The Minimalists

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Maya Shankar about letting go of insecurities, the consequences of jealousy, why you've wasted so much money on things you don't need (and what to do about it going forward), how clinging to just-in-case items negatively affects well-being, and more. Discussed in this episode: How do you let go of insecurities that create mental clutter? (2:42) When's the last time y...

The Minimalists talk about consumerism's role in workplace overload, what it takes to work fewer hours, the hidden reason grocery prices have increased, why certain 'Buy One, Get One Free' deals have been outlawed, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does consumerism force us to work more hours each week, and what can we do about it? (6:43) What would it take for you to work one less day...

The Minimalists speak with Professor Thomas Seager about using ice baths to help minimize pain and chronic illness, uncomfortable activities that get easier over time, a slew of questions JFM has about cold plunge therapy, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does a struggling person live a relatively productive life with chronic illness? (3:34) What's a previously uncomfortable activity...

In this bonus episode, The Minimalists host Sunday Symposium in Orange County. Discussed in this episode: Overplanning produces chaos. (08:00) No one on their deathbed says they regret not accumulating more stuff. (17:57) Hold on if it confers more benefits than letting go. (26:18) Anything can be clutter if it gets in the way. (29:54) Acceptance is nice, but needing acceptance is a prison. (32:39...

The Minimalists speak with philosopher Peter Rollins about why minimalists often wear black clothes, a few examples of emotional decluttering, the concept of "dopamine dressing," some tips for reducing social media scrolling, eight things Joshua's favorite writer tried to warn us about, and more. Discussed in this episode: What is an example of emotional decluttering? (5:28) What's wrong with wear...

The Minimalists speak with Judah Smith about how other people's perception of us can be upsetting, the biggest things that send people into a mental spiral, advice for minimizing when you're stressed out, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Should I read my mother's diary after she dies? (2:25) What sends you into a mental spiral? (20:17) Right Here, Right Now: The Minimalist's new TEDx Talk...

The Minimalists talk about celebrating the holidays without consumerism, our craziest Black Friday stories, the willingness to walk away from anything, six often-overlooked spaces in your home to declutter right now, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why are T.K. and Joshua opening fortune cookies on the podcast? (0:30) How can I deal with my hoarder mom's cluttered house? (10:18) Who's th...

The Minimalists talk about celebrating the holidays without consumerism, our craziest Black Friday stories, the willingness to walk away from anything, six often-overlooked spaces in your home to declutter right now, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does a minimalist enjoy the holidays without falling into the trap of consumerism? (3:41) What's your craziest Black Friday story? (14:51...

The Minimalists are reassessing guilty pleasures, reducing triggers that cause unnecessary pain, exploring annoying gifts, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of guilt after I buy something that doesn't align with my values? (2:08) What's one thing you feel guilty about having purchased? (19:12) Right Here, Right Now: Tour updates and T.K.'s birthday. (40:23) Listener Tip: A...

The Minimalists talk about making time for frivolous pursuits, what we're willing to sacrifice for the important things, clutter that shows up unexpectedly, five easy decluttering tips you can apply to every space this winter, and more! Discussed in this episode: How can we justify making time for seemingly frivolous pursuits? (2:33) Solve this equation: X is so important to me that I'm willing to...

The Minimalists speak with Guy Finley about letting go of precious memories, why letting go is so freaking scary, the wisdom of letting go, ten truths to follow if you want to let go, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How can I let go of things that are imbued with my precious memories? (4:20) Why is letting go so scary? (32:24) How does our desire to control prevent us from letting go? (3...

The Minimalists speak with Ryan Holiday about how the stoics dealt with sentimental items, the potential virtue of holding on, stoical insights about values, regrets, mental clutter, seven things minimalists would never put in their living room, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How would the stoics have handled their sentimental items? (2:40) When is it virtuous to hold on? (22:13) Right...

The Minimalists talk about verbal minimalism, the things we regret saying, the best ways to let other people down, seven things people regret tossing while decluttering, and much more.  Discussed in this episode: How do you practice verbal minimalism? (3:43) What's the last thing you regretted saying? (18:54) Right Here, Right Now: Joshua's new documentary, Food for Humans , goes on tour. (38:08)...

The Minimalists talk about feeling defeated because of limitations, problems that won't go away, other people's cluttered spaces, five things you should never feel guilty about getting rid of, and more!  Discussed in this episode: How do you cope when a recurring injury or limitation makes you feel defeated, anxious, and discouraged? (3:11) What problem keeps popping up even after you fix it? (19:...

The Minimalists talk about the pros and cons of extreme minimalism, when simple living goes too far, so-called "sad" items, and much more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: Why does extreme minimalism make me feel empty? (1:54) How minimal is too minimal? (15:05) Right Here, Right Now: Savi D's skate videos and...

The Minimalists talk about letting go of things that are a reminder of a painful past, everyday essentials, joybaiting instead of ragebating, several things professional organizers say we should let go of this fall, and more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of old digital content—such as photos...

The Minimalists speak with Rey Flemings about the upsides and downsides of capitalism, potential alternative economic systems, the best ways for wealthy people to be more generous, plus greed, freedom, private ownership, and more. Discussed in this episode: What's the best way to talk about capitalism objectively without evoking an emotional response? (3:19) What's the first thing that comes to mi...

The Minimalists talk about what to do with closets and containers that are overflowing with excess, what's keeping most people from minimizing, when to stop buying new things for your home, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do I do with my two closets and three storage containers filled with excess clothes? (1:47) What's the last thing you minimized, and what prevented you from lettin...

In this solo episode, Joshua talks about disagreeing about the little things at home, his new rule for online shopping, a few stupid things he's purchased that he'll never buy again, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why do my minimalist spouse and I keep arguing about the little things? (2:17) Talkaboutable: The Amazon Shopping Rule. (19:11) Talkaboutable: Three stupid things I've purchas...

The Minimalists speak with philosopher Peter Rollins about how increasing fragmentation and fear of others produces unnecessary enemies, the ways in which social anxiety makes it difficult to build a community, how products promise fulfillment yet give us dissatisfaction, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do introverts understand that extroverts don't? (1:53) What's missing from your...

The Minimalists talk about the practical issues with curating a simple wardrobe, letting go of troubling conversations, being eco-friendly on a budget, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What should I do if a simple wardrobe isn't practical for me? (2:08)  If you had to wear just one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? (15:07) Right Here, Right Now: Join us at Sund...

The Minimalists speak with educator Isaac Morehouse about fixing our broken education system, asking family members to stop buying excess stuff, arguing with the people we love, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What can we do about our systemically broken education system? (02:00) What's the worst education advice you've ever heard? (19:23) Right Here, Right Now: A special screening of th...

The Minimalists talk about the root cause of identity clutter, the best ways to celebrate while letting go, how to minimize the things you rarely use, some of our favorite memories from the last 500 episodes, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why am I having trouble letting go of an old membership that I don't use? (2:12) What are our all-time favorite episodes of The Minimalists Podcast?...

The Minimalists talk about minimizing mental clutter caused by loved ones, consuming less of things we enjoy, embracing minimalist dietary principles that last, and more with Dr. Paul Saladino. Discussed in this episode:  How do I stop thinking about the intrusive comments that my parents used to make about my weight? (2:12) What's one thing you enjoy that you've decided to stop consuming? (19:06)...

The Minimalists speak with Kapil Gupta about letting go of nonsense, the many ways humans waste their lives, what happens when you minimize ambition, and more. Discussed in this episode: What does it mean to "overcome the world"? (3:27) Why does Dr. Gupta have a disdain for smartphones? (9:42) Why is "getting something to be happy" an empty act? (16:13) What does a wasted life look like? (22:28) W...