The Minimalists

The Minimalists talk about different kinds of surprise purchases, impulse purchases, and annoying purchases, and they answer the following questions: What’s the difference between surprise purchases and impulse purchases? (01:39) Why do sales seem particularly pernicious now? (04:06) What are the two kinds of surprise purchases? (07:44) Do manufacturers bear any burden for creating superfluous products that exist as little more than items to be purchased as surprise gifts for others based on their novelty rather than their practicality? (11:33) Are we being too dismissive of new technology that seems to promote sedentary lifestyles but could be incredibly helpful to the physically challenged? (19:34) How do we get our partners to include us in the purchasing processes of significant items? (25:20) How do you define “compassion”? (29:32) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists question the beliefs, opinions, and worldviews that have shaped all of us with Michael Gungor, author of THIS, and they answer the following questions: Why did Michael write THIS? (03:30) Why does getting everything we want often bring misery instead of joy? (06:07) How do we determine if a belief no longer serves us? (11:48) What does “belief” mean to you? (13:26) How do our beliefs form? (15:47) How do you break the constant collective mindset of depression and anxiety when you grew up in a family that believed it was simply an ever-present state of being? (21:26) How do you define “anxiety”? (23:25) Did Michael discover a deeper truth through his experience with different religions? (32:51) What is your perspective regarding truth? (33:50) What does it mean to “add value”? (36:23) ​If I’ve given everything I can to please those I must please in my profession, what more can I do to show my commitment to the cause? (39:06) What does “need” mean to you? (42:54) How do we determine when a struggle has become futile and move on? (45:07) What are your thoughts regarding the ego? (46:04) What does “heaven” and “hell” mean to you? (50:37) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists talk about the psychology behind panic buying, and they answer the following questions: What causes panic buying? (01:27) What are the causes of supply-chain shortages? (07:58) What have you seen purchased in recent panic-buying frenzies? (12:24) When might it be appropriate to panic? (13:58) Is it ever advisable to simply save money for medical emergencies rather than spending that money monthly on health insurance? (14:55) Can everything be negotiated? (21:59) Do other countries respond to crises with panic buying similar to the United States? (24:22) Where is the line between preparation and hoarding? (27:55) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss the physical clutter that is created by mental clutter with Dr. Amishi Jha, and they answer the following questions: What are the ideal steps to reduce mental clutter? (01:46) How do we refine our attention? (07:40) What is the “Find Your Flashlight Practice”? (12:51) How do we let go of sentimental stuff that has continuously piled up for decades and is physically and mentally holding us back? (13:49) How do we wind up emotionally attached to stuff? (17:41) How do we appropriately develop new habits? (21:22) What is “contingent reality”? (21:33) How do you maintain mindfulness in the corporate world amid the constant bombardment of demands from obligations and responsibilities? (23:42) What is “task switching”? (27:09) How do we enjoy wholly disconnecting in our free time without feeling like we’ve wasted time? (29:22) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists discuss the three most dangerous words in the world—Just. In. Case.—and they answer the following questions: Should I hold on to collectibles so I can pass them on to my children if they become valuable? (01:40) How do I address a hoard of just-in-case items I’ve stashed for use at work? (10:22) How can boundaries help with just-in-case items? (14:28) How do you address the ‘I-told-you-so’ crowd regarding just-in-case items you purged that you must purchase again? (27:31) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists are joined by philosopher Peter Rollins to discuss nihilism, despair, anger, and depression, and they answer the following questions: How are nihilism and minimalism related? (02:57) Is Fight Club’s Tyler Durden an example of nihilism? (05:33) What did Nietzsche mean by the “death of God”? (07:11) What started the recent rise in nihilism? (10:58) Is anger merely unrealized expectations? (12:21) What is the “belief through the other”? (17:22) How do you define “fundamentalism”? (18:32) Are nihilism and pessimism the same perspective? (19:03) How do we overcome pessimism? (20:24) What would cause someone to become a nihilist? (21:38) Why did Nietzsche believe we must all experience the death of God? (23:25) What is “dialectics”? (24:15) How do I help myself and my children adequately recover and move on after the death of their father ‬and the disintegration of my second marriage? (26:36) What are “beta-elements”? (29:27) What is an “alpha function”? (29:45) What is your perspective regarding “symptoms”? (30:47) What is the value of a psychotherapist for those of us struggling with issues? (31:04) How do you find new meaning in life when the meaning you wanted is no longer an option? (33:21) How do you define “depression”? (34:11) What is the “object cause of desire”? (33:54) How do you define “love”? (36:59) How do you address a void? (40:24) Why do you consider Los Angeles the most religious place in the world? (43:12) What is “leveling”? (49:33) What is the difference between a problem and a mystery? (53:34) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and The Minimalists’ team talk about dealing with paper clutter, including bills, mail, receipts, taxes, photos, books, pamphlets, files, contracts, letters, and other random paperwork, and they answer the following questions: What documents are essential to keep? (02:11) What companies do you recommend for scanning physical photos and storing them in the cloud? (06:45) What are the most effective methods for organizing important paper documents in the office? (18:22) What resources do you use to keep paper clutter from ever entering your homes? (22:02) Where do I begin tackling a monster of paper clutter that threatens to eat up an inordinate amount of time? (25:19) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Join The Minimalists Private Podcast: minimalists.com/support

The Minimalists are joined by T.K. Coleman in Atlanta to discuss minimalism with purpose, resolving conflict, and creating a “social budget,” and they answer the following questions: When have you found telling the truth problematic? (03:04) Is minimalism a Western solution for overconsumption? (07:20) Why are so many so consumed with consumption? (08:54) What is the “American Dream”? (10:03) What makes us singularly human? (11:51) What is minimalism to you? (13:15) How do you appropriately resolve conflict with loved ones in a family business? (18:11) How do you define “love”? (27:40) What is your perspective regarding power? (29:15) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan are joined by counselor, podcaster, and author Ian Morgan Cron to discuss identity clutter and the outdated stories people tell themselves, and they answer the following questions: How do you start rewriting your story when you feel overwhelmed and insecure about who you are and who you want to be? (02:23) What does the acronym “SOAR” represent? (06:27) What is “act as-if”? (07:38) How do you discover your true identity after traumatically losing your societal identities? (10:20) What is the difference between a role and an identity? (11:41) How can the Enneagram help us discover ourselves? (13:41) How do you define “personality”? (14:31) What is the role of self-awareness in personality and in identity? (16:29) How do beliefs become problematic? (23:46) How do I find peace with who I am? (28:51) How do you define “shame”? (30:10) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of hustle culture, and they answer the following questions: Do some people claim they’re busy to be envied for being in demand? (01:01) What is the difference between “hurry” and “hustle”? (05:46) How do you define “productive”? (06:45) What is the fatal flaw of hustle culture? (08:51) How can we break free of hustle culture? (13:31) How do you appropriately address burnout with yourself or an employer before it reaches the point of no return? (17:07) How do I set appropriate boundaries in my profession? (19:45) After leaving an extraordinarily stressful career, how do I resist the temptation to take on another one for “success” and wealth? (25:53) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support