552 | Stories We Tell Ourselves
The Minimalists
Joshua and T.K. speak with writer Conner Habib about how the stories we consume shape our lives, esotericism, letting go of heirlooms, what to do with the junk you don’t want to inherit from your parents, and more! Discussed in this episode: Whatever tracks you leave in the mud or the sand, the wind smooths them over. (1:17) Why does storytelling matter, and how do the stories we consume and create shape our lives? (3:51) Who was Rudolf Steiner, and what is esotericism? (19:06) Listener Tip: Letting go of an heirloom doesn’t mean letting go of its story. (25:32) Right Here, Right Now:...
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551 | Children of Hoarders
The Minimalists
Joshua and T.K. talk about inheriting clutter from hoarder parents, possessions we wish would disappear from our homes, how the spending habits of rich people are raising prices on everyday goods, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Does compassion without boundaries become captivity? (0:45) How can I escape my inherited clutter? (3:38) What's one item in your home you wish would disappear? (20:03) Right Here, Right Now: Kudos to Audio Ben for making our remote episode sound so good. (34:59) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: Detailed show notes:
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550 | Surgical Decluttering
The Minimalists
Joshua and T.K. talk about surgical decluttering, when more is better than minimalism, our favorite minimalist furniture brands, a new 14-minute decluttering rule, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Is expectation premeditated disappointment? (6:07) When does minimalism stop solving the problem and start becoming the problem? (9:51) When is more better than minimalism? (21:01) Right Here, Right Now: Zoom calls with The Minimalists and Tom Cat’s em(body)ment sessions. (30:21) WWJO: What couch and dishes does Joshua own? (43:01) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: ...
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549 | Humble Things
The Minimalists
Joshua and T.K. talk about some simple rules for a humble home, small tasks with large rewards, surprising things a minimalist might own, why clutter spreads throughout your home, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What is the cost of convenience? (0:41) Is there hidden value in doing the “menial” work we’ve been taught to pay someone else to do? (11:17) Right Here, Right Now: The How to Let Go Tour (39:58) What Would Joshua Own? (47:03) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: Detailed show notes:
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548 | Past Lives
The Minimalists
Joshua, T.K., and Ryan talk about embracing minimalism after escaping from an abusive family, some of their favorite non-minimalist books, Joshua’s new How to Let Go Tour, and much more. Discussed in this episode: If intelligence is getting what you want, is wisdom wanting what’s worth getting in the first place? (2:16) How can I tell the difference between wisdom and fear, especially after escaping an abusive family? (5:00) Right Here: Right Now: Joshua’s first solo tour, T.K.’s new show, and Ryan’s new restaurant. (22:08) WWJO: What books are on The Minimalists’ bookshelves?...
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547 | Procrastination
The Minimalists
The Minimalist speak with author Jon Acuff about whether procrastination is a type of hoarding, the difference between rest and hesitation, small actions that break the procrastination cycle, a popular decluttering rule that backfired on one of our listeners, and more! Discussed in this episode: What is “strategic apathy?” (2:06) Is procrastination just another form of hoarding? (6:23) Why do so many of us wait for permission that no one is ever going to give us? (11:05) What's the difference between rest and hesitation? (20:53) What's the smallest action someone can take today that...
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546 | Ask for Help
The Minimalists
The Minimalists talk about setting down burdens that exhaust us, why it’s so difficult to ask for help, the scientific benefits of infrared saunas, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What happens when the person everyone depends on is the one who falls apart? (4:48) Where do you struggle to ask for help? (26:20) Right Here, Right Now: Very, Very Simple in print, and Clutter Counseling with T.K. Coleman. (40:07) WWJO: What kind of sauna does Joshua have at home? (43:02) Clearlight sauna contact: email Sage@HealWithHeat.com or call 800-317-5070. Listen to the full Maximal episode on...
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545 | Unoptimized Life
The Minimalists
The Minimalists talk about the trap of productivity, the point at which optimization makes your life worse, when purchasing quality goods becomes an extravagance, seven minimalist rules that will help you eliminate your email clutter, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Don’t you hate when people waste your time? (0:48) How can I escape my addiction to optimization? (6:08) At what point does optimizing your life make your life worse? (17:00) Right Here, Right Now: Give Joshua podcast review for his birthday, and join The Minimalists for a live Zoom call. (29:02) WWJO: Which...
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544 | What a Mess!
The Minimalists
The Minimalists talk about everyday things that turn into clutter, areas in your home that become messy quickly, one question to ask before buying new clothes, 15 useful tips for using your phone less, and more. Discussed in this episode: Is every item you own something you eventually have to organize? (7:22) Where do minimalists actually store all the everyday stuff that usually ends up covering countertops and surfaces? (9:54) What area of your home turns into clutter the fastest? (23:38) Right Here, Right Now: A Minimalism 10th-Anniversary Tour retrospective. (44:38) WWJO: Where did Joshua...
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543 | Nothing’s Missing
The Minimalists
The Minimalists speak with behavior expert Dr. John Demartini about loved ones who criticize your minimalist lifestyle, ways to reconcile the tension between simplicity and luxury goods, how our consumption patterns shape our identities, whether good and evil exist, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What is meant by Charles Bukowski’s assertion that we are reduced to ashes by our purpose and desire? (1:23) How can I handle family members who criticize my minimalist lifestyle? (3:44) Right Here, Right Now: Very, Very Simple is now available in print. (26:26) Listener Tip: What is the...
info_outlineJoshua and Ryan talk about trading in our materialistic clinging for transcendent freedom with author, podcaster, and comedian Lisa Lampanelli, and they answer the following questions:
How do you define “humor”? (00:00)
What is the “United States of Avoidance”? (08:26)
When life changes your path, how do you stop clinging to the hope you once had? (14:20)
How do we accept the death of a dream? (15:33)
What do you mean by “daring to suck”? (17:45)
Is it helpful to simply treat our passions as hobbies until they pay the bills? (18:25)
How did Lisa get her start in comedy? (20:18)
When a loved one has passed, how do I honor their final wishes as executor and appropriately distribute the possessions they clung to when they did not leave specific instructions for doing so? (22:46)
How do you stop clinging to the security of a job simply because it pays well? (29:56)
Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast
Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support