The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast

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  --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 f

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 Need

Many people — and many societies, for that matter — rely on short-sighted quick wins as their go-to when managing oversized problems. But what works in the short-term likely isn't best in the long run; worse, such near-sightedness rarely considers its impacts on generations to come.Enter longpath thinking, a mindset that prioritizes future-conscious thinking and behavior.On today's episode I speak with author and futurist Ari Wallach. Ari argues that when we step away from knee-jerk reactions we both reclaim life meaning and help preserve the planet for future generations. And if making daily decisions by considering their reverberations 500 years from now sounds revolutionary to you, you're absolutely right. Ari's on the show to ease our transition to future-consciousness in 3 simple steps. Here’s a preview: [2:00] “Future” isn’t a noun; it’s a verb. Here’s why[4:30] Debunking lifespan biases so as to create a better world for future generations[6:00] 3 problems associated with short-termism[11:30] How an un

Good cooks cook on gas, or so we've been told. Any realtor will likely tell you that a gas stove ranks high on homebuyers' lists of new home must-haves, but are they good for us? Are they good for the planet?Fellow Americans, it's time to end our love affair with gas stoves. On today's show, we discuss All. The. Things. the natural gas industry doesn't want you to know about gas stoves, natural gas, and everything in between. Here's a preview:[1:30] Gas = luxury? A peek inside the gas industry's marketing campaigns [4:00] Human health concerns re: burning a fossil fuel in your kitchen[10:30] Let's chat about fracking for a hot minute[12:15] CO2's evil stepsister, methane: Here's how this potent global warmer fits into the natural gas conversation[14:45] Aren't natural gas power plants cleaner than coal power plants? (Yes, but ...)[17:00] The why and how behind the "electrify everything" movement Resources mentioned/Further reading: Did I Turn Off the Stove? Yes, but Maybe Not the Gas (via NY Times) Vintage

Have you ever bought an irresistibly on-trend outfit for a child in your life? If so, I'm willing to bet it was worn just a handful of times (or perhaps not at all).Gendered children's fashion is a twentieth century invention and — surprise!— it was invented by marketing pros hoping to sell more clothes. The sad truths are that while kids' fast fashion creates unnecessary clutter for parents, the sheer quantity of it all contributes to our oversized environmental problems.Today I speak with clothing designer Laurel Thompson about how we can avoid purchasing adorable future trash for the children in our lives. Here's a preview:[3:30] The history of children's clothing: How the post-industrial revolution impacted wardrobe longevity[8:00] Exactly how the design of kids clothes has devolved to the detriment of mothers everywhere[17:00] From fabrication to construction: 10 things to look for when shopping for children's outfits[22:00] How to talk to the grandparents in your life about responsibly acquiring kids' c

In 1986, California passed Proposition 65. The legislation forced companies that sell products with chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects to label them as such. While the legislation was originally a gigantic win for environmentalists, these days it's a running joke. Cancer warnings adorn everything from organic soaps to steering wheel covers, bikinis, parking garages, Disney Land, and much more.Proposition 65 is a case study in the ways in which good intention advocacy can go woefully wrong. Do consumers have a right to know and, if so, do we truly *want* to know? What lessons can we learn from California, and how can environmentalists both push for policy change and avoid the pitfalls associated with Prop 65?Here's a preview:[5:45] California as a leader in environmental action, plus a brief history leading up to the passage of Proposition 65 [14:00] What went wrong: 3 controversies associated with Proposition 65[21:00] Has the law yielded any positive change at all? (Yes, here's how.) Resources ment

In eco-leaning circles, bamboo is hot, hot, hot. The grass (yep, it's a grass!) is touted as *the* solution to deforestation and these days bamboo is the main fiber in some paper products, textiles, bathroom necessities, furniture, flooring, and more.But as with any crop, there are plenty of problems associated with worldwide reliance on a monoculture. Are marketing claims that tout bamboo's benefits nothing more than next-level greenwashing?Today I put my guest in the hot seat and ask him the not so pie-in-the-sky questions about bamboo. Ryan Fritsch, co-founder of Cloud Paper, is on the show to make the case that bamboo is the best alternative to standing trees and is here to stay. Here's a preview:[4:45] 3 things you may not know about bamboo plantations, plus: the importance of relying on 3rd party certifications when assessing whether your bamboo product is actually eco-friendly[12:30] Understanding the different FSC tiers: Which certification should you be looking for?[14:00] Bamboo's sourcing concerns:

When it comes to trash bags, there's plenty of confusing verbiage. Compostable? Biodegradable? Bags with post-consumer recycled content?While one could certainly make the argument that biodegradable and compostable trash bags aren't worth the money since they're headed to the landfill anyway (those pits aren't gardens, after all); the more cynical amongst us could say there's no such thing as an eco-friendly trash bag if it holds bad-for-the-planet waste.Purchasing eco-friendly-ish trash bags doesn't give us carte blanche to throw away as much as we want, but buying the right bags is a simple and accessible lifestyle switch. On today's show I'm divulging what to know (and which trash bags to buy) moving forward. Here's a preview:[3:15] Are biodegradable trash bags eco-friendly? (What does 'biodegradable' even mean?)[6:00] Everything you need to know about compostable trash bags: pros, cons, and everything in between[16:00] Breaking down (see what I did there?) all-things plastic bags with post-consumer recycl

Your pantry can be your friend or your foe. When it's well-stocked and organized it will support your health goals, but disorganized spaces will likely derail your long-term wellness objectives.The worst part? Pantry staples that are marketed as healthy (ahem ... bars, protein powders, and crackers) are oftentimes the main culprits contributing to brain fog, weight gain, and belly bloat.Today I speak with Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach Leeann Rybakov about how to declutter and organize your pantry for optimal wellness. Leann walks us through what to look for when stocking our pantries with nut butters, protein powders, dressings, sauces, bars, and grains so we can eat with intention (and on autopilot!). Here's a preview:[8:00] Pantry items known to cause inflammation and brain fog (declutter them, and STAT!)[11:30] The problems with "quick-grab" pantry staples (and what to grab-and-go instead)[15:00] All-things salad dressings and sauces: ingredients to seek out versus ingredients to avoid[1

The first iPhone hit the market in 2007 and most of us jumped on the smartphone bandwagon without looking back. 15 years later, countless studies document the pitfalls associated with reliance on powerful tech at our (literal) fingertips: impaired cognitive functioning, loss of self-esteem, and increased depression and anxiety are just a few.The minimalist cell phone movement seeks to take back what smartphones have taken from us, and it advocates for the return of simple phones without distractions, apps, or advertisements.On today's show I answer a listener's question about the Wisephone. Do minimalist cell phones actually give us our lives back, or do they simply seek to target a very particular subset of buyers? Here's a preview:[4:30] Why you should be concerned about your cellular data and privacy (plus: how a minimalist cell phone can protect you)[9:00] What research says about the human tendency to become psychologically dependent on technology[14:30] 3 benefits to the "pure and simple" Wisephone[19:3

Gas prices are through the roof and we're feeling the pinch at the gas station. Is now the right time to invest in an electric vehicle?There's no sugarcoating it: Automobiles leave a big footprint. Extracting petroleum products from the earth and shipping them around the planet is both energy-intensive and damaging (let's not forget about oil spills!). There's also the tailpipe emissions problem: vehicles in the US are responsible for a whopping one-third of all air pollution in the country.The rollout of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and traditional hybrids is good news if you’re looking for an alternative to the combustion engine, and that's because these models provide energy-efficient transportation while lowering/eliminating tailpipe emissions, diminishing noise, and reducing operating costs.On today's show my guest and I outline 5 things to consider before purchasing or leasing your next vehicle. Jon Linkov is the Deputy Autos Editor at Consumer Reports and he brings a wealth of real-world knowled

Underneath all of life's burdens, many of us experience the triple losses of time, freedom, and mental space. Self-care is generally touted as burnout's antidote, and advocates argue that regular self-care routines lower stress, anxiety, and frustration while simultaneously improving energy, concentration, and overall life satisfaction.Sounds wonderful, right? But there's a problem with #selfcare culture: In a capitalist society, anything and everything becomes a sellable product or service, self-care included. Indeed, these days the term 'self-care' is often used synonymously with spa days, last-minute getaways, and other actions that require a financial transaction.On today’s show we attempt to answer this very 2022 question: Is self-care a commodity that is best purchased, or is the idea that taking care of ourselves must be outsourced the epitome of late stage capitalism? Here's a preview:[1:15] Differentiating between an expanded view of self-care versus a narrow, contorted one[4:33] Understanding the wa

All too often (and perhaps without even realizing it!) many of us live our lives by taking the path of least resistance. What's the easiest choice? What's most convenient? But there's cognitive dissonance to be felt when we sacrifice our values in the name of convenience, and experiencing such dissonance can be uncomfortable.Today I speak with author and social impact expert Sharon Schneider about how seemingly small daily choices can enhance a life of alignment with your heart-first goals. Sharon believes that intentional living often means sacrificing short-term convenience for larger-than-you goals, and she's on the podcast to show us how. Here's a preview:[8:30] We shouldn't be give back; we should simply give. Here's why[10:30] Thoughts on rugged individualism, self-centered living, and curating social circles around different shared values[12:00] The fundamentals of the Convenience Tax, plus how and why to tax yourself[17:00] Are we just lazy? The origins of the 'convenience' problem (with ways to resis

Comedian Phyllis Diller famously once said, "Housework can't kill you, but why take the risk?"Our homes are for living, and living is a messy business. But warding off messes before they become unmanageable is indeed possible, and seasoned minimalists often rely on tried-and-true prevention techniques to reduce both housework and overwhelm.On today's show I offer 5 and a half tips to help you vacuum, fold, and dust less so you can enjoy life more. Resources mentioned: Episode #013: The How & Why Of Turning Off "The Noise" Episode #006: The Ultimate Kid's Capsule Blueprint --* Join our (free!) community here.* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Calorie counting, diet cycling, and heaps of food guilt. Sound familiar? We have diet culture to thank for our body image woes, and that's because corporations first sell us unhealthy food that detracts from our health, and then we're sold the promise of yet another restrictive diet as the ultimate - and only - solution.Today my guest and I answer a listener's question about the fundamentals of intuitive eating. Claire Chewning is a Registered Dietician who believes we can recover from the negative mental, emotional, and physical effects of diet culture by first rejecting the food and weight messages our culture bombards us with every single day. Here's a preview:[5:30] An introduction to the 10 principles of intuitive eating[6:45] The problems associated with diet culture (plus: how diet culture keeps us unhealthy)[9:30] Distinguishing between calorie deficits and health promoting behaviors[11:00] The un-learning process as it relates to internalized lies regarding size and self-worth[23:00] Can intuitive ea

Materialistic, overly consumptive, and incredibly wasteful: The stereotype of the average American isn't flattering. And while being wasteful isn't a personality trait most of us aspire to have, for many US citizens, wasting enormous amounts of resources and money is simply our way of life.Fellow Americans, we can do better. On today's show I rank order 10 specific ways Americans waste money without even realizing it; I also offer practical action steps toward resourcefulness for today and onward.--* Join our (free!) community here.* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Ah, game night. Something special happens when we put our phones away, sit around the table, and have fun with our loved ones. But if you have children, game night can be fraught with whines, groans, and tantrums. And after a long workweek? Game night can feel like another To-Do item.On today's show we discuss what research says about the benefits of game night. In Part 1 I offer 6 strategies for curating a successful family game night; in Part 2 I sit down with Ali Aydar, CEO of SPORCLE.com. Ali is on the show to make the point that you can make lasting, happy memories with your loved ones *and* keep your kids learning this summer without spending money on new board games.(A note from Stephanie: This episode is the fourth in the "Best Things Are Free" series in which the podcast dives deep into life's little pleasures that also happen to not cost money. To listen to other episodes in the series, check out #259: Rich Conversations, #246: Sleep, and #255: Storytime.) Here's a preview:[ 2:25] 10 research-backed

Perhaps you’ve seen buzzwords like upcycled, renewed, or repurposed on fashion websites and are confused. Perhaps, too, you've invested in natural fibers when purchasing clothes but doing so simply doesn't seem like you're doing enough.While the planet operates in a circular system in which everything is reused and repurposed, the fashion industry operates within a vastly different, linear system. Big Fashion gets away with an awful lot of unethical practices: you're right, then, to wonder whether you're missing a piece of the puzzle.Today I speak with blogger and podcaster Elizabeth Joy about what it takes to push brands toward planet over profit. Elizabeth drives home the point that a circular fashion system includes all of us — brands, designers, consumers, and politicians — working toward the singular goal of circularity.This episode is for intermediate sustainable minimalists who have already completed first steps toward overhauling the way they think about clothes and are ready to go deeper into being p

You've likely noticed that we're in a period of inflation, and that's because rising prices are difficult to ignore (hey there, gasoline!). But what about nonexistent customer service, smaller food packages, and the nagging, overall sense that we as consumers are getting the bad end the deal every time we make a purchase?That, my friends, is skimpflation.When you start looking for skimpflation in real life you'll see it everywhere. On today's show I'm uncovering the sneaky tactics brands use to maintain their bottom line at the expense of consumers; I'm also suggesting 3 action steps for us, the little guys and gals, during periods of inflation. Here's a preview:[1:45] An inflation review: What it is and how it affects you and me[4:20] Greedflation: Why some mega corps jack up prices (and reap increased profits)[10:00] Sneaky and stealthy skimpflation examples[13:00] Is this really "family size"? Shrinkflation 101[15:30] 3 action steps for conscious consumers in times of inflation Resources mentioned:  Bewar

Can a sun-toasting, memory-making, blue sky summer also be eco-friendly?I believe that the greenest habits are the ones that don't cost much money; they'd never upend our already busy lives, either. Today I speak with Paul Hope, Home & Garden Editor for Consumer Reports, and together we offer 8 summer-specific tweaks to your days that are so easy-peasy you won't even realize you're *also* helping the planet. Here's a preview:[2:45] Summer is for barbecues: 3 tips for grilling smarter during your next cookout[7:15] The rise of battery-powered outdoor tools (as confirmed by testing, the new ones actually work!)[9:50] Adios, old-school sprinkler systems: 2 lawn mowing and lawn watering best practices[18:00] Common-sense ways to help out your air conditioner on hot days[21:00] Thoughts on making your freezer work for you this summer Resources mentioned: Episode #262: No Mow May Sustainable Living Guide (via Consumer Reports) 45 Ways to Save More and Waste Less at Home (via Consumer Reports) RainMachine Tou