Fewer Things Better

Kristin Graham
  • 5.0 (70)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Life is noisy, but your brain doesn't have to be. This quick weekly conversation offers smart, simple ways to retrain your brain to hack your productivity and communicate better. Brain-science-meets-word-nerd host Kristin Graham offers shortcuts on how to navigate our cluttered digital world so you can spend more time enjoying life offline. She's done the research and tried-the-things, so you get the headlines and hacks without all the homework.

  1. Ep. 197 - Why We Keep Things “Just in Case”: The Brain Science Behind Extra Stuff

    6D AGO

    Ep. 197 - Why We Keep Things “Just in Case”: The Brain Science Behind Extra Stuff

    We'd love to hear from you! Why do we keep things just-in-case even when they quietly drain our space, attention, and energy? This episode looks at how our brain uses familiarity, categorizing, and uncertainty to delay decisions and why keeping items for “someday” often costs more mental energy than you realize. Learn a simple, brain-friendly way to re-evaluate what deserves your space so you can reduce background stress and make room for what truly supports you.     Show Notes: Ep. 169: Too Much Stuff? How to Start (Slowly) https://youtu.be/3Tz7qjYXAFE

    7 min
  2. Ep. 196 - What Your Brain Needs When the World Feels Heavy

    JAN 30

    Ep. 196 - What Your Brain Needs When the World Feels Heavy

    We'd love to hear from you! When the world feels heavy, your brain can start carrying more than it was designed to hold. This episode explores how ongoing stress, constant information, and uncertainty affect your nervous system, focus, and energy. You’ll learn why feeling foggy or exhausted isn’t a personal failure, how your brain responds to prolonged stress, and simple ways to help your nervous system slow down and reset.  Show Notes: Episode 141 – Giving Your Brain a Break (the cost of being “on” too much) https://youtu.be/3Y0yYg_9zFM  Episode 164 – The Vagus Nerve (How the parasympathetic nervous system helps reset stress and restore balance) https://youtu.be/FGEXNc2uQ3M?si=rWXP0rUdZ6ANfMSZ

    8 min
  3. Ep. 195 - Money Matters: The Hidden Costs Your Brain Ignores

    JAN 23

    Ep. 195 - Money Matters: The Hidden Costs Your Brain Ignores

    We'd love to hear from you! In this episode, we’ll talk about why these charges slip under the radar, how they quietly become “normal,” and how to spot them so you can decide what’s worth keeping (and what isn’t). Sometimes the fastest way to gain more isn’t earning more; it’s subtracting what’s quietly draining your wallet. Tune in for a simple mindset shift and practical ways to reduce unnecessary spending and keep more of what you already make.  Show Notes--If this episode resonates, you might enjoy: Episode 41: How to Stop Giving Away Your Time, Money & Energy https://youtu.be/jlBMmDKTiKo Episode 156: Hidden Expenses & the Psychology of Money Leaks https://youtu.be/lVW4JjN2TEU

    6 min
  4. Ep. 194 - Money Matters: How and Why We Spend (or Don’t)

    JAN 16

    Ep. 194 - Money Matters: How and Why We Spend (or Don’t)

    We'd love to hear from you! In this episode, we unpack the hidden psychology of money and why finances often trigger stress, avoidance, guilt, or overthinking. We’ll explore what happens in the brain when money enters the conversation, why certain financial habits are so hard to change, and how patterns like over-giving or over-restricting can show up as a form of self-protection. If you’ve ever wondered why money feels emotional, this conversation will help you understand your wiring—and move forward with more clarity and confidence.  Show Notes:                                                                                                                                                      If this conversation connected for you, you might also like: Episode 184 – Time Matters: Under New Management                                          Exploring how we price, protect, and respect our time and energy.   https://youtu.be/QlmjVQwMDbg  Episode 74 – Value, Money, and Discomfort  On why money conversations feel charged and how discomfort can be informative. https://youtu.be/Sz35XU4HEqE Episode 104 – The Power of Compounding How small, consistent investments(both financial and personal) build real returns over time. https://youtu.be/vuT2ZVF10Ns

    9 min
  5. Ep. 193 - The Neuroscience of Less: A Digital De-Clutter Guide

    JAN 9

    Ep. 193 - The Neuroscience of Less: A Digital De-Clutter Guide

    We'd love to hear from you!  Digital clutter isn’t just messy—it’s mentally exhausting. This episode breaks down how digital overload affects attention, decision-making, and mental energy—and offers practical ways to reduce digital noise in short, manageable bursts. Discover how creating breathing room in your tech can help restore focus, momentum, and a calmer brain.  Show Notes: Episode 31 - https://youtu.be/9GRS0mwAr8A This episode explores the cognitive and psychological benefits of de-cluttering, how unfinished decisions tax the brain, and why making space creates mental momentum. The ideas introduced there form the foundation for today’s conversation about digital clutter. Episode 156 - https://youtu.be/lVW4JjN2TEU  This conversation explores invisible drains on time, money, energy, and attention. A helpful companion episode if you’re interested in how overlooked systems quietly tax our mental bandwidth.

    7 min
  6. Ep. 192 - The Brain Snacks Appetizer Sampler: 10 Fast Tracks for Real Life

    JAN 2

    Ep. 192 - The Brain Snacks Appetizer Sampler: 10 Fast Tracks for Real Life

    We'd love to hear from you! Looking for simple, science-backed ways to think more clearly and move through your day with less friction? This episode brings together 10 of the most-revisited tools from the Fewer Things Better archive, offering practical strategies for focus, follow-through, energy, and decision-making. Each tool is designed to work in real life—no complicated systems required. Whether you’re new to the podcast or returning for a refresher, this episode offers a smart starting point. Links to the full conversations are included in the show notes if you’d like to explore any topic more deeply.  Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/@FewerThingsBetter

    10 min
  7. Ep 191 - Three Ways to Calm Your Overwhelmed Brain

    12/26/2025

    Ep 191 - Three Ways to Calm Your Overwhelmed Brain

    We'd love to hear from you! Our brains do a lot of heavy lifting every single day. During periods of change (a new season, a new year, or just life), it’s common to feel overwhelmed. This episode revisits three simple, science-backed ways to reset when your brain feels stuck, fried, or overloaded and explores:  Why decision fatigue drains your cognitive energy faster than you realizeHow ridiculously small steps can restart momentumWhy borrowing energy (also known as body doubling) works when motivation is lowHow switching to mental multiple choice reduces overwhelmWhy rest and sleep are not optional extras, but cognitive necessitiesSometimes the most effective reset isn’t pushing harder, it’s pausing just long enough to let your brain cool down. If this topic resonates, you may also enjoy revisiting the original episode referenced here: ▶️ Episode 10 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Gd0K-2BxFnU

    8 min
  8. Ep. 190 - The Neuroscience of Giving | Gifts That Cost Little & Mean a Lot

    12/19/2025

    Ep. 190 - The Neuroscience of Giving | Gifts That Cost Little & Mean a Lot

    We'd love to hear from you! We spend so much time searching for the perfect gift - the right item, the right price point, the right delivery window. But what if the most meaningful gifts aren’t found in a store at all? This episode explores why time, kindness, words, and support often matter more than anything money can buy. Through a brain-science lens, we look at how these everyday, no-cost gifts ease mental load, strengthen connection, and create impact that lasts far beyond the moment.  Show Notes: Episode 166: https://youtu.be/aBqJ8rByTXs?si=7LOHWflKQUbhEw4X Episode 171: https://youtu.be/cSoDHsXDtEE?si=i1LM0Uc2NWejZ4no

    7 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Life is noisy, but your brain doesn't have to be. This quick weekly conversation offers smart, simple ways to retrain your brain to hack your productivity and communicate better. Brain-science-meets-word-nerd host Kristin Graham offers shortcuts on how to navigate our cluttered digital world so you can spend more time enjoying life offline. She's done the research and tried-the-things, so you get the headlines and hacks without all the homework.

Information

  • Creator
    Kristin Graham
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    197
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fewer Things Better
  • Show Website
    Fewer Things Better