Sustainable Minimalists

Eco Friendly Living and Gen Z   Meet Murielle from Michigan. Murielle is a Generation Z-er who found herself interested in eco friendly living in high school. Fast forward 5 years: Murielle has dedicated her professional life to solving environmental problems as she strives to change her everyday actions so that they best align with her values. In our conversation today, Murielle imparts some practical tips (how to compost with worms!) as well as some abstract ideas, too (how to be boldly crunchy in a materialist culture!). Here’s a preview of our conversation: [8:30] The ins and outs of vermicomposting [14:30] What to look for when shopping for clothes secondhand [19:00] How to fight back against the “new is best” mindset [26:45] Why being hopeful instead of hopeless is a daily choice   I’m so excited for you to meet Murielle!   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Episode #109: What are Natural Fibers, Really? * Episode #105: Donating’s Dark Side: Where Do Goodwill Donations Go?   [A note from Stephanie: This is the first episode in a 5-episode series that features podcast listeners just like you. My goal with these bonus episodes is to highlight real people—their real successes, their real challenges—as they seek simpler, more intentional existences.]   * Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) is out now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #159: Eco-Conscious Christianity with Lisa Morrison. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

Healthy Children & The Problems with “Natural” Products   Parabens, formaldehyde, fragrance, and more: In 2021, raising healthy children starts by reducing exposures to common toxins. It continues by giving the side eye to products marketed to babies and kids as “natural”, too. Potentially hazardous chemicals reside in plastic toys, food packaging, personal care products, and even food. But because babies and young children do not have fully developed immune systems, they may be even *more* susceptible to their negative health effects. This week, I speak with Suthan Naganayagam. After his new baby faced an unimaginable health scare, he created Niki’s Natural Wipes, a baby wipe made from wood pulp (not plastic!), Manuka honey, coconut oil, and chamomile extract. Suthan argues that while it’s impossible to avoid toxin exposure in daily life, it’s prudent to take steps to reduce exposure, and he’s on the show to tell us how to do just that in ways that don’t involve spending more money on products that market themselves as “best for baby”.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [9:00] 3 steps to more mindful purchasing for our children [11:05] A rundown of the common (and troubling) chemicals in products marketed to children [18:30] Why limiting is more practical than avoidance [26:00] 10 practical ways to limit exposure and raise healthy children   Product Recommendations (may contain affiliate links): * Happsy for organic baby crib mattresses and mattress pads * Naturepedic for crib bedding * Earth Mama for baby wash * Earth Mama for diaper cream * Niki’s Natural Baby Wipes for baby wipes * Kind Laundry for laundry detergent * Babo Botanicals for mineral based sunscreen * Badger for DEET-free bug repellent balm * Itzy Ritzy for silicone pacifiers * Pact Apparel for affordable organic cotton clothing   Resources cited in today’s episode: * Why You Should Stop Feeding Your Baby From Trendy Little Food Pouches * Chemical Contaminants in Breast Milk * What’s ThatSmell: Chemicals Of ConcernCommonly Found In Fragrance Used In Cleaning Products * BPA-Free Plastic Containers May Be Just As Hazardous * Don’t Wipe Out: The Hidden Hazards of Antibacterial Wipes  

Mindful Parenting Tips for Overwhelmed Moms   If parenting under normal circumstances is demanding, parenting during a pandemic is downright exhausting. And if you’re like me, you may have found yourself scouring the internet for parenting tips that make pandemic mothering manageable. But because we have such little (if any!) free time—and because we are downright exhausted—Google’s algorithm falls short. Mothers overwhelmingly report that their mental health is struggling amidst increased mental loads, erosion of work-life boundaries, and general daily monotony. And the daily rituals we took for granted in our pre-pandemic lives like riding the train to work or having coffee with friends? Those moments were buffers against stress that we relied on to de-escalate. But COVID-19 has robbed us of these moments, and so it’s on us to curate them for ourselves. My guests today believe they have created a solution that supports mothers’ mental health during pandemics and always. Jake and Irin Rubin are a husband-and-wife team who created MamaZen, a mindful parenting app for overwhelmed mothers. They’re on the show to discuss universal parenting themes, to be open and honest about what mindful parenting actually looks like, and to offer the solutions they believe moms have been looking for all along. If you want more minimalist parenting tips after listening, be sure to check out Sustainable Minimalism (the book that’s based on THIS podcast!), as an entire chapter is dedicated to day to day minimalism with kids. Get your copy here.   Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [5:15] How and why the pandemic has amplified the struggles of mothers [9:10] Why prioritizing self-care is both a must-do minimalist habit and an essential parenting tip [11:45] 2 reasons why it’s important to put in the effort for self-care even though doing so does, indeed, take extra effort [16:50] How hypnotherapy differs from meditation and why science says it works   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Leslie Forde’s survey * MamaZen app * Sustainable Minimalism (the book based on THIS podcast!) * This week’s episode is sponsored by Forager Project. Get your free cup of yogurt here! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out .#023: Minimalism and The Mental Load. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.              

Eco Conscious Christianity with Lisa M.   Meet Lisa from Adelaide, Australia. Lisa is a long-time podcast listener who believes that eco conscious living is the ultimate expression of her Christian faith. She excels at reducing carbon emissions from transportation (her family only has one vehicle, and it’s an electric car), but she has trouble cutting down on soft plastics. In our conversation today, Lisa imparts the hopeful truth that one person has the power to change the trajectory of others’ lives. Here’s a preview of our conversation: [3:00] The Australian bushfires of 2020: Were they are wake up call, or are they an unfortunate thing of the past? [14:00] Why Lisa believes that having children is an expression of hope [15:40] Tangible ways to impart eco conscious values onto our children [18:45] Practical ways to build up barriers to purchasing (without feeling deprived)   I’m so excited for you to meet Lisa!   [A note from Stephanie: This is the first episode in a 5-episode series that features podcast listeners just like you. My goal with these bonus episodes is to highlight real people—their real successes, their real challenges—as they seek simpler, more intentional existences.]   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #099: How to Raise Eco-Conscious Kids. * Love the podcast? Help it grow by leaving a quick review! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Get in touch with Stephanie by emailing her at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.  

Feng Shui, Meet Modern Minimalism   Modern minimalism is all about clean lines, clear countertops, tidy spaces, and houseplants. (Lots of houseplants.) But feng shui, too, has a lot to say about whether or not your living space feels peaceful, and that’s why the modern minimalist movement would do well to take a few cues from this ancient Chinese philosophy. Indeed, combining old design ideals with new ones is a powerful way to amplify minimalist principles in your home. This week, I bring you a conversation with interior designer Brooke LaVoi. Brooke believes that, while decluttering clears old energy and creates space for new ideas and new abundances, only feng shui can amplify the serenity we all seek within our homes. Brooke comes armed to our conversation today with practical design and lifestyle tips for listeners who are open to applying feng shui as a means of more effectively organizing their minimalist homes. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [8:30] Why rearranging your furniture is an instant space refresher [10:00] The five elements of feng shui (plus how to incorporate them without spending money) [21:00] What feng shui has to say about technology [23:00] How keeping sentimental items affects your home’s energy   * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #022: Debunking KonMari Myths. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

When Living Green Gets Exhausting   I’ll just go ahead and say it: eco-friendly lifestyles can leave us feeling weary, and that’s because living green requires extra time, patience, energy, and—sometimes—financial means. But the heaviness associated with choosing sustainable choices day in and day out stems from experiencing a trifecta of difficult emotions, too, including confusion, hopelessness, and anger. Today I bring you a conversation with Cheryl Leutjen. Cheryl is the author of Love Earth Now, a collection of essays that delve into the experience she coins eco-madness. Cheryl divulges her personal struggles with eco-madness as she attempts to navigate daily life as someone who cares too much in a society that cares too little; she offers honesty, too, and chronicles how she copes. In our conversation today we focus less on concrete tips and more about finding ways to survive and thrive despite experiencing difficult emotions and understanding difficult environmental truths.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [5:24] A definition of eco-madness and how the concept differs from eco anxiety [9:45] Practical ways to cope day to day despite feelings of frustration, hopelessness, and anger [19:45] The importance of setting intentions as an environmental steward   Resources mentioned in the episode: IndieBound.org   * This week’s episode is sponsored by Kind Laundry. (Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 10% off your order!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #087: How to Cope with Eco-Anxiety in 4 Steps. * Love the show? Help it grow by leaving a quick review! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

Eco Friendly Laundry Products and Routines   While bathrooms boast zero-waste swaps and kitchens can overflow with sustainable alternatives, the laundry room is considered the final frontier for offering eco friendly products. Indeed, Americans continue to discard nearly 1 billion plastic detergent jugs each year, and just one third of them are recycled. Laundry products have remained staunchly un-environmental over the past 6 decades. And thanks to the monopolies CPG companies have on the market, ethical and eco alternatives to detergent, dryer sheets, fabric softeners, and more face an uphill, David and Goliath-like battle. On this week’s show, I outline 7 of the best laundry practices from an environmental standpoint. I also bring you a conversation with Angie and Bernard Tran, the founders of Kind Laundry. Kind Laundry is revolutionizing the way we think about laundry detergent and Angie and Bernard come armed to today’s conversation with cold, hard facts about both the environmental implications surrounding those plastic detergent jugs as well as the chemicals that reside within conventional, big-name formulas. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [3:00] 7 practical tips (and eco friendly products!) to make your laundry routine more eco friendly [19:45] Why and how CPG companies keep plastic relevant [23:45] Optical brighteners, foaming agents and more: The dirty tricks conventional laundry detergents use to trick consumers into buying [27:15] The long-term effects traditional laundry detergent has on the planet   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Study: The environmental implications of using hot water for laundry * Lint LUV-R microfiber filter * Cora ball * Guppyfriend washing bag * Wool dryer balls * Kind Laundry Sheets (Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 10% off!)   * This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. (Use code MINIMAL for 10% off your first month!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #129: How to Simplify (and Greenify!) Common Chores. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Get in touch! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.          

New Year’s Resolutions for All   It’s mid-December and you know what that means: It’s time to start thinking about your 2021 new year’s resolution. Resolutions tend to be self-serving. Humans as a species are often centered around the self, and so it’s no surprise, then, that when we plan our resolutions for the coming year many choose ones that benefit the individual. But my guest today argues that perhaps the reason why resolutions are notorious for failure is because we tend to be too self-centered when prioritizing our goals for the new year. Today I am speaking with Corey Nobile, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Impact Snacks. Corey is on the show to argue that 2021 is the perfect time to choose a resolution that benefits the collective, and he comes armed to our conversation with strategies for making your 2021 new year’s resolution stick. And because my eco-resolution is to create less trash when out of the home—and because Impact offers snack bars in compostable packaging—Corey presents tangible advice for me as I seek success with my own 2021 new year’s resolution. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [ 7:45] How to choose your eco-resolution using research [10:10] Practical tips for advanced environmentalists, plus the importance of leading by example [12:15] The power of social contracts in making your resolution stick [14:00] Making SMART goals work for you [24:00] The science behind plant-based polymers and how Impact Snacks is leading the compostable packaging revolution   New Year’s Resolution ideas:   For Novices: * Pick up 3 pieces of litter on your daily walks (bring an extra bag!) * Hang your laundry * Substitute one dairy item with its plant-based substitute for the long-term * Convert your home from pump soap to bar soap * Swap out 3 disposable items for reusable ones   For Intermediates: * Cook from scratch 5 days per week * Give up meat on Mondays * Start a home composting system * Take 5 minute showers (set a timer!) * Embark on a month-long shopping ban   For Advanced Sustainable Minimalists: * Avoid purchasing any new clothing (thrift instead!) * Organize community cleanups near you * Sign up to receive Care2 Petitions and sign them, or create your own   * This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. (Use code MINIMAL for 10% off your first month!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #053: Eco-Friendly New Year’s Resolutions (and How You Can Join Me). * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Get in touch! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.  

Sustainable Fashion: Where It’s Been & Where it’s Going   Although sustainable fashion has come a long way in the past 3 decades, ethical clothing continues to suffer from some quite-common misconceptions: It’s boring. It’s expensive. It’s beige. Is it possible to find affordable, transparent, and sustainable fashion in today’s world, or are we not *quite* there yet? Today I bring you an interview with internationally recognized lifestyle visionary, Marci Zaroff. Marci has been in the sustainable fashion game for nearly 30 years as the CEO of multiple companies, author, keynote speaker, and recipient of countless awards over her decades-long career.  On this week’s show Marci outlines the changes she has seen in the sustainable fashion realm over the years; she offers practical tips for listeners, too, on how to shop ethically and sustainably for clothes in 2021 and beyond. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [6:30] Why 2020 is a turning point for eco-fashion [7:00] The relationship between the organic food movement and the organic clothing one [8:45] The low-down on the eco-fashion spectrum [11:45] 5 ways to distinguish brands doing it right versus brands that don’t want to be left behind [29:45] Tips and tricks to be incrementally more ethical in your clothing choices   Adding to your wardrobe? Start here with these “dark green” sustainable fashion brands: * Girlfriend Collective: Ethical activewear in sizes XXS to 6XL * MetaWear: Boasts turnkey sustainable fashion manufacturing practices * PACT Apparel: Organic cotton essentials for men, women, and kids * Patagonia: Active and outerwear for men, women, and kids * People Tree: A Fair Trade fashion pioneer; underwear, too! * PrAna: Active and outdoor apparel made from sustainable materials for men and women * Slumlove: Sweaters for men and women * TenTree: Assorted sustainable pieces for men and women   * This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. (Use code MINIMAL for 10% off your first month!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #043: Slow Fashion in a Fast Fashion World. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinteres...

  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 why organizing isn’t about having an Instagram-worthy space for a week or two; instead, the end goal is about curating a life that’s easier. My guest this week is author and podcaster Cassandra Aarssen. Cas is an organizing expert who believes that each of us has a unique organizing style. She argues that when we try to force ourselves into a micro-organizing system like the ones touted by the gurus, it’s similar to squeezing a round peg into a square hole. If we want to learn how to organize for good, we must perhaps embrace a macro mindset. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [8:30] Why organization in real life doesn’t adhere to a One Size Fits All model [9:15 ] The 4 different types of clutterbugs (Which one are you?) [17:40] A definition of container clutter, plus how to effectively organize with baskets and bins [23:45] Why every entryway needs a home landing strip and an in/out system   * This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. (Use code MINIMAL for 10% off your first month!) * Sustainable Minimalism (the book!) is available for pre-order now! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #076:Declutter your Home with the Shoebox Method. * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.  

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 week, I offer 10 tricks to help you live below your means without leaving you feeling as though you’re missing out. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [6:30]  3 ways to make sales work in your favor [12:00]  Practical resources to lower your monthly bills [25:00] How much consumers spend each year on impulse purchases (plus how to build buying barriers)   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Bill Shark * The Social Dilemma * Smart plugs * LED light bulbs * Smart Thermostat * Eco Cart (Every free install this week also plants a tree!)   * Access this week’s Show Notes here. * Learn more about about this week’s eco-tip here. * Grateful for your favorite podcasts? Don’t forget to leave reviews!  On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

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 life rooted in intentionality can combat burnout. This week, I speak with Delanie Fischer. Delanie is a simplicity coach who outlines the exact steps she took to declutter her schedule and simplify her life. She explains how she combatted the symptoms of burnout in her own life, too, by focusing less on small, day-to-day stresses and more on the big picture, instead. Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [6:05] The unique connection between decluttering and slowing down [12:10] 3 questions to ask yourself before saying ‘yes’ [18:00] The trifecta of schedule simplification; plus: the multitudinous benefits to starting an Outsource Fund [22:15] Why you should tackle items on your Hate List first [25:30] How to best achieve a work-life balance when working from home   Happy listening!   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #108: Minimalist Lifestyle Tips that Simplify Time, Money, and Relationships. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.    

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. ::Enter the 2020 Green Gift Guide!:: My hope is that this year’s Green Guide provides you with the motivation to support companies committed to doing things right. I also hope the Guide gives you some gift ideas to put on your own holiday list so that you receive fewer trinkets and more items you will love on for the long haul. Happy listening!   * Access this week’s Show Notes (with photos, discount codes and more!) here. * Want more eco friendly gift ideas? Check out last year’s green gift guide. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.

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 week argues that Ride-Or-Die veganism is impractical for many people. She argues, too, that shaming imperfect vegans does more harm than good. This week, I interview fellow podcaster Laura Diez. Laura is on the show to describe what a part-time, plant-based diet looks like in real life; she makes a solid case as to why going part-time with your efforts may make sense for your meat-loving family, too. Here’s a preview of this week’s episode: [8:10] Why the planet doesn’t need 1 million perfect vegans, but 10 million imperfect ones, instead [11:40] The inherent privilege associated with food choice [17:15] Why a part-time plant-based diet is less about restriction and more about abundance [22:00] Practical tips for transitioning a reluctant family to plants   Resources mentioned in the episode: * Nikki Vegan * The Edgy Veg * Ecochic Podcast   Happy listening! * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #093: How (Exactly) To Cook Zero-Waste Meals. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, hit ‘Subscribe’ at the top, then scroll allllll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes. Click on the stars to leave a review, and thank you! * Join our (free!) community here. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest. * Get in touch with Stephanie via email.  

  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. And in the short term? A warming climate may increase the prevalence of famines, spread insect-borne diseases, displace populations, exacerbate the effects of poverty, and worsen mental health outcomes. This week, I speak with Dr. Jay Lemery, professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine and author of Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health. Dr. Lemery and I discuss the ways in which climate change will effect human health in the coming decades; he offers practical solutions to mitigate risks as a species, too.   Here’s a preview of today’s episode: [3:05] Why the medical community isn’t paying attention to climate change [5;30] Why the term ‘global warming’ should be replaced with ‘global weirding’, instead [11:42] The problem with wildfires and degraded air quality [16:15] The connection between forced displacement and mental health   This week’s sponsors are: * Forager Project: Cultivate Democracy and Vote on November 3! *  Blissoma (Use code MINIMAL at checkout for 20% off Sustain Ecosystem products!)   * Want more episodes like this one? Check out #063: Why We’re Sick and How to Get Healthy. * Social distancing is the *perfect* time to review your favorite podcasts! On the Apple Podcasts app, hit the Library tab, scroll allll the way to the bottom past all prior episodes, then click on the stars to leave a review. (Thank you!) * Join our (free!) community here. * Get in touch with Stephanie via email at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. * Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Pinterest.