Sustainable Minimalists

Stephanie Seferian
Sustainable Minimalists
SUSTAINABLE MINIMALISTS+

Ads stink. Listen ad-free forever!

$4.99/mo or $44.99/yr after trial

Creating eco-minimalist, non-toxic homes (without the extra work). Although minimalism has experienced a rebirth in recent years, the "less is more" movement has been around for centuries. Yet today's minimalist influencers have resurrected minimalism with a decidedly consumerist spin, as modern minimalism is nearly synonymous with decluttering. While there's a lot of chatter about tidying, it's radio silence and crickets when it comes to sustainability. The result? Aspiring minimalists find themselves on an endless hamster wheel of buying, decluttering, buying more, and purging again. Overemphasizing decluttering and underemphasizing the reasons why we overbuy in the first place is thoroughly inconsistent with slow living as a movement; consumption without intention is terrible for the planet, too. Your host, Stephanie Seferian, is a stay-at-home/podcast-from-home mom and author who believes that minimalism, eco-friendliness, and non-toxic living are intrinsically intertwined. She's here to explore the topics of conscious consumerism, sustainability, and environmentally-friendly parenting practices with like-minded women; she's here, too, to show you how to curate eco-friendly, decluttered homes (without the extra work).

  1. Poisoning The Well

    APR 15 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    Poisoning The Well

    When carbon and fluorine fuse together they create a virtually unbreakable compound. These days PFAS — which are also nicknamed forever chemicals for their staying power — are in countless everyday products from cooking pans to mascara. And because these chemicals are unbreakable by design they are adding up in our bodies and in the environment. Unfettered industry power enabled PFAS to poison the entire country. Worse, PFAS makers knew about their dangers for decades and unleashed them on the public anyway. PFAS is the pollutant of our generation. On today's show reporter and author Rachel Flavin outlines the emerging human health effects of PFAS on us, our children, and our grandchildren. Here's a preview: [3:00] The human health impacts of PFAS are still emerging, but here's what we know (psst ... cancer) [11:00] Decades of evidence show that PFAS manufacturers knew about their toxicity and yet they manufactured them anyway [14:00] Where are we at with regard to PFAS regulation? [18:00] Success stories! Angry communities are fighting back and winning [20:30] There's no way to avoid PFAS at this moment in time, but there are a few research-backed action steps Resources mentioned: Episode #264: Forever Chemicals Poisoning The Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America 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.

    31 min
  2. From Consumerism To Connection

    APR 8 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    From Consumerism To Connection

    In the months before baby arrives, many expectant parents spend their time designing a picture-perfect nursery. They also create an ironclad gift registry and amass outfits, diapers, toys, and everything in between. Consumerist culture has conditioned us to buy first, think later, but being a good parent isn't about stockpiling tons of unnecessary stuff. Good parenting is about bonding, and bonding doesn't require excessive baby gear. On today's show: A conversation with Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie about how our culture’s obsession with baby stuff and registries has overshadowed the most important thing new parents can do: establish a deep emotional bond with their newborn. Here's a preview: [5:30] Cutting through the chaos of modern parenting by reminding ourselves what's most important, parenting-wise [12:00] If attachment is paramount, what 'preparations' detract from bonding? [15:30] Don't spend your precious pre-baby time buying All. The Stuff; think long and hard about the values you want to instill instead [20:00] Know someone with a newborn? Don't buy them a thing; give your time/service/a meal/support [23:30] Do older babies and toddlers benefit from "educational" toys? [28:00] 3 ways overwhelmed caregivers can manage their needs without gadgets Resources mentioned: The Baby Bonding Book: Connecting With Your Newborn Want more episodes like this one? Check out #221: Conscious Nursery and Kids' Room Design 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.

    37 min
  3. We Aren't Robots

    MAR 11 • SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

    We Aren't Robots

    American culture prioritizes productivity and reveres output. Workaholism, then, often becomes a coping mechanism for anxiety or low self-esteem and “busyness” morphs into a distraction from negative emotions. But toxic productivity leaves many of us with that pervasive sense of running on a non-stop hamster wheel of stress, and subscribing to America's unhealthy output compulsion causes our well-being, relationships, and happiness to suffer. Our output isn't related to our worth! On today's show therapist and author Risa Williams offers suggestions for stepping back from hustle culture, finding life balance, and reclaiming rest while also taking small steps towards your goals. Here's a preview: [3:30] Are you burnt out? (You might be! 70% of people are!) [14:00] If you have a boss who is all-in on output, start by recognizing aspects of your work's culture that are unhealthy [22:00] We aren't robots, we are humans, and reaching a goal should come with an emotional reward [27:00] Toxic productivity versus our need to rest: Here's what to do if you tie your output to your self-worth Resources mentioned: Episode #439: The Negativity Bias The Motivation Mindset podcast Book Club is scheduled for May 13! Get the details here.  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.

    42 min
4.8
out of 5
984 Ratings

About

Creating eco-minimalist, non-toxic homes (without the extra work). Although minimalism has experienced a rebirth in recent years, the "less is more" movement has been around for centuries. Yet today's minimalist influencers have resurrected minimalism with a decidedly consumerist spin, as modern minimalism is nearly synonymous with decluttering. While there's a lot of chatter about tidying, it's radio silence and crickets when it comes to sustainability. The result? Aspiring minimalists find themselves on an endless hamster wheel of buying, decluttering, buying more, and purging again. Overemphasizing decluttering and underemphasizing the reasons why we overbuy in the first place is thoroughly inconsistent with slow living as a movement; consumption without intention is terrible for the planet, too. Your host, Stephanie Seferian, is a stay-at-home/podcast-from-home mom and author who believes that minimalism, eco-friendliness, and non-toxic living are intrinsically intertwined. She's here to explore the topics of conscious consumerism, sustainability, and environmentally-friendly parenting practices with like-minded women; she's here, too, to show you how to curate eco-friendly, decluttered homes (without the extra work).

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada