Joshua and Ryan talk about what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and in what ways they’ve subtracted since they started The Minimalists eleven years ago, and they answer the following questions: How has your understanding of, and approach toward, minimalism developed over the last eleven years? (00:00) Why does minimalism seem radical? (05:34) How do we address our issue with clinging? (06:44) What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about consumerism? (10:13) What is the “god-shaped hole”? (12:04) Based on your eleven years of experience in minimalism, what advice do you have for those of us starting on our minimalism journey at an older age? (16:38) Is deprivation helpful? (24:03) If you had the power to make everyone a minimalist, would you do it? (28:53) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan speak with Amanda Montell, author of Cultish, about what makes a cult a cult, and they answer the following questions: Who decides whether a cult is a cult? (00:00) Are cults strictly negative? (02:08) Is CrossFit a cult? (04:33) How do otherwise reasonable people fall susceptible to cults? (11:58) What are the characteristics of a cult? (13:55) What is the “thought-terminating cliche”? (15:47) What are the “exit costs” of cults? (21:29) What are some red flags to look for regarding cults? (22:25) Can you explain the US-centric terms being used regarding cults? (32:08) Why does it seem the US is replete with cults? (32:35) How do cults start? (34:30) What is the “cult of consumerism”? (36:43) How do cult members not see how it’s hurting them when it’s so obvious to everyone else? (39:37) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about giving gifts, getting gifts, and sometimes refusing gifts as a minimalist during Christmastime, and they answer the following questions: How do I address the guilt I feel when I don’t get a Christmas gift for someone that expected one? (01:13) Can gift-giving be a love language? (21:49) What are some clutter-free gift ideas? (25:46) What are the three types of fun? (28:02) What is the minimalist approach to Christmas stockings? (32:51) What are some good charities for children? (36:50) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about expired food, expired medications, expired possessions, and expired daily habits, and they answer the following questions: How can we appropriately manage the expiration dates of everything in our lives? (00:00) Is the expiration date listed on food the last day it can be used? (06:57) How do I appropriately let go of perishable items that no longer serve me, especially when there was a degree of expense involved? (13:45) What do you consider clutter? (15:21) What can we do about expired sources of content, such as a blog with dated viewpoints, narratives, and opinions? (17:42) How do we determine when we’ve entered a new season in life and it’s time to let go of hobbies, friendships, and dreams of past seasons? (21:41) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about so-called luxury items—desiring them, purchasing them, clinging to them, understanding them, and letting go of them—and they answer the following questions: How do you define “luxury item”? (01:10) How do we differentiate between luxury, elegance, and trendy? (06:04) As my fiance and I are creating our wedding registry, how do we ensure we don’t fall into the trap of exploiting the kindness of others for luxury items that will just fill the areas we just decluttered? (11:09) What is “expensive pain”? (13:23) What is an “alternative registry”? (15:44) Is crowdsourcing a reasonable way to fund a honeymoon? (17:07) Why do some pursue luxury instead of living within their means? (20:29) What is “low-grade misery”? (36:02) What is the ultimate luxury? (36:49) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about earning a living doing work that matters with career expert, author, and Ramsey personality Ken Coleman, and they answer the following questions: Does one have to have a “purpose” at work? (02:16) What three elements make up one’s purpose? (03:13) Must a purpose be a lofty pursuit? (09:33) What do you recommend as the best options for making money on the road for those of us that want to travel and see the world? (16:00) How do I balance pursuing a purpose with the responsibilities and obligations of being a parent and a spouse? (24:01) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss The Minimalists’ Spontaneous Combustion Rule as it applies to material possessions, relationships, and homes, and they answer the following questions: What is the Spontaneous Combustion Rule? (01:00) How do we determine when it’s appropriate to let go of friendships, and how do we address the aftermath of loneliness when there are no new friendships to fill the void? (04:12) What are the three types of relationships? (07:39) How do we address the overwhelm we feel from others’ stuff when we’re living in an environment that’s not our own? (13:42) How do we know if the desire to move to a new place that may “fit us better” is a genuine feeling and not just escapism? (24:30) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan are joined by Ryan’s wife, Mariah, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, and they talk about the wisdom that accompanies midlife maturity, as well as answer the following questions: When do maturity, wisdom, and knowledge best align? (00:00) What is Ryan’s favorite dinner? (11:50) How have your needs in a romantic partnership changed as you move toward your 40s? (13:05) What is “whataboutism”? (17:15) How has responding instead of reacting helped your relationship? (18:21) Are Ryan and Mariah always in agreement regarding their minimalist practices; and, if not, how do they find compromise with one another? (22:58) How do you find equilibrium in your relationship when an individual is on their minimalist journey but their partner is not? (32:13) What is the “hedonic treadmill”? (46:13) What guests have you had at your tour stops? (47:41) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about inner conflict, self-doubt, and self-hatred with author, speaker, and attorney Mel Robbins, and they answer the following questions: How do I rebuild my relationship with myself? (02:06) What is the most important relationship in our life? (02:59) What moment led to the High Five Habit? (08:42) Why do most mantras not work? (15:22) How did you keep from blaming yourselves and beating yourselves up for the failure of your marriages, and how did you restore your confidence in starting new relationships afterward? (16:54) What does a high five represent? (19:39) Can thinking about yourself negatively actually benefit you positively? (26:06) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan talk about finding something more compelling than material possessions, and they answer the following questions: Why is Salt Lake City one of Joshua’s favorite cities? (00:00) How do I explain to my children the importance of curating their toys in terms they’ll understand? (03:14) How do I let go of a relationship I didn’t end? (09:59) Why am I relentlessly searching for the next thing that will improve my life, and how do I better channel that energy? (17:56) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support