Sustainable Minimalists

'Tis the season for back-to-school door busters, price slashes, and closeouts. On today's show we're discussing how to reduce clutter, save money, and help the planet by shopping for back-to-school with greater intention. Here's a preview:[2:30] Let's pull back the curtain on back-to-school marketing, shall we?[7:00] Here's what it actually means (and what it actually looks like!) to shop your own home[12:30] Revisiting the kids' capsule conversation[21:00] Thoughts on teacher wishlists (from a former teacher) Resources mentioned: It's Back-To-School Shopping Time, And Everyone Wants A Bargain (via National Public Radio) Back-to-Class Shopping Expected to Reach Record Levels (Via National Research Federation) Episode # 006: The Ultimate Kid Capsule Blueprint 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.

Welcome to Back-To-School Week!In 2023, the average American family will spend $597 per child in anticipation of the upcoming school year. And while new school supplies and fresh outfits can definitely get our children into the school spirit, it's rest, nutrition, and routines that *actually* predict success.On today's show Dr. Rebecca Jackson offers research-backed ways to ensure our children head to school with the best possible foundation.Here's a preview:[2:30] A challenge amplifier: The pandemic's lasting impacts on our children[8:30] How parents can use the concept of neuroplasticity to help kids get back on track[11:30] Practical ways to prioritize rest in your home[21:00] Packing a healthy lunchbox... ugh! Here's why you should bother[29:00] Fresh start or nerve-stressed? Thoughts on easing your child's back-to-school unknowns Resources mentioned: Back on Track: A Practical Guide to Help Kids of All Ages Thrive Brain Balance Center 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.

You love your pet; you also love the planet. Good news: How you feed, care for, and clean up after your dogs and cats have sizable impacts on our environment and ecosystems. On today's show: answering listener questions about all-things eco-conscious pets.Here's a preview of the pet-related questions we're answering today:[2:45] Should we transition our cats and dogs to plant-based diets?[7:00] Is PFAS in pet food bags?[10:30] What are the advantages and disadvantages of making our own pet food?[18:30] What's the most eco-friendly cat litter?[24:00] Should we be flushing or composting our cat litter?[27:00] Should domestic cats live indoors or outdoors? Resources mentioned: Episode # 389: Certified B World's Best Cat Litter --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Brands are continuously making environmental and socially conscious claims. And while many consumers want to purchase from ethical brands, it's hard to know which brands are legit (versus which ones are faking).Enter the B Corp certification, which is the only 3rd-party logo that certifies a company's social and environmental ethics. Yes, the logo is certainly helpful for those of us who buy stuff, but it's bigger than that. Indeed, the B Corp's mere existence forces capitalism to shift toward sustainability.On today's show CEO Mike Brown breaks down everything we savvy consumers need to know about that B-in-a-circle logo. Here's a preview:[3:00] A vision centered around social impact? What does that mean?[12:00] The Nespresso controversy[19:00] Becoming a triple bottom line company has its advantages; plus: how we consumers can push business toward sustainability[25:00] Practical action steps for conscious consumers who want to shop with greater intention Resources mentioned: Episode #388: The 30-Day Mess-Stress Fix (Join us!) Find a B Corp at bcorporation.net Mike on LinkedIn  --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 28, 2023:[00:30] Native giraffes are reintroduced to the wild[2:45] A lithium mine in Nevada gets the green ahead (to the chagrin of environmentalists)[4:30] How to use empty office buildings for vertical farming (genius!)[10:00] Shein invited influencers on an all-expenses-paid trip and people are mad AF Resource mentioned:  Episode #260: The White Gold Rush Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

A new month is nearly here, and this means it's the perfect time to usher in the change of seasons with some legitimate decluttering.If you're ready to get serious about the clutter you accumulated this summer - and if you're motivated by a bit of healthy competition! - today's episode outlines the objective, the setup, and the rules of play for the 30-day minimalism challenge I'll be participating in starting August 1. I also offer up some tips to ensure success, and I so hope you join me for both the episode and the challenge!And if you're listening welllllll past this episode's release date, know that this game can be played anytime, anywhere!  Here's a preview:[9:30] Three tips for avoiding the dreaded Doom Pile[12:30] Two birds, one stone: Exactly how to pair the 30-day minimalist challenge with your no-spend month[19:00] Using the Pomodoro Technique in decluttering and in life Resources mentioned: Sustainable Minimalism: Embrace Zero Waste, Build Sustainability Habits that Last, and Become a Minimalist Without Sacrificing the Planet Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game (via The Minimalists) Episode #376: When Everything's A Favorite Episode #168: Intentional Living At Home The Pomodoro Technique  --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

It used to be pink for girls and blue for boys, but no longer.These days it's frills and plunging cuts for girls, angry dinosaurs and athletic fabrics for boys. And while gendered clothing often leads to more purchases for each child and thus generates excessive waste, there are other reasons to give fashion's gender bias the side-eye. Most concerning, of course, is its impacts on our children's development, self-expression, and self-esteem.On today's show Anastasia Vasilieva offers reasons why you may want to confront the implications of shopping by gender; she also suggests practical advice for buying kids clothing the eco-conscious way. Here's a preview:[4:00] Prints, fabrics, cuts, and more: Distinguishing gendered clothing from what's genderless[6:30] The 'why' behind early sexualization in girl's fashion[10:00] Two research-backed ways clothing perpetuates traditional gender roles[20:30] The negative correlation between gendered clothes and self-esteem[23:00] Three things to look for when buying clothes for the children in our lives Resources mentioned: Episode #043: Slow Fashion In A Fast Fashion World What Is ‘Sad Beige’ Parenting, And How Did We Get Here? (via Huff Post) Treehouse Kids on Instagram --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday July 21, 2023:[00:30] The Amazon's deforestation rate is (finally) declining![2:45] The unintended consequences of droughts[4:30] Say it ain't so: Worms are invading the Arctic[10:00] The consequences of HGTV on everyday renovations   Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Prime Week has come and gone ... for now. And while there are countless questionable items you can indeed purchase on Amazon (a mini hand squirrel, anyone?), there are 6 very specific intangibles that simply cannot be bought. Not now, not ever.On today's show we apply the 6-Factor Model For Psychological Wellbeing to our lives for greater clarity around what actually sparks joy.Here's a preview:[4:00] Connections between the fashion and beauty industries and bandaids when it comes to self-acceptance[8:30] You can't buy friends! 2 ways possessions keep us isolated [12:00] What's the opposite of keeping up with the Joneses? It's this (and it's also a major factor in wellness)[16:00] 3 ways in which your possessions directly work against your own level of environmental mastery[20:00] Here's why you can't underestimate the importance of personal growth Resources Mentioned: Six Domains of Psychological Well-Being (via Psychology Today) Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Have a summer trip planned? You're not alone. For many, traveling has become more lifestyle than luxury: in the time it takes you to read this blurb over 2,000 people will have arrived in a foreign country and a quarter of a million dollars will have been spent by Americans abroad.Staycations are emerging in popularity as a hassle-free and environmentally friendly way to holiday. And if you need more convincing, today's conversation with podcaster Chris Christou outlines why being a better tourist starts at home.  Here's a preview: [8:00] Connections between the tourism industry and late stage capitalism [10:45] Eco-tourism is an oxymoron! (And other greenwashing examples) [24:00] Airbnb’s cultural consequences [31:00] 3 research-backed tips for making the most of your next staycation Resources mentioned: The End of Tourism podcast How to Make a Staycation Feel Like an Actual Break (via New York Times) --Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content