

Sustainable Minimalists
Stephanie Seferian
Creating eco-minimalist, non-toxic homes (without the extra work). Although minimalism has experienced a rebirth in recent years, the "less is more" movement has been around for centuries. Yet today's minimalist influencers have resurrected minimalism with a decidedly consumerist spin, as modern minimalism is nearly synonymous with decluttering. While there's a lot of chatter about tidying, it's radio silence and crickets when it comes to sustainability. The result? Aspiring minimalists find themselves on an endless hamster wheel of buying, decluttering, buying more, and purging again. Overemphasizing decluttering and underemphasizing the reasons why we overbuy in the first place is thoroughly inconsistent with slow living as a movement; consumption without intention is terrible for the planet, too. Your host, Stephanie Seferian, is a stay-at-home/podcast-from-home mom and author who believes that minimalism, eco-friendliness, and non-toxic living are intrinsically intertwined. She's here to explore the topics of conscious consumerism, sustainability, and environmentally-friendly parenting practices with like-minded women; she's here, too, to show you how to curate eco-friendly, decluttered homes (without the extra work).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 20, 2023 • 17min
HEADLINES: Iron Enrichment
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 20 2023:[00:30] These are the places that could become ‘unlivable’ as the Earth warms[3:00] Engineer the ocean to curb climate change? Hmm ...[6:30] Ozone-destroying gasses are largely banned. So why are they still being emitted into the atmosphere?[13:00] Climate rules are coming for corporate America[15:00] The enviro-implications of that Taylor Swift tweetResources mentioned:
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Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Oct 19, 2023 • 34min
To-Do List Freedom
We are often told that if we accomplish as much as possible in a day’s time we’ll feel fulfilled come day’s end. Enter to-do lists, which provide focus, direction, and purpose. But action doesn't always equal progress; it's no surprise, then, that so many of us feel drained and dissatisfied once the sun goes down.On today's show: how to find freedom in your to-do list and (finally!) make room for peace, connection, and fulfillment. Here's a preview:[4:00] Your daily to-do list should have 7 items or less, and here's why[8:30] Exactly how to focus less on efficiency and more on intentionality[15:00] Time Boxing, Post-Its, and more: 4 research-backed ways to make your to-do list work for you[29:00] The Number One way to ensure you're spending your precious finite resource (ahem ... your TIME) on the right things Resources mentioned:
18 Minutes: Find Your Focus, Master Distraction, and Get the Right Things Done (by Peter Bregnan)
Fat And The Moon deodorant
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Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Oct 17, 2023 • 33min
Comfort At All Costs
We have nearly engineered out all discomfort from our modern lives. Great, right? Not so fast: doing so comes at our own expense.On today's show: comfort creep's harms, with practical thoughts on course correction. Here's a preview:[1:30] Humans have evolved to prioritize comfort. What's so wrong with being ultra-comfy?[6:30] Research finds that when we adopt a new comfort in our lives we adapt to it quite quickly. Enter comfort creep[11:30] ... But is it sustainable? Our reverence for comfort has come at the expense of our planet's health[19:30] We have countless modern comforts yet we're still unhappy; here's why[25:00] Parents, stop managing all of your child's discomforts! Resources Mentioned:
The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort To Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self by Michael Easter
Episode #365: Old Fashioned On Purpose
Episode #395: Lifestyle Creep
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
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Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Oct 13, 2023 • 13min
HEADLINES: Lots Of Dead Animals
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 13 2023:[00:30] The "apocalyptic" mass death of over 100 freshwater dolphins in the Amazon[3:00] The fall migration season and mass bird deaths in Chicago[5:30] Electric bikes may (finally) be getting cheaper[10:00] 3 cheers for Norway's latest re-wilding efforts[13:00] Are McMansions a thing of the past? Resources mentioned:E-Bike Incentive Programs of North America
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Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
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Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

7 snips
Oct 12, 2023 • 35min
Breaking Down Body Odor
There are tens of thousands of chemicals currently used in the US and (shocker!) most aren't adequately tested for health and safety. The fewer we come into contact with, the better.Still, no one wants to stink. Enter deodorant and antiperspirant, two pesky places in which we conscious consumers can certainly buy better. On today's show: everything you never knew you *needed* to know about deodorant, plus: how to buy this medicine cabinet staple like a boss. Here's a preview:[2:15] First things first: Breaking down exactly what's happening under your arms [7:00] Antiperspirants block sweat glands and constrict pores. Is this a good thing?[9:30] What does recent empirical research say about aluminum and breast cancer? About Alzheimer's?[21:00] Exactly how to read the back of any personal care product[25:00] 5 steps to buying non-toxic and zero-waste deodorant Resources mentioned:
Wild deodorant
Pretty Frank
Soapwalla
Ursa Major
Primal Life Organics
The Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep Database
For more conscious consumer listening:
Episode #294: A Better Trash Bag
Episode #194: Safer Nail Polish
Episode #318: How To Buy Non-Toxic Laundry Detergent
Episode #338: How Ethical Is Your Chocolate?

Oct 6, 2023 • 16min
HEADLINES: Monster Fracks
Your enviro-news for Friday, October 6 2023:[00:30] Everything you need to know about monster fracking [5:00] Better late than never? Vaccines, horseshoe crab blood, and (finally) a synthetic alternative[9:00] Will our grandchildren know frogs?[12:00] Introducing the Climate Corps, a green jobs training program Resources mentioned:
American Climate Corps (via The White House)
Upstate NY program on sustainable agriculture and animal welfare
Join our (free!) community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Oct 5, 2023 • 36min
Cheat Codes For A Good Life
Cheat codes for living are handy tricks that help us navigate this crazy game called life in a more easeful (and perhaps more joyful!) manner. On today's show we break down 16 of the most important. Here's a preview:[2:15] The hands down best way to rewire your brain to forget about rejection[10:00] Head or heart? Answering this age-old question once and for all (with the help of science)[18:00] There's only one right way to respond to compliments and this is it[21:00] Adopt this simple trick as your brain "prunes its synapses"[28:00] Don't praise your child for being smart! Say this instead Resources mentioned:Episode #402: Building Experiential Wealth
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Oct 3, 2023 • 32min
A Green Constitutional Amendment
There may indeed be a singular solution that addresses environmental racism, the climate crisis, pollution, and withering US ecosystems simultaneously. That solution? Green Amendments.Constitutions are the people's documents. Although getting environmental rights included may indeed be ... well, difficult, advocates argue it's possible. In fact, it's already being done.Today attorney and environmental activist Maya van Rossum empowers us to mobilize for constitutional change that will protect our right to a healthful climate once and for all. Here's a preview:[3:30] Held v. Montana's landmark win: Breaking down its implications in laymen's terms[9:30] If environmental rights are indeed human rights, why didn't our founding fathers include them in the US Constitution?[12:30] How legislative remedies (ahem ... The Clean Air Act, The Safe Drinking Water Act) legalize pollution and harm[25:00] The power lies in grassroots organization. Join us! Resources Mentioned/Further Reading:
How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement by Fredrik deBoer
The Green Amendment: The People's Fight for a Clean, Safe, and Healthy Environment by Maya van Possum
Green Amendments For The Generations
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Sep 29, 2023 • 14min
HEADLINES: Net Zero Greenwashing
The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 29 2023:[00:30] Antarctic winter sea ice hits 'extreme' record low[3:00] Net-zero "pledges" and "ambitions" in the food and restaurant industries[9:00] Don't call it a (snow leopard) comeback[11:00] The simple and cost-effective way Japanese businesspeople are combatting emissions
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

Sep 28, 2023 • 32min
Climate Migration
We humans have lived within a surprisingly narrow range of temperatures for most of our history. But this range? It's slowly and steadily moving north.As the planet warms and weather events become more severe, it's natural to wonder about safety. How do we know it's time to leave our beloved homes and move for good? Where are the so-called climate havens, and do they have infrastructure in place to support a sudden population influx?On today's show we round out Difficult Decisions Week with two women who are among the first to consider climate change when buying property and laying down roots.Here's a preview:[11:00] 3 characteristics to look for in a prospective climate haven[22:00] The red flags one guest believes will inform her it's time to go for good[27:00] Even in 2023, Americans continue to move toward both heat and coastlines. At what point is doing so no longer a solid financial investment?[30:00] Advice for listeners considering a proactive climate move Further reading/Resources mentioned:
How Climate Migration Will Reshape America (via The New York Times)
The Girl Next Door Podcast
RisingShining.com
The Creeks Will Rise by William Becker
This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.