The Minimalists

The Minimalists discuss emotional clutter with psychologist Dr. Susan David, and they answer the following questions: What is optimum emotional health, and how do we achieve it? (01:39) How does acceptance help us manage our emotional state? (04:31) Can anger be productive? (05:59) How are emotions actually data? (07:04) How do emotions and values work together? (07:25) What is the ideal relationship between stimulus and response? (10:29) What is “fusion”? (11:18) What is the “readiness potential”? (13:54) How do we address overidentification with an emotion? (14:10) How do I silence the naysayers in my head? (19:30) What is the “amplification effect”? (20:08) What is the importance of self-compassion? (21:09) What is the difference between a “have-to” goal and a “want-to” goal? (23:10) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss ten ideal ways to simplify our lives, and they answer the following questions: Where do we best start our decluttering odyssey? (02:01) What is “setting the stage”? (13:23) What is the “true cost” of an item? (21:06) What two ways do you recommend to save money on every purchase? (24:53) What platforms have you found reliable for selling unwanted items? (33:58) How do we effect positive change in our city’s policies regarding architectural aesthetics? (42:33) What is “wabi-sabi”? (42:58) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about earning a living from creative pursuits with writer Jeff Goins, and they answer the following questions: Why do even the most talented artists often struggle financially? (02:43) What is the premise of Jeff’s book? (03:35) How does stubbornness help artists? (04:31) How does a hyper focus on details harm artists? (07:43) What is the importance of patrons for artists? (12:55) How do artists best actualize their dreams? (24:22) What is the best use of our creations that no longer hold any meaning for us—save for posterity, recycle, repurpose, trash? (25:30) How do I best manage my PR on social media so I have adequate time to produce my art? (38:18) What is the Sunday Symposium? (45:10) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss the pros and cons of owning versus renting homes from a minimalist perspective, and they answer the following questions: What are your respective opinions regarding owning versus renting homes? (01:48) Is there an age deadline for homeownership? (10:57) How do we determine which is more financially feasible for us between renting and buying? (14:44) What are “Zoomtowns”? (25:07) Do you consider tiny homes a viable homeownership option, particularly regarding resale value? (32:54) What should we look for in a community when we’re ready to plant roots? (38:08) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists speak with Vanessa Van Edwards about communication problems and the signals we send to others through our body language, facial expressions, word choices, and vocal inflections, and they answer the following questions: How do I overcome the feeling of being chronically misunderstood? (02:38) What are the four channels for cues? (03:18) What is the importance of congruence in our communication? (04:10) How are we most commonly misunderstood? (07:09) What are warm and confident words? (07:50) How do we organically incorporate mirroring into our communication? (12:45) How can you tell if someone is actively listening to you? (15:04) What are the two misconceptions about eye contact? (16:57) What is “Resting Bothered Face”? (20:15) What is “phubbing”? (24:14) What are “invitation cues”? (27:23) As a teenager living under my parents’ roof how do I tactfully address the conflict arising between their values and beliefs and my own that are continuously evolving at my age? (30:10) What is “openness”? (32:24) What is the “Platinum Rule”? (36:25) Why is nonverbal communication so powerful? (38:00) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about practical, reliable, and durable goods and the social, moral, and environmental responsibilities of the companies that produce them, and they answer the following questions: Where did you get the idea for the title, “The Good Goods”? (01:50) Is there a curated list somewhere on the Internet of companies that sell high-quality, durable goods that also take responsibility for their social and environmental impact? (05:23) What is “impact anxiety”? (16:45) What is “corporate social responsibility”? (22:55) Do dollar stores sell any high-quality items? (25:23) How has planned obsolescence changed our shopping habits? (36:31) What are the benefits of buying locally? (42:08) How do we find items that are high-quality and appropriately priced? (48:30) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss the benefits of near-death experiences with their friend T.K. Coleman a month after his brush with death, and they answer the following questions: How has having your film nominated for an Emmy affected you? (02:06) How many times has T.K. appeared on the podcast? (03:39) What near-death experience did T.K. experience recently, and what lessons did he take from it? (05:52) What mattered the most to you in your moment of crisis? (11:43) What effect did T.K.’s near-death experience have on his relationships? (18:13) What insights or enlightenment do near-death experiences yield? (24:41) Did T.K.’s near-death experience alter his views regarding minimalism? (35:41) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss our shared clean-slate fantasy of renting a giant dumpster and tossing everything in it, as well as more prudent and responsible decluttering methods, including selling, donating, and recycling, and they answer the following questions: Why did you renovate The Minimalists podcast studio after its first year? (03:51) How do we tactfully approach a loved one regarding their maximalist lifestyle encroaching on our shared minimalist space? (07:05) What are the three reasons that we cling? (09:11) Why is striving for perfection such a fruitless pursuit? (17:21) How do we appropriately pass on personalized items? (19:11) How do I help loved ones let go of their attachment to things? (29:04) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

Learn more about Earthing products: earthing.com/simple In this episode, The Minimalists are joined by earthing expert Clint Ober to discuss pain reduction, the science behind grounding, and “the most important health discovery ever,” and they answer the following questions: What is the science behind grounding, and how do I explain it to loved ones who perceive it as metaphysical woo-woo? (03:19) How can grounding relieve much of our discomfort? (09:16) What are the most significant benefits of grounding, and what individuals would realize the most benefit from it? (13:26) What grounding tips do you have for individuals that use wheelchairs? (16:56) How did Clint come to recognize the personal benefits of grounding? (20:40) What are the best methods for grounding? (24:13) What is your perception regarding inflammation? (29:54) If grounding is so healthy, why does the professional medical community largely ignore it? (33:23) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about the many shapes and sizes of excess, including stuff, debt, screen time, commitments, and emotional clutter, and they answer the following questions: When is something considered excessive? (03:32) What are the three ways to gain acceptance? (11:52) How do we encourage others to break away from the excessive pursuits that are causing them to feel perpetually overwhelmed? (14:40) What is “POMO”? (15:07) How do I ensure my daily schedule doesn’t become excessive, and how do I best organize my time management tools to achieve that goal? (18:46) How do I stay focused on my obligations and responsibilities when my emotional clutter is constantly distracting me? (25:01) What is your perspective regarding personality? (32:22) How do I cut down on excessive screen time? (47:28) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support