustainable MinimalistsRapid Fire Q&AListeners often reach out with questions big and small, and so today I'm answering 5 of them in a rapid style format. Here's a preview of the questions answered in this episode:[2:15] Which is the better environmental choice: organic produce but wrapped in plastic, or non-organic and plastic-free?[7:30] How should we best declutter during a pandemic and where should we put our efforts?[10:45] Should we even bother recycling since so little actually gets recycled?[14:45] Are Force Of Nature products worth it?[18:45] What's the best way to s...
2021-12-0924 min
Sustainable MinimalistsNavigating The Eco-Contradiction Minefield“Hi Stephanie, One topic I’d like covered is the ways in which trying to live a low impact lifestyle can actually contradict each other. Secondhand polyester, or eco-friendly fibers but new? Plant-based but packaged food, or animal-based and package-free? Thanks for any help you can offer. – Heather” We’ve all been there: we want to do better, but eco-contradictions trip us up. Even worse, in most cases achieving definitive right (versus definitive wrong) clarity is impossible. No one wants to...
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2021-08-1215 min
Sustainable MinimalistsBONUS: Is Minimalist Parenting Possible?“Hey Stephanie, I’m wondering what some of your tips are when it comes to preparing for a baby for the first time when you want to maintain a minimalist lifestyle. Thank you.” Want to be a minimalist parent but don’t know where to start? This short-and-sweet bonus episode lays bare my down-and-dirty, not-so-socially-acceptable advice. Here’s a preview: [3;30] The bare minimum: Stephanie’s list of 7 (just 7!) essential items every infant needs [8:30] Why you shouldn’t have a baby...
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2021-08-0515 min
Sustainable MinimalistsSelf-Sufficiency Spotlight: Foraging 101 Foraging 101 [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the second in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. I hope the episodes in this series inspires you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happens to be eco-friendly!] I’m Armenian. Each summer as a child, my mother, sister, and I would search for grape vines along the side of the road and collect leaves to make our most beloved ethnic food: dolma. Once we found...
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2020-10-0642 minSustainable MinimalistsSelf Sufficiency Spotlight: MicrogreensSelf Sufficiency Spotlight: Microgreens [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the first in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. Once per month through December, the series offers a short and sweet interview to introduce you to an aspect of sustainability you may not have considered before. I hope the series will inspire you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happens to be eco-friendly!] Chances are you’ve heard of microgreens before (or perhaps noticed restaurants tout...
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2020-09-0123 min