The JJs Declutter Podcast

Julie Weisgerber and Janis Kosmala

The big question is this: How can we stop procrastinating, take control of clutter (and cleaning) in a way that really sticks, and avoid feeling overwhelmed along the way? We created The JJs Declutter Podcast because, as professional decluttering coaches, we know that organizing your home doesn’t have to be an endless, stressful chore. Our mission is to share practical, real-world solutions that make keeping your spaces tidy a whole lot easier. And yes, we sprinkle in some humor too! Each episode is designed to inspire, give you quick wins, and help you build a clutter-free lifestyle, so your home can feel peaceful, functional, and yours again. Join us for a little laughter and a lot of learning. Let’s dive in!

  1. Taming Paper Chaos ~ Stop Drowning in the Paper Pile  s2e16

    1D AGO

    Taming Paper Chaos ~ Stop Drowning in the Paper Pile s2e16

    We live in the digital age where everything is supposedly paperless now. So why does it look like your kitchen counter is auditioning for a recycling center? 📄📄📄 Paper clutter is relentless = mail, bills, receipts, school notices, medical documents, coupons, kids' artwork ... it just. keeps. coming.  Unlike other clutter, you can't just glance at a pile and make quick decisions.  Every. Single. Sheet. might be important, might be total junk ... You just won't know until you read it.   In this episode, Julie and Janis break down their simple 5-category paper system so you always know exactly what to do with every piece of paper that walks through your door. No more "just in case" piles, or paper avalanches. There will be no more finding a bill from 2019 under a pizza coupon.   What You'll Learn:  Why paper clutter hits different = and why the fear of tossing something important keeps the piles growingThe 5 Paper Categories = a simple framework that makes every paper decision automaticHow to set up a physical system = that actually keeps paper under control long-termThe daily 3-minute mail habit = that prevents future piles from ever formingThe weekly paper sweep = to keep your action folder from becoming yet another pileThe annual archive purge = yes, you CAN shred those old tax returns (eventually!) The 5 Paper Categories:  📋 Action / Act Now = Bills, permission slips, invitations. Needs doing, then gets tossed.🗄️ Archive / File = Birth certificates, wills, insurance policies, sentimental keepsakes. Keep long-term, store securely.🏠 Household = Coupons you'll actually use, appliance manuals, kids' schedules. Actively used, regularly purged.♻️ Trash / Recycle = Junk mail, expired coupons, old newspapers. Spoiler alert: this should be your biggest category.🔒 Shred = Anything with personal info: old bank statements, paid bills, pre-approved credit offers. Your Challenge This Week:  Set up your 5 paper category spots (folders, trays, bins ~ whatever works for you!)Do one 12-minute Decluttering Dozen session on your biggest paper pileStart sorting mail immediately = 3 minutes a day standing by your recycling bin keeps the piles away for good (and it rarely takes all 3 of those minutes!) 📌 Resource Mentioned:   FDIC Emergency Financial First Aid Kit = A free checklist recommended by the U.S. government of the critical documents you'd need in an emergency (evacuation, fire, natural disaster). Search "FDIC Emergency Financial First Aid Kit" to download it free. Keep it in a fireproof, waterproof container and update it annually!  https://www.fema.gov/emergency-financial-first-aid-kit       📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj/  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity  🖥️ Website: https://www.abcdeclutter.com/  🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com/  📧 Email: hello@abcdeclutter.com  #PaperClutter #TamingPaperChaos #Declutter #Decluttering #HomeOrganization #OrganizeYourHome #PaperOrganization #ClutterFree #DeclutterWithMe #PaperPiles #HomeOfficeOrganization #DocumentOrganization #DeclutterChallenge #DecisionFatigue #OrganizingTips #DeclutterMotivation #ClearTheClutter #TidyHome #JJsDeclutter #SimplifyYourLife  Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    20 min
  2. DOOM Boxes = Didn't Organize, Only Moved     s2e15

    APR 14

    DOOM Boxes = Didn't Organize, Only Moved s2e15

    Someone's coming over in 30 minutes. You panic.  You start shoving things into boxes, bags, baskets ~ anything with a lid.  You tell yourself you'll deal with it later.  Later never came. Now those boxes live in your closet. Some of them have been there so long they've become furniture. Welcome to the DOOM box episode. What's a DOOM Box? DOOM = Didn't Organize, Only Moved.  It's not storage ~ it's a box of delayed decisions.  A chaotic mix of important papers, random junk, things from three different rooms, and that one thing you've been meaning to return for eight months.  You relocated the problem instead of solving it. What You'll Learn: Why DOOM boxes form ~ and how hotspots from last episode are the #1 culpritThe DOOM box hunt ~ how to find and count every box, bag, bin, and basket hiding in your home (yes, check the oven ~ Julie learned that one the hard way 🔥)What your number means ~ and why it's just data, not a character flawWhy willpower alone won't fix it ~ and what you actually need to break the cycleThe clear-and-reclutter trap ~ why busting boxes without fixing your systems just creates new ones in 6 monthsYour Challenge This Week: Set your timer for 12 minutes (the Decluttering Dozen!) and go on a DOOM box hunt.  Count every single one.  Write down that number.  Then decide what you're going to do with that information. 5 or fewer? Pat yourself on the back ~ manageable situation!6–10? You're not alone, and you're not failing.More than 10? You don't have a DOOM box problem. You have a systems problem ~ and that's fixable.Ready to Actually Fix This? The Clearing Your Clutter course is underway, but it's not too late! Week 2 is all about DOOM boxes ~ which means you can jump in right now. Get live coaching, a community of fellow declutterers, and proven systems that stop the clutter from coming back. Details at abcdeclutter.com 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj/  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity  🖥️ Website: https://www.abcdeclutter.com/  🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com/  📧 Email: hello@abcdeclutter.com  #DOOMBox #DOOMBoxes #DidntOrganizeOnlyMoved #Declutter #Decluttering #ClutterFree #HomeOrganization #OrganizeYourHome #DeclutterWithMe #HiddenClutter #PanicCleaning #ClearingYourClutter #DecisionFatigue #DeclutterChallenge #DeclutterMotivation #OrganizingTips #TidyHome #CleanHome #JJsDeclutter #SimplifyYourLife  Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    14 min
  3. HotSpots ~ Why Your Kitchen Counter is Basically a Black Hole  s2e14

    APR 7

    HotSpots ~ Why Your Kitchen Counter is Basically a Black Hole s2e14

    We see you. You know that pile on the kitchen counter shouldn't be there. You know the bedroom chair isn't technically a wardrobe. And yet… here we are. In this episode, Julie and Janis tackle one of the most universal home struggles: hotspots — those flat surfaces that seem to magnetically attract every piece of clutter that enters your home.  Spoiler Alert: it's not your fault. It's a systems problem, and it's 100% fixable.   What You'll Learn:  What hotspots actually are (hint: it's not just counters ~ floors count too, people!)Why they form ~ and why "I'll deal with it later" is basically a hotspot's origin storyThe emotional toll of decision clutter and why that pile is quietly draining your mental energyThe Flat Surface Scramble ~ Julie & Janis's 12-minute method for clearing any hotspot fastThe Keep or LET'S GO sorting system to decide what stays, what goes, and what gets donatedHow to create a Landing Zone so the hotspot doesn't creep back by ThursdayThe 2-minute daily reset ~ because 2 minutes daily beats 2 hours monthly every single time The Flat Surface Scramble ~ Quick Recap:   ⏱️ Set a timer for 12 minutes🧺 Sweep everything into a basket (no sorting yet!)🧽 Wipe down the surface (clean surfaces = brains that don't want to mess them up again)📦 Sort using Keep or LET'S GO: Keep • Lives Elsewhere • Trash • Sentimental • Goes Out Resources & Links:  🌐 Learn more about the Clearing Your Clutter course: abcdeclutter.comThe course is underway but it's not too late to join!!  5 weeks of live coaching + a community of fellow declutterers cheering you on! Your Challenge This Week:   Pick one hotspot. Set a timer for 12 minutes. Grab a basket. Go. You've got this.   Tag us on social or send a message when you do ~ we want to celebrate every single cleared surface with you! 🎉  📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj  📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj/  📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity  🖥️ Website: https://www.abcdeclutter.com/  🎙️ Podcast Website: https://www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com/  🖥️Email: hello@abcdeclutter.com      The JJs Declutter Podcast is hosted by Julie Weisgerber and Janis Kosmala. Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    17 min
  4. The Fairy Goddess JJs Invite YOU to Clearing Your Clutter s2e13

    MAR 31

    The Fairy Goddess JJs Invite YOU to Clearing Your Clutter s2e13

    Forget the glass slippers. These fairy godmothers show up with spray bottles, laundry baskets, and zero tolerance for DOOM boxes. ✨ In this episode, Julie and Janis are channeling their inner Fairy Goddess JJs to tell you everything about their brand-new 5-week course — **Clearing Your Clutter** — starting April 6th, 2026. If you've watched the shows, read the books, bought all the bins, and the clutter *still* came back… this one's for you. Sound Familiar? - You've accumulated a lifetime of stuff — some yours, some inherited, some that just *mysteriously appeared* (wire hangers, we see you 👀) - You're "clutter blind" — you don't even notice the piles until company's coming, and then you suddenly see *everything* - You've done the big weekend purge, felt amazing for three days, and then two months later… it was all back - You've organized your clutter beautifully into labeled bins — and it's still clutter If you nodded at any of that, Julie and Janis have been waiting for you. ## What Makes Clearing Your Clutter Different? No "spark joy" pressure.  No minimalist manifesto.  No trash bags thrust at you with a countdown timer.  The JJs understand that clutter isn't just about *stuff* — it's about emotions, identity, memories, and the version of yourself you thought you'd be.  They're here to help you understand *why* you keep what you keep, so you can finally make different choices. The 5-Week Journey: Week 1 – Hotspots** Those surfaces where stuff lands and multiplies overnight like spam email. Fast, visible wins right out of the gate — most students have their *"I can actually do this"* moment on Day 1. Week 2 – DOOM Boxes** Didn't Organize, Only Moved. The boxes, bags, and bins you've been relocating from room to room for a decade. Week 2 is where they finally meet their maker — in the best possible way. Week 3 – Paper Chaos** The mystery mail piles. The "important documents that are definitely in here somewhere." The "I'll file it someday" stack that's been growing since 2019. Week 3 comes for all of it. Week 4 – Sentimental & Heirloom Items** The week most decluttering courses skip entirely. Not this one. This is where the real emotional weight lives — inherited pieces, memory-attached items, things tied to people you love. The JJs go deeper *and* gentler here. Week 5 – Maintenance Mode** The goal was never just to declutter once. Week 5 builds your personal plan to keep clutter from creeping back — the systems and habits that make your home *stay* manageable. ## What You Get: ✅ Weekly video lessons and signature tools (Keep or LETS-GO system, DOOM Box labels, Hotspot trackers) ✅ Live weekly group coaching calls with *both* Julie and Janis ✅ All calls recorded — catch up whenever life happens ✅ Private community at ABCDeclutter.com — judgment-free, guest-room-safe zone 😄 ✅ Real accountability and cheerleading, especially when it's hard ✅ Lifetime access to all materials Just minutes a day. That's all they're asking. Ready to Join? **Clearing Your Clutter starts April 6th, 2026.** 👉 Sign up now at www.abcdeclutter.com Don't add it to your someday list. We all know how those go. 😉 ## Connect With Us: 🌐 www.abcdeclutter.com 🎙️ www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com 📘 Facebook: ABCDeclutterWithJJ-Community "You deserve a home that supports you.  You deserve to stop feeling overwhelmed every time you look around.  You deserve this." **Keep it simple. Keep it intentional. And as always — keep decluttering!** 🧹  Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    18 min
  5. The Great Spring Awakening and The JJs

    MAR 24

    The Great Spring Awakening and The JJs

    Welcome to The Great Spring Awakening. 🌸 Decluttering coaches have clutter too (shocker!)  Julie's Tupperware cabinet launched an avocado-green ambush.  Janis owned an air popper she used exactly once — to toast spices.  These two walked their talk by tackling their own spring cleaning live, using every method they teach: the Decluttering Dozen, the Keep or LETS-GO sorting system, and Small Do-able Doses. All of it. No hiding.   The bedroom closet moment that broke Julie (and then healed her)  Seventeen unworn dresses. Whispering. "You might fit into us again!"  Julie called Janis mid-meltdown, and what followed was one of the most honest conversations about what clutter actually is - not just stuff, but identity.  The version of ourselves we're afraid to let go of. Pass the tissues. 🥹   When spring cleaning gets real  Their community started sharing their stories - husbands putting things back, moms guilt-tripping over 1992 afghans - and Julie and Janis realized this was so much bigger than drawer organization.  It was about relationships, people-pleasing, boundaries, and all the emotional weight we agree to store for other people.  Cue their special live episode: Spring Cleaning Your Life, Not Just Your Closets. LETS-GO your schedule too Yes, the sorting system works on your commitments, not just your stuff:  Keep = commitments that energize youLE (Lives Elsewhere) = obligations that belong to someone elseT (Trash) = things that have outlived their usefulnessS (Sentimental) = things you only do because you've always done themGO (Goes Out) = let it go completely The real moral of this fairy tale  Spring cleaning your house is good.  Spring cleaning your life is transformational. And you don't have to have it all together to start = 12 minutes at a time is enough. Progress, not perfection.     Your Challenge This Week:   🏠 Pick one physical space - set your timer for 12 minutes (#DeclutteringDozen), use Keep or LETS-GO, and go.  💛 Pick one emotional space - a draining relationship, a commitment that no longer fits, a "should" that's weighing you down.   You don't have to do it all at once. Small Do-able Doses.  We're right here with you.     Connect With Us:   🌐 www.abcdeclutter.com  🎙️ www.thejjsdeclutterpodcast.com  📘 Facebook: ABCDeclutterWithJJ-Community     "The magic isn't in perfection. It's in beginning."        #Decluttering #SpringCleaning #SpringAwakening #DeclutterYourHome #DeclutterYourLife #EmotionalClutter #ClutterFree #SmallDoableDoses #DeclutteringDozens #KeepOrLETSGO #TheJJsDeclutterPodcast #ABCDeclutter #ClutterCrushers #HomeOrganization #LetItGo #SpringReset #BoundariesMatter #IdentityWork #RealLifeDecluttering #DeclutterChallenge #SpringMotivation #MindfulLiving #ClutterFreeHome #ProgressNotPerfection #DeclutteringCoach Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    16 min
  6. Spring Cleaning Plan for Real Life   s2e11

    MAR 17

    Spring Cleaning Plan for Real Life s2e11

    Forget the fantasy version of spring cleaning ... the one where you have unlimited energy, matching baskets in every room, and nobody needs you all weekend.  In this episode, Julie & Janis bust the biggest spring cleaning myths and give you a real-life plan that actually works.  Spoiler Alert: spring cleaning is a season, not an event! 🌸 What We Cover This Episode Busting the Fantasy  Deep cleaning the whole house in a weekend? Unlimited energy? Snow White and the forest animals showing up to help? Yeah, that's not happening.  Life has jobs, kids, pets, and interruptions, and that's okay! The goal is a plan that bends but doesn't break. The 5 Signature Techniques for Your Spring Cleaning Season Small Doable Doses = The backbone of the whole plan. Break bigger projects into zones and tackle them one at a time. Bathroom? Counter, glass, tub, toilet, floor — each one is its own win!Decluttering Dozen = 12 minutes on the clock, focused on decluttering. Long enough to make a difference, short enough to not wipe you out. Closets, junk drawers, paper piles — done is done!12-Minute Tidy = Also 12 minutes, but this one's about resetting and light cleaning after decluttering. Start high, work down, let gravity do the heavy lifting.Flat Surface Scramble = Grab a basket, sweep every flat surface in the room, and relocate anything that doesn't belong there. Visual calm = instant motivation to keep going.Keep or LETS-GO Sorting = Keep, LE (Lives Elsewhere), T (Trash), S (Sentimental), GO (Goes Out). Simple, effective, and no second-guessing!Your Real-Life Spring Cleaning Plan  Pick a few focus zones ... not the whole house. Do one Small Do-able Dose daily. On busy days, squeeze in a #DeclutteringDozen.  When motivation dips, run a quick Flat Surface Scramble. And if you miss a day? No guilt, just don't miss more than two in a row.  Consistency over intensity, every single time. 💡 Key Takeaway You don't need more time — you just need kinder systems. Spring cleaning works when it fits YOUR real life. 🔗 Connect With The JJs YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com  #SpringCleaning #SpringDecluttering #DeclutterFirst #RealLifeCleaning #TheJJsDeclutterPodcast #ABCDeclutter #DeclutteringDozen #SmallDoableDoses #FlatSurfaceScramble #KeepOrLETSGO #HomeOrganization #ClutterFree #12MinuteTidy #DeclutterCoach #ProgressOverPerfection #ConsistencyOverIntensity #CleaningTips #OrganizeYourHome #DeclutterYourLife #TidyHome Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    20 min
  7. Stop Cleaning Your Clutter (& Other Lies We Tell Ourselves) s2e10

    MAR 10

    Stop Cleaning Your Clutter (& Other Lies We Tell Ourselves) s2e10

    Are you cleaning your clutter… or just relocating it?  There's a difference, and in this episode, Julie & Janis are keeping it real.  No fluff, no shame, just the honest truth about the cycle we get stuck in, the lies we tell ourselves, and the simple shift that will actually break it.     🧹 What We Cover This Week Cleaning Clutter vs. Actually DE-cluttering  Shuffling piles from one surface to another, wiping counters around things, washing dishes that aren't dirty, folding clothes you never wear ... sound familiar? We've all done it!  The problem is that busy doesn't equal productive, and movement without decision-making just keeps you stuck in an endless loop.   The Greatest Hits: Lies We Tell Ourselves "I might need this someday." ~ Someday isn't on the calendar."But it was expensive!" ~ The money was spent ages ago. It's not stored in the item."I'll deal with it later." ~ Later usually means more tired. "I just need the right system." ~ A system won't fix excess. Decluttering will."I'll do it when life calms down." ~ Clutter makes life louder, not quieter! The Correct Order (Yes, There Is One!)  Declutter first. Then clean. Then reset. It's faster, less exhausting, and way less resentment-inducing.  Use a #DeclutteringDozen ~ just 12 minutes on the timer ~ and do ONE small area at a time. Progress beats perfection every single time. This Week's Challenge: Pick one spot you're always cleaning around.  Remove just a few items first. Then clean it.  Notice how long it actually takes (we almost always overestimate! )  Take a before-and-after photo and share it in our community. Small wins count. Every. Single. Time.   💡 Key Takeaway   Clutter isn't a cleaning problem — it's a decision problem. Clutter is delayed decisions. You're not behind. You're just building a better system that works for YOUR life.     🔗 Connect With The JJs   🌐 ABCDeclutter.com🎙️ TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com💬 ABC Declutter with JJ Community on Facebook  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj  Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com eMail: Hello@abcdeclutter.com      #Decluttering #StopCleaningYourClutter #ClutterIsADecisionProblem #DeclutterFirst #TheJJsDeclutterPodcast #ABCDeclutter #HomeOrganization #ClutterFree #DeclutteringDozen #SmallDoableDoses #DOOMBox #OrganizeYourHome #DeclutterCoach #ClutterHelp #MindsetShift #ProgressOverPerfection #DecisionFatigue #DeclutterYourLife #CleaningTips #TidyHome   Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    16 min
  8. Spring Decluttering is Better than Spring Cleaning, S2E9

    MAR 3

    Spring Decluttering is Better than Spring Cleaning, S2E9

    Magazine Moments with The JJs for March Spring cleaning season is HERE ~ and while 8 out of 10 Americans plan to participate, 67% feel stressed or overwhelmed before they even pick up a sponge. Sound familiar? In this Magazine Moments episode, Julie and Janis dig into two articles that are packed with stats, cleaning tips, and ~ most importantly ~ the case for why decluttering first is the real secret to a cleaner, calmer home all year long. 🌸 The stats are both encouraging AND a little hilarious. Did you know 81% of people struggle to stay motivated during spring cleaning? You're not lazy ~ you're in excellent company! Julie and Janis break down: The top areas Americans tackle (floors, baseboards, behind furniture, storage spaces, and windows) Why 60% of people say a clean space boosts their mood ~ motivation to keep going! From BecomingMinimalist.com by Joshua Becker:  Spring Decluttering is Better Than Spring Cleaning This is the one phrase we want you to walk away with today! Joshua makes the case ~ and we wholeheartedly agree ~ that decluttering before you clean makes EVERYTHING easier. Key takeaways: Declutter your living spaces FIRST — then clean. There's zero reason to dust around things you're about to donate! Start with your easiest wins: living room, bedroom, or even your car. Skip the attic and the sentimental deep-dive for now Stay in your OWN lane — you can only declutter YOUR stuff unless someone gives you the green light! 💡 Julie & Janis's Reminders Never buy storage containers until AFTER you've finished decluttering ~ you likely already have what you need! Label everything. You will be very grateful later that you did. Don't mix cleaning products  (baking soda and dish soap = fine; bleach and ammonia = NOT fine) Ask for help! Nobody said you have to do all of this alone. Use the Keep or LETS-GO system as you sort: Keep (stays in place), LE (Lives Elsewhere), T (Trash/recycle), S (Sentimental ~ set aside), GO (Goes Out ~ donate, sell, or return to owner) 📎 Articles Mentioned Forbes Spring Cleaning  (March 2024) https://www.forbes.com/sites/terriwilliams/2025/03/30/spring-cleaning-2025-myths-misconceptions-and-cleaning-tips/ Spring Decluttering is Better Than Spring Cleaning ~ BecomingMinimalist.com by Joshua Becker https://www.becomingminimalist.com/spring-decluttering/ Join Us! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@abcdeclutterwithjj Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/abcdecluttercommunity Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abcdeclutterwithjj Website: https://www.abcDEclutter.com Podcast website: https://www.TheJJsDeclutterPodcast.com eMail: hello@abcdeclutter.com  Keep it simple. Keep it intentional. And as always… keep decluttering! 🎉 Keep it Simple, Keep it Intentional, and - as always - Keep Decluttering!!

    25 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The big question is this: How can we stop procrastinating, take control of clutter (and cleaning) in a way that really sticks, and avoid feeling overwhelmed along the way? We created The JJs Declutter Podcast because, as professional decluttering coaches, we know that organizing your home doesn’t have to be an endless, stressful chore. Our mission is to share practical, real-world solutions that make keeping your spaces tidy a whole lot easier. And yes, we sprinkle in some humor too! Each episode is designed to inspire, give you quick wins, and help you build a clutter-free lifestyle, so your home can feel peaceful, functional, and yours again. Join us for a little laughter and a lot of learning. Let’s dive in!

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