Sustainable Minimalists

Too often, conversations about reducing home toxins center themselves around replacement: Get rid of your mattress and buy a new one. Toss your plastic Tupperware and replace with glass. And that plastic shower curtain liner? It has got to go. But replacing items that are in otherwise fine working order wastes money; it wastes environmental resources, too.

Today I’m speaking with environmental engineer (and podcast host!) Emma Rohmann. Emma offers her practical and impartial voice to the low-tox conversation by...

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Food waste is clearly an environmental problem: In the United States alone, Americans throw away approximately 63 million tons of food each year. Enter the ugly produce market. For-profit companies selling misshapen fruits and vegetables argue that they are saving perfectly healthy food from becoming waste. Consumers, too, who subscribe to such services believe they are acting both nobly and ethically. But is any of this true?

On today’s short and sweet episode I’m answering a listener’s question as to whether...

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Your boxes of photos, family’s china, and even your kids’ height charts aren’t just stuff. These items are attached to a lifetime of memories, and letting them go can be scary. The reality is that people don’t miss stuff. They miss the people and memories behind their stuff, and keeping certain items in the right quantities can memorialize our loved ones and their unique life stories.

On today’s show I speak with featured cleaner on Hoarders and host of the...

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Decluttering is liberating, and letting go of items that no longer serve us creates space to breathe and grow. If we experience benefits from decluttering physical stuff, it stands to reason, then, that we can experience similar if not greater well-being by letting go of intangibles.

Transformation comes from letting go—not from holding on tighter!— and so today’s short-and-sweet episode is about letting go of whatever you’re holding onto that holds you down and holds you back. Here’s a...

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As consumers, we’ve been conditioned to head to the store and buy whatever we need whenever we need it. But when it comes to personal care products, making exactly what your skin needs reduces waste, empowers you to have 100% control, and fully supports your skin story.

Today I speak with certified aromatherapist Emelia Kohler. Emilia’s on the show to give us the motivation and knowledge to first understand our own skin stories and then confidently create products in our own kitchens...

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Want Grandma’s crystal vase? How about that bedroom set that’s been sitting in your parents’ basement for decades? Generational clutter comprises All. The. Things. that your elder relatives currently possess but want to pass onto you.

On today’s short-ish episode I’m answering a listener’s question on how to deal with generational clutter with grace (while still upholding your boundaries). 

Here’s a preview:

[2:30] 3 varying attachment styles; plus: how different generations view “stuff”

[5:45] Defining the role of the...

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Daily life in 2022 leaves many of us busy and distracted. Life and its quiet, nameless moments of joy can pass us by if we aren’t intentional about how we spend our time.

Today I speak with Reilly Flynn, co-founder and CEO of Lome Calendar. Reilly is here to give us tangible tips that capture both the intention and the expectation of the moment as we schedule our family’s free time; he also distinguishes between rhythms, routines, and systems as...

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Many to-be parents spend hours researching cribs and car seats; only rarely do they consider all the *other* ways in which their lives are about to change. And once the baby arrives? Many new mothers report a chasm between their parenting expectations versus day-to-day reality. Today I speak with journalist and parenting expert Ericka Sóuter about the unspoken challenges of motherhood. Ericka has spent hundreds of hours interviewing mothers and she’s on the show to discuss what moms are experiencing (but...

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It's human nature to pursue more: More stuff. More money. More professional power. While it's certainly important to both create and reach goals in life, the mindless pursuit of more leaves many of us feeling depleted.

And when we're always striving to attain the next big thing? We are effectively removing ourselves from the beauty of the present moment.

On today's show I'm speaking with blogger Tyler Moore about whether it's possible to be happy with less and, if so, how.

Here's a preview:

[7:45] The relationship between tidying up your stuff and tidying up your priorities

[10:30] Quieting the voice in your head that yearns for more

[16:00] The unexpected benefits of living with just enough

[25:00] First steps for determining what's just enough for you

Resources mentioned:

• Tidy Dad on Instagram
• Watch the extended version of this episode on Youtube.

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #146: 10 Secrets Of Successful Declutterers.

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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“I want to be able to create a home that we can truly feel at-home in, but [my new husband and I] still haven’t figured out what our “style” is. How can we find our home decor style without buying & trying different items? How can we figure out our tastes and preferences without spending a bunch of money, creating waste, and/or accidentally getting swept up by what’s trendy?” It happens to the best of us: we search high...

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Veganuary — the worldwide new years resolution movement — makes plant-based living accessible while also pushing for corporate change. While proponents of the month-long challenge report that veganism can be fun, today’s guest argues that plant-based living on the large scale (which, in her view, is inevitable!) will have positive consequences for our economy, climate, health, and culture. Veganism is one of the fastest growing social movements in the world and so in honor of Veganuary I’m speaking with anthropologist Roanne Van...

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If you often bump into side tables or trip over misplaced shoes you’ve likely lamented your need for more space. But staying in your existing home even though it’s imperfect has tangible benefits like greater financial savings, more free time, and less stress. On this episode I’m speaking with small living expert Melanie Gnau about how to create more livable space in your home without undergoing a lengthy construction addition or moving to a bigger home. Here’s a preview:...

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Many of us think of the seaside as a relaxing place to vacation. Water sports and seafood, too, often come to mind when we think about the ways in which oceans improve our lives.

But the reality is that vacations, water sports, and seafood pale in comparison to what oceans *actually* give us, which is, of course, our very existence.

Today I speak with world-renowned oceanographer and National Geographic's Explorer-At-Large Dr. Sylvia Earle. Dr. Earle has logged over 7,000 hours underwater and she believes that ending industrial fishing should be humanity's Number One goal. Dr. Earle is on the show to encourage us to think like scientists by asking questions, examining evidence, and making informed decisions as we plan our weekly meals.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Why the ocean is so important (and why all of us should care about preserving what's left and restoring what's been lost)

[11:00] The problems associated with industrial fishing

[17:45] Beyond the marketing: Is seafood really all that healthy for humans?

Resources mentioned:

• Ocean: A Global Odyssey
• Mission Blue
• Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #112: The Nitty-Gritty Behind Microplastic Pollution.

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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"I want to minimize my digital carbon footprint because I understand that storing old emails in server farms uses a lot of energy. I have three email accounts with thousands of emails because I'm super lazy about emails. If I delete 1,000 of the really old unnecessary emails, what's my annual CO2 savings? If all of your listeners did the same, how much energy could we save? How many cars off the road?"

It's likely you've already sent a few emails today. Perhaps you've also streamed a video and performed an internet search or two. If your digital footprint is the trail of data you leave around the internet, your digital carbon footprint is the carbon emissions that trail creates.

On this episode I'm answering a listener's question about how to minimize your digital carbon footprint in 4 easy steps (ditch that cloud storage!).

Here's a preview:

[2:40] Why digital carbon footprints matter (and how to start caring about ours)

[6:30] Not nebulous, fuzzy, or benign: The ins/outs of clouds and server farms

[10:30] 4 high-impact habits that reduce your digital carbon footprint

[19:00] If everyone who listens to this show commits to deleting 1,000 old emails, how many car equivalents would we remove from the road for one year?

Resources mentioned:

• Sector by sector: where do global greenhouse gas emissions come from?
• Soul
• Seaspiracy

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #131: 5 Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn't Know

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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It takes a village to raise a child. And in those days and weeks following childbirth? Research finds that mothers benefit from an awful lot of support.

In fact, women with culturally-embedded support in the fourth trimester report extremely low incidences of baby blues and postpartum mood disorders as opposed to cultures without such support.

Today I'm speaking with postpartum doula and newborn care specialist Gigi Vera Vincent. Gigi is on the show to divulge how we can both honor and respect the postpartum period. For those of us not expecting, Gigi also suggests tangible ways to best support the parents in our lives who are.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] The Number One fact new mothers need to know about the fourth trimester

[6:45] How to manage expectations versus reality during the postpartum period

[12:45] 3 types of support that new mothers need, according to research (and how to give it)

[14:30] Socially acceptable best practices for new mothers who don't feel like entertaining

[17:30] Lining up your support services ahead of time: How (and where) to seek out physical and emotional support

[26:00] Postpartum depression versus postpartum anxiety versus baby blues: How to tell the difference

Resources mentioned:

• Fair play cards
• Gigi on Instagram

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #221: Conscious Nursery and Kids Room Design.

* It's the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!)

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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Listeners often reach out with questions big and small, and so today I'm answering 5 of them in a rapid style format.

Here's a preview of the questions answered in this episode:

[2:15] Which is the better environmental choice: organic produce but wrapped in plastic, or non-organic and plastic-free?

[7:30] How should we best declutter during a pandemic and where should we put our efforts?

[10:45] Should we even bother recycling since so little actually gets recycled?

[14:45] Are Force Of Nature products worth it?

[18:45] What's the best way to store fresh produce without plastic?

Have a pressing eco-minimalist question? Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (508) 960-9046.

Resources mentioned:

• The Dirty Dozen and The Clean 15
• Force Of Nature 3-Ingredient Cleanser
• Sustainable Minimalism (the book!)

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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Too many choices breeds uncertainty, and excessive clothing options makes getting dressed harder, not easier. But knowing intuitively what looks good on you? Such knowledge simplifies shopping, reduces your environmental impact, and creates a coordinated wardrobe without unnecessary effort.

Today I speak with Jeannie Stith, founder and CEO of Color Guru. Jeannie is an expert at matching people to their ideal color palette so they can look their best and save money. Today we discuss how you can create closet boundaries by honing in on your ideal colors, body shape, and personal style.

Here's a preview:

[4:15] Why black is not a universal color that everyone can wear well (and what to wear instead)

[9:45] How to determine your undertones as a means of informed clothes shopping

[11:30] 3 universal colors that look great on everyone

[12:30] The paradox of choice: Why having too many choices leads to confusion and unease

[22:00] Have a closet full of clothes in the wrong colors? Here's what to do

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #166: 8 Minimalist Style Principles
• Episode #079: The Secret To A Successful Capsule Wardrobe
• Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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Online shopping has made buying more convenient, sure. But because we can't touch, feel, and try items on when perusing e-commerce sites, return rates have skyrocketed. Each year in the US alone, shoppers return approximately 3.5 billion products, only 20% of which are actually defective. Spoiler alert: these perfectly new and non-defective items that we return? Workers only very rarely restock them for sale.

Today I divulge what *actually* happens to clothing that we buy online and then return; I'm also offering up some practical action steps for everyone (like myself!) who enjoys shopping online.

Here's a preview:

[5:15] How did we get here? A brief history of fast, free, no questions asked returns

[7:00] The major differences between forward logistics and reverse logistics

[12:00] What happens to the clothes we return: landfill, merchandizer, or abroad

[16:15] 5 ways to reduce returns sent back to manufacturers

Resources mentioned:

• What Actually Happens To Your Online Returns? (via HuffPost)
• Did you know there's a book based on THIS podcast? (Thank you for supporting my work!)

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #105: Where Do Goodwill Donations Go?

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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. Dave is here to divulge how we can reduce our environmental impact simply by tweaking our coffee-related routines.

Here's a preview:

[4:15] 5 dirty little secrets the average coffee drinker doesn't know about their morning cup

[7:00] Why most coffee is priced too cheap (and what you should *actually* be paying)

[10:00] Commodity versus specialty coffee's taste and quality differences

[14:00] The benefits (and drawbacks) associated with Fair Trade

[16:00] 5 things to look for when making an ethical coffee purchase

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #125: How Sustainable Minimalists Do Summer.

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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 Beth Craig. Beth believes each of us can make a legitimate difference and so she's on the show to outline her 5-step process to leaving a radical footprint; she also offers important reminders about the usefulness of giving as we head into the holiday season.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Step 1: Asking the difficult questions and getting clear on the life you actually want to live

[11:00] Step 2: How to unplug from advertising for consumer empowerment

[14:00] Step 3: Minimizing your carbon footprint as much as possible (without sacrificing your quality of life)

[16:00] Step 4: How to make the world better than you found it by giving

[17:15] Step 5: Why you should diligently track your efforts and adjust for greater benefit

Resources mentioned:

• tisbest.org
• Episode #131: 5 Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn't Know
• Beth's list of vetted charities

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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!) 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!)

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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 positively impact both people and the planet.

Here's a preview:

[4:30] Tanja's views on capitalism, plus: where democracy falls short

[9:30] Thoughts on the power of the purse, elitism, and privilege

[13:15] Is this too cheap? Understanding true cost as a means of stepping away from the desire to score a deal

[18:00] The four questions we should ask ourselves before spending money

[25:30] Individual action for collective change

Resources mentioned:

• Wallet Activism: How To Use Every Dollar You Spend, Earn, and Save As A Force For Change
• Go on with your bad self and leave this show a quick Apple Podcasts review (thank you!)

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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 revert to consumerism's default of giving physical gifts.

On today’s show we are discussing how to apply the wisdom of the 5 love languages to our closest relationships, especially during the holidays.

Here's a preview:

[3:00] A love language refresher: what on earth are they?

[6:00] What the modern day love language conversation gets wrong

[10:30] 3 ways to use the wisdom of the love languages for stronger interpersonal connections

[14:00] Kid-specific ways to show love without giving gifts

[15:30] Thoughts on managing overindulgent grandparents

Resources mentioned:

• The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts
• The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #046: Sweet Simplicity During The Holidays.

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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 of us can live happier in a culture that glorifies consumption.

Here's a preview:

[10:30] Do genetics come into play when discussing happiness?

[11:15] The Number One way to teach yourself to overcome Negativity Bias

[15:15] Letting go of expectations for greater well-being

[19:45] What science says about spending money on others

[22:00] Why thinking critically about the 5 people you spend the most time with is worth the effort

[24:00] Where you should *actually* spend your money for long term happiness

Resources mentioned:

• Box Giver

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #074: How To Live Large By Living With Less.

* Watch the extended (and lightly edited) version of this episode on YouTube.

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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 it, as our "skinny" clothes encourage us to hold onto past glories of thinness and youth.

On this short and sweet episode I'm answering a listener's question about best practices for regarding storing clothing items that don't fit our bodies right now.

Here's a preview:

[5:00] Challenging 3 commonly held beliefs about size and worth

[7:00] The real problems with keeping clothes that don't fit in your closet

[11:40] Considering a future reality (not a future fantasy)

[15:00] 3 steps to storing clothes that don't currently fit

Resources mentioned:

• Episode #195: Minimalist Mindset Shifts Toward Body Acceptance

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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 reclaim the movement opportunities that have been lost to the conveniences associated with modern living.

Here's a preview:

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

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

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

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

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

Resources mentioned:

• Grow Wild: The Whole-Child, Whole-Family, Nature-Rich Guide to Moving More
• Katy on Instagram
• Save The Earth book series
• Watch the extended version of this interview on Youtube

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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 leather's dirty little secrets

[10:15] What is vegan, cruelty-free, plant-based, faux leather? Is it as great as it sounds?

[15:00] Everything you need to know before buying an exotic leather

[17:30] 5 tips for making informed leather and vegan leather purchases

Resources mentioned:

• Prefer to send an email? Reach out at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
• Episode #200: Navigating The Eco-Contradiction Minefield
• Episode #109: What Are Eco-Friendly Fibers? 

* Join our (free!) community here.

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

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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 lower impact materials.

This week's guest is author Rachel Fowler. Rachel combines her knowledge as both a nurse and sustainable interior designer to give us her best ideas for creating nurseries and kids rooms that are safe, minimalist, eco-friendly, and fun.

Here's a preview:

[6:00] Ten items that should never be in your child's room for health and safety

[9:30] What to consider before painting a room's walls and ceiling, with a nod toward wallpaper

[16:00] The problems with carpet and vinyl floors

[20:00] How to make informed furniture decisions

[24:00] What to use instead instead of blackout blinds

Resources mentioned:

• My Happy Place: Healthy, Sustainable And Humane Interior Design For Life And Work
• Auro paint
• Episode #190: Curating A Healthy House

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

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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] Sleek and (kinda) sexy? The features and benefits of today's bidet for toilet attachment

[4:00] Toilet paper's financial and environmental problems

[5:15] 5 oversized benefits to embracing a bidet attachment

[11:00] My thoughts on bidets in homes with kids

[15:00] This week's eco-tip: A creative way for reusing stained kids' clothes

Resources mentioned:

• Why Don’t Americans Use Bidets? (via The Atlantic)
• Episode #120: Your Sustainability Questions, Answered
• Tushy bidet attachment 

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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 I'm speaking with Kate Flynn. Kate is the co-founder and CEO of Sun & Swell, the world's first online, plastic-free health food store. She's on the show to suggest first steps for ways for making fewer convenience-driven food choices in our (hectic) daily lives; she offers tried-and-true hacks from her own kitchen that simplify food routines, too.

Here's a preview:

[4:00] Three big reasons why the packaged food industry is broken

[8:00] Practical ways for those of us who can to fight back against the allure of convenience food options

[11:00] What needs to change so that healthy food becomes available to everyone

[14:00] How to make smarter choices at the grocery store (without committing to buying only fruits and veggies)

[24:00] Food routines that prioritize healthy eating when you're hangry

[30:00] My 6 cooking tips for beginner home chefs

Resources mentioned:

• Malk non-dairy milks
• Honey Mamas chocolate
• Siete tortilla chips
• Sun & Swell cookie bites (Use code SUSTAINABLE25 for 25% off your first order!)

* Want more episodes like this one? Check out #177: Becoming A Zero-Waste Chef.

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* Watch the unedited version of this interview on Youtube here.

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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* space in our schedules to prioritize our own happiness. Indeed, Shannon's on the show to argue that finding—and maintaining!—a work-life balance starts by first dreaming about what you want your life to look like and then putting your finances on autopilot.

Here's a preview:

[3:30] True wealth versus salaries: Why everyone needs a Quality of Life Statement

[11:00] How to incorporate 4 unconventional income streams to achieve a work-life balance

[21:30] Using chef-specific wisdom in your daily life

[26:30] The Yes-No-Yes formula for setting—and maintaining—essential boundaries

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• Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

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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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