The Minimalists speak with Dr. John Delony, author of Own Your Past, Change Your Future, about loneliness, friendship, love, lust, and jobs that make people miserable, and they answer the following questions: How do I ensure I don’t fall back into crippling codependency as I explore building relationships again? (01:42) How do we intentionally practice solitude? (05:33) What is the difference between solitude and hiding? (06:43) How do we make friends as adults? (06:51) Is there any issue in striving to associate with like-minded individuals over open-minded individuals? (13:07) Where is the best place to find a long-term partner or spouse? (14:46) What are the differences between love, like, and lust? (19:51) How do I determine whether to keep a job I detest that makes me miserable, yet provides well for myself and my daughter? (24:09) How do we transition from an overabundance of acquaintances to fewer, more meaningful relationships? (30:40) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss what to do with family heirlooms and “generational junk,” and they answer the following questions: How do we tactfully tell our relatives we don’t want their “generational junk”? (09:17) How do I help my parents minimize their hoard to live more simply when they’re resistant to do so? (14:10) How do we support our family members without accepting their donations of their possessions? (26:35) How do I appropriately rehome a family heirloom that is a historical artifact? (31:44) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists speak with Joshua Becker about Things That Matter, becoming minimalist, and finding purpose, and they answer the following questions: How do I discover what truly matters when I’m already struggling to find meaning in my daily life? (02:11) How do we discover our purposes? (02:34) Would you change your minimalist journeys based on what you know now? (08:07) How do we recoup and regroup from the past purchase of a luxury item, especially when we’re trying to recover from the financial repercussions of the purchase, such as a considerable car loan? (12:47) What does Joshua Becker recommend regarding vehicle purchases? (15:33) How do I reframe minimalism as merely a tool rather than a goal? (21:39) How do I ensure my needs are met along with those for which I’m a caregiver? (29:53) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about purchases that lead to buyer’s remorse, and they answer the following questions: Does regret serve us in any way? (01:57) How do we overcome the loss and regret we feel after donating items so we don’t end up simply replacing them and repeating the cycle? (06:03) How do we recognize when we’re senselessly justifying a purchase that holds little to no actual benefit for us? (16:08) Do your children have any regrets? (23:45) What do we do when we experience buyer’s remorse with every purchase? (27:52) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about the clutter that invades our counters, cabinets, and refrigerators with Max Lugavere, author of Genius Kitchen, and they answer the following questions: What is essential to prepare healthy meals? (02:39) What is a Thermapen? (04:31) Why are glass containers better for storage than plastic containers? (04:56) What is the value of the cast-iron skillet in the kitchen? (06:17) What are the pros and cons of the microwave? (11:08) What are the benefits of sous vide? (13:11) What are the dangers of using kitchen items with nonstick coatings? (13:51) What kitchen cleaning products and methods have you found safe, effective, and minimal that prevent foodborne illnesses and keep everything spotless when not in use? (20:40) How do we ensure we keep the appropriate amount of food on hand for our household? (27:16) How do we efficiently and effectively cook in tiny kitchens? (33:22) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about functional movement with Aaron Alexander, author of The Align Method, and they answer the following questions: What daily exercises will help us move with the most freedom and the least pain? (02:18) How do our postural patterns affect our overall health? (06:33) What is the “55-38-7 Principle”? (07:47) Is sitting for long periods unhealthy? (09:52)  What movements during daily office work are beneficial? (17:03) What is the most ideal sitting position? (20:13) What is the value of stillness? (26:22) What are the most appropriate workspace ergonomics for those that spend long hours at desks? (31:15) How do we best relax? (33:17) How important is appropriate breathing? (37:25) What is “learned helplessness”? (45:07) How do we reevaluate our movements? (46:45) What is “piezoelectricity”? (48:26) What is “parasitic tension”? (51:07) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss why far too many of us spend far too much on storage containers, “clutter coffins,” of all sizes, yet the best way to organize our stuff isn’t to store it in a basement mausoleum—the best way to organize is to get rid of the excess stuff—and they answer the following questions: What has contributed to the rise of the storage business? (01:40) What do you consider “clutter coffins”? (05:19) When are storage units useful? (07:22) What is the average profit margin of the storage industry? (14:26) What does the phrase “Be present” mean to you? (16:27) How do I reconcile my love of scrapbooking and its requisite accoutrements with my striving to live a minimalist lifestyle? (17:35) What is “legalism”? (20:03) What is your perspective regarding the zero-waste movement? (22:20) What are the origins of spring cleaning? (26:26) How do my partner and I determine how much stuff we should actually save for our future child? (26:56) How do you determine what is worth storing? (32:03) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about sustainable living with environmentalist Claire Potter, and they answer the following questions: What impact did the pandemic have on our environment with all of the disposable items designed to protect us from infection, and how can we move forward safely with less waste? (01:39) How biodegradable are biodegradable plastics? (06:25) What are the pros and cons of plastic? (07:29) How do we stay motivated and inspire others to live a sustainable, minimalist lifestyle when those around us do not; that is, if we live sustainably but more people live unsustainably, aren’t all of our efforts meaningless? (09:25) What is your perspective regarding sustainability? (11:20) What is the “circular economy”? (12:28) How much does farming crops damage the environment compared to farming meat? (20:22) How do we frame sustainable living to interest non-environmentalists? (28:32) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about how much stuff is enough stuff, and how much stuff is too much stuff, and they answer the following questions: How do we avoid apathy when we’re sorting generations of stuff? (02:25) What does “letting go” mean to you? (04:51) When you have too much stuff, how do you determine what to let go and where to send it—yard sale, online consignment, donation center, or, very worst-case scenario, landfill? (08:54) What is The Minimalists’ process for letting go? (10:17) How do we appropriately address a loved one’s consumerism that causes us discomfort? (16:45) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about simple pets with Dr. Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib, authors of The Forever Dog, and they answer the following questions: Do humans actually need pets? (02:30) What does the acronym “DOGS” represent? (10:37) How many pets are too many? (13:03) What is a puppy scam? (16:32) What is genetic deletion? (18:02) What is a healthy diet for pets? (20:39) How do we ensure a superlative longevity for our pets’ lives? (26:30) How do I address my spouse’s frustrations with a pet when I get value from the companionship and care of the pet but they do not? (28:32) How much exercise does my pet need? (30:28) How do we ensure we don’t become totally consumed by our pet guardian identities? (33:50) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support