The Minimalists

The Minimalists speak with Guy Finley about letting go of precious memories, why letting go is so freaking scary, the wisdom of letting go, ten truths to follow if you want to let go, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How can I let go of things that are imbued with my precious memories? (4:20) Why is letting go so scary? (32:24) How does our desire to control prevent us from letting go? (33:30) Are we always letting go of a piece of the past when we let go? (36:59) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists speak with Ryan Holiday about how the stoics dealt with sentimental items, the potential virtue of holding on, stoical insights about values, regrets, mental clutter, seven things minimalists would never put in their living room, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How would the stoics have handled their sentimental items? (2:40) When is it virtuous to hold on? (22:13) Right Here, Right Now: Books a Clutter Counseling session with T.K. (43:05) Listener Tip: A poem about the weight of the needs of others. (44:19) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about verbal minimalism, the things we regret saying, the best ways to let other people down, seven things people regret tossing while decluttering, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do you practice verbal minimalism? (3:43) What’s the last thing you regretted saying? (18:54) Right Here, Right Now: Joshua’s new documentary, Food for Humans, goes on tour. (38:08) Listener Tip: Creating a list of items you might want again later. (44:05) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about feeling defeated because of limitations, problems that won’t go away, other people’s cluttered spaces, five things you should never feel guilty about getting rid of, and more! Discussed in this episode: How do you cope when a recurring injury or limitation makes you feel defeated, anxious, and discouraged? (3:11) What problem keeps popping up even after you fix it? (19:04) Right Here, Right Now: Floor-sleeping. (39:30) Listener Tip: The nightlight rule. (47:42) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about the pros and cons of extreme minimalism, when simple living goes too far, so-called “sad” items, and much more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: Why does extreme minimalism make me feel empty? (1:54) How minimal is too minimal? (15:05) Right Here, Right Now: Savi D’s skate videos and Sunday Symposium in Ventura. (39:28) Listener Tip: Taking less so I can give more. (43:37) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about letting go of things that are a reminder of a painful past, everyday essentials, joybaiting instead of ragebating, several things professional organizers say we should let go of this fall, and more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of old digital content—such as photos, contacts, and social media friends—that remind me of a painful past? (4:10) What if I regret getting rid of something? (15:09) What’s something from your past that’s getting in the way of your present? (24:57) Right Here, Right Now: Simplify Everything and Friday afternoon Zoom calls with The Minimalists. (45:23) Listener Tip: How to manage laundry for six people. (47:55) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists speak with Rey Flemings about the upsides and downsides of capitalism, potential alternative economic systems, the best ways for wealthy people to be more generous, plus greed, freedom, private ownership, and more. Discussed in this episode: What’s the best way to talk about capitalism objectively without evoking an emotional response? (3:19) What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “capitalism”? (11:30) Right Here, Right Now: Sunday Symposium and Clutter Counseling (53:35) Listener Tip: Why didn’t we think of this? (54:29) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about what to do with closets and containers that are overflowing with excess, what’s keeping most people from minimizing, when to stop buying new things for your home, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do I do with my two closets and three storage containers filled with excess clothes? (1:47) What’s the last thing you minimized, and what prevented you from letting go sooner? (21:08) Sucky Ad: Dr. Chris Ryan talks about the normalization of deceit. (37:10) Listener Tip: “Storage” by Mary Oliver. (45:05) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

In this solo episode, Joshua talks about disagreeing about the little things at home, his new rule for online shopping, a few stupid things he’s purchased that he’ll never buy again, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why do my minimalist spouse and I keep arguing about the little things? (2:17) Talkaboutable: The Amazon Shopping Rule. (19:11) Talkaboutable: Three stupid things I’ve purchased that I’ll never buy again. (22:00) Right Here, Right Now: A return to video, a new perk for Patrons, and Minimalism turns two. (24:47) Listener Tip: Surprising things that dirty your clothes. (30:32) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists speak with philosopher Peter Rollins about how increasing fragmentation and fear of others produces unnecessary enemies, the ways in which social anxiety makes it difficult to build a community, how products promise fulfillment yet give us dissatisfaction, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do introverts understand that extroverts don’t? (1:53) What’s missing from your community? (22:05) Right Here, Right Now: Sunday Symposium and Zoom calls with The Minimalists. (44:57) Listener Tip: Two tips for managing book clutter. (49:00) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about the practical issues with curating a simple wardrobe, letting go of troubling conversations, being eco-friendly on a budget, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What should I do if a simple wardrobe isn’t practical for me? (2:08) If you had to wear just one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? (15:07) Right Here, Right Now: Join us at Sunday Symposium. (42:20) Listener Insight: A tip for dealing with half-dirty clothes. (45:30) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists speak with educator Isaac Morehouse about fixing our broken education system, asking family members to stop buying excess stuff, arguing with the people we love, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What can we do about our systemically broken education system? (02:00) What’s the worst education advice you’ve ever heard? (19:23) Right Here, Right Now: A special screening of the Food for Humans documentary. (44:30) Listener Tip: Rules to reduce physical book clutter. (46:10) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about the root cause of identity clutter, the best ways to celebrate while letting go, how to minimize the things you rarely use, some of our favorite memories from the last 500 episodes, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why am I having trouble letting go of an old membership that I don’t use? (2:12) What are our all-time favorite episodes of The Minimalists Podcast? (15:13) Right Here, Right Now: The Minimalists will be at TEDxFargo on July 23. (39:46) Listener tip: Three questions that will improve your social interactions. (42:31) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about minimizing mental clutter caused by loved ones, consuming less of things we enjoy, embracing minimalist dietary principles that last, and more with Dr. Paul Saladino. Discussed in this episode: How do I stop thinking about the intrusive comments that my parents used to make about my weight? (2:12) What’s one thing you enjoy that you’ve decided to stop consuming? (19:06) Right Here, Right Now: Join us at our next Sunday Symposium. Plus, Ryan will join us for episode 500! (40:07) Listener tip: A recommendation for minimizing YouTube clutter. (41:18) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists speak with Kapil Gupta about letting go of nonsense, the many ways humans waste their lives, what happens when you minimize ambition, and more. Discussed in this episode: What does it mean to “overcome the world”? (3:27) Why does Dr. Gupta have a disdain for smartphones? (9:42) Why is “getting something to be happy” an empty act? (16:13) What does a wasted life look like? (22:28) Why has Joshua abandoned most of his ambitions? (38:41) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about the right amount of deprivation, sacrificing for others, obsession with books, education that aligns with minimalist principles, and more. Discussed in this episode: How much should I deprive myself for the sake of loving others? (2:05) When does it make sense to stop sacrificing for another person? (16:38) Right Here, Right Now: Peek inside Joshua’s minimalist home. (35:38) Listener tip: Coming to terms with body-image insecurities that you can’t control. (42:26) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about communicating with people who are unwilling to change their minds, the qualities of productive conversation, finding ways to be happy without knowing your purpose, a simple approach to getting divorced, the proper way to identify a narcissist, being a minimalist when you enjoy buying new things, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How can I have conversations with people who aren’t interested in changing their mind? (2:03) What makes a conversation productive? (16:56) Right Here, Right Now: Our 20 favorite podcast episodes—and our next Sunday Symposium. (35:37) Lister tip: Avoid buying things by saying “hell no” to nonessentials. (36:35) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about letting go of sadness, replacing possessions after a natural disaster, swapping a smartphone for a dumb phone, understanding the downsides of home ownership, holding on to sentimental items for too long, asking loved ones for their attention, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of my sadness after I was forced to let go of everything I own? (2:02) If you were to lose everything in a natural disaster, what’s the first thing you would replace? (16:48) Right Here, Right Now: “I Shouldn’t Have to Deal with This” is one of our most popular episodes of all time. (35:44) Listener Tip: The Light Phone is a great way to add intentional friction to your life. (41:20) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about what to do with half-dirty clothes, minimalist boundaries, breaking difficult news to your mom, the role our outfits play in our identities, getting an education outside the school system, letting go of regret, and more! Discussed in this episode: What would a minimalist do with clothes that have been worn but aren’t ready to to be washed? (2:05) What do you do with your half-dirty clothes? (16:24) Right Here, Right Now: Joshua’s birthday request. (30:38) Listener tip: Spice up the Seasonality Rule by minimizing out-of-season clothing. (32:54) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.

The Minimalists talk about letting go of family clutter, making a distinction between family and friends, surrendering broken things, how to stop being a “yes man,” the link between closet clutter and past trauma, punishing kids for bad behavior, minimizing old moving boxes, and much more! Discussed in this episode: I found out my deceased wife was having an affair before she died. Consequently, I might not be the biological father of our daughter. What should I do to let go? (2:09) How do you differentiate between friends and family? (21:22) Right Here, Right Now: Our next FAMZ is June 6 at 3 PM ET for Audio+ subscribers on Patreon. (42:09) Listener tip: How to let go of broken things. (43:22) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.