Sustainable Minimalists

"Much of the time I tell my kids that material possessions aren't that important, but I also want them to take care of the possessions they have. How should I best juggle these messages and still get my points across?" As sustainable minimalists, we want our children to devalue stuff, as we certainly don't want them to associate their sense of self-worth with what they own. But at the same time we also want them to care for their existing possessions even though such care requires a certain amount of 'stuff' reverence.It's a real paradox: On one hand we preach that stuff doesn't matter, but on the other we shout from the rooftops that stuff matters an awful lot and we best take care of it. Amidst such conflicting messages, what's a child to believe?On today's show I'm answering a listener's question about the sweet spot between the two extremes of materialism and reckless ownership.Here's a preview:[6:30] 2 parenting practices that result in materialistic children, according to research[12:00] Best behaviors when bringing children into brick-and-mortar stores[17:45] The how and why behind letting your child experience the natural consequences of their actions[24:30] Parents, beware of these two research-backed materialist beliefs[27:00] How to behave (and what to emphasize) when you buy new items for your children[33:00] The sweet spot lies in these 3 quiet, simple, and non-grandiose habits that parents model every day Resources mentioned/Further reading: The 3 Parenting Strategies That Cause Kids to Become Materialistic (via Very Well Family) Say hello! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)  --Thank you to our sponsors! Made Trade: Shop the best sustainable goods all in one place at madetrade.com Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Many people try to 'Marie Kondo' themselves out of clutter but find themselves unsuccessful. The reason? Decluttering only sticks when you first examine the deep roots into why clutter accumulated in the first place.Today I speak with with celebrity decluttering expert Tracy McCubbin about the excuses we tell ourselves, the clutter blocks that hold us back, and the real reasons why we can't let go of our stuff. Here's a preview of the clutter blocks we discuss today:[3:30] I avoid my stuff[6:45] I'm not worth my good stuff[13:00] My stuff keeps me stuck in the past[16:00] My stuff tells me who I am[18:00] I'm trapped with other people's stuff  Resources mentioned: Unearth your own clutter block here Pre-order Tracy's newest book, Make Space For Happiness Want more episodes like this one? Check out #146: 10 Secrets Of Successful Declutterers  --Thank you to our sponsors! Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries Skillshare: Visit skillshare.com/sustainable for your first month free -- * 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 triangle is complete only when its three corners are intact. Our wellbeing similarly demands that three pillars work together in quiet harmony.The Australian Wellbeing Index is a 15-year-and-counting study with data from over 60,000 participants. Its results remain consistent year after year: optimal wellbeing hinges upon 3 essential intangibles.The good news? These three intangibles are entirely within our control.On today's show we discuss the golden triangle of wellbeing for optimal life satisfaction.Here's a preview:[2:30] How to nurture interpersonal relationships when relationships get hard[6:30] The difference between financial control versus mindless monetary accumulation, according to research[13:00] The why and how behind living, breathing, and being your purpose Resources mentioned/Further reading: Episode #252: What's Good For Us Is Also Free Episode #128: How To Save Money Like A Minimalist Episode #225: How To Live Happier 'Golden Triangle' Of Happiness: Study Finds Three Simple Things Needed For A Happy Life What Is Real Well-Being? Say hello! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com or leave a voicemail at (857) 264-1967 (US and Canada listeners only)  Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

Many people — and many societies, for that matter — rely on short-sighted quick wins as their go-to when managing oversized problems. But what works in the short-term likely isn't best in the long run; worse, such near-sightedness rarely considers its impacts on generations to come.Enter longpath thinking, a mindset that prioritizes future-conscious thinking and behavior.On today's episode I speak with author and futurist Ari Wallach. Ari argues that when we step away from knee-jerk reactions we both reclaim life meaning and help preserve the planet for future generations. And if making daily decisions by considering their reverberations 500 years from now sounds revolutionary to you, you're absolutely right. Ari's on the show to ease our transition to future-consciousness in 3 simple steps. Here’s a preview: [2:00] “Future” isn’t a noun; it’s a verb. Here’s why[4:30] Debunking lifespan biases so as to create a better world for future generations[6:00] 3 problems associated with short-termism[11:30] How an understanding of transgenerational empathy encourages us to act on behalf of future generations[17:00] What doubling down on sandbag strategies means for fulfilling our collective moral obligations[20:00] 3 ways to start practicing longpath thinking and acting right now Resources mentioned: Longpath: Becoming the Great Ancestors Our Future Needs Watch Ari's TEDx Talk: 3 Ways To Plan For The (Very) Long Term  

Good cooks cook on gas, or so we've been told. Any realtor will likely tell you that a gas stove ranks high on homebuyers' lists of new home must-haves, but are they good for us? Are they good for the planet?Fellow Americans, it's time to end our love affair with gas stoves. On today's show, we discuss All. The. Things. the natural gas industry doesn't want you to know about gas stoves, natural gas, and everything in between. Here's a preview:[1:30] Gas = luxury? A peek inside the gas industry's marketing campaigns [4:00] Human health concerns re: burning a fossil fuel in your kitchen[10:30] Let's chat about fracking for a hot minute[12:15] CO2's evil stepsister, methane: Here's how this potent global warmer fits into the natural gas conversation[14:45] Aren't natural gas power plants cleaner than coal power plants? (Yes, but ...)[17:00] The why and how behind the "electrify everything" movement Resources mentioned/Further reading: Did I Turn Off the Stove? Yes, but Maybe Not the Gas (via NY Times) Vintage 1965 Commercial For Gas Cooking (via YouTube)  We Need To Talk About Your Gas Stove, Your Health And Climate Change (via NPR) Your Gas Stove Is Bad for You and the Planet (via NY Times) Cleaner But Not Clean - Why Scientists Say Natural Gas Won't Avert Climate Disaster (via Reuters)  --* 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 you ever bought an irresistibly on-trend outfit for a child in your life? If so, I'm willing to bet it was worn just a handful of times (or perhaps not at all).Gendered children's fashion is a twentieth century invention and — surprise!— it was invented by marketing pros hoping to sell more clothes. The sad truths are that while kids' fast fashion creates unnecessary clutter for parents, the sheer quantity of it all contributes to our oversized environmental problems.Today I speak with clothing designer Laurel Thompson about how we can avoid purchasing adorable future trash for the children in our lives. Here's a preview:[3:30] The history of children's clothing: How the post-industrial revolution impacted wardrobe longevity[8:00] Exactly how the design of kids clothes has devolved to the detriment of mothers everywhere[17:00] From fabrication to construction: 10 things to look for when shopping for children's outfits[22:00] How to talk to the grandparents in your life about responsibly acquiring kids' clothes* 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

In 1986, California passed Proposition 65. The legislation forced companies that sell products with chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects to label them as such. While the legislation was originally a gigantic win for environmentalists, these days it's a running joke. Cancer warnings adorn everything from organic soaps to steering wheel covers, bikinis, parking garages, Disney Land, and much more.Proposition 65 is a case study in the ways in which good intention advocacy can go woefully wrong. Do consumers have a right to know and, if so, do we truly *want* to know? What lessons can we learn from California, and how can environmentalists both push for policy change and avoid the pitfalls associated with Prop 65?Here's a preview:[5:45] California as a leader in environmental action, plus a brief history leading up to the passage of Proposition 65 [14:00] What went wrong: 3 controversies associated with Proposition 65[21:00] Has the law yielded any positive change at all? (Yes, here's how.) Resources mentioned/Further reading: Leave Stephanie a voicemail! (857) 264-1967 You See The Warnings Everywhere. But Does Prop. 65 Really Protect You? (via LA Times) Prop 65 Was Meant To Protect Residents From Toxic Water. How Did Warning Stickers End Up On Everything? (via Vox)  Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

In eco-leaning circles, bamboo is hot, hot, hot. The grass (yep, it's a grass!) is touted as *the* solution to deforestation and these days bamboo is the main fiber in some paper products, textiles, bathroom necessities, furniture, flooring, and more.But as with any crop, there are plenty of problems associated with worldwide reliance on a monoculture. Are marketing claims that tout bamboo's benefits nothing more than next-level greenwashing?Today I put my guest in the hot seat and ask him the not so pie-in-the-sky questions about bamboo. Ryan Fritsch, co-founder of Cloud Paper, is on the show to make the case that bamboo is the best alternative to standing trees and is here to stay. Here's a preview:[4:45] 3 things you may not know about bamboo plantations, plus: the importance of relying on 3rd party certifications when assessing whether your bamboo product is actually eco-friendly[12:30] Understanding the different FSC tiers: Which certification should you be looking for?[14:00] Bamboo's sourcing concerns: If bamboo is so easy to grow, why are (almost) all of the world's bamboo plantations in Asia?[17:00] Are bamboo paper products better than ones made from recycled paper? What's the difference between pre- and post-consumer waste, anyway? Resources mentioned:Grove Collaborative trash bags--Thank you to this week's sponsors! Ettitude: Use code SUSTAINABLE for 20% off bamboo bedding Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries Better Help: Head to betterhelp.com/sustainable for 10% off your first month --* 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

When it comes to trash bags, there's plenty of confusing verbiage. Compostable? Biodegradable? Bags with post-consumer recycled content?While one could certainly make the argument that biodegradable and compostable trash bags aren't worth the money since they're headed to the landfill anyway (those pits aren't gardens, after all); the more cynical amongst us could say there's no such thing as an eco-friendly trash bag if it holds bad-for-the-planet waste.Purchasing eco-friendly-ish trash bags doesn't give us carte blanche to throw away as much as we want, but buying the right bags is a simple and accessible lifestyle switch. On today's show I'm divulging what to know (and which trash bags to buy) moving forward. Here's a preview:[3:15] Are biodegradable trash bags eco-friendly? (What does 'biodegradable' even mean?)[6:00] Everything you need to know about compostable trash bags: pros, cons, and everything in between[16:00] Breaking down (see what I did there?) all-things plastic bags with post-consumer recycled content[22:00] Stephanie's handy-dandy rubric to assess your trash bag purchases moving forward Resources mentioned: Green Polly trash bags made of recycled content HoldOn compostable trash bags (Want 15% off? Use code SUSTAINABLE) Episode #277: All-Things Eggs --Thank you to this week's sponsors! Ettitude: Use code SUSTAINABLE for 20% off bamboo bedding Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries  --* 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

Your pantry can be your friend or your foe. When it's well-stocked and organized it will support your health goals, but disorganized spaces will likely derail your long-term wellness objectives.The worst part? Pantry staples that are marketed as healthy (ahem ... bars, protein powders, and crackers) are oftentimes the main culprits contributing to brain fog, weight gain, and belly bloat.Today I speak with Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach Leeann Rybakov about how to declutter and organize your pantry for optimal wellness. Leann walks us through what to look for when stocking our pantries with nut butters, protein powders, dressings, sauces, bars, and grains so we can eat with intention (and on autopilot!). Here's a preview:[8:00] Pantry items known to cause inflammation and brain fog (declutter them, and STAT!)[11:30] The problems with "quick-grab" pantry staples (and what to grab-and-go instead)[15:00] All-things salad dressings and sauces: ingredients to seek out versus ingredients to avoid[19:00] How to organize the pantry, plus: healthy foods to keep stocked[28:00] Specific foods to avoid to reduce belly bloat and brain fog Resources mentioned: Leeann's list of vetted pantry staples Schedule a free consultation on Leeann's calendar --Thank you to this week's sponsors! Ettitude: Use code SUSTAINABLE for 20% off bamboo bedding Thrive Market: Head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for up to $80 in free groceries AprilAire: Check out their air purifying and filtration options at AprilAire.com --* 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