Maximized Minimalist Podcast
Katy Wells
You’ve decluttered before…so why does the mess keep coming back?
You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started.
It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term.
The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life.
With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether you’re:
✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter
✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list)
✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over
✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home
This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect.
Inside each episode, you’ll get:
✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less
✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff)
✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load
✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going
You might be wondering:
“How do I get my family on board?”
“What if I have emotional attachments to everything?”
“Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?”
“Can I really simplify when life feels so full?”
These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families.
Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter
📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com
Ready, Set, Simplify!
You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started.
It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term.
The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life.
With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Whether you’re:
✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter
✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list)
✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over
✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home
This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect.
Inside each episode, you’ll get:
✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less
✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff)
✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load
✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going
You might be wondering:
“How do I get my family on board?”
“What if I have emotional attachments to everything?”
“Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?”
“Can I really simplify when life feels so full?”
These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families.
Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place.
🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter
📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com
Ready, Set, Simplify!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 5, 2023 • 14min
209: 3 Expert Tips to Cultivate Your Child's Clean-Up Skills
Mess and clutter can be at an all time high while kids are home over summer break... ...and if you're knee-deep in daily mess, feelin' burnt out and overwhelmed as the primary "stuff manager" or heck, just want your kiddo to pick up after themselves, Katy to the rescue! In today's newest episode I share 3 ideas that will help you cultivate your child's clean up skills, help them take an active role in the invisible load - and, get them to willingly pick up (most days ). xx Katy P.S. Here are resources on the pod today: 1) 24 HOUR SALE ALERT! Grab my best-selling declutter course for 50% off now through July 6th. Snag the course for just $77 here. 2) Get Instant Access to my Globally-praised Kid Class: How to Clean Your Room in 3 Easy Steps I teach your child how to clean their room, identify clutter, pick up their toys & manage their things. You're welcome Enroll here: https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub Join over 40,000 families that have watched this class and successfully implemented my method! "This class is life-changing and has changed our home for the better!" "Katy's practical methods & thoughtful way of teaching was exactly what my kids needed (5, 7 and 9 years old). My home is SO much cleaner and the best part is, I'm not the one picking up!" "My 9 year old granddaughter has kept her room clean for the past year using this class. Like everything Katy teaches, this is NOT a flash-in-the-pan strategy, this is a doable, sustainable method! "I no longer have to nag my son to clean his room, what a relief! This workshop is SOLID GOLD!!! I recommend it to all the parents I know." Join the Clutter Cure Club to get instant access to this Kid Class PLUS 40+ other masterclasses! 3) Family Meeting article I referenced: https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/steps-successful-family-meeting
Jun 29, 2023 • 17min
208: Packing Tips for Simplified & Stress-Free Travel
Whether you're planning for a weekend trip or extended vacation - today's episode is for you if you want to simplify your packing and travel experience! When we travel with less it offers more freedom, flexibility, and a lot less headache. We recently took a 2-week, bucket-list trip to Europe and everyone asked me, "How much did you pack?!" As someone who used to be a chronic over-packer I'm proud to say I took ONE carry-on (with room to spare) and in today's episode I share some tips and strategies I used to make this happen! xx Katy P.S. Also, when you're ready, here's how I can help you simplify your life this summer (and beyond): Join The Clutter Cure Club The Club is your secret to decluttering fast and keeping it away. Perks include monthly classes, step-by-step pdfs, community support, FREE access to my 14-Day Challenges and more! Become a member.
Jun 7, 2023 • 11min
207: From Clutter to Clarity: Breaking Free from the Hedonic Treadmill
Tune in as I dive into... the hedonic treadmill: what it is and how it impacts our ability to be happy if possessions will ever bring us happiness or satisfaction how to achieve longterm success with decluttering Grab my free declutter guide here! https://www.decluttersurvivalguide.com
May 31, 2023 • 10min
206: The Psychology of the Sunk Cost Fallacy: Why We Hold On and How to Let Go
A few months ago, I was talking with one of my new Inner Circle members. She said to me, "Katy, I joined your program because I can't keep living this way," and even though I knew I could help her, it broke my heart to hear that. 🥹 After beginning to work together, I quickly I realized the root of why she wasn't seeing progress wasn't a lack of willpower, lack of consistency or lack of strategy... NOPE. It was because (unbeknownst to her) she had a psychological bias called the "sunk cost fallacy" . Essentially, it's this idea that if you've already put resources (like time and money) into something, you should continue to invest in it (or KEEP it, in this case), even if you know it's not the best decision. This bias is known as the "sunk cost" fallacy because the resources you've invested are already gone, just like a ship that has sunk. And after taking my advice, which I also share with you too, in today's episode - her declutter progress skyrocketed. 🚀 I'm talking going from 0 to 100. This is why I LOVE 1-1 coaching... Dialing into the roots AND providing people with tangible solutions they need to FINALLY get the results they deserve - there's nothing sweeter. If you, like her, are ready to dig deep, let go and create a home you love and that supports you, make sure to listen to today's episode and join me in my coaching program to get personalized support! https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle Cheering for you, xx Katy P.S. My 1-1 Coaching Program Is OPEN! Don't miss this opportunity to get direct support from me, conquer your clutter, and make this your best year yet. 💖
May 24, 2023 • 13min
205: One-Minute Declutter Hacks
Tune in as I share my favorite 1 minute declutter hacks which you can quickly do to get through your summer with less mess and more ease. Enjoy! Need an Instant Boost of Motivation? Join our 14-Day Clutter Challenge Each day I give you one simple & doable declutter task. Learn my proven strategies, life-changing mindset shifts and get tangible results! Join here. Want a Roadmap to Declutter Your Home? Join The Clutter Cure Club The Club is your secret to decluttering fast and keeping it away. Perks include monthly classes, step-by-step pdfs, community support, FREE access to my 14-Day Challenges and more! Become a member. Want to get coached by me? Join my Inner Circle Coaching Program
May 17, 2023 • 35min
204: Cultivating Capable Kids: Empowering the Next Generation with Essential Life Skills
Tune in as Katie Kimball and I discuss why we prioritize teaching our kids life skills and how kids benefit from learning them! Get a FREE ticket for you and your child to learn from me and 60 other experts in Katie's Summer Camp Virtual Summit for Kids, June 12th - 17th. Get your FREE ticket here: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/LSN2/katyjoywells/ Life Skills Summer Camp will help prepare your kids with things like: Auto maintenance Sewing on a button Writing a thank-you note Growing a garden Cleaning their room Project planning and study skills Finances - saving, estimating to stick to a budget, building credit (yikes!) Positive communication Regulating the nervous system Cooking, organizing, and screen wellness And even…cleaning the bathroom!?! This online summit will provide training for all that and more! Grab your FREE ticket here: https://sl290.isrefer.com/go/LSN2/katyjoywells/ Teach Your Kids to Cook with Katie's best-selling eCourse!
May 10, 2023 • 8min
203: The Spotlight Effect: How to Stop Being Self-Conscious About Your Home
The spotlight effect describes how people tend to believe that others are paying more attention to them than they actually are—in other words, our tendency to always feel like we are “in the spotlight.” This can cause midjudgment, social anxiety, fear, shame and lots of negative emotions, preventing us from ever inviting people into our homes. Tune in as I share a personal story around the spotlight effect and how I've liberated myself from being self-conscious and embarressed about my cluttered, messy and lived-in home. Enjoy! Join my Clutter Cure Club: https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub Get 1-1 coaching from me: https://www.katyjoywells.com/innercircle Join the 14-Day Clutter Challenge to get started with your declutter journey: https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercrusherchallenge
May 3, 2023 • 37min
202: 3 Surprisingly Effective Time Management Strategies with Megan Sumrell
When you think of your daily life, do any of these come to mind? feel pressure to get as much done as possible from sun up to sun down struggle with lack of boundaries with your time and energy overwhelmed with prioritizing and knowing what to do next because everything feels important you can't "catch-up" no matter what you do You're in luck because on the show today is my good friend and time management expert for women, Megan Sumrell. You'll learn: - why old-school time-management strategies set us up for failure and leave us exhausted and overwhelmed - how to open up time in your day to get things done that really matter - Megan's realistic time management strategies for women and mamas I'm so excited to hear how this episode helps! xx Katy P.S. Megan's FREE One-Notebook Challenge begins Monday 5/15. I know you'll love it, especially you have dozens of notebooks, sticky notes and reminders and struggle to keep up with it all. She is going to walk you through exactly how you can stay organized with just ONE notebook and how to "process" it each week. Even better, it is no more 30 minutes each day at 12pm EST and yes...replays are available if you miss it live! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE https://www.megansumrell.com/one-notebook?ref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.megansumrell.com%2Fa%2F2147504450%2FLJ6uRgox
May 1, 2023 • 41min
201: How to Create a Wardrobe You Love (No Trends Required) With Jeannie Stith
In today's episode you'll learn: 3 go-to solutions to not falling prey to constantly changing trends and wasting $$$$ find out if a capsule wardrobe is right for you (and common pitfalls of them) the easiest ways to declutter your clothes and create a simple wardrobe I'm so excited to hear how this episode helps you simplify your wardrobe and makes getting dressed FUN again! Jeannie is running her BIGGEST sale of the year on ALL of her color packages starting TODAY to this Friday 5/5 at Midnight EST and you can double up on coupons to get 20% OFF! Step 1: Her 10% coupon will be automatically deducted at checkout between 5/1 and 5/5 Step 2: Use my coupon: CLUTTERFREE to get an EXTRA 10% off between 5/1 and 5/5 If you've been thinking about getting your colors...now is the time! ➡️ This is a great gift for friends and family!⬅️ (I've gifted this to EVERY family member of mine, even my sons!) FYI: You can also add a makeup card to learn about your BEST makeup colors, too! (this was very helpful for me) GET YOUR BEST COLORS HERE! https://yourcolorguru.com/
Apr 26, 2023 • 17min
200: Ask Me Anything PLUS How to Declutter For A Move
In today's episode I’m sharing 5 declutter questions I've been getting lately -- including how to declutter for an upcoming move. I also share a couple of strategies I've used with my sons (ages 6 & 8) that have really helped them keep their rooms way tidier. Things that I hope you consider doing, too. P.S. The doors to The Clutter Cure Club close Sunday! The Club is your secret to decluttering and keeping it away. Perks include monthly trainings, step-by-step guides, community support, FREE access to my Challenges (next one begins this coming Monday 5/15) and more! join here! https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub
