The holidays are meant to be about peace, joy, and togetherness … but they often end up steeped in chaos, rush, and overspending. Not this year! There’s really no better time than right this minute to practice slowing down and getting intentional *before* we say yes to another obligation or hit 'add to cart'. On today's show podcast host Desirae Endres reminds us that the holidays aren't just for kids; they are for us to enjoy too. Here's a preview: [6:30] First things first:...
Nov 16, 2023•38 min•Ep 419•Transcript available on Metacast Are you doing gratitude wrong? So many of us are always waiting for more. But when you greet each moment gratefully? You're always receiving. On today's show author Kristi Nelson offers a mini-formula for grateful living (put this conversation on as you're preparing for Thanksgiving!). Here's a preview: [10:00] It's not happiness that makes us grateful; it's gratefulness that makes us happy (and other research-backed benefits to grateful living) [20:00] Is what once was p...
Nov 14, 2023•34 min•Ep 418•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 10 2023: [00:30] Microplastics are now in clouds; here's what this means [3:00] The leaf blower problem [10:30] The world's first solar SUV has entered the chat [11:00] An electric plane just flew from Vermont to Florida (!) Resources mentioned: Episode #260: The White Gold Rush Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube . Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. O...
Nov 10, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Choosing the right hand soap and body wash isn't *just* about cleanliness. You deserve non-toxic products and our waterways deserve non-polluting ones, so it's really about committing to a higher standard of care. We're likely using soap every day for the rest of our lives; it's prudent, then, to get intentional about this must-have product. On today's show: conscious consumerism in the soap aisle. Here's a preview: [3:00] Are antibacterial/antimicrobial soaps really nece...
Nov 09, 2023•33 min•Ep 417•Transcript available on Metacast Perhaps you're a veteran investor, or maybe you're just now starting to financial plan. Either way, where you put your money can substantially increase (or decrease!) your annual carbon footprint. Don't put your money where your mouth is; put it where your values are. On today's show financial consultant Shila Wattamwar leads an advanced level discussion about sustainable investing for the eco-conscious. Here's a preview: [5:00] The sneaky ways you may be funding fossil fuels...
Nov 07, 2023•33 min•Ep 416•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, November 3 2023: [00:30] French cheese, meet climate change [4:00] This is why olive oil is so expensive right now [6:30] Why many scientists are now saying climate change is an all-out 'emergency' [11:00] Cities are notoriously hot. Here are some cutting edge cooling solutions Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube . Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsor...
Nov 03, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Some environmentalists call Christmas the world’s greatest annual environmental disaster, and for good reason: All that cheap, ultra-trendy decor adds up. On today's show: getting intentional about our holiday decorations once and for all. Here's a preview: [3:00] Let's talk numbers: How much do Americans spend each year on holiday decor? [10:00] 3 ways in which 'Christmas Creep' encourages us to spend more than we intended on decorations [13:00] The origins of those inflatab...
Nov 02, 2023•39 min•Ep 415•Transcript available on Metacast Many of us shy away from the word 'activist' because the term brings to mind a very specific type of person. But if you're regularly taking action to make the world a better place? Guess what my friend, you're already an activist (yes, really!). What matters is not the size of the action, nor how vigorous the action is. It's all about consistency. On today's show author Omkari Williams helps us find the kind of social justice engagement that feels both empowering *and* su...
Oct 31, 2023•34 min•Ep 414•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 27 2023: [00:30] The West Antarctic ice sheet appears to be headed for an eventual “collapse” [3:00] The oil giants are feeling pretty darn good about their futures, apparently [6:30] Why on earth is the US government funding enhanced oil recovery? [13:00] This potential climate warrior may be gearing up for a White House run Resources mentioned: Companies capture a lot of CO2. Most of it is going into new oil. (via WaPo) Episode #381: Our Car...
Oct 27, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's sad but true: Americans are some of the most chronically stressed people on the planet. On today's show: how to incorporate Japanese lifestyle philosophies into our lives for reduced stress, greater well-being, and a longer life. Here's a preview: [3:00] The physiology of stress: What *actually* goes on in our bodies when we encounter a stressor? [11:00] 5 reasons why Americans are among the most stressed in the world [20:00] The secret to a great life isn't the accumulation...
Oct 26, 2023•33 min•Ep 413•Transcript available on Metacast Whether you’re dining at a restaurant or ordering takeout, eating out leaves a footprint. On today's show: asking the right questions, minimizing food waste, and reading through All. The. Greenwashing the next time you head to a restaurant. Here's a preview: [6:30] The food waste issue at fine dine, quick serve, and fast casual [12:00] Farm-to-table? How to find restaurants that actually care about environmental sustainability [22:30] The best way to *gently* suggest a change in a restau...
Oct 24, 2023•33 min•Ep 412•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 20 2023: [00:30] These are the places that could become ‘unlivable’ as the Earth warms [3:00] Engineer the ocean to curb climate change? Hmm ... [6:30] Ozone-destroying gasses are largely banned. So why are they still being emitted into the atmosphere? [13:00] Climate rules are coming for corporate America [15:00] The enviro-implications of that Taylor Swift tweet Our Sponsors: * Thank you to Equilibria! Use code SUSTAINABLE for 15% off sitewi...
Oct 20, 2023•17 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are often told that if we accomplish as much as possible in a day’s time we’ll feel fulfilled come day’s end. Enter to-do lists, which provide focus, direction, and purpose. But action doesn't always equal progress; it's no surprise, then, that so many of us feel drained and dissatisfied once the sun goes down. On today's show: how to find freedom in your to-do list and (finally!) make room for peace, connection, and fulfillment. Here's a preview: [4:00] Your daily to-do list ...
Oct 19, 2023•34 min•Ep 373•Transcript available on Metacast We have nearly engineered out all discomfort from our modern lives. Great, right? Not so fast: doing so comes at our own expense. On today's show: comfort creep's harms, with practical thoughts on course correction. Here's a preview: [1:30] Humans have evolved to prioritize comfort. What's so wrong with being ultra-comfy? [6:30] Research finds that when we adopt a new comfort in our lives we adapt to it quite quickly. Enter comfort creep [11:30] ... But is it sustainable? Our rev...
Oct 17, 2023•33 min•Ep 410•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, October 13 2023: [00:30] The "apocalyptic" mass death of over 100 freshwater dolphins in the Amazon [3:00] The fall migration season and mass bird deaths in Chicago [5:30] Electric bikes may (finally) be getting cheaper [10:00] 3 cheers for Norway's latest re-wilding efforts [13:00] Are McMansions a thing of the past? Resources mentioned: E-Bike Incentive Programs of North America Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustaina...
Oct 13, 2023•13 min•Transcript available on Metacast There are tens of thousands of chemicals currently used in the US and (shocker!) most aren't adequately tested for health and safety. The fewer we come into contact with, the better. Still, no one wants to stink. Enter deodorant and antiperspirant, two pesky places in which we conscious consumers can certainly buy better. On today's show: everything you never knew you *needed* to know about deodorant, plus: how to buy this medicine cabinet staple like a boss. Here's a preview: [2:15]...
Oct 12, 2023•35 min•Ep 480•Transcript available on Metacast Your enviro-news for Friday, October 6 2023: [00:30] Everything you need to know about monster fracking [5:00] Better late than never? Vaccines, horseshoe crab blood, and (finally) a synthetic alternative [9:00] Will our grandchildren know frogs? [12:00] Introducing the Climate Corps, a green jobs training program Resources mentioned: American Climate Corps (via The White House) Upstate NY program on sustainable agriculture and animal welfare Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Su...
Oct 06, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast Cheat codes for living are handy tricks that help us navigate this crazy game called life in a more easeful (and perhaps more joyful!) manner. On today's show we break down 16 of the most important. Here's a preview: [2:15] The hands down best way to rewire your brain to forget about rejection [10:00] Head or heart? Answering this age-old question once and for all (with the help of science) [18:00] There's only one right way to respond to compliments and this is it [21:00] Adopt this...
Oct 05, 2023•36 min•Ep 408•Transcript available on Metacast There may indeed be a singular solution that addresses environmental racism, the climate crisis, pollution, and withering US ecosystems simultaneously. That solution? Green Amendments. Constitutions are the people's documents. Although getting environmental rights included may indeed be ... well, difficult, advocates argue it's possible. In fact, it's already being done. Today attorney and environmental activist Maya van Rossum empowers us to mobilize for constitutional change that w...
Oct 03, 2023•32 min•Ep 407•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 29 2023: [00:30] Antarctic winter sea ice hits 'extreme' record low [3:00] Net-zero "pledges" and "ambitions" in the food and restaurant industries [9:00] Don't call it a (snow leopard) comeback [11:00] The simple and cost-effective way Japanese businesspeople are combatting emissions Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube . Say hello! MamaMi...
Sep 29, 2023•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast We humans have lived within a surprisingly narrow range of temperatures for most of our history. But this range? It's slowly and steadily moving north. As the planet warms and weather events become more severe, it's natural to wonder about safety. How do we know it's time to leave our beloved homes and move for good? Where are the so-called climate havens, and do they have infrastructure in place to support a sudden population influx? On today's show we round out Difficult Decisi...
Sep 28, 2023•32 min•Ep 406•Transcript available on Metacast Difficult truth time: A child born today will live on a planet that’s hotter than it has ever been since human civilization developed. And us humans? We’re the ones who created this problem. According to one study, each child born in the United States adds thousands of tons of carbon to their parents’ lifetime carbon legacy. While some would-be parents rightly question whether it’s ethical to have children and thus contribute to our global warming woes, others wonder whether it’s fair *to the ch...
Sep 26, 2023•25 min•Ep 405•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 22 2023: [00:30] Updates from the Climate Ambition Summit [2:00] Climate protesters march in Manhattan [4:00] California sues fossil fuels giants [11:00] Dogs are joining the conservation movement Resources mentioned: Working Dogs For Conservation Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube . Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Sponsors: * Thank you to Equilibria!...
Sep 22, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sourdough bread is alchemy personified, as just 3 ingredients — flour, salt, and water — transform themselves into a delicious food item that also happens to be insanely healthy. Yet despite centuries of sourdough wisdom, 21st century bread is made with dozens of unnecessary (and perhaps unsafe) additives. And those microbiome benefits that sourdough boasts? Sadly, modern bread has none. Today in honor of #SourdoughSeptember: A conversation with professional bakers Ed and Natasha Tatton about th...
Sep 21, 2023•35 min•Ep 404•Transcript available on Metacast About 60 percent of the foods Americans eat these days are processed, and diet-related illnesses are the leading cause of mortality in the USA. If you’re like most people you may be spending your hard-earned dollars on food you’ve been told is healthy and safe but simply isn't. Amidst both all the conflicting diet information and all the greenwashing it has never been more important to pay attention to what's in our food. On today's show we discuss the processed food problem by zeroi...
Sep 19, 2023•33 min•Ep 403•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know for Friday, September 15 2023: [00:30] Biden blocks oil drilling in Arctic Alaska (yay!). But don't forget about Willow ... [3:30] Extreme heat and indoor recess [9:00] A (gorgeous) once-extinct bird is reintroduced to New Zealand [13:00] Millennials are racking up 'romantic debt' in the pursuit of love Resources mentioned: A Rare Pair of Chicks for the Exotic and Endangered Takahe Into The Wild Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Susta...
Sep 15, 2023•15 min•Transcript available on Metacast Our experiences - the big trips, the small moments of joy, and everything in between - are the real wealth of our lives. So why is it that we consistently fail to do the things we're yearning to do? And how can we live lives that are experientially rich despite the daily grind? Today's show is a conversation with authors Bridget Hilton and Joe Huff about how to treat time as our most valuable currency while it's still on our side. Here's a preview: [4:00] How to accurately measur...
Sep 14, 2023•38 min•Ep 402•Transcript available on Metacast For many, weekends are for chores. They're also for carting kids to sports games and getting caught up on errands. But amidst all that driving and laundering, where are the opportunities to rest, rejuvenate, and fully live our lives? Feeling rested is so much more than a good night's sleep and on today's show we discuss research-backed ways to reclaim your time and wellness by making weekends work for you. Here's a preview: [3:00] Connections between work, busyness, and feeding t...
Sep 12, 2023•38 min•Ep 401•Transcript available on Metacast The enviro-news you need to know about for Friday, September 8 2023: [00:30] 3 cheers for the rise of tiny forests [5:00] What sea ice loss means for emperor penguins [10:00] We're running out of groundwater ... [14:00] Revisiting climate havens Resources mentioned: Episode #137: 5 Facts About The Global Water Crisis Join our (free!) community here . Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube . Email me and say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com. Our Spo...
Sep 08, 2023•16 min•Transcript available on Metacast We live in a world that's always trying to sell us more stuff, and much of it is junk. Enter environmental degradation, wasted money, unnecessary headaches, and clutter. Lots of clutter. Today we continue this week's Buy Just Once theme with BuyMeOnce.com founder Tara Button, who's here to lay bare the tenets of what she terms 'mindful curation'. Here's a preview: [7:00] Exactly how our ultra-commercialized world leaves us broke and lonely [12:00] Examining the discrepanc...
Sep 07, 2023•36 min•Ep 400•Transcript available on Metacast 
