Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

Episodes page 1 of 5

1. 236: Decluttering Printed Photos, My Best Friends, & Being Sensitive vs. Having Compassion

   12 Nov 2026 · 17 min

   Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Old photos overwhelm me. They are thrown in boxes…at least they are cute boxes! 2. Do you have a best friend? Excluding your spouse.…

2. 235: In-Law Problems? How to Set Healthy Boundaries and Handle Family Tension with Diane Davis, LPC

   11 Nov 2026 · 1 h 06 min

   Navigating in-law relationships while building your own family can stir up complicated emotions, so licensed professional counselor Diane Davis joins me to talk through how to handle it. We Cover: • How childhood…

3. 234: Is Minimalism an Unhealthy Need for Control?

   10 Nov 2026 · 45 min

   Today, I’m taking on the biggest criticisms of minimalism and sharing why I still stand behind it. • The difference between healthy control and control-oriented decluttering • Valid critiques of minimalism, from…

4. 233: What to Do If You Don't Want Gifts This Christmas, Will I Write Fiction?, & Missing Friends

   5 Nov 2026 · 18 min

   Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I was hoping you could share some insight on how to respond when people ask what you would like as a birthday or Christmas gift when…

5. 232: How Academic Pressure Hurts Kids’ Mental Health (And What Parents Can Do) with Dr. Stuart Slavin

   4 Nov 2026 · 1 h 02 min

   As parents, we want our kids to succeed, but when does the pressure to achieve start taking a toll on their mental health? I sat down with Dr. Stuart Slavin, pediatrician, researcher, and author of The Success Trap,…

6. 231: Letting Minimalism Evolve with Your Life with Desirae Endres

   3 Nov 2026 · 1 h 00 min

   Living a decluttered life doesn't look the same during different seasons of our lives, and that's perfectly normal. Today, Desirae Endres from the Minimal-ish podcast joins me on the show to talk about how her idea of…

7. 230: Decluttering Tips that Stick, My Toddler Got Stuck in a Vending Machine, & Halloween Costumes

   29 Oct 2026 · 19 min

   Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Really craving so much less of EVERYTHING now—empty nest recently. What are some tips to just get it out? 2. What happened when your…

8. 229: Adult Sibling Relationships: How We Became Close Despite Our Differences (feat. my brother, Jim Oliver)

   28 Oct 2026 · 1 h 00 min

   Today my older brother Jim and I get brutally honest about what it really takes to stay close as adult siblings—especially as siblings who used to fight nonstop. We look back on the tension of our teen years, the New…

9. 228: Save Money & Declutter Your House Using Healthy Money Mindsets with Crystal Paine

   27 Oct 2026 · 1 h 00 min

   • The Money Saving Mom herself, Crystal Paine, joins us to share how to build a healthier relationship with money, whether you're an overspender or an underspender (like me). Crystal dove straight to the heart of…

10. 227: How to Store Backstock, How I Grew My Platform, & Flight Anxiety

    22 Oct 2026 · 18 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What are some tips for storing “extras”? It’s a struggle to have a home for everything but then almost need a second home for what…

11. 226: How to Raise Emotionally Mature Children with Dr. Lindsay Gibson

    21 Oct 2026 · 59 min

    What does emotional maturity really look like, and how can we help our kids develop it? For this Good Stuff episode in our series all about strengthening family ties, I sat down with New York Times bestselling author…

12. 225: How to Stop Procrastinating with Dana K White

    20 Oct 2026 · 58 min

    Another New York Times bestselling author is in the house!! Dana K. White is one of the biggest names in decluttering, and her brand new book, Procrastinators Get Stuff Done, is the ultimate guide for people who *know*…

13. 224: "Help! My Husband Won't Declutter," How I feel About My Kids Growing Up, & My Scary Neighbors

    15 Oct 2026 · 14 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I get my spouse to declutter? 2. How are you coping with all your kids being school age? Listener recommendation of the week:…

14. 223: Get Your Affairs in Order: Essential Documents Your Family Needs to Handle the Unexpected with Lori Selsberg

    14 Oct 2026 · 45 min

    Making sure your family isn't stressed about logistics in the face of an emergency or once you're gone is an act of love. Today I’m joined by Lori Selsberg, co-founder and CEO of DocuGuardian, who is an expert in…

15. 222: Develop Easy Home Organization Systems that Don't Add to Your Stress

    13 Oct 2026 · 50 min

    Why do we overcomplicate our decluttering and organizing systems when the whole point is to feel less stressed at home? Today, I’m sharing the red flags that a system is too complex, plus the simple systems that work…

16. 221: My Backstage Experience at Dancing With the Stars, Mother-in-Law Clutter "Gifts", & Do I Feel Famous?

    8 Oct 2026 · 30 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do you do with clothes that your MIL hands down to you that your husband wore? 2. Do you feel famous? And I tell the story of…

17. 220: Picky Eaters & Food Struggles: Stop the Arguments // feat. Kids Eat in Color's Jennifer Anderson

    7 Oct 2026 · 54 min

    Jennifer Anderson of Kids Eat in Color, registered dietitian and author of Feed Them Well, joins me to talk about picky eating, food struggles, and how to help kids develop a healthy, positive relationship with food.…

18. 219: Your House is a Mess? Here's a Shame-Free Way to Get Help – with Brittinie Tran

    6 Oct 2026 · 50 min

    Brittinie Tran, founder of the nonprofit, Hot Mess Express, joins me to talk about messy homes, clutter, cleaning overwhelm, and why there’s no shame in asking for help. I was blown away by the work she's doing, and…

19. 218: Capsule Wardrobes, Funny Pageant Memories, & My Real Thoughts About Social Media

    1 Oct 2026 · 19 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Do you have a capsule wardrobe? 2. What is your silliest memory from pageant life? Listener recommendation of the week: Solve for…

20. 217: Our Adoption Story: An In Depth Breakdown of How Adoption Works

    30 Sep 2026 · 57 min

    Why didn't we choose international adoption? Do we have an open adoption? What about children waiting to be adopted in foster care? How long did the process take? What does adoption cost? How do you know if you're…

21. 216: The Full Story Behind My Burnout

    29 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    Today's a more personal episode. When I shared on social media that I'm feeling a little burned out, I got a huge reaction from people. So I wanted to share what's going on behind the scenes in my life in hopes that it…

22. 215: My Opinion on Decluttering "Right" the First Time, 5 Seconds of Me Singing Opera, & Rain Gear

    24 Sep 2026 · 16 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do you think of the quote “If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it over” as it…

23. 214: Nutrition Myths Debunked: Stanford's Dr. Christopher Gardner on the Science Behind What We Eat

    23 Sep 2026 · 47 min

    There's so much noise out there about what we should eat, so I had the HONOR of going directly to the leading global expert of nutrition science, Dr. Christopher Gardner. Dr. Gardner is Stanford's Director of…

24. 213: 5 Clutter Traps That Make Decluttering Never-Ending

    22 Sep 2026 · 44 min

    Who here throws in an extra purchase to get free shipping? Today, we're covering 5 major clutter traps that feel smart at the time, but end up bogging down our house (and clearing out our wallets). Decluttering…

25. 212: Memories Attached to Stuff, Update After My Son Swallowed a Quarter, & Plant Lovers

    17 Sep 2026 · 17 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Sentimental stuff is so hard. When it is gone the memory is gone. What do I do? 2. What is the update about your son after he…

26. 211: The Effective, Accessible Remedy for a Struggling Mind with Rio Wilson

    16 Sep 2026 · 47 min

    I wanted someone who isn't just pointing out that movement is good for our mental health, but who's actually doing something to help us bridge that gap. So today we have the pleasure of hearing from Rio Wilson,…

27. 210: Saying No to Tempting New Things with New York Times Editor, Eric Athas

    15 Sep 2026 · 52 min

    New York Times editor and author Eric Athas joins me today to explore why we’re so drawn to new things, and the way our modern world has amplified our desire for more. We cover... • The present bias • The "new thing…

28. 209: What "Just In Case" Items to Keep & the Time I Recorded a Music Album in India

    10 Sep 2026 · 23 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Are there any valid reasons for keeping something just in case? 2. What are some of the most random things you’ve seen/done on your…

29. 208: Can We Survive without Smart Phones? with Andrew Dugan

    9 Sep 2026 · 41 min

    What happens when you stop letting your phone dictate your attention? Andrew Dugan joins me to share his journey from smartphone dependency to creating a minimalist smartwatch—and we explore how technology can affect…

30. 207: My Involuntary Staunch Minimalism in Finland

    8 Sep 2026 · 43 min

    Finally—I'm recording from our brand new home in Rauma, Finland! And I'm spilling all the details about our first month living with (almost) none of our stuff while it makes its slow journey across the ocean! So come…

31. 206: How to Ask for Help with Decluttering, My Biggest Surprise About Finland, & Robotic Lawn Mowers

    3 Sep 2026 · 13 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Any tips on asking for help? I feel like I want/need someone for support to get momentum. 2. What is the biggest surprise about…

32. 205: Figuring Out a Realistic Fitness Routine with Olivia Young

    2 Sep 2026 · 52 min

    For those of us who aren't fitness junkies, it can be hard to figure out good fitness routines that don't feel overwhelming, inconsequential, or like one more thing on our to-do list. This week I'm joined by Olivia…

33. 204: How to Stop Feeling Behind on Your To-Do List with Megan Sumrell

    1 Sep 2026 · 56 min

    Most of us need a to-do list to survive, but there's one major issue with them that productivity expert Megan Sumrell helps us unpack today: To-do lists are not a plan. Megan has spent years helping women rethink how…

34. 203: How to Get Past Decluttering the Same Spots, Lindsay Clancy, & Our First Week in Finland

    27 Aug 2026 · 21 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I get past feeling stuck doing the same spots (table, couch, entry) over and over? 2. Are you following the Lindsay Clancy…

35. 202: Which Teeth Whitening Products to Avoid & Do You Really Need to Floss Daily? with Dr. Sanya Arora

    26 Aug 2026 · 50 min

    I learned SO MUCH today! I sat down with Dr. Sanya Arora to get real about what's actually happening with our oral health. From flossing myths to the truth about whitening products, this conversation challenged a lot…

36. 201: Declutter by House Hushing with Myquillyn Smith

    25 Aug 2026 · 50 min

    What a TREAT! New York Times bestselling author Myquillyn Smith is on today's episode to help us declutter through a term she's coined House Hushing. (Also the title of her brand new book!) Today's episode will help…

37. 200: Decluttered but Still Overwhelmed, What I Changed My Mind About, & Meal Trains

    20 Aug 2026 · 16 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do I do if I’m organized, decluttered, and use everything I have but I’m still overwhelmed? 2. What’s something you recently…

38. 199: Separating Health from Weight with Zoë Bisbing

    19 Aug 2026 · 56 min

    I asked my followers who I should talk to about separating weight from health, and one name kept coming up. Zoë Bisbing is a psychotherapist specializing in body image and eating disorders, and she completely reframed…

39. 198: Cleaning Tips that Don't Feel Too Extreme with Morgan Flores

    18 Aug 2026 · 54 min

    I sat down with professional house cleaner Morgan Flores, and she gave me permission to stop feeling guilty about my imperfect floor boards…while giving us tips to keep the house a bit more sparkling! Morgan shares…

40. 197: Decluttering Collectibles, Who I'd Switch Lives With, & Bribing Children

    13 Aug 2026 · 14 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What about collectibles? Hubby collects…everything? 2. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be? Listener…

41. 196: Ivy League Attorney Advice on How to Advocate for Your Health with Rayna Rayford

    12 Aug 2026 · 45 min

    Attorney Rayna Reid Rayford and I are old friends from Miss New York, and she’s become a powerful force for maternal advocacy. Today, you’ll hear how Rayna turned her own terrifying pregnancy experience into a…

42. 195: How Decluttering Reflects Our Values

    11 Aug 2026 · 46 min

    If you want to get in the mood to declutter, look no further than this episode! Today, I’m doing something a little different by sharing an episode I did on the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast with Emily McDermott.…

43. 194: When Do I "Arrive" at Decluttered?, Scheduling Around PMDD, & Living in the Grey

    6 Aug 2026 · 17 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I’ve been at it for so long but still feel far from minimal/pared down enough- when do I arrive? 2. Tell us more about PMDD and how…

44. 193: Building an Empire of 10 Million Followers While Living with Chronic Illness with Rachel Farnsworth

    5 Aug 2026 · 1 h 01 min

    Rachel Farnsworth is an absolute force with over 10 million social media followers and her wildly successful brand, The Stay at Home Chef. But her chronic health journey is a story so wild it's hard to believe it's…

45. 192: A Better Way to Plan Your Fall & School Year with Danielle McGeough

    4 Aug 2026 · 55 min

    If the busyness of the start of fall and a new school year stresses you out, today’s conversation with Danielle McGeough is for you! We cover: • The difference between burnout and demoralization • How to figure…

46. 191: Decluttering Computer Files, My Favorite Way to Vacation, & the Savannah Bananas

    30 Jul 2026 · 15 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Do you have any advice on decluttering and organizing files on a computer? 2. What’s your favorite way to vacation with your family?…

47. 190: Shocking Things that Bring People to the Emergency Room with Dr. J Mack Slaughter

    29 Jul 2026 · 55 min

    I sat down with Dr. J Mack Slaughter—ER physician, former boy band member, and one of my favorite follows on social media—for a conversation that's equal parts entertaining and genuinely lifesaving. Here's what I…

48. 189: Environmentally Friendly Decluttering—from Recycling Razor Blades to the Truth About Greenwashing with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle

    28 Jul 2026 · 1 h 00 min

    This is such a fascinating episode for anyone who wants to declutter while being mindful about the environment! I’m joined by Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, who gives us a behind-the-scenes look at recycling…

49. Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering (Summer Saturday Throwback)

    25 Jul 2026 · 45 min

    If you struggle with decluttering because it feels like watching bags of money go out the door, then this episode is for you! In it, I share not only helpful mindset shifts, but practical ways that decluttering…

50. 188: How to Request Money Instead of Gifts, Homemade Chai Lattes, & Washing Scrunchies

    23 Jul 2026 · 15 min

    Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What’s the best way to ask for money for a gift instead of stuff? 2. How do you make your chai lattes? Listener recommendation of…