Sustainable Minimalists
Creating eco-minimalist, non-toxic homes (without the extra work). Although minimalism has experienced a rebirth in recent years, the "less is more" movement has been around for centuries. Yet today's minimalist influencers have resurrected minimalism with a decidedly consumerist spin, as modern minimalism is nearly synonymous with decluttering. While there's a lot of chatter about tidying, it's radio silence and crickets when it comes to sustainability. The result? Aspiring minimalists find themselves on an endless hamster wheel of buying, decluttering, buying more, and purging again. Overemphasizing decluttering and underemphasizing the reasons why we overbuy in the first place is thoroughly inconsistent with slow living as a movement; consumption without intention is terrible for the planet, too. Your host, Stephanie Seferian, is a stay-at-home/podcast-from-home mom and author who believes that minimalism, eco-friendliness, and non-toxic living are intrinsically intertwined. She's here to explore the topics of conscious consumerism, sustainability, and environmentally-friendly parenting practices with like-minded women; she's here, too, to show you how to curate eco-friendly, decluttered homes (without the extra work).
Episodes
No Such Thing As Bad Weather
In Scandinavia, daily interaction with nature has helped turn many people into passionate advocates for the environment. But there are forces at play in American society that divide humans from nature. To name just a few? Schools cut recess to make more time for academic instruction, cities boast sprawl over walkability, and our societal reverence for cleanliness prevents many Americans from getting outside and getting a little dirty.
Best-selling author Linda McGurk was born in Sweden and, later, raised her own children in the US. Linda is on the show to highlight the ways in which the two cultures diverge with regard to interacting with and respecting the natural world; she also offers both the encouragement and the how-to to get outside in all weather.
Here's a preview:
[5:00] Nature isn't an essential part of childhood here in America. Why not?
[18:00] Not competitive, not motorized, and 3 other ways adults prioritize the open-air life in Scandinavia
[23:00] No such thing as bad weather? What about extreme, climate change-induced weather events?
[28:00] Revisiting our very-American need to be comfortable at all times
[32:00] American schools are slowly eliminating outdoor recess. Here's how to advocate for more outdoor time at your child's school
Resources mentioned:
There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather: A Scandinavian Mom's Secrets for Raising Healthy, Resilient, and Confident Kids
The Open-Air Life: Discover the Nordic Art of Friluftsliv and Embrace Nature Every Day
Linda on Substack
Children And Nature Network
Buy Now: The Shopping Conspiracy (via Netflix)
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10/12/24•37m 25s
Introducing Smart Money Happy Hour
I hope you'll enjoy Smart Money Happy Hour with Rachel Cruze and George Kamel. We have become regular Thursday listeners and we hope you check it out to see why!
10/12/24•1m 59s
Living Seasonally, Not Commercially
What is the "holiday season", really?
Savvy marketers have inserted gingerbread lattes, blow up lawn decor, and lots of gifts as synonymous with December. But we aren't in some made-up season of buying; instead, we are approaching the Winter Solstice. And when nature is our guide, living seasonally is less about shopping hauls and more about existing in pace with the changing seasons.
In a world where we can buy just about anything, it takes intention to live in alignment with nature. On today's show Bailey Van Tassel offers suggestions for weaving what's outside your front door — not what's in Target! — into your seasonal celebrations.
Here's a preview:
[11:00] Transitioning from commercialized seasonal living to interacting with nature at your feet
[15:00] The ways in which nature's pace complements modern life (if, of course, we allow it)
[19:30] Minimalists, unite! Don't buy more ultra-trendy seasonal stuff; do this instead
[25:00] Slow down your life by making your family traditions crave-able
[33:00] Connections between seasons of a year and seasons of a life
Resources mentioned:
Kitchen Garden Living: Seasonal Growing and Eating from a Beautiful, Bountiful Food Garden
Bailey on Instagram @baileyvantassel
Chatpods: www.chatpods.com/?fr=SustainableMinimalists
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03/12/24•45m 55s
How Many Jeans Do You Own?
Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs.And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion's biggest environmental footprints. On today's show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming this wardrobe staple into a sustainable solution. Here's a preview:[7:00] Stone-washed with actual stones? Dyed with carcinogenic dyes? Uncovering your favorite pair's dirty little enviro-secrets [13:00] Want some stretch? Revisiting our desire for synthetic fibers in our denim [23:00] The trend cycle = smoke and mirrors[27:00] It's a marriage not a fling (and other tried-and-true sustainable fashion tips)[31:00] Stephanie's nihilist thoughts: What happens when collective action matters, and yet the collective isn't doing its part? Resources mentioned:
How To Save The World With A Pair Of Jeans (via YouTube)
Tad More Tailoring
Atomic Habits (by James Clear)
The Comfort Crisis Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self (February's Book Club pick!)
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19/11/24•41m 57s
A Poverty Of Spirit
We Americans may indeed be "rich" in material terms, but we suffer from what Mother Teresa calls a poverty of spirit. As we chased economic growth we closed ourselves off. We abandoned interconnectedness with other people, beings, and things. We also abandoned ourselves. Many of the problems in our world today are visual manifestations of such abandonment. If the world isn't looking the way you want it to look right now, author Jeff Golden argues that solving our (numerous) issues starts by healing our culture-wide poverty of spirit. Here's a preview: [4:00] Money doesn’t make us happy, and the extent to which we strive for stuff is a manifestation of how unhappy we actually are inside [8:00] How we feel about ourselves impacts how we show up in the world. How we treat others! Whether we regard other beings with love and respect! [16:00] Exactly why healing our world (and ourselves!) may indeed start by getting out of our heads [32:00] Debunking heady intellectual conversations about the importance of the economy, plus: a laundry list of the ways we use stuff as stand-ins for well-being [38:00] Tangible ways to "drop into yourself" (because you and others deserve it!) Resources mentioned:
Episode #478: Charting A Rich Life
Reclaiming the Sacred: Healing Our Relationships with Ourselves and the World
Thank you to Wild for sponsoring this week's episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE20 for 20% off. https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=SUSTAINABLE20
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12/11/24•48m 56s
Micro Activism
Many of us shy away from the word 'activist' because the term brings to mind a very specific type of person. But if you're regularly taking action to make the world a better place? Guess what my friend, you're already an activist (yes, really!).What matters is not the size of the action, nor how vigorous the action is. It's all about consistency. On today's re-air author Omkari Williams helps us find the kind of social justice engagement that feels both empowering *and* sustainable.Here's a preview:[4:00] Activism isn't just marching and picketing: Here's what micro activism looks like in the day to day [10:30] Are you a headliner, an organizer, a producer, or an indispensable? How to determine your unique activist archetype[22:00] The status quo isn't working for the vast majority of us. So where's the passion for change?[30:00] How to know whether your efforts constitute shallow work or deep work Resources mentioned:
Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn
Take Omkari's Activist Archetype Quiz
Seafoodwatch.org consumer guides
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08/11/24•33m 22s
How To Be An Anti-Capitalist
Capitalism has transformed the world, sure. But at what cost? (Immense environmental ones, of course.)Americans, it's high-time we accept that the Golden Age of capitalism is long gone. On today's show: A frank discussion with sustainable finance visionary Kara Perez about insulating ourselves from late-stage capitalism's most damaging effects with individual and collective action. Here's a preview:[6:00] Money is a tool for change, and yet it's literally something we made up[11:00] Can we be nickled and dimed even more than we already are? (Spoiler alert: Yes.)[14:00] A few of the ways in which shareholder capitalism limits society's ability to progress[22:00] Tangible ways you and I can "change the flow of money" Resources mentioned:
Episode #395: Lifestyle Creep (with Kara Perez)
Green Money: How to Reduce Waste, Build Wealth, and Create a Better Future for All
How to Be an Anticapitalist in the Twenty-First Century (by Erik Olin Wright)
Thank you to Wild for sponsoring this week's episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE20 for 20% off. https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=SUSTAINABLE20
Thank you also to Better Help for sponsoring this week's episode! Head to betterhelp.com/minimal for 10% off your first month.
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! **If you're a financial supporter over on Apple Podcasts and want to join Book Club, please email me and let me know! For privacy reasons, Apple won't share your contact info with me. Just email me and I'll happily add you!**
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05/11/24•38m 2s
The Distorted Mirror
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:
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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01/11/24•31m 52s
A Life Of Purpose
Our culture is marked by both comparison and overconsumption, and we are constantly urged to hustle for something bigger, better, or more expensive because (supposedly) happiness lies within the next purchase or achievement. But what if the key to living a more satisfied life is to simply slow down and listen to your intuition?On today's show: A conversation with best-selling author Stephanie O'Dea about breaking free from hustle culture for increased fulfillment, reduced stress, and a stronger sense of purpose. Here's a preview:[8:00] Doing things out of guilt, obligation, or acceptance versus Simply Looking Only Within (SLOW!)[12:00] It's a lot easier to sell to people who are unhappy. Enter our preponderance for fast living[20:00] Is conventional 'success' possible when we are living slow?[25:00] What to do when you can't hear the voice within because daily life is too fast and too noisy[27:00] The more social media scrolling, the more disenchantment. And yet we are creatures of comparison ... Resources mentioned:
Thank you to Wild for sponsoring this week's episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE20 for 20% off. https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=SUSTAINABLE20
Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World
The Slow Living Podcast
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29/10/24•32m 34s
Reclaiming Movement Opportunities
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
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25/10/24•29m 19s
Water Smarts
Water is a finite resource. Freshwater shortages are increasingly striking regions around the globe and, as demand for water rises while supply continues to drop, the price of water will likely skyrocket.It’s more important than ever to be smart about water. On today's show horticulturist Noelle Johnson offers easy ways to save water and have a beautiful yard — even amongst challenging climatic conditions. Here's a preview:[5:00] Globally, less rain is falling. And simultaneously the planet is desertifying. What are the consequences?[11:00] Exactly why rainwater is better for our plants than water from the hose, plus: 3 ways to effectively capture rainwater[15:00] Did you know you can repurpose gray water in your yard? (I sure didn't!)[26:00] Musings on lawns[32:00] 7 ways to use less water in your vegetable garden (hint: raised beds require more water!) Resources mentioned:
Thank you to Wild for sponsoring this week's episode! Use code SUSTAINABLE20 at checkout for 20% off. https://www.wearewild.com/us/?discount=SUSTAINABLE20
Episode #137: The Global Water Crisis
Episode #500: Rebuilding Your Village
The Water-Smart Garden: Techniques and Strategies for Conserving, Capturing, and Efficiently Using Water in Today's Climate... and Tomorrow's
Noelle on Instagram
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22/10/24•42m 39s
Future-Conscious Thinking
Many people — and many societies, for that matter — rely on short-sighted quick wins as their Number One go-tos 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 will both reclaim meaning in our lives 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 the 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 understanding of transgenerational empathy encourages us to act on behalf of future generations[17:00] What doubling down on sandbag strategies means for fulfilling our collective moral obligations[20:00] 3 ways to start practicing longpath thinking and acting right now Resource mentioned:Longpath: Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs
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18/10/24•28m 16s
Stuff You Should Know
These days, dry cleaners press shirts, industrialized farms grow monocrops, and factories churn out single-use varieties of (nearly) everything. And when a possession looks a little worn or a little torn? Many Americans trash it and buy new without a second thought.Life can be simpler, more affordable, and downright sweeter when you do things yourself and maintain what you already own. On today's show: Calling on the timeless wisdom of our great grandparents to re-learn specific, self-sufficient skills for the long haul. Here's a preview of the skills we are re-learning today:[5:30] How to season your cast iron skillet[9:30] How to buy local food every week[21:00] How to best care for your leather footwear Resources mentioned:
Episode #468: Cooking With Cast Iron
Episode #494: Streamlining Non-Negotiables
localharvest.org
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17/10/24•26m 54s
How To Host A Clothing Swap
Clothing swaps (or toy swaps, or book swaps, or home goods swaps) are a low-stakes way to declutter your closet and acquire new-to-you clothes. These events also happen to be the epitome of communal care and can fundamentally change how others view secondhand items.Share resources with your neighbors, reduce waste, and get socializing without exchanging money! On today's show 4-time clothing swap host Jess Schroeder divulges her pro secrets to hosting a successful event. Here's a preview: [8:00] The price of clothes has dropped dramatically in the last 30 years. Are clothing swaps pointless amidst our cultural reverence for cheap goods?[13:30] What is it about a swap that's so darn fun?[19:00] Your questions answered: Exactly how to host a killer clothing swap[24:00] How to be size inclusive and other pro tips for hosts and guests alike Resources mentioned:
Sophie Strauss on Instagram
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15/10/24•33m 33s
The C Word (Cancer!)
Since the dawn of the chemical era more than 300,000 chemicals have been invented, and many are made from oil and natural gas. While some manufactured chemicals have indeed provided benefit (Disinfectants! Antibiotics!), they have also caused great harm. Manufactured chemicals pollute every corner of the planet. They kill bees, fish, and mammals. They nearly destroyed the ozone and, yes, they give us cancer.Many types of cancer are on the rise in the US, and one explanation for this increase lies in our world of chemicals. On today's show environmental investigative reporter Kristina Marusic identifies the harmful environmental exposures linked to cancer; she also provides a step-by-step roadmap for reducing your cancer risk.Here's a preview: [2:00] Breaking down exactly what's happening with cancer rates around the world and why[12:00] The 3 Ps: 3 categories of pollutants that have clear links to childhood cancer[20:00] Pay special attention to these preventable environmental exposures if you have children[24:00] Revisiting the personal care product conundrum [28:00] The harmful environmental exposures you should zero in on at your child's daycare or school [36:00] In defense of being a loudmouth: You've been given a voice; here's how to best use it Resources mentioned:
A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention
Sample letters to send to your child's school and school board (via Non-Toxic Communities)
The Cancer Free Economy Network
The EWG's Healthy Living App
Silent Spring Institute
The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice
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11/10/24•43m 2s
Selective Mediocrity
Our To-Do lists are never-ending, sure. But it's neither realistic nor fair to assume we can excel in every arena. Enter selective mediocrity, a.k.a. that conscious choice to let some stuff go. We simply can't do it all, and selective mediocrity enables us to give our whole selves to the tasks and goals that really matter. On today's show: A conversation with Dr. Whitney Casares about *actually* lowering our expectations (not just pretending we lowered them!) and preserving our precious time and energy. Here's a preview:[3:30] Feel like you're doing it all? Here are the 9 areas that take up the majority of a woman's time and energy[9:30] We moms aren't broken. The system is broken![21:00] How do you decide when and where to be 'selectively mediocre'?[24:00] Anxiety loves perfection because anxiety loves control. Musings on being OK with letting some things go[28:00] Women have been conditioned to put others' needs ahead of their own. Time to enact self-boundaries! Resources mentioned:Doing It All: Stop Over-Functioning and Become the Mom and Person You're Meant to Be
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10/10/24•37m 4s
Rebuilding Your Village
A recent study finds Americans are spending notably more time at home, and it's not wholly the pandemic's fault. Thank technology: For the last 20 years Americans have slowly traded their social institutions — like churches and clubs — for isolation.Have we forgotten how to be social creatures? On today's show: A conversation with journalist Rosie Spinks about concrete ways to rebuild your proverbial village. Here's a preview:[4:00] Counting the ways in which the pandemic hastened a cultural shift toward isolation already in progress[9:00] You don't need friends; you need 50 people[16:00] Be the person who asks twice![24:00] The quiet genius of enacting place-based rituals[31:00] Reminder! Canceling is not a form of self-care[35:00] Are your social efforts rarely reciprocated? Enact this 3-second mindset shift Resources mentioned:
What Do We Do Now That We're Here (via Substack)
Kurt Vonnegut's commencement speech
Episode #498: Removing The Mask
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08/10/24•40m 40s
Edit Your Life
Life is noisier, messier, and more complicated than ever. In our quest to keep up, we can try to do it all—with mixed results.Instead of life passively happening TO us, we each have the power to create the life we want to live. On today's show: A conversation with author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta about figuring out what matters most and hitting delete on what doesn’t. Here's a preview:[7:00] Before we edit, we must first examine: 3 questions to regularly ask when seeking a life of intention[9:30] The paradox of choice, plus: Why many of us rarely go after our first choice[16:00] Words of encouragement for listeners who examine their life and don't like what they see[21:00] Using your unique "core competencies" as organizing principles when editing your life[27:00] Editing for generosity: How to edit your narrative to benefit the collective[33:00] Elisabeth and Stephanie's thoughts on enjoying life despite the world's messiness Resources mentioned:
Edit Your Life: A Handbook For Living With Intention In A Messy World
The Mother-Daughter Puzzle by Rosjke Hasseldine
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04/10/24•39m 24s
The Antidote To Hedonic Adaptation
The US hails consumption as a patriotic duty. But refraining from buying isn't a punishment, and practicing a bit of self-control both resets our hedonistic baseline and re-centers our behaviors around moderation. It's paradoxical but true: Imposing temporary limits ultimately sets you free. On today's show author John Oakes discusses the numerous benefits associated with fasting from food, from spending, and everything in between. Here's a preview:[9:00] What do ancient philosophers have to say about self-control, holding back, and managing desires?[13:00] Musings on why it's important to put limits on ourselves even though our economy thrives when we consume without limits[25:00] We can do hard things! The personal benefits associated with embarking on a challenge and accomplishing it[29:00] Is overconsumption contributing to our nationwide 'modern malaise'? Resources mentioned:
The Fast: The History, Science, Philosophy, and Promise of Doing Without
Episode #049: The Why, How, and When of a No-Spend Challenge
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self
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01/10/24•34m 10s
The Commercialization Of Kids
Big tech trains kids to become consumers from … well, birth.Child-targeted marketing is cringe-worthy at best and unethical at worst. It also undermines children’s healthy development because it robs them of opportunities to play, imagine, and learn freely without manipulation.Today I speak with Dr. Susan Linn about the ways in which technology exploits children (and what we can do about it at home).(The podcast is approaching its 500th episode and in celebration I'm re-airing my Top 5 favorite episodes of all time. Here's #5.)Here’s a preview:[3:30] Brand loyalty? How media corporations exploit our children for profit[6:30] Societal implications associated with perpetually up-selling to kids[11:30] The ways in which big tech manipulates children into bonding with their devices[17:00] A good, hard look: Addressing our collective preoccupation with technology[28:00] Thoughts on breaking an older child’s screen addictionResources mentioned:
Episode #337: Minimalist Screen Time and Slow TV
Who’s Raising the Kids? Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children
Fair play
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27/09/24•34m 12s
Removing The Mask
The Japanese argue that we each have three faces. The first is your idealized, near-perfect version; it's also the mask you present to the world. You reveal your second face selectively to very close friends and family, and you keep your third face — your true self — hidden from everyone (including, perhaps, yourself).Our first mask conveys self-assuredness. Of being happy, put together, and in charge. But beneath our masks, we are messy creatures. We may even be living in deep emotional pain. On today's show: A conversation with author Jarod K. Anderson about removing our masks, being vulnerable, and boldly accepting our authentic, messy selves. * A note from Stephanie: The future of this show is uncertain, and it needs hundreds (hundreds!) more supporters to stay afloat. If you find yourself thinking about the world differently after listening, please consider supporting the show with $5 per month or $45 per year. Thank you for doing your part to keep Sustainable Minimalists in existence! https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com Here's a preview:[6:00] Shoulds, musts, and our cultural love of billable productivity[10:00] Jarod's thoughts on why we tend to turn to external validation and societally-approved markers to enhance self-esteem[13:00] The toxic myth that is 'rugged individualism'[18:00] Exactly why vulnerability is terrifying but essential [25:00] How to view the natural world as a medicinal anchor that accepts us just as we are Resources mentioned:
Something in the Woods Loves You
Jarod on Instagram
Resources mentioned:
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26/09/24•39m 51s
A Mindful Wardrobe Refresh
Want to be "up to date" with your wardrobe choices? Fashion forwardness understands that the textile industry is incredibly polluting; having your finger on the fashion pulse, then, is about consciously choosing not to participate in trends.And yet we somehow must dress ourselves. While fast fashion is quite literally made to fall apart, wearing what we wore decades ago isn't a good look. So what on earth is a sustainable minimalist to do?On today's show: How to mindfully refresh your wardrobe with tips straight from experts. * A note from Stephanie: The future of this show is uncertain, and it needs hundreds (hundreds!) more supporters to stay afloat. If you find yourself thinking about the world differently after listening, please consider supporting the show with $5 per month or $45 per year. Thank you for doing your part to keep Sustainable Minimalists in existence! https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com Here's a preview of the expert-backed techniques we are discussing today:[8:30] All Killer, No Filler! Stop settling for garments that are "good enough"[17:00] Adapt, Don't Abandon: How to pair an outdated item with something that's on trend[24:00] Refine your style with The 3-Word Method[26:00] Raise the dead! (A.K.A. bring back to life high-quality, foundational pieces)[31:00] When all else fails, consider a uniform Resources mentioned:
Episode #217: Organized Entryway Ideas (with Shira Gill)
Episode #397: What Organizers Do
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24/09/24•29m 18s
Ripple Effects
More free time and less stress. Extra money in the bank. While minimalists often report such benefits of the lifestyle over and over, for many of us, it goes deeper. Indeed, a minimalist lifestyle may fundamentally change the way we interact with the world.As this podcast approaches its 500th episode I find myself curious about the ways in which adopting a minimalist or minimal-ish outlook has altered the ways in which we as community act and think.On today's show: A conversation with minimalist Elaina Jindra about just some of the ways her life is different these days. Here's a preview of the minimalism-inspired habit changes we are discussing today:[8:00] Watching less television and turning away from mass media[14:00] Buying in bulk, no more[19:00] Storing it at the store? Sure. Plus: Storing it at Goodwill![22:00] Eating healthier and drinking less alcohol[25:00] Stepping into the role of 'creator' while losing the identity of 'consumer' Resources mentioned:
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Hobby Hour (via Substack)
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19/09/24•31m 14s
Phthalates And Kids Products
Just because a product is marketed to babies or kids doesn't mean it's safe, and new research published just last week has alarming things to say about the presence of phthalates in personal care products for children. While minimalists know that excess stuff harms our emotional well-being and mental loads, *sustainable* minimalists understand that products can harm our physical health. On today's show: Applying the tenets of sustainable minimalism to the hair and skin products our children use each day. Here's a preview:[7:00] If phthalates make plastics flexible and bendy, what on earth are they doing in personal care products?[10:00] Don't see the term 'phthalate' on a product's ingredients list? That doesn't mean it's phthalate-free![13:00] Are phthalates the reason why our daughters are getting their periods younger and younger?[19:00] No 10-step skincare regimen to see here: Here's a 5-step cleanup regimen for your household[25:00] Musings on the tween and teen skincare beauty craze Resources mentioned:
Impact of Skin Care Products on Phthalates and Phthalate Replacements in Children: the ECHO-FGS
Ultra-Processed Foods And Cardiovascular Disease: Analysis Of Three Large US Prospective Cohorts And A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis Of Prospective Cohort Studies
Episode #425: The Obesogens
Yuka App
Products mentioned on today's show:
Giovanni Eco Chic Golden Wheat Deep Cleanse Shampoo
Attitude Baby Leaves Hair And Body Wash
Attitude Super Leaves Conditioner
Kinship SPF 32 Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide
David's Toothpaste
Giovanni L.A. Hold Hair Spritz
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17/09/24•29m 25s
Streamlining Non-Negotiables
Meal planning and prepping, laundry, and taking out the trash: These non-negotiable household tasks are never truly "done". And because it's impossible to get ahead of these mundane chores, they are likely the reason you feel like you’re always busy but never accomplish anything.The bad news? Non-negotiables are a part of adulting. The good news? Streamlining such chores with a reduces the time and mental load associated with getting them done. On today's show: How to streamline meal planning *for the rest of your life* in under an hour. Here's a preview: [6:30] Breaking down exactly how much extra you're paying for meal kits[12:00] How to create a 28-day meal plan so you never have to meal plan again[16:00] Take it a step further with one-and-done and done grocery lists Resource mentioned:
Episode #270: Desperation Dinners
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12/09/24•21m 27s
Sleep Is Medicine
American culture is heavily influenced by a “rise and grind” reverence for hustling, and many of us have adopted the belief that sleep is a waste of time. When we dismiss the importance of sleep, we have more time to work harder and longer. And when we have more money in our pockets, what we are really doing is keeping our capitalist engines turning.Contrary to what you've been told, sleep is not time wasted. On today's show: The Number One way to improve your health, wellness, and quality of life without spending any money at all (ahem ... prioritizing sleep). Here's a preview:[3:00] Rise and grind culture promotes sleep deprivation![9:00] What happens when we sleep? Hop on a metaphorical submarine and explore the Sleep Sea [15:00] A laundry list of bad sleep's deleterious health and wellness effects[21:00] In your 40s or 50s? You especially need to prioritize sleep, and here's why[29:00] 6 research-backed ways to prioritize sleep every darn night Resources mentioned:
Episode #472: Breath Awareness
Episode #465: Optimizing Your Walks
Outlive: The Science And Art Of Longevity (by Dr. Peter Attia)
Why We Sleep: Unlocking The Power Of Sleep And Dreams (by Dr. Matthew Walker)
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
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05/09/24•38m 38s
Roots
We humans are evolutionarily primed to live in concert with the natural world, but these days Americans spend over 92% of time either indoors or inside a vehicle. The result? Stress, inflammation and — for some of us — a pervasive sense of malaise. American culture is designed to keep us indoors because capitalist engines make money when we are distracted, and yet cutting-edge science supports the reality that life on this planet is radically interconnected. On today's show author Lyanda Lynn Haupt introduces the concept of rooted living to benefit of both humans and nature. Here's a preview:[11:00] Nature provides connection, and yet 21st century life vilifies the outdoors[16:00] Exactly why our capitalist engines benefit when we live indoors lives [22:00] Musings on our collected extractive mindset, plus: how roots are the antidote[28:00] Lyanda's Number One tip for re-rooting yourself and your children (It's a good one!) Resources mentioned:
Rooted: Life At The Crossroads Of Science, Nature, and Spirit
Lyanda on Instagram
Episode #384: Forest Bathing 101
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03/09/24•35m 43s
What Advertisers Know
A product needs to fit into someone’s life seamlessly in order for it to be bought, and it’s the job of the advertiser to show exactly how the item in question will fit into a life. On today's show: 5 crucial insights advertisers know about us (that we perhaps don't know about ourselves). Here's a preview:[1:00] Examining our clutter problem through metaphor (bathtub, baby!)[9:00] Selling isn't about emotion; it's about seduction[13:00] We humans are animals, and animals are evolutionarily primed to heed warnings[15:00] Curiosity versus urgency: Both emotional states convert![21:00] How companies slowly but surely increase market share, plus: here's what happens when a product differentiates itself on eco-friendliness[26:00] Insider advertising works! Resources mentioned:The Hidden Clutter Creator Right Under Your Nose (via Your House Machine on Substack)
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29/08/24•30m 31s
If Trees Could Talk
One football field's-worth of forest is lost every single second of every single day. Loss of forests means loss of species and loss of stored carbon; it also means an increased risk of pandemics.On today's show: Explaining the ways in which deforestation is linked to the pandemic prevalence, with tangible action steps for conscious consumers.Here's a preview:[5:00] It's not *just* about timber; it's about livestock, soy, and palm oil too[12:30] Exactly what happens when we raze forests and the generalists (ahem ... the rats, the mosquitos) march in[26:00] Breaking down the differences between the 3 Forest Stewardship Council certifications[29:00] Revisiting the palm oil problem [32:00] The industrialized food system is broken, and it pays to shorten your personal food chain Resources mentioned:
Episode #447: No Topsoils, No Food
Episode #187: Why Is Palm Oil Bad?
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27/08/24•39m 43s
Extracurriculars Are Extra
Parenthood is awash with immense pressure to do right by our kids. We are told that children need certain (expensive) experiences to 'get ahead', and many of us observe our parenting peers investing in countless extracurriculars. But children need downtime, and recent research suggests that children should experience twice as much unstructured time as structured enrichment.On today's show podcaster Kathryn Garland and I discuss how to find the structured, extracurricular sweet spot for your family. Here's a preview:[4:30] Scheduling rule #1: Family First (not Kid First!)[15:00] When dabblers don't fit into a world of specializers[22:00] Musings on extracurriculars, the 'rat race' and getting ahead[26:00] Start with the end in mind (and other tips for finding the extracurriculars sweet spot)[31:00] Words of encouragement for leaning into the quiet and into the slow Resources mentioned:
Don't Sign Your Child Up For That (Extra)Curricular
Episode #478: Charting A Rich Life
Homespun: Create The Life You Crave Podcast
Kathryn on Instagram
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20/08/24•36m 0s
Back To School Shopping
‘Tis the season for back-to-school door busters, price slashes, and closeouts. On today’s re-air: How to reduce clutter, save money, and help the planet by shopping for back-to-school with greater intention. Here's a preview:[6:00] Let’s pull back the curtain on back-to-school marketing, shall we?[11:00] Here’s what it actually means (and what it actually looks like!) to shop your own home[18:30] Revisiting the kids’ capsule conversation[26:00] Thoughts on teacher wishlists (from a former teacher) Resources mentioned:
Episode #391: Predictors Of Back To School Success
Episode #006: The Ultimate Kids' Capsule Blueprint
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15/08/24•38m 39s
Feeding Littles Lunches
Welcome to Back To School Week 2024!In many homes, back to school season means back to packing lunchboxes. It's a stress-inducing chore, sure, as many parents find it difficult to think up new, creative lunch ideas that are actually healthy (and will actually get eaten!).On today's show registered dietician nutritionist Megan McNamee offers up her tried and true lunchbox formula; she also suggests simple lunch ideas that will make prepping lunches a breeze.Stay tuned for Thursday's Back To School episode about acquiring school supplies, clothes, and gear like a sustainable minimalist. Here's a preview:[4:00] Is there anything "wrong" with school lunches?[8:00] Pack when your kitchen is open! (And other practical ways to make lunchbox packing easier)[13:00] Add balance and variety by following Megan's Lunch Formula[20:00] Lunchbox ideas you've never heard of before[26:00] Must lunchboxes have a dessert?[33:00] How to best use after school snack time as a sneaky way to supplement your child's diet Resources mentioned:
Feeding Littles Lunches: 75+ No-Stress Lunches Everyone Will Love
Episode #391: Predictors Of Back To School Success
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13/08/24•38m 35s
Big Cleaning
Scientists have found unsettling details about the potential health risks of common household cleaning products. And yet Big Cleaning capitalizes on fear of germs, bacteria, and disease to sell us home cleansers with traditional chemical compounds on the regular.It behooves us to ask ourselves whether the ways things have always been done align with our own values. On today's show Zac Kieffer argues it's high-time we redefine what it means to clean. Here's a preview:[3:00] Three reasons why it's important to perpetually question the way we clean and disinfect[8:00] Are you disinfecting correctly? (Answer: Probably not.)[16:00] Ammonia! 2-Butoxyethanol! BACs! Here's what cleaning companies don't want you to know about the (very powerful) chemical compounds in traditional cleansers[21:00] Big Cleaning and fear-based marketing[28:00] Does microfiber = microplastics? Resources mentioned:
Episode #417: How To Buy Soap
E-Cloth (Minimalists15 for 15% off site-wide)
Cleaning Products Emit Hundreds of Hazardous Chemicals, New Study Finds (via EWG)
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08/08/24•40m 58s
Decluttering For Self-Care
If you're like me, you're likely dealing with constant, low-grade clutter situations, and that's because once a purchase is made, the item is ours to maintain, manage, and store. Sadly, consumerism never talks about the negative wellness effects of buying (I'm looking at you, cortisol!).If clutter keeps piling up despite your best efforts, my guest today argues that it's time to dig deeper. Not deeper into the piles, of course. Deeper into yourSELF.On today's show professional organizer Jenny Albertini argues that decluttering is an act of self-care; it can also become a habit that enhances wellness. Put this episode on while you tackle an oft-forgotten space in your home and get to work! Here's a preview:[4:00] Why do we clutter?[5:30] Breaking down the bidirectional exchange between clutter and wellness[12:00] Our personal thresholds for clutter tolerance ebb and flow throughout life (and that's totally normal)[24:00] Tangible ways to stop the many clutter streams coming into our homes[27:00] Thoughts on right-sizing other people's gifts and hand-me-downs with our own space confines[31:30] The quiet genius of the "Someday Maybe" technique Resources mentioned:
Decluttered: Mindful Organizing for Health, Home, and Beyond
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06/08/24•37m 33s
Glimmers
In our hyper-capitalist society, it's often implied that the only things worth savoring are the really fancy, really shiny, really new, and really exotic. Let's push back against that narrative by finding the glimmers, also known as those simple moments of pleasure that pop up during our days.We minimalists already know that it's in the small things that beauty lies. On today's show: Research-backed ways to spot life's glimmers and reap the most joy possible from every instance. Here's a preview:[8:00] Glimmers are all around us all the time. Are you paying attention?[16:00] Savoring offers many wellness benefits. One of them? It's an active way to fight back against our innate negativity bias[26:00] Introducing savoring's evil cousin, dampening (plus: how to stop it right this second)[32:00] Add in some effort! Determine a glimmer in your life and get optimizing[37:00] Downtime is a necessary part of life (it's also a time when we are most available to catch the glimmers)[42:00] Say it loud and say it proud! Verbalize the simple pleasures as a means of extending and expanding the pleasure Resources mentioned:
Episode #439: The Negativity Bias
Aro
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01/08/24•46m 3s
Climate Solutions
We talk an awful lot about "climate science" and "what climate scientists predict" on this podcast. Today, I'm talking to one of them. What exactly are the next 100 years likely going to look like for humans? What needs to happen for the US to mobilize for real? On today's show: A conversation with Michael Barnard about climate solutions, with an emphasis on that pesky air conditioning problem. Here's a preview:[9:00] When it comes to cooling the planet, here's why my guest is "cautiously optimistic" despite the impending "ugly process"[14:00] Why climate change must first become impossible to ignore[20:00] The hotter it gets, the cooler we need our homes to be. And yet cooling our homes demands energy, which heats the planet more[27:00] Do we need to worry about mass electric grid failures in summer months?[32:00] Exactly why heat pumps are our collective heating and cooling future Resources mentioned:
The New Climate War: The Fight To Take Back Our Planet (by Michael E. Mann)
Proven Climate Solutions: Leading Voices on How to Accelerate Change
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30/07/24•41m 58s
How To Stop Eating Microplastics
When it comes to environmental concerns, there's certainly plenty to worry about at the moment. Whether you and your family is eating microplastics on the regular may not be your list of top concerns.But it’s an important topic to cover. While the health effects of microplastics on humans are not fully understood, common sense measures that reduce our exposures to both the plastic itself and also the endocrine-disrupting chemicals that are on and in such particles are certainly prudent. On today's show: How to eat, drink, and inhale fewer microplastics as you go about your days. Here's a preview:[6:00] Synthesizing the latest research into the effects of microplastics on human health[11:00] Stop eating microplastics! 3 practical action steps in the kitchen[27:00] Inhalation and absorption matters: Why vacuuming and dusting helps[35:00] 3 (super easy) ways to reduce your plastics exposure when you're out and about Resources mentioned:
Episode #393: Single-Use Poison
Episode #466: Toxic Fashion
E-Cloth
Numi Tea
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25/07/24•42m 36s
Values-Driven Spending
In 1901, American families spent 20% of their income on non-necessities. But 123 years later? These days that figure has risen to 50%. Many of us spend hard-earned money in hopes of acquiring things that money can't buy, and the result? Nearly 3 and 4 of Americans identify finances as a top stressor in their lives.Marketers have created consumer desire, sure, but it's entirely possible to spend in alignment with your values. In a world of disposable incomes, global warming, and far too much cortisol, we need values-based spending now more than ever, because spending on your core values benefits your wallet, your sanity, and the planet all at once.On today's show author Jill Sirianni encourages us to drill down our core values so we spend less, save more, and recenter our lives around what's actually important. Here's a preview:[8:30] The Number One reason not to buy to solve your problems (It rarely works!)[15:00] Faith, Family, Friends, and Fulfilling work: Identifying core values and the Four Fs[18:00] It's not deprivation, but it could be sacrifice ... How does self-care fit into the values-based spending conversation?[26:00] Nailing down your values and curb impulse spending for good Resources mentioned:
Buy What You Love Without Going Broke
Frugal Friends Podcast
Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use my code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide at: https://us.e-cloth.com/
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23/07/24•45m 53s
Create More, Consume Less
Once upon a time (oh, about 175 years ago) we were epic creators. Human hands made things, grew things, built things, and even invented things on the regular. But these days? By and large, we identify as consumers, and our hands are mostly used for typing and swiping.And yet, when we consume too much, many of us experience stress, anxiety, and depression. We know it because we're living it: Our possessions can possess us. If we create more, we may very likely consume less. On today's show: Moving the needle of contentment away from over-consumption back to self-sufficiency by highlighting what research has to say about the wellness benefits associated with using our hands to create. Here's a preview:[4:30] Exactly when and how did we lost our collective abilities to create (Here's lookin' at you, mail-order catalog)[9:30] Our hands are marvels. Marvels, I say![15:00] Crafting is good for you, so pick up those knitting needles, woodworking tools, or art supplies[20:00] In defense of active leisure (and I do mean active!)[24:00] Puzzles, board games, and the wellness benefits associated with "supercharged socializing" Resources mentioned:
Book Club is August 5! 2 meetings this time around at 12pm EST and at 7pm EST. Join us!
Working With Your Hands Is Good for Your Brain (via The New York Times)
Handmade (by Gary Rogowski)
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18/07/24•33m 15s
Preserving With A Purpose
Tomatoes, green beans, peaches, and so much more: Our great-grandmas knew a thing or two about food preservation, and yet these days few of us can. It's a time- and labor-intensive practice, sure. But it's also a self-sufficient life skill. Whether you grow some or all of your own food or seek out bargains at the store and farmers' market, canning the season's bounty means you'll be eating well all year round. You'll also be participating in a nearly waste-free practice (no plastic to see here!). Back to our great-grandmas for a hot minute: They infused love in every jar, and so can you. On today's show author Sarah Thrush invites us to go back to food preservation basics with advice on how to integrate canning into a self-sufficient, money-saving, and sustainable lifestyle. Here's a preview:[10:00] Say it loud, say it proud: There's no self-sufficiency without community![15:00] The #1 Rule of canning, plus: why it's super important to start small[19:0o] The One Week, One Month, One Year principle: Here's exactly how Sarah keeps enough food on hand to feed her family for an entire year[25:00] Troubleshooting the most common canning conundrums[33:00] Take it outside and make it a party! The benefits to canning outside with your familyThanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/Resources mentioned:
Preserving With A Purpose: Next Generations Canning Recipes and Wisdom
Sarah on TikTok @peeliesandpetals
Superb canning lids
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16/07/24•38m 36s
Surviving Late Stage Capitalism
Does it sometimes feel as though the passive act of being alive is too expensive and too difficult? You're not alone: Many scholars argue that late stage capitalism is what happens when everything (literally everything!) is commodified. Existing feels unnecessarily hard, too.There IS good news: Surviving (and perhaps even thriving!) in a late stage capitalist society is possible. On today's show Laura Oldanie shows us exactly how to sur-thrive, with 6 actionable steps. Here's a preview of the strategies we're discussing today:[15:00] Pay attention to when and how you're influenced[17:00] Think of yourself less as a consumer and more as producer[21:00] Use your attention capital wisely[27:00] Embrace different forms of currency (free time, perhaps?)[35:00] Reduce unnecessary consumption and get off that capitalist hamster wheel, for good Resources mentioned:
Join us for Book Club! We are super fun, I promise!
Digital Minimalism (by Cal Newport)
https://timebanks.org
Episode #211 Redefining Wealth (with Shannon Hayes)
Capitalism Survival Guide E-Book
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! **If you're a financial supporter over on Apple Podcasts and want to join Book Club, please email me and let me know! For privacy reasons, Apple won't share your contact info with me. Just email me and I'll happily add you!**
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11/07/24•40m 49s
Charting A Rich Life
Despite our massive financial and material gains, happiness in the US has been in a consistent state of decline since at least the 1940s.The research is clear: Materialism is toxic to human happiness. On today's show author Jeff Golden suggests practical ways to nourish in our lives the things that can help us live well (while simultaneously avoiding the hooks of money and stuff). Here's a preview:[5:30] We live amidst unimaginable wealth, yet we are unhappier than ever before. Here's why[10:00] Materialism is toxic to happiness, and not for the reasons you think[16:00] Exactly why you should choose your neighborhood wisely[22:00] Want to be happier? Don't put your effort into amassing stuff; put it here instead[30:00] Are we overly concerned about owning stuff so that we don't have to face our internal lacks?
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09/07/24•45m 7s
Home Overwhelm
For so many of us, day in and day out home maintenance feels like a gigantic weight on our shoulders. And because conventional gender roles pervade, matters of the home often continue to be one (wo)man's burden.Decluttering, tidying, organizing, and cleaning, oh my! On today's show: A conversation with professional organizer Sona Avetisyan about getting our partners and our children to pitch in. Here's a preview:[5:00] What is it about clutter that's so triggering for women?[10:00] Status quo fallback prevention 101[13:00] Sick of nagging? Here's what works when I need my kids to help the heck out[18:00] Let's talk partners! Musings on what to do when your partner can't/won't pitch in[28:00] In defense of bringing playfulness back into our closest relationships (It's not that deep!)
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27/06/24•32m 37s
There's Nothing Wrong With You
When we buy something, it's not necessarily about the *thing*. Oftentimes we are buying into a story about ourselves; namely, what we simply must fix as we seek to get one step closer to our aspirational, in-a-perfect-world self.Important truth time: You are not a perpetual self-improvement project, and no product can fix what was never broken in the first place. On today's show: A conversation with author Cait Flanders about why she broke up with self-help content and flaws-first marketing messages (and why, too, she never looked back). Here's a preview:[5:00] Buying stuff to escape your feelings? (Me too.)[10:00] The "there's something wrong with you" messaging starts in childhood, my friends[13:00] Where's the line between prioritizing self-growth versus living in that perpetually sad place of 'less than'?[20:00] Here's how your life may change if you stopped spending $$ on products to fix what you've been told is broken[26:00] Musings on letting go of our aspirational selves once and for all Resources mentioned:
The Year Of Less
The Mindful Consumer on Substack
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide To Reclaiming Yourself (by Nedra Glover Tawwab)
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25/06/24•35m 29s
The Great Outdoors
Americans spend about 21 hours per day inside. On the whole, we are also more depressed and anxious than ever before.Many of us have been trained to seek out commodified services to unwind (I'm looking at you, #selfcare!). But what if a potential solution cost zero dollars and offered zero risk?On today's show: An invitation to welcome nature back into your life, with 5.5 novel suggestions that are backed by science. Here's a preview:[9:00] Walk barefoot! (Around your yard, at least)[14:00] Don't knock it 'til you've tried it, camping edition[20:00] We don't have to optimize every second. Here's how to wander like a boss in a wild space[26:00] Get your hands dirty[34:00] 2 hours per week outdoors offers a laundry list of benefits, so move your favorite activities outsideResources mentioned:
Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (by Lyanda Lynn Haupt)
Why Gardening Is So Good for You (via The New York Times)
Episode #465: Optimizing Your Walks (with Annabel Abbs)
Cornell Lab bird app
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13/06/24•41m 28s
Hyper-Capitalism
Hyper-capitalism — also called late-stage capitalism — is what happens when material resources, lifestyle activities, and everything in between becomes both commodified and consumable. In hyper-capitalistic economies, products get invented that no one needs or wants. Celebrities are revered like gods. Inequity is everywhere, and citizens internalize the idea that their worth is measured by some mysterious combination of career success and amassed material goods.Many argue that the United States has entered its hyper-capitalist era, as Americans report that the relentless demands of trying to keep up results in working longer hours, increasing loneliness, and lowered life satisfaction.On today's show: A conversation with New York Times bestselling author Kirsten Powers about the ways in which Americans are experiencing the effects of hyper-capitalism in real time. Here's a preview:[5:00] A laundry list of hyper-capitalism's consequences in 2024[11:00] Europe doesn't consume way America does. They're not as lonely, either[15:00] Taking a good, hard look at our disordered American beliefs[19:00] Implications associated with celebrity worship[26:00] Pay for what you get? Not in this case! Debunking the privatized healthcare myth[33:00] Musings on nationwide learned helplessness
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11/06/24•39m 54s
Are You Smartphone Addicted?
There's plenty of distressing research into what smartphones are doing to adults' attention spans, focus, and memory. And on child/teen development? Emerging research is even more alarming. We are change makers, and change making means making difficult decisions, having difficult conversations, and going against the grain. On today's show: Why we need to (yet again!) rethink our approach to technology and delay the age at which we give our children access to smartphones. Here's a preview:[8:30] 57% of Americans report being "addicted" to their smartphones. Are you one of them? [11:30] Smartphone addiction isn't your fault! Here's exactly how social media keeps your attention so they make more $$[17:30] How to declutter your cell phone like a boss[26:00] What recent research says with regard to the impacts of smartphones on children's/teens' wellness[37:00] 5 reasons parents say they're pulled to give their child a smartphone, plus alternative solutions![43:00] Individual actions impact the collective. How to make delaying the smartphone a staple in your community Resources mentioned:
The Smart Phone Compulsion Test
Wait Until 8th
How To Break Up With Your Phone (by Catherine Price)
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness (by Jonathan Haidt)
Investigation: How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires (via The Wall Street Journal)
Have Smart Phones Destroyed A Generation? (via The Atlantic)
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06/06/24•51m 19s
Breath Awareness
Want to feel calmer and happier? You don't have to shell out hundreds of dollars for the newest wellness product or service. In fact, the solution doesn't cost a cent: simply get in touch with your breathing.Breath is an amazing and responsive teacher. That's because if we breathe as we live — take in and let go — we can't go wrong.On today's show: An invitation to meet yourself with author Jean Hall. Here's a preview:[5:00] The breath underpins everything we do in life, and yet we rarely bring awareness to it. Why not?[10:00] 5 wellness benefits re: paying attention to your breathing patterns[25:00] Exploring the pause changes everything[29:00] Flowing with the breath is great practice for learning how to flow with life Resources mentioned:
Breathe: Simple Breathing Techniques For A Calmer, Happier Life
Jean on Instagram
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04/06/24•42m 1s
Things We've Lost To The Internet
From phone calls to blind dates to punctuation to civil discourse, the internet has changed every aspect of human life. While some losses are insignificant, the rise of the internet has also resulted in larger repercussions, like shorter attention spans, a collective inability to sit in solitude, and the the utter demolition of personal privacy.On today's show: A conversation with author and New York Times columnist Pamela Paul about the ways in which the internet has fundamentally changed human existence. Here's a preview:[8:00] Do humans need to experience boredom once in awhile? (Absolutely yes, and here's why)[14:00] Not-so-thanks to the internet, the past no longer stays in the past[20:00] The hive mind and queen bees: Does the internet hamper independent thought?[27:00] Parenting implications associated with the loss of the kitchen landline[35:00] Ruminating on the disappearance of the phone call Resource mentioned:100 Things We've Lost to the Internet
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30/05/24•38m 45s
Shared Solutions
I received an email last month from two Dutchmen who have been sailing around the world for 8 years in search of climate solutions. They asked to visit my home and chat. I obliged, and I'm so happy I did.On today's show: an in-person interview with Floris van Hees and Ivar Smits — also affectionately known as Sailors For Sustainability — about the wisdom they've gained from their adventure.Here's a preview of 4 pieces of wisdom we are discussing today: [7:00] Leaving the "golden cage" is big risk, sure. But there's also big reward[16:00] America isn't normal![22:00] Bad news sells, but there's plenty of good going on in the world because humans are incredibly adaptable[43:00] When the smoke in the global theater thickens, the exit signs will shine brighter
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28/05/24•49m 17s
Cooking With Cast Iron
Before aluminum coated in Teflon, there was cast iron.Our great-grandparents revered cast iron in the kitchen because it lasts *forever*. And with proper care? It's naturally non-stick, no PFAS necessary.These days cast iron is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, and for many good reasons. On today's show cast iron historian Kyle Seip answers our burning questions about how to cook on and care for our beloved cast iron cookware (it's way easier than you think!). Here's a preview:[6:00] Before aluminum, it was iron: A brief cast iron history[11:00] What a price tag says about new and vintage cast iron pieces[13:00] Getting to the bottom of the confusing health claims[18:00] How do you clean cast iron? Is soap OK?[22:00] When to use enamel-coated cast iron (hey there, Le Creuset!) versus when reach for traditional[25:00] Everything you need to know about seasoning your cast iron (spoiler alert: you don't need to do much!)[27:00] Troubleshooting a rusty skillet Resources mentioned:
Smithey Cast Iron
Kyle On Instagram @castiron_kyle
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23/05/24•35m 17s
An Attitude Of Gratitude
Is the glass half empty, or is it half full? According to Tony Robbins, trading your expectations for appreciation instantly changes everything. Psychological research agrees: Gratitude has the power to improve every single aspect of your life.On today's show: how to truly feel gratitude for your stuff and people. Here's a preview:[3:00] Want to be 18% happier? It's as easy as putting on a new pair of glasses, metaphorically speaking[10:00] HABITUATION! Our brains are primed to forget why certain stuff and people are important [19:00] Say it with me: Stuff doesn't create gratitude! 3 tips for feeling grateful for what you already own[28:00] We expect way too much from our partners. Let's fix that together[35:00] Feeling less than grateful for the people in your life? That's normal (there's also a simple antidote) Resources mentioned:
Episode #460: Pleasure-Saturated
The Gratitude Diaries: How A Year Looking On The Bright Side Can Transform Your Life (by Janice Kaplan)
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21/05/24•44m 55s
Toxic Fashion
Packaged foods (obviously) have ingredients lists. Our favorite beauty products have ingredients lists. And those cleaning products under the kitchen sink? Yup, they've got ingredients lists, too.Ever wonder why our clothes don't have ingredients lists? While we'd *like* to think our favorite garments are made of woven fibers and nothing more, the sad truth is there are countless unregulated chemicals in our closet go-tos (and these chemicals are likely harming our health).On today's show investigative journalist Alden Wicker explains why synthetic fashion and dyes made from fossil fuels are so deeply intertwined with the rise of autoimmune disease, infertility, asthma, eczema, and more; she also suggests concrete action steps for curating a clean(er) closet. Here's a preview:[7:00] Uncovering the chemicals in our clothes and what they're doing to our health[10:30] Taking a special look at the especially problematic petrochemical-based azo dyes (often used on petrochemical-based fibers)[17:00] If all this stuff is in our clothing, why don't garments have ingredients lists?[22:00] Carter's, Victoria's Secret, and victim body blaming[31:00] Why 'organic' doesn't mean much when it comes to clothing[36:00] For subscribers! Action steps for curating a clean(er) closet Resources mentioned:
To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick — And How We Can Fight Back
Plastic-Free Activewear? Here are 15 Brands That Use Natural Instead of Synthetic Fibers (via Eco Cult)
The Best Non-Toxic Fashion Brands For Chemically Sensitive People (via Eco Cult)
Future Card
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16/05/24•40m 36s
Optimizing Your Walks
Modern life panders to our innate desire to be sedentary, and never has it been more difficult to resist the alluring convenience of screens.Yet walking matters. On today's show author Annabel Abbs-Streets suggests tangible ways to attain the full range of benefits that walking has to offer — physical, emotional, and spiritual — that's backed by latest research. Here's a preview:[7:00] A laundry list of all the physiological benefits of walking and hiking for movement (get ready to be blown away)[11:00] Why it's important to walk with our eyes, plus: the mental health benefits associated with panoramic vision[16:00] Want more calm in your life? Research finds that these very specific nature sounds matter[21:00] Terpenes, baby! Large trees offer us these psychological and physiological benefits[25:00] Don't shy away from that mud puddle. Soil microbes matter![30:00] How to best optimize your daily walk for health and wellness benefits Want more episodes like this one? Check out #384: Forest Bathing 101
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14/05/24•37m 32s
HEADLINES: Shrinking Fish
The environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, May 10 2024:[00:30] Fish are shrinking around the world and no one knows why[4:00] Have a gas stove? Here's another thing to worry about [7:00] Exactly how green initiatives push some voters to the far right [11:30] A Sriracha shortage has climate change to blame[15:00] Climate change raises the risks of another pandemic, and here's why
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10/05/24•18m 46s
Produce Without Pesticides
While fresh fruits and vegetables are irreplaceable parts of a healthy diet, pesticides aren't benign. Sadly, many of our favorite produce items carry unhealthy levels of pesticides, and each one comes with its own unique risk profile.On today's show: A comprehensive review of the most recent research into pesticides in produce.Here's a preview:[5:00] Not all pesticides are the same, and different pesticides have different risk profiles[10:00] DDT, bald eagles, Silent Spring, and America's history with pesticides[19:00] Stephanie's thoughts on the EWG's Clean 15 and the Dirty Dozen[25:00] Are the EPA's maximum residue limits too high?[30:00] ** You need to know about these countries with organic reciprocity![34:00] Does peeling help? How should we best wash conventional produce?[38:00] For subscribers! 6 concrete action steps for informed consumers Resources mentioned:
EWG's Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
Produce Without Pesticides (via Consumer Reports)
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09/05/24•44m 42s
The Cost Of Climate Change
We know climate change is expensive, but how expensive is it really?A new analysis finds that beyond its effects on the broader economy, rising temperatures seriously hurt our personal finances. On today's show: A conversation with Alexandra Grose about what happens when climate change reduces lifetime income and simultaneously raises prices on ... well, everything. Resource mentioned:Climate Change Could Cost Each American Born Today $500,000 (via Consumer Reports)
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07/05/24•32m 22s
HEADLINES: Ulterior Motives
The environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, May 3 2024:[1:30] Newly released documents and Big Oil's secret climate strategy[7:00] Here's what Patagonia's doing with all its profits[13:00] Therapists are trading the couch for the great outdoors, and here's why[16:00] Sea levels are rising in the US coastal South faster than anywhere else on Earth Resource mentioned:
Tell DOJ to Investigate Big Oil (via Action Network)
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03/05/24•18m 56s
Roads Less Travelled
Something semi-sad happens as we age: We lose our nimbleness. So many of us white-knuckle grip long-held habits and beliefs and thus fail to question whether such routines and ideas are working in our best interests. Worse, such rigidity goes directly against our "factory settings" as human beings: As a species, we fully live when we prioritize resilience, light-footedness, and fearlessness. (Don't believe me? Just observe a child!)On today's show: embracing fresh starts, prioritizing roads less travelled, and unpacking pressures associated with cultural uniformity with author and podcaster Shannon Leyko. Here's a preview:[14:00] How to lean into tension by taking "messy action"[18:00] It's not *just* about trying a new hobby; it's about resiliency. Self-efficacy, too![23:00] Timelines are rarely linear, and "starting over" isn't starting back at square one[30:00] Common struggles associated with living unconventionally in a conventional world Resources mentioned:
The Paring Down Podcast
Shannon on Instagram
You're Completely Normal: Trading Where You Think You Should Be For Where You Want To Go
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02/05/24•37m 43s
Greenwashing 2.0
Many corporations are hopping on the sustainability bandwagon these days, but it's not for altruistic reasons. It's likely due to the green premium: because eco-friendly products cost more, business owners see an opportunity for increased revenue. The result? Greenwashed products abound (And guess what? You're likely paying *extra* for a product that isn't at all eco-conscious!). On today's show Aidan Riehl offers advanced tips for avoiding greenwashing in today's ever-changing market. Here's a preview:[6:30] Some questions to ask: Is this eco-friendly product owned by a conglomerate? Is this one product the *only* eco-conscious product in their product line?[9:30] Getting to the bottom of "biodegradable" claims once and for all[16:30] Should we look for pre-consumer or post-consumer recycled plastics?[19:00] Laundry sheets and dishwasher pods! Is polyvinyl alcohol actually benign?[22:00] So many pledges, so little action[25:00] Steph's tips to spot greenwashing in influencer marketing Resources mentioned:
Episode #106: Greenwashing 1.0
Ecolabelindex.com
EU bans ‘misleading’ environmental claims that rely on offsetting (via The Guardian)
How We Avoid A Climate Disaster (by Bill Gates)
The World Is Falling Short of Its Climate Goals. Four Big Emitters Show Why. (via NY Times)
Good On You
Think Dirty
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30/04/24•31m 22s
HEADLINES: Biggest Plastic Polluters Revealed
The environmental news headlines you need to know for Friday, April 26 2024:[00:30] The world's biggest plastic polluters revealed[2:30] Biden limits oil drilling in the Alaskan arctic (it's also an election year)[5:00] One of the worst coral bleaching events happening right now in the Great Barrier Reef[8:00] Nearly 2 in 5 Americans live in a place with unhealthy or hazardous air. Are you one of them?[12:00] Can cloning be a legitimate solution to species extinction? Resource mentioned:One million species face extinction, U.N. report says. And humans will suffer as a result. (via WaPo)
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26/04/24•15m 35s
Pleasure-Saturated
We Homo Sapiens are notorious for avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. In fact, we have transformed the planet from a place of scarcity to a place of overwhelming abundance, with ample opportunities to flood our brains with dopamine at every turn.But over-consuming has consequences: Exposure to prolonged and repeated pleasurable stimuli decreases our capacity to tolerate pain and increases our threshold for experiencing pleasure. On today's show: Resetting your neural set point to make dopamine work FOR you, not against you.Here's a preview:[3:00] Here's exactly why our brains aren't designed to work optimally in our 2024 world of pleasure[7:00] Measuring the dopamine-induced addictive potential of various foods, habits, and drugs[10:00] What goes up must come down: Here's what opponent process theory means for you and your brain[14:00] Quantifying leisure time from the Civil War to present day[24:00] Dopamine fasts work! Here's how to recalibrate your brain[28:00] How to best lean into a bit of pain (and why you may want to) Resources mentioned:
Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance In The Age Of Indulgence (by Dr. Anna Lembke)
Episode #316: Moderation In All Things
Episode #299: Future-Conscious Thinking
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23/04/24•38m 2s
Labors Of Love
Last year was the hottest year on record, so it's safe to say that Earth Day as we traditionally celebrate isn't working.On today's show I suggest what I believe is the antidote to the climate crisis (and I'm willing to bet you won't be able to guess what it is!). Here's a preview:[3:45] The Big 5: We know what we should do environment-wise, so why aren't we doing it?[7:15] Communal care is anti-capitalist, and that's really darn important[16:30] Here's what research finds re: the relationship between collectivist culture and pro-environmental behaviors[24:00] If the problem is disconnection, is the solution as simple as authentic reconnection?[34:00] It's actually not hard at all to pivot from the conventional, negative feedback loop we find ourselves currently in
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18/04/24•40m 4s
The Great Connector
Reminder! Our hands can do more than type and text. In fact, they can grow things.On today's show — and in honor of National Gardening Day! — permaculture expert Kareen Erbe lists countless tangible and intangible benefits associated with active participation in your local growing community; she also offers practical suggestions for getting off our screens and reengaging with the natural world. Here's a preview:[8:00] Industrializing our food systems has benefits, sure. But in doing so, what have we sacrificed?[19:00] Industrial agriculture is the problem, but agriculture is also the solution[23:00] Don't want to grow anything? You don't have to! Here's how to best invest in your *local* food systems[27:00] It's not that local, organic food is so expensive; it's that corporate, industrialized food is too cheap[31:00] The 5 S-es: Scalable tips for newbie growers[35:00] Kids who grow kale eat kale! Resources mentioned:
Episode #447: No Topsoils, No Food
Kareen on Instagram
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16/04/24•44m 23s
HEADLINES: Geoengineering
Identifying 5 expensive and downright impractical geoengineering ideas designed to curb global warming:[5:30] 2 direct carbon capture projects (one of which plans to drill more oil)[8:30] A gigantic umbrella in space?[10:00] Adding iron to the ocean in hopes of spurring algae blooms[13:00] Sending sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere in weather balloons, oh my Resources mentioned:
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12/04/24•16m 49s
Stealthily Frugal
Take stealth wealth and reverse it: Stealth frugality is what happens when a person lives big without spending lots of money. On today's show: A laundry list of the ways in which we can each live a rich life but do so frugally. *A note from Stephanie: I mention a ridiculous amount of companies in today's show. None of them are sponsored! Here's a preview:[6:00] Home is where the heart is, so open up your home![10:30] Pizza? Cocktails? Manicures? Learn how make/do what you love but better[14:30] #selfcare culture is a capitalist construct (and you should never have to pay to care for your SELF)[19:00] How to enjoy your hobbies without going all-in with the extras[23:00] Want to eat like royalty? Learn how to cook[30:00] Get yo' hands on some great reading material (without overspending!) Resources mentioned:
Living The Good Life, Just Cheaper? (via The Frugal Girl)
The Buffalo Wool Company
Episode #194: Safer Nail Polish
Dazzle Dry nail polish
Lego Replay
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11/04/24•37m 1s
Disconnecting
Work emails. Social media notifications. Weather alerts. The constant news cycle.In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get lost in the chaos of endless distractions. Yet research has shown that information overload can lead to mental exhaustion, reduced cognitive function, and an inability to make sound decisions. On the other hand, intentional disconnection has the power to enhance creativity and productivity. It improves overall well-being, too.On today's show podcaster Diane Boden and I discuss exactly why it's so important to disconnect from modern distractions at least once in awhile; we also brainstorm how to best unplug. Here's a preview:[12:00] Are we becoming a culture that can't sit with negative emotions? With boredom?[16:30] Blue laws once encouraged rest; these days stores are open 7 days a week (thanks, capitalism!)[23:00] Stephanie's Number One tip for mindfulness newbies[26:00] Hurry culture, busy-ness, and setting professional boundaries[30:00] Do you watch TV while scrolling on your phone? Theres a name for that! Outlining the (numerous) consequences associated with 'continuous partial attention' Resources mentioned:
Diane on Instagram
10% Happier: How I Tamed The Voice In My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge, And Found Self-Help That Actually Works — A True Story (by Dan Harris)
Waking Up App
The Ruthless Elimination Of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World (by John Mark Comer)
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09/04/24•39m 42s
Can We Have Kids And Nice Things?
Can a white couch and a toddler coexist? Research finds that environment impacts well-being, and we shouldn't have to wait 18 years to enjoy our homes. On today's show we address the age-old question: Can we have kids and nice things? The answer is yes; here's how. Here's a preview:[6:00] Hey you. (Yes, you!) You don't have to wait 18 years to enjoy your home[21:00] Don't invest in expensive accents and accessories! Go big on the timeless staples, instead [25:00] Making a case for proudly using and displaying heirlooms[35:00] Exactly how to reframe accidents into teachable opportunities Resources mentioned:
The Magnolia Story
Episode #452: House Rules
Episode #454: The Low-Tox Life
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04/04/24•43m 2s
The Low-Tox Lifestyle
Living the low-tox life can seem expensive and out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be.On today's show podcaster Regan Nelson suggests 7 research-backed ways to reduce your exposure to toxins that just so happen to *also* be free. Here's a preview:[10:00] Lead! Pesticides! Here's what's on the bottom of your shoes [14:00] Sure, this household staple is convenient (but it's also bisphenol- and phthalate-laden)[19:00] Be wary of these "regrettable substitutions"[26:00] Are you still using products with synthetic fragrance? (Stop!)[34:00] Teens, tweens, and beauty products: How to best present the "less is more" message
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02/04/24•38m 50s
HEADLINES: The Economics Of Climate Change
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 29 2024:[00:30] Here's why Americans pay the most after a natural disaster[6:00] New laws against intentional methane release, plus: why this new law is a money maker [9:00] Throwing $$ at the industrial carbon emissions problem[12:00] Introducing radar gaps (a.k.a. another thing to worry about) Resources mentioned:
Radar gaps threaten millions as severe weather season ramps up in U.S. (via WaPo)
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29/03/24•17m 35s
Lights Out
Fossil fuels power our modern lives, and yet fossil fuels are also powering global warming. Because many of us lack the self-sufficient skills necessary to survive an extended power outage event, we are one thing and one thing only: vulnerable.We have become over-reliant on the very thing that's destroying our planet. On today's show: Imagining the ways in which modern life, interpersonal connections, well-being and more would change in a hypothetical, fossil fuel-free world. Here's a preview:[6:00] We are so reliant on electricity that we are incapacitated without it. This is a problem![11:00] In the event of a 2-weeks plus outage, modernity would look a lot different[24:00] Is minimalism late stage capitalism personified?[28:00] Without fossil fuels, we'd be circular[30:00] What research says with regard to the wellness benefits of working with our hands Resources mentioned:
Lights Out: A Cyberattack, A Nation Unprepared, Surviving the Aftermath (by Ted Koppel)
Doomsday Prep for the Super-Rich (via The New Yorker)
Episode #096: Why Self-Sufficiency Matters (with Kelly Morris)
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28/03/24•36m 57s
House Rules
When it comes to furnishing and styling ours homes, we all deserve spaces that facilitate easeful living. But for those of us without an eye for design? Furniture and decor mistakes can happen (and they can be costly).On today's show best-selling author Myquillyn Smith reveals her signature house rules for homes of every size, style, and budget; she also shows us how to get the most amount of comfort from our space with the least amount of stuff.Here's a preview of the house rules we are discussing today:[16:30] Threes, please[21:00] Resourcefulness is the ultimate resource[25:00] Plan on the kids growing up [29:00] Timelessness is here to stay [34:00] The size of your house does not dictate the size of your hospitality Resources mentioned:
Win Every Argument
Episode #433: The Fast Furniture Trap
Climate Action Now
Environmental Voter Project
Postcards To Voters
Vote Forward
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26/03/24•39m 15s
HEADLINES: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 22 2024:[00:30] What you need to know about "the most significant climate regulation in US history" announced this week[6:15] It has never been cheaper to purchase an EV, and here's why[9:00] ... Speaking of EVs: enter mega mining[12:00] Hi, TIM! How to book a flight like a conscious consumer Resources mentioned:
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22/03/24•17m 56s
INTRODUCING: Book Club!
Things are a-changin' around here. On today's show: Introducing new ways to support the show (with fun perks like ad-free shows, subscriber-only episodes and, yes, real life Book Club!)This is YOUR show. As always, thank you for your support! >> https://sustainableminimalists.substack.com/ --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
21/03/24•20m 19s
Family Dinner
Eating meals together is the ultimate parenting cheat code, and that's because in just one hour you can improve your kids' academic performance, self-esteem, and cardiovascular health while simultaneously reducing their risks of substance misuse, depression, and obesity.On today's show: author Annette Thurmon on making the kitchen the heart of the home once again. Here's a preview:[7:30] A laundry list of the nutritional benefits of regular family dinners, plus the developmental and mental health benefits for kids and teens[10:00] We parents should be including our children in the cooking process, and here's why (plus: easy lift how-tos)[20:00] Remember: It's not about the food! It's about the face-to-face, tech-free time[23:00] Practical dinnertime promptsResource mentioned:Simple Country Living: Techniques, Recipes, and Wisdom for the Garden, Kitchen, and Beyond Creative alternatives to "How was your day?"
What's one thing you learned today?
What's one thing that made you smile today?
If you could change something about your day, what would it be?
What's one thing you liked most about your day?
What has made you feel loved recently?
How did you help someone today? How did someone help you?
What's it like to be a kid? To be a parent?
What was your last thought before falling asleep last night?
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19/03/24•29m 53s
HEADLINES: Jevon's Paradox
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 15 2024:[00:30] The paradox that's holding back clean energy gains[7:15] You're not crazy: Spring is indeed arriving earlier[13:00] Breaking down the EU's new 'gold standard' deforestation law[12:00] A war on utes? Updates from Australia's emissions regulations Resources mentioned:
Episode #187: Everything You Need To Know About Palm Oil
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15/03/24•21m 37s
Three Acts
Today's show is a series of 3 very diverse updates straight from developments in my own life: The first is about self-sufficiency, the second is sustainability-focused, and the final act dedicates itself to intentional living.Here's a preview:[3:00] Act 1: The hydroponic growing hype. (Stephanie's good, bad, and ugly experiences with her new grow tower)[16:00] Act 2: Electrify Everything? (Our boiler is leaking. Here's where we are at with regard to heat pumps: costs, struggles, etc.)[28:00] Act 3: More intention, please! (Here's what I'm working on to avoid the busy trap) Resources mentioned:
Episode #429: Get Growing (with Kevin Espiritu)
Magic Puzzle Company
The 'Busy' Trap (via NY Times)
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14/03/24•40m 33s
Excessively Convenient
There's convenience, and then there's *excessive* convenience. While some modern conveniences are indeed necessary and needed, the excessive ones can be detrimental to ourselves and society as a whole.Items and services of convenience are often substitutes for supportive culture and connection. On today's show historian Jennifer Newton and I discuss how culture - and specifically excessively convenient, disposable culture - perpetuates itself; we also muse on what to do if the prevailing culture no longer "fits". Here's a preview:[5:00] How'd we get here? A brief history of the Convenience Industrial Complex in America[10:00] Weak ties, strong ties, and 3 ways convenience culture reduces social connection[23:00] The average American watches 4 hours of TV a day. What are the cultural implications?[35:00] Passive and active ways to fight back against excessive convenience Resources mentioned:Sustain Initiative Substack
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12/03/24•52m 26s
HEADLINES: Good News, Bad News
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 8 2024:[00:30] SEC scales back its new pollution-disclosure rules[4:15] Apparently we're smuggling greenhouse gases now[9:00 It's no longer a debate! Our warm winter has human fingerprints all over it[12:00] Gray whales in the Atlantic? How is this possible? Resources mentioned:
Weirdly Warm Winter Has Climate Fingerprints All Over It, Study Says (via NY Times)
Seasonal Attribution Report (via Climate Central)
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08/03/24•18m 39s
Athleisure
Yoga pants, baby! Athleisure is a fashion trend that features comfortable, flattering, and aesthetically pleasing athletic clothing designed to be worn all day. And while many of us turned to athleisure during the pandemic and never went back, athleisure has a dirty little secret: petroleum-based fibers.On today's show former Athleta senior fashion designer Nancy Taylor outlines what needs to happen systemically to make the the fashion industry circular; she also introduces bio-based textile innovations in the athleisure space we all should be paying attention to. Here's a preview:[6:00] From a fashion designer's perspective, here's why athleisure is so darn amazing[12:00] What's the fashion industry's biggest problem: is it that too many products are being produced, or is that consumers simply consuming too much?[18:00] Bio-based synthetics, oh my! Here are some exciting innovations happening right now in the textile space[23:00] Are items made from recycled materials of lesser quality?[28:00] Don't forget about natural fibers and semi-synthetics when exercising! Here are the best Resources mentioned:
époque évolution
Lolë
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07/03/24•35m 9s
No Topsoils, No Food
Soil grows 95 percent of our food and sustains human life. But monocrops, pesticide reliance, and other modern farming methods have degraded soil health in lasting ways. Some scientists believe we have less than 60 harvests left. The way we are feeding ourselves is undermining the very ecology we’re dependent upon. The hope? Regenerative farming. On today's show Kiss The Ground's Chief Executive Officer Evan Harrison urges each of us to participate in the regenerative movement. Here's a preview:[6:00] A laundry list of all the consequences associated with degraded soil[10:00] The main reason why pesticides are a staple of the monocrop farming model, plus: what science says about degraded soil and a food's nutrient density[19:00] For people who buy and eat food (aka everyone), here's how you can support regenerative agriculture Resource mentioned:Kiss The Ground film--Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
05/03/24•31m 58s
HEADLINES: Assessing Air Quality
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 1 2024:[2:30] Air pollution and Alzheimer’s [5:00] Won't you be my neighbor? Supreme Court seems poised to halt EPA's 'good neighbor' rule [9:00] 150 Canadian 'zombie fires' just won't die[12:00] A breakdown on how air quality is measured, plus: How to find the best air quality apps
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01/03/24•13m 7s
Vital Simplicity
“From the cradle to the grave … the [wo]man of modern times struggles through a maze of endless complication.”Although Charles Wagner penned these words over 125 years ago, they are more true today than ever before. On today’s show author Suzanne Johnson modernizes Wagner’s tenets of simple living for twenty-first century existence. Here’s a preview of the Wagner-isms we are revisiting today:[7:30] We suffer the consequences of a too artificial life[11:30] The more goods a woman has, the more she wants[18:00] Pleasure cannot be bought or sold[24:00] Obscurity is not a sign of disgrace[30:00] The realm of silence is vaster than the realm of noise[41:00] Simplicity is a state of mindResources mentioned:
Simplify Your Life: 100 Ways to Slow Down and Enjoy the Things That Really Matter by Elaine St. James
The Simple Life by Charles Wagner
—Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
27/02/24•46m 47s
Sustainable Seafood?
Billions of people worldwide rely on seafood for nutrition and economic livelihood, but 90 percent of fish populations are currently overfished.Your seafood choices matter, and buying responsibly is one of the most important ways you can contribute to healthier oceans. On today's show: breaking down exactly how to be an informed seafood consumer.Here's a preview:[3:00] Everything you need to know about that wild-caught fish[14:00] Dirty little secrets from fish farms[21:00] ... But which is healthier: farmed or wild caught?[26:00] 6 ways to buy seafood like an informed and conscious consumer, plus: what it looks like to use a sustainable seafood guide IRL Resources mentioned:
Episode #236: The Health Of Our Oceans with Dr. Sylvia Earle
Salmon Wars: The Dark Underbelly Of Your Favorite Fish by Douglas Frantz and Catherine Collins
Seaspiracy
Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch
You May Not Be Getting The Fish You Paid For. Here’s How To Spot Seafood Fraud (via WaPo)
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22/02/24•34m 54s
Unpaid Labor And Gendered Work
Reminder to my fellow moms: You don't have to do it all. Studies have shown for decades that women in heterosexual partnerships are responsible for the "invisible labor" at home. Not surprisingly, carrying the lion's share of the burden has oversized impacts on women's mental health.The solution sounds simple: Divvying up domestic responsibilities decreases resentment and increases family cohesion. But how do we best encourage our partners and children to participate in the work of the home for the long haul?It's not gendered work; it's the work of the family and all should contribute. On today's show Lori Sugarman-Li encourages us to release the need to do everything; she also calls on our partners and children to step up and participate in the essential - yet sadly unpaid! - work of the home.Here's a preview:[6:30] Semi-disturbing stats re: impacts of inequitable unpaid labor on women's wellness[9:00] Defining family flow: How can we best change a family's flow if the flow isn't working for everyone?[17:00] They aren't chores! Here's why we must change both the language and the energy around "chores"[19:00] Full task ownership versus division of labor: Which provides long-term balance?[30:00] Words of encouragement for the default (ahem ... 'she-fault') parents, plus: cycle breaking is in our hands Resources mentioned:
Fair Play
Pre-order Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family
Lori on Instagram
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20/02/24•40m 50s
HEADLINES: An Oceans Update
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, February 16 2024:[1:00] Are you a victim of seafood fraud? Probability says yes[6:30] What warm oceans mean for hurricane season here in the US [11:00] Why are Louisiana's coastal wetlands predicted to collapse, and what does this mean for storm protection?
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16/02/24•17m 20s
Weekend Catch Up
Weekends *should be* for resting, exploring, and participating in beloved hobbies. Yet for so many of us, our weekends are bogged down with housework. Errands too.On today's show Tyler Moore explains his system for centering his weekends — and his life — around what's most important.Here's a preview:[6:00] Be efficient about it: The order in which you perform household tasks matters![9:00] Mondays are for bathrooms! 3 benefits to maintaining a weekday cleaning routine[18:00] Is it really as simple as lowering expectations, or is this terrible advice?[25:00] Surthrival = getting through a stressful time while simultaneously noticing moments of thriving[28:00] Home rhythms and routines can indeed secure space for more of what actually matters, and here's how Resources mentioned:
Tyler on Instagram @tidydad
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15/02/24•35m 38s
The Anti-Aging Problem
It can often feel in our culture as though women aren’t allowed to age. If we do? The patriarchy will (gasp!) deem us irrelevant. Enter countless off-the-shelf products, monthly treatments, and medical procedures that claim to turn back the clock, albeit temporarily. And while hair dyeing, teeth whitening, and more are wildly popular amongst women (and men!) forty-plus, such habits often come with excessive exposure to cancer-causing agents and hormone disruptors.On today's show Sophia Ruan Gushee encourages us to diversify our risks as we consider which anti-aging products to try. Here's a preview:[6:00] "I never worried about toxins and I turned out fine." This logic is flawed, and here's why[11:00] Don't go straight to the permanent hair dye! And other hair dyeing considerations [17:00] Teeth no longer pearly white? Beware of the heavy metals [24:00] Take an inside-out approach (not a 10 step regimen) to glowing, radiant skin Related episodes:
Episode #194: Safer Nail Polish
Episode #203: 5 Non-Toxic Hair Dye Solutions
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13/02/24•36m 35s
HEADLINES: The Food Episode (Sort Of)
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, February 9 2024:[1:00] Your plant-based meat could soon have animal fat[5:00] A hamburger that saves the planet? Hmm ...[10:00] Introducing Michael Mann, the hockey stick chart, and 2 climate change deniers[15:30] Let's talk about Taylor's private jet ...
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09/02/24•18m 36s
Plasticizers
By the time you open, say, a container of yogurt, the food has taken a looong journey to reach your spoon. And at each step, there's the chance that a little something extra has snuck in.Consumer Reports tested supermarket staples and found high levels of bisphenols and phthalates — also known as plasticizers — within. The bad news? Scientists believe there's no safe level of plasticizers on human health.On todays show Dr. James Rogers breaks down everything you need to know about the plastic chemicals hiding in your food. Here's a preview:[2:00] So many plastic problems, so little time! Breaking down the differences between PFAS, plasticizers, microplastics, and more[6:00] The documented human health effects of plasticizers, plus: What their cumulative effects mean for chronic conditions[12:00] 9 phthalates are banned in toys but they're allowed in food? Make it make sense![15:00] 5 ways plasticizers become stowaways in our food[20:00] Lifestyle changes that reduce your exposure to phthalates and bisphenols Resources mentioned:
Episode #339: Dark Chocolate's Dark Side
Episode #264: Forever Chemicals
The Plastic Chemicals Hiding in Your Food (via Consumer Reports)
* Your Homework! Sign the petition to get plasticizers out of Annie's and other General Mills products
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08/02/24•25m 39s
The Negativity Bias
If you're like most humans, 70-percent of your thoughts each day skew negative. The good news? You aren't your thoughts; you're the observer. On today's show therapist Risa Williams shows us how to break free of the negativity bias that afflicts our species once and for all.Here's a preview:[1:00] No-Spend Reset wrap-up! Here are the biggest takeaways from you, our listeners[8:30] The real-life and real-time benefits of being the observer[11:30] How to catch your bias towards negativity *before* you spiral[17:00] Whatever you decide to instantly re-play in your brain impacts your mood. Is it time to change the channel?[38:00] Changes to the podcast are a-comin'! Now's your time for public comment Resource mentioned:
The Motivation Mindset podcast --Resources mentioned:
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06/02/24•44m 51s
What Our Kids Really Need
Enough with excessive educational toys, extracurriculars, and enrichment activities. It’s time to take a step back, put our wallets away, and realize what our children *actually* need.On today's show: re-centering our parenting efforts around 3 of the most important childhood needs.Here's a preview:[10:00] Kids need your undivided attention! Make sure you're giving twice as much positive attention as negative attention[13:00] What recent research says about the benefits of delighting in our children[16:30] 3 benefits to signing up for one less extracurricular[28:00] Not all foods are created equal! Kids really do need these 8 micronutrients Resources mentioned:
Episode #403: The Processed Food Problem
Episode #173: How To Simplify Picky Eating
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01/02/24•39m 39s
Breaking Food Waste Norms
Reducing food waste doesn't always jive with societal norms.That's because keeping perfectly edible food out of landfills might mean being the weirdo who boxes their wedding entree. Or asking (gasp!) to take home extra pizza from a child's birthday party. On today's show: A conversation with journalist Rachael Jackson about how to value food more than we value fitting in. Here's a preview:[7:45] Is composting the solution to food waste? (Answer: No.)[10:00] 5 ways to shamelessly break social norms around food and waste[23:00] Brown avocados, wet spinach, and more: Can we eat or should we toss? Resources mentioned:
EPA Wasted Food Scale
Project Drawdown
ReFED
Avocado library
I Bought It, Now What Ebooks for reducing food waste
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30/01/24•36m 35s
HEADLINES: Spin City
First facts, then the inevitable spin! The enviro-news we are spinning for Friday, January 26 2024:[1:00] 3 cheers for a White House pause in the natural gas export terminal CP2[5:00] No one likes air pollution. Enter new rules for fine particulates [10:00] Understanding the global average temperature, with predictions for 2024[12:30] Where to put Lahaina's toxic debris? Next to an important coral reef, of course
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26/01/24•16m 59s
Willful Blindness
When faced with information that challenges our long-held beliefs, we humans do one of two things. Either we think hard about our values and adapt our lifestyles to reflect this new data, or we cling to willful blindness so that we may continue to think and act in the ways we've always thought and acted.In honor of Veganuary I bring you a conversation with Colleen Patrick-Goudreau about changing our beliefs — and perhaps our diets — in the face of new information. Here's a preview: [7:30] Unpacking willful blindness: How and why we tell ourselves untruths to maintain long-held beliefs[11:00] Cognitive dissonance is uncomfortable. Why, then, do some people learn and change while others cling to defunct beliefs?[19:00] It's not giving up, it's letting go! Uncovering the story that's underneath your eating habits that you're unwilling to let go of[23:00] Debunking 3 commonly-held plant-based myths to reflect updated science [37:00] Attitude is everything, so flip the script! Resources mentioned:
Diet For A New America
Slaughterhouse: The Shocking Story of Greed, Neglect, and Inhumane Treatment Inside the U.S. Meat Industry
Food For Thought podcast
Colleen on Instagram
The 30-Day Vegan Challenge
Previous Veganuary episodes:
Episode #334: Plant-Based Families
Episode #238: The Future Of Food
changing our beliefs — and perhaps our diets — in the face of new information.
25/01/24•43m 38s
Advice For Living
Wisdom is the cumulation of valuable lessons we pick up along our journeys through this messy thing called life, and pearls of wisdom are guideposts to help us navigate the complexities of living in an uncertain world in an uncertain time.On today's show: A conversation with author Dr. Elizabeth Kagan Arleo about trusting the wisdom of the experts — both modern and ancient — so as to better overcome life's challenges and improve overall well-being. Here's a preview of the wisdom we discuss today:[1:30] First, eat your frog![4:00] Schedule your time in 168-hour chunks[11:30] Set criteria, meet criteria, and be satisfied (no perfection required)[18:00] Stop over-apologizing (seriously, stop it!)[22:00] If you don't ask, the answer is always no[27:00] Imposter Syndrome: Name it to tame it Resources mentioned:
First, Eat Your Frog: And Other Pearls for Professional Working Mothers
Episode #434: Is It Time To Quit Amazon Prime?
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23/01/24•31m 35s
HEADLINES: Losses And "Gains"
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, January 19 2024:[00:30] Updates from the Greenland ice sheet[5:00] Staggering losses to North American bird populations, plus: outlining their (human-made) threats[10:00] Gross! Our favorite foods have an awful lot of microplastics within[14:00] "Plastic-free" laundry sheets aren't actually plastic-free
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19/01/24•16m 47s
Is It Time To Quit Amazon Prime?
Over 200 million Americans subscribe to Prime, and estimates suggest that Amazon delivers 3.4 million packages per day in the US alone.Quitters, unite! I'm quitting Amazon Prime, and perhaps it's time for you to consider quitting too. Here's a preview: [7:30] How on earth is Amazon able to selling items at such low prices? It ain't pretty ...[12:00] Amazon is only the cheapest option if you're willing to buy almost everything on Amazon, and I'm going to prove it [20:00] What does Amazon's Climate Friendly Pledge *really* mean?[23:00] A laundry list of things we lose when we choose convenience
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18/01/24•39m 35s
The Fast Furniture Trap
Did you know? Ikea beds, Wayfair desks, and other fast furniture items are designed to last about five years.Fast furniture is mass-produced and relatively inexpensive; it's easy, then, to obtain and abandon. And fast decor? Low price points essentially render disposable those trendy but cheap pillows, artwork, and trinkets.There's a better way, and it always starts with slowing down. Slow Style is Zandra Zuraw's framework for creating homes that nurture without breaking the bank, and today she shows us how to create havens that inspire and welcome without anything fast or cheap.Here’s a preview:[4:30] Why bother surrounding ourselves with beauty (and other big-picture musings)[7:00] Mass production, economies of sale, and the environmental implications of fast decor[17:00] Developing your eye for design means paying attention! [25:00] How to find the fine line between keeping stuff you hate versus hopping on the hamster wheel of buying[30:00] Ethical furnishings companies DO exist! Here's where to find them once and for all Resources mentioned:
The Slow Style Home podcast
The Sustainable Furnishings Council
Roger + Chris furniture
Ridwell
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16/01/24•37m 19s
HEADLINES: President Biden
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, January 12 2024:[00:45] Want to eat and drink less plastic? Don't drink bottled water ... [5:00] Vroom vroom! Clean yellow school buses are a-comin' nationwide[10:00] Say it ain't so: Right now the US is producing more oil than any other country ... ever[14:00] Help halt the fossil fuel industry's Liquified Natural Gas export expansion! Here's how Resources mentioned:
Petition to Stop New LNG Exports (via actionnetwork.org)
#StopLNG Sit-in at Department of Energy in Washington, DC (via thirdact.org)
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12/01/24•16m 25s
Shopping Triggers
You've likely been there. That moment when you look at your credit card statement and your heart sinks. Sometimes logic gives way to desire, and nothing's worse than realizing you overshopped on impulses. A lot.It’s time to take a look at what happens in the moments *before* we impulse buy. On today's show: honing in our 5 shopping triggers so we can insert that crucial pause before buying.Here's a preview:[3:45] Advertisers shape our desires, and the credit industry makes these desires seem affordable. Yikes![9:30] Buyer, beware: when your mind becomes your own worst enemy. [15:00] The shopping trigger that's the most common and the most difficult to overcome[23:00] Got parental guilt? Why you should stop buying stuff for your kids to compensate [29:00] Hankering to buy food when your kitchen is full? How to determine whether a physical trigger is colliding with an emotional one Resources mentioned:
To Buy or Not to Buy: Why We Overshop and How to Stop (by Dr. April Benson)
Insert that pause with this free printout for your wallet
The Poverty of Affluence: A Psychological Portrait of the American Way of Life (by Dr. Paul Wachel)
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11/01/24•33m 50s
Why Repairability Matters
In some ways, our preponderance toward tech disposability is systemic. We consumers in the US are denied the right to repair: fixing a broken smartphone, then, is costly. It's simply more convenient to replace our broken item for the newest model.When your device is broken you should have more options than a high-priced service or the landfill, and New York agrees. The Digital Fair Repair Act should make it easier to repair our smartphones and laptops at shops of *our* choosing. It's good news, because the law may ultimately bring down repair prices for all of us. And if repair is affordable? Fingers crossed, tech stays out of landfills.On today's show: Nicholas De Leon from Consumer Reports breaks down this landmark grassroots consumer win. Here's a preview:[3:45] Need-to-know details about New Yorks' Digital Fair Repair Act[9:00] Why aren't dishwashers, washing machines, and other "white goods" covered?[19:30] What if any benefits from NY's new law will non-New Yorkers receive? [25:00] The bigger picture: Why repair what's designed to break? Resources mentioned:
New York Right-to-Repair Law Promises Easier, Cheaper Electronics Repairs (via Consumer Reports)
iFixit
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09/01/24•29m 27s
HEADLINES: A Glimpse Into The Future
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, January 5 2024:[00:45] Is drinking toilet water in our future? (Answer: Yes.)[3:45] Some flowers are evolving to pollinate themselves, and this is not good news[7:15] Got climate trauma? Good luck finding professional support[15:00] A lack of EPA oversight in Cancer Alley
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05/01/24•18m 21s
Lessons Re-Learned
Over the holidays my family and I staycationed for 9 glorious days. During this time of introspection I re-learned these 4 universally applicable lessons which we are discussing today:[2:45] Appearance is EVERYthing (when shopping, at least).[10:00] Explanations are unnecessary.[18:00] No ones need to eat like royalty *every* night.[27:00] Habit forming? Remember dosage. Repetition too! Resources mentioned:
Mailbird (Note: it's not free!)
Episode #223: Reclaiming Movement Opportunities
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04/01/24•30m 53s
Get Growing
Whether you boast a small windowsill herb garden, a thriving hydroponic system or something in between, growing your own food is great for your well-being. And when you grow what you eat? You also reduce the environmental harm that's incurred by industrial agricultural methods; you eliminate food miles, too.Kevin Espiritu built a modern homestead on a very modest urban lot; he also happens to help millions of home growers take their gardening efforts to the next level. On today's show Kevin outlines the ways in which each of us — even those who can't keep anything alive! — can grow big(ger) in 2024. Here's a preview:[4:00] Why grow stuff? Food miles, nutrition, and industrialized food [15:00] The more you grow, the better you grow: Remembering the gardener's lesson[19:00] Are those fancy-shmancy hydroponic garden towers worth it? Could you build one yourself?[22:00] Can't keep anything alive? Start with sprouts![27:00] The Number One question expert home growers ask themselves, and often Resources mentioned:
Epic Homesteading: Your Guide to Self-Sufficiency on a Modern, High-Tech Backyard Homestead
Episode #139: Microgreens
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02/01/24•31m 52s
Your No Spend/Low Spend January
The holidays are all about overabundance. We buy too much, consume too much and despite our best efforts spend far too much money. But there is a solution, and it’s happening on January 1: A No Spend Reset. A practical first step toward adopting a lifestyle rooted in sustainable minimalism is to hop off the consumerist bandwagon, at least for a little while, and January is the perfect right time to tackle that project you've been meaning to get to in your home, explore the wonder of recreational activities that don’t cost a cent, and recenter yourself with gratitude for what you already have.On today's re-air: Julie Winpisinger divulges the Why and How of a no spend/low spend month so you can confidently embark on intentionally NOT SPENDING for 31 days.Resources mentioned:
Sustainable Minimalists Substack
Join our closed Facebook group
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30/12/23•27m 37s
SMART Resolutions
A New Year's resolution is a tool that helps us become the best possible versions of ourselves. And yet research finds most people abandon their resolutions by February. Many New Year's resolutions fail because they're too broad, too lofty, and not at all time-sensitive. On today's show we set ourselves up for resolution success by applying the 5 components of SMART goals to our 2024 aspirations. Here's a preview: [2:00] What do the statistics say? Here's just how many resolutions fail, and when[4:30] How to use the SMART acronym to improve your own 2024 resolution [7:30] Taking 4 of the most common new years resolutions and making them better[12:00] Got a sustainability goal on your mind? Stephanie's best thoughts[19:00] 6 research-backed tips for making your resolution stick
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27/12/23•29m 25s
HEADLINES: Only Good News
The (only positive!) enviro-news you need to know for Friday, December 22 2023:[3:30] Can microorganisms help in our plastics fight?[6:00] Exactly how plants communicate with other plants (and why it's important in climate change conversations)[9:00] 'Sustainable' Aviation Fuels: Is climate-friendly flying an oxymoron?
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22/12/23•13m 6s
Modern Distractions
We are taught from an early age that contentment is found in possessions. But lasting peace comes from within, and meditation is a powerful (and free!) way to find what so many of us seek. Yet thanks to All. The. Distractions, modern life has engineered out opportunities to go inward. And at the same time? Meditation has never been more needed or necessary.On today's show, a conversation with Brett Koon about the #1 way to boost happiness, reduce stress, hop off the consumerist bandwagon for good and - most importantly - find out who you really are.Here's a preview:[7:00] Happiness isn't in stuff, and life isn't a scavenger hunt to amass 'things'[10:30] Feelings are just thoughts with lag time (and they aren't the real YOU!)[14:00] The separation of awareness and mind takes time. Enter modern distractions[26:00] Is the solution to climate anxiety as simple as surrendering?[33:00] Common meditation myths debunked, plus: quick wins for getting started Resources mentioned:
The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (by Eckhart Tolle)
A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose (by Eckhart Tolle)
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19/12/23•38m 4s
HEADLINES: Water Wars
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, December 15 2023:[00:30] COP28: The good, the bad, and the ugly[9:15] Who gets the (limited) water in California?[13:30] Extreme weather and the cost of sugar
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15/12/23•16m 22s
The Obesogens
The human endocrine system is delicate and complex. While scientists first discovered endocrine disrupting chemicals in 1991, obesogens - a subset of endocrine disruptors in personal care products that cause weight gain - were discovered only within the last two decades.Our cosmetics can cause us to develop more and bigger fat cells; they may also make it harder to stay at a healthy weight. On today's show: A conversation with Andrea Dahr about the endocrine disruptors, with special attention to the obesogens. Here's a preview:[4:45] Back to biology class: Breaking down the need-to-know info about your endocrine system[7:45] Losing weight isn't as simple as burning more calories than you consume, and here's why[12:00] Fascinating research about the impact of obesogen exposure on prenatal development and possible generational effects on our great-grandchildren[15:00] What does "dermatologist approved" actually mean?[18:00] Next level steps for intermediate product label readers, plus: Why simply shopping at "healthy" stores isn't enough Resources mentioned:
Switch Natural app
The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database
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12/12/23•27m 46s
HEADLINES: Business As Usual
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, December 8 2023:[00:30] An update on how companies are doing on their environmental "pledges"[4:30] Lego-like bricks? A carbon capture breakthrough[7:30] Would you pay a monthly fee to not see ads on Facebook and Instagram? [9:30] Quick check-ins from COP28 and Wednesday's Republican presidential debate
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08/12/23•11m 47s
The Happiness Formula
Research finds that by and large happiness is a learned and cultivated behavior. Even better? Decades of psychological research lay the foundation for a handy-dandy formula that helps us *increase* the amount of happiness we experience in our daily lives.On today's show: abandoning cultural expectations in favor of a happiness formula that's both practical and empirically-based. Here's a preview:[3:00] If happiness isn't a state of being, what is it, really? Should we even seek it out?[7:45] H = S + C + V! An easy-to-understand formula for a happier life[16:00] Adults today are less happy than adults in previous generations, and here's why[21:00] 7 research-backed ways to increase your level of enduring happiness Resources mentioned:
Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realize Your Potential for Lasting Fulfillment by Dr. Martin Seligman
Episode #343: The Distorted Mirror
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07/12/23•33m 15s
Sustainable Shopping Is An Oxymoron
Sustainability has the reputation of being, well, expensive. When money's tight, how do modern families decide what to prioritize with their dollars? Today I chat with Whitney Leigh Morris about the space where eco-consciousness and finances collide.Here's a preview:[3:30] Think you can't afford to be eco-friendly? Think again[6:00] $8 leggings from Target or a $35 pair from an ethical brand? It's complicated ... [13:00] Electric vehicle? Heat pump? How to get in the habit of asking whether you *actually* need that big ticket eco-item[16:00] Thoughts on replacing items that are in working condition for more energy efficient options[19:30] Are carbon offsets really worth the money?[26:30] What 'voting with your dollars' really means Resources mentioned:
Episode #326: Gifting Boundaries with Whitney
Whitney on Instagram
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05/12/23•28m 21s
HEADLINES: COP28
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, December 1 2023:[00:30] Frustration and skepticism surrounding the latest climate summit happening now[5:30] A plane just flew across the Atlantic without fossil fuels, but let's reign in our excitement[10:00] Lead pipes, be gone[14:00] The plight of the wolverine
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01/12/23•14m 56s
How To Buy Wine Like A Conscious Consumer
Like wine? Me too! On today's show: Everything you need to know about selecting wine that's aligned with your values. Here's a preview:[3:00] Why, oh why aren't there ingredients labels on alcohol?[8:00] Your favorite wine may have up to 6 dozen additives within. Let's chat about a few of them[13:00] Do sulfites deserve their bad rap? (hey there, red wine headaches!)[20:00] Grapes are listed as #8 on the EWG's Dirty Dozen. Should we be buying organic wine?[24:00] Biodynamic wine is organic, but organic wine isn't necessarily biodynamic. Here's why[33:00] How to buy wine like an informed and conscious consumer
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30/11/23•36m 45s
It's More Than Just Stuff
Many of us have a complicated relationship with our stuff. And while no one wants their possessions to possess their lives, our stuff often has fascinating stories to tell.On today's show: A conversation with psychotherapist and professional organizer Helen Sanderson about what the state of our homes reveal about our psychology. Here's a preview:[3:45] Pack rat, minimalist, or somewhere in between? Here's what our homes show us about ourselves[6:15] How to best guide your child toward tidiness, no nagging necessary[12:00] When a neat freak and a slob get married: How to best navigate differences in home maintenance styles[17:00] Home management is like tending a garden (and other applicable metaphors)[20:00] Thoughts on finding the drive to get to "maintenance" Resources mentioned:
The Secret Life of Clutter
Helen on Instagram
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28/11/23•31m 22s
Anti-Black Friday 2023
It’s crazy but it’s true: Only in America do we trample each other for sales exactly ONE day after being thankful for what we already have.Corporations want us to believe that happiness lies in stuff, but research consistently suggests otherwise. On today's re-air: A conversation with blogger Barbara Alfeo about making the most of the day after Thanksgiving in ways that have nothing to do with shopping.Here's a preview:[4:00] A Black Friday primer: Its humble origins and its spectacular modern-day popularity[8:15] Why do we over-shop? It's likely to fill the hole that our communities used to fill[12:00] Get out of the stores and get off the internet; have an anti-Black Friday instead. Here's how[20:00] Are you *just* a consumer or are you a helper, a volunteer, a friend? Here's why Black Friday is the perfect day to give back[26:00] How to set clear cut gifting limits so you don't overspend on Cyber Monday and throughout the holiday season
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23/11/23•30m 22s
Secondhand Sunday
Is that Christmas in the air, or is it capitalism?There's no doubt about it: overconsumption degrades the planet. Enter Secondhand Sunday, a new-ish shopping holiday that's nestled between Black Friday and Cyber Monday. It's dedicated to all-things thrifted and redirects shoppers away from mass consumption and toward pre-loved items instead. On today's show Poshmark's Kelly Mason inspires us to think differently about shopping during the holidays.(P.S. Are you putting up your Christmas tree this weekend? Listen to Episode #323: O Christmas Tree first!) Here's a preview:[2:45] The case for normalizing secondhand items as gifts[6:00] We live in a different world than we did as children! Here's why it's high-time our giving rituals adapt to our current enviro-reality[13:00] Would your loved ones be open to receiving a secondhand gift? This is what market research says[15:00] Skeptics, unite! How to best dip your toe into the secondhand lifestyle[21:00] Why it's individual voices (a.k.a. yours and mine) that contribute to the collective gifting mindset shift
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21/11/23•30m 25s
HEADLINES: A Climate Report Breakdown
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 17 2023:[2:45] Climate disasters are expensive, yo[7:30] Earth just experienced its hottest year in 125,000 years[12:00] The planet is "woefully off track" on 41 out of 42 global climate goals
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17/11/23•14m 48s
A Minimal-ish Holiday
The holidays are meant to be about peace, joy, and togetherness … but they often end up steeped in chaos, rush, and overspending.Not this year! There’s really no better time than right this minute to practice slowing down and getting intentional *before* we say yes to another obligation or hit 'add to cart'.On today's show podcast host Desirae Endres reminds us that the holidays aren't just for kids; they are for us to enjoy too. Here's a preview:[6:30] First things first: We can't manufacture perfection, and kids make their own magic[11:00] Are you the behind-the-scenes magic maker? The importance of remembering what YOU love about the season[23:00] Protect your peace by zeroing in on what's within your control[29:00] Focus on contentment, not on comparison! Shining light on the chasm between our idealized (ahem...commercialized) celebrations versus real life Resources mentioned:
Your Minimal-ish Holidays: 30 Days to a More Intentional Season
Desirae on Instagram
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16/11/23•37m 56s
Waking up Grateful
Are you doing gratitude wrong?So many of us are always waiting for more. But when you greet each moment gratefully? You're always receiving.On today's show author Kristi Nelson offers a mini-formula for grateful living (put this conversation on as you're preparing for Thanksgiving!). Here's a preview:[10:00] It's not happiness that makes us grateful; it's gratefulness that makes us happy (and other research-backed benefits to grateful living)[20:00] Is what once was plenty now no longer enough? Practical ways to fight back against "gratitude tolerance"[26:00] The super-simple solution to mind grind[30:00] Thoughts on practicing gratitude during moments of grief, illness, and struggle Resource mentioned:Wake Up Grateful: The Practice Of Taking Nothing For Granted
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14/11/23•34m 3s
HEADLINES: An Electric Airplane
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 10 2023:[00:30] Microplastics are now in clouds; here's what this means[3:00] The leaf blower problem[10:30] The world's first solar SUV has entered the chat[11:00] An electric plane just flew from Vermont to Florida (!) Resources mentioned: Episode #260: The White Gold Rush
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10/11/23•15m 0s
How To Buy Soap
Choosing the right hand soap and body wash isn't *just* about cleanliness. You deserve non-toxic products and our waterways deserve non-polluting ones, so it's really about committing to a higher standard of care.We're likely using soap every day for the rest of our lives; it's prudent, then, to get intentional about this must-have product. On today's show: conscious consumerism in the soap aisle. Here's a preview:[3:00] Are antibacterial/antimicrobial soaps really necessary?[6:30] A hand sanitizer tangent: pro tips for buying and using sanitizer the *right* way[9:00] Research finds that putting products with toxins on our skin is more deleterious to our health than eating them, and here's why[11:00] Everything you absolutely must know about Triclosan[19:00] How to excel at the hand soap class of life via Stephanie's handy-dandy grading rubric Resources mentioned:
Dr. Bronner's Castile Soap bars
Vermont Soap Company
Attitude personal care products
Carina Organics
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09/11/23•32m 40s
Sustainable Investing 2.0
Perhaps you're a veteran investor, or maybe you're just now starting to financial plan. Either way, where you put your money can substantially increase (or decrease!) your annual carbon footprint. Don't put your money where your mouth is; put it where your values are. On today's show financial consultant Shila Wattamwar leads an advanced level discussion about sustainable investing for the eco-conscious. Here's a preview:[5:00] The sneaky ways you may be funding fossil fuels with your $$[8:00] How well do ESG rating scales actually work? (And why aren't these measures standardized?)[21:00] Proxy ballots are an opportunity. Don't throw them in the trash![25:00] What a time to be alive: A financial advisor's thoughts on next gen "alternative investments" New to sustainable investing? Listen to these episodes first!
Episode #278: Divesting
Episode #258: Conscious Spending
Episode #205: How To Right-Size Your Budget
Resources mentioned:
Sustainability With Soren
www.SustainableMe.Today
Net-Zero Banking Alliance – United Nations Environment – Finance Initiative (unepfi.org)
Company ESG Risk Ratings and scores - Sustainalytics
ESG Screener | Morningstar
Resolutions — As You Sow
Resolution Database | PRI (unpri.org)
DEALFLOW NETWORK l Connecting Private Equity ( PE ), Venture Capital ( VC ), M&A Dealmakers | Groups | LinkedIn
Impact Entrepreneur | Groups | LinkedIn
Big Path Capital founders of the Impact Investing Forum | Groups | LinkedIn
Gaingels
SOSV - Deep Tech for Human and Planetary Health
Chloe Capital | VC Firm Investing In Women
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07/11/23•32m 34s
HEADLINES: How To Cool Down A City
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 3 2023:[00:30] French cheese, meet climate change[4:00] This is why olive oil is so expensive right now[6:30] Why many scientists are now saying climate change is an all-out 'emergency'[11:00] Cities are notoriously hot. Here are some cutting edge cooling solutions
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03/11/23•15m 39s
Just Stop It! (Holiday Decor Edition)
Some environmentalists call Christmas the world’s greatest annual environmental disaster, and for good reason: All that cheap, ultra-trendy decor adds up. On today's show: getting intentional about our holiday decorations once and for all. Here's a preview:[3:00] Let's talk numbers: How much do Americans spend each year on holiday decor?[10:00] 3 ways in which 'Christmas Creep' encourages us to spend more than we intended on decorations[13:00] The origins of those inflatable lawn thingys: Where did they come from and when will they disappear?[22:00] Don't go out and buy another decoration until you've displayed the decorations you already own, and here are 4 reasons why[32:00] Want to make your child smile? Don't buy a cheap piece of holiday decor; do this instead Resources mentioned:
Big Mouth Billy Bass
Episode #323: O Christmas Tree
Episode #101: 5 Spaces To Declutter Before Christmas
Episode #051: How To Handle Holiday Clutter (with Joshua Becker)
Episode #327: Holiday Boundaries
Episode #326: Gift Boundaries
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02/11/23•39m 14s
Micro Activism
Many of us shy away from the word 'activist' because the term brings to mind a very specific type of person. But if you're regularly taking action to make the world a better place? Guess what my friend, you're already an activist (yes, really!).What matters is not the size of the action, nor how vigorous the action is. It's all about consistency. On today's show author Omkari Williams helps us find the kind of social justice engagement that feels both empowering *and* sustainable.Here's a preview:[4:00] Activism isn't just marching and picketing: Here's what micro activism looks like in the day to day [10:30] Are you a headliner, an organizer, a producer, or an indispensable? How to determine your unique activist archetype[22:00] The status quo isn't working for the vast majority of us. So where's the passion for change?[30:00] How to know whether your efforts constitute shallow work or deep work Resources mentioned:
Micro Activism: How You Can Make a Difference in the World without a Bullhorn
Take Omkari's Activist Archetype Quiz
Seafoodwatch.org consumer guides
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31/10/23•34m 18s
HEADLINES: Enhanced Oil Recovery
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 27 2023:[00:30] The West Antarctic ice sheet appears to be headed for an eventual “collapse”[3:00] The oil giants are feeling pretty darn good about their futures, apparently[6:30] Why on earth is the US government funding enhanced oil recovery?[13:00] This potential climate warrior may be gearing up for a White House run Resources mentioned:
Companies capture a lot of CO2. Most of it is going into new oil. (via WaPo)
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27/10/23•14m 32s
Modern Stress
It's sad but true: Americans are some of the most chronically stressed people on the planet. On today's show: how to incorporate Japanese lifestyle philosophies into our lives for reduced stress, greater well-being, and a longer life.Here's a preview:[3:00] The physiology of stress: What *actually* goes on in our bodies when we encounter a stressor?[11:00] 5 reasons why Americans are among the most stressed in the world[20:00] The secret to a great life isn't the accumulation of $$, it's this[27:00] How being in a hurry is inversely proportional to your quality of life Resources mentioned:
Americans Are Some of the Most Stressed-Out People in the World, a New Global Survey Says (via Time)
Stressed in the U.S.: 12 Tools to Tackle Anxiety, Loneliness, Tech Addiction, and More by Meg Van Deusen
Episode #384: Forest Bathing 101
Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
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26/10/23•33m 5s
Eating Out
Whether you’re dining at a restaurant or ordering takeout, eating out leaves a footprint.On today's show: asking the right questions, minimizing food waste, and reading through All. The. Greenwashing the next time you head to a restaurant.Here's a preview:[6:30] The food waste issue at fine dine, quick serve, and fast casual[12:00] Farm-to-table? How to find restaurants that actually care about environmental sustainability[22:30] The best way to *gently* suggest a change in a restaurant's policy[27:00] Our lives may be go go go, but our food doesn't have to be! Resources mentioned:
Michelin Green Star restaurants
Episode #093: How (Exactly) To Cook Zero-Waste Meals
Episode #270: Desperation Dinners
Episode #038: What's For Dinner?
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24/10/23•32m 47s
HEADLINES: Iron Enrichment
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 20 2023:[00:30] These are the places that could become ‘unlivable’ as the Earth warms[3:00] Engineer the ocean to curb climate change? Hmm ...[6:30] Ozone-destroying gasses are largely banned. So why are they still being emitted into the atmosphere?[13:00] Climate rules are coming for corporate America[15:00] The enviro-implications of that Taylor Swift tweetResources mentioned:
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20/10/23•17m 18s
To-Do List Freedom
We are often told that if we accomplish as much as possible in a day’s time we’ll feel fulfilled come day’s end. Enter to-do lists, which provide focus, direction, and purpose. But action doesn't always equal progress; it's no surprise, then, that so many of us feel drained and dissatisfied once the sun goes down.On today's show: how to find freedom in your to-do list and (finally!) make room for peace, connection, and fulfillment. Here's a preview:[4:00] Your daily to-do list should have 7 items or less, and here's why[8:30] Exactly how to focus less on efficiency and more on intentionality[15:00] Time Boxing, Post-Its, and more: 4 research-backed ways to make your to-do list work for you[29:00] The Number One way to ensure you're spending your precious finite resource (ahem ... your TIME) on the right things Resources mentioned:
18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done (by Peter Bregnan)
Fat And The Moon deodorant
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19/10/23•33m 45s
Comfort At All Costs
We have nearly engineered out all discomfort from our modern lives. Great, right? Not so fast: doing so comes at our own expense.On today's show: comfort creep's harms, with practical thoughts on course correction. Here's a preview:[1:30] Humans have evolved to prioritize comfort. What's so wrong with being ultra-comfy?[6:30] Research finds that when we adopt a new comfort in our lives we adapt to it quite quickly. Enter comfort creep[11:30] ... But is it sustainable? Our reverence for comfort has come at the expense of our planet's health[19:30] We have countless modern comforts yet we're still unhappy; here's why[25:00] Parents, stop managing all of your child's discomforts! Resources Mentioned:
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
Episode #365: Old Fashioned On Purpose
Episode #395: Lifestyle Creep
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17/10/23•33m 29s
HEADLINES: Lots Of Dead Animals
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 13 2023:[00:30] The "apocalyptic" mass death of over 100 freshwater dolphins in the Amazon[3:00] The fall migration season and mass bird deaths in Chicago[5:30] Electric bikes may (finally) be getting cheaper[10:00] 3 cheers for Norway's latest re-wilding efforts[13:00] Are McMansions a thing of the past? Resources mentioned:E-Bike Incentive Programs of North America
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13/10/23•13m 24s
Breaking Down Body Odor
There are tens of thousands of chemicals currently used in the US and (shocker!) most aren't adequately tested for health and safety. The fewer we come into contact with, the better.Still, no one wants to stink. Enter deodorant and antiperspirant, two pesky places in which we conscious consumers can certainly buy better. On today's show: everything you never knew you *needed* to know about deodorant, plus: how to buy this medicine cabinet staple like a boss. Here's a preview:[2:15] First things first: Breaking down exactly what's happening under your arms [7:00] Antiperspirants block sweat glands and constrict pores. Is this a good thing?[9:30] What does recent empirical research say about aluminum and breast cancer? About Alzheimer's?[21:00] Exactly how to read the back of any personal care product[25:00] 5 steps to buying non-toxic and zero-waste deodorant Resources mentioned:
Wild deodorant
Pretty Frank
Soapwalla
Ursa Major
Primal Life Organics
The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database
For more conscious consumer listening:
Episode #294: A Better Trash Bag
Episode #194: Safer Nail Polish
Episode #318: How To Buy Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Episode #338: How Ethical Is Your Chocolate?
12/10/23•35m 1s
HEADLINES: Monster Fracks
Your enviro-news for Friday, October 6 2023:[00:30] Everything you need to know about monster fracking [5:00] Better late than never? Vaccines, horseshoe crab blood, and (finally) a synthetic alternative[9:00] Will our grandchildren know frogs?[12:00] Introducing the Climate Corps, a green jobs training program Resources mentioned:
American Climate Corps (via The White House)
Upstate NY program on sustainable agriculture and animal welfare
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06/10/23•15m 52s
Cheat Codes For A Good Life
Cheat codes for living are handy tricks that help us navigate this crazy game called life in a more easeful (and perhaps more joyful!) manner. On today's show we break down 16 of the most important. Here's a preview:[2:15] The hands down best way to rewire your brain to forget about rejection[10:00] Head or heart? Answering this age-old question once and for all (with the help of science)[18:00] There's only one right way to respond to compliments and this is it[21:00] Adopt this simple trick as your brain "prunes its synapses"[28:00] Don't praise your child for being smart! Say this instead Resources mentioned:Episode #402: Building Experiential Wealth
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05/10/23•35m 48s
A Green Constitutional Amendment
There may indeed be a singular solution that addresses environmental racism, the climate crisis, pollution, and withering US ecosystems simultaneously. That solution? Green Amendments.Constitutions are the people's documents. Although getting environmental rights included may indeed be ... well, difficult, advocates argue it's possible. In fact, it's already being done.Today attorney and environmental activist Maya van Rossum empowers us to mobilize for constitutional change that will protect our right to a healthful climate once and for all. Here's a preview:[3:30] Held v. Montana's landmark win: Breaking down its implications in laymen's terms[9:30] If environmental rights are indeed human rights, why didn't our founding fathers include them in the US Constitution?[12:30] How legislative remedies (ahem ... The Clean Air Act, The Safe Drinking Water Act) legalize pollution and harm[25:00] The power lies in grassroots organization. Join us! Resources Mentioned/Further Reading:
How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement by Fredrik deBoer
The Green Amendment: The People's Fight for a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment by Maya van Possum
Green Amendments For The Generations
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03/10/23•31m 54s
HEADLINES: Net Zero Greenwashing
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 29 2023:[00:30] Antarctic winter sea ice hits 'extreme' record low[3:00] Net-zero "pledges" and "ambitions" in the food and restaurant industries[9:00] Don't call it a (snow leopard) comeback[11:00] The simple and cost-effective way Japanese businesspeople are combatting emissions
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29/09/23•14m 0s
Climate Migration
We humans have lived within a surprisingly narrow range of temperatures for most of our history. But this range? It's slowly and steadily moving north.As the planet warms and weather events become more severe, it's natural to wonder about safety. How do we know it's time to leave our beloved homes and move for good? Where are the so-called climate havens, and do they have infrastructure in place to support a sudden population influx?On today's show we round out Difficult Decisions Week with two women who are among the first to consider climate change when buying property and laying down roots.Here's a preview:[11:00] 3 characteristics to look for in a prospective climate haven[22:00] The red flags one guest believes will inform her it's time to go for good[27:00] Even in 2023, Americans continue to move toward both heat and coastlines. At what point is doing so no longer a solid financial investment?[30:00] Advice for listeners considering a proactive climate move Further reading/Resources mentioned:
How Climate Migration Will Reshape America (via The New York Times)
The Girl Next Door Podcast
RisingShining.com
The Creeks Will Rise by William Becker
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28/09/23•32m 19s
Climate Change And Family Planning
Difficult truth time: A child born today will live on a planet that’s hotter than it has ever been since human civilization developed. And us humans? We’re the ones who created this problem.According to one study, each child born in the United States adds thousands of tons of carbon to their parents’ lifetime carbon legacy. While some would-be parents rightly question whether it’s ethical to have children and thus contribute to our global warming woes, others wonder whether it’s fair *to the child* to bring them into a world with such an uncertain - and perhaps unstable - future.The decision to have a family is a profoundly emotional and personal one that’s made more complex with looming climate threats. It's Difficult Decisions Week on the podcast and on today's show my guests and I tackle the most difficult one of all: family planning in the era of climate change.Here's a preview: [9:00] Breaking down the carbon emissions numbers and adding in legacy[12:00] Is it ethical to bring a child into a world that’s rapidly warming?[14:00] Thoughts on intentionally having children and raising them to be stewards of the planet[20:00] The paradox of privilege: if we’re privileged enough to not feel the effects of climate change, can/should we go on living as usual?[24:00] It all comes down to hope. How hopeful are you? Further Reading:
Should You Not Have Kids Because Of Climate Change? It’s Complicated. (via The Washington Post)
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26/09/23•24m 52s
HEADLINES: A Busy Week In New York
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 22 2023:[00:30] Updates from the Climate Ambition Summit[2:00] Climate protesters march in Manhattan[4:00] California sues fossil fuels giants[11:00] Dogs are joining the conservation movement Resources mentioned:
Working Dogs For Conservation
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22/09/23•14m 30s
A Better Bread
Sourdough bread is alchemy personified, as just 3 ingredients — flour, salt, and water — transform themselves into a delicious food item that also happens to be insanely healthy. Yet despite centuries of sourdough wisdom, 21st century bread is made with dozens of unnecessary (and perhaps unsafe) additives. And those microbiome benefits that sourdough boasts? Sadly, modern bread has none.Today in honor of #SourdoughSeptember: A conversation with professional bakers Ed and Natasha Tatton about the reasons why we should all be eating sourdough on the regular (and how, too, to get started on your own sourdough baking journey if the mood strikes).Here's a preview:[5:00] Sourdough isn't a skill, it's an understanding[9:00] Sour-faux? Loaves at the supermarket may say "sourdough" but are a-lyin'[15:00] Not everyone should bake sourdough, but everyone should be eating it: Breaking down the (numerous) health benefits of fermented foods[22:00] Sourdough starters were once passed down as wedding gifts. Here's everything you need to know about your "low-maintenance pet" [29:00] Pro tips for sourdough success from professional bakers Resources mentioned:
The Real Bread Campaign
Brod & Taylor
Blue Zones documentary (via Netflix)
Episode #403: The Processed Food Problem
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21/09/23•34m 51s
The Processed Food Problem
About 60 percent of the foods Americans eat these days are processed, and diet-related illnesses are the leading cause of mortality in the USA. If you’re like most people you may be spending your hard-earned dollars on food you’ve been told is healthy and safe but simply isn't. Amidst both all the conflicting diet information and all the greenwashing it has never been more important to pay attention to what's in our food. On today's show we discuss the processed food problem by zeroing in on 3 specific additives we should be on the lookout for the next time we venture into the grocery store.Here's a preview:[4:30] Is processing the problem, or is it the additives?[7:30] Why 'Generally Recognized As Safe' is ridiculously unsafe[15:00] Red 3, Yellow 4, and everything you need to know about artificial food dyes [18:00] The connection between the benzoates and hyperactivity[24:00] What on earth is potassium bromate? Here's the simplest way to avoid this bread additive
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19/09/23•33m 24s
HEADLINES: Dating Debt
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 15 2023:[00:30] Biden blocks oil drilling in Arctic Alaska (yay!). But don't forget about Willow ...[3:30] Extreme heat and indoor recess [9:00] A (gorgeous) once-extinct bird is reintroduced to New Zealand[13:00] Millennials are racking up 'romantic debt' in the pursuit of love Resources mentioned:
A Rare Pair of Chicks for the Exotic and Endangered Takahe Into The Wild
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15/09/23•14m 43s
Building Experiential Wealth
Our experiences - the big trips, the small moments of joy, and everything in between - are the real wealth of our lives. So why is it that we consistently fail to do the things we're yearning to do? And how can we live lives that are experientially rich despite the daily grind?Today's show is a conversation with authors Bridget Hilton and Joe Huff about how to treat time as our most valuable currency while it's still on our side.Here's a preview:[4:00] How to accurately measure the importance of experiences in a capitalist society[12:00] Experiences yield wealth, yet so few of us fully live. Here are the top reasons why, according to a study of over 20K individuals[15:30] Fear holding you back? Do this![19:00] Shake yourself awake to what really matters (and don't fall back asleep!) with these 2 resources[31:00] 3 ways to avoid regrets by keeping yourself accountable Resources mentioned:
Your reviews on Apple Podcasts really help the show. Thank you!
Experiential Billionaire: Build a Life Rich in Experiences and Die With No Regrets
Get your own (free!) Memento Mori Calendar
Episode #362: Living On Purpose
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14/09/23•37m 44s
Reclaiming Your Weekends
For many, weekends are for chores. They're also for carting kids to sports games and getting caught up on errands. But amidst all that driving and laundering, where are the opportunities to rest, rejuvenate, and fully live our lives?Feeling rested is so much more than a good night's sleep and on today's show we discuss research-backed ways to reclaim your time and wellness by making weekends work for you. Here's a preview:[3:00] Connections between work, busyness, and feeding the capitalist engine[5:00] The 7 types of rest our bodies and minds need[20:00] What research says about the benefits of active recreation as opposed to passive recreation[24:00] Thoughts on playing catch up on the weekends: Can we minimize our weekend chores? [29:00] Whatever happened to blue laws? Making a case for jumping off the work-spend hamster wheel, at least on the weekend[33:00] Parents, we simply must: Together let's take a critical look at our children's weekend activities Resources mentioned:
Take Dr. Dalton-Smith's free rest quiz
Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Sandra Dalton-Smith
The Weekend Effect: The Life-Changing Benefits of Taking Two Days Off by Katrina Onstad
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto by Tricia Hersey
Episode #354: Edit Your Life
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12/09/23•37m 34s
HEADLINES: Groundwater
The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, September 8 2023:[00:30] 3 cheers for the rise of tiny forests[5:00] What sea ice loss means for emperor penguins [10:00] We're running out of groundwater ...[14:00] Revisiting climate havens Resources mentioned:
Episode #137: 5 Facts About The Global Water Crisis
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08/09/23•16m 12s
Buying For Life
We live in a world that's always trying to sell us more stuff, and much of it is junk. Enter environmental degradation, wasted money, unnecessary headaches, and clutter. Lots of clutter.Today we continue this week's Buy Just Once theme with BuyMeOnce.com founder Tara Button, who's here to lay bare the tenets of what she terms 'mindful curation'.Here's a preview:[7:00] Exactly how our ultra-commercialized world leaves us broke and lonely[12:00] Examining the discrepancy between the "poor premium" and consumer rights[23:00] 4 fixability elements to look for when researching appliances and electronics[28:00] Thoughts on trust and brand loyalty at a time when consumer confidence is at an all-time low Resources mentioned:
A Life Less Throwaway: The Lost Art of Buying for Life by Tara Button
Citizens: Why the Key to Fixing Everything is All by John Alexander
Blendtec blender
Well Rigged
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07/09/23•35m 30s
Grandma Wisdom
These days, durable and long-lasting products often seem like elusive unicorns. But they do exist, and finding them is a 2-step process.First, it's imperative that we check our collective predisposition for disposability at the curb. Second, we must learn insider tricks for discerning the buy-for-life products from the cheap junk that lines store shelves. Enter Buy Just Once Week! On today's show sustainability educator Sophie Jungbauer suggests practical ways for adopting our grandmothers' mindsets when it comes to sourcing and caring for must-have household items. Here's a preview: [3:00] What exactly does 'quality' look like IRL?[10:30] Musings on consumerism and its consequences[14:00] Does "American Made" mean anything in terms of durability?[25:00] Getting in the habit of asking yourself, "Did my grandma have this?"[28:00] Quality over quantity! The #1 minimalist mindset shift that must first happen before conscious consumption can take place[35:00] Pyrex, stainless steel, and more: 5 Buy Just Once items for your kitchen Resources mentioned:
Episode #222: Everything Faux Leather
Episode #396: The C Word
Griswold cast iron
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05/09/23•39m 28s
HEADLINES: Fast Fashion Unites
The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, September 1 2023:[00:30] What you need to know about the new deal between Shein and Forever 21[4:30] China says Japan's seafood is unsafe. What does science say?[11:00] 3 cheers for windsails made especially for cargo ships[13:30] Renewable propane is here (!!)Resources mentioned:
Nullker.com
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01/09/23•14m 10s
Keeping Clutter Out
Yes, clutter is always going to accumulate. But there are ways to prevent at least some of it from entering our homes, and we're chatting about 3 of those ways today. Here's a preview:[2:00] Our decluttering challenge wrap-up [10:00] Browse, don't buy![16:30] Rocks, pebbles, and your personal Chuck It List[25:30] Contentment is being satisfied with what you have. Enter the Don't Want List Resources mentioned:
Episode #376: When Everything's A Favorite
Episode #397: What Organizers Do
Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management For Mortals by Oliver Burkeman
Expand Your Don’t Want List (via Becoming Minimalist)
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31/08/23•30m 37s
What Organizers Do
People are naturally curious about the homes of professional organizers. On today's show author Shira Gill divulges 5 high-impact organizing tips straight from the mouths of fellow professional organizers.Here's a preview of the insider tricks we're discussing today:[10:30] Don't shop for a mansion if you live in a cottage![16:00] Display what's beautiful; conceal what isn't[20:00] Ditch the product packaging for reduced visual clutter[23:00] When in doubt, decant [35:00] Elevate your neglected spaces Resources mentioned:
Episode #217: Organized Entryway Ideas
Organized Living: Solutions and Inspiration for Your Home
HGTV Is Making Our Homes Boring And Us Sad, One Study Says (via The Washington Post)
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29/08/23•38m 25s
HEADLINES: Caring about Coral
The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, August 25 2023:[00:30] What’s happening to South Florida’s coral reefs (and why you should care)[4:00] Don't call it a comeback: The golden lion tamarin's rebound[6:00] The richest Americans account for 40% of US emissions, but not for the reasons you may expect[11:00] The connection between air pollution and the silent pandemic, a.k.a. antibiotic resistance
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25/08/23•15m 51s
The C Word (Cancer!)
Since the dawn of the chemical era more than 300,000 chemicals have been invented, and many are made from oil and natural gas. While some manufactured chemicals have indeed provided benefit (Disinfectants! Antibiotics!), they have also caused great harm. Manufactured chemicals pollute every corner of the planet. They kill bees, fish, and mammals. They nearly destroyed the ozone and, yes, they give us cancer.Many types of cancer are on the rise in the US, and one explanation for this increase lies in our world of chemicals. On today's show environmental investigative reporter Kristina Marusic identifies the harmful environmental exposures linked to cancer; she also provides a step-by-step roadmap for reducing your cancer risk.Here's a preview: [2:00] Breaking down exactly what's happening with cancer rates around the world and why[12:00] The 3 Ps: 3 categories of pollutants that have clear links to childhood cancer[20:00] Pay special attention to these preventable environmental exposures if you have children[24:00] Revisiting the personal care product conundrum [28:00] The harmful environmental exposures you should zero in on at your child's daycare or school [36:00] In defense of being a loudmouth: You've been given a voice; here's how to best use it Resources mentioned:
A New War on Cancer: The Unlikely Heroes Revolutionizing Prevention
Sample letters to send to your child's school and school board (via Non-Toxic Communities)
The Cancer Free Economy Network
The EWG's Healthy Living App
Silent Spring Institute
The Center for Health, Environment, and Justice
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24/08/23•41m 24s
Lifestyle Creep
Spend more money than necessary on non-essential upgrades? You're not alone.Lifestyle creep is often related to status, and its prevalence may indeed be bolstered by a perceived sense of lack. On today's show financial educator Kara Perez offers her best tips for combatting unintentional lifestyle creep in the day-to-day.Here’s a preview: [3:00] When Latte Factors and Treat Yo’self! intersect: At what point do treats become lifestyle inflation?[9:00] The Number One question to ask if you suspect you’re defining your self-worth by others’ standards[16:00] Applying “You can’t be what you can’t see” to money decisions[20:00] 2 ways to bring your confidence back to awesome when you feel ‘less than’ (without buying something new)[26:00] Don’t call it a budget, call it a spending plan: The super smart way to track spending without that complicated spreadsheet Resources mentioned: Kara on YouTube
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22/08/23•35m 2s
HEADLINES: Climate Litigation
The era of climate litigation is here, my friends. Today's episode breaks down 3 enviro-lawsuits happening right now: [02:00] Held v. State of Montana and a big win for environmentalists this week[7:30] Attorney Missy Sims is a-comin' for Big Oil[12:30] $1.5B in damages: An Oregon county's lawsuit against fossil fuel big wigs 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
18/08/23•14m 31s
Big Pharma
The US pharmaceutical industry is unique in that it markets directly to consumers (hey there, Zoloft commercial!). Through such direct-to-consumer marketing we have been spoon-fed the notion that every hint of a symptom requires a drug.The result? Americans take more prescription medications today than at any other time in recent history. On today's show we uncover the pharmaceutical industry's influence over the FDA and over consumers.Here's a preview:[2:30] Do Americans take more prescription drugs than citizens in other countries?[5:00] Prescription medication and the implications of its direct-to-consumer marketing[9:30] Big pharma, the FDA, and a great big conflict of interest[12:00] The connection between a patient's desire for a quick fix and a physician's prescribing habits[19:00] 3 action steps re: conscious consumerism and prescription drugs Resources mentioned:
Carbon Footprint Of The Global Pharmaceutical Industry And Relative Impact Of Its Major Players (via Journal Of Cleaner Production)
Too Many Meds? America's Love Affair With Prescription Medication (via Consumer Reports)
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17/08/23•24m 31s
Single-Use Poison
We're surrounded by plastics everywhere, all the time. And single-use plastics? They're not only creating a pollution crisis; they are contributing to the climate crisis as well.Microplastics in particular are a cocktail of toxicity, containing at least 10,000 different chemicals, many of which are linked to diseases including diabetes and cancer. And yet more plastic waste is being produced than ever before. On today's show journalist Matt Simon offers real, actionable solutions to combat the growing plastic crisis.Here's a preview:[4:00] What emerging research says into the effects of microplastics on human health[13:00] Thoughts on BPA, PFAS, and other "regrettable substitutions"[17:00] An update on the state of plastics regulation in the US[21:30] New moms, listen up! The #1 way to reduce your baby's exposure to micro- and nanoplastics[24:00] Research-backed ways to combat the microplastics problem in your home Resources Mentioned:
More Single-Use Plastic Waste Being Produced Than Ever Before, Study Finds (via Forbes)
A Poison Like No Other: How Microplastics Corrupted Our Planet and Our Bodies
The United Nations Plastics Treaty
Episode #390: The Pet Episode
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15/08/23•31m 47s
HEADLINES: Plastic Barbies And More Extreme Weather
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday August 11, 2023:[00:45] Roads made of plastic waste? [3:30] The Barbie hoax (and Mattel's response)[9:30] The fire whirl: Breaking down this weather phenomenon [12:00] Tracking rising ocean temperatures around the world Resources mentioned:
The Barbie hoax (via Barbie Liberation Organization)
Photo of a fire whirl (via MSN)
Video of a fire whirl (via CBS News)
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11/08/23•13m 6s
Back-To-School Shopping
'Tis the season for back-to-school door busters, price slashes, and closeouts. On today's show we're discussing how to reduce clutter, save money, and help the planet by shopping for back-to-school with greater intention. Here's a preview:[2:30] Let's pull back the curtain on back-to-school marketing, shall we?[7:00] Here's what it actually means (and what it actually looks like!) to shop your own home[12:30] Revisiting the kids' capsule conversation[21:00] Thoughts on teacher wishlists (from a former teacher) Resources mentioned:
It's Back-To-School Shopping Time, And Everyone Wants A Bargain (via National Public Radio)
Back-to-Class Shopping Expected to Reach Record Levels (Via National Research Federation)
Episode # 006: The Ultimate Kid Capsule Blueprint
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10/08/23•35m 22s
Predictors Of Back-To-School Success
Welcome to Back-To-School Week!In 2023, the average American family will spend $597 per child in anticipation of the upcoming school year. And while new school supplies and fresh outfits can definitely get our children into the school spirit, it's rest, nutrition, and routines that *actually* predict success.On today's show Dr. Rebecca Jackson offers research-backed ways to ensure our children head to school with the best possible foundation.Here's a preview:[2:30] A challenge amplifier: The pandemic's lasting impacts on our children[8:30] How parents can use the concept of neuroplasticity to help kids get back on track[11:30] Practical ways to prioritize rest in your home[21:00] Packing a healthy lunchbox... ugh! Here's why you should bother[29:00] Fresh start or nerve-stressed? Thoughts on easing your child's back-to-school unknowns Resources mentioned:
Back on Track: A Practical Guide to Help Kids of All Ages Thrive
Brain Balance Center
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08/08/23•36m 32s
The Pet Episode
You love your pet; you also love the planet. Good news: How you feed, care for, and clean up after your dogs and cats have sizable impacts on our environment and ecosystems. On today's show: answering listener questions about all-things eco-conscious pets.Here's a preview of the pet-related questions we're answering today:[2:45] Should we transition our cats and dogs to plant-based diets?[7:00] Is PFAS in pet food bags?[10:30] What are the advantages and disadvantages of making our own pet food?[18:30] What's the most eco-friendly cat litter?[24:00] Should we be flushing or composting our cat litter?[27:00] Should domestic cats live indoors or outdoors? Resources mentioned:
Episode # 389: Certified B
World's Best Cat Litter
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03/08/23•31m 45s
Certified B
Brands are continuously making environmental and socially conscious claims. And while many consumers want to purchase from ethical brands, it's hard to know which brands are legit (versus which ones are faking).Enter the B Corp certification, which is the only 3rd-party logo that certifies a company's social and environmental ethics. Yes, the logo is certainly helpful for those of us who buy stuff, but it's bigger than that. Indeed, the B Corp's mere existence forces capitalism to shift toward sustainability.On today's show CEO Mike Brown breaks down everything we savvy consumers need to know about that B-in-a-circle logo. Here's a preview:[3:00] A vision centered around social impact? What does that mean?[12:00] The Nespresso controversy[19:00] Becoming a triple bottom line company has its advantages; plus: how we consumers can push business toward sustainability[25:00] Practical action steps for conscious consumers who want to shop with greater intention Resources mentioned:
Episode #388: The 30-Day Mess-Stress Fix (Join us!)
Find a B Corp at bcorporation.net
Mike on LinkedIn
--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
01/08/23•39m 14s
HEADLINES: Shein Backlash
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 28, 2023:[00:30] Native giraffes are reintroduced to the wild[2:45] A lithium mine in Nevada gets the green ahead (to the chagrin of environmentalists)[4:30] How to use empty office buildings for vertical farming (genius!)[10:00] Shein invited influencers on an all-expenses-paid trip and people are mad AF Resource mentioned:
Episode #260: The White Gold Rush
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28/07/23•15m 17s
The 30-Day Mess-Stress Fix
A new month is nearly here, and this means it's the perfect time to usher in the change of seasons with some legitimate decluttering.If you're ready to get serious about the clutter you accumulated this summer - and if you're motivated by a bit of healthy competition! - today's episode outlines the objective, the setup, and the rules of play for the 30-day minimalism challenge I'll be participating in starting August 1. I also offer up some tips to ensure success, and I so hope you join me for both the episode and the challenge!And if you're listening welllllll past this episode's release date, know that this game can be played anytime, anywhere! Here's a preview:[9:30] Three tips for avoiding the dreaded Doom Pile[12:30] Two birds, one stone: Exactly how to pair the 30-day minimalist challenge with your no-spend month[19:00] Using the Pomodoro Technique in decluttering and in life Resources mentioned:
Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits that Last, and Become a Minimalist Without Sacrificing the Planet
Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game (via The Minimalists)
Episode #376: When Everything's A Favorite
Episode #168: Intentional Living At Home
The Pomodoro Technique
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27/07/23•26m 13s
The Genderless Fashion Movement
It used to be pink for girls and blue for boys, but no longer.These days it's frills and plunging cuts for girls, angry dinosaurs and athletic fabrics for boys. And while gendered clothing often leads to more purchases for each child and thus generates excessive waste, there are other reasons to give fashion's gender bias the side-eye. Most concerning, of course, is its impacts on our children's development, self-expression, and self-esteem.On today's show Anastasia Vasilieva offers reasons why you may want to confront the implications of shopping by gender; she also suggests practical advice for buying kids clothing the eco-conscious way. Here's a preview:[4:00] Prints, fabrics, cuts, and more: Distinguishing gendered clothing from what's genderless[6:30] The 'why' behind early sexualization in girl's fashion[10:00] Two research-backed ways clothing perpetuates traditional gender roles[20:30] The negative correlation between gendered clothes and self-esteem[23:00] Three things to look for when buying clothes for the children in our lives Resources mentioned:
Episode #043: Slow Fashion In A Fast Fashion World
What Is ‘Sad Beige’ Parenting, And How Did We Get Here? (via Huff Post)
Treehouse Kids on Instagram
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25/07/23•30m 1s
HEADLINES: A Worm Invasion
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 21, 2023:[00:30] The Amazon's deforestation rate is (finally) declining![2:45] The unintended consequences of droughts[4:30] Say it ain't so: Worms are invading the Arctic[10:00] The consequences of HGTV on everyday renovations
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21/07/23•12m 45s
6 Things You Can't Buy On Amazon
Prime Week has come and gone ... for now. And while there are countless questionable items you can indeed purchase on Amazon (a mini hand squirrel, anyone?), there are 6 very specific intangibles that simply cannot be bought. Not now, not ever.On today's show we apply the 6-Factor Model For Psychological Wellbeing to our lives for greater clarity around what actually sparks joy.Here's a preview:[4:00] Connections between the fashion and beauty industries and bandaids when it comes to self-acceptance[8:30] You can't buy friends! 2 ways possessions keep us isolated [12:00] What's the opposite of keeping up with the Joneses? It's this (and it's also a major factor in wellness)[16:00] 3 ways in which your possessions directly work against your own level of environmental mastery[20:00] Here's why you can't underestimate the importance of personal growth Resources Mentioned:
Six Domains of Psychological Well-Being (via Psychology Today)
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20/07/23•25m 30s
In Defense Of Staycations
Have a summer trip planned? You're not alone. For many, traveling has become more lifestyle than luxury: in the time it takes you to read this blurb over 2,000 people will have arrived in a foreign country and a quarter of a million dollars will have been spent by Americans abroad.Staycations are emerging in popularity as a hassle-free and environmentally friendly way to holiday. And if you need more convincing, today's conversation with podcaster Chris Christou outlines why being a better tourist starts at home. Here's a preview: [8:00] Connections between the tourism industry and late stage capitalism [10:45] Eco-tourism is an oxymoron! (And other greenwashing examples) [24:00] Airbnb’s cultural consequences [31:00] 3 research-backed tips for making the most of your next staycation Resources mentioned:
The End of Tourism podcast
How to Make a Staycation Feel Like an Actual Break (via New York Times)
--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
18/07/23•35m 22s
HEADLINES: 3 Cheers For Bacterial Cellulose
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 14, 2023:[00:30] Flash floods 101[3:30] An alternative to single-use plastic packaging is (almost) here![9:00] 12 years later, Fukushima has an awful lot of wastewater. What should be done with it?[13:00] Introducing the Devil's Hole Pupfish
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14/07/23•14m 26s
Forest Bathing
Spending time in nature is recreation; it's also restorative and preventative medicine. Enter forest bathing which, like yoga, has been around for centuries and is now gaining newfound popularity amongst those of us who are overexposed, overworked, and overscheduled.On today's show author Ben Page invites us to connect with nature - and ourselves - in a new way.Here's a preview:[5:00] Japan and shirin-yoku: The origins of modern forest bathing[9:00] Why bother? Here's a laundry list of forest bathing's health and wellness benefits[17:00] How to forest bathe, step by step (with newbie questions in rapid fire format)[33:00] Biophilic interior design for wellness Resources mentioned:
Healing Trees: A Pocket Guide To Forest Bathing
Bringing Nature Inside Can Improve Your Health. Here’s How To Do It. (Via The Washington Post)
Episode #352: Growing Joy With Plants
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13/07/23•35m 25s
Gatekeeping Your Peace
When it comes to reducing cell phone use, we've all heard the advice. Turn off notifications. Unfollow and unfriend. But this advice? It's stale. Shallow, even, because it does little to *actually* reduce time spent on screens.We often discuss gatekeeping our homes and the responsibility that comes with deciding what gets granted admittance. On today's show we identify what it means to be the gatekeeper of our peace by once and for all getting intentional with our tech. Here's a preview:[10:30] Enter white space: How to incrementally extend the length of time between your cell phone checks[12:30] Has the work-from-home movement ballooned our use of tech?[18:30] Here's the stuff you really, really should be deleting from your phone[22:00] The one phone-related step you can take to improve your focus, well-being, and relationships[26:00] Are you a phubber? Resources mentioned:
Episode #292: The Minimalist Cell Phone Movement
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11/07/23•27m 56s
HEADLINES: A Real Smorgasbord
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 7, 2023:[00:45] The rise of livestream e-commerce in China[5:00] Is passive cooling the way of the future?[10:00] Are insects wildlife? Well, it depends on where you live[12:00] Wealth matters. So does population density Resources mentioned:
Dow Cool Roof Energy Calculator
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07/07/23•18m 24s
Let's Talk Diapers
Spoiler alert: Disposable diapers are terrible for the planet. They account for about 2% of all landfill waste in the US; worse – because they're made of plastics – they decompose very, very slowly. Before their arrival on the commercial scene in the 1960s babies were fully potty trained by 18 months. But thanks to this "convenient" option, these days the average potty training age is 3 years. Andrea Olson is the voice behind the über popular method of bathroom training called elimination communication. On today's show Andrea explains the ways in which diaper companies play on our fears of being bad parents to push their single-use products; she also breaks down the steps she took to get her children out of diapers in half the time. Here's a preview:[4:45] Thoughts on intentionality in potty training as being better for both our children and the planet they will inherit[9:00] A history of potty training: What did humans do before disposable diapers?[16:00] Addressing common criticisms: Does elimination communication have adverse effects on a child's development?[24:00] So how does it work, exactly? Resources mentioned:
Go Diaper Free podcast
Andrea on Instagram
Commons app
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05/07/23•28m 29s
HEADLINES: Easy Listening
The (positive!) enviro-news you need to know for Friday June 30, 2023:[00:30] The latest re: nature's healing effects on human health & wellness[2:45] The planet gets a big win in Switzerland[4:00] 400 Panamanian golden frogs, 6 black-footed ferries, and a western lowland gorilla[9:00] What's living at the bottom of the ocean? (We don't know!)[12:00] The climate denying tide, it is a-changin'
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30/06/23•10m 36s
Our Carbon Problem
The world has a big fat carbon problem. There’s already too much of it in the atmosphere and – thanks to both our lifestyles and corporations' polluting, business-as-usual practices – we're emitting even more carbon into the atmosphere each and every second.Enter carbon capturing.Today in honor of Climate Optimism Week we are outlining the latest and greatest in the carbon capture game. Here's a preview:[2:00] A carbon capture primer: What it is, why we need it, and why trees are simply no longer enough [5:00] 2 examples of small-scale carbon solutions[11:00] The main differences between post combustion capture and direct air capture[18:00] What on earth should we do with the carbon we end up capturing? [21:00] Let's not put all our eggs in the carbon capture basket! Here's why --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
29/06/23•21m 35s
Climate Optimism?
When the climate narrative is all doom and gloom, many of us find it difficult to rally. It's the Snooze Button Effect in real-time: the barrage of "climate apocalypse" headlines lose their urgency, their potency.If you're desensitized to environmental news, know that you're not alone.Today I speak with angry-activist-turned-climate optimist Anne Therese Gennari about becoming more resilient and motivated when confronting the climate crisis – and why optimism is key when it comes to rethinking how we live in this world.Welcome to Climate Optimism Week! Today’s show is the first in a two-part series outlining reasons to be hopeful in the climate fight. Here's a preview: [5:00] How can we be climate optimists when the planet’s future looks so dire?[11:30] 2 benefits to toning down the urgency [20:00] Can capitalism be our ally in the climate fight?[25:00] What it really means to maximize your positive footprint Resources mentioned:
What We Think About When We Try Not To Think About Global Warming: Toward a New Psychology of Climate Action by Per Espen Stoknes
Upchoose
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27/06/23•35m 47s
HEADLINES: Mega Fires And Feedback Loops
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday June 13, 2023:[00:45] It's here my friends. We're living in the Fire Age[05:00] Cutting edge fire detection measures happening now[9:00] 5 steps to improving your indoor air quality[11:00] Air conditioners of the future Resources mentioned:
The Best Home Air Quality Monitor (via NY Times)
AirNow app
Episode #312: 12 Practical Energy Saving Tips
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23/06/23•16m 0s
From Green To Clean
There comes a time when we're simultaneously sick of all the greenwashing and angry at the snail's pace in which change tends to occur. Because while doing our best within our homes is indeed impactful, it does little to create large-scale change.If you're dedicated to leaving the world a better place than you found it, you're ready to become an advocate.Today's show is the second in a two part series about creating a marketplace that puts consumers — not mega corporations! — first, and I'm speaking with podcaster Jessica Brennan about her transition from quiet-but-crunchy parent to loud-and-proud advocate. Jessica was pivotal in the passing of the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act (MoCRA) which is the first substantial update to cosmetic laws since 1938. Here's a preview: [5:00] How to know when you're ready to take your frustration and do something with it outside of your home[12:00] The surprising benefits associated with advocacy work[18:00] Want to be an advocate but don't want to picket? Here's how[24:00] Thoughts on using your voice for change even when it's scary Resources mentioned: Jessica 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.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
22/06/23•31m 55s
Buyer Beware
We all need to feel like we can make smart purchasing decisions, but it’s hard to know where to put our trust. Researchers have found dangerous levels of mercury in anti-aging creams; they’ve linked chemicals in hair dye to cancer; they’ve traced fragrances in soaps and shampoos to fertility issues. And while it has become more confusing than ever to know whether our buying choices are putting our health at risk, America's laws often help manufacturers avoid accountability.Today's show is the first in a two part series about creating a marketplace that puts consumers — not mega corporations! — first. Here's a preview:[1:30] Mascara and blindness[6:00] Antibiotics, antifreeze and over 100 deaths[11:00] The link between Johnson & Johnson's baby powder and ovarian cancer; plus: the mega-corp's attempts to protect itself at the expense of 34,000+ victims Resources mentioned:
Johnson & Johnson Reaches Deal for $8.9 Billion Talc Settlement (via NY Times)
US Judge Halts Most Talc Lawsuits Against J&J, Stops Trials (via Reuters)
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update June 2023 (via Forbes)
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20/06/23•18m 30s
HEADLINES: Varying Levels Of Sacrifice
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday June 16, 2023:[00:30] German homeowners and financial sacrifice (heat pumps are expensive!)[04:00] Should we sacrifice the Great American landscape in the name of clean energy? [11:00] Here's how South Koreans are making eco-sacrifices in real time Resources mentioned:
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16/06/23•15m 36s
From That To This
Our brains are really darn busy. They're continually processing lots of information; they're also working overtime to keep us out of harm's way. And because they're overworked and underpaid, our brains seek out shortcuts. Sometimes these shortcuts are helpful but often they cause more harm than good.Enter cognitive distortions, which make us anxious, create excessive suffering, and blow our self-esteem to smithereens. On today's show we flip and reverse these 6 unhelpful thought patterns for greater well-being:[8:00] Overgeneralizations ("Everyone else is doing so much better than me!")[10:00] Negative predictions ("I'm trapped!")[15:00] Jumping to conclusions ("No one loves me as much as I love them!")[19:00] All-or-nothing thinking ("If only I had ...")[25:00] Misplaced self-doubt ("I'm an imposter!")[28:00] Polarized thinking ("My life is a mess!") Resources mentioned/Further reading:
5 Distorted Thought Patterns and How to Change Them (via Psychology Today)
6 Thought Patterns That Increase Anxiety (via Psychology Today)
A New Earth by Eclhart Tolle
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15/06/23•32m 46s
When Everything's A Favorite
Our kids have big feelings about their stuff. In many homes, the mere suggestion of a toy and treasure decluttering sesh initiates a gargantuan cleanup battle. Are your kiddos running out of space to store their special things? If so, it may be time to teach them the important skill of discerning their favorites from the minutia.Drama-free decluttering with kids is possible! Today I speak with shopaholic-turned-minimalist Mary Simpson about the ways in which she empowers her children to make difficult decisions about their stuff. Here's a preview:[6:30] First things first: We respect our children by respecting their stuff[9:30] Drowning in artwork and school papers? Here's what to do[15:00] How many childhood mementos should you keep?[26:00] Containers are your friend! Resources mentioned:
Mary on Instagram
Want more episodes like this one? Check out #302: Raising Non-Materialistic Kids
--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
13/06/23•31m 11s
HEADLINES: Sinking Cities
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday June 9, 2023:[01:00] Promising developments re: PFAS legislation[4:00] Eco-conscious breweries?[8:00] Bad news for arctic sea ice[10:00] Sinking US cities and rising sea levels = trouble Resources mentioned:
Episode #264: Forever Chemicals
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09/06/23•11m 39s
Mess And Stress
When the clutter in your immediate physical environment becomes just another major stressor that bombards your autonomic nervous system, you may be stuck in the mess-stress cycle. My children are almost on summer break and this means extra messes and excess stresses. On today's show: 5 steps to bare-bones home maintenance that will get your home back to functioning in 20 minutes or less.Here's a preview:[2:30] Are you stressed, or are you in a stress cycle? Here's how to know[5:30] The warning signs and symptoms of the mess-stress cycle[13:00] 5 steps to getting your home back to functioning in under 20 minutes Resources mentioned:
How To Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach To Cleaning And Organizing by K.C. Davis
Caught in a Stress Cycle (via Psychology Today)
Episode #076: The Shoebox Method
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. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
08/06/23•26m 16s
Upgrade Culture
It's 2023 and upgrade culture is fierce. For many of us, wanting something is as good a reason as any to go out and buy it. And wanting a newer model of an item you already have? Just another excuse to splurge.Today's show is less of an interview and more of a conversation with the anti-upgrade king (a.k.a. my husband) about how we attempt to keep upgrade culture at bay in our own home.Here's a preview:[5:30] Don't forget utility![7:30] Thoughts on the connection between upgrade culture and performative wealth[9:00] Why we don't buy stuff for our daughters "just because"[15:00] Tech-free homes as a sneaky anti-upgrade power move[18:00] The quiet power embedded within simply saying nothing[23:00] Why and how to steer clear of the parenting path of least resistance, plus: How to teach your kids to care for their stuff Resources Mentioned:National Crayon Recycling Program--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
06/06/23•27m 19s
HEADLINES: Angry Environmentalists
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday June 2, 2023:[00:30] Angry environmentalists and the US debt deal [4:00] Recycling centers create lots of microplastics (and lots of problems)[8:00] What you need to know about a gigantic log pile in Canada[11:00] "Rapidly growing catastrophic exposure" and home insurance changes
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02/06/23•13m 37s
To Replace Or Not To Replace?
Countless online articles jammed with affiliate links entice readers to modernize. To swap what's working with something better. To stay relevant with the sleekest and newest. Some such guides even amplify the health and safety benefits associated with upgrading certain home items. But is replacement our only option? How can consumers truly know?On today's show we take 8 common household items and ask the singular question: Do we *really* need to swap out these items with newer models?Here's a preview: [3:00] Should we actually replace our toilet bowl brushes on the regular (or is a simple cleaning enough)?[7:00] What's the truth when it comes to replacing personal care products?[16:00] Hold up: do surge protecters need replacing?[22:00] Let's talk cutting boards[26:00] All-things mattresses ... again[29;00] Everything you need to know about the efficacy of your smoke alarmsResources mentioned:
Sorry, but It’s Probably Time to Replace These 17 Household Essentials (via Wirecutter from NY Times)
Tushy toilet brush with replaceable coconut husk cleaning pads
Berkey water filters
Izzy Zero Waste mascara
How to Clean and Care for Wood Cutting Boards (via NY Times)
Episode: #208: How to protect yourself from EMFs at home
Episode #256: The Best Things In Life Are Free: Sleep
--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
01/06/23•30m 17s
Me, Myself, And I
Sustainability chatter often centers around the importance of being selfless: Do better for waterways and ecosystems. Do better for endangered animals and, of course, do better for future generations, won't you?But humans tend to be self-centered as a species, and expert marketing has trained us to prioritize our personal whims over the collective. The result? Many tend to help others only if their needs and wants first feel fully fulfilled.Self-centeredness has a universal benefit: planetary wellness *always* starts with personal wellness. On today's show Brienne Derosier introduces her concept of the Wellness Onion as a means of explaining how caring for ourselves is a smart and sneaky means of learning to care for all things everywhere. Here's a preview:[5:30] Layer One: What are you consuming?[10:00] It's less about how you look and more about how you feel. Here's why[12:00] Layer Two: What are you putting on your body?[22:00] Layer Three: What are you putting in your home?[32:00] Layer Four: What is your long-term legacy? Resources mentioned:The International Living Future Institute--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
30/05/23•41m 59s
HEADLINES: Plastic's Future & The Colorado River
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday May 25, 2023:[00:30] The future of plastic[3:00] The relationship between heat and a poor night's sleep[5:00] Yay or nay: Should we relocate species endangered by climate change?[10:00] The Colorado River's woes
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26/05/23•13m 2s
Why Rage Decluttering Doesn't Work
It's almost always advisable to refrain from rash actions when emotionally charged, and rage decluttering is no exception. While filling that trash bag may feel great in the moment, enter guilt and shame shortly after.Often feel the impulse to rage clean and declutter? Today I speak with coach Leslie Alder about what to do instead. Here's a preview:[3:00] Rage decluttering isn't about stuff; it's about control[9:00] Getting to the root of the trigger, plus: shame and guilt's consequences[21:00] Exactly how to process our big adult feelings without grabbing the trash bag[27:00] Getting out of the house to refresh your perspective (Srsly, just leave!)[32:00] The antidote to periodic rage declutters? The quarantine box Resources mentioned:
Leslie on Instagram
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23/05/23•37m 35s
HEADLINES: A Sinking Capitol And A Major Enviro-Win
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday May 18, 2023:[00:30] Indonesia's sinking problem[4:00] Trees can't walk but they're still moving north[7:00] Prepare yo'self! Extreme heat's a-coming in the next 5 years[13:00] Updates from beloved Yellowstone Resources mentioned:
Donate to the Greater Yellowstone Commission
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19/05/23•14m 42s
Back To Basics
Maintaining a balanced life isn’t effortless. It takes constant adjustment and re-adjustment to remain steady.The good news? When our health, wellness, or happiness feels a little off, the solution is often as simple as a few tweaks to our mostly-working routines.It pays to take time to re-focus on the basics, and that's what we're doing today.Here's a preview:[6:30] Are you a Toyota, or are you a Lamborghini? (hint: you're a Lamborghini.)[10:30] The 30-second daily practice that promises to transform your life[16:00] Meaningful connections with other humans are worth the effort. Here's why[21:00] Why it's important to be bored Resources mentioned:
Episode #365: Old Fashioned On Purpose
Episode #300: The Golden Triangle
Episode #369: The Commercialization Of Kids
David's toothpaste
--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
18/05/23•27m 56s
The Commercialization Of Kids
Big tech trains kids to become consumers from ... well, birth.Child-targeted marketing is cringe-worthy at best and unethical at worst. It also undermines our children's healthy development because it robs them of opportunities to play, imagine, and learn freely without manipulation.Today I speak with Dr. Susan Linn about the ways in which technology exploits children (and what we can do about it at home). Here's a preview: [3:30] Brand loyalty? How media corporations exploit our children for profit[6:30] Societal implications associated with perpetually up-selling to kids[11:30] The ways in which big tech manipulates children into bonding with their devices[17:00] A good, hard look: Addressing our collective preoccupation with technology[28:00] Thoughts on breaking an older child’s screen addiction Resources mentioned:
Episode #337: Minimalist Screen Time and Slow TV
Who’s Raising the Kids? Big Tech, Big Business, and the Lives of Children
Fair play
* Join our (free!) community here.* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.* Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
16/05/23•33m 5s
HEADLINES: A Glimpse Into Our EV Future
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday May 12, 2023:[00:30] An Alberta wildfires update[2:00] Unplugged and offshore: The risks associated with 14,000 unplugged oil and gas wells in the Gulf[6:30] Renewable energy and 266,410 square miles[13:00] A sneak peek into our electric vehicle future
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12/05/23•15m 22s
Opting Out
Are you consuming the news, or is the news consuming you?While it's certainly important to be informed, there's a line in the sand between being adequately informed and over-informed. For many of us, regularly crossing that line leads to negative health and wellness effects.On today's show: how to protect your headspace while also staying informed.Here's a preview:[3:00] 5 reasons why it's so darn easy to get caught up in the news cycle[15:00] Headline stress disorder's effect of excessive new consumption on our physical and mental health[18:00] The dopamine loop: 2 reasons why overconsumption of stuff is similar to overconsumption of news[27:00] 3 tips and a final word Resources mentioned:
1440
The Skimm
The Dopamine Seeking-Reward Loop (via Psychology Today)
How the news changes the way we think and behave (via BBC)
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11/05/23•31m 5s
Soul Work
From an early age we’re taught that personal fulfillment is dependent on both our accomplishments and our possessions. Yet despite advancing in our careers and overflowing our homes, many of us remain unsatisfied.What's missing? According to today's guest, we are far too concerned with living from the outside-in when we should be doing the opposite. There is indeed a reality in which yearning for the bigger house and the better job takes a backseat to the whispers of our inner selves. On today's show: Shirin Etessam on true fulfillment as a byproduct of silencing our mental and emotional clutter. Here's a preview:[6:00] What do our souls have to do with sustainable minimalism?[9:00] The work is hard, but is the struggle worth it?[17:00] The real reason we must address the mental clutter (and how to do it)[30:00] Exactly how to heal your heart[33:00] The importance of play, creativity, and curiosity in the lives of adults Resources mentioned:Pre-order Free To Be: A Six-Week Guide to Reclaiming Your Soul--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
09/05/23•32m 52s
HEADLINES: Warming-Resistant Coffee and Sci Fi Climate Solutions
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday May 5, 2023:[00:30] Dear gas stoves, Buh-bye! Love, New York[2:00] Move over, Arabica: Why Liberica excelsa coffee may soon be in your mug[5:00] Harnessing the knowledge of indigenous communities to curb global warming[11:00] The world's leaders are looking to solar geo-engineering for quick, easy warming wins. Here's why Resources mentioned:
Episode #230: A Better Cup Of (Ethical) Coffee
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05/05/23•14m 39s
Conscious Eco-Giving
Nonprofit organizations work tirelessly for the better good and they depend on donations from you and me to fund their programs. But giving is not equally distributed: in 2021, just 3% of all donation dollars went to environmental and animal welfare organizations (source).While we do indeed have the power to use every dollar we earn for change, giving can be confusing. There’s a massive difference between a worthy cause and a solid nonprofit and so on today's show I'm giving you the tools you need to find a quality charity that speaks to your heart. I'm also suggesting 7 environmental charities worthy of our hard-earned donations.Here's a preview:[5:00] Stay away from these shell non-profits, PACs, and misinformation funnels[7:45] It's a minefield out there! How to vet a nonprofit like a boss[19:00] Environmental catch-all orgs do an awful lot. Here are two of the best[21:00] Care about animals? I've got you! [24:00] Want to remove carbon from the atmosphere? 2 nonprofit recs Resources mentioned:
GuideStar
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Charity Navigator
Environmental Defense Fund
Natural Resources Defense Council
World Wildlife Fund
The National Audubon Society
Rainforest Alliance
Clean Air Task Force
Carbon180
Episode #289: The Convenience Tax
Episode #353: Are Carbon Offsets Worth It?
--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
04/05/23•24m 27s
Old-Fashioned On Purpose
In the name of convenience, manufacturers sold us the promise that their products make life easier. And while such gadgets, appliances, and electronics have indeed taken over much of the physical labor associated with living, they have also eliminated many of the core competencies that once grounded us, connected us, and made us whole.It's no surprise that many of us feel like something's missing.It's a time of unprecedented technology and ease, sure, but still: many of us find ourselves craving a simpler way. If you've ever wondered whether you're working far too hard at all the wrong endeavors, today's conversation with podcaster Jill Winger is here to help. Here's a preview: [8:00] Uncovering our collective 'modern malaise'[12:00] The good, bag, and ugly: 3 ways in which industrialization has impacted our quality of life[18:00] Want to be very slightly more self-sufficient? Here are some suggestions for where to start[25:00] 2 steps to adopting an old-fashioned mindset right where you are Resources mentioned:Jill 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.
02/05/23•28m 11s
HEADLINES: Allergies, Wine, SpaceX
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday April 28, 2023:[00:30] Allergies, pollen, and climate change[3:00] Fellow wine lovers, unite! Benefits to lighter bottles[5:00] Enviro-implications re: SpaceX's Starship launch[11:00] Everything you didn't know you wanted to know about nuclear energy 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
28/04/23•14m 53s
Slow Progress Is Still Progress
Low waste living sounds great in theory, but in practice? Thanks to life's obstacles, it's much harder to commit for the long-haul. Add children into the equation and intentionally creating less trash can feel like a daily, uphill slog.On today's show I speak with blogger and life coach Rebekah Lara about recommitting to your low waste goals despite waning motivation.Here's a preview:[3:30] An excuse, or a legitimate barrier?[10:30] Imperfection vs. perfection in the low-waste community[17:30] Intermediate low-wasters unite! Why you should take a second (and third) look at the contents of your trashcan[25:00] It's not about the mason jar filled with trash: How to re-center your efforts around the big picture Resources mentioned:Going Green And Living Green WorkbookWant more episodes like this one? Check out the following:
#306: Low-Waste Lunchboxes
#177: Becoming A Zero Waste Chef
#093: How (Exactly) To Cook Zero Waste Meals
--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
25/04/23•28m 11s
Breaking Bad Habits
We all have habits we’d like to banish, and often we believe our success or failure comes down to discipline and willpower. But discipline and willpower don't tell the whole story, and that's because the brain doesn’t make changes easily.Breaking a bad habit CAN be done, and today's show is here to help.Today's content is specifically framed around a listener's question re: buying on impulse, but please know the suggestions offered are rooted in neuroscience and can be applied to any (and every!) habit you’d like to break.Here's a preview:[4:30] How to use the Feedback Loop to ask yourself the right whys [15:00] The importance of removing and/or inserting visual cues when breaking a bad habit[27:00] Reign in your expectations! Here's why it takes lots of time to rewire your brain[33:00] Everything you need to know about compulsive shopping disorder Resources mentioned:
Episode #362: Living On Purpose
5 Ways to Break Your Bad Habit Now (via Psychology Today)
Compulsive Shopping: A Guide to Causes and Treatment (via Psychology Today)
* 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
20/04/23•33m 56s
Living On Purpose
Welcome to Living On Purpose week!Living on purpose isn't about changing who you are; it's about rising up and becoming the best version of you. But amidst the chaotic rush of our days it's easy to get caught up in the “doing”. And when we hyper-focus on doing, we often neglect the important and intentional act of reflection.Today best-selling author Tanya Dalton brings us both cutting-edge research and practical inspiration to help you find the unhurried purpose that's hidden in your days.Stay tuned for Thursday's related episode in which we discuss how to break a bad habit, for good. Here's a preview:[4:00] Why we absolutely must look backwards for clues before planning ahead[18:00] We tend to choose instant gratification over pursuing our long-term goals. Here's why, according to neuroscience[20:00] How to use Cathedral Thinking to visualize your purpose[32:00] It's not 'unstuck'! The real opposite of being stuck, plus tangible ways to get out of a rut[37:00] Exactly why discipline and willpower are overrated[41:00] Habit stacking beats multitasking Every. Darn. Time. (with practical ways to try your hand at stacking good habits) Resources mentioned:
The Joy Of Missing Out
On Purpose: The Busy Woman's Guide to an Extraordinary Life of Meaning & Success
Want more episodes like this one? Check out #354: Edit Your Life
--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
18/04/23•44m 6s
HEADLINES: Good News, Sodium Batteries, Swimming Pools
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday April 14, 2023:[00:30] From 7% to 67%: The EPA's proposed new EV standards[3:30] The dirty electricity turning point is here[5:30] Buh-bye, lithium? The rise of sodium batteries[12:00] 22K gallons for your swimming pool Resources mentioned:
Episode #260: The White Gold Rush
Episode #131: 5 Fact About The Global Water Crisis
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
14/04/23•15m 40s
Fantasy v. Reality
We Americans are notorious for making our unwanted stuff someone else's problem. Part of the reason has to do with our desire to be altruistic: We tell ourselves we're helping the less fortunate when we pass on our perfectly decent items.But the reality is much bleaker: Both our recently-decluttered donations and our down-and-dirty trash create problems for the people and places that get stuck with our stuff. Here's a preview of what we're discussing today:[3:00] The literal mountain of clothes in West Africa[7:00] Swirling, soupy, and more than one: Here's what you likely didn't know about the Pacific trash vortex[14:00] Alabama's recent landfill fire[18:00] What's the reality re: America's plastic recyclables?[22:00] You - yes you! - can help. Here's how --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
13/04/23•23m 30s
In Defense Of Homemaking
Our culture's messaging angles household labor as unimportant and uninspiring. And while work within the home is largely undervalued, the sad reality is that the chores, cooking, laundry, and everything else simply must get done. Here's something that's not often discussed: there's a quiet joy to be found in tending to the home. Today I speak with podcaster and homemaker extraordinaire Lisa Bass about the underappreciated value an excellent homemaker brings to their family. Here's a preview:[6:00] Societal messaging around homemaking versus the importance of learning by doing[15:00] How to find the time and motivation to cook in a culture that glorifies convenience[25:00] Conducting a ruthless self-assessment of your cooking skills (and how to improve!)[30:00] The essential mindset shift re: all-things homemaking[35:00] Using "the sauce of hunger" as a tool for managing picky eaters Resources mentioned:
Episode Episode #357: Recycling The Unrecyclable
Simple Farmhouse Life podcast
Lisa 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. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
11/04/23•33m 33s
HEADLINES: Tornado Alley, Electric Scooters, Big Oil
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday April 7, 2023:[00:30] Changing tornados and tornado seasons[4:00] Amazon.com and the problem with climate "pledges"[5:30] Paris's electric scooters problem[10:00] Big Oil in the Niger Delta 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
07/04/23•13m 21s
De-Influenced
Chances are we've all been influenced to buy something at least once before. But the rise of influencer marketing is a different beast that has fundamentally altered the way brands sell to consumers. On today's show I suggest 5 ways to be influenced less. Here's a preview of the tips we're discussing today:[13:00] Think of influencers not as friends but as salespeople[15:00] Look for these FTC disclosures[18:00] Know thyself by decluttering[21:00] Raise the buying bar[25:00] It's not a deal if you don't need it 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
06/04/23•25m 11s
Decluttering Through Grief
After losing a loved one, deciding what to do with their possessions is a complicated process. We humans tend to attach sentiment to physical things; it's no surprise, then, that many of us find ourselves suffering over not just the loss of life but also over the perceived loss of memories embedded within their belongings.Today's conversation offers insight into decluttering through grief. Krista St. Germain is a Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert; she's also a widow who believes that pain is inevitable but whether or not we suffer is entirely within our control.Here's a preview:[6:00] How to know when the time is right to sort through your deceased loved one's belongings (and where to start)[9:45] Here's how facing sentimental clutter head-on fits within the grieving process[22:00] Where to start and how to keep going: Krista's best tips[27:00] Practical ways to steer clear of indecision drama[30:00] How to best memorialize a loved one without keeping every single thing Resources mentioned:
The Widowed Mom Podcast
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Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
04/04/23•34m 49s
HEADLINES: Kids V. State, Smart Tech & Duluth
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday March 31, 2023:[00:30] iPhone's new eco-feature[4:00] Bee brains[7:30] Kids v. Montana[12:00] Why is Duluth, Minnesota suddenly popular? 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
31/03/23•15m 24s
Recycling The Unrecyclable
"I wish you would do an episode on TerraCycle. They have been in the news about not truly recycling the items they collect [and] their boxes are expensive. Am I wasting my money?" Here's a preview:[3:30] The Number One difference between TerraCycle's sponsored waste program and zero waste boxes[7:00] Have you seen the that cool infinity logo on products? Here's what it means[13:30] What happened to Loop?[19:00] Two 'gotcha' moments and a lawsuitJoin 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
30/03/23•26m 55s
The Decor Trend Bandwagon
Furniture and decor trends can be tempting. But trends peak then inevitably decline; after just a few years, our choices re: side lamps, accent chairs and everything in between often become (gasp!) outdated.It's true: hopping on and off the trend bandwagon can leave us broke and wasteful. On today's show interior designer Betsy Helmuth first offers this spring's biggest decor trends, then together we make them eco-conscious.Here's a preview of the spring decor trends we're tweaking today:[4:30] Moody maximalist wall colors[9:00] Large-scale natural stone[14:00] Embellished window treatments[22:00] Doorknobs, pulls, and other metal finishes[30:00] Statement lamps Resources mentioned:
Van Deusen Blue paint by Benjamin Moore
Rub and Buff
CoolKnobsAndPulls.com
Episode #239: How To Find Your Home Decor Style
Annie Sloan chalk paint
Join our (free!) Facebook community here
Affordable Interior Design podcast
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
28/03/23•42m 6s
HEADLINES 3/24/23: Forever Chemicals, Slow Burn TV & Berries
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 24, 2023:[00:30] Potential PFAS regulation?[3:30] The planet's enduring fever[8:30] 'Slow burn' television[12:00] We want what we want when we want it: Our love of off-season produce Resource mentioned: Episode #264: Forever ChemicalsJoin 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
24/03/23•15m 30s
Junk Culture
Goody bags, Easter baskets, and other junk culture opportunities: Revisiting the cheap plastic toys conundrum.Here's a preview:[3:00] Everybody hates goody bags, so why are we still giving them?[8:00] The history of gifting: 4 reasons why humans are wired to give gifts[20:00] Words of encouragement for listeners reluctant to go against the grain[27:00] 5 things to consider re: hosting a no-present birthday Resources mentioned:
Episode #253: Everything Eco-Minimalist Birthdays
Episode #8: How To Host a No-Presents Birthday
Email me your best junk-culture free birthday hacks! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + YoutubeOur Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
23/03/23•29m 50s
Edit Your Life
Life is noisier, messier, and more complicated than ever. In our quest to keep up, we can try to do it all—with mixed results.Instead of life passively happening TO us, we each have the power to create the life we want to live. On today's show: A conversation with author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta about figuring out what matters most and hitting delete on what doesn’t. Here's a preview:[7:00] Before we edit, we must first examine: 3 questions to regularly ask when seeking a life of intention[9:30] The paradox of choice, plus: Why many of us rarely go after our first choice[16:00] Words of encouragement for listeners who examine their life and don't like what they see[21:00] Using your unique "core competencies" as organizing principles when editing your life[27:00] Editing for generosity: How to edit your narrative to benefit the collective[33:00] Elisabeth and Stephanie's thoughts on enjoying life despite the world's messiness Resources mentioned:
Edit Your Life: A Handbook For Living With Intention In A Messy World
The Mother-Daughter Puzzle by Rosjke Hasseldine
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21/03/23•37m 58s
HEADLINES 3/17/23: Lab-To-Table, Bumpy Flights & Alt. Jet Fuel
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 17, 2023:[00:30] Lab-to-table dairy[4:00] Norfolk Southern's dioxin problem[7:45] A failed levee and aging infrastructure[12:00] Bumpy flights and climate change[14:30] Cooking oil jet fuel? 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
17/03/23•15m 6s
Are Carbon Offsets Worth It?
Should you pay a bit more for carbon-neutral shipping? (Answer: It's complicated.) How do you best offset your next flight? (Answer: Pay much more than you think.) On today's show we break down all-things carbon offsets. Here's a preview:[4:00] Are carbon offsets a greenwashing gimmick?[6:00] How to calculate the equity weighted social cost of carbon of your next flight[15:30] Guilt-free shopping? Here's what carbon neutral shipping really means[19:30] Breaking down the Climate Neutral Certified logo Resources mentioned/Further reading:
Revealed: more than 90% of rainforest carbon offsets by biggest certifier are worthless, analysis shows (via The Guardian)
Calculate your flight emissions with MyClimate
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
16/03/23•21m 6s
Growing Joy With Plants
The answer to a happier, more connected life may be as simple as connecting with nature. Enter houseplants, a.k.a. an easy and accessible way to bring the outside in. Although caring for plants has been shown to reduce stress, increase joy, and cultivate connections with ourselves, others and the earth, many of us are epic plant killers. What then?On today's show author and podcaster Maria Failla teaches a crash course on houseplant care for novice and intermediate listeners so that we (fingers crossed!) never kill a houseplant again.Here's a preview:[4:30] Why do plants make us feel so good? Here's what science says[10:45] How to create your plant collection for under $20[19:00] How to successfully grow houseplants in cold, dark, and drafty homes[23:00] Exactly when and how to "pot up"[28:00] Brown leaves, yellow leaves, plants with "legs", pests, orchids that won't re-bloom, and other common plant woesResources mentioned:
Maria's Plant Parent Personality Test
Espoma Organic
Hand Me Up
Young Planet
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
14/03/23•38m 33s
HEADLINES 3/10/23: #StopWillow, Zombie Forests & Poland Springs
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 10, 2023:[2:00] #StopWillow[4:30] 'Zombie' forests[7:30] The UN's (historic) High Seas Treaty[11:30] Poland Spring's unquenchable thirst Further learning:Episode #137: 5 Facts About The Global Water Crisis 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
10/03/23•15m 45s
The Scarcity Mindset
Corporations make money when consumers perseverate over what they don't have. And personal development? If you want to grow into the best person you can be, Step One is to abandon a mindset that's focused on scarcity.On this episode: how to radically transform your cognitive patterns from ruminating on what you lack to appreciating what you have in under 5 minutes a day. Here's a preview:[3:30] Do you suffer from a scarcity mindset? Find out in this quick, 6-question quiz[8:00] Exactly how a scarcity mindset impacts your brain and behavior, according to psychology[20:00] The multitudinous benefits associated with an abundance mindset, plus 3 steps to get you there Resources mentioned:
Episode #343: The Distorted Mirror
Episode #299: Future-Conscious Thinking
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09/03/23•29m 52s
The Impact-Effort Tradeoff
When it comes to sustainable action, we tend to label behaviors as either/or: Either we're acting in a way that's "eco-friendly" or ..., well, not. But some lifestyle tweaks are greener than others: When time, energy, and funds are finite, where's the best place to focus our efforts?On today's show: A conversation with Sam Schreiner about the 4 categories of sustainable action - with a hefty dose of data-driven analysis to boot.Here's a preview:[7:00] 0.1 versus 1.0 makes a big difference! 5 examples of high impact efforts[20:00] The privilege problem: Why are high impact behaviors also often high cost?[27:00] Let's chat about low impact efforts. Do they matter?[31:00] Gateway drugs and ripple effects: Here's why its impossible to quantify a lifetime's-worth of intention Resources mentioned:
University of California Berkeley CoolClimate Calculator
Project Sunroof
Episode #330: The Big Fix
Episode #253: Everything Eco-Minimalist Birthdays
Ecosia
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07/03/23•35m 40s
High-Impact Decluttering
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
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02/03/23•36m 45s
Capsule Beauty
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
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28/02/23•34m 3s
Rapid Fire Q&A
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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23/02/23•32m 19s
Grocery Store Hacks
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
--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
21/02/23•28m 21s
Pesky Polymers
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. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
16/02/23•27m 19s
A Green Burial
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
--* 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
14/02/23•38m 23s
The Distorted Mirror
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
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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
09/02/23•30m 28s
How To Quit
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
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07/02/23•35m 44s
When Minimalism Feels Overwhelming
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
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02/02/23•30m 48s
The Gifting Experience
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
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31/01/23•38m 13s
Dark Chocolate's Dark Side
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
--* 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
26/01/23•26m 49s
How Ethical Is Your Chocolate?
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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24/01/23•21m 37s
Intentional Screen Time and Slow TV
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)
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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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19/01/23•30m 26s
Defend The Eco-Trend: Algae
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. --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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17/01/23•35m 6s
Valuable Minimalist Lessons
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)
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12/01/23•31m 49s
Plant-Based Families
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.
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10/01/23•36m 39s
Your Right To Repair
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.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
05/01/23•39m 51s
Finite Resources
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
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03/01/23•36m 1s
The Big Fix
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
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20/12/22•33m 18s
Clutter's Hidden Costs
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.
15/12/22•32m 39s
New Year New You
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
13/12/22•39m 48s
Holding The Line
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.
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08/12/22•30m 51s
Gift Boundaries
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
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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.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
06/12/22•32m 52s
RE-RELEASE: Listeners Call In! 20+ Non-Consumer Gift Ideas
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
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02/12/22•20m 53s
Something For Nothing
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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Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a free gift.
Nutrafol: get free shipping and 15$ off at nutrafol.com with promo code SUSTAINABLE.
Armoire: head to armoire.style/sustainable to get up to 50% off your first month plus 2 free bonus items.
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01/12/22•28m 36s
Expansion
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
--* 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 free gift.
Helix Sleep: Get $400 off and 2 free pillows at https://birchliving.com/sustainable.
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29/11/22•28m 27s
O Christmas Tree
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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22/11/22•24m 35s
From FOMO To JOMO
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
--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.
--* 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
17/11/22•25m 5s
Life Lessons
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
--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.
--* 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
15/11/22•36m 1s
The Attitude-Behavior Gap
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)
--* 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
10/11/22•32m 38s
Minimalism And Well-Being
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)
--* 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
08/11/22•29m 48s
How To Buy Laundry Detergent
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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03/11/22•33m 15s
Impulse Buys
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
--* 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
01/11/22•31m 27s
Too Much Of A Good Thing
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
-* 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
27/10/22•32m 42s
The Rescue Effect
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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25/10/22•36m 12s
Rise And Grind?
'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
--* 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
20/10/22•27m 31s
Thousands Of Data Points
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)
--
* 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 your $60 free gift.
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18/10/22•30m 45s
Energy And The Good Life
"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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* 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 sponsor!
Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for your $60 free gift. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
13/10/22•37m 7s
Fashion "Rules"
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--
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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11/10/22•29m 0s
Rapid Fire Q&A
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
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06/10/22•32m 11s
(Re)Purposeful Organization
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
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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)
--Thank you to our sponsors!
Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free
KiwiCo: Get your first month on any crate line free at kiwico.com/sustainablekiwi
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04/10/22•30m 28s
Prioritizing Your Priorities
"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.---
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)
Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
29/09/22•27m 3s
Taming Your Triggers
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
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Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube
Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com
--Thank you to our sponsors!
Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com
Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free
Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
27/09/22•23m 3s
Low-Waste Lunchboxes
"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)
--- 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
Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content
22/09/22•31m 15s