Spark Joy

Jonathan Pritchard, professional mind reader and author, opens his psychological toolkit to help us apply the predictive art of mind reading to reach personal goals across all areas of our life. Our guest, Jonathan Pritchard is a mentalist who appeared on America’s Got Talent, entertained US troops stationed overseas, performed on Vegas main stages, cruise ships, and more. He also helps people discover the magic of connecting. He helps companies connect with their employees during networking events and sharpen their marketing skills to be able to grab prospective clients. And now, he's the author of a new book, Think Like a Mind Reader: Improve your business, strengthen your relationships, and solve your problems. In this episode, we explore applied psychology-based strategies, approaches, and techniques you can use to change your life. Jonathan teaches us how push the limits of our understanding to realize we can do a lot more than we think we can. To connect with or hire Jonathan, you can visit www.likeamindreader.com. His book Think Like a Mind Reader is available on Amazon (http://amzn.to/2yb9WwC). Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Jonathan made a living on stage by making others think he could read minds How a shy kid used magic to relate to people and make them think he was naturally outgoing How people are wired to make magic possible and universally accepted How Jonathan uses the skill of professional people meeting to help businesses highlight their products and connect employees with their teams and customers A tip that will help you be unforgettable during your next networking event How post-live show conversations inspired Jonathan's new book: Think Like a Mind Reader: Improve your business, strengthen your relationships, and solve your problems Why Think Like a Mind Reader is only offered as a printed/hardcopy rather than an e-book How the book itself can be used as a mind reading trick Why you should hand write notes instead of type them Why everybody needs a coach How the story you're telling yourself about a problem may actually be the problem How to install new mental models to change your behavior The one statement Jonathan loves to hear his coaching clients make What sparks joy for Jonathan: "A quiet night home with my sweetie." Words of Wisdom "Fail faster." Gems: "How would your business be better if you could actually read minds?" "When the whole world is zigging, I like to zag." "What action are you going to take that really makes or breaks your success?" "Most people fail to solve their problems because they don't understand what the actual problem is." "Even the highest performers still need coaches." "My life goal is to trade up to more and more interesting problems every year." "Our environments influence and affect us just as much as we influence and affect our environments." "Your brain runs on as much energy as the light bulb in your fridge." "Magic shows walk you up to the limit of your understanding, and then point out into the distance and go 'that's where I live.'" "Fail fast. The only time you learn is when you're uncomfortable and learning something new." Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Jonathan Pritchard.

Lanecia Rouse Tinsley of LAR Art Studio shares her passion for expressive and transformative art forms within the art of Wabi Sabi. Our guest today is Lanecia Rouse Tinsley. She is an abstract expressionistic artist whose work includes photography, painting, teaching, writing, and speaking. She is the owner and creator of LARArt Studio and works out of Studio D at Hardy & Nance Streets Studios. In addition to her own work as an artist, Lanecia partners with the Holy Family Church in Houston, TX, serving as their Artist-In-Residence, as a Spiritual Director and Consultant for the Arts for Project Curate. Lanecia has been exploring the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi and the related art forms within her own work and the work of her workshop participants. Lanecia hosts workshops exploring the related art form of Kintsugi and has written about that experience on her blog. Wabi Sabi is an ancient Japanese philosophy that honors the imperfect, the humble, the hand-made and the impermanent. It seeks to embrace the beauty found in the changing of seasons, things, nature and in our own lives. To connect with Lanecia, you can visit www.larartphotography.com and follow her on Instagram, and Twitter @larartstudio. You can also purchase her work online by visiting www.society6.com/larart We want to hear from you. Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. You can also join the discussion on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Learning about the Holy Family Church HTX in Houston, TX Hearing how Lanecia asked for love to show up while she grieved a painful loss How the LAR Art Studio was envisioned and grew over the years How Lanecia discovered the art of Kintsugi: Essential Information on Kintsugi How Lanecia teaches the Wabi-Sabi expressive art form during her workshop: The LAR Art Studio Mended Wabi Sabi Pottery Art Experience How Lanecia's work with her students has surprised her and informed her work How Mark Nepo uses poetry to express feelings of being broken open How the process of breaking pottery into pieces and putting it back together as a new object is a powerful exercise How the workshop process enabled some participants to make significant life changes The parallels between the ancient philosophy of Wabi Sabi and the newer KonMari philosophy What sparks joy for Lanecia: All the precious moments she spends with her husband, Cleve! Working with her camera and exploring photography as well as listening to music. Her Parting Words of Wisdom: We all have the capacity to create beauty. Gems: “Art was big enough hold my tears and also to hold my vision and hopes for what could be” “I’m just throwing out into the universe the dreams that I have” “In living, life is going to break our hearts” “We are all more powerful and capable than we believe”Special Guest: Lanecia Rouse Tinsley.

Karin and Kristyn discuss how organizing by category can help you keep your home organized and prevent a return to clutter. In this episode, we begin by sharing what is sparking joy for us today. We discuss the work of Mel Robbins, of The Five Second Rule fame, along with some aspirational travel goals! We take a look Marie Kondo’s famous quote, “Tidying by location is a fatal mistake.” What it means and how it guides the practice of KonMari. We talk about the concept in practical terms, with some real life experiences sprinkled throughout, so that you can apply the concept to your own Tidying Festival. We also answer a great question from a Spark Joy listener about how to apply KonMari principles to the ongoing struggle of paper management in a busy family. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at  www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at  contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook or on Twitter at @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: • Learning about the Mel Robbin’s course that Kristyn is enrolled in and it’s ground breaking, action focused plan for success: The Power of You Mel Robbins first came on the scene with this TED talk on the Five Second Rule: The Five Second Rule • Hear about Karin’s holiday wish for a yoga retreat in Thailand. Here is one of the retreats she is considering: Absolute Sanctuary And here is a good resource for doing yoga retreat research: Yoga Journal • We review the KonMari categories we described in Spark Joy Podcast, Episode 1 | KonMari 101 • Why processing each clutter category, completely and in order, is critical to long-term success • As a review, here are the categories: Clothing Books Paper Komono (miscellaneous items) Sentimental • Hear more about why the Clothing Category is the first category and how it builds your ability to determine what sparks joy • Learning how coming to terms with the amount of things you own will help you hone your decision making process • Why revisiting your vision statement is a helpful next step when you are struggling with a particular category. We discussed this in Spark Joy Podcast, Episode 4 | The KonMari Lifestyle • Discover tips on how to deal with paper clutter: Stop paper at the source Use available tools to keep it from coming into your home in the first place Use flat surfaces for activities and not for storage Rethink your self-talk about time: manage your priorities and expectations Gems: “When items are dispersed throughout the home, you can never fully grasp the overall volume and get discouraged before finishing.” “What does my clutter say about me?” “Buying more organizational tools such as file folders is not always the best solution.” “Flat surfaces are for activity not for storage.”

Holly Southerland, traveling professional organizer talks taking risks and making bold moves. Our guest, Holly Southerland is a professional organizer who has been traveling nationwide since 2008 helping families and entrepreneurs get unstuck and find peace in their homes. Her team, Waco Home Organizers, based in Waco Texas, helps individuals and businesses with decluttering and creating organizational systems that fit their personal style. She is passionate about helping people move forward by cutting out the clutter that stands in the way. In this episode, Holly discusses the life of a travelling organizer, what it’s like to pursue an entrepreneurial dream, and some of her best insights into organizing using practical and obtainable systems and methods. Holly also shares her thoughts on being an introverted entrepreneur, the differences in American homes state-to-state, and her thoughts on the connection between clutter and depression. Holly is offering Spark Joy listeners a Two-Day Declutter Blitz an investment in yourself, your home, your peace, your productivity, and your sanity. https://goo.gl/sLkXNp To connect with Holly Southerland, visit Waco Home Organizers (www.wacohomeorganizers.com) or email info@wacohomeorganizers.com. You can also follow her on Facebook or Instagram at @holly_southerland Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How personality type can influence your comfort level in communicated both at work and socially. You can take your own Myers Briggs Personality Test Holly's experience working with a variety of homes and the challenges of order regardless of the size How clutter and depression are related as she discusses in her blog post The great method of managing all the accumulated paper in your home that she teaches in the Sunday Basket Workshop How having a mentor and coach made such a huge difference in planning for her new business. Holly's coach: Lisa Woodruff, Organize 365 Helpful hints for dealing with spam mail by visiting DMAchoice.org The adventures of travelling around the country, organizing homes for all sorts of families The benefits of organizing in a concentrated blitz Holly’s favorite tidying tip: “Do it right now!” What sparks joy for Holly: Her baby nephew Gems: "My test for buying a new piece of clothing is: Do I want to wear this everyday?” “Space is a vacuum. You don’t get organized by getting a bigger space.” “It’s easy to get overwhelmed by big plans and big ideas, but take action on something small that’s right in front of you.” Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Holly Southerland.Links:Tools - Fireside

Lloyd Alter, architect and design editor of Tree Hugger magazine, helps us understand our changing relationship with our possessions and how the upcoming generation will view design and functionality. Lloyd Alter is design editor of TreeHugger, a prominent media outlet dedicated to driving sustainability to the mainstream. Living in Toronto, Canada; He has been an architect, developer, inventor and prefab promoter. He contributes to Mother Nature Network at MNN.com, The Guardian, and Azure magazines, and is Adjunct Professor teaching sustainable design at Ryerson University School of Interior Design. In the course of his work developing small residential units and prefabs, Lloyd became convinced that we just use too much of everything- too much space, too much land, too much food, too much fuel, too much money, and that the key to sustainability is to simply use less. And, the key to happily using less is to design things better. Recently, Lloyd has been writing on family heirlooms and the changing culture. I found his work while researching solutions for clients who are confronted with managing the possessions of generations while downsizing. His direct approach to working with our elder parents along with his prolific writing on a lifestyle focused on less stuff and better design, was a great fit for us! To connect with Lloyd, you can visit Treehugger, https://www.treehugger.com, Mother Nature Network, https://www.mnn.com, or follow him Twitter @lloydalter and Lloyd Alter on  Facebook.   Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Learning about the relationship between medicine, science and minimalism. How the fear of germs led to the minimalist movement. Hearing about how Lloyd confronted the generational shift in thinking about “things” within his own family. Discussing how our mobile lifestyles have changed the quantity and quality of things we acquire. Looking at the reality of emotional value vs. financial value. Suggestions on how to decide “who gets what” when a previous generation downsizes. How Lloyd used Marie Kondo’s concept of Spark Joy when deciding what to keep when downsizing. How Lloyd and his family held an Open House, allowing young adults to come in and take things they needed to start their own households as a means of thoughtfully discarding things. Discussing how to find the “right new home” for things that you are letting go. Learning how Lloyd defines a minimalist lifestyle. Read Lloyd's article, "On Decluttering, Downsizing and Surviving a Green Renovation", Tree Hugger Magazine, here: https://goo.gl/cnbFvr What sparks joy for Lloyd: Lloyd shares his joy at looking out over the lake in his Canadian cabin, sitting at his amazing dining room table and the significant back story the table holds. Gems: "Big Brown furniture: Nobody has room anymore!” "That furniture had absorbed the memories of our entire family." "You don’t know if you are an architect or a marriage counsellor." "Start talking to your older family when they are willing to share the history of things." "Do not keep anything that you don’t know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”-William Morris. "We are moving to multi-family and walkable communities and less stuff.” "You just have what you need.” Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Lloyd Atler.

Tess Wicks, personal finance coach and educator, breaks down the journey to financial independence into key actions and makes the connection between our priorities, the things we acquire, and our life vision. Our guest, Tess Wicks, is a personal finance coach and educator. She is the founder of Wander Wealthy, an online community for women in their 20s and 30s to get inspired and achieve their personal development, money, and travel goals. Tess creates video content on her Wander Wealthy Facebook Page and YouTube Channel, and is the host of the Words and Money Podcast. Tess wants to empower women to get smart about their money while still being able to spend it on the things that bring them joy. In this episode, Tess discusses her personal finance philosophy and practical tips you can use to achieve financial success one small step at a time. We also explore why talking about money (and clutter at home) is so taboo and how having those uncomfortable conversations upfront with yourself of your partner is the only way to achieve lasting change. Tess is offering Spark Joy listeners Free Anti-Budget Training. It's a budgeting method for people who hate budgeting. It simplifies financial management down to one simple number to use every day and is available at: www.wanderwealthy.com/AntiBudget To connect with Tess Wicks visit www.wanderwealthy.com and join the Wander Wealthy community on Facebook and YouTube. Also, check out Tess’ podcast Words and Money. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: What improv, kettle bell and playing the violin have to do with personal finances How having financially responsible parents led Tess to be a cautious spender who avoided debt How to live outside of your comfort zone while taking calculated risks How Tess desires to be a minimalist and frugalist in most areas, but leans most towards Essentialism How prioritizing what is essential to you and deeming the rest "clutter" helps build awareness around spending How important it is to exercise your "saying no" muscle The lesson your sunk costs teach you Feeling financially overwhelmed? Tess suggests: 1) Commit time to sit down and look at your finances 2) Calculate your net worth (everything you own - everything you owe) 3) Set realistic short-term goals you can accomplish in three months How having multiple bank accounts actually helps you avoid being caught off guard by financial surprises Why talking about money is so taboo How to initiate tough conversations about finances How wealthy women put their money to work for them How Tess pre-saves for splurges and treats herself, including the five things she won't give up What sparks joy for Tess: She's finally living and breathing what her brand (Wander Wealthy) is by finding her freedom, taking adventures and enjoying her life while living within her financial means. Gems: "I identify places where I need to grow or challenge myself and I dive into it." "If it brings you joy, make room in your budget to spend on that thing." "Separating the essential few from the trivial many." "Net worth = everything you own - everything you owe" "You don't want to be with someone who can't accept you for your flaws." "Anyone can achieve financial independence. The hardest part is taking action." "Commit and take action for one hour to decide to declutter your financial life." Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Tess Wicks.

Your Vision: defining your ideal lifestyle and living environment, KonMari style. In this episode, Spark Joy explores how you can clarify your vision of the kind of life you want to lead and why it’s important step, but often overlooked, in the KonMari journey. We discuss the why and how of identifying the vision of your ideal life and how it can help you complete the KonMari process to greater success. Your life vision will help you clarify why you want to tidy and how your life will look once the tidying is completed. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Tips for how to begin identifying your vision, making it specific, focused and intentional Learning how to break down identifying your ideal life into manageable parts: What is your ideal day? Your ideal moment that would spark joy? Picture yourself doing something delightful. Begin with gratitude and appreciation - what is currently working for you in your space and in your life? Imagine how you would be living your life today if money, time and obligations were not a constraint? Take a holistic look at how you’re doing in each area of your life: Career, Relationships, Hobbies, Spirituality, Health, Finances, Community. Check out the The KonMari Wheel of Impact List the first five life goals (long- or short- term) that immediately come to mind as they relate to those categories. Close your eyes and imagine you’ve reached the end of your tidying journey. Describe in detail how you envision your home to look and how you feel We share our own visions and visions of some of our clients from all stages of life: single people, families, couples, downsizers and empty nesters How to create your own Vision statement! Get it out of your head and onto another media: diary, Pinterest board, website, blog, Facebook post, anything. Establish a new tradition of creating a vision board and display it proudly in your home Example of Vision Boards and Statements: A Goal Setting Strategy That Sticks Gems: “The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life” “I just want things to be different instead of thinking about what that different looks like.” Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.

Kelly Covert, inner voice coach, helps us lay down lifelong habits to help us break free from the past. Our guest this week is inner voice coach, Kelly Covert. She is the host of the popular podcast, "In Her Voice", which explores ways in which women can begin to love themselves fully every single day. Kelly Covert has a passion for helping women lay down their lifelong habits of perfectionism and chronic overachieving, so they can listen to their inner voices and break free of the past. Through her coaching, online programs, writing and speaking, she is creating a movement of women that are practicing “worthy now” instead of “worthy if or when”. Her work has been featured on The Huffington Post, The Elephant Journal, YourTango.com, and she has been a featured guest on many podcasts. In this episode, we talk with Kelly and learn about how coaching has allowed her to exercise her dream of helping women while teaching her so much about herself. She shares how her inner voice work has allowed her to grow as a woman, a partner, a mom and a musician! To connect with Kelly, you can visit www.kellycovert.com or connect with her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @kellycovert You can also learn more about Symphoria here! Symphoria Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast In this episode, you’ll enjoy: -How Kelly found her voice and decided to help others via individual coaching Inner Voice Coaching and group coaching Inner Voice Group Coaching -Learn about the Worthy Collective on Facebook:The Worthy Collective -What to look for in a personal coach to meet your own goals. -Kelly’s evolution as a podcaster and her new podcasting project, In Her Voice. In Her Voice -How Kelly has practiced KonMari and how tidying has made a difference in Kelly’s home and family -Kelly’s tips for balancing life as a mother, as a professional and as a creative person What sparks joy for Kelly: Coffee! The ability to take a long, hot bath in the morning and working on my new podcast! Kelly's parting words of wisdom: “You are worthy right this minute. You do not have to do one thing to earn that. You were put on this earth with beautiful gifts that you need to share. And the only way that you can share is to believe that they are there and that you are good enough. So, get shining because we are waiting for your light to shine brightly!” Gems: “Create a space to access accountability.” “We don’t have to do anything to be worthy. It’s just there.”  “It comes from the action. That is how we embody that joy.” “It’s about knowing who you really are and being 100% ok with that.” Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Kelly Covert.

Dorothy Breininger, author and veteran professional organizer as seen on A&E's hit show “Hoarders” sorts out the mind-body-home clutter connection and related addictions. Dorothy Breininger, aka “Dorothy The Organizer,” is known to millions as the fearless-yet-endearing problem solver on A&E’s Emmy-nominated hit TV series “Hoarders.” She is the author of seven books, including Stuff Your Face or Face Your Stuff. Dorothy is featured in the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, O Magazine, and appears on the Today Show, Dr. Phil, the VIEW, The Doctors, QVC and PBS. In this episode, Dorothy helps us make the connection between the clutter in our homes and addictions we may have in other areas of our life (food, alcohol, gambling, shopping, etc.). We explore some of the barriers that prevent us from making the choices we know are best for us and how to overcome them. Dorothy also shares her first hand experience working with clients suffering from hoarding and some of the resources available to help those with this condition. Dorothy is offering Spark Joy listeners: A Free Guide on “How to Banish Clutter Creatively” A Free Cancer Concierge ebook that can help you learn how to organize yourself and your life in the face of a cancer diagnosis To connect with Dorothy Breininger, you can visit her website, www.dorothytheorganizer.com for free tips, videos, newsletters, organizing resources for your life, home, office, and relationships. Be sure to check out her book “Stuff Your Face or Face Your Stuff” via her website or Amazon. Also, check her out on the hit show "Hoarders" on A&E. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Dorothy's three life-changing experiences that helped her manage her own clutter What Dorothy learned about other culture's relationship with clutter after backpacking across 30 countries How Dorothy climbed out of $360,000 of inherited debt How Dorothy's work on Hoarders helped her realize her own addictive behavior around food Netflix documentaries: Forks Over Knives and What the Health Why we are looking to stuff to decide where we are going as a society How food addiction is similar to alcohol or gambling addiction and leads to a perverse sense of self care How living with an addiction or mental illness impacts our ability to make conscious choices The three most common barriers we create between us and the problems we face and how to overcome them Stuff My Face, Face My Stuff is available on Amazon and includes examples of over 30 different types of Twelve Step Programs Landmark Education How to apply a questioning method from Byron Katie's process, The Work, can tell you about what your clutter is saying about you Lessons Dorothy's learned from working with extreme hoarding clients The power of apologies How to identify someone who hoards and common indicators The connection between perfectionism and hoarding What it was like to spend a night in a hoarder's home What happens during a hoarder's aftercare and its similarity to a food addiction maintenance plan Where to turn for hoarding help: Turn to www.dorthytheorganizer.com for tools and resources including a virtual therapy group for hoarders Dorothy's Favorite Tidying Tip: "Left to right, top to bottom." "Even if you feel sure you are right, never assume you know what’s best for another in terms of stuff. Simply re-arranging someone else’s stuff or worse yet getting rid of it without permission truly breaks the bonds of trust (especially with children)." What sparks the most joy for Dorothy: Surprising friends, family, and strangers. Gems: “What does your clutter say about you?” “We all have stuff.” “I got rid of the stuff so that I could create something bigger for myself.” “People hoarded stuff in their homes, but I was hoarding sugar and flour on my body.” “We’re looking to stuff to decide where we are going as a society.” “We are teetering near 14 million people who hoard.” “Barrier to facing our stuff: We blame others.” “Barrier to facing our stuff: We refuse to look at our own mistakes.” “Barrier to facing our stuff: We isolate instead of reach out for help.” “Overcome the barrier: Dare to admit we are fully responsible for the things that we own." “Overcome the barrier: Take a fearless moral inventory of yourself.” “Overcome the barrier: Be with a group of like-minded people to help you get out of isolation.” “Apologies created the path to clearing out the clutter in their house.” “Even if you feel sure you are right, never assume you know what’s best for another in terms of stuff.” Special Guest: Dorothy Breininger.

Jenny Ning, Marie Kondo's first employee in the US, shares what it's like to work for the Queen of Tidy and her journey from KonMari super fan to Bay area home organizer. Our guest, Jenny Ning, was Marie Kondo's first employee in the US, and helped to grow the KonMari brand from mid-2015 to the end of 2016. In this episode, Jenny recalls her instant attraction to the KonMari Method and how confronting her clutter at home combined with some passionate persistence helped her attract a position on KonMari team. Since moving on from working for Marie Kondo in 2016, Jenny is now a practicing home organizer in San Francisco, and continues to introduce people to the life-changing magic of the KonMari Method. Driven by a desire to improve the status quo, Jenny also founded the startup Tummymom that helps connect all parties within the surrogacy community, making the ideal matching process easier. To connect with Jenny Ning, you can visit her at www.jennyning.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter (@jennyorganizes). Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Why Jenny calls The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up her bible How the KonMari Method shifted Jenny's attention to what she wanted to do with her life, rather than what she should do with her life What led Jenny to question if her job sparked joy and how the answer to that question inspired her to quit 5 months later How being a super fan and strategically inserting herself before the KonMari team helped Jenny land her dream job What steadily grew the KonMari fan base and the passion behind the followers How the KonMari team is inspired to make business decisions based on what "sparks joy" How planning the first US based KonMari consultant seminars inspired Jenny to commit to formal training Why cluttered living is a challenge in the Bay area, considering notoriously high rent and tight living spaces Jenny's favorite tidying tip: 1) "Sometime means never." - Marie Kondo. Accept who you are right now. 2) The 20/20 rule: if you can replace something in 20 minutes for $20 or less, then you can give yourself permission to let it go What sparks joy for Jenny: Her startup, Tummymom (www.tummymom.com). Gems: "KonMari helped me step back and reevaluate my life." "With that question, does it spark joy?, you can't really avoid the answer." "Jenny Ning: Marie Kondo, I'll quit my job to work for you." "The KonMari team uses the KonMari Method to make business decisions." "Examining your relationship to things provides a lot of clarity about life." "Stop and pay attention to whether the things in your life align with your vision of what you want your life to be." "Even an average amount of possessions can make a tiny space feel cluttered and chaotic." "Are you willing to let things go in order to feel better?" "Sometime means never." "20/20 rule: if you can replace something in 20 mins for $20 or less, then give yourself permission to let it go." "Life truly begins only after you have put your house in order." Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.Special Guest: Jenny Ning.

Spark Joy co-hosts and KonMari Consultants, Karin and Kristyn, talk KonMari basics. In this episode, Spark Joy co-hosts take a look at KonMari basics and share their experiences as KonMari Consultants. The history of the KonMari Method along with basic concepts of KonMari organization are covered. Marie Kondo developed this organization methodology based on her experience as a professional organizer in Japan. She found that tidying could be completed thoroughly and that relapse could be avoided by following a particular order and focusing on whether an item sparks joy. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: Learning how Marie Kondo created the KonMari Method, as found in her first book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up Interesting facts about Marie and the beginnings of the KonMari Method How Marie’s childhood factored into her role as a future organizer: Marie Kondo Remembers How the KonMari mission to “organize the world” has expanded into a worldwide the training program to certify KonMari Consultants Fundamental Concepts of KonMari: Tidying by category instead of location Clothing Books Paper Komono (miscellaneous items) Sentimental Sparking Joy Once and Forever Event The Power of the Pile The Folding Method How Konmari can impact other areas of your life such as your health, finances, and maybe even your love life! Gems: “You don’t have to get rid of everything that doesn’t make your heart swoon.” “It’s important to pull everything from everywhere.” “Transferring love respect and gratitude through the palms of your hands.” Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.

Welcome to Spark Joy! The podcast dedicated to the KonMari Method and the transformative power of surrounding yourself with joy, and letting go of all the rest. In this inaugural episode, co-hosts and certified KonMari consultants Kristyn Ivey of For the Love of Tidy (www.fortheloveoftidy.com) and Karin Socci of The Serene Home (www.theserenehome.com) introduce themselves and the Spark Joy podcast to the world! Kristyn is based in Chicago, Illinois and Karin serves New York City. Spark Joy wants to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com, email us at contact@sparkjoypodcast.com to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. Join us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter via @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: How Karin developed a passion for creating peaceful and beautiful environments, inspired by generations of organizational enthusiasts in her family How KonMari helped Kristyn uncover her true passion in life, start a tidying business, and move from Virginia to Chicago How Karin and Kristyn met and the moment they realized there weren’t any podcasts that were solely dedicated and centered around the KonMari lifestyle What the KonMari Method is all about and the book, The Life-changing Magic of Tidying Up, that sparked the KonMari movement How the KonMari Method is fully integrated and referenced in pop-culture Fun facts about Marie Kondo and what it was like to meet the Queen of Tidy What the Spark Joy podcast is all about, including featured guests, consultants, clients thought leaders and game changers who put KonMari principles and lifestyle into action Gems: “The podcast celebrating the KonMari Method and the transformative power of surrounding yourself with joy; and letting go of the all the rest.” "Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life." Spark Joy the podcast is not endorsed by or affiliated with KonMari Media, Inc. The opinions expressed on this episode represent the views of the co-hosts and guests alone, and do not represent the corporate position of KonMari Media, Inc or the KonMari consultant community.