

Slow Living: Sustainable Life & Time Management without Stress or Hustle.
Stephanie O'Dea
Slow Living with Stephanie O'Dea helps you create a calm, intentional life without the hustle, stress, or overwhelm. Each episode shares practical tips for simple routines, mindful time management, and parenting with purpose—so you can slow down, find balance, and feel more at peace in your everyday life.
In a world that moves too fast and constantly makes you feel like you’re falling behind, this show is your reminder that who you are is already enough—and you’re amazing, just as you are. Instead of chasing unrealistic standards, you’ll learn to align your daily life with your values, set sustainable goals, and find joy in the small, everyday moments.
This podcast is your roadmap to living your own version of the American Dream—one that feels intentional, joyful, and truly your own. Listeners often tune in for help with:
Stress relief and avoiding burnout
Creating simple, sustainable routines
Parenting with patience and presence
Time management without the hustle
Organization, minimalism, and decluttering
Finding peace in relationships and daily life
Stephanie O’Dea is a New York Times best-selling author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World. She first gained international recognition as the founder of AYearofSlowCooking.com, where she documented her year-long experiment of using her slow cooker every single day—earning appearances on Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and multiple features in national magazines and newspapers.
Through her books, blog, and podcast, Stephanie has helped millions of busy families simplify their lives, reclaim their time, and embrace a more mindful way of living. She brings a background in child development, psychology, and early childhood education to her work, along with real-life experience as a mom of three.
She and her husband of over 25 years live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they raise their children, walk their dog, Sheldon, and practice what she preaches: slowing down, unplugging, and savoring a life well lived.
In a world that moves too fast and constantly makes you feel like you’re falling behind, this show is your reminder that who you are is already enough—and you’re amazing, just as you are. Instead of chasing unrealistic standards, you’ll learn to align your daily life with your values, set sustainable goals, and find joy in the small, everyday moments.
This podcast is your roadmap to living your own version of the American Dream—one that feels intentional, joyful, and truly your own. Listeners often tune in for help with:
Stress relief and avoiding burnout
Creating simple, sustainable routines
Parenting with patience and presence
Time management without the hustle
Organization, minimalism, and decluttering
Finding peace in relationships and daily life
Stephanie O’Dea is a New York Times best-selling author of Slow Living: Cultivating a Life of Purpose in a Hustle-Driven World. She first gained international recognition as the founder of AYearofSlowCooking.com, where she documented her year-long experiment of using her slow cooker every single day—earning appearances on Good Morning America, The Rachael Ray Show, and multiple features in national magazines and newspapers.
Through her books, blog, and podcast, Stephanie has helped millions of busy families simplify their lives, reclaim their time, and embrace a more mindful way of living. She brings a background in child development, psychology, and early childhood education to her work, along with real-life experience as a mom of three.
She and her husband of over 25 years live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they raise their children, walk their dog, Sheldon, and practice what she preaches: slowing down, unplugging, and savoring a life well lived.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2024 • 31min
Encore Episode: Sober Curious
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Welcome to our first encore episode of the season! As we close out the year, I’m bringing back some of the most impactful episodes that continue to resonate with my coaching clients and community.Today, we’re revisiting an important conversation about the role alcohol plays in your life. Is alcohol taking up too much space in your life? Is there a healthy place for it in your daily routine?Here’s the key takeaway: exploring your habits doesn’t require a label. Deciding to examine your alcohol consumption—or anything else like food or social media—doesn’t mean you have a problem. Instead, it’s about staying curious and intentional about how these things impact your life.In this episode, we’ll talk about:Why labeling yourself isn’t helpful—and how to keep an open mind as you reflect on your habits.How to evaluate whether alcohol (or any habit) is actively helping you achieve your dream life.The first step in embracing a slow living lifestyle: decluttering what’s not working.The difference between Start Goals and Stop Goals, and how to integrate them into your daily habits.This is an invitation to pause, reflect, and get curious. If something isn’t helping you move forward, it’s worth exploring why you’re holding on to it.Tune in to this encore episode and start building the intentional, slow life you deserve.Resources:This Naked Mind by Annie GraceSober Curious subredditWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Dec 2, 2024 • 27min
Code Switching, Authenticity, & Masking
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Hi, pretty people! This is my final new episode of 2024, but don’t worry—over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing encore episodes of some of your favorites that continue to spark questions and conversations. Fresh episodes will be back in 2025, so stay tuned!For this special episode, we’re diving into three misunderstood concepts that many of us navigate every day: code switching, authenticity, and masking.Here’s what we’re talking about:What is Code Switching? Adjusting your language, tone, and behavior to fit different environments like work or social gatherings.What is Masking? Suppressing parts of yourself to fit in or avoid judgment.What Does Authenticity Mean? Showing up as your true, unfiltered self.We’ll also explore how to balance these concepts in a way that feels authentic to you. While code switching and masking aren’t inherently bad, using them intentionally can help create feelings of safety and comfort. Awareness is the key to navigating these behaviors effectively.Here are a few tips we’ll cover:Create flexibility in how you adapt to different environments.Journal about what feels most authentic in certain situations.Notice when you’re masking or code switching and why.Set small intentions to show up as “more you” every day.Join me as we explore how to navigate these complex behaviors while staying true to yourself. Awareness is the first step to finding balance, and I’m here to help you get started.Let’s wrap up 2024 with this thought-provoking conversation and step into the new year with more intention and self-awareness!Want to listen to another episode to expand on this further? Episode 16- Matching Your Identity With IntegrityWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Nov 25, 2024 • 19min
Recovering from People Pleasing
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Are you a people pleaser? Many of us find ourselves in roles, like customer service, that require pleasing others. But does that mean we’re truly people pleasers? Not necessarily.In this episode, we’re exploring the difference between being helpful and falling into the trap of people pleasing. For some, the need to please others stems from a fear of failure or a desire to avoid guilt—feelings that can take a toll on your mental health and self-worth.Here’s what we cover:What is People Pleasing? Understanding its roots and how it can impact your life.The Difference Between Helping and Pleasing: Why offering help doesn’t have to mean compromising yourself.How to Overcome People Pleasing: Practical steps to break free from this habit.Protecting Your Boundaries: How to prioritize your needs while still being kind and supportive.Ready to let go of people pleasing and reclaim your time, energy, and confidence? Tune in for actionable tips to protect your boundaries and rediscover your self-worth.Download the daily journaling worksheet here ➝ https://stephanieodea.com/daily/Ready for more episodes on this topic? Take a listen to these previous episodes.Episode 25 - Caring for the CaregiverEpisode 26 - Stop Delaying HappinessEpisode 37 - How to find your purpose?Episode 56 - Waiting to be savedEpisodes 57 - Protect your energyWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Nov 18, 2024 • 24min
Are You a Perfectionist?
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Are you a perfectionist? In today’s episode, we’re taking a deep dive into what perfectionism really means, especially for those who feel they’re constantly struggling to keep up with their dreams or feel a fear of failure. This is a common theme among my coaching clients, and it’s often connected to deeper issues, like childhood trauma.Here’s what we discuss:The Perfectionism Cycle: Understanding how perfectionism can start in childhood and persist into adulthood, often affecting your “inner child.”The Challenge of Being in the Moment: Why perfectionists often struggle to stay present and how this affects everyday life.Recognizing Perfectionist Patterns: Learning to identify signs of perfectionism as the first step toward breaking free.Embracing Your Authentic Self: Steps you can take to overcome perfectionism and work toward a more genuine, slow living life.If you’re ready to let go of the need for perfection and embrace a more balanced life, this episode is for you. Listen in to start breaking the perfectionism cycle and become more comfortable in your own skin.Books to heal your inner child:Running on Empty by Jonice WebbAdult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents by Lindsay GibsonDriven to Distraction by Edward M HallowellWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Nov 11, 2024 • 21min
Is Multitasking Bad?
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE!In today’s episode, we dive into a topic that often comes up with my coaching clients: multitasking. You’re likely multitasking right now as you listen, and that’s perfectly okay! We’ll explore how multitasking can fit into a slow-living lifestyle, especially when it comes to those everyday tasks on autopilot, and when it might be time to focus on being fully present.We cover:When Multitasking Works: Discover how multitasking can be a helpful tool for completing routine tasks without much thought, allowing you to get more done.Being Present for New Experiences and Family Time: Learn why focusing on one thing at a time is essential when you’re trying something new or spending quality time with loved ones.What Is Context Switching? Understand how switching between tasks can affect your focus and productivity, and what it means for your day-to-day.Multitasking with a Slow Living Mindset: Find practical tips for incorporating multitasking without losing the calm and intention that slow living brings.Tune in for a balanced approach to multitasking that can help you stay productive while still embracing a mindful, slow-living lifestyle.Are you a remote worker? This article shares a study about how remote workers are multitasking and what they are doing during the day. Read the article HERE!Want to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Nov 4, 2024 • 33min
The Working Homemaker -- Charity Gibson
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, I’m joined by Charity Gibson, wife, mother of four, English professor, and author of The Working Homemaker, a guide for Christian mothers on balancing work and home life. Charity’s faith and commitment to family have inspired her to redefine the traditional role of homemaker, bringing a fresh perspective to moms who balance a career and home responsibilities.We dive into:The traditional stereotype of homemaking and how Charity is challenging itHer fresh perspective on homemaking as nurturing relationships and creating a flourishing family lifeWhat a daily homemaking schedule can look like for working momsPractical tips on connecting deeply with your familyJoin us for this inspiring conversation, as Charity shows that homemaking is for every mom, no matter her career path, and offers tips on building a lifestyle that supports both professional and personal growth.Connect with Charity:https://charitygibson.com/Buy her book The Working HomemakerWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Oct 28, 2024 • 42min
The Mama Minimalist -- Stephanie Seferian
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! Today, we’re joined by Stephanie Seferian, author of Sustainable Minimalism, journalist, podcast host, and mom of two. Stephanie shares her inspiring journey from teaching high school English to staying home with her children—a shift that sparked her passion for sustainable minimalism and led her to create her blog and Sustainable Minimalists podcast.In this episode, we talk about:Stephanie’s decision to stay home with her kids and the new challenges she facedWhat inspired her journey toward sustainable minimalism and her mission to create a better planet for her childrenThe community’s response to her work and her passion for eco-friendly livingTips for maintaining sustainable minimalism during the holidays, especially when it comes to gift-givingTune in to hear Stephanie’s story and learn how simple changes can make a big difference for the environment and your peace of mind.Connect with Stephanie:Sustainable Minimalists Podcast Instagram @sustainableminimalistshttps://mamaminimalist.com/https://www.facebook.com/SustainableMinimalistsGet her book: Sustainable MinimalismWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Oct 21, 2024 • 37min
Get Your Spark Back -- Rachel Marie Martin
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, I sit down with Rachel Marie Martin, the inspiring author of Get Your Spark Back and creator of the popular Finding Joy website. Rachel shares her journey as a lifelong entrepreneur, mother, and a woman who has overcome significant life challenges, including raising a child with celiac disease and navigating a divorce.We discuss the life-changing perspective that comes when your child is diagnosed with a serious illness, the concept of time wasters from her latest book, and how she built a successful business despite her struggles. Rachel also opens up about teaching her children the value of money and responsibility, and why she believes it’s so important for women to know they are never alone, especially during times of reinvention and finding new friendships.Rachel’s story is a heartfelt reminder that no matter the struggles, you can always find your spark again and thrive.Connect with Rachel:Instagram @finding_joywww.findingjoy.netpurchase: Get Your Spark BackWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Oct 14, 2024 • 30min
Learning from Memoirs -- Part 2
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, we dive back into the world of memoirs, where I reflect on the lessons and wisdom gained from listening to others' life stories. There’s so much to learn from the challenges people have faced and how they’ve grown through them.We are going to cover my thoughts and takeaways from these memoirs:Untamed, Glennon DoyleNickel and Dimed, Barbara EhrenreichBurn Book, Kara SwisherSandy Cooper booksThese memoirs are filled with powerful insights, and I’m excited to share what I’ve learned from them. They’re a great listen!Want to share your own story? We love sharing Slow Living stories with our audience. Send me a voicemail and you could be featured on the podcast!Want to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/

Oct 7, 2024 • 26min
Learning from Memoirs -- Part 1
BUY THE SLOW LIVING BOOK HERE! In this episode, we dive into the world of memoirs and the incredible lessons you can learn from other people’s life stories. If you love reading memoirs, like I do, you'll appreciate how much insight they offer—whether it's about resilience, growth, or navigating challenges.Here’s what we cover:Why reading memoirs can be so powerfulThe value of learning from someone else's life experiencesSome of my favorite memoirs that I have readTune in to explore the unique stories behind these fascinating lives!Fiction books mentioned in this episode:Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Gail HoneymanBeach Read, Emily HenryGansett Island Series, Marie ForceMemoirs discussed in this episode:Spare, Prince HarryFriends, Lovers, and The Big Terrible Thing, Matthew PerryEducated, Tara WestoverCounting the Cost, Jill DuggarWant to know more about living a slowed down life?!Simple Shortcuts to Peace Course - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew Year, New You Mini Challenge - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouJoin me for my LIVE Masterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Slow Living Podcast - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/