Sustainable Minimalists

6 high-traffic, high-impact spaces to declutter that you can complete in 20 minutes or less.

Here's a preview of the spaces we're decluttering today:

[4:00] Your car console

[9:45] Your purse/backpack/baby bag

[16:00] Your linen closet

[25:00] Your medicine cabinet

[28:00] The surface of your desk

[33:00] Your spice cabinet

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #009: A Sustainable Minimalist's Bathroom
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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When it comes to skincare, loads of products line store shelves. Almost all of them make bold, anti-aging claims (fountain of youth, anyone?).

But buying All. The. Products. comes with hefty financial and environmental price tags: If we want to age gracefully, what's the average woman to do and buy?

On today's show, board certified dermatologist Dr. Mary Alice Mina makes the case that using too many skincare products is unnecessary at best and potentially harmful at worst.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] What we're doing wrong when it comes to skincare from a dermatologist's perspective

[7:00] Transitioning from reactive quick skin fixes to long-term, preventative care

[11:30] Holistic skincare means skin cancer prevention: Here are the latest sunscreen guidelines 

[17:00] Products we *actually* need (versus products we can confidently leave on the shelf)

[30:00] When, where, and who re: toner, exfoliant, and other ancillary products

[32:00] A medical professional's thoughts on Botox and fillers

Resources mentioned:

• Kinship Self-Reflect Sunscreen
• The Skin Real Podcast
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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And we’re at it again! On today's show I’m answering 4 listener questions in rapid-fire format.

Here's a preview of the questions I'm answering:

[1:30] What should conscious consumers consider when buying eco-conscious undergarments?

[13:30] What are some practical first steps for college students who want to practice sustainability?

[18:00] Oh what to do with baby bottles, car seats, breast pumps, and other one-and-done baby gear?

[23:00] Eco-home renovations 101: What should we keep in mind when embarking on a reno (with a limited budget to boot)?

Resources mentioned:

• ARQ
• Everlane
• Episode #326: Gift Boundaries with Whitney Leah Morris
• Clek
• Re:Wild Your Campus
• Bee Campus USA 
• Medela's breast pump recycling program
• Find an energy auditor at Energy.gov
• Habitat Restore
• Renovation Angel
• Big Reuse
• Episode #312: Practical Energy Saving Steps

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Inflation got you down? Chin up, friends! On today's episode: 12 tangible grocery store hacks that save money and reduce food waste. 

Here's a preview:

[2:00] What it looks like in real life to sacrifice convenience for better prices

[7:30] Even more reasons why you should consider buying dried beans instead of canned

[13:00] Can you freeze cheese? (Answer: Yes! Here's how)

[18:00] Where to get the best deals on milk, plus: the financial benefits associated with dairy-free alternatives

[24:00] What to do with produce you've bought on sale

Resources mentioned:

• Flipp App
• Egg Frittatas

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Join our (free!) community here.

Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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88% of US and UK consumers want brands to help them be more sustainable in their daily lives and many are willing to pay a premium for plastic-free products. But despite consumer demand, plastic is everywhere and downright impossible to avoid. On today's show: 9 places those pesky polymers lurk, plus hacks for avoiding them.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Here's what you never knew about tires

[8:00] How to shop for tea like a conscious consumer

[15:00] Your dish sponge's dirty little secret

[17:30] Are e-cigarettes any better than regular cigs from an environmental standpoint?

[25:00] The latest research into cloth versus disposable diapers

[28:00] Microplastics vs. liquid plastics in makeup

Resources mentioned:

• Customers Hate Plastic Packaging, So Why Do Companies Keep Using It? (via Forbes)
• Gaia Guy
• Etee
• Microplastics: Which Beauty Brands Are Safe To Use? (via The Guardian)
• Pukka
• Republic of Tea
• Numi Tea
• Wot Not
• Beat The MicroBead (The Plastic Soup Foundation's free app)

* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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The typical American funeral boasts exotic flowers, a coffin made of fancy wood, and formaldehyde-based embalming. But green burials require fewer resources and skip a number of unnecessary steps; they also tend to be less expensive.

Today I speak with green mortician Elizabeth Fournier about alternatives to conventional burials and cremations that are easier on the planet.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Exactly what's wrong from an environmental standpoint with standard burials and cremations

[12:30] A brief history of embalming: Is it actually necessary?

[19:00] Liner-free plots, conscious caskets, and more: The tenets of a green burial

[28:30] How exactly does a green burial compare in terms of cost?

[33:00] Everything you need to know about aqua cremation, burials at sea, and natural organic reduction

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• The Green Burial Guidebook: Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Burial
• Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethgreenreaper
• Let Your Love Grow
• Eternal Reefs

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* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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

Here's a preview:

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

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

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

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

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com
• The Digital Looking Glass Self (via Psychology Today)
• Buying: The Effect on Self-Worth Feelings and Consumer Well-Being 
• Why TikTok Made Us Buy It (via Psychology Today)
• Stay Free App

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Quitting is aerobics for your brain; it's also the counterintuitive secret to success. Today I bring you a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julia Keller about how to view quitting not as a pejorative but instead as a tool for swapping one destiny for another. 

Here's a preview:

[5:00] How the self-help movement created our anti-quit bias

[9:00] The similarities between honeybees and Simone Biles, with a nod toward strategic quitting

[17:00] How do you quit a high-stakes situation? (Answer: quasi-quitting!)

[23:00] Words of encouragement for listeners concerned they'll regret it later

[27:00] How parents listening can best support their children when they want to quit 

Resources mentioned:

• Pre-order Quitting: A Life Strategy (to release April 18)
• Orlo Nutrition
• Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

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Organizing mega-influencer Marie Kondo made headlines earlier this week when she admitted to "kind of giv(ing) up" on tidying after having her third child. If, like Marie, you're feeling overwhelmed and disillusioned with minimalism, today's episode is here to help. 

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Let's first reign in our expectations: minimalism won't solve EVERYthing (but it'll certainly help)

[9:00] Simple organization strategies over complex ones, with real-life examples

[12:30] The Number One benefit to eating the biggest frog first

[17:00] If you find yourself with precious pockets of free time, utilize them this way

[21:00] Why decluttering, organizing, and tidying are acts of self-love

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #152: How To Organize For Your Personality
• Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

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When we return an unwanted gift to the manufacturer, it goes back on the shelf to be resold, right? Wrong. Most returned gifts (5.8 billion tons, to be exact) end up in landfills each and every year.

The solution lies in responsible gifting, which alleviates the consequences associated with massive finite resource waste; it also saves shoppers time, money, and unnecessary stress.

Today author Tracey Lynch explains how to tweak your gifting philosophy to save our planet while also ensuring every gift you give is actually wanted and used.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Sad statistics alert: Exactly how the gift giving exchange impacts the planet

[9:00] Reverse logistics is similar to driving backwards, and here's why

[18:00] How to give gifts that provide 100% satisfaction to the recipient

[32:00] Stephanie's 5 Rules for responsible gifting

[35:00] The why and how behind aiming not for surprise, but for delight

Resources mentioned:

• Donum: Creating A Sustainable Gifting Experience
• Qwant
• Neeva
• Episode #313: Thousands Of Data Points
• Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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Thanks to its rich supply of antioxidants, dark chocolate has long been revered for its health benefits. But there's a dark side to dark chocolate: Recent research has found heavy metals in many of our favorite brands. The worst part? These heavy metals - cadmium and lead - are linked to serious health problems including cancer in both children and adults. 

Today we round out Chocolate Week with a bang: Dr. Jim Rogers from Consumer Reports discusses what heavy metals in the cacao supply means for regular consumers; he also offers his best tips for shopping smarter and safer the next time we're in the chocolate aisle. 

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Everything you need to know about cadmium and lead

[6:00] Exactly how heavy metals find their ways into the chocolate supply

[11:30] Traceability, trust, and responsibility: Addressing the industry's lack of corporate accountability

[18:00] Chocolate's best offenders, worst offenders, and every brand in between

[20:00] Does 'organic' matter with regard to heavy metals?

[22:00] Action steps for concerned chocolate consumers

Resources mentioned:

• Lead and Cadmium Could Be in Your Dark Chocolate (via Consumer Reports)
• Sign the petition and tell candy makers to educe risky heavy metals
• How Ethical Is Your Chocolate? Listen to Part 1 of Chocolate Week here

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* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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Ah, chocolate. While those decadent brown rectangles enjoy near-universal consumer love, the reality is far less sweet: Chocolate is one of the most unethical and unsustainable foods we eat. 

We can continue to enjoy chocolate by purchasing smarter. Today's show is Part 1 in a 2-part series about chocolate, and today - just in time for Valentine's Day! - we unearth the ethical and environmental implications associated with harvesting cacao on the global scale (I've also included 7 tips for being a conscious chocolate consumer, too).

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Machetes, pesticides, and kids: Child labor and slavery in the cacao industry

[11:00] The environmental problems associated with monocultures 

[16:00] Some good news: 5 promising updates from the cacao industry

[17:30] How to enjoy chocolate by purchasing with intention: 7 ideas

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #187: Palm Oil 101
• Well + Good's list of sustainable and ethical chocolate companies

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70% of American parents worry their children spend too much time on screens. Are you one of them? 

Here's a preview:

[3:00] The implications of multiple screen shifts on attention span and executive functioning

[5:00] Exactly how much screen time children *should* get versus what they *actually* get

[7:00] School performance, inactivity, and more: 4 consequences associated with too much screen time and too many screens

[18:00] 5 Practical television reduction tips for newbies

[22:00] Creative ways to set screen limits in your home

[27:00] What's slow tv, exactly?

Resources mentioned/Additional resources:

• The National Library of Medicine's full list of screen-related guidelines
• 1 Million Screen-Free Activities For Kids 
• Create your family media plan here 
• Take It Slow… The TV Trend That Will Chill You The F Out (via the handbook.com)
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your first order and a $60 free gift.
• Cariloha: Get 25% off your order with code SUSTAINABLE at checkout.

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Algae is having moments in many spotlights. First, innovators are using microalgae - not petrochemicals - to create disposable packaging. Elsewhere, macroalgae is fed to cows to reduce their methane emittance. And pesky algae blooms? There's actually a company that first captures then transforms algae blooms into our favorite sneaker's cushiony foam. 

Still, algae's biggest potential comes within the field of human nutrition. Is microalgae an alternative to fish for omega 3s and, if so, can this oft-overlooked photosynthetic organism solve our oceans' overfishing woes?

Here to unpack algae's emergence on the environmental scene is proud omega 3 evangelist Corinna Bellizzi, who believes algae is worth paying attention to for its array of both planetary and human health benefits. 

(Psst ... If you're new to Defend The Eco-Trend episodes, this series dives deep into a product or innovation in the sustainability sphere with big promises. Is the hype legitimate (or is it greenwashing?).

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Half the oxygen we breathe comes from algae, plus other fun algae-related facts

[6:00] Recent innovations in the algae space

[16:00] Hey there, omega 3s! Microalgae's emerging place as part of the human nutrition solution

[19:00] 3 must-dos for optimal health

[21:00] Fewer fish, more algae: The Top 5 environmental and human health benefits associated with algae for omega 3s

Resources mentioned:

• Orlo Nutrition (use code SUSTAINABLE10 for 10 percent off!)
• Care More, Be Better podcast
• Bloom Materials
• Notpla algae-based disposable packaging
• Want more episodes like this one? Check out #295: Defend The Eco-Trend: Bamboo
• Nutrition Without Compromise podcast

* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your first order and a $60 free gift.
• Cariloha: Get 25% off your order with code SUSTAINABLE at checkout.

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A Top 10 list of minimalism's best and biggest life lessons. Here's a preview of a few we're covering:

[4:00] Memories don't reside in trinkets.

[10:00] Save so you can spend ... on what matters.

[21:30] Extras keep us cluttered.

[23:30] You can’t recoup “worth”.

[29:00] Space is more valuable than stuff (and peace of mind is most valuable of all).

[31:00] It’s not a deal if you don’t need it.

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #096: Why Self-Sufficiency Matters
• Sustainable Minimalism (the book)
• Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

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From meat-free 'chicken' nuggets to non-dairy ice creams, plant-based foods that actually taste good are becoming increasingly available in grocery stores. In many ways it's never been easier to find kid-friendly and carnivore-friendly cuisine.

So then why aren't more of us (myself included) transitioning our families to plant-based eating?

In honor of Veganuary I bring you a conversation with PETA's Faith Robinson about why we should all take yet another look at our diets; she also offers her best tips for incrementally transitioning our families to plant-based eating.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Are processed meat-free foods healthy?

[9:00] Thoughts on the protein problem

[10:00] Eating plant-based is one of the most environmentally friendly actions we can do and here's why

[11:00] Capitalizing on our children's innate sense of compassion to ease the transition to plant-based

[20:00] Don't reinvent the wheel! Incremental first steps for incorporating more plant-based meals

Resources mentioned:

• Want more episodes like this one? Check out #238: The Future Of Food.
• Tons of resources for parents available at petakids.com.
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
•  Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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Stuff breaks. In 2023, stuff breaks often. Few amongst us possess the knowledge to fix the evermore complex gadgets we use every day; worse, professional repairs (if they're even available) often cost more than replacing the item outright. What's a sustainable minimalist to do?

On today's episode we discuss all-things conscious consumption as it relates to home appliances, planned obsolescence, and the Right To Repair movement (it'll be fun, I promise!).

Here's a preview:

[3:00] An electricity primer: where it comes from and why it's important to choose energy-efficient appliances

[9:00] Exactly how long our favorite household appliances *should* last (we see you, planned obsolescence)

[22:00] Energy Star versus Energy Guide: What's the difference?

[29:00] Everything you need to know about the Right To Repair movement 

[36:00] Practical ways to maintain your appliances for longevity

Resources mentioned:

• Repair.org
• How To Use the EnergyGuide Label To Shop for Home Appliances
• Buy Me Once
• Consumer Reports
• ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2023
• Find a Repair Cafe near you
• Episode #095: What's Planned Obsolescence?

* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email Stephanie and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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We may indeed live in a world in which we can get whatever we want whenever we want it, but there's a problem with such instant (and incessant!) gratification: Resources are finite. 

On today's show, a conversation with blogger and author Liz Frugalwoods about how to teach our children that money doesn't grow on trees and buying new isn't consequence-free.

Here's a preview:

[4:30] Getting our kids on board: How to reframe eco-frugality as a game

[11:00] Proaction as a handy Waste Not, Want Not tool 

[20:00] The why and how behind early financial education for our children

[24:00] Real-time financial literacy: How to kick off a chore routine for kids

[32:00] Liz's thoughts on normalizing secondhand as a means of preserving finite resources

Resources mentioned:

• Last chance to sign up for our school bus initiative! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com with a simple "I'm in!" and we'll get you on the list.
• Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living
• Liz on Instagram
• Join our (free!) community here.
•  Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

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A conversation with energy policy advisor Hal Harvey and award-winning NY Times journalist Justin Gillis about exactly what we need to do more of in 2023 to ensure the planet remains habitable for our children.

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Is it already too late?

[4:00] The transition to seeing ourselves not as mere green consumers but instead as green citizens

[12:00] Creating a "tangible local expression" of your environmental values: the why and how

[25:00] How to decide which eco-policy to put your weight behind (and what it really means to "hit it hard")

Resources mentioned:

• The Big Fix: 7 Practical Steps To Save Our Planet
• Want to work on school buses with me? Email me and I'll get you on our school bus mailing list: MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com
• Join our (free!) community here.
•  Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

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What your clutter is costing you, plus 5 guiding principles for mindful rehoming.

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #105: The Dark Side Of Donating: Where Do Goodwill Donations Actually Go?
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Thank you to our sponsors! 

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a $60 free gift.
• Dr. Marty's Pets: head to drmartypets.com/sustainable for Dr. Marty's Nature Blend.

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When it comes to health-first resolutions (eat healthier! feel better in jeans!), it's unfortunate but true: such resolutions often fail shortly after January 1. 

On today's show Leeann Rybakov outlines what it *really* takes to make your health-centered New Year's Resolution stick.

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Exactly why our get healthy/lose weight/eat right/move more resolutions fail, according to a Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach

[11:00] The Number One aspect of nutrition we tend to get wrong

[20:00] How important is sleep when it comes to health, actually?

[26:00] Extreme workouts don't lead to extreme health. Here's why

[36:00] Stress effects on our individual health goals

Resources mentioned:

• Pillar assessment
• 5-Day Detox To Reset Your Body

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It's the most wonderful time of the year, or is it? December can be stressful, expensive, and emotionally taxing; it's no wonder, then, that 3 in 5 Americans believe the holiday season negatively impacts their mental health. 

Enter interpersonal boundaries which, when done right, protect your time, well-being, and budget. Even better? Drawing explicit lines in the proverbial sand increases the chances you'll actually enjoy the holiday season. 

Here's a preview:

[3:00] The personal and interpersonal benefits associated with setting boundaries

[6:00] Getting our minds right: 2 soul-deep understandings that are necessary before attempting to set any interpersonal boundary

[14:00] When to set a boundary (and exactly how to do it, according to psychologists)

[19:30] It's role play time! 7 potential interpersonal trouble areas, with 7 real-life boundary setting examples

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #243: Boundaries And Generational Clutter
• Episode #326: Gift Boundaries
• We Can Do Hard Things podcast
• Leave a voicemail with your question and I’ll answer it on-air! Here’s how: State your name then leave the show a message at ‪(857) 264-1967‬.
• Join our (free!) community here.
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

  podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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How do we kindly ask our parents and in-laws to stop buying into plastic junk culture for our children? Why would we even want to embark on such an uphill battle?

Overwhelming amounts of gifts may be commonplace around the holidays but the reality is this: The Number One most important gift we can give our kids is an inhabitable planet on which they can survive and thrive. With both the planet and families in crisis (hello, debilitating clutter!), it's high-time we find ways to avoid unnecessary presents in advance of the holidays.

Today I chat with Whitney Leigh Morris about how she established (and maintains!) gift boundaries with her loved ones in December and always.

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Both you and your children benefit when you establish gift boundaries; here's why

[7:00] When to play the "climate crisis card" versus when to pivot

[20:30] 3 reasons to donate to reputable non-profits instead of returning or re-gifting

[24:00] Hindsight Mom Guilt wisdom for parents concerned their kids will be left wanting

[31:00] Thoughts on handling people who are affronted by your boundaries

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #231: Unhappy Returns
• Episode #105: Where Do Goodwill Donations Go?
• Airbnb Experiences
• Whitney on Instagram

Thank you to our sponsors! 

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a $60 free gift.

* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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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.

 *A note from Stephanie: This episode originally aired in November 2021 and it's too good to not re-release!

Here’s a preview:

[2:20] Making (and preserving!) memories through experiences and photos

[5:20] 7 personalized DIY gift ideas (that will also be appreciated)

[9:15] 2 book-related minimalist gift ideas

[13:00] Creating new traditions as a means of buying less junk

[16:00] When in doubt, donate

[19:00] Thoughts on the “gift in a box” hack

Resources mentioned:

• Yankee Swap rules
• Heifer International
• Did you know there’s a book based on THIS podcast? (Thank you for supporting my work!)
• * For even more minimalist gift ideas, check out this blog post from the archives

* Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

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Are you getting all you can from your library?

Libraries are quiet pillars of our communities that often get overlooked. That's unfortunate because libraries are one of the few places where you can truly get something for nothing.

On today's show I'm outlining 7 goods and services you likely never knew you could get for free from your library.

Here's a preview:

[9:00] Exactly how much you're paying for multiple video streaming services (plus, how much the library can help you save)

[16:30] Stephanie's favorite hack for cooking magazine lovers

[20:00] How to get the most out of your Library Of Things

[22:00] Museum tickets and your child's holiday Experience gift, BAM

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #289: The Convenience Tax
• Leave a voicemail and rave about your local library! (857) 264-1967‬
• Hoopla Digital
• Kanopy Video Database
• Mango Languages
• OverDrive Ebooks, Audiobooks and More
• Zinio
• eBook Central

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Success is often accomplished with grit, resilience, and action. Still, many of us women are bogged down by countless pressures each and every day. Who has time to work toward goals when the obstacles in the way somehow feel both mundane yet unconquerable?

You can face steep odds and still find happiness, and that's because every woman has wells of resilience within to help get us through.

Today I speak with career and leadership coach Jennifer Pestikas about making the choice to take up space; she also offers the nuts and bolts behind boldly expanding.

Here's a preview:

[3:45] What should be in your resiliency toolbox (and how to build yours)

[7:30] Thoughts on managing the pressures associated with being the first, the only, or different

[15:00] Breaking down reasons why women sometimes make themselves small/diminish their accomplishments

[24:00] What to do when you find yourself at the intersection of defeat and reinvention

Resources mentioned:

• The Nine Enneagram Descriptions (via the Enneagram Institute)
• Gallup Strength Finder
• Good On You app
• Brave Women At Work: Stories Of Resilience

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• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a free gift.
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Ah, the holidays. The 5-ish weeks between Black Friday and New Year's Day tend to be an extended party of sorts in which many of us overspend, overeat/drink, overdecorate, and excessively waste. The excesses associated with the holidays come with a hefty environmental cost: on average, US households produce 25% more trash than normal between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day; worse, wonton wastefulness can (and does) add more than half a metric ton onto our annual carbon footprints.

I believe it's entirely possible to have a joyous December without the waste and so, on today's show, we discuss practical ways to spread holiday cheer with the planet in mind.

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Artificial, local, root ball intact, and more: Breaking down the Christmas tree conundrum via Steph's handy dandy grading rubric

[17:00] 4 of the most impactful (and practical!) ways to spread good tidings without being wasteful, according to mathematics

Resources mentioned:

• Organic Christmas Tree Farms Near You Database
• The Carbon Trust's Tips For A More Sustainable Christmas (via Carbon Trust)
• Join us on Instagram! (Seriously! Just do it, we're having lots of fun!)
• Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a free gift.
• Helix Sleep: Get $400 off and 2 free pillows at https://birchliving.com/sustainable.

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Joy Of Missing Out (JOMO) is about actively turning from the external stimuli that neither serves nor ignites. And whereas Fear Of Missing Out (FOMO) is rooted in external validation, obtaining JOMO is a giant leap toward serving your internal self.

During the holidays and always, it pays to get intentional about All. The. Things: Our priorities, our precious free moments and, of course, our long-term goals. On today's show we first discuss our collective affinity as human beings for simplistic comparisons; we also break down 4 action steps toward a more intentional (and self-soothing!) way of being.

Here's a preview:

[2:30] The historical origins of social comparison

[10:30] Don't compare yourself to others, compare yourself to yourself: Here's how

[12:00] The Number One question people pleasers should ask themselves before committing

[21:00] 7 effects of cortisol on the body, plus practical thoughts on *actually* slowing down

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #178: Digital Minimalism
• Sustainable Minimalists free Facebook group

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a free gift.
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Parenting the eco-minimalist way is, well, difficult. It's also an 18-ish year commitment that goes directly against societal norms.

I'm no expert, but I do believe that impactful parenting starts by capitalizing on teachable moments. On today's show I speak with Elizabeth Ireland about *exactly how* she passes 3 central eco-minimalist lessons onto her children.

Here's a preview of the 3 life lessons we discuss today:

[9:30] Teaching children how to give

[20:00] Preparing our progeny for life: The 'why' and 'how' behind decluttering

[27:00] Imparting the elusive skill of not needing to get everything we want

Resources mentioned:

• Alltruists Impact Kits
• The Kindness Elves
• The Tree Lady
• Ten Things I Can Do to Help My World
• We Are The Water Protectors

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a free gift.
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• 
  

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The attitude-behavior gap is a fancy schmancy research term that describes the discrepancy between what we say and what we do. When it comes to eco-minimalist living, many of us quietly experience an oversized gap between our values (save the planet! live minimally!) and our actions (buy single use plastic! purchase on impulse!). 

On today's show we are diving into the recesses of this, well, gap. Why does it exist for the vast majority of us, and how can we close it?

Here's a preview:

[2:00] A breakdown of the 5 distinct consumer personas: Which one are you?

[11:00] 5 reasons why the attitude-behavior gap exists

[18:00] 5 steps to closing your own attitude-behavior gap

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• How To Bridge The Intention-Behavior Gap
• Closing the Attitude-Behavior Gap: The Case of Solidarity Purchase Groups
• When You Feel Blue About the Environment, Act Green (via Psychology Today)
• How Brands Can Embrace the Sustainable Fashion Opportunity (via Bain & Company)

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Many minimalists boast that living simply has improved their well-being in a myriad of ways. The problem, however, is that such statements are anecdotal. Does research back up these personal stories? What - if anything - does science say about minimalism's benefits?

On today's show Shannon and Gerry Arner and I marry research findings re: simple living with day-to-day experience. 

Here's a preview:

[5:45] The link between materialism and loneliness

[10:00] How living simply on purpose impacts well-being

[14:30] Cortisol be gone: The negative correlation between clutter and mental health

[20:00] How to use minimalism as a re-centering tool

[22:00] Practical ways to infuse slightly more minimalism into your daily life

Resources mentioned:

• Arner Adventures on Instagram
• What Can Minimalism Do For Mental Health? (via Psychology Today)

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There's lots to consider when searching for an eco-friendly and non-toxic laundry detergent. Are those strips and pods actually environmentally conscious if they're wrapped in PVA? Why don't detergents offer a full list of ingredients on their packaging?

As it turns out, laundry detergents have lots of misleading claims (ahem ... marketing gimmicks) designed to confuse consumers. On today's episode we're breaking down everything you need to know about detergent so you can make informed purchasing decisions moving forward. 

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Pricing discrepancies: Do eco-friendly laundry detergents always cost more?

[6:15] Breaking down the 5 biggest environmental concerns associated with laundry detergent

[9:15] Everything you need to know about Polyvinyl Alcohol (I'm looking at you, pods and sheets)

[18:00] How to find a laundry detergent that's actually non-toxic

[22:00] Stephanie's detergent-buying grading rubric for informed purchasing decisions

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #277: All-Things Eggs
• Episode #294: A Better Trash Bag
• Tandi's Naturals
• Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate (via the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health)
• MamaSuds dryer ball
• Fit Organic stain remover
• Kind Laundry
• Episode #279: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate

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Let's face it: Impulse buys are fun in the moment. But what feels good in the short-term doesn't always jive with our long-term goals and quick decisions may not align with our core values.

If you regularly buy on impulse, you're not alone. According to Shopify, over 87% of US shoppers make impulse buys and more than 50% of all grocery items are sold because of impulsiveness. Enter Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni, co-hosts of the Frugal Friends podcast. Jen and Jill argue that frugality at its roots means preserving all kinds of resources and they're on the show to help you uncover the emotion beneath impulse buys.

Here's a preview:

[6:30] The 'cheap' stigma: Reframing frugality from an undesirable trait to a positive one

[11:00] What has to happen before you tackle your impulsive spending habit

[18:00] When impulse spending is triggered by emotion

[24:00] Buying and belonging: How to reign in comparison-related purchases

[31:00] The 'both, and' approach: Holding the tension

Resources mentioned:

• James Clear's Habit Loop
• Frugal Friends Podcast
• Want more episodes like this one? Check out # 258: Conscious Spending

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There's such a thing as too much of a good thing. The key to a balanced life lies in moderation, as any of us who's ever overdone it knows that excess quickly becomes miserable.

On today's show we first discuss the Swedish concept of lagom, a.k.a. 'good enough' living. Next, we apply age-old, temperate wisdom to spending habits, interpersonal communication, tidying, and emotions.

Here's a preview:

[3:30] The middle is where we want to be. (Don't believe me? I'll prove it)

[6:30] 5 ways extreme thinking gets rewarded every darn day

[9:30] The Swedish philosophy of lagom, a.k.a. living with just the right amount

[17:00] How to apply the concepts of moderation and balance to our spending habits

[22:00] The Traffic Light Rule of interpersonal communication

[26:00] 3 real problems associated with emotion suppression

[29:00] When it comes to your home's tidiness, what's good enough?

Resources mentioned:

• Lagom: The Swedish Secret of Living Well
• Moderation Is the Key to Life (via Psychology Today)
• The Case for Moderation

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The World Wildlife Fund's Living Planet Report is a checkup on the health of Earth, and this year’s report is the most comprehensive yet. Spoiler alert: its findings aren't good.

But all's not doom and gloom: Enter the Rescue Effect, a perspective that believes there’s a lot to be optimistic about. 

On this episode I’m excited to bring you two contrasting viewpoints to the biodiversity problem. First I speak with Brent Loken, Global Food Lead Scientist for the World Wildlife Fund; in the second part of today's show I speak with conservation expert Michael Mehta Webster about his new book, The Rescue Effect. 

Here's a preview:

[2:30] An overview of the major findings from WWF's 2022 Living Planet Index

[6:00] What's going on in the tropics?

[19:00] The rescue effect in practice

[21:00] If nature has an inherent ability to persist, why do species go extinct?

[27:00] Can the rescue effect ensure the survival of human beings amidst the next great mass extinction event?

[33:00] How we can help give species a leg up, according to conservation experts

Resources mentioned:

• 2022 Living Planet Index (via the World Wildlife Fund)
• The Rescue Effect: The Key To Saving Life On Earth

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'Rise and Grind' reveres working for work's sake, and it's immensely popular.

But grind culture is capitalism's fuel; worse, it diminishes you and me to cogs in the capitalist wheel.

Today we're discussing hustle culture: What it is, who benefits from the collective all-in, and how we can slowly unsubscribe from a life of overwork.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Why do the (Western) masses follow grind culture's principles despite its best interest?

[8:30] Who - or what - benefits from overwork? (Hint: It's not you and me.)

[14:30] Rise and Shine over Rise and Grind: Here's how

[22:30] How to practice letting of obligations go IRL, plus: what to do with your newfound free time

Resources mentioned:

• Why Are Young People Pretending to Love Work? (via NY Times)
• The 'Rise and Grind' of Hustle Culture (via Psychology Today)
• Tricia Hersey's interview on We Can Do Hard Things
• Episode #308: Prioritizing Your Priorities

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Your favorite smartphone apps, your preferred weather forecaster, your go-to photo sharing app, and other seemingly benign technologies likely reveal details about your life to companies looking to collect consumer data. They're eager to gather thousands of data points on each and every one of us every single day because more data means better accuracy for algorithms seeking to predict human behavior.

Data gathering can affect our lives in ways we can’t currently anticipate. But what about conscious consumerism? If companies can accurately predict our purchasing behavior - and if they're putting *perfectly* curated advertisements in front of us over and over again - do we minimalists stand a fighting chance?

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month (who knew?!). While keeping your personal information safe online can seem overwhelming there are simple ways to both protect your data and trick the algorithms. Amira Dhalla is on the show today to offer a blueprint about how you can be cyber smart-er.

Here's a preview:

[2:00] Beware of these 'deceptive patterns' that trick us into giving away extra personal information

[10:00] The principles of threat monitoring applied to online privacy: Are quick-win benefits worth potential long-term risks?

[12:30] Why you shouldn't automatically "Accept All Cookies" (online cookies aren't all that tasty!)

[17:00] 5 privacy quick fixes you can enact in 5 minutes or less

[28:00] Thoughts on practicing an ounce of prevention

Resources mentioned:

• Firefox browser
• DuckDuck Go search engine
• securityplanner.org
• 30-Second Privacy Fixes: Simple Ways to Protect Your Data (via Consumer Reports)

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"I just listened to your podcast about waste and was surprised to hear that our energy consumption is so high in America! The problem is, I don't know where the energy is going, nor do I understand which things I might be doing to use so much. What are some tips for saving energy? Why do Americans require so much more than other countries?"

Waste comes in many forms. Sadly, energy waste is all too common here in the United States.

On today's show we're breaking down two important topics: 1. how much energy humans actually need to consume to live happy, healthy lives, and 2. practical ways to reduce the chances that the energy we're consuming isn’t wasted.

Here's a preview:

[2:30] A breakdown of exactly how much energy Americans use compared to citizens of other countries

[5:30] What research has to say about energy consumption and quality of life

[10:00] Let's chat about your home's holes for a hot minute

[17:45] Reigning in excessive and unnecessary electricity use

[22:00] Is community solar the renewable energy that's right for you?

[25:30] Thoughts on finding comfort in being a tiny bit uncomfortable

[30:00] Everything you need to know about the (two thumbs up!) heat pump

Resources mentioned:

• 6 Ways to Save Money and Energy at Home (via Consumer Reports)
• How Much Energy Powers A Good Life? Less Than You're Using, Says A New Report (via National Public Radio)
• Community Solar Basics (via the Office Of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy)
• Heat Pump Buying Guide (via Consumer Reports)
• A Heat Pump Might Be Right for Your Home. Here’s Everything to Know (via The New York Times)
• Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency
• How To Make A DIY Chimney Balloon (via Eco Thrifty Living)

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• Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for your $60 free gift.

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Fashion rules abound and, historically, it's the patriarchy that has embedded them into our collective psyche. That's right: women's clothing is heavily influenced by the opinions of men, and just a few of the most common man-inspired fashion "rules" include:

• Women would do well to wear "flattering" clothes (a.k.a. ones that bring them closer to the coveted hourglass silhouette).
• External appearance is paramount to comfort (Here's looking at you SPANX, stilettos, and wired push-up bras).
• While strong, straight silhouettes are powerful and masculine; tall and curvy ones are inherently feminine. If women want to be taken seriously, they must power dress (think: blazers and straight, tailored slacks).

Fashion rules tend to influence our shopping habits whether we realize it or not. Today I'm speaking with personal stylist Dacy Gillespie about *exactly how* to reject societal messaging around what you "should" wear so you can live your best intentional life.

Here's a preview:

[4:15] The concept of “flattering” is a part of diet culture. Here's why it shouldn't be a priority in your wardrobe

[8:30] Exactly how the trend cycle preys on women's insecurities to sell clothes

[13:00] Thoughts on the guilt many of us experience when we reject commonly held fashion rules

[15:15] Influencer culture and why we shouldn't buy what our favorite influencers recommend

[19:00] The patriarchy and the male gaze: How women have historically been conditioned to prioritize their external appearance over their own comfort

[22:00] Practical ways to reject commonly held fashion rules next time you shop for clothes

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•  Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

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• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free.
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We're at it again! Today I'm answering 5 listener questions in a rapid-fire format.

Here's a preview of the questions I'm answering today:

[1:30] Are laundry detergent strips *actually* eco-friendly? What about TruEarth strips specifically?

[7:00] Is eco-friendly pet parenting possible and, if so, how?

[17:45] Is the Yuka app worth the hype?

[22:30] Tofu containers, oat milk cartons, and more: How can I reduce packaging waste from plant-based foods?

[28:00] How do minimalists gift their children during the holidays?

Resources mentioned:

• West Paw dog essentials
• Yuka app for iOS and Android
• TruEarth laundry detergent strips
• The Very Best Christmas Gifts That Aren't Toys
•  Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
•  Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

Thank you to our sponsor! Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free.

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We often think the solution to our household woes lies in better organization, but marketing pros have commercialized tidiness. "Getting organized" often entails purchasing plastic totes and baskets: Before we know it, we've spent boatloads of money to put order to the stuff we're storing.

Desk organizers, drawer dividers, specialized hangers, oh my: When we talk about living our best lives with less, we're also talking about living with fewer commercialized organization "systems".

If you're looking for motivation to flex your repurposing and organizational muscles this episode is for you. Today I speak with hospitality and organizing expert Leslie Lehr about stylish organization that goes beyond plastic bins and containers. She's on the show to offer her best repurposing tips (that also happen to be quite simple!) for common household items.

Here's a preview:

[8:45] Exactly where plastic bins and baskets fall short for both organizing and decor

[14:30] Evaluating alternate uses for glassware and vases

[16:00] How to take a ho-hum shoebox and make it aesthetically pleasing

[19:30] Practical reuses for spice jars, plus: the many uses of Mason jars

[24:00] Sentimental bowls, trays, and other houseware items: How to incorporate heirlooms into your seasonal decor

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #120: Innovative repurposing jars for mason jars
• Leslie on Instagram
•  Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
•  Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

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• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free
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"How can I make eco-minimalist choices when I truly don’t have the time? I’m divorced, have two children, and work full time. There simply aren’t enough hours in the day to care for the kids, earn an income, and run the household, let alone add in sustainable living. Help!" 

Together, let's re-prioritize our priorities. On today's show I'm answering a listener's question about sustainability fatigue: What's the best course of action when we're exhausted, unmotivated, and overworked?

Here's a preview:

[3:30] The 'how' and 'why' behind making sure your heart-first values get onto your To-Do list

[9:15] A deliberate and tragic trade-off: Why items on your To-Do list are not all created equal

[16:00] How to change your verbiage to change your mindset

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #200: The Eco-Contradiction Minefield
• Episode #303: Life's Changing Seasons
• Episode #40: Mindfulness For Modern Families
• U-Konserve stainless steel containers with silicone lids
• Squeesy (great for applesauce, smoothies, yogurts, etc)

Thank you to our sponsor! Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free.

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Triggered much?

It usually goes something like this. Someone in your life does SOMEthing: Maybe your boss criticizes your work. Perhaps your partner says something that hits you the wrong way. You child stalls as you're trying to get out the door.

There’s an antecedent, and then there’s your go-to reaction. There’s no space between the antecedent and your reaction; there's no intention behind your reaction, either. You simply respond on autopilot.

On today's show I'm speaking with fellow podcaster Jen Lumanlan about how to align your responses with who you'd like to be as a means of living a more intentional life.

Here's a preview:

[3:00] Are you triggered or are you flooded? Here's the difference, according to science

[5:00] Fight, flight, freeze, or fawn: An overview of The Big Four triggering/flooding responses

[11:30] The ways in which culture (and specifically capitalism!) provides us with Little T traumas, every single day

[17:00] What are your needs and how can you meet them? Practical first steps for taming your own triggers

[18:30] Everything you need to know about The Pause

[21:00] The importance of nonjudgemental observation when interacting with our children

Resources mentioned:

• Your Parenting Mojo podcast
• Taming Your Triggers workshop signup
•  Join our (free!) community here
• Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
•  Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com

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• Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com
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"One of the hardest things we haven’t been able to tackle is our kids' snacks: we still end up using a good amount of single use plastic wraps. Do you have any ideas?"

Citing convenience, ultraprocessed foods are often sold in single-serve packs. But such snack and lunch items are overpriced (you're literally paying for that extra plastic!); they're also often unhealthy for both people and the planet.

I get it: We're overtired and overstressed, and packing wholesome foods can feel like yet another daunting chore. That's why on today's show I answer a listener's question about how to pack low-waste lunchboxes without the extra stress (dozens of food ideas included!).

Here's a preview:

[1:30] What recent research says about the health effects of ultraprocessed foods on human health

[7:00] The premiums we pay for foods packaged in single-serve plastics

[11:30] 5 quick tips for managing picky eaters

[17:30] The Bento Box route versus the traditional lunchbox: pros, cons, and gear recommendations

[24:00] 30+ low-waste lunchbox ideas

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #173: How To Simplify Picky Eating
• Leeann's FREE virtual event signup
• Eating Processed Foods Tied to Shorter Life (via NY Times)
• Ultraprocessed Food Consumption and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes Among Participants of the NutriNet-Santé Prospective Cohort (via Journal Of The American Medical Association)
• Homemade Cereal Bars (recommended by listener Elsa)

• Say hello! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)
• * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

Lunchbox gear that listeners love:

• Lunchbots stainless steel Bento Box (recommended by Lauren)
• Planet Box stainless steel Bento Box (recommended by Elsa)
• Sistema plastic containers (recommended by Sara)
• Packit lunchbox (recommended by Sara)
• Reusable sandwich container, preferably stainless steel (recommended by Patricia)
• Wean Green reusable glass containers (recommended by yours truly)
• Foogo thermos (recommended by yours truly)

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com
• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free

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Is the future refillable?

When we look at the history of plastics, it's disheartening to realize that only 9% of all plastics ever created have been recycled. Another 12% has been incinerated; a whopping 79%, then, has accumulated in landfills and nature.

That's right: your Bonnie Bell Lip Smacker tube circa 1995 is quite likely still somewhere on this planet. 

Refillable products (like ice cream in stainless steel jars and shampoo bottles refilled in-store) aren't new. But while most people say they want eco-friendly product options, their purchasing behaviors sing a different tune. Consumers tend to prioritize convenience over eco-friendliness, time and time again.

Today I speak with Izzy Zero Waste Beauty founder Shannon Goldberg about closed loop consumption. Is packaging the problem, or does the problem lie within our consumption?

Here's a preview:

[6:00] 2 major barriers to mainstream refillables

[11:00] Do refillable products *actually* make a dent in our trash production? What about our oversized environmental woes?

[15:00] Refillable products and next-level greenwashing: Why we must expand our collective definition of waste to account for excess carbon emissions from sending back our products

[20:00] Are refillable options sanitary in a post-COVID world?

Resources mentioned:

• Loop global reuse platform
• Use code IZZYF20 at yourizzy.com for 20% off (Thanks, Shannon!)

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free
• Better Help: Visit betterhelp.com/sustainable for 10% off your first month

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A hotter planet is here, my friends. Don't believe me? Just turn on the news.

On today's show we first break down major current climate events; we then ask ourselves a set of ethical quandaries. Should the global north pay reparations to the global south for its centuries-long polluting behaviors, or are the inequitable and unjust natures of climate change simply bad luck? 

Here's a preview:

[4:00] How'd summer go? (Hint: not great, especially in Pakistan)

[12:30] The climate reparations argument: What it is and why it has legs

[20:00] 3 ethical questions for you to answer re: charity versus reparations

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• Advocates Call On U.S. To Help Flooded Pakistan In The Name Of Climate Justice (via National Public Radio)
• A Hotter World: Climate Change’s Effects Are Already Unequal (via NY Times)
• Send me your Exit Ticket answers! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)
• Join our private (and super cool) Facebook group. It's free!
• Episode #165: Difficult Sustainability Conversations
• Episode #143: How To Discuss The Effects Of Climate Change

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com
• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free

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When it comes to growing up, we tend to believe it's only for children. Adults, then, are assumed to be fully grown.

But even us "grownups" are constantly changing, maturing, and evolving (and often at a rapid pace). Such inner changes also run concurrent with external ones that pop up as we move through our respective life seasons, day after day.

If embracing change as life's only true constant is downright difficult, getting stuck underneath heaps of possessions that served our out-of-date versions makes such an embrace even harder. And what about jobs that are no longer fulfilling, relationships that are no longer harmonious, and life views that are no longer synchronous with the person we are evolving into? It's likely enough to make your head spin.

Today I speak with life coach Jenny Cheifetz about loosening our grips on the past, embracing changes in both our lives and in ourselves, and letting go of our need to hold onto what was. In the first part of our conversation we speak on possessions; in the second, we discuss first steps to decluttering the big intangibles we know on the soul level we've outgrown.

Here's a preview:

[2:30] The internal pause: how and why to conduct a needs assessment

[6:30] Why attaching emotion to possessions ultimately does us a disservice

[11:30] 'Store it at the store' is about to become your new mantra and here's why

[15:00] How to conduct a needs assessment with with your big but intangible baggage

[19:00] Thoughts on 'flow' as a state of being, plus why we as humans are prone to white-knuckle grips

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
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"Much of the time I tell my kids that material possessions aren't that important, but I also want them to take care of the possessions they have. How should I best juggle these messages and still get my points across?"

As sustainable minimalists, we want our children to devalue stuff, as we certainly don't want them to associate their sense of self-worth with what they own. But at the same time we also want them to care for their existing possessions even though such care requires a certain amount of 'stuff' reverence.

It's a real paradox: On one hand we preach that stuff doesn't matter, but on the other we shout from the rooftops that stuff matters an awful lot and we best take care of it. 

Amidst such conflicting messages, what's a child to believe?

On today's show I'm answering a listener's question about the sweet spot between the two extremes of materialism and reckless ownership.

Here's a preview:

[6:30] 2 parenting practices that result in materialistic children, according to research

[12:00] Best behaviors when bringing children into brick-and-mortar stores

[17:45] The how and why behind letting your child experience the natural consequences of their actions

[24:30] Parents, beware of these two research-backed materialist beliefs

[27:00] How to behave (and what to emphasize) when you buy new items for your children

[33:00] The sweet spot lies in these 3 quiet, simple, and non-grandiose habits that parents model every day

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• The 3 Parenting Strategies That Cause Kids to Become Materialistic (via Very Well Family)
• Say hello! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com
• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free

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Many people try to 'Marie Kondo' themselves out of clutter but find themselves unsuccessful. The reason? Decluttering only sticks when you first examine the deep roots into why clutter accumulated in the first place.

Today I speak with with celebrity decluttering expert Tracy McCubbin about the excuses we tell ourselves, the clutter blocks that hold us back, and the real reasons why we can't let go of our stuff.

Here's a preview of the clutter blocks we discuss today:

[3:30] I avoid my stuff

[6:45] I'm not worth my good stuff

[13:00] My stuff keeps me stuck in the past

[16:00] My stuff tells me who I am

[18:00] I'm trapped with other people's stuff

Resources mentioned:

• Unearth your own clutter block here
• Pre-order Tracy's newest book, Make Space For Happiness
• Want more episodes like this one? Check out #146: 10 Secrets Of Successful Declutterers
• 
  

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Thank you to our sponsors!

• Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries
• Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free

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 * Join our (free!) community here.

* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.

* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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A triangle is complete only when its three corners are intact. Our wellbeing similarly demands that three pillars work together in quiet harmony.

The Australian Wellbeing Index is a 15-year-and-counting study with data from over 60,000 participants. Its results remain consistent year after year: optimal wellbeing hinges upon 3 essential intangibles.

The good news? These three intangibles are entirely within our control.

On today's show we discuss the golden triangle of wellbeing for optimal life satisfaction.

Here's a preview:

[2:30] How to nurture interpersonal relationships when relationships get hard

[6:30] The difference between financial control versus mindless monetary accumulation, according to research

[13:00] The why and how behind living, breathing, and being your purpose

Resources mentioned/Further reading:

• Episode #252: What's Good For Us Is Also Free
• Episode #128: How To Save Money Like A Minimalist
• Episode #225: How To Live Happier
• 'Golden Triangle' Of Happiness: Study Finds Three Simple Things Needed For A Happy Life
• What Is Real Well-Being?
• Say hello! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)

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