Sustainable Minimalists

After losing a loved one, deciding what to do with their possessions is a complicated process. We humans tend to attach sentiment to physical things; it's no surprise, then, that many of us find ourselves suffering over not just the loss of life but also over the perceived loss of memories embedded within their belongings.Today's conversation offers insight into decluttering through grief. Krista St. Germain is a Post-Traumatic Growth and grief expert; she's also a widow who believes that pain is inevitable but whether or not we suffer is entirely within our control.Here's a preview:[6:00] How to know when the time is right to sort through your deceased loved one's belongings (and where to start)[9:45] Here's how facing sentimental clutter head-on fits within the grieving process[22:00] Where to start and how to keep going: Krista's best tips[27:00] Practical ways to steer clear of indecision drama[30:00] How to best memorialize a loved one without keeping every single thing Resources mentioned: The Widowed Mom Podcast 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 March 31, 2023:[00:30] iPhone's new eco-feature[4:00] Bee brains[7:30] Kids v. Montana[12:00] Why is Duluth, Minnesota suddenly popular?  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

"I wish you would do an episode on TerraCycle. They have been in the news about not truly recycling the items they collect [and] their boxes are expensive. Am I wasting my money?"  Here's a preview:[3:30] The Number One difference between TerraCycle's sponsored waste program and zero waste boxes[7:00] Have you seen the that cool infinity logo on products? Here's what it means[13:30] What happened to Loop?[19:00] Two 'gotcha' moments and a lawsuitJoin 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

Furniture and decor trends can be tempting. But trends peak then inevitably decline; after just a few years, our choices re: side lamps, accent chairs and everything in between often become (gasp!) outdated.It's true: hopping on and off the trend bandwagon can leave us broke and wasteful. On today's show interior designer Betsy Helmuth first offers this spring's biggest decor trends, then together we make them eco-conscious.Here's a preview of the spring decor trends we're tweaking today:[4:30] Moody maximalist wall colors[9:00] Large-scale natural stone[14:00] Embellished window treatments[22:00] Doorknobs, pulls, and other metal finishes[30:00] Statement lamps Resources mentioned: Van Deusen Blue paint by Benjamin Moore Rub and Buff CoolKnobsAndPulls.com Episode #239: How To Find Your Home Decor Style Annie Sloan chalk paint Join our (free!) Facebook community here Affordable Interior Design podcast  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, March 24, 2023:[00:30] Potential PFAS regulation?[3:30] The planet's enduring fever[8:30] 'Slow burn' television[12:00] We want what we want when we want it: Our love of off-season produce Resource mentioned: Episode #264: Forever ChemicalsJoin 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

Goody bags, Easter baskets, and other junk culture opportunities: Revisiting the cheap plastic toys conundrum.Here's a preview:[3:00] Everybody hates goody bags, so why are we still giving them?[8:00] The history of gifting: 4 reasons why humans are wired to give gifts[20:00] Words of encouragement for listeners reluctant to go against the grain[27:00] 5 things to consider re: hosting a no-present birthday  Resources mentioned: Episode #253: Everything Eco-Minimalist Birthdays Episode #8: How To Host a No-Presents Birthday Email me your best junk-culture free birthday hacks! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.  Join our (free!) community here.Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + YoutubeOur Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Life is noisier, messier, and more complicated than ever. In our quest to keep up, we can try to do it all—with mixed results.Instead of life passively happening TO us, we each have the power to create the life we want to live. On today's show: A conversation with author Elisabeth Sharp McKetta about figuring out what matters most and hitting delete on what doesn’t. Here's a preview:[7:00] Before we edit, we must first examine: 3 questions to regularly ask when seeking a life of intention[9:30] The paradox of choice, plus: Why many of us rarely go after our first choice[16:00] Words of encouragement for listeners who examine their life and don't like what they see[21:00] Using your unique "core competencies" as organizing principles when editing your life[27:00] Editing for generosity: How to edit your narrative to benefit the collective[33:00] Elisabeth and Stephanie's thoughts on enjoying life despite the world's messiness Resources mentioned: Edit Your Life: A Handbook For Living With Intention In A Messy World The Mother-Daughter Puzzle by Rosjke Hasseldine Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.

The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, March 17, 2023:[00:30] Lab-to-table dairy[4:00] Norfolk Southern's dioxin problem[7:45] A failed levee and aging infrastructure[12:00] Bumpy flights and climate change[14:30] Cooking oil jet fuel? 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

Should you pay a bit more for carbon-neutral shipping? (Answer: It's complicated.) How do you best offset your next flight? (Answer: Pay much more than you think.)  On today's show we break down all-things carbon offsets. Here's a preview:[4:00] Are carbon offsets a greenwashing gimmick?[6:00] How to calculate the equity weighted social cost of carbon of your next flight[15:30] Guilt-free shopping? Here's what carbon neutral shipping really means[19:30] Breaking down the Climate Neutral Certified logo  Resources mentioned/Further reading: Revealed: more than 90% of rainforest carbon offsets by biggest certifier are worthless, analysis shows (via The Guardian) Calculate your flight emissions with MyClimate  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 answer to a happier, more connected life may be as simple as connecting with nature. Enter houseplants, a.k.a. an easy and accessible way to bring the outside in. Although caring for plants has been shown to reduce stress, increase joy, and cultivate connections with ourselves, others and the earth, many of us are epic plant killers. What then?On today's show author and podcaster Maria Failla teaches a crash course on houseplant care for novice and intermediate listeners so that we (fingers crossed!) never kill a houseplant again.Here's a preview:[4:30] Why do plants make us feel so good? Here's what science says[10:45] How to create your plant collection for under $20[19:00] How to successfully grow houseplants in cold, dark, and drafty homes[23:00] Exactly when and how to "pot up"[28:00] Brown leaves, yellow leaves, plants with "legs", pests, orchids that won't re-bloom, and other common plant woesResources mentioned: Maria's Plant Parent Personality Test Espoma Organic Hand Me Up Young Planet 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