Sustainable Minimalists

  How to organize your way Many times, we organize our homes the way we see organization done on television. But if you’ve ever looked to the gurus for tips on how, exactly, to organize, you may have felt disappointed when your efforts didn’t translate into long-term success. When your home is organized in a way that’s in alignment with your unique personality, you work less and relax more. That’s...

How to Live Below Your Means (Without Feeling Deprived)   There are only two ways to live below your means: One is to earn more; the other is to spend less. Living below your means boasts obvious benefits including increased financial security and decreased financial stress. Having a savings net is also a critical step toward self-sufficiency because it provides a buffer against setback, too. This...

How Minimalists Combat the Symptoms of Burnout   The symptoms of burnout include fatigue, hopelessness, and diminished motivation. And while Western cultures revere busyness, simplifying schedules and paring down To-Do Lists benefit our health, our happiness, and our sanity. Minimalism at its most fundamental level is an experiment in intentional living, and so on today’s episode we explore how a...

Sustainable gifts for everyone on your list They’re nearly here: The holidays. As consumers, we have a collective responsibility to support companies that have ethical and eco-friendly practices at the center of their missions. Still, greenwashing runs rampant, and it can be difficult (if not downright impossible!) to discern sustainable gifts from no-so-sustainable ones as we give to loved ones....

The Case for Part-Time Plant-Based It’s likely no surprise that plant-based diets are better for the planet than carnivorous ones, as shifting food production from meat to vegan proteins could remove up to 16 years’ worth of global fossil fuel CO2 emissions (source). Vegan diets support animal rights and holistic health, too. But despite the countless benefits of going plant-based, my guest this w...

  The Effects of Climate Change on Human Health   Global warming and climate change threaten wildlife, ecosystems, and existing ways of life. There’s plenty of evidence that the effects of climate change are already impacting human health, too. Some American politicians on the campaign trail pontificate over the big picture and argue that climate change poses an existential threat to human beings....

  10 Secrets of Successful Declutterers   There’s a big difference between declutterers and *successful* declutterers. In fact, a lot of time, effort, and intention goes into creating (and maintaining!) a tidy home. This week, I divulge 10 minimalist secrets that keep my living space decluttered. I’m hopeful the 10 tips will help you, too, as you consider both how to best create your version of a...

How to support local businesses in 2021 When it comes to purchasing possibilities, the world may indeed be flat. But committing to buying from within a 400-ish mile radius will support local businesses, keep your wealth in your own community, and increase the prosperity of your neighbors (not corporate CEOs). Need more motivation? Here are 3 additional benefits to local buying: 1. Reduced shipment...

  Foraging 101   [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the second in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. I hope the episodes in this series inspires you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happens to be eco-friendly!]   I’m Armenian. Each summer as a child, my mother, sister, and I would search for grape vines along the side of the road and collect leaves to make o...

Discussing the Effects of Climate Change (Without Discussing Politics)   Unfortunately, climate change and its effects are polarized topics in today’s hyper-political environment. And although climate change is considered by many to be a partisan issue, it shouldn’t be, because the environment is for everyone, regardless of political affiliation, socioeconomic status, or skin color. And while jour...

Why biodiversity is important   Biodiversity is the result of billions of years of evolution into an intricate balancing act that can best be described as the web of life. When one species is lost, such loss threatens survival of countless others. This week I speak with Christianne Close, Global Practice Leader at the World Wildlife Fund. We discuss WWF’s Living Planet Index, a new report that put...

How to Become a Minimalist this School Year   I’ve always harbored mixed feelings about September. On one hand, it’s the end of summer (boo). But on the other, September ushers in both a literal and a figurative change in the air. Our kids head back to school, and there’s the opportunity to re-introduce routines after months of laid-back living. September is the perfect opportunity to both recente...

Ethical Alternatives to Amazon   Shoppers adore Amazon, and it’s all thanks to convenience and price: The site’s Subscribe & Save feature lowers already quite low prices. And ultra-speedy shipping and responsive customer service? Many consumers have come to expect such heightened levels of convenience when shopping online. But Amazon has been in the news an awful lot in the past 5 years, and for l...

Self Sufficiency Spotlight: Microgreens   [A Note from Stephanie: This episode is the first in a series that highlights attainable steps toward self-sufficiency. Once per month through December, the series offers a short and sweet interview to introduce you to an aspect of sustainability you may not have considered before. I hope the series will inspire you to adopt a fun, new hobby that also happ...

Americans are obsessed with lawns. In a perfect world, your grass is vibrant green. There’s nary a weed, and there are certainly no dandelions. It’s lush and neatly edged; yard care consists of trimming to exactly an inch and a half tall. But in order to achieve this idyllic lawn, you must be willing to shell out either money or time, despite the fact that there are other things you’d likely rathe...

5 Facts About the Global Water Crisis   Ever wonder how many gallons it takes to flush your toilet? (Answer: 3.5.) Did you know that 55 gallons of water are required to grow the beans for a single cup of coffee? Today’s show is dedicated to our most important—and our most overlooked—resource: Water. Despite easy access from faucets and showers, access to clean water is a privilege. Water scarcity...

How to Declutter Your Home without Trashing the Planet   Many minimalist influencers trademark decluttering plans to show you how, exactly, to declutter your home. The most well-known? Marie Kondo’s Konmari method, of course. But what if you desire to declutter without sending items that no longer “spark joy” to the landfill? And while possessions that are broken or obsolete will inevitably be tra...

5 New Ways to Reduce Your Plastic Waste   Plastic waste is everywhere, am I right? (Hey there, plastic-wrapped cucumber!). If you’ve ever looked around and wondered why on Earth everything is wrapped in plastic—and if you’ve wondered whether such overreliance on a single-use product derived from fossil fuels is completely contradictory to common sense—you aren’t alone. Here’s the answer. Because p...

Minimalist Parenting Guidance for Raising Good Humans   Parenting is hard; parenting during a pandemic is even harder. Still, guidance experts argue that raising children with both sanity and joy is possible. If you feel like you’re always on—and if you’re utterly exhausted—know that it’s A-OK to be minimalist in your parenting strategy, because doing less fosters resilience. My guest this week is...

How to Buy Nothing By Joining a Gift Economy   Have you ever heard the popular saying, “Nothing in life is free”? Thanks to Buy Nothing groups, this platitude isn’t *exactly* true. Gifting has been around for almost as long as humans, and such economies rely on relationships—not personal gain—to spread love and share resources. And although market economies have pushed gifting aside in recent cent...

Advanced Simple Living Tips for Seasoned Minimalists   Simple living is a lifestyle that refuses to accept busy and harried as normal. Instead, intentionality is about removing unnecessary conflicts, excessive to-do items, and pointless distractions as a means of experiencing all life has to offer. But if you Google “how to live slow” (or some facsimile thereof), you will likely see the same strat...

  5 Facts Carbon Footprint Facts You Likely Didn’t Know   Carbon footprints are confusing. What’s a carbon footprint, exactly, and how is yours related to climate change? Carbon footprints are a handy-dandy metric that makes clear how severely your lifestyle impacts the planet.  Your diet, travel habits, and your home’s cooling and heating practices are just some lifestyle considerations that may...

  Eco-Conscious Gifts for New Parents (That Are Actually Helpful)   Are you always on the hunt for gifts for new parents, but often feel as though you’re coming up short? OR do you plan to become a new parent someday but find it difficult – if not downright impossible – to distinguish true needs amidst all the hype? It’s time to discern new baby Must-Haves from Don’t-Needs, once and for all. On th...

How to Simplify (and Green-ify!) Housework   Laundry, dishes, and general home cleaning: Mundane housework got you down? Sustainable minimalism is about doing less and living more. The good news? It’s entirely possible to apply the tenets of sustainable minimalism to housework by simplifying tasks, minimizing magnitude and -finally! – incorporating incremental eco-friendliness to our efforts. On t...

How to Save Money Like a Minimalist   The minimalist lifestyle often centers itself around possessions. Yet how we spend our money – what we choose to buy and how long we must work to make purchases – matters, as the tenets of minimalism uniquely lend themselves to finances. Indeed, simplified money matters can reduce stress, contribute to savings goals, and increase free time. On today’s show I s...