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The Minimalists Podcast

The Minimalists are Emmy-nominated Netflix stars and New York Times–bestselling authors Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus. Alongside cohost T.K. Coleman, they help millions of people live meaningful lives with less.
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Now displaying: 2020
Dec 29, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about habit change, letting go of stuff, and the creative process that went into making their new film, Less Is Now, with filmmaker Matt D’Avella, and they answer the following questions:

How long have you been working on Less Is Now? (01:50)

How did the Less Is Now project start? (05:51)

How did the Less Is Now project evolve? (07:49)

How did you settle on a budget for Less Is Now? (10:16)

How do you curate the absolute essential tools for your work when it seems to require an overwhelming amount of items? (12:29)

How can constraints help creativity? (22:09)

Will a college degree provide a significant advantage for me in the entertainment industry? (23:36)

Is it dangerous to try too many things? (33:27)

How is there creation in destruction? (35:30)

What advice do you have for someone that’s just starting out that wants to have a successful film career like you? (38:05)

What is the Slow Growth Academy? (53:36)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Dec 22, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss finding peace within and without with writer Leo Babauta, and they answer the following questions:

How can you be a minimalist with a large family? (03:34)

How did you start on your minimalist journey? (05:39)

Who inspired you to adopt minimalism? (09:06)

How do you convert other family members to minimalism to ensure peace when you’re living in close quarters? (11:32)

How important is it to recognize what you’ve accomplished? (12:46)

Is leading by example the best approach to helping others adopt minimalist practices? (15:50)

How do you recognize when you’re taking decluttering too far? (20:00)

Is there a danger in living to minimize? (22:05)

What does it mean to “question the ‘must’”? (28:52)

What is spartanism? (29:40)

What is Metta meditation? (32:00)

How do we shift between decluttering and simplifying to live a life of purpose? (35:04)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Dec 15, 2020

Joshua treats The Minimalists’ audience to three exclusive conversations with Glennon Doyle (04:48), Dave Ramsey (18:13), and Derek Sivers (33:09) in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of The Minimalists, and they answer the following questions:

Has quarantining been a blessing in disguise for some people? (04:48)

Why do we have so much difficulty addressing our discontent? (07:46)

What is our ‘braver, bolder self’? (09:27)

How crucial is the ‘why’? (12:22)

Do we compound our problems by focusing on solutions? (14:19)

Has your financial advice changed in light of the pandemic? (19:03)

How crucial is a budget during a pandemic? (20:06)

Why do we have problems determining what is essential and what is nonessential? (22:14)

How is the pandemic likely to affect the housing market? (24:16)

How much more dangerous a practice is debt during a pandemic? (25:22)

What message of hope do you have regarding the pandemic? (27:28)

Is much of our brokenness attributable to the misalignment between our values and our actions? (30:28)

How did you develop your beliefs independent of the influence of others’ beliefs? (33:51)

How do you recognize when it’s time to let go? (37:23)

How has your relationship with material possessions changed over the years? (39:01)

Is it true that you even minimized your middle name? (41:59)

How do you decide when it’s time to move to a new place? (44:52)

How have your views on social media changed over the years? (53:27)

How much is enough? (57:43)

What are your views on ads? (60:15)

What is meta-inconsiderate? (1:07:10)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Dec 13, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss their evolution as The Minimalists over the last decade, and they answer the following questions:

Does it feel like ten years since you started The Minimalists? (03:44)

What did you believe about minimalism that you no longer do? (04:52)

How have we been lied to as a society? (07:41)

How is the word ‘hope’ problematic? (09:03)

Is there an issue with forming habits? (10:21)

What is the difference between the ‘how’ and the ‘why’? (12:33)

How might ‘help’ be a bad thing? (15:41)

How could balance be equated with mediocrity? (16:20)

How are solutions an issue? (18:21)

How have you adjusted your lifestyle as your popularity grows? (27:36)

How has your perspective of popularity changed? (27:36)

What’s one thing that is still challenging? (27:36)

Of what projects are you most proud? (30:18)

How can advice and truth be in conflict? (34:49)

What’s the biggest difference between you both now and ten years ago? (38:02)

What’s the problem with comparison? (39:13)

How are attachment and love incompatible? (40:39)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Dec 8, 2020

Joshua and Rebecca Shern talk about what it really means to eat in a balanced way, how to improve our immune systems, and why our overall health is related to our gut health with author and VEEP Nutrition CEO Joel Greene, and they answer the following questions:

Why are the most common-sense health practices not obvious? (01:35)

What is the immune system, and why is it so important? (02:57) (03:25)

What is making us more susceptible to COVID-19? (05:10)

How crucial is it to control inflammation? (08:43)

How important is gut biome diversity? (10:30)

What is the apple-peel protocol? (13:01)

What is HMO? (13:52)

How does immunity begin in the gut? (14:58)

What is the order of operation to rebuild a healthy gut? (16:54)

Can meat heal a compromised gut? (23:23)

Can fasting help improve gut health? (26:23)

How important is a balanced diet? (28:13)

What are the best foods for ideal gut health? (28:44)

What is Joel Greene’s Chipotle hack? (30:10)

What is ‘eating in threes’? (31:55)

What is a pre-load meal? (33:49)

Do vitamins and supplements actually improve our immune system? (34:36)

Are probiotics supplements helpful? (35:08)

What is SIBO? (35:40)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Dec 1, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about celebrating the holiday season with purpose and intention with author Meg Nordmann, and they answer the following questions:

Why is gift-giving problematic? (01:59)

What do you think of when you think of the holiday season? (03:35)

What is the most common question you get about the holiday season? (04:27)

How do you handle someone who insists on giving gifts? (04:45)

How do I mentally manage the holiday season when I work in an industry dependent on consumerism? (10:25)

How do I make the holiday season wholly enjoyable and thrilling for my children without succumbing to the typical holiday trappings? (18:48)

What is the ‘Four Gift Rule’? (21:45)

How do we tactfully ask loved ones not to give us gifts, especially those who grew up with gift-giving as a practice to show appreciation for others? (28:22)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Nov 24, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about the high price of materialism, and they answer the following questions:

What is a ‘curative’? (02:43)

Why is it important to recognize our discontent? (06:52)

Is money entirely problematic? (07:38)

Why does it seem most of us continue to make terrible financial decisions when we’re poor? (16:18)

Do celebrities influence society with their bad habits? (17:22)

How do I strengthen my focus on minimalism to avoid materialism? (19:18)

How do I get my family’s buy-in regarding minimalism? (22:55)

Is it reasonable to be expected to pay to avoid materialistic ads? (26:03)

What should I do with stuff I love when I don’t have space available for it? (29:57)

What is our language problem? (30:12)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Nov 17, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about mental health, the psychology of healing, and consciously creating a healthy relationship with yourself and others with author and holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera, and they answer the following questions:

What is a ‘holistic psychologist’? (01:05)

What do you focus on in your new book? (03:02)

How do you define ‘trauma’? (05:06)

How do I stay positive and focused on the days when maintaining my mental balance is particularly challenging? (08:22)

What is ‘bypassing’? (15:24)

How do I tactfully address my extended family placing undue hospitality obligations and stress on me regarding hosting them in my home? (17:16)

How do we let go of others’ expectations? (24:08)

How do we communicate appropriate boundaries? (25:48)

What can you do to promote healing in someone other than yourself? (30:05)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Nov 10, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about how to find redemption within ourselves and with others with author and former con artist Matthew Cox, and they answer the following questions:

When did your journey as a con artist start? (04:52)

What incident stands out above all others in your journey as a con artist? (11:42)

What are ‘enhancements’? (12:39)

How did you create fake individuals? (14:15)

When did your scams start falling apart? (18:14)

Did you ever squeeze out of a scam? (22:32)

How do you define ‘redemption’? (37:45)

How have the events of your journey changed you? (40:37)

When did you recognize that what you were doing was wrong? (42:23)

How do you stay out of prison? (49:26)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Nov 2, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about the 2020 election, our current political divide, and how we can find unity even when we disagree with returning guests T.K. Coleman, Kim Iversen, and Jamie Kilstein, and they answer the following questions:

If your values aren’t aligned with either of the major party candidates, is voting for a third-party candidate really a wasted vote? (06:36)

How do we incentivize the system to improve? (11:33)

Is it okay to minimize politics in my life and ignore the social media posts, the news, and the debates that feel very toxic, or is it my responsibility as a citizen to be well-informed and confident in my political opinions? (16:22)

Is it our duty to vote? (21:42)

Is moralizing politics the crux of the problem? (24:42)

Are these candidates really the best we have to offer? (28:42)

What is Unity2020? (30:26)

Should I vote even if I don’t fully understand the issues? (35:14)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Oct 27, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about sex and porn addiction—how to recognize it, how to break it—and, conversely, even the possible positive attributes of porn with director, media personality, and adult film star Lisa Ann, and they answer the following questions:

Is porn addiction a recognized addiction? (03:40)

How do we better restrict our children’s access to porn? (06:40)

Do we overmoralize porn? (09:20)

Is porn addiction just a matter of self control? (11:00)

Why is Gen Z statistically having the least sex of any generation? (11:40)

What are the pros and cons of porn? (13:49)

Are there age limits for adult film stars? (20:20)

Can a minimalist approach to viewing porn enhance a relationship? (21:15)

How does libido play into relationships? (21:50)

How important is communication in a sexual relationship? (25:39)

What are your thoughts on the difference between guilt and shame being a primary trigger to lead someone to become addicted to porn? (30:01)

How does age affect porn addiction? (43:48)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Oct 20, 2020

Joshua discusses our constant craving for spirituality with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin McManus and his son, film producer Aaron McManus, and they answer the following questions:

How do I responsibly let go of expensive items that can't be reused by others? (06:17)

Is anything actually ‘free’? (08:14)

How compatible are minimalist and Buddhist practices? (12:25)

I recently let go of religion, but I don’t know what to cling to next. (24:16)

What is the difference between religion and faith? (25:42)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Oct 13, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about how The Minimalists apply minimalism to social media, how they’ve changed their opinion about social media over the years, and they review the new Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma with social media specialist Jess Williams, and they answer the following questions:

Is social media the original social distancing? (02:06)

How do we do a better job of using social media as a tool? (07:17)

What are the problems with social media? (16:16)

Has the smartphone become more of a distraction than the TV? (20:57)

Do we unfairly judge others in assuming that they’re simply wasting time on their smartphones rather than being productive? (21:46)

Has the ubiquitousness of social media contributed to creating an overly judgmental society? (26:48)

How do we set appropriate boundaries for social media? (28:06)

How do I address the desire to explain my behavior to others? (30:20)

Why do disagreements escalate so quickly on social media? (31:50)

How do I balance staying informed with being in the moment? (38:29)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Oct 6, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about repairing and strengthening relationships during difficult times with comedian Josh Wolf, and they answer the following questions:

Is it possible that the global pandemic actually helped save some relationships? (01:20)

What are some good habits to adopt to save a relationship? (06:36)

What is ‘Object A’? (09:59)

How much is enough? (10:37)

What does it feel like to be satisfied? (13:13)

What is the difference between pleasure and joy? (15:32)

What is the ‘price of admission’? (19:50)

Has social media given us a false sense of self-importance? (22:35)

What is the difference between a recipe and a template? (24:05)

Is restricting a partner’s choices a reasonable solution to their staunch resistance to change? (24:45)

What is the value of stretching our comfort zone? (34:00)

How will I know when I’ve found ‘the one’? (36:02)

Do we set unrealistic expectations regarding relationships? (39:52)

Why do we often start relationships in an attempt to fix ourselves? (45:01)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Sep 29, 2020

Joshua discusses books and how to best ensure they enhance our lives, and he answers the following questions:

What is the true value of books? (04:42)

How do I determine whether to keep or purge books I own that I haven’t yet read? (06:10)

What do I do with books to which I’m attached but my partner insists I let go? (12:33)

Why do writers choose that profession? (16:10)

How do I let go of books I inherited from a loved one that have sentimental value? (21:03)

How do I start trimming my book collection? (23:22)

Why do some items have sentimental value? (24:12)

How do I break my sentimental attachments to my books? (27:46)

What is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’? (30:21)

What is the perfect amount of books? (30:48)

What makes one book format better than the others? (34:53)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Sep 22, 2020

Joshua talks about waste and all the ways in which we are wasteful with Sheila Morovati, Founder and President of Crayon Collection and Habits of Waste, and they answer the following questions:

Why do we rarely consider how we’re being wasteful? (03:44)

How can I reasonably ensure my donated items don’t become a burden to anyone else? (04:57)

How do I ensure I don’t receive unwanted correspondence? (11:47)

How do I responsibly repurpose or recycle outdated technology at work? (17:06)

What are my recycling options if I live in a city without a robust recycling program? (22:34)

What are some alternatives to plastic storage? (27:47)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Sep 15, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss spirituality, evolving beliefs, and the impermanence of everything with author, podcaster, and theologian Rob Bell, and they answer the following questions:

What does it mean to ‘own your story’? (02:10)

How has Rob’s faith evolved? (04:40)

What is the origin of the book title, Everything Is Spiritual? (07:09)

What is the ‘wordlessness of grace’? (09:02)

What does it mean to ‘hold a place for God’? (10:31)

Do you believe in a higher power that can provide comfort and guidance? (14:25)

What causes a negative reaction to practices considered fringe? (14:45)

What is our language problem? (19:00)

How do religion and minimalism align? (21:33)

How do you define religion? (22:14)

How important is order? (25:20)

What are the polarities of feasting and fasting? (27:23)

How do you define spirituality? (33:33)

Is Rob Bell still a Christian? (36:49)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Sep 8, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss the many ways we’ve stuffed our lives to the breaking point, how we can relieve that pressure, and they answer the following questions:

How do I determine what is essential to pack for a move? (06:08)

How do I incorporate some friction into my decision making? (09:22)

What should I do with scrapbooks and mementos that I’m clinging to? (10:10)

Is it inconveniencing others to ask them for help in storing items? (11:23)

Is it helpful to limit storage space when decluttering? (12:00)

How do I ensure I maintain a minimalist mindset throughout my day? (14:26)

What is the difference between joy and pleasure? (17:14)

How do we still manage to responsibly recycle and repurpose items despite the restrictions imposed by the global pandemic? (23:58)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Sep 1, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about all the extra things we do, and the extraneous activities, obligations, and tasks we commit to that make our lives more complicated with author and fitness expert Ben Greenfield, and they answer the following questions:

How do I let go of limiting beliefs? (06:38)

How do I reconcile my creativity and my desire for profit? (07:04)

How important are mission statements? (07:35)

How important is the skill of delegation for creatives? (11:33)

How do I appropriately delegate responsibilities and obligations? (14:02)

What are some opportunities for diversification? (17:12)

How can I ensure I’m planning an intentional life as a senior in high school? (23:20)

How do I determine my purpose? (24:22)

How important is adaptability and flexibility? (32:22)

How do we appropriately minimize commitments and obligations? (34:51)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Aug 25, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss all things weddings—debt, expenses, expectations, responsibilities, ceremonies, outfits, wedding guests, and more—with blogger, author, and matrimonial expert Jessica Bishop, and they answer the following questions:

What are the most common questions regarding weddings? (04:17)

How do I appropriately manage my family’s expectations regarding the wedding? (08:50)

Where do most couples go wrong regarding their wedding planning? (09:37)

Is there any scenario where it would be appropriate to take on debt for a wedding? (12:46)

How do I maintain a minimalist wedding despite a large guest list? (14:18)

What are some alternatives to traditional weddings, particularly in light of the global pandemic? (14:52)

What consumes most of the budget for a wedding? (15:24)

What is the appropriate number of guests for a wedding? (17:25)

How do I create a minimalist celebration ceremony rather than a traditional wedding? (19:13)

What are the different variations of marriages? (20:54)

What does commitment truly mean in a relationship? (23:30)

What are some celebration event options for couples? (26:30)

How do couples arrive at an appropriate budget for their wedding? (26:50)

What are some of the most ridiculous things that couples have spent their wedding budget on? (27:44)

What is the appropriate size and cost of a wedding gift? (30:46)

How do couples set the appropriate expectations with their guests regarding wedding gifts? (31:54)

What are the most ideal gift registries for weddings? (33:07)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Aug 18, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss the death of shopping malls and the shopping mall culture, and they answer the following questions:

What are the different kinds of dying malls? (03:50)

What is the history behind malls? (10:51)

How do we encourage retailers to use environmentally responsible packaging? (16:48)

How effective is recycling? (18:44)

Where do fashion and intentionality align? (24:58)

How do we transform vacant malls into a community commodity? (35:06)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Aug 11, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about owning less, wanting less, decluttering physical and digital spaces, and more (about less) with YouTube minimalist Ronald L. Banks, and they answer the following questions:

How do I ensure I purchase new items intentionally? (02:01)

How do I appropriately address my constant yearning for upgrades? (05:15)

Why do we try to use possessions to validate ourselves? (06:18)

How do I appropriately manage my bloated digital storage? (10:53)

What is the best method for organizing photos? (13:47)

Are there instances that warrant more rather than less? (21:12)

How does minimalism simultaneously encompass less and more? (22:06)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Aug 4, 2020

Joshua and Ryan discuss the fear of missing out (FOMO), the joy of missing out (JOMO), and how to be content in the midst of uncertainty with author, theologian, and philosopher Peter Rollins, and they answer the following questions:

What is ‘the lack’? (03:51)

What is the difference between freedom and determinism? (04:58)

What are hypothetical and categorical imperatives? (06:27)

Can too much freedom cause anxiety? (11:52)

How do I find satisfaction with my current situation rather than constantly searching for something new? (13:40)

What is the difference between desire and drive? (15:50)

Why do most of us seem to crave change? (23:12)

What is the burden of freedom? (24:20)

What is the ‘lack of the secret’ compared to the ‘secret of the lack’? (27:37)

How can I curb my constant desire for new things? (32:09)

Is our desire for the new related to our past? (33:46)

What is guilt? (38:48)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Jul 28, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about stuff and why many of us still have too much, and they answer the following questions:

How can pressure help me become a better minimalist? (02:21)

How do I manage my children’s belongings? (03:52)

How do I help my loved ones simplify their lives? (06:30)

How do I address my compulsion to build collections? (11:39)

What is the difference between joy and happiness? (12:28)

What creates true joy? (14:40)

How much is enough? (15:42)

How can friction help me on my minimalist journey? (17:21)

What is the value of ‘why’? (22:25)

How do I curate what’s appropriate for me to keep long-term when I’m constantly moving? (24:36)

How do I let go of the burden of cost? (27:15)

How do I remove the meaning I’ve given to things? (28:26)

What is the ‘price of admission’? (30:23)

How do I responsibly dispose of items that no longer serve their function? (33:52)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Jul 21, 2020

Joshua and Ryan talk about our obsessions with trends and fashion, as well as dissect our infatuation with clothing, style, and shoes with the founder of PreachersNSneakers, Tyler Jones, and they answer the following questions:

How did PreachersNSneakers start? (02:11)

Is the current hip wardrobe of many modern religious leaders simply the new version of wearing the ‘Sunday best’? (11:10)

Is it problematic for modern religious leaders to promote and sell church-branded swag? (13:44)

Is it acceptable for religious leaders to wear expensive clothing that was gifted or donated to them? (14:40)

Can function be separated from form? (16:20)

How concerned should we be about the message our appearance communicates? (18:20)

Would Jesus wear expensive, fashionable clothing? (23:52)

How do I purchase clothing intentionally without becoming obsessed with it afterward? (26:10)

Is our culture influencing our possession obsession? (27:40)

How do I select clothing that can serve multiple purposes in a seasonal climate? (34:42)

Is it helpful to employ delayed gratification to curb our shopping? (38:50)

Is it best to search for items that are multi-functional with a durable style? (40:41)

How do I develop my own personal style so I’m not adversely influenced by advertising? (43:30)

Are we essentially paying companies to use our bodies as walking billboards? (43:43)

Are Kanye West’s presidential aspirations questionable? (49:50)

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

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