Sustainable Minimalists

Anti-Convenience

Modern conveniences make life easy. But has living become too easy? Convenience culture has made us vulnerable, and outsourcing our basic needs has cost us our independence and problem-solving skills. The remedy to modern restlessness is working with your hands. Whether you live on sprawling acreage or a tiny apartment, you can take back your agency from the corporations profiting off our desire for ease. Learning new skills rewires your brain for better focus; it builds confidence and builds resilience through real-world problem-solving, too. On today’s show, homesteader Sandy Eplett encourages you to take steps today to move from passive consumer to active participant in your own life. Here’s a preview: [4:00] The hidden fragility of modern convenience [8:00] The logistics behind learning one new skill a month or one new skill a year [13:00] OK, but where do we find the knowledgeable grandmas? [18:00] On the immense joys to be had in “bucking the system” Resources mentioned: The Homestead Event Next Book Club! Nov. 4 7:30pm EST Book: TRASH! A Garbageman's Story This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists2448/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Good Dirt

In our fast-paced, convenience-driven world, we’ve made our waste invisible. But 'out of sight' isn't out of existence, and our wastefulness is creating big problems for future generations. True self-awareness starts with taking responsibility for what we throw away. On today's show, author Cassandra Marketos joins us to reframe composting from a messy chore into an easy-as-pie, grounding antidote to instant gratification that teaches us slowness, observation, and presence. Here's a preview: [5:00] Nature wants to decompose, no expensive gadgets or insane time commitments required! [11:00] Composting is "soul-opening". Here's how [16:00] You literally can't get composting wrong! Browns, greens and other tips to get started [29:00] Troubleshooting Stephanie's backyard compost pile [33:00] Ready to level up? Here's how to supercharge your composting habit Resources mentioned: Compost After Reading: A Practical Manifesto for Purposeful Decomposition (via bookshop.org) The Rot (via Substack) Next Book Club! Nov. 4 7:30pm EST Book: TRASH! A Garbageman's Story This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists2448/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

No Scrap Left Behind

Not so long ago, humanity’s main pursuit was finding food and staving off hunger. But these days, we’re throwing out strawberries. We’re letting salad greens go bad in the crisper. And when it comes to transforming those broccoli stalks or potato peels into something delicious, we’ve lost the know-how. In an age where the average home discards enough edible meals to sustain an entire extra person, reclaiming our kitchens from unnecessary food waste has never been more urgent. On today’s show, author Teralyn Pilgrim explores what our wastefulness says about us as a culture—as well as her foundational framework for reframing our relationship with the food in our refrigerators. Here’s a preview: Why food waste stands as one of today’s largest environmental issues, and the stark contrast between historical food scarcity and modern excess How disconnection from food production and changing home-cooking habits contribute to everyday waste The Rules of Food Waste: A step-by-step walkthrough of Teralyn’s core principles for running a waste-free kitchen Never shop hungry! Sweep out the fridge before adding more! And other top tips for reducing food waste once and for all Resources mentioned: No Scrap Left Behind (via Bookshop.org) Want another episode on food waste that’s chock full of tips? Check out episode #437: Breaking Food Waste Norms. This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists2448/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Backyard Climate Activism

A quiet revolution is starting in our backyards.

UnSmarting Your Smart Home

We live our lives surrounded by smart phones, smart devices, Wi-Fi networks, and wireless wearables. But as our homes become "smarter", the constant electropollution these devices emit carries risks for our long-term health. Your home should be a sanctuary, not a radiation zone. On today's show, radiologist and author Dr. Rob Brown offers simple ways to dramatically reduce your daily electropollution load without giving up modern technology. Here's a preview: [5:00] A doctor explains why he believes electropollution is "the secondhand smoke of our generation" [13:30] Should our children wear Airpods or smart watches? Should we? [25:00] Five low friction ways to reduce electropollution in your home [29:00] Why this medical doctor suggests that we shut our wifi router off each night, plus: other ways to support rest and cellular recovery Resources mentioned: Unplug: A Radiologist Explores the Damage Caused by Electropollution and How You Can Prevent It DefenderShield phone case Next Book Club! Nov. 4 7:30pm EST Book: TRASH! A Garbageman's Story DefenderShield EMF blocking cell phone case This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting! Join our (free!) Facebook community here. Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/sustainable-minimalists2448/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

• Transcript

How To Make Your Phone Boring (On Purpose)

What if breaking your scroll habit had nothing to do with self-discipline?

Autopilot Off

Why algorithms strip away intentionality—and why regaining awareness is the first step towards values-aligned spending

What Nature Teaches Us

What if rocks, oceans, rainbows and clouds are our greatest teachers?

Climate-Conscious Parenting

"Stop, drop, and roll" no longer cuts it. Here’s how we adapt summer, sports, and safety for our kids

Low-Tech Living

On navigating a high-tech world on low-tech terms

The "Away" Illusion

Why your clothing donations are feeding waste colonialism (and 5 ways to fix it)

Joy is Resistance

Gathering, laughing, and celebrating with others isn't frivolous. It’s how we sustain ourselves.

Nature As Medicine

On how a daily dose of nature can eliminate brain fog, slash into stress, and improve sleep

Plastic Free July

How to build habits that last during the global 31-day challenge

What We Leave Behind

Out of sight, out of mind? ... Not quite.

Saying No To New

On making the shift from 'having' to 'being'

Plastic, Plastic Everywhere

Think consumer demand is driving the plastic explosion? Think again.

Talking It Out

How to have better conversations about climate change. 

The Unfollow Effect

Intentional living in the digital age

The Cost of Constant Connection

Why going offline at least sometimes is the ultimate power move