Episodes

  • Climate Solutions

    Climate Solutions
    Jul 30 2024
    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. Breaking down the air conditioning feedback loop in real time [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 This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Thanks to E-Cloth for being the feature sponsor of this episode! Use code "Minimalists15" for 15% off sitewide: https://us.e-cloth.com/
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • How To Stop Eating Microplastics

    How To Stop Eating Microplastics
    Jul 25 2024
    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 This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    45 mins
  • Values-Driven Spending

    Values-Driven Spending
    Jul 23 2024
    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/ This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • Create More, Consume Less

    Create More, Consume Less
    Jul 18 2024
    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) This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    36 mins
  • Preserving With A Purpose

    Preserving With A Purpose
    Jul 16 2024
    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 family Thanks 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 This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    42 mins
  • Surviving Late Stage Capitalism

    Surviving Late Stage Capitalism
    Jul 11 2024
    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!** Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    44 mins
  • Charting A Rich Life

    Charting A Rich Life
    Jul 9 2024
    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? This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    48 mins
  • Home Overwhelm

    Home Overwhelm
    Jun 27 2024
    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!) This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
    Show more Show less
    35 mins