Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

You only get to find out how many photos are on my phone if you listen to the podcast! Haha...but seriously, it's embarrassing. I'm learning right along with you in this episode, offering strategies for how to go through an overwhelming number of photos, and best ways to organize them once we declutter. We also dive a bit deeper into the importance of photos. How can we be intentional about preser...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do you do with items that you’re not sure the value of, like old basketball cards or jewelry? 2. How did you meet your husband and how long did you date before getting engaged? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secrets of the Bees on Disney+ PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my news...

Our world tends to separate us by age—through retirement communities, social media algorithms, and workplace culture. Is this problematic? In this episode, I do a deep dive into what we gain when we spend time with people of a different generation than ours, as well as what we lose when we stop separate ourselves. You'll learn: • Why Western culture has become so age-segregated, and how income, li...

I love when real friends collide with my podcasting world! Rebecca Bingham is my former coworker...and an Atlanta-based vintage reseller. Becca walks us through her thrifting philosophy, from navigating the aisles of a thrift store with intention to curating a home and wardrobe full of character and story. We also dig into how secondhand shopping can be a powerful tool for decluttering, reducing w...

Do you struggle to let go of sentimental items? In this episode, I share my experience with decluttering sentimental items after my mother passed away when I was 24 years old. You'll hear some perspective shifts that helped me not hold onto every little thing that reminded me of her. I dive into letting go of baby items for our kids, deciding what *is* special to keep, and a big question that I've...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do you stay consistent with your attitude towards living with only what you need? 2. Tell us more about you doing musical theater! And who is your dream podcast guest? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Crime Junkie Podcast MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Elisabeth Beam: @balancingbeams Erin Port: @si...

Nineteen years ago, a group of women came together at Christopher Newport University and built something truly special. I got to sit down with my very dear friend, Leslie Hepburn, to reflect on the journey of our acapella group, the Newport Pearls, who still gets together for annual retreats 19 years later. This episode is a celebration of the community that forms when friends choose each other, a...

Decluttering decisions add up fast, so today I share 5 concrete strategies to avoid decision fatigue! You'll learn about... • The famous study on parole judges that reveals how even trained professionals make worse calls the longer they go without a break — and what that means for your decluttering sessions • How "pre-deciding" your rules can take the exhaustion out of every single item • Which ca...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I'm decluttering with a chronic illness. How do I keep going with no energy? 2. What is one job no one could pay you enough to do? And do you believe in ghosts? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Silk eye mask for sleeping! Get one HERE. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Episode 71: How Growing Up in a Cult...

This conversation with general contractor Eli Spevak opened my eyes to what's possible in modern neighborhoods if we prioritize people over privacy. We explore how co-housing and shared spaces turn neighbors into genuine support networks, creating the trust, safety, and belonging so many of us are looking for. The good news is that whatever your neighborhood's culture is, you'll walk away from thi...

If you feel overwhelmed by paper clutter, today's episode is for you! Lisa Woodruff, the author of The Paper Solution and founder Organize 365, joins me to share her practical approach to managing paper, from taxes to random notes to medical documents. In this episode, you'll learn: • The six categories for sorting household paper, plus Lisa's Sunday Basket strategy • How to build reference binder...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I looked at the Basics website for ethical clothing - holy moly the prices? How to even start? 2. How do you keep your mom’s memory alive with your kids? (Mom died @23, 2 toddlers) Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kin by Tayari Jones Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Ep 37...

Bethany Roth is a military spouse who has mastered the art of building community no matter where life takes her. Since I'm a military spouse, too, we both dig into what it really means to create belonging in new places and why kindness is the foundation of any strong community. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to reach out, show up, and invest in the people around you. BETHANY...

Everyone I know pulls their hair out because it's one thing to organize the house...it's another for it to STAY organized. That's what today's episode is for! I break down the difference between macro and micro organizing, when to use each type, and how to make sure your house doesn't explode 30 seconds after you finally have it looking good. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE How to Declutter Your Kitchen (Y...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I gently encourage my parents to start going through their stuff? There’s so much! 2. Did you know you would be a career military wife when you married your husband? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caroline Chambers Instagram: @carochambers Substack: What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like...

This is a super vulnerable and real conversation with my childhood friend, Mallory Andrews, about what it means to trust yourself when everything you've known begins to shift. Mallory opens up about walking away from her evangelical Christian community and the recent end of her almost 20-year marriage—and what both experiences have taught her about true belonging. We cover: Why leaving a community...

Wow—I was blown away by executive coach Carrie Fabris this week on Paring Down! We talked all about how to stick to our goals (decluttering and otherwise).  Carrie shares practical frameworks for staying focused on what actually matters, especially when results don’t happen overnight. What you’ll learn: • How to use the “VIBE” framework to prioritize goals and protect your energy • Why burnout isn...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I think we have too much furniture for our house but I can’t figure out what could go? 2. Which kid age has been your favorite? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Finish-It Friday with an "Unfinished Business" Bin MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Effortless - book by Greg McKeown Ep 85: Become an Essentialist...

Shannon McKinstrie is a social media strategist with a refreshingly grounded take on what it truly means to build community online, and this conversation covers it all. We dig into what separates a thriving, supportive digital space from one that drains you. We Cover: What makes an online community genuinely healthy and supportive Red flags that signal a community has become unhealthy How algorith...

It's much easier to declutter when we filter our choices through certain questions, so I've compiled the best 15 questions to ask yourself when decluttering. Some are famous ("Does this spark joy?") and some are recent viral sensations ("If this had poop on it, would you wash it off or throw it away?"), but I break down why they work (and circumstances when they don't). Choose your favorites from...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I got decluttering fatigue after our recent move to a temporary rental. Motivation tips? 2. What is your favorite funny memory in your life? Moment that makes you laugh still? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Benson's Table Tasty Salt Substitute⁠ MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 99: ⁠7 Tips to Conquer D...

It's the WORST when people "hide" information or help because they think it will help them get ahead or gain respect...psychology tells us it will do the opposite. In this Good Stuff episode about filling our lives with community, I unpack why we're prone to gatekeeping and why it ultimately works against us. In fact, sharing knowledge, connections, and resources freely is the key to building real...

It's counterintuitive, but a simple wardrobe can actually make your style even better! In this episode, I'm sitting down with Lauren Morley, founder of the 20 Outfit Wardrobe, who helps people simplify their closets by curating just 20 outfits they love and wear on rotation. We Cover: Why no one is paying attention to outfit repeating as much as you think. How to recognize when your shopping habit...

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do you get kids to clean up after themselves without feeling like you're nagging? 2. What are some technology tools that you use to organize your life? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emesis Bags MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: ⁠Shoe bin organizer Ep 100: Life-Changing Hacks to Make Tech Your Persona...

Olivia Levin, New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed Our Lives, joins me to explore what makes the Swiftie community one of the most powerful fandoms in the world. From meeting Taylor at a secret session to selling Eras Tour tickets at face value, Olivia shares how a shared passion can create genuine, lasting human connection. In this episode, you...