The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast

Lithium is so much more than the name of a (very) famous Nirvana song. Lithium is a metal affectionately known as white gold, and it’s having a moment. On today’s show we are examining the environmental implications associated with our growing lithium needs for batteries in electric vehicles, laptops, cell phones, and more. Here’s a preview: [3:00] Everything you need to know about lithium: its benefits, its drawbacks, how it’s extracted [8:45] The white gold race and the political/economic forces... Read More Read MoreThe post The White Gold Rush appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

What’s better than deep and meaningful connections with those we love? Join me today for this third and final episode in our What’s Best In Life Is Free series as we discuss this importance of rich conversations. Research finds that rich talk is the antidote to the stress we experience in our daily lives, and Dr. Rebecca Rolland offers practical ideas for shifting conversations with your children toward what’s meaningful for the long haul. Here’s a preview: [5:45] The many benefits of... Read More Read MoreThe post The Best Things Are Free: Rich Conversations appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

“I’m stuck between trying to spend as little money as possible while also buying sustainable, timeless items from eco-conscious companies (which often inherently cost more). Even though I’m buying fewer items and using my money more intentionally, I don’t find that I’m saving much. What tips do you have for conscious spending, i.e. spending less without sacrificing quality or values?” Ethical items, quality garments and organic food, oh my: Because eco-friendly purchases are often more expensive than their conventional counterparts, eco-minimalism... Read More The post Conscious Spending appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

The origins of spring cleaning date back to times when homes were heated by fires: spring, then, offered an opportunity to sweep out the soot and grime that accumulated throughout the long winter. These days, the tradition of deep cleaning in spring rejuvenates our spaces, increases productivity, and clears out dust and other allergens. On today’s miniature episode we apply the principles of spring cleaning to all important areas of our lives for greater clarity and well-being as we welcome... Read More The post Spring Cleaning For Home, Head and Heart appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

People who get great sleep get sick less often. They also think more clearly and are better able to maintain a healthy weight. Still, approximately 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Today we continue our limited podcast series into how to make the best (free) things in life even better. I have a content-rich conversation with chief mattress maker at My Green Mattress Tim Masters about the fundamental differences between... Read More Read MoreThe post The Best Things Are Free: Sleep appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

The best things in life are free, or so they say. And for moms and dads everywhere, one of the most enjoyable (and free!) aspects of parenting is story time. With this episode the podcast kicks off a new, limited series that dives deeper into the best free things in life. In honor of World Storytelling Day on March 20, I speak with co-founder of Once Upon A PJ Britt Gage about practical ways we can get the most out of... Read More Read MoreThe post The Best Things Are Free: Story Time appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

We all do it: We keep items around “just in case” we need them in the future. And while there’s certainly nothing wrong with holding onto things you’ll definitely use again, there’s a threshold in which just in case clutter gets to be too much and goes too far. Today I speak with Krista Lockwood, host of the Motherhood Simplified podcast. Krista argues that there’s a difference between being adequately prepared versus impractically prepared, and impractical preparedness often comes at... Read MoreThe post Managing Just In Case Clutter appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Want to throw a birthday party for your child that’s light on waste but heavy on fun? Does a present-light party intrigue you but you aren’t sure how to pull it off? Today I’m answering listener Gretchen’s question about how eco-minimalists do kids’ birthday parties. I’m first describing how such celebrations look in my house; I also offer practical alternatives for goody bags, single-use decorations, and more. Here’s a preview: [5:00] 5 reasons why you may want to consider... Read More The post Everything Eco-Minimalist Birthdays appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Despite all the advances in modern medicine and despite all the good advice (ahem … diet and exercise), chronic disease and obesity rates are rising. While there are indeed many reasons, two of them include the reality that products of convenience have engineered out the need for exercise and higher standards of living prevent us from abiding by tried-and-true simple living principles. Today I speak with Dr. Vimal George about the ways in which overconsumption affects our health and happiness.... Read MoreThe post What’s Good For Us Is Also Free appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

“How do you get family members on board with minimalism? I’ve heard from so many of my friends and family about how they would love to embrace minimalism, but their partners don’t want to. It seems to create a lot of animosity in relationships … What are your thoughts?” Living harmoniously with another human being requires constant dialogue and compromise. It’s no surprise, then, that when one person adopts a minimalist lifestyle the maximalist in the relationship feels uneasy.... Read MoreThe post Getting Your Partner On Board appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

If you’ve been listening to this podcast for a while, you’re likely well-versed in the benefits of slow fashion. But where do you find clothes worthy of keeping for the long haul, and what specifically should you be looking for when shopping? On today’s show we are continuing our fight against the fashion industry’s transition to single-use clothing by discussing the nuts and bolts of intentional clothes shopping. Lindsay Christinee, journalist and founder of The Wellness Feed, joins the conversation with... Read MoreThe post How To Find Quality Clothes appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

When it comes to our future, climate scientists paint vastly different projections than politicians. (Think: extreme weather events, toxic air, entire nations under water, and major humanitarian conflicts over food and water.) Politicians paint much rosier pictures: electric vehicles, new industries, and better jobs, all made possible by investments into clean energy. President Joe Biden’s signature bill – the Build Back Better Framework – is a monstrosity of legislation with ambitious emissions goals. And while it passed in the House of... Read MoreThe post What’s In The Build Back Better Bill appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Reducing Home Toxins (Without Spending $$) appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Ugly Fruit, Misshapen Veggies appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Keep The Memories, Lose The Stuff appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read More The post Just Let It Go appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Supporting Your “Skin Story” appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Boundaries And Generational Clutter appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Simplified Family Scheduling appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

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... Read MoreThe post Mommy Malaise appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content