The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast

The typical American funeral boasts exotic flowers, a coffin made of fancy wood, and formaldehyde-based embalming. But green burials require fewer resources and skip a number of unnecessary steps; they also tend to be less expensive.Today I speak with green mortician Elizabeth Fournier about alternatives to conventional burials and cremations that are easier on the planet.Here's a preview:[5:00] Exactly what's wrong from an environmental standpoint with standard burials and cremations[12:30] A brief history of embalming: Is it actually necessary?[19:00] Liner-free plots, conscious caskets, and more: The tenets of a green burial[28:30] How exactly does a green burial compare in terms of cost?[33:00] Everything you need to know about aqua cremation, burials at sea, and natural organic reduction Resources mentioned/Further reading: The Green Burial Guidebook: Everything You Need to Plan an Affordable, Environmentally Friendly Burial Elizabeth on Instagram @elizabethgreenreaper Let Your Love Grow Eternal Reefs -

Cyberpsychology is an emerging field that examines the ways in which technology influences human behavior. On today's show we discuss what happens to our purchasing habits when psychology, sociology, and 21st century tech collide.Here's a preview:[1:30] Who you think you are is influenced by others (hello, looking glass self!)[8:30] It's human nature to compare and compete: Here's how and why we internalize social media messaging[16:00] 3 reasons why shoppers feel better when they purchase items that contribute to self-repair[20:00] 2 ways dopamine and online algorithms work together and entice us to buy Resources mentioned/Further reading: Join our (free!) community here Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com The Digital Looking Glass Self (via Psychology Today) Buying: The Effect on Self-Worth Feelings and Consumer Well-Being  Why TikTok Made Us Buy It (via Psychology Today) Stay Free App

Quitting is aerobics for your brain; it's also the counterintuitive secret to success. Today I bring you a conversation with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Julia Keller about how to view quitting not as a pejorative but instead as a tool for swapping one destiny for another. Here's a preview:[5:00] How the self-help movement created our anti-quit bias[9:00] The similarities between honeybees and Simone Biles, with a nod toward strategic quitting[17:00] How do you quit a high-stakes situation? (Answer: quasi-quitting!)[23:00] Words of encouragement for listeners concerned they'll regret it later[27:00] How parents listening can best support their children when they want to quit Resources mentioned: Pre-order Quitting: A Life Strategy (to release April 18) Orlo Nutrition 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

Organizing mega-influencer Marie Kondo made headlines earlier this week when she admitted to "kind of giv(ing) up" on tidying after having her third child. If, like Marie, you're feeling overwhelmed and disillusioned with minimalism, today's episode is here to help. Here's a preview:[6:00] Let's first reign in our expectations: minimalism won't solve EVERYthing (but it'll certainly help)[9:00] Simple organization strategies over complex ones, with real-life examples[12:30] The Number One benefit to eating the biggest frog first[17:00] If you find yourself with precious pockets of free time, utilize them this way[21:00] Why decluttering, organizing, and tidying are acts of self-love Resources mentioned: Episode #152: How To Organize For Your Personality 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:/

When we return an unwanted gift to the manufacturer, it goes back on the shelf to be resold, right? Wrong. Most returned gifts (5.8 billion tons, to be exact) end up in landfills each and every year.The solution lies in responsible gifting, which alleviates the consequences associated with massive finite resource waste; it also saves shoppers time, money, and unnecessary stress.Today author Tracey Lynch explains how to tweak your gifting philosophy to save our planet while also ensuring every gift you give is actually wanted and used.Here's a preview:[5:00] Sad statistics alert: Exactly how the gift giving exchange impacts the planet[9:00] Reverse logistics is similar to driving backwards, and here's why[18:00] How to give gifts that provide 100% satisfaction to the recipient[32:00] Stephanie's 5 Rules for responsible gifting[35:00] The why and how behind aiming not for surprise, but for delight Resources mentioned: Donum: Creating A Sustainable Gifting Experience Qwant Neeva Episode #313: Thousands Of Data P

Thanks to its rich supply of antioxidants, dark chocolate has long been revered for its health benefits. But there's a dark side to dark chocolate: Recent research has found heavy metals in many of our favorite brands. The worst part? These heavy metals - cadmium and lead - are linked to serious health problems including cancer in both children and adults. Today we round out Chocolate Week with a bang: Dr. Jim Rogers from Consumer Reports discusses what heavy metals in the cacao supply means for regular consumers; he also offers his best tips for shopping smarter and safer the next time we're in the chocolate aisle. Here's a preview:[2:00] Everything you need to know about cadmium and lead[6:00] Exactly how heavy metals find their ways into the chocolate supply[11:30] Traceability, trust, and responsibility: Addressing the industry's lack of corporate accountability[18:00] Chocolate's best offenders, worst offenders, and every brand in between[20:00] Does 'organic' matter with regard to heavy metals?[22:00] A

Ah, chocolate. While those decadent brown rectangles enjoy near-universal consumer love, the reality is far less sweet: Chocolate is one of the most unethical and unsustainable foods we eat. We can continue to enjoy chocolate by purchasing smarter. Today's show is Part 1 in a 2-part series about chocolate, and today - just in time for Valentine's Day! - we unearth the ethical and environmental implications associated with harvesting cacao on the global scale (I've also included 7 tips for being a conscious chocolate consumer, too). Here's a preview:[4:00] Machetes, pesticides, and kids: Child labor and slavery in the cacao industry[11:00] The environmental problems associated with monocultures [16:00] Some good news: 5 promising updates from the cacao industry[17:30] How to enjoy chocolate by purchasing with intention: 7 ideas Resources mentioned: Episode #187: Palm Oil 101 Well + Good's list of sustainable and ethical chocolate companies Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support th

70% of American parents worry their children spend too much time on screens. Are you one of them? Here's a preview:[3:00] The implications of multiple screen shifts on attention span and executive functioning[5:00] Exactly how much screen time children *should* get versus what they *actually* get[7:00] School performance, inactivity, and more: 4 consequences associated with too much screen time and too many screens[18:00] 5 Practical television reduction tips for newbies[22:00] Creative ways to set screen limits in your home[27:00] What's slow tv, exactly? Resources mentioned/Additional resources: The National Library of Medicine's full list of screen-related guidelines 1 Million Screen-Free Activities For Kids  Create your family media plan here  Take It Slow… The TV Trend That Will Chill You The F Out (via the handbook.com) Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. --Thank you

Algae is having moments in many spotlights. First, innovators are using microalgae - not petrochemicals - to create disposable packaging. Elsewhere, macroalgae is fed to cows to reduce their methane emittance. And pesky algae blooms? There's actually a company that first captures then transforms algae blooms into our favorite sneaker's cushiony foam. Still, algae's biggest potential comes within the field of human nutrition. Is microalgae an alternative to fish for omega 3s and, if so, can this oft-overlooked photosynthetic organism solve our oceans' overfishing woes?Here to unpack algae's emergence on the environmental scene is proud omega 3 evangelist Corinna Bellizzi, who believes algae is worth paying attention to for its array of both planetary and human health benefits. (Psst ... If you're new to Defend The Eco-Trend episodes, this series dives deep into a product or innovation in the sustainability sphere with big promises. Is the hype legitimate (or is it greenwashing?).Here's a preview:[3:00] Half th

A Top 10 list of minimalism's best and biggest life lessons. Here's a preview of a few we're covering:[4:00] Memories don't reside in trinkets.[10:00] Save so you can spend ... on what matters.[21:30] Extras keep us cluttered.[23:30] You can’t recoup “worth”.[29:00] Space is more valuable than stuff (and peace of mind is most valuable of all).[31:00] It’s not a deal if you don’t need it. Resources mentioned: Episode #096: Why Self-Sufficiency Matters Sustainable Minimalism (the book) 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

From meat-free 'chicken' nuggets to non-dairy ice creams, plant-based foods that actually taste good are becoming increasingly available in grocery stores. In many ways it's never been easier to find kid-friendly and carnivore-friendly cuisine.So then why aren't more of us (myself included) transitioning our families to plant-based eating?In honor of Veganuary I bring you a conversation with PETA's Faith Robinson about why we should all take yet another look at our diets; she also offers her best tips for incrementally transitioning our families to plant-based eating.Here's a preview:[5:00] Are processed meat-free foods healthy?[9:00] Thoughts on the protein problem[10:00] Eating plant-based is one of the most environmentally friendly actions we can do and here's why[11:00] Capitalizing on our children's innate sense of compassion to ease the transition to plant-based[20:00] Don't reinvent the wheel! Incremental first steps for incorporating more plant-based meals Resources mentioned: Want more episodes like

Stuff breaks. In 2023, stuff breaks often. Few amongst us possess the knowledge to fix the evermore complex gadgets we use every day; worse, professional repairs (if they're even available) often cost more than replacing the item outright. What's a sustainable minimalist to do?On today's episode we discuss all-things conscious consumption as it relates to home appliances, planned obsolescence, and the Right To Repair movement (it'll be fun, I promise!).Here's a preview:[3:00] An electricity primer: where it comes from and why it's important to choose energy-efficient appliances[9:00] Exactly how long our favorite household appliances *should* last (we see you, planned obsolescence)[22:00] Energy Star versus Energy Guide: What's the difference?[29:00] Everything you need to know about the Right To Repair movement [36:00] Practical ways to maintain your appliances for longevity Resources mentioned: Repair.org How To Use the EnergyGuide Label To Shop for Home Appliances Buy Me Once Consumer Reports ENERGY STAR M

We may indeed live in a world in which we can get whatever we want whenever we want it, but there's a problem with such instant (and incessant!) gratification: Resources are finite. On today's show, a conversation with blogger and author Liz Frugalwoods about how to teach our children that money doesn't grow on trees and buying new isn't consequence-free. Here's a preview:[4:30] Getting our kids on board: How to reframe eco-frugality as a game[11:00] Proaction as a handy Waste Not, Want Not tool [20:00] The why and how behind early financial education for our children[24:00] Real-time financial literacy: How to kick off a chore routine for kids[32:00] Liz's thoughts on normalizing secondhand as a means of preserving finite resources Resources mentioned: Last chance to sign up for our school bus initiative! Email Stephanie at MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com with a simple "I'm in!" and we'll get you on the list. Meet the Frugalwoods: Achieving Financial Independence Through Simple Living Liz on Instagram Join ou

A conversation with energy policy advisor Hal Harvey and award-winning NY Times journalist Justin Gillis about exactly what we need to do more of in 2023 to ensure the planet remains habitable for our children. Here's a preview:[2:00] Is it already too late?[4:00] The transition to seeing ourselves not as mere green consumers but instead as green citizens[12:00] Creating a "tangible local expression" of your environmental values: the why and how[25:00] How to decide which eco-policy to put your weight behind (and what it really means to "hit it hard") Resources mentioned: The Big Fix: 7 Practical Steps To Save Our Planet Want to work on school buses with me? Email me and I'll get you on our school bus mailing list: MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com Join our (free!) community here.  Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.  Our Sponsors:* Thank you to LifeStraw! https://lifestraw.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists/exclusive-content

What your clutter is costing you, plus 5 guiding principles for mindful rehoming. Resources mentioned: Episode #105: The Dark Side Of Donating: Where Do Goodwill Donations Actually Go? Join our (free!) community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube. Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Thank you to our sponsors!  Thrive Market: head to thrivemarket.com/sustainable for 30% off your order and a $60 free gift. Dr. Marty's Pets: head to drmartypets.com/sustainable for Dr. Marty's Nature Blend.

When it comes to health-first resolutions (eat healthier! feel better in jeans!), it's unfortunate but true: such resolutions often fail shortly after January 1. On today's show Leeann Rybakov outlines what it *really* takes to make your health-centered New Year's Resolution stick.Here's a preview:[3:00] Exactly why our get healthy/lose weight/eat right/move more resolutions fail, according to a Board Certified Functional Medicine Health Coach[11:00] The Number One aspect of nutrition we tend to get wrong[20:00] How important is sleep when it comes to health, actually?[26:00] Extreme workouts don't lead to extreme health. Here's why[36:00] Stress effects on our individual health goals Resources mentioned: Pillar assessment 5-Day Detox To Reset Your Body

It's the most wonderful time of the year, or is it? December can be stressful, expensive, and emotionally taxing; it's no wonder, then, that 3 in 5 Americans believe the holiday season negatively impacts their mental health. Enter interpersonal boundaries which, when done right, protect your time, well-being, and budget. Even better? Drawing explicit lines in the proverbial sand increases the chances you'll actually enjoy the holiday season.  Here's a preview:[3:00] The personal and interpersonal benefits associated with setting boundaries[6:00] Getting our minds right: 2 soul-deep understandings that are necessary before attempting to set any interpersonal boundary[14:00] When to set a boundary (and exactly how to do it, according to psychologists)[19:30] It's role play time! 7 potential interpersonal trouble areas, with 7 real-life boundary setting examples Resources mentioned: Episode #243: Boundaries And Generational Clutter Episode #326: Gift Boundaries We Can Do Hard Things podcast Leave a voicemail wi

How do we kindly ask our parents and in-laws to stop buying into plastic junk culture for our children? Why would we even want to embark on such an uphill battle?Overwhelming amounts of gifts may be commonplace around the holidays but the reality is this: The Number One most important gift we can give our kids is an inhabitable planet on which they can survive and thrive. With both the planet and families in crisis (hello, debilitating clutter!), it's high-time we find ways to avoid unnecessary presents in advance of the holidays.Today I chat with Whitney Leigh Morris about how she established (and maintains!) gift boundaries with her loved ones in December and always.Here's a preview:[3:00] Both you and your children benefit when you establish gift boundaries; here's why[7:00] When to play the "climate crisis card" versus when to pivot[20:30] 3 reasons to donate to reputable non-profits instead of returning or re-gifting[24:00] Hindsight Mom Guilt wisdom for parents concerned their kids will be left wanting[

When it comes to giving presents, sustainable minimalists understand that less is more and thoughtful is better. Indeed, minimalist holiday gift ideas don’t manifest themselves when walking the mall; you can’t find them by panic buying in the days leading up to Christmas, either.Need some inspiration? Today I’m thrilled to turn the mic over to you the listeners as you offer up nearly 2 dozen non-consumer gifts for the holiday season. *A note from Stephanie: This episode originally aired in November 2021 and it's too good to not re-release!Here’s a preview:[2:20] Making (and preserving!) memories through experiences and photos[5:20] 7 personalized DIY gift ideas (that will also be appreciated)[9:15] 2 book-related minimalist gift ideas[13:00] Creating new traditions as a means of buying less junk[16:00] When in doubt, donate[19:00] Thoughts on the “gift in a box” hack Resources mentioned: Yankee Swap rules Heifer International Did you know there’s a book based on THIS podcast? (Thank you for supporting my wor

Are you getting all you can from your library?Libraries are quiet pillars of our communities that often get overlooked. That's unfortunate because libraries are one of the few places where you can truly get something for nothing.On today's show I'm outlining 7 goods and services you likely never knew you could get for free from your library. Here's a preview:[9:00] Exactly how much you're paying for multiple video streaming services (plus, how much the library can help you save)[16:30] Stephanie's favorite hack for cooking magazine lovers[20:00] How to get the most out of your Library Of Things[22:00] Museum tickets and your child's holiday Experience gift, BAM Resources mentioned: Episode #289: The Convenience Tax Leave a voicemail and rave about your local library! (857) 264-1967‬ Hoopla Digital Kanopy Video Database Mango Languages OverDrive Ebooks, Audiobooks and More Zinio eBook Central -- * Join our (free!) community here.* Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube.