The Minimalists talk about functional movement with Aaron Alexander , author of The Align Method , and they answer the following questions: What daily exercises will help us move with the most freedom and the least pain? (02:18) How do our postural patterns affect our overall health? (06:33) What is the “55-38-7 Principle”? (07:47) Is sitting for long periods unhealthy? (09:52) What movements during daily office work are beneficial? (17:03) What is the most ideal sitting position? (20:13) What i...
Mar 29, 2022•59 min•Ep 333•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists discuss why far too many of us spend far too much on storage containers, “clutter coffins,” of all sizes, yet the best way to organize our stuff isn’t to store it in a basement mausoleum—the best way to organize is to get rid of the excess stuff—and they answer the following questions: What has contributed to the rise of the storage business? (01:40) What do you consider “clutter coffins”? (05:19) When are storage units useful? (07:22) What is the average profit margin of the sto...
Mar 22, 2022•45 min•Ep 332•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists talk about sustainable living with environmentalist Claire Potter , and they answer the following questions: What impact did the pandemic have on our environment with all of the disposable items designed to protect us from infection, and how can we move forward safely with less waste? (01:39) How biodegradable are biodegradable plastics? (06:25) What are the pros and cons of plastic? (07:29) How do we stay motivated and inspire others to live a sustainable, minimalist lifestyle w...
Mar 15, 2022•41 min•Ep 331•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists talk about how much stuff is enough stuff, and how much stuff is too much stuff, and they answer the following questions: How do we avoid apathy when we’re sorting generations of stuff? (02:25) What does “letting go” mean to you? (04:51) When you have too much stuff, how do you determine what to let go and where to send it—yard sale, online consignment, donation center, or, very worst-case scenario, landfill? (08:54) What is The Minimalists’ process for letting go? (10:17) How do...
Mar 08, 2022•32 min•Ep 330•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists talk about simple pets with Dr. Karen Shaw Becker and Rodney Habib , authors of The Forever Dog , and they answer the following questions: Do humans actually need pets? (02:30) What does the acronym “DOGS” represent? (10:37) How many pets are too many? (13:03) What is a puppy scam? (16:32) What is genetic deletion? (18:02) What is a healthy diet for pets? (20:39) How do we ensure a superlative longevity for our pets’ lives? (26:30) How do I address my spouse’s frustrations with a...
Mar 01, 2022•45 min•Ep 329•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists talk about different kinds of surprise purchases, impulse purchases, and annoying purchases, and they answer the following questions: What’s the difference between surprise purchases and impulse purchases? (01:39) Why do sales seem particularly pernicious now? (04:06) What are the two kinds of surprise purchases? (07:44) Do manufacturers bear any burden for creating superfluous products that exist as little more than items to be purchased as surprise gifts for others based on the...
Feb 22, 2022•50 min•Ep 328•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists question the beliefs, opinions, and worldviews that have shaped all of us with Michael Gungor , author of THIS , and they answer the following questions: Why did Michael write THIS ? (03:30) Why does getting everything we want often bring misery instead of joy? (06:07) How do we determine if a belief no longer serves us? (11:48) What does “belief” mean to you? (13:26) How do our beliefs form? (15:47) How do you break the constant collective mindset of depression and anxiety when ...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Ep 327•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists talk about the psychology behind panic buying, and they answer the following questions: What causes panic buying? (01:46) What are the causes of supply-chain shortages? (08:09) What have you seen purchased in recent panic-buying frenzies? (12:42) When might it be appropriate to panic? (14:26) Is it ever advisable to simply save money for medical emergencies rather than spending that money monthly on health insurance? (15:13) Can everything be negotiated? (22:18) Do other countrie...
Feb 08, 2022•45 min•Ep 326•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists discuss the physical clutter that is created by mental clutter with Dr. Amishi Jha , and they answer the following questions: What are the ideal steps to reduce mental clutter? (01:46) How do we refine our attention? (07:40) What is the “Find Your Flashlight Practice”? (12:51) How do we let go of sentimental stuff that has continuously piled up for decades and is physically and mentally holding us back? (13:49) How do we wind up emotionally attached to stuff? (17:41) How do we ap...
Feb 01, 2022•44 min•Ep 325•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists discuss the three most dangerous words in the world—Just. In. Case.—and they answer the following questions: Should I hold on to collectibles so I can pass them on to my children if they become valuable? (01:40) How do I address a hoard of just-in-case items I’ve stashed for use at work? (10:22) How can boundaries help with just-in-case items? (14:28) How do you address the ‘I-told-you-so’ crowd regarding just-in-case items you purged that you must purchase again? (27:31) Detaile...
Jan 25, 2022•42 min•Ep 324•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists are joined by philosopher Peter Rollins to discuss nihilism, despair, anger, and depression, and they answer the following questions: How are nihilism and minimalism related? (02:57) Is Fight Club ’s Tyler Durden an example of nihilism? (05:33) What did Nietzsche mean by the “death of God”? (07:11) What started the recent rise in nihilism? (10:58) Is anger merely unrealized expectations? (12:21) What is the “belief through the other”? (17:22) How do you define “fundamentalism”? (...
Jan 18, 2022•56 min•Ep 323•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and The Minimalists’ team talk about dealing with paper clutter, including bills, mail, receipts, taxes, photos, books, pamphlets, files, contracts, letters, and other random paperwork, and they answer the following questions: What documents are essential to keep? (02:11) What companies do you recommend for scanning physical photos and storing them in the cloud? (06:45) What are the most effective methods for organizing important paper documents in the office? (18:22) What resources do yo...
Jan 11, 2022•39 min•Ep 322•Transcript available on Metacast The Minimalists are joined by T.K. Coleman in Atlanta to discuss minimalism with purpose, resolving conflict, and creating a “social budget,” and they answer the following questions: When have you found telling the truth problematic? (03:04) Is minimalism a Western solution for overconsumption? (07:20) Why are so many so consumed with consumption? (08:54) What is the “American Dream”? (10:03) What makes us singularly human? (11:51) What is minimalism to you? (13:15) How do you appropriately reso...
Jan 04, 2022•33 min•Ep 321•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan are joined by counselor, podcaster, and author Ian Morgan Cron to discuss identity clutter and the outdated stories people tell themselves, and they answer the following questions: How do you start rewriting your story when you feel overwhelmed and insecure about who you are and who you want to be? (02:23) What does the acronym “SOAR” represent? (06:27) What is “act as-if”? (07:38) How do you discover your true identity after traumatically losing your societal identities? (10:20)...
Dec 28, 2021•41 min•Ep 320•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan discuss the pros and cons of hustle culture, and they answer the following questions: Do some people claim they’re busy to be envied for being in demand? (01:01) What is the difference between “hurry” and “hustle”? (05:46) How do you define “productive”? (06:45) What is the fatal flaw of hustle culture? (08:51) How can we break free of hustle culture? (13:31) How do you appropriately address burnout with yourself or an employer before it reaches the point of no return? (17:07) Ho...
Dec 21, 2021•41 min•Ep 319•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about what they’ve learned, how they’ve grown, and in what ways they’ve subtracted since they started The Minimalists eleven years ago, and they answer the following questions: How has your understanding of, and approach toward, minimalism developed over the last eleven years? (00:00) Why does minimalism seem radical? (05:34) How do we address our issue with clinging? (06:44) What is the most important lesson you’ve learned about consumerism? (10:13) What is the “god-shaped ...
Dec 14, 2021•41 min•Ep 318•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan speak with Amanda Montell , author of Cultish , about what makes a cult a cult, and they answer the following questions: Who decides whether a cult is a cult? (00:00) Are cults strictly negative? (02:08) Is CrossFit a cult? (04:33) How do otherwise reasonable people fall susceptible to cults? (11:58) What are the characteristics of a cult? (13:55) What is the “thought-terminating cliche”? (15:47) What are the “exit costs” of cults? (21:29) What are some red flags to look for rega...
Dec 07, 2021•50 min•Ep 317•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about giving gifts, getting gifts, and sometimes refusing gifts as a minimalist during Christmastime, and they answer the following questions: How do I address the guilt I feel when I don’t get a Christmas gift for someone that expected one? (01:13) Can gift-giving be a love language? (21:49) What are some clutter-free gift ideas? (25:46) What are the three types of fun? (28:02) What is the minimalist approach to Christmas stockings? (32:51) What are some good charities for ...
Nov 30, 2021•42 min•Ep 316•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about expired food, expired medications, expired possessions, and expired daily habits, and they answer the following questions: How can we appropriately manage the expiration dates of everything in our lives? (00:00) Is the expiration date listed on food the last day it can be used? (06:57) How do I appropriately let go of perishable items that no longer serve me, especially when there was a degree of expense involved? (13:45) What do you consider clutter? (15:21) What can ...
Nov 23, 2021•30 min•Ep 315•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about so-called luxury items—desiring them, purchasing them, clinging to them, understanding them, and letting go of them—and they answer the following questions: How do you define “luxury item”? (01:10) How do we differentiate between luxury, elegance, and trendy? (06:04) As my fiance and I are creating our wedding registry, how do we ensure we don’t fall into the trap of exploiting the kindness of others for luxury items that will just fill the areas we just decluttered? (...
Nov 16, 2021•43 min•Ep 314•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about earning a living doing work that matters with career expert, author, and Ramsey personality Ken Coleman , and they answer the following questions: Does one have to have a “purpose” at work? (02:16) What three elements make up one’s purpose? (03:13) Must a purpose be a lofty pursuit? (09:33) What do you recommend as the best options for making money on the road for those of us that want to travel and see the world? (16:00) How do I balance pursuing a purpose with the re...
Nov 09, 2021•39 min•Ep 313•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan discuss The Minimalists’ Spontaneous Combustion Rule as it applies to material possessions, relationships, and homes, and they answer the following questions: What is the Spontaneous Combustion Rule? (01:00) How do we determine when it’s appropriate to let go of friendships, and how do we address the aftermath of loneliness when there are no new friendships to fill the void? (04:12) What are the three types of relationships? (07:39) How do we address the overwhelm we feel from ot...
Nov 02, 2021•43 min•Ep 312•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan are joined by Ryan’s wife, Mariah, on the occasion of his 40th birthday, and they talk about the wisdom that accompanies midlife maturity, as well as answer the following questions: When do maturity, wisdom, and knowledge best align? (00:00) What is Ryan’s favorite dinner? (11:50) How have your needs in a romantic partnership changed as you move toward your 40s? (13:05) What is “whataboutism”? (17:15) How has responding instead of reacting helped your relationship? (18:21) Are Ry...
Oct 26, 2021•55 min•Ep 311•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about inner conflict, self-doubt, and self-hatred with author, speaker, and attorney Mel Robbins , and they answer the following questions: How do I rebuild my relationship with myself? (02:06) What is the most important relationship in our life? (02:59) What moment led to the High Five Habit? (08:42) Why do most mantras not work? (15:22) How did you keep from blaming yourselves and beating yourselves up for the failure of your marriages, and how did you restore your confide...
Oct 19, 2021•44 min•Ep 310•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about finding something more compelling than material possessions, and they answer the following questions: Why is Salt Lake City one of Joshua’s favorite cities? (00:00) How do I explain to my children the importance of curating their toys in terms they’ll understand? (03:14) How do I let go of a relationship I didn’t end? (09:59) Why am I relentlessly searching for the next thing that will improve my life, and how do I better channel that energy? (17:56) Detailed show note...
Oct 12, 2021•27 min•Ep 309•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua 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 ho...
Oct 05, 2021•43 min•Ep 308•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about calm, serenity, and the sound of simplicity with musician Andrew Belle , and they answer the following questions: How do we find serenity in the echoes of our decluttered spaces? (00:00) If you’re living a life that aligns with your values, why would it be necessary to take a vacation from it to find solace and silence? (13:39) Is there any evidence that overconsumption of podcasts or other informative audio is linked to anxiety? (21:08) How do we move closer to access...
Sep 28, 2021•35 min•Ep 307•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about resisting the incessant tug of consumerism while striving to simplify, and they answer the following questions: How do we overcome our shopping addiction? (00:00) What are the three prime indicators of compulsive buying? (04:00) What is consumerism? (06:45) When does something become an addiction? (09:39) Why do people have shopping addictions? (19:17) When creating a capsule wardrobe and running up against challenges regarding durability, should we buy more clothes at...
Sep 21, 2021•40 min•Ep 306•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about removing the excess to expose the everyday beauty that’s all around us with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin Raphael McManus , and they answer the following questions: What exactly is “beauty”? (00:00) Can beauty help us find peace? (05:01) How do we discover and incorporate singular beautiful accents and items throughout our homes while maintaining a simple, minimalist style? (11:55) What is the value of negative space? (14:21) How do we find the beauty inside ours...
Sep 14, 2021•31 min•Ep 305•Transcript available on Metacast Joshua and Ryan talk about the folly of the self-help industry’s focus on exhausting positivity—on trying to convince us that we can out-eat, out-learn, and out-perform our humanness—with author, podcaster, and professor Kate Bowler , and they answer the following questions: What is the “gospel of hustle”? (00:00) What are the signs that positivity has become toxic for us as individuals, and what are the signs that our well-intentioned positive vibes are becoming toxic to others? (06:58) Where d...
Sep 07, 2021•43 min•Ep 304•Transcript available on Metacast 
