Most of us don’t tend to think about the environmental or ethical consequences associated with coffee; we just like what we like. And because there’s something about the ritual of drinking coffee that’s so deeply embedded in our daily lives, we often stick with what we’ve always done—and buy the brand we’ve always bought—instead of attempting to brew a more ethical cup of joe. Today I’m discussing all-things coffee with David Sells, co-founder of organic coffee subscription service Better Grounds....

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We tend to frame intentional, eco-friendly living in terms of reduction: Create less trash. Lower that carbon footprint. Tread lighter on our shared planet. But a reduction-centered mindset assumes that we can only be less bad; there’s nothing to be said about forcing tangible good. What if we reframed the conversation to one that assumes we can leave the planet BETTER than we found it? Can we give more than we take and, if so, how? Today I’m speaking with...

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When 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.   Here’s a preview: [2:20] Making (and preserving!)...

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Instead of legitimate reform, companies often rebrand their problematic practices as “green,” “woke,” and “ethical.” Not surprisingly, we consumers are both angry and disillusioned by these marketing lies. But when we use our collective purchasing power to fight back, we show our strength. Hence, the power of the purse. Today I speak with author Tanja Hester. While Tanja doesn’t offer easy solutions or simple answers in our conversation, she does lay a roadmap for making better (not perfect!) money moves that...

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The Love Languages, Defined The holidays are here, and the season is about relationships first and foremost. And while we may understand intuitively that gift giving is just one way in which we can show love, our days leading up to Christmas will likely be filled with chasing sales, navigating crowded shopping malls, and wrapping piles of gifts. I believe that we can show deep, meaningful love in many ways. But if we don’t? We as a culture will always...

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Capitalism has coerced us into thinking about contentment in terms of possessions, and many of us accumulate both stuff and money in hopes of living happier.  But time and time again research finds that happiness is actually found in places that are notoriously free: in getting good sleep, in nurturing quality relationships, and in giving, to name a few. Today I bring you an interview with podcaster Julia Szpor. Julia and I discuss the latest science-backed findings into how each...

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“I have a number of clothing items that don’t fit in boxes on the top of my cupboard. My weight fluctuates so frequently (and I have a newborn) that it seems irresponsible to get rid of things that don’t fit, yet I hate having clutter! Should I keep clothes that don’t currently fit? When do I just let it go?”   Keeping clothes that don’t fit prevents you from accepting your body as it is today. Still, we all do...

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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...

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Got yourself some leather boots? How about a faux leather handbag? The fashion industry relies heavily on both the durability and aesthetic of leather and, these days, vegan leather is rapidly rising in popularity as an ethical alternative to animal-based hides. But what is vegan leather, exactly, and does it stand up to the hype? On this episode, I’m answering a listener’s question about the environmental and ethical considerations associated with all-things leather and leather alternatives. Here’s a preview: [3:45] Animal-based...

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Fairy lights for our little girl? A dinosaur theme for our baby boy? When designing our children’s nurseries and, later, their big kid rooms, it’s natural for parents to get caught up in the aesthetics. After all, designing is fun; researching ethical and eco-friendly products is decidedly not. But sustainable interior design is more accessible today than it has ever been before and with a bit of forethought it’s entirely possible to curate beautiful spaces for our children that use...

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“I’d love to hear a podcast episode about a bidet for toilet attachment … Our family recently got one, and we love it but I know a lot of people have questions about them, including myself.”   I did it. I bought a bidet attachment, installed it myself and, on this short and sweet episode, I’m answering a listener’s question all about whether bidets have a place in a modern family home (and if yes, how). Here’s a preview: [2:15]...

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Cooking takes time, and few of us have time to spare. Convenient food options—like processed snacks, meal subscriptions, and even takeout—solve problems for busy adults who feel the pull towards what’s quick and easy, and those with disabilities view such options as daily necessities. But for those of us who are able and do indeed have a bit of time? Convenient alternatives have disconnected us from our food. Worse, such options have pushed us farther from cooking, an essential self-sufficient skill. Today...

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Non-toxic, eco-friendly living is rapidly growing in popularity, and many corporations that sell home cleansers are modifying their marketing (not their products!) to garner more sales. We may not have the time or energy to DIY our own cleaning products, and rampant greenwashing muddles our best attempts at finding the products aligned with our values. What are green cleaners, exactly, and where can they be found? On this episode Megan Mikkelson and I outline tried-and-true ways for finding safe home...

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Excessive amounts of shoes. Keys that are somehow always lost. We feel it when our entryways *don’t* flow, sure. But in what ways can we elevate an entryway’s function while also ensuring that it remains aesthetically pleasing? My guest today believes that tidy homes elevate personal style. This week I’m speaking with globally recognized home organizing expert Shira Gill who’s here to offer up her best organized entryway ideas for creating spaces that both function and flow.   Here’s a preview:...

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“Do you have any tips for making kids arts and crafts more sustainable? I have a craft shelf that the kids love. I keep it stocked and love to encourage their creativity, but it feels so wasteful!”   Pom pons, glitter glue, and googly eyes, oh my. While we all want to provide our children with opportunities to express their creativity, I believe there’s a fine line between offering artistic inspiration and being wasteful. (While we’re at it, there’s also a...

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Your Minimalism-Guided Life And Career   67% of workers say excessive meetings keep them from getting their best work done, and up to half of an employee’s day is wasted on unproductive effort (source). While we are well-versed in the whys and hows of slow living in our personal lives, our professional ones may be hindered by societal expectations and workplace norms. This week, Chris Lovett and I examine the ways in which hard work, materialism, and busyness collide. Chris had...

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Apple pie, Jack-o-lanterns, and gourds galore: Autumn has arrived! Saving money and environmental resources starts by reducing—or even better, eliminating—food waste in your home. With a bit of forethought, we can get creative in the kitchen and commit to making use of *entire* food items this fall. In this short and sweet episode I’m offering my best suggestions for using every part of our favorite fall foods—pumpkins and apples—including the pumpkin’s guts, the apple’s core, and more.   Here’s a...

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Automobiles convey freedom and status. They’re also a symbol of modern convenience: why walk when you can drive? Why take public transit if you can ride in the comfort of what’s decidedly yours? But a car’s convenience comes with a host of environmental problems that extend beyond the obvious guzzling of gas (which indeed comprises approximately 80-percent of a car’s impact). An automobile’s beforelife requires excessive energy expenditure in the creation of the steel, rubber, glass, and other parts that...

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“I really like fixing and building, and my wife and I like to go around on garbage day and pick up useful odds and ends. This of course also turns into a lot of stuff from a minimalist perspective. How do you deal with useful things that have no specific purpose yet?”   I believe that determining an item’s potential starts first by knowing thyself. On today’s show, I’m explaining my concept of the eco-minimalist spectrum; I’m also offering 3 tips...

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Amidst 2021’s frenetic pace, curating a life that satisfies your professional, financial, and familial obligations and also leaves space for fun may seem unattainable. What’s work-life balance, and is achieving such balance even possible? Today I speak with author, chef, and farm CEO Shannon Hayes. Despite her many professional endeavors, Shannon makes sure to find time for coffee dates with her husband, afternoon naps, and martini dance parties in the kitchen. Shannon believes that even though we’re busy we can *make*...

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“I have to ask about your handmade soap recipe. How do you make soap at home? I’ve been thinking about making my own for a while (maybe also add some oat pulp that remains from making oat milk?). It would be interesting to see if there’s a minimalist and safe way to  make homemade soaps.”   Ever wondered how to make soap at home? Here’s a secret: soap making is ridiculously easy; it’s also fun! In this short-and-sweet episode I’m...

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Supermarkets rose to prominence in the 1960’s and these days, the grocery store is the Number One place where Americans buy food. But supermarkets have disconnected us from our food; worse, the global food chain is responsible for up to one third of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. Making smart food decisions starts by first understanding the intricacies of global food supply chain. This week I speak with Airly co-founder Jennifer McKnight. Jennifer believes it’s important for companies to list...

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Electromagnetic fields (or EMFs, for short) are all around us. While anything that uses electricity deploys EMFs, the rise of wireless technology has exponentially increased our exposure to EMFs in recent years. But what’s particularly concerning is that such products that boast convenience—the wireless ones, the “smart” ones—aren’t necessarily safe for ourselves or for our families. In fact, the research is quite conclusive: EMF and 5G exposure impacts almost all systems in our bodies; it’s linked to cancer and lowered...

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“My question is about moving. I have four weeks to pack up my house and the amount of plastic we will probably be needing is giving me nightmares already. Any eco-friendly moving tips for me?”   Carbon emissions from diesel-burning trucks. Excess trash (a.k.a. all the stuff not moving with us) we’re sending to landfills. Bubble wrap, cardboard boxes, tape, plastic liners, and countless other single-use disposables: moving a household’s-worth of stuff is stress-inducing, sure. But if we’re not careful,...

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“I would love to know what your minimalist eco-friendly skincare essentials looks like, especially in the dry summer months.”   While using too few skincare products can leave your skin dehydrated and undernourished, using too many can disrupt its natural pH. Minimalist skincare is a ‘thing’, and dermatologists argue that a comprehensive routine relies on just 5 products. On this bite-sized episode I’m answering a listener’s question about the items I put on my face each and every day. And...

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How To Be Better At Budgeting   In America, capitalism entices us to spend now and pay later. But paying for what you don’t need with credit is a precarious practice, as living outside of your means may create a shaky financial future. Today I’m speaking with Certified Financial Counselor Ericka Young. Ericka helps clients learn how to be better at budgeting, as believes that successful money management begins with getting real about—and living within!—your means. Ericka understands that it’s...

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“I have struggled with climate anxiety for awhile now … I try to have a positive look on the climate crisis and say that we can still fix it but … it’s taking its toll. How do you not get stopped by this? Can we still fix the climate?”   The Intergovernmental Panel On Climate Change (IPCC) released its latest report earlier this month, and its outlook was dire. The report—prepared by 234 scientists from 66 countries—named human influence as...

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Surprise, surprise: Our culture reveres youth. Getting older, then, becomes a dreaded rite of passage that many of us feel we must outrun. And although dyeing our graying hair is one way in which we can turn back the clock for at least a little while, conventional dyes are full of toxic chemicals including formaldehyde, ammonia, and titanium dioxide, to name a few. This week, guest Megan Mikkelson and I seek answers to questions that are both pragmatic and philosophical: Must we subject...

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“I’m desperate for tips about staying organized in a two bed townhouse. My husband and I have a 13 month old and are thinking of adding another to our family soon.  Our son shares the spare room with some storage and furniture while my husband is working from home from a desk in our bedroom. We don’t have heaps of toys, but there are some sentimental items like furniture, essential woodworking and sewing supplies, and so many clothes it seems...

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The global pandemic may have reduced the scope of your social circle. And while pandemics can indeed lead to isolation and loneliness, they may also usher in clarity about what—or in this case, who—is truly important. There are deep friendships and there are not-so-deep ones: are there benefits to intentionally nurturing fewer friendships while simultaneously giving your soul-level connections your best? On today’s show we apply the principles of minimalism to adult friendships with Lifestyle Optimization Coach Meredith Keith-Chirch. Meredith argues there...

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“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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Ready to embrace pre-loved clothing but hate that thrift stores and online marketplaces sell last season’s fast fashion discards? If so, secondhand vintage may be for you. Vintage items by definition are made from quality materials with skilled craftsmanship. Incorporating select vintage pieces into your wardrobe, then, is an intentional to prioritize quality over quantity. I believe it’s important to normalize secondhand shopping, and so today I’m speaking with vintage lover Endia Henry. For Endia, thrifting introduced her to sustainability,...

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“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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When discussing reducing toxin exposure, we often frame the conversation in terms of cleaning up our beauty and home products. But there are plenty of toxins in our food, and that’s why simple, clean eating is so darn important. My guest this week is Board-Certified Holistic Nutritionist and author Tonya Harris. Tonya experienced the benefits of a healthier food firsthand when her son—who displayed tell-tale signs of ADHD—significantly reduced his symptoms after cutting the nasties from his diet. These days,...

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“I just moved to a small country town and for some reason they stopped accepting glass for recycling. I had purposely been buying more glass products to avoid plastic as much as possible … I don’t know what to do. Do you have any suggestions?”   US recycling is in chaos, and packaging materials that were once recyclable may likely be headed to your local landfill. What’s an eco-conscious consumer to do? On this short and sweet bonus episode, I’m...

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We women have been primed since we were young to be critical of our bodies. Even though we’re adults—and even though we know better!—it’s natural to revert to what society tells us about the connection between body shape and self-worth. A negative body image impacts us all (regardless of size!), and minimalism is here to help. My guest this week is Wavelength founder Sarah Stites. Sarah gained significant weight in high school; her self-esteem plummeted soon after. As she yo-yo...

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Perfectly manicured hands and feet are the norm in 2021, and many of us feel out of place when we choose to abandon what’s socially accepted. But there’s a “toxic trio” of chemicals in nail polish (toluene, formaldehyde and dibutyl phthalate) and these chemicals leak through our nail beds and into our bloodstreams. What’s the true cost, then, of fitting in? Is fitting in worth it if doing so harms our health? This week, I speak with podcast host Megan...

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Uses for Essential Oils An essential oil is not quite a perfume and not exactly a medicine. Still, advocates promise the uses for essential oils are many, and their benefits include better sleep, reduced anxiety, improved overall well-being, to name a few. Are essential oils worth the hype, or are they just another product that makes oversized promises? On this short and sweet bonus episode, I’m answering a listener’s question all about whether essential oils fit into a sustainable minimalist...

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How to downsize your home (and help older relatives do the same)   Downsizing is physically and emotionally exhausting. The job becomes infinitely harder when you’re tasked with helping older relatives—your parents, perhaps—clear out their attics and basements overflowing with items they’ve accumulated throughout the decades. Should you consider downsizing and decluttering now so your kids don’t one day find themselves stuck with the job? When helping older relatives clear out their clutter, how can you empathically and responsibly disperse...

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The post How To Downsize Your Home (Even If You Aren’t Moving) appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

I once aspired to design my home’s interior the way I saw design done in my favorite home decor catalogs, which is to say I chased an aesthetic that was white, pristine, and contemporary. But doubling down on what’s new and in style left little room for displaying trinkets with stories, passed-down but quality furniture, and antiques that infuse uniqueness. I had created a beautiful space, yes, but it was an impersonal one. Unimaginative, even. This week, I speak with...

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Curating a Healthy House What’s eco-friendly also tends to be non-toxic, and if you’re like most sustainable minimalists, you likely aspire to curate a healthy house that supports your eco-minimalist ideals. Yet non-toxic products can be difficult to find; they tend to be expensive, too. Today I’m speaking with the brains behind Shades of Green, Angela Wade and Ellen Strickland. Shades of Green is a sustainable shopping platform that’s committed to creating healthier living spaces by sourcing only non-toxic, environmentally-friendly...

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How to Host a (No Plastic) Party   Like to entertain but hate the overwhelm? Join the club. While it feels so right to open your home to your loved ones for dinner parties, barbecues, and holidays, being chained to the kitchen (and the dirty dishes!) feels oh, so wrong. The alternative is equally cringe-worthy: Heaps of plastic plates, cups, and cutlery in the trash? No thanks. This week, I speak with Repurpose founder Lauren Gropper. Lauren believes hosts and...

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Why is it that, in times of fear, society reverts back to relying on single-use disposables? COVID-19 will have lasting effects on the environmental movement. While some of such effects—like embracing forced slowness, for example—took cars off the road and reduced worldwide carbon emissions in the short-term, our propensity toward fear-based buying over the past year has littered the planet. Indeed, communities that fought long and hard to ban single-use items embraced them during the pandemic; there’s the plastics problem,...

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Palm oil: Ever hear of it? Imports of the stuff to the United States have risen a whopping 263% in the last 15 years and, these days, it’s in our toothpaste, our shampoo, our pet’s food, our makeup, and more. Palm oil is in nearly everything, and its cultivation has dire consequences for our planet. This week, I speak with award-winning journalist and author Jocelyn Zuckerman. Jocelyn traveled to 4 continents to research the ripple effects of palm oil’s rise,...

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Sustainable toys provide countless benefits to both children and the planet yet, still, finding such toys can be difficult. What, exactly, makes a toy sustainable? Are wooden toys (ahem … Melissa & Doug) considered eco-friendly simply because they are made of wood? These days, most toys are made of plastics; stuffed animals and dolls are also made of artificial (read: plastic) fibers. Through a complex chemical process, plastic toys are made from fossil fuels and eventually break into many small pieces,...

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How To Be Happy In A Small Home   Choosing to live in a small home is one of the most basic ways we can both reduce our carbon footprints and curb unnecessary spending. Indeed, while living small (not necessarily tiny!) is the epitome of sustainable minimalism, it can be difficult to intentionally embrace less square footage in a culture that suggests bigger is best. It’s a real conundrum: We revere space, but we also revere eco-simplicity. Can we have...

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When humans solve problems, we often overlook an incredibly powerful option: Subtraction. We add baskets and bins to fix organizational issues within the home. We buy new clothes when we find ourselves frustrated with our wardrobes. In correspondence, we get loquacious in efforts of making our points. In design fields, we add elements to improve “flow”. In short, addition rules. But intentional subtraction is a powerful practice that’s rewarding, fun, and backed by science. And once we retrain our brains to...

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The Circular Economy’s Benefits for You and Me   ** Like this show? Want to help it grow? Please leave it a quick review on Apple Podcasts, and thank you! **    Our “take-make-waste” economy has cost consumers billions of dollars and has cheated us out of an inhabitable planet.  But it doesn’t have to be this way: embracing a circular economy will save taxpayer money, preserve resources, and lead to an estimated $4.5 trillion in economic growth. Even better?...

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Finding your Minimalist Mindset   It’s often the case that we are our own worst enemies. It’s easy to fall back into old habits and old ways of thinking—it’s too easy, in fact, to revert to what we’ve always done. Indeed, in my capacity as host of this podcast, I often hear the same struggle from you, my listeners: it’s really darn hard to both find and maintain your minimalist mindset for the long haul in a culture that glorifies...

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Tips for an organized home with kids   Staying on top of tidiness can be stress-inducing, time-sucking, and never-ending. If it seems as though your home never looks or feels the way you want it, know that maintaining an organized space with kids is hard work, but it’s possible. This week, I speak with professional organizer Elise Hay. Elise believes there’s only one way to have a tidy home with children, and that’s to have the support of each and...

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Pop Culture and the Environmental Movement Today   In recent years, pop culture has raised important questions about the environmental movement today, and people are listening. Because while it can be easy to dissociate from media coverage surrounding global warming, climate change, and environmental racism, it’s much harder to do so when pop culture pushes the narrative. The relationship between popular culture and popular opinion is circular, and so a great way to jumpstart conversations with children and other loved...

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Minimalist beauty for the conscious consumer   Toner, exfoliant, emulsion, eye cream, and that’s all before breakfast: The average woman uses 12 beauty products each and every day. But are these products actually necessary? What are the benefits to a minimalist beauty routine, and how do you start simplifying your existing one? On today’s show we are applying the tenets of sustainable minimalism to our skincare routines by minimizing the excess, simplifying the process, and replacing what’s essential with eco-conscious...

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Digital Minimalism in 2021   It isn’t hyperbole: Technology is in many ways taking over our daily lives. Research has found that children spend 1200 hours per year on technological devices. And adults? We waste approximately 6200 hours a year—or up to a staggering equivalent of 44 years of our lives—staring at screens. In this era of technological-everything, is digital minimalism even possible? On today’s show I speak with Bill Brady, CEO of Troomi. As a father of five, Bill...

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Becoming a Zero Waste Chef   The daily habits zero waste chefs rely on to reduce food and packaging waste can seem daunting to the rest of us, to say the least. But in the era of meal delivery kits and takeout culture, cooking from scratch and ensuring nothing gets wasted may indeed be self-sufficient skills that consumers are in danger of losing. On today’s episode, Anne-Marie Bonneau, better known as The Zero Waste Chef, and I discuss cooking as...

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The benefits of 1000 hours outside   Most of us understand intuitively that spending time outdoors – 1000 hours outside, in fact! –  is important. But what does science say about the role of nature in our lives? How can we make the outdoors a staple of our children’s childhoods without tears? The 1000 Hours Outside campaign seeks to match nature time with screen time, and that’s because kids spend approximately 1200 hours per year in front of electronic devices....

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Sustainable Consumption for you and me Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available as an e-book, audiobook, and paperback now, and it dives *far deeper* into the topics we discuss on this podcast. Thank you for supporting my work!   Sustainable consumption is confusing. What does it mean to be an intentional eco-consumer, exactly, and how does the identity differ from being a conscious one? There are problems associated with greenwashing, too. Assuming you want to be more sustainable in your...

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Environmentally Friendly Parenting that’s Good Enough   Parents are tired. So tired, in fact, that adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle may seem impossible. But the goal is progress—not perfection!—and so this week’s show is dedicated to parents who want to do better but don’t want to completely upend their lives. Today I am speaking with Stace Dixon and Taylor Shearer of DYPER. Together we outline low-waste parenting strategies that are *good enough* in that they don’t require lots of time or...

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How to simplify picky eating   It’s the bane of parents’ existences: Picky eating. And while some children are certainly pickier than most, most moms and dads worry whether their kids regularly consume a variety of nutrients – and in the right quantities! – for optimal growth and development. What kids eat matters, and so this week I’m speaking with a certified nutritionist to help us both understand and simplify all the intricacies around feeding our children. My guest is Kaitlin...

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Minimalist tips to manage time   Time: There never seems to be enough of it. And while the internet flows with tips to manage time, minimalists understand that we can gain more time by having less stuff. Today I’m speaking with my friend and fellow podcaster Diane Boden. Diane is the host of the Minimalist Moms Podcast; she also has a new book by the same name. Today Diane and I discuss tangible ways in which we can pare down our...

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What’s Really Important When Learning at Home   Many minimalists correctly view their homes as havens. But because critical learning happens within the home during pandemics and always, our living spaces also provide daily opportunities to nurture lasting loves of learning in our children. On today’s show my guests and I explore the ways in which parents can both facilitate and simplify learning at home, 365 days per year. First I bring you an interview with educational consultant Hillary Einboden, who...

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Routines and Rituals For Housework Help   Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available as an e-book, audiobook, and paperback now, and it dives *far deeper* into the topics we discuss on this podcast. Thank you for supporting my work!   Have 4 walls and a roof? If so, you probably have housework. And if you are fortunate to have a family? You’re likely burdened by household chores every single day. Today I’m speaking with author and cleaning guru Becky Rapinchuk,...

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How To Use Cloth Diapers   Cloth diapers have a reputation as the time-consuming and stressful way to diaper a baby. Yet parents who proudly embrace reusables report that the opposite is true: after you learn how to successfully use cloth diapers, the practice provides daily opportunities to connect with your child. Cloth diapering ushers in a unique joy, too. On today’s show I speak with Gaëlle Wizenberg, founder and Chief of Commerce of Charlie Banana. First, Gaëlle debunks 3...

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Intentional Living at Home Intentional living is all the rage right now, as it’s about letting your purpose guide your actions as they relate to your family, your work, your finances, your environmental impact, your spirituality, and more. That said, it’s easy to revert to living on autopilot. It’s too easy, in fact, to be blown off track by snags in the plan. On today’s show I speak with Desirae Endres, host of the With Intention podcast. If you’ve ever...

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Impactful Eco Friendly Changes   We’ve all been there: The awkward moment when we realize that, when it comes to eco friendly living, we could be doing more. On this week’s bonus episode, I speak with Marie Ève Gaudreau Lamarre. Marie Ève walks us through the moment she realized that she wasn’t eco friendly simply because she recycled; soon after, she knew she could – and therefore must – do more. In our conversation today, Marie Ève makes clear the...

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8 Minimalist Style Principles   It happens to the best of us: despite our best intentions, we fall for trends. We assume that if a new style looks great on a model it will also look great on us. But wardrobe simplicity is about employing select minimalist style tricks that save money, reduce clothing waste, and empower you to look your best. On today’s show I speak with style coach Kim Hancher. Kim is a huge advocate for NOT running...

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Difficult Sustainability Conversations   If you are passionate about sustainability, you may often find yourself in the middle of thorny interpersonal interactions. Here are just a few statements I’ve heard over the years in which I’ve tried – but miserably failed! – to bridge the gap between my opinions and the persons’ sitting in front of me: “Environmental policies kill jobs.” “God is omnipotent. He’ll take care of climate change.” “Recycling is pointless. Why bother?” Today I’m speaking with fellow...

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** Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! Get your paperback or e-book copy here.**   Your Minimalist Play Room: Why Basic is Best & Less is More Got kids? If so, you’ve also got toys. If you’re like me, you may also have a play room that’s bursting at the seams with active, plastic toys. Parents want to provide novel play experiences for their children, as no one wants their kids to be deprived. But...

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** Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! Get your paperback or e-book copy here.** Intentional Living and Personal Development   Prioritizing personal development is a staple of an intentional life, yet listeners overwhelmingly report that they have neither the time nor the energy to pursue good habits. The result? We tend to focus on our personal development only when a problem occurs. But by then, it’s too late to proactively make a change. Today I...

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Eco Friendly Living and Gen Z   Meet Murielle from Michigan. Murielle is a Generation Z-er who found herself interested in eco friendly living in high school. Fast forward 5 years: Murielle has dedicated her professional life to solving environmental problems as she strives to change her everyday actions so that they best align with her values. In our conversation today, Murielle imparts some practical tips (how to compost with worms!) as well as some abstract ideas, too (how to...

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Healthy Children & The Problems with “Natural” Products   Parabens, formaldehyde, fragrance, and more: In 2021, raising healthy children starts by reducing exposures to common toxins. It continues by giving the side eye to products marketed to babies and kids as “natural”, too. Potentially hazardous chemicals reside in plastic toys, food packaging, personal care products, and even food. But because babies and young children do not have fully developed immune systems, they may be even *more* susceptible to their negative...

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Mindful Parenting Tips for Overwhelmed Moms   If parenting under normal circumstances is demanding, parenting during a pandemic is downright exhausting. And if you’re like me, you may have found yourself scouring the internet for parenting tips that make pandemic mothering manageable. But because we have such little (if any!) free time—and because we are downright exhausted—Google’s algorithm falls short. Mothers overwhelmingly report that their mental health is struggling amidst increased mental loads, erosion of work-life boundaries, and general daily monotony. And...

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Eco Conscious Christianity with Lisa M.   Meet Lisa from Adelaide, Australia. Lisa is a long-time podcast listener who believes that eco conscious living is the ultimate expression of her Christian faith. She excels at reducing carbon emissions from transportation (her family only has one vehicle, and it’s an electric car), but she has trouble cutting down on soft plastics. In our conversation today, Lisa imparts the hopeful truth that one person has the power to change the trajectory of...

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Feng Shui, Meet Modern Minimalism   Modern minimalism is all about clean lines, clear countertops, tidy spaces, and houseplants. (Lots of houseplants.) But feng shui, too, has a lot to say about whether or not your living space feels peaceful, and that’s why the modern minimalist movement would do well to take a few cues from this ancient Chinese philosophy. Indeed, combining old design ideals with new ones is a powerful way to amplify minimalist principles in your home. This...

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When Living Green Gets Exhausting   I’ll just go ahead and say it: eco-friendly lifestyles can leave us feeling weary, and that’s because living green requires extra time, patience, energy, and—sometimes—financial means. But the heaviness associated with choosing sustainable choices day in and day out stems from experiencing a trifecta of difficult emotions, too, including confusion, hopelessness, and anger. Today I bring you a conversation with Cheryl Leutjen. Cheryl is the author of Love Earth Now, a collection of essays...

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Eco Friendly Laundry Products and Routines   While bathrooms boast zero-waste swaps and kitchens can overflow with sustainable alternatives, the laundry room is considered the final frontier for offering eco friendly products. Indeed, Americans continue to discard nearly 1 billion plastic detergent jugs each year, and just one third of them are recycled. Laundry products have remained staunchly un-environmental over the past 6 decades. And thanks to the monopolies CPG companies have on the market, ethical and eco alternatives to...

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New Year’s Resolutions for All   It’s mid-December and you know what that means: It’s time to start thinking about your 2021 new year’s resolution. Resolutions tend to be self-serving. Humans as a species are often centered around the self, and so it’s no surprise, then, that when we plan our resolutions for the coming year many choose ones that benefit the individual. But my guest today argues that perhaps the reason why resolutions are notorious for failure is because...

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Sustainable Fashion: Where It’s Been & Where it’s Going   Although sustainable fashion has come a long way in the past 3 decades, ethical clothing continues to suffer from some quite-common misconceptions: It’s boring. It’s expensive. It’s beige. Is it possible to find affordable, transparent, and sustainable fashion in today’s world, or are we not *quite* there yet? Today I bring you an interview with internationally recognized lifestyle visionary, Marci Zaroff. Marci has been in the sustainable fashion game for nearly...

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  How to organize your way Many times, we organize our homes the way we see organization done on television. But if you’ve ever looked to the gurus for tips on how, exactly, to organize, you may have felt disappointed when your efforts didn’t translate into long-term success. When your home is organized in a way that’s in alignment with your unique personality, you work less and relax more. That’s why organizing isn’t about having an Instagram-worthy space for a...

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How to Live Below Your Means (Without Feeling Deprived)   There are only two ways to live below your means: One is to earn more; the other is to spend less. Living below your means boasts obvious benefits including increased financial security and decreased financial stress. Having a savings net is also a critical step toward self-sufficiency because it provides a buffer against setback, too. This week, I offer 10 tricks to help you live below your means without leaving you feeling...

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How Minimalists Combat the Symptoms of Burnout   The symptoms of burnout include fatigue, hopelessness, and diminished motivation. And while Western cultures revere busyness, simplifying schedules and paring down To-Do Lists benefit our health, our happiness, and our sanity. Minimalism at its most fundamental level is an experiment in intentional living, and so on today’s episode we explore how a life rooted in intentionality can combat burnout. This week, I speak with Delanie Fischer. Delanie is a simplicity coach who...

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Sustainable gifts for everyone on your list They’re nearly here: The holidays. As consumers, we have a collective responsibility to support companies that have ethical and eco-friendly practices at the center of their missions. Still, greenwashing runs rampant, and it can be difficult (if not downright impossible!) to discern sustainable gifts from no-so-sustainable ones as we give to loved ones. ::Enter the 2020 Green Gift Guide!:: My hope is that this year’s Green Guide provides you with the motivation to...

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The Case for Part-Time Plant-Based It’s likely no surprise that plant-based diets are better for the planet than carnivorous ones, as shifting food production from meat to vegan proteins could remove up to 16 years’ worth of global fossil fuel CO2 emissions (source). Vegan diets support animal rights and holistic health, too. But despite the countless benefits of going plant-based, my guest this week argues that Ride-Or-Die veganism is impractical for many people. She argues, too, that shaming imperfect vegans...

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  The Effects of Climate Change on Human Health   Global warming and climate change threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and existing ways of life. There’s plenty of evidence that the effects of climate change are already impacting human health, too. Some American politicians on the campaign trail pontificate over the big picture and argue that climate change poses an existential threat to human beings. And in the short term? A warming climate may increase the prevalence of famines, spread insect-borne diseases,...

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  10 Secrets of Successful Declutterers   There’s a big difference between declutterers and *successful* declutterers. In fact, a lot of time, effort, and intention goes into creating (and maintaining!) a tidy home. This week, I divulge 10 minimalist secrets that keep my living space decluttered. I’m hopeful the 10 tips will help you, too, as you consider both how to best create your version of a minimalist home and maintain your tidy spaces for the long haul. Here’s a...

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How to support local businesses in 2021 When it comes to purchasing possibilities, the world may indeed be flat. But committing to buying from within a 400-ish mile radius will support local businesses, keep your wealth in your own community, and increase the prosperity of your neighbors (not corporate CEOs). Need more motivation? Here are 3 additional benefits to local buying: 1. Reduced shipment-related emissions 2. Encouraged interaction with others  (and expanded neighborhood spheres!) 3. Increased awareness  of available community...

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  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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Discussing the Effects of Climate Change (Without Discussing Politics)   Unfortunately, climate change and its effects are polarized topics in today’s hyper-political environment. And although climate change is considered by many to be a partisan issue, it shouldn’t be, because the environment is for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, socioeconomic status, or skin color. And while journalism has tremendous influence on public understanding, the sad reality is that the media is not adequately educating about the effects of climate change....

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Why biodiversity is important   Biodiversity is the result of billions of years of evolution into an intricate balancing act that can best be described as the web of life. When one species is lost, such loss threatens survival of countless others. This week I speak with Christianne Close, Global Practice Leader at the World Wildlife Fund. We discuss WWF’s Living Planet Index, a new report that puts numbers behind the rapid and unprecedented rates of population loss across the...

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How to Become a Minimalist this School Year   I’ve always harbored mixed feelings about September. On one hand, it’s the end of summer (boo). But on the other, September ushers in both a literal and a figurative change in the air. Our kids head back to school, and there’s the opportunity to re-introduce routines after months of laid-back living. September is the perfect opportunity to both recenter and become a minimalist with intentional choices. And while January is often...

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Ethical Alternatives to Amazon   Shoppers adore Amazon, and it’s all thanks to convenience and price: The site’s Subscribe & Save feature lowers already quite low prices. And ultra-speedy shipping and responsive customer service? Many consumers have come to expect such heightened levels of convenience when shopping online. But Amazon has been in the news an awful lot in the past 5 years, and for less than stellar reasons. A growing subset of shoppers seek ethical online alternatives because Amazon...

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Self 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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10 Eco-Friendly Yard Care Rules   Americans are obsessed with lawns. In a perfect world, your grass is vibrant green. There’s nary a weed, and there are certainly no dandelions. It’s lush and neatly edged; yard care consists of trimming to exactly an inch and a half tall. But in order to achieve this idyllic lawn, you must be willing to shell out either money or time, despite the fact that there are other things you’d likely rather spend your...

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5 Facts About the Global Water Crisis   Ever wonder how many gallons it takes to flush your toilet? (Answer: 3.5.) Did you know that 55 gallons of water are required to grow the beans for a single cup of coffee? Today’s show is dedicated to our most important—and our most overlooked—resource: Water. Despite easy access from faucets and showers, access to clean water is a privilege. Water scarcity is driven by two phenomena happening at once: Humans are using more...

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How to Declutter Your Home without Trashing the Planet   Many minimalist influencers trademark decluttering plans to show you how, exactly, to declutter your home. The most well-known? Marie Kondo’s Konmari method, of course. But what if you desire to declutter without sending items that no longer “spark joy” to the landfill? And while possessions that are broken or obsolete will inevitably be trashed, sustainable minimalists work tirelessly to send as little to the landfill as possible throughout the duration of...

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5 New Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste   Plastic waste is everywhere, am I right? (Hey there, plastic-wrapped cucumber!). If you’ve ever looked around and wondered why on Earth everything is wrapped in plastic—and if you’ve wondered whether such overreliance on a single-use product derived from fossil fuels is completely contradictory to common sense—you aren’t alone. Here’s the answer. Because plastic production requires fossil fuels, fossil fuel companies are investing billions of dollars into new plastic production facilities (source)....

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Minimalist Parenting Guidance for Raising Good Humans   Parenting is hard; parenting during a pandemic is even harder. Still, guidance experts argue that raising children with both sanity and joy is possible. If you feel like you’re always on—and if you’re utterly exhausted—know that it’s A-OK to be minimalist in your parenting strategy, because doing less fosters resilience. My guest this week is nationally renowned parenting expert and mentor Sue Groner. Sue is on the show to discern what kids actually...

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How to Buy Nothing By Joining a Gift Economy   Have you ever heard the popular saying, “Nothing in life is free”? Thanks to Buy Nothing groups, this platitude isn’t *exactly* true. Gifting has been around for almost as long as humans, and such economies rely on relationships—not personal gain—to spread love and share resources. And although market economies have pushed gifting aside in recent centuries, gifting is making a comeback in a big way. The benefits of Buy Nothing groups...

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Advanced Simple Living Tips for Seasoned Minimalists   Simple living is a lifestyle that refuses to accept busy and harried as normal. Instead, intentionality is about removing unnecessary conflicts, excessive to-do items, and pointless distractions as a means of experiencing all life has to offer. But if you Google “how to live slow” (or some facsimile thereof), you will likely see the same strategies touted over and over: Turn your phone off. Walk in nature. Read. And while these strategies offer solid starting...

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  5 Facts Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn’t Know   Carbon footprints are confusing. What’s a carbon footprint, exactly, and how is yours related to climate change? Carbon footprints are a handy-dandy metric that makes clear how severely your lifestyle impacts the planet.  Your diet, travel habits, and your home’s cooling and heating practices are just some lifestyle considerations that may increase (or decrease!) your unique footprint. If you live in the United States or another developed country, your...

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  Eco-Conscious Gifts for New Parents (That Are Actually Helpful)   Are you always on the hunt for gifts for new parents, but often feel as though you’re coming up short? OR do you plan to become a new parent someday but find it difficult – if not downright impossible – to distinguish true needs amidst all the hype? It’s time to discern new baby Must-Haves from Don’t-Needs, once and for all. On this week’s episode, I’m thrilled to replace...

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How to Simplify (and Green-ify!) Housework   Laundry, dishes, and general home cleaning: Mundane housework got you down? Sustainable minimalism is about doing less and living more. The good news? It’s entirely possible to apply the tenets of sustainable minimalism to housework by simplifying tasks, minimizing magnitude and -finally! – incorporating incremental eco-friendliness to our efforts. On this week’s episode, I offer dozens of tips and tricks to simplify (and green-ify!) our laundry, dishes, and general housework routines so that you...

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How to Save Money Like a Minimalist   The minimalist lifestyle often centers itself around possessions. Yet how we spend our money – what we choose to buy and how long we must work to make purchases – matters, as the tenets of minimalism uniquely lend themselves to finances. Indeed, simplified money matters can reduce stress, contribute to savings goals, and increase free time. On today’s show I speak with Certified Financial Planner (CFP®), author, and fellow minimalist Dawn Starks....

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Environmental racism occurs every day and all over the globe. Worse, it rarely receives the media attention it deserves. In the United States, African Americans are more likely to live near toxic waste facilities and breathe polluted air. Their communities are less likely to receive adequate protection to prevent disasters and – when disasters do occur – they are less likely to receive an immediate, comprehensive response. We don’t have to look far to find instances of environmental racism all over...

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COVID-19 has forced many of us to look critically at consumerist culture for perhaps the first time. If you don’t like what you see, you aren’t alone. Although anti-consumerism is countercultural, it isn’t uncommon. Proponents argue that breaking free from the purchasing hamster wheel ushers in financial freedom; it provides clarity around what’s *actually* important, too. My guest this week is Aleah Mohammed. Aleah had an ‘a-ha’ moment as she took out the trash; she committed herself to a no-new-purchases...

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  Summer is all about living the simple life, with extended bedtimes, spur-of-the-moment jaunts, and a general commitment to squeezing out every last frills-free moment in the sunshine. But thanks to unnecessary purchases, chemical-laden sunscreen and bug repellent, and unsustainable vacations that create excessive carbon emissions, our summer celebrations may harm the planet. The good news is it’s entirely possible to enjoy a simple and eco-friendly summer. On this week’s episode we are discussing practical ways to tweak our summer...

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The best online thrifting stores Prefer vintage? Love designer? If you have a distinct style – or if you simply prefer new clothes! – you may assume that thrifting couldn’t possibly be for you. But thanks to 5 of the best online thrifting stores, secondhand shopping makes thrifting for unique styles, shapes, and price ranges accessible for all of us. Corporations have fed us the false truth that new is best. Capitalist societies flourish when consumers constantly buy, but purchasing...

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5 Unique Ways to be Frugal Without Being Cheap   Pennypincher. Tightwad. Cheapskate. Under normal circumstances, public opinion tends to shun frugality. But frugality has been reborn, so to speak, thanks to the novel Coronavirus pandemic. Many are wasting less food and experimenting with gardening. Others are making conscious efforts to send less to the landfill by reusing, repurposing, and rethinking waste culture. Thrifty behaviors aren’t worthy of the side-eye anymore. Instead, the opposite is true: during a pandemic, frugality is smart. Thriftiness...

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Work From Home Tips (Konmari Homeschool Ideas, too!)   Quarantined in a small space with a big family? Establishing spaces within our homes that work for everyone, including the work from home professionals, the homeschooled kids, and the adults in charge of keeping All. The. Clutter. under control maintains cohesion and reduces family tension. My guest this week is minimalist and Konmari consultant Jessica Yatrofsky. Jessica presents practical tidying tips for quarantine and always, including reasons why picking up at...

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Fair Trade, Certified B and More   Ever wonder what the Fair Trade label on products *really* means? How about that elusive Certified B Corp distinction? “All-natural”, “fat-free”, and “non-toxic” are blanket marketing statements that have no real meaning. But third party certifications? Their distinct logos distinguish the best from the rest. Yet while certifications are meant to give consumers confidence, it can be difficult to understand what all the different labels stand for. On today’s show I break down...

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Your Sustainability Questions, Answered Many listeners write to me with compliments and criticisms; occasionally, listeners reach out with questions, too. I collected some of the most pressing queries from both personal messages and public ones in the show’s closed Facebook group. On this week’s episode I answer 5 of the most common sustainability questions you listeners have asked me. Here’s a preview of today’s show: [1:40] Why are silicone products preferable to plastic ones? [4:11] Why has plastic become so popular?...

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  Los Angeles boasts clear, smog-free skies. Passerby on New York City’s busiest avenues enjoy the sounds of chirping birds. And in Venice? Fish are visible in the city’s once-murky canals. In some ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has done wonders for the health of our planet. But in others? For many of us, sticking to our zero waste lifestyle goals feels nearly impossible. The reason is twofold. First, many of us experience the tug and pull of purchasing more than we...

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What’s a menstrual cup? (And other zero-waste period queries)   Ever find yourself wondering what a menstrual cup is, exactly? Want to zero-wastify your monthly cycle but don’t know how? The average woman uses 22 disposable tampons or pads per cycle, or 264 products per year. Assuming a woman menstruates for 35 years, she will throw away a whopping 9,240 single-use menstrual products in  her lifetime.  On this week’s episode I identify six (amazing) reusable menstrual products on the market...

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Slow Homes, Climate Change, and Coronavirus   Cornoavirus has forced one in four people worldwide into social isolation; indeed, slow homes have replaced on-the-go living for weeks to come. But what are the implications of forced slowness on reluctant mothers, and how is social isolation impacting the planet? On this week’s episode we examine Coronavirus’s implications by considering long-term effects. Although online content covers small picture issues – like how to keep children entertained despite social distancing and how to become...

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Why is it so hard to find clean beauty products?   Got clean beauty? If you’re like most American women, the answer is (probably) no. Each day, the average woman slathers on twelve beauty products (or over 100 unregulated chemicals!). Beauty brands use the term “clean” to highlight products without controversial ingredients. But without regulation, virtually any product can label itself clean without consequence. “Clean” therefore becomes just another marketing descriptor that corporations smack on product labels to catch consumers’...

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  Tackle Family Clutter with Heat Maps   Many tidying techniques promise to keep down family clutter. One of the simplest and most creative of these techniques is heat mapping, which identifies problem areas within the home. A heat map represents values with colors, and heat mapping for clutter works because the practice yields data. If you were to heat map your living space, which rooms would be labeled red? On this week’s episode I interview fellow blogger and podcaster...

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When Overspending on Luxury Backfires   Many financially-able consumers commit to overspending on designer purchases. Because luxury goods by nature are both pricey and in high-demand, such possessions communicate status and prestige. Then there’s our biology: evolution reinforces comparing and competing. In the age of social media we post fancy photos of ourselves doing fancy things as a way to prove we, too, are as worthy as our peers. But while consumers assume investing in designer items will result in...

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Have you ever wondered what seasoned minimalists do on the weekend? Here’s a top-secret minimalist tip: It isn’t all rest and relaxation. While minimalists believe simplicity is important – and while Sunday is indeed *the* day to rest – minimalists also know it’s prudent to spend weekends quietly preparing for the upcoming week. On this week’s show I’m thrilled to offer 8 minimalist tips that mitigate weekday mania and usher in easy-breezy simplicity during the workweek. My suggestions aren’t overly...

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Microplastic Pollution: Everything you Need to Know   These days, microplastic pollution is everywhere. It isn’t hyperbole: Scientists find plastic everywhere they look for it. Microplastics pollute our oceans; they reside in the bellies of animals, too. And plastics are also in humans: A 2019 study concluded that we consume a credit card’s-worth of plastic each week, on average. When we examine the scope of the microplastics problem – when we understand fully that plastic has invaded every nook and...

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5 Tricks to Help You Buy Less Stuff   If you often make impulse purchases you end up regretting later, you can thank The Itch. The Itch is that feeling that blinds our better judgement when we see an item we really, really want. The Itch is cunning: It goads us into throwing caution to the wind and buying whatever the fancy item may be. Despite all we know about conscious consumerism, it’s natural for you and me to experience...

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Tips on Decluttering 6 Oft-Forgotten Areas You decluttered. You’ve tidied. You organized what’s left, and now you’re exhausted. But still – to your chagrin! – you realize the work’s not *quite* complete. It happens to the best of us: In the throes of decluttering, we overlook specific spaces that demand our attention. My guest this week is blogger, YouTuber, and decluttering expert Shannon Torrens. Shannon is on the show to identity the 6 areas we tend to overlook on our journeys...

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In order to make fabric, you need thread. And to make thread? You need fibers. But what are eco friendly fibers, exactly, and why are they important? Textile corporations intentionally shadow their manufacturing processes from the public; they obscure their garment labels with hard-to-understand terms, too. I believe this obfuscation is intentional: Because we consumers are confused, we give up on attempting to comprehend the ins and outs of one of the most environmentally destructive industries in the world. On...

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Less is more, and not just with possessions: A minimalist lifestyle decreases stress and increases peace of mind. Many of us could benefit from intentional lifestyle tweaks that prioritize free time, reduce financial stress and curate fulfilling relationships. The single-best way to accomplish all these (lofty) tasks? Simplify wherever possible. On today’s show I’m thrilled to offer 6 minimalist lifestyle tips that emphasize time management, tweak finances and manage interpersonal relationships with simplicity in mind. I explain the 50-50 approach to showing...

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Are you concerned you have an unhealthy attachment to stuff? Do you worry for a loved one who has trouble letting possessions go? Hoarding Disorder isn’t necessarily all piles and pathways; in real life, hoarding can look much different than the extremes highlighted on television. There’s a fine line between a cluttered household versus a hoarding household and – for many of us – pinning down the difference feels slippery. On this week’s show I’m speaking with social worker, hoarding...

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Greenwashing Examples: Have you Been Duped?   Eco-friendliness is hot right now. It’s in. But marketing teams have their fingers on the pulse and know that consumers increasingly demand green products. So they tout misleading claims to sound more eco-friendly than they actually are to – you guessed it! – make a profit. It’s called greenwashing, and consumers are being duped by greenwashing examples including innuendos, imagery and outright lies Every. Single. Day. Corporations want us to believe we can buy...

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Ever wondered where Goodwill donations really go? Our society craves what’s shiny and what’s new. We toss broken stuff without bothering to repair it; we donate perfectly good stuff to make room in our homes for newer, sleeker models, too. Between 1967 and 2017, the amount Americans spent annually on stuff increased nearly twenty-fold. And while some items will be recycled into new goods or given to others in need, the vast majority of our unwanted stuff is destined for...

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Eco-friendly communities drive big ideas   Few would object: Kinship is important. Humans are evolutionarily designed to live alongside others; eco-friendly communities facilitate the sharing of resources, too. Still, many of us have minimal – (if any!) – contact with our neighbors. And although we may quite physically live within a community, so many of us feel isolated. My guest today argues that close-knit groups are important for another reason: When it comes to sustainability, eco-friendly communities share ideas, encourage...

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Green buying and Overconsumption Ever buy on impulse? If so, you know those feel-good endorphins after handing over your credit card are real.Is it safe to assume, then, that shopping makes us happier? Where does green buying fit in? On today’s episode my guest and I explore the connections between materialism, green buying and lasting life satisfaction. Dr. Sabrina Helm is an associate professor at the University of Arizona whose research interests include climate change and overconsumption. Her recent study into the...

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In-store or Online Shopping: Which is Better for the Planet? Every year, 165 billion packages are shipped in the United States. Does this figure seem staggering? It should. Because all these packages generate enough cardboard to equal more than 1 billion trees. Online shopping isn’t going anywhere; in fact, e-commerce sales are expected to double in the next decade. This week, I tackle both the environmental advantages as well as the disadvantages to our collective online shopping habit. (You may...

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  Declutter tips for *before* the holidays The holidays are coming, and you know what that means: Stuff, stress, and more stuff. Enacting simple declutter tips enable you to create space in our homes, heads and hearts so that we may usher in the festivities with open arms. My guest this week is blogger Rebecca Benson. Rebecca is on the show to identify 5 very specific spaces to tackle this instant including the gift wrap bin, the medicine closet and more....

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(Anti) Black Friday 2020   What are you doing on Black Friday? Will you elbow your way through crowds of fellow consumers in hopes of scoring an epic Black Friday-only deal, or are you curious about enjoying a different kind of day? I’ll never forget the first (and only) time I participated in Black Friday festivities. I woke up early—too early, if I’m honest—and stood in a line that snaked around the side of a big box store. It was...

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It’s cliche but true: Our children are always watching. As eco-conscious parents, we consistently lead by example on the ‘big’ actions (reducing air travel, cooking plant-based meals) as well as on the small stuff, too (repurposing water, line-drying clothes). We assume that – because our kids are always observing our behavior – they’ll naturally pick up on our low-waste, environmental ideals. And while it’s certainly true that our children are watching us, it’s also true that they are learning from...

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Is it me, or do we often forget self-care during the holidays? For better or worse, the holiday craze starts on November first. Christmas commercials inundate our favorite television programming. Christmas trees abound in stores. Holiday “sales” entice us here, there and everywhere. In November, it often feels as though being busy – and being stressed – is expected. But the weather is cooling; it’s darker earlier, too. It’s natural for you and me to desire a slower pace and...

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They’re nearly here: the holidays. And with ethical gift giving on the rise, it’s no surprise that discerning shoppers aspire to support sustainability with their dollars. But how, exactly, to give ethically? Although shoppers are becoming more brand conscious + 1 in 5 Gen Z’ers are taking extra steps to shop with intention, confusion abounds over what ethical gift giving really means. The Ethical Hierarchy of Gift Purchasing makes reminds us that the bulk of the gifts we give should be...

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Why Being Self-Sufficient Matters   Our grandparents and great-grandparents knew the importance of being self-sufficient. They survived an economic depression and major wars so they fostered age-old skills, just in case. These days, you and I are a generation (or two!) removed from crisis, and we are heavily dependent on products that make our lives easier. This lack of perspective coupled with reliance on convenience means we’re one thing and one thing only: Vulnerable. Preparing for job loss or sudden...

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Planned Obsolescence: What It Is + What To Do About It They just don’t make things the way they used to. It’s true: These days, electronics and appliances are often made with cheap parts that are designed to break just after warrantees expire.  But planned obsolescence is more than just cheap products; it’s automatic software updates that render our tech useless. It’s missing user manuals and discontinued parts, too. The linear economy favors production, consumption, and—eventually—disposal. Not surprisingly, planned obsolescence creates...

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Minimalism For Moms Minimalism for moms may at first seem impossible, for 3 reasons: – First, there’s all the stuff children need and somehow accumulate. – Then there are the endless calendar-fillers including appointments, extracurriculars, playdates, birthday parties and volunteer opportunities. – Finally, mothers manage an increased mental load because organizing, planning and juggling all the facets of domestic life is a full-time job. But minimalism in motherhood is possible, and the benefits are multitudinous. Indeed, proponents of slow parenting attest...

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How (Exactly) to Cook Zero Waste Meals   If you’re like most eco-friendly parents, you’d like to cook zero-waste, plastic-free meals for your family, but you’ve realized that doing so is much harder than it sounds. Does this sound right? – Feeding your family demands significant mental energy. Although you’d like to serve low-plastic, zero-waste meals, you have no idea where to start. – You eat out more than you’d like; you spend more money than your wallet likes on...

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The Healing Effects of Sentimental Clutter Cleaning   Sentimental clutter lives in the past; keeping it around often prevents full presence in the here and now. Conversely, removing what’s unnecessary ushers in freedom. It presents opportunities for personal growth, too. If you have items in your home that leave you emotionally drained, it’s likely time for a sentimental clutter cleaning. My guest this week is Erin Beckman. Erin is a single mother and widow who faced her attic full of  nostalgic...

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Declutter tips for tackling sentimental items   You listeners often ask for declutter tips when tackling sentimental items. What should you do with a talented family member’s paintings? What about that box of childhood mementos? How about the yellowed wedding dress hanging in the far recesses of the closet? Although the “stuff” in question differs from query to query, the underlying obstacle is always the same: What’s the best way to let go of clutter that’s laced with emotion? First...

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10 Household Neurotoxins, Uncovered   Your couch may be dangerous to your health; your shower curtain liner may be, too. Many household neurotoxins lurk in common, seemingly benign items; as a result, we may find ourselves holding onto the hazardous stuff despite the fact that non-toxic alternatives abound. The sad truth is that many consumers assume products are regulated. But while 62,000 chemicals are approved for use in the United States, less than 300 have been actually been tested. On...

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Eco Friendly Home Decor Ideas   Are you tired of your decor? Maybe your furniture isn’t contemporary enough for your taste. Or perhaps your once-trendy, heavily-patterned curtains feel stale. But you lean toward the sustainable side of things—you’re a stand-up human, too—so you won’t chuck your old decor for new stuff without a bit of eco-guilt. You’d like to find eco friendly home decor ideas, even, but you don’t know where to look. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 9 million...

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25 Ways to Create an Eco Friendly House   Green living sometimes gets a bad rap as being reserved only for the privileged. And curating an eco friendly house? Many people assume that doing so requires a hefty upfront cost. Here’s why: –  While organic food + hybrid cars are certainly green, they have oversized price tags and therefore aren’t accessible to everyone. – Some eco-friendly products will save money in the long run, but their significant up-front costs deter...

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Coping with eco guilt in 4 steps   Does the future of our planet usher in hopelessness? Do you stay up at night worrying whether Earth will remain habitable for our children? If so, you may suffer from eco guilt. Eco anxiety is fear for the future of our planet and manifests itself in feelings of anger, powerlessness or exhaustion. A 2017 report by the American Psychological Association found that – because its chronic by nature –  the condition can have...

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10 Reasons Why Your Home Is Cluttered After Tidying   It happens to the best of us: You have already tidied, yet your home remains cluttered. It’s incredibly, frustrating, sure. It is also quite common. Tidy homes can often feel messy, even after the work is done. Why is that? The answer is threefold: First, there’s a perceived inverse relationship between clutter + cleanliness. Second, you overlooked some important places (10 important places, to be exact!) when decluttering. Finally, you neglected...

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Does the slow living movement intrigue you? If you recently went on a summer vacation you know it’s true: A slow, intentional life feels right. Yet, despite our best intentions, most of us retreat to our busy habits + our cluttered ways hours after returning home. The first step to living a more intentional life isn’t Googling a quick fix. Seasoned minimalists know that in order to slow down (for good!) you must first identify why you’re so busy in the...

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What’s your underwear made of? Are your tighty-whities: A. Synthetic? Polyester, rayon, acrylic + nylon are comprised partly of plastic, are hard to dispose of + contribute to landfill waste. Even worse, synthetic waste byproducts pollute waterways. B. Or is your underwear made of cotton? Because it’s grown, conventional cotton is bathed in pesticides, derived from genetically-modified seeds + originates in factories that pay unlivable working wages. When it comes to our underwear, today’s guest offers a better way: Organic cotton. My...

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These days, many Americans boast supersized homes, an outfit for every day of the month + 300,000 possessions, on average. We also report high levels of depression + anxiety; we have debt, too. Have you ever wondered why we continue to buy more + more, despite the fact that our purchases don’t make us happy, send us into debt + destroy our planet’s precious resources? I do. On this week’s show I divulge 4 reasons why we buy things we...

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Have a major decluttering project on your To-Do List? If so, you’ll benefit from having both a plan + insight before you declutter your home. My guest this week is Katie McGowen. Katie is a mom of 5 who knew she had to declutter in a big way. But she didn’t tidy willy-nilly wherever the wind blew her + whenever she found the time; instead, she sought to declutter her entire home systematically. Katie created a plan before she minimized...

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You’ve heard the buzz around composting, but you want to be certain composting is right for you *before* you embark on another potentially time-sucking hobby. Of course you’d love to know how to make great compost, but you’re a newbie + you need guidance. If your garbage can is like the average American’s, at least 20% of it is filled with food. Worse, that 20% is entirely preventable. My guest this week is Heather Kauffman. Heather is passionate about composting...

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My grandparents were incredibly resourceful: They pioneered countless reuse ideas so that nothing valuable was ever wasted. These days, while many Millennials + Generation Y-ers harbor a collective single-use mindset, generations past had ingrained reuse within well before zero-waste living ever became a ‘thing’. We can learn an awful lot from our grandparents. On this week’s episode I uncover 13 of the best household reuse ideas straight from Grandma. Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable...

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Sick of having a closet full of clothes + nothing to wear? If so, it’s time to seriously consider a capsule wardrobe. A successful capsule improves self-esteem, reduces mental clutter + makes getting dressed a heck of a lot easier. But what’s the secret sauce to creating one that works, as opposed to one that’s ‘meh’? It isn’t about base neutrals or accent pieces. It isn’t about following rigid rules, either. My guest this week is Amanda Warfield. Amanda is back on...

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Why is Recycling Bad? Here are 6 Reasons Americans are crazy about recycling. We separate our trash in airports. In office buildings. Inside schools. We assume our garbage is properly disposed of; we expect that our plastics, papers, and aluminum actually get recycled. But the reality is we shouldn’t be thrilled about recycling; we shouldn’t assume the good men and women in waste management follow best environmental practices, either. Think landfills are benign? Think again. On today’s episode I uncover the current...

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How to love your home Do you love your home? Or is there *something* about your space that sends you running for the hills? For many, our living spaces provoke anxiety. Maybe the clutter constantly distracts us. Perhaps (seemingly endless) household chores wear us down, slowly but surely. Or maybe we’re bored at home so we hunt elsewhere for entertainment. But what almost always happens when we head out? We spend money. My guest this week is Katie Shaw. Katie *used...

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Do you desire to declutter your home but find yourself worried about making an even *bigger* mess? I hear that. If a slow + steady approach to, well, EVERYthing appeals to you, you’ll love the Shoebox Method’s incremental take on minimalism. My guest this week is Dionne Myhre. She’s a lifelong lover of organization; she’s a blogger who helps women find peace in tidied simplicity, too. She’s here to outline her Shoebox Method so that you, too, can declutter your...

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Have you planted your summer garden? Did you do so zero-waste style? If gardening isn’t your cup of tea, I humbly ask you to reconsider. Gardening is the cheapest way to get your hands on organic produce; it’s a hobby that intimately connects you to your food source, too. Whether you’re growing herbs on your fire escape, tilling a 600- square foot parcel or attempting something in between, it pays to garden the zero-waste way. On this week’s show I’m...

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Have a big bucket list but a small-ish bank account? Do you dream in color but get snagged on the details? Feel held back by your children? Many of us aspire to get living, but the minutiae of planning forces us to stand still. That’s why it’s easier to remain stagnant in a life that may (or may not!) light us up. This week’s guests have mastered the art of intentional living. Despite dubious finances + countless obstacles, Erik + Emily...

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Declutter Your House by Starting with Small Wins   It’s one of your biggest decluttering concerns and I hear it all the time. Are you worried you will declutter your house and donate something you will one day miss? You’re not alone. For some of you, this fear is so strong it prevents you from decluttering before you even start.          On this week’s episode, I lead you by the hand through your home. Together, we declutter room-by-room....

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What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? (And Other Closet Questions) When it comes to our closets, the most sustainable practice is to wear what we already own. Donating clothes contributes to textile pollution; as such, it’s prudent to wear and re-wear our garments until they are thoroughly worn out. But what is a capsule wardrobe, exactly, and how can you create one if you have a closetful of items you simply aren’t wearing and will likely never wear again? Amanda Warfield...

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Conscious consumers are so much more than review-checkers. They don’t have their credit card information saved on Amazon. They’re not swayed by “deals” or “sales”, either. Conscious consumers don’t walk the shopping mall for fun + they certainly don’t follow marketplace trends. You’ve heard the term but – still! – its definition remains ambiguous. What is a conscious consumer, exactly? This week, I’m thrilled to identify key traits of intentional shoppers. I show you exactly how you can be one,...

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    Did you know? The average American kitchen holds a whopping 1,019 items. Yet professional chefs argue that fully functioning kitchens demand *just* 16 items. No need to spend an arm + a leg on top of the line models, either: you, too, can whip up delectable meals with just 16 items that cost under $300 total. This week, I’m dabbling in the concepts of minimalists kitchens + minimalist cooking with simplicity wellness coach Mirley Guerra Graf. Mirley believes that...

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Freshly baked artisanal breads, still warm from the oven. Imported cheeses in original packaging. Untouched organic berries. Did you know? You can find all this + more in your local dumpster. Cameron Macleish first learned about the food waste epidemic as a broke college student. These days, he dumpster dives and – with his mom’s help – cooks delectable meals with his finds to push back against both food waste + food insecurity. While Cameron neither wants nor expects us to dumpster...

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Have you scheduled self-care into your days lately? I get it: We’re all busy. When we must cut something, we almost always cut the tasks that rejuvenate ourselves from our schedules first. I believe that self-care is less about time-intensive, expensive spa treatments (although if they light you up, go for ’em!).  Instead, self-care is a collection of little habits that promote healthy + peaceful existences. On today’s episode, we get some serious self-care bang out of *just* 5 minutes. Liann Hughes is...

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  So you’ve slashed into the trash your household produces. (That’s great!) But what about when you’re out + about? Are you conscious of garbage when you’re on-the-go? The truth is this: Strategic handbags go a *long way* toward low-waste or zero-waste living. It’s easier than it sounds, too: I carry everything I need for eating out, doing errands + stopping anywhere spontaneous in my medium-sized shoulder bag. On today’s episode I divulge the ten items I keep with me at...

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Have you ever embarked on a dry month? Would you consider one? This week we explore the space where minimalism, intentional living + sobriety collide. My guest this week is blogger Kim Miller. Through the lenses of #winemom + motherhood drinking culture, Kim + I examine the idea that clutter isn’t *just* physical stuff. Clutter is old ideas + habits that don’t serve us. Clutter is anything that takes us out of the moment + away from our best selves, too. Kim...

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Ever find yourself questioning the air quality in your home?  How about your water? Many of us have completed personal detoxes to eliminate internal toxins from our bodies. But how many of us tackle the toxins that reside in our homes? Toxins are everywhere, even in the cleanest of living spaces. As such, indoor air quality is typically 2-5 times more polluted than outdoor air. Worst of all? Abundant toxins can + do lead to health problems. There is good news, +...

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Let me guess: You like the *idea* of thrifting as a means of preserving both your hard-earned money + the planet. But in practice, things get muddled. Who has the time, energy or desire to sift through mounds of less-than-ideal garments in search of a genuine find? Here’s the good news: These days, it’s easier than ever to shop secondhand. My guest this week is Lauren Spraggins. She’s a fashion reseller who searches for, cleans, mends + presses secondhand items....

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Humans are sick + are getting sicker. So is planet Earth.  Our health as a species is intricately linked to the health of our planet. Indeed, perhaps the most concerning aspect of greenhouse gases, polluted oceans + shrinking ecosystems is that – ultimately – we have manufactured an environment unfit for human life. My guest this week is Dr. Stephen Hussey. He’s a chiropractor, health coach + author who’s on the podcast to outline concrete action steps for reclaiming our...

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Zero-waste living is easier than you think. The secret? It all starts at the supermarket. Take home less plastic. On today’s episode I’m divulging my 5 tricks that can be implemented by absolutely anyone on his or her next shopping trip. ** This episode offers a tiny taste of what I’m teaching in 14 Days to a Zero-Waste Kitchen. Registration officially opens today! I hope you’ll join me for guided, one-on-one instruction + more content just like this. ** * Access this...

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  It happens to all of us. We embark on a decluttering endeavor – a whole house purge, even – only to lose steam halfway through. Indeed, it’s as if the motivation to finish vanishes into thin air. We’re enticed by benefits of a minimalist home, including less stress, more free time + fewer items to clean. The problem is, though, that the act of decluttering induces stress, sucks up free time + requires hours of work. On this week’s...

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So you know fast fashion is bad. (Really bad, in fact.) But you’ve got a closet full of cheap, trendy items + you have no idea how to create a more ethical wardrobe. How can you avoid eco-burnout + cultivate sustainability in your closet? That’s the question Cait Bagby is answering today. Cait is a fellow blogger, ethical influencer + self-described fashion maximalist who’s offering her two cents on creating a wardrobe to feel good about. Enjoy! * Access this week’s...

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“But I might need it someday.” “But shouldn’t I save it for my kids?” “But it was a gift from my great-aunt Bertha!” Over the past 2 years, I’ve been fortunate to chat with *many* minimalists. In these chats + interviews, I’ve learned one thing: In the throes of tidying, we all push through the Exact. Same. Concerns. Today I’m bringing 5 decluttering roadblocks into the light + addressing them one by one. Then I’m following them up with practical tips...

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Have yourself a disorganized household? No judgement here. I’ve got one, too. June Doran is a blogger, homeschooler + mom of 5 who argues that, if you want to get tidy, the answer *isn’t* to purchase additional bins + baskets. Indeed, the best way to organize a disorganized family is simple, painless + free. * Get early bird access (+ a 20% discount!) on ’14-Days to a Zero-Waste Kitchen’ here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest!

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Changing well-ingrained habits is tough. Why is that? When it comes to sustainability, many of us hit an eco-plateau. We successfully accomplish the easiest swaps (reusable coffee mug; cloth tote bags) but quickly find ourselves stuck as we attempt to conquer more intermediate tasks. Chloe Lepeltier has graciously offered 3 incremental tweaks we can all tackle to crank up our eco-friendly efforts. Even better? You can decide to accomplish them right now. Enjoy!  * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Get...

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If I asked you what’s most important in life, I’m willing to bet you wouldn’t hesitate. Family, of course! But are you in the habit of regularly showing them that they are, in fact, your VIPs? It happens more than we’d like to admit. Even though we’re conscious that our families are our Number Ones – and even though we know we should be prioritizing them over the dishes, the vacuuming + whatever else – it’s often really hard to...

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The post 056: Why You Should Use the Fine China on a Wednesday appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

For many, eating is easy.  Supermarkets abound with everything our stomachs desire; as such, we’re forever just a few dollars away from food that’s prepped, packaged + ready to eat.  But what if we had to actually *work* for sustenance? This week’s guest argues that, when it comes to our meals, a little difficulty would benefit both our bodies + our planet.  Today I’m chatting with Rob Greenfield. He’s an adventurer, activist + humanitarian who embarks on extreme adventures to...

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The post 055: Eating as Resistance appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Love to travel? Me too. Before kids I proudly globetrotted. By air, of course! But these days, I know better. On this week’s episode I’m getting personal with Evelina Utterdahl. She describes herself as a ‘happily homeless’ professional traveller. Eve’s special because she vows to never travel by airplane again; this week, Eve tells us why. Not ready to give up flying forever? Eve also divulges her best tips for eco-friendly wandering in both the air + abroad, too. Enjoy! *...

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The post 054: The Beauty in the (Eco-Friendly) Journey appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

An Eco-Friendly New Years Resolution Idea   Have you chosen your New Years Resolution yet? I’m here to help! If you’re looking for an eco-friendly New Years Resolution, I’ve got you covered. On this week’s mini-episode I’m offering up my 2019 Resolution; I’m making it easy as pie for you to join me, too. Enjoy! * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest!

The post 053: Eco-Friendly New Years Resolutions (+ How You Can Join Me!) appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Have you ever stood in front of your closet, hands on hips, furrowed brow, wondering How. On. Earth. you have a closet full of stuff yet nothing to wear? Me too.  The answer to this all-to-common conundrum doesn’t lie in purchasing more clothes. In fact, this week’s guest advocates for owning a *smaller* wardrobe.   My guest this week is Julia Mooney. She has garnered national attention for wearing the same gray dress for 69 consecutive work days (+ counting!)....

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The post 052: The Case for a Smaller Wardrobe appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Did you know? Americans have ridiculous amounts of stuff (about 300,000 items, on average!). Yet when people cite the important things in life, it’s family + relationships they mention, not their stuff.  So why is it the holidays are often about gifts, decorations + clutter, clutter, clutter? On this week’s episode, Joshua Becker encourages us to re-center ourselves around the true meaning of the holidays. He offers his best tips for decluttering during the most wonderful time of the year, too....

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The post 051: How to Handle Holiday Clutter with Joshua Becker appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Today’s perfect for celebrating. That’s because in just one year, this podcast has grown to 50 episodes + a staggering 100 THOUSAND downloads.  First, we look back at where we’ve been as  I offer a behind-the-scenes tour, so to speak, of the podcast. Next, we look ahead to what’s next for our sustainable minimalists community.  To help celebrate, 13 previous podcast guests have generously offered to come back on the show. They’re here to share their best eco-friendly + minimalist tricks...

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The post 050: Celebrating Major Milestones with Familiar Faces appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

 The Why, How, and When of a No Spend Challenge   The holidays are all about overabundance. We buy too much, consume too much and – despite our best efforts – spend far too much money. But there is a solution, and it’s this: A No Spend Challenge. A practical first step toward adopting a lifestyle rooted in sustainable minimalism is to hop off the consumerist bandwagon, at least for a little while. A month-long shopping ban—also known as a no spend challenge—provides an...

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The post The Why, How, and When of a No Spend Challenge appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Companies have most consumers hooked on pre-packaged disposables. But sustainable minimalists? We know better: – We know that disposable items (Think: paper napkins, menstrual products, etc) boast hefty price tags. – We know, too, that companies selling disposables are secretly doing the Happy Dance for creating REPEAT CUSTOMERS out of regular consumers. There’s a better way! On today’s episode my guest + I boldly claim that a life without disposables saves *serious* cash. My guest this week is Natassja Cassinerio. She...

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The post 048: The Zero-Waste Swaps that Save Serious Cash appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Clean home. Mental clarity. Free time. These are the 3 often-discussed, forever-touted side effects of minimalism. I’m certain you’ve heard them a dozen times (or more!). Minimalism’s magic transcends your tidy home. Indeed, small decluttering successes translate into BIG changes everywhere else but, sadly, such oversized benefits aren’t always discussed. We’re bringing 5 such benefits to the surface today. My guest this week is Rebecca David of Lunamina Fox. She’s on the podcast to explain *exactly why* minimalism is so magical in frank,...

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The post 047: 5 (Unexpected!) Benefits of Minimalism appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

They’re here. The holidays!  It’s the season of overabundance. It’s the season of joy, sure, but it can also very easily become the season of over-the-moon stress + anxiety.  On this week’s episode, we discuss action-oriented steps to infuse our holidays with simplicity. We get into minimalism as it applies to:  gift giving  traditions, + that enormous, extended family dinner. My guest this week is Laura Brassie of Ivory + Pine. Laura’s a therapist + blogger who proves that minimalism...

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The post 046: Sweet Simplicity during the Holidays appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

What do mornings look like in your home? Is it a rushed affair overflowing with stressors, like getting breakfast on the table, dressing the kids + pushing everyone out the door on time? If so, chances are good you’re fried by 8:00 am. Here’s the good news: There’s a better way. On this week’s episode we’re outlining an utterly hedonistic, just-for-you morning routine that has nothing to do with kids, spouses or household management. We’re divulging the 4 pillars of...

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The post 045: Self-Care + Successful Mornings appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Been listening to this podcast for awhile?  If so, you probably: Rely on reusable shopping bags like a pro. Brew your morning coffee at home. Turn off lights in rooms you’re not physically in. You’re doing everything you can to preserve our planet. That’s wonderful. (Really!) But are you vegan? I know eating habits are a touchy subject. This week, I’m going there anyway.  It’s as simple as this: We aren’t doing all we can in the name of sustainability if we...

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The post 044: Meat-Free Motivation appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Since when did our wardrobes become disposable?  Think about it. These days, we buy new outfits for new occasions, wearing them just a few times before donating or discarding.  We also add inexpensive, trendy items to our closets without a second’s thought; because these items cost almost nothing, we aren’t surprised when they last for just a few wears. Let’s face it: Clothing is cheap. So cheap, in fact, that puny price tags contribute to the notion that clothes are...

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The post 043: Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

“It’s a common misconception that the government is very carefully regulating everything that’s out there. They really aren’t.” It’s high-time we safeguard our families from harmful products assumed to be safe. As a bonus? Doing so declutters the spaces under our sinks + rids our homes of excess plastic, too. My guest this week is Micaela Preston. She’s a concerned mom + author who has spent the last 12 years researching the risks associated with common household items. When it comes...

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The post 042: Green Cleaning Made Easy appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

  A. Curious about what a Professional Organizer does, exactly? B. Want to hire a Professional Organizer but concerned about the financial investment? C. Ready to declutter on your own, but don’t know where/how/when to start? If any of the above statements are true, then this episode’s for you. This week, I’m chatting with Janine Adams. She’s a certified Professional Organizer with over a decade of experience helping overwhelmed clients find peace of mind within their living spaces.  An organized...

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The post 041: Secrets of a Professional Organizer appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

“As I began meditating + getting more grounded, I wasn’t reacting as much to the kids’ upsets. I was being a bit more present for their questions + concerns, too.” If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a thousand times:  When it comes to intentional living, adopting a mindfulness practice is the singlemost powerful habit we can foster. This week, I’m thrilled to offer two unique perspectives on the link between intention + mindfulness: – First, Buddhist + meditation...

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The post 040: Mindfulness for Modern Families appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

“I was tired. Often I felt like I was barely getting by. I kept thinking to myself, ‘Why am I spending my precious time + remaining energy doing things that don’t add value to my life?” For most of us, life is busy. Too busy, in fact, to do the things we love with the people who matter most.  This week, we’re adding by subtracting. We identify 5 specific time-suckers in modern life, then we outline strategies to mindfully let go...

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The post 039: Finding Time for your ‘Why’ appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

“So, what’s for dinner?” I *hate* this question; maybe you do, too.Another thing I hate? Food waste. I find myself composting past-its-prime produce more often than I’d like to admit. While these dueling conundrums may seem mutually exclusive, they actually have an easy, common solution. That easy solution is meal planning. This week’s guest – Staci Ducharme – started meal planning + failed. Miserably. But she tried again + got it right: * Meal planning got her family out of...

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The post 038: What’s for Dinner? appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Design shimmering mosaics from old CDs. Create rag rugs from used clothes. Got yourself an abundance of plastic bags? Get weaving. *Creative Reuse a THING!* If you’ve been to a contemporary art museum lately, chances are good you’ve viewed at least one exhibit that boasts garbage as its sole medium. While critics argue that trash creations look … well, … trashy, today’s guest swiftly debunks this assumption by offering truly beautiful reuse ideas for our trash + recyclables. Carla Brown...

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The post 037: When Sustainability + Imagination Collide appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Like clean countertops? Me too.  While many associate minimalism with clean homes, it’s a little-known secret that the practice is easily applicable to our heads + hearts, too.  That’s because minimalism grants breathing room in *all areas* of our lives. My guest this week is Ashley Logsdon. She’s a blogger + fellow podcaster who’s here to help us clear the clutter so that we may have the mental + emotional “space” for whatever comes our ways. Enjoy! * Access this...

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The post 036: Minimalism for Home, Head + Heart appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

If you’re serious about sustainability, I’m willing to bet you’re also serious about reducing food waste.  Preserving food at home is the epitome of sustainability. That’s because canning eliminates the need for pesky supermarket packaging or plastic + relies instead on (reusable + awesome) mason jars.  A little-known secret? Preserving food at home also saves serious cash. That’s where today’s guest comes in. She’s a homesteader + canning expert who has gotten quite creative in the kitchen as a means...

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The post 035: How To Preserve Food Like a Pro appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

  Are you an Aspirational Recycler? You know you’re an Aspirational Recycler if: – You wish EVERYTHING was recyclable. – You place nearly every item in the recycling bin, cross your fingers  + hope for the best. But there are *big* problems with Aspirational Recycling. Nonrecyclable items contaminate the recycling stream + cause clog the facility’s equipment. Aspirational Recycling raises the overall cost of recycling + demands additional manpower, too. On today’s episode I take you from Aspirational Recycler to...

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The post 034: 9 Things You’re Recycling Wrong appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

Modern thrift stores AREN’T overflowing with Grandma’s mothball-y hand-me-downs. That’s because 21st Century thrifting has become *quite* sophisticated. Consumerism tells us need the newest + the shiniest. Today’s episode invites you to challenge that assumption by shopping secondhand, instead. My guest this week is Amanda Lindner. She furnished her ENTIRE Brooklyn apartment with items purchased secondhand (+ for under $500 total!). She asserts that thrifting isn’t just frugal + eco-friendly; it’s fun, too. Amanda’s here to offer her best thrifting...

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The post 033: Thrifting 101 appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

On vacation, time slows + senses heighten. Slowly but surely, we find ourselves utterly relaxed. I call this the Vacation Sensation.  But there’s a major glitch, + it’s this: Upon returning home, the stresses we ran from inevitably catch us yet again.  Is it possible to keep vacation mode alive well after returning home? If so, how? I’ve done the research for you. This week, I’m thrilled to offer 13 empirically-based strategies to bring the Vacation Sensation into our daily...

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The post 032: How to Recreate the ‘Vacation Sensation’ appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

“Live less out of habit + more out of intent.” If you follow me on social media, you already know this is my personal mantra. I recite it over + over when choices are hard; it’s this mantra we’re discussing today. My guest today is Jen Panaro. She’s the founder of Honestly Modern, an online brand that focuses on sustainable living for modern families. She’s a mom with a full-time 9 to 5 who has gotten quite skilled at rethinking...

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The post 031: The Art of Saying ‘No’ appeared first on Mama Minimalist.

  Is your home overrun with hardly-used dog + cat toys, like mine? Do you find yourself wondering whether there’s an eco-friendly alternative to those plastic poo bags? When it comes to pet parenting, it’s easy to buy All. The. Toys. It’s easy to forget about sustainability, too. That’s where today’s episode comes in. My guest is Kim Almon. She’s a blogger, animal-lover + expert on sustainability + minimalism as they apply to our furry friends. On today’s episode, we:  –...

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The post 030: Pet Parenting Done Right appeared first on Mama Minimalist.