The Minimalists

The Minimalists are joined by Dr. Orion Taraban to talk about loyalty, respect, grace, love, friendship, forgiveness, desire, honesty, and other nontransactable goods. Discussed in this episode: How can I stop clinging to the good relationship memories from the past if they make me feel miserable now? (2:35) When is loyalty no longer worth it? (23:52) Listener tip: Sensory sensitivity is linked to...

The Minimalists get brutally honest about the people, places, and things that frustrate the hell out of us. Discussed in this episode: What can I do if my sister is so upset with me that she refuses to communicate? (2:17) What frustrating expectations do your family, friends, or coworkers have of you? (18:28) Listener tip: Considerately letting go of kids' clothes and toys. (41:33) Listen to the f...

The Minimalists talk about why the pursuit of pleasure leads to hedonism, and they answer questions about self-indulgence, pleasure-seeking, self-gratification, self-restraint, immoderation, overindulgence, extravagance, and more. Discussed in this episode: What pleasures are likely to get in the way of living a meaningful life? (2:14) What nonessentials do you overindulge in? (29:51) Listener tip...

The Minimalists talk about the small things that feel like a big deal to let go of.  Discussed in this episode: Do I count my straws, screws, and old paperwork separately when playing the 30-Day Minimalism Game? (2:07) What small things turn into big problems? (18:09) Listener tip: Preserving the memories of loved ones after they're gone. (44:21) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon:  pat...

The Minimalists are joined by Erwin Raphael McManus to talk about the most effective ways to handle conflict with friends, family, and loved ones. Discussed in this episode: How can I respectfully convince my father to get rid of the tools he doesn't use? (2:45) What's the hardest thing about being honest? (25:02) Listener tip: Clarifying outer and inner expectations. (47:55) Listen to the full Ma...

The Minimalists talk about the difference between minimalism and renunciation, and they explore the unforeseen downsides of renouncing things. Discussed in this episode: What's the best way to avoid purchasing things that will soon be junk? (2:48) What topping should never go on pizza? (23:03) Listener tip: Make your phone more boring to make it more useful. (43:14) Listen to the full Maximal epis...

The Minimalists are joined by Annaka Harris to talk about the unknown corners of consciousness and the cosmos. Discussed in this episode: How does detachment relate to awareness? (2:20) What takes you out of the present moment? (20:02) Right Here, Right Now: Two exciting updates from The Minimalists! (45:14) Listener tip: How to normalize saying 'I don't know.' (47:45) Listen to the full Maximal e...

For the finale of their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Kristen Ziegler to talk about decluttering the excess stuff that's lurking in your cabinets, drawers, and other hiding spaces in your kitchen and throughout the rest of your home. Discussed in this episode: What can I do with all of the occasionally used appliances that take up a lot of space in our kitchen c...

For the fourth episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Cas Aarssen to talk about the bedroom clutter that gets in the way of peace and intimacy. Discussed in this episode: What can I do to minimize the clutter that keeps building on my nightstand? (2:30) What's your personal definition of bedroom clutter and what's one thing that doesn't belong in the bed...

For the third episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Dr. Julia Raz to talk about garage clutter, including the excess stuff that is hidden in basements, attics, sheds, and storage areas. Discussed in this episode: What boundaries can my family establish to minimize all the excess stuff in our garage, basement, attic, shed, and other storage spaces? (2:37...

For the second episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Courtney Carver to talk about decluttering the excess clothes, shoes, and accessories in our closets. Discussed in this episode: I'm great at decluttering, but why can't I stop buying new clothes? (2:28) Why do you own so many clothes? (15:27) Listener tip: How to achieve variety and novelty with clot...

For the first episode in their five-part Household Clutter series, The Minimalists are joined by Joshua Becker to talk about decluttering the things that make a mess of our living spaces. Discussed in this episode: Where is the best place to start decluttering? (4:44) How is our cluttered home harming our family? (8:49) What purpose does your living room serve, and what gets in the way of that pur...

In this bonus episode, The Minimalists talk about the clutter that is often caused by smart devices. Discussed in this episode:  Should I let go of my Apple Watch, Peloton, WHOOP, and other fitness trackers and smart devices? (1:09) How are The Minimalists using social media after their 2024 break? (18:47) New York Times article mentioned: https://mnml.st/devices Recorded at Earthing Studios .

The Minimalists talk about the benefits and downsides of wasting time. Discussed in this episode: When is it selfish to say no to the people I love? (1:54) What are you most likely to waste your time on right now? (20:10) Listener tip: When you're done clearing out your home, you have to do the same to the rest of your life. (36:51) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/themin...

The Minimalists talk about going without the things that get in the way. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of my phone distractions to be more productive? (1:46) What's one thing you'd like to go without this year? (21:21) What happened when The Minimalists were recently hacked? (30:50) Will The Minimalists return to social media after going without for a year? (37:03) Listener reflection...

The Minimalists talk with Eli Harwood about secure attachments and attachment theory. Discussed in this episode:  How is collecting related to emotional insecurity? (2:19) What is attachment theory? (16:52) What are the four attachment styles? (17:46) When is attachment useful and when is it clinging? (22:44) Listener insight: the gift of listening! (33:03) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Pa...

The Minimalists talk about the opposite of hoarding. Discussed in this episode:  What happens when you take downsizing too far? (2:05) How do you stop yourself from minimizing excessively? (24:05) The Minimalists' birthday + we were featured on Jeopardy! (36:17) Listener tip: One of the most helpful minimalist tools. (41:35) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists...

The Minimalists talk about that overwhelming feeling that most of us experience when our homes are full of clutter.  Discussed in this episode: Is a junk removal service the best way to deal with a house full of clutter? (2:38) At what point does your home feel cluttered? (22:23) When is The Minimalists' next live event? (39:11) Listener tip: T.K. Coleman is the new Oprah for decluttering! (40:51)...

The Minimalists dive deep into the anxiety that often accompanies the holiday shopping season. Discussed in this episode: How can I stop people from buying unnecessary Christmas gifts that clutter our home? (2:37) What fills your holiday season with anxiety and what do you do to minimize holiday clutter? (20:15) Listener tip: A helpful script for opting out of gift-giving during the holiday season...

The Minimalists are joined by Judah Smith to talk about building a community, finding wellbeing through connection, how to listen to people you love but disagree with, and more. Discussed in this episode: What should an introvert do if they feel like they don't need to belong to a so-called community? (2:25) How do you listen to people you love but often disagree with? (9:16) How difficult is it t...

The Minimalists discuss the things that give people a sense of purpose. Discussed in this episode: Can minimalism help people find their reason for being? (2:20) What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning? (16:55) Listener tip: How to use technology without letting it use you. (39:33) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon:  patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes:  mini...

Ryan Nicodemus returns to The Minimalists Podcast to discuss minimalist tools. Discussed in this episode: What are the upsides and downsides of artificial intelligence as a minimalist tool? (2:26) What's your favorite minimalist tool, and how have you used it to live more with less? (22:56) Listener tip: Letting go of the status quo. (42:48) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.c...

The Minimalists talk about minimizing the division caused by partisan politics. Discussed in this episode: How can we minimize political division when we don't agree with other people? (2:42) What does it mean to let go of partisan politics? (13:23) Does it ever make sense not to vote? (31:28) Listener tip: Minimize stress by reviewing important legal documents. (49:33) Listen to the full Maximal...

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Jamil Zaki from Stanford University about understanding and overcoming hopelessness and cynicism. Discussed in this episode: In what ways does cynicism mimic false hope? (2:24) How do you find hope when you've felt hopeless for a long time? (10:08) What are the surprising downsides of hope? (22:00) Listener tip: Overthinking makes people feel hopeless. (30:55) Listen...

The Minimalists talk about why letting go of control is so difficult. Discussed in this episode: What fears are hiding underneath my need to obsessively control everything? (2:18) What's one area in which you have a hard time letting go of control? (22:21) What is the next film that The Minimalists are working on? (40:33) Listener tip: Clutter Counseling really works! (42:10) Listen to the full Ma...