Guest Interview, Sustainability Diane Boden Guest Interview, Sustainability Diane Boden

EP239: Edit Your Child's Wardrobe to the Essentials with Laurel Wells Thompson

Joining me on today's episode is fashion designer, Laurel Wells Thompson. Our conversation focuses on the history of children's fashion, how things changed post-industrial revolution, why we are addicted to cheap clothes, the true cost of fast fashion, what to look for when shopping for kids' outfits (everything from fabrication to construction) and more...

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Bonus Episode: How to Contribute to the Climate Movement Through Self-Discovery with Heather White

Joining me today is author and environmentalist Heather White. She is here to discuss how to contribute to the climate movement through self-discovery. Her revolutionary call to action will unlock your eco-friendly “superpower”, to create a daily practice of sustainability. This conversation will focus on what Heather calls the “seven essential service types”. After twenty years of environmental advocacy, Heather developed the assessment to show people how they can take action in their own lives. Her evaluation will reveal your unique hidden gifts that you can leverage for the climate movement!

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Guest Interview, Toddler Diane Boden Guest Interview, Toddler Diane Boden

EP221: Simple Parenting Strategies for the Toddler Years (Ages 1-5) with Devon Kuntzman

Join me today for a conversation with the woman behind the popular Instagram account, Transforming Toddlerhood, Devon Kuntzman. Devon empowers toddler parents to overcome the challenges of toddlerhood, nurture development and create confidence in their skills through using positive, respectful, and developmentally appropriate parenting tools. Today we’ll be discussing intentional parenting tools you’ll need for the toddler years, simple strategies for redirection and more…

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP216: Learning to Let Go, Keep Going and Live Lightly with Shauna Niequist

Join me today for a conversation with author, Shauna Niequist. Her new book, I Just Haven't Learned That Yet, is full of stories of how we cope with unexpected change, letting go of previous seasons, and embracing the present. I’ve been a fan of Shauna for many years and this interview is yet another example of her incredible way with words! We talk about letting go of old ways that no longer serve us, learning to let go, being easily delighted and more!

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP208: Let’s Simplify: Chores with Melissa Griffiths

As our children grow older, their responsibilities will naturally grow. There are personal responsibilities and there are household responsibilities but the question is: how do we delegate? Today’s episode is all about how we can implement simple solutions to involve our children in household chores. And joining me for this conversation is creator of the popular blog, Bless This Mess, Melissa Griffiths.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP194: Toy Rotation Made Simple with Melissa Corriveau (@lifewithlessmess)

If you’re a regular listener, you’ll have heard me talk about decision fatigue or overwhelm. Children can become overwhelmed when given too many choices, including having many toys available at one time. By rotating toys, you keep the selection new and fresh. There aren’t too many choices. And, every time you rotate the toys, it’s like your children have brand new toys to explore. Here today to discuss the topic with me is professional organizer, Melissa Corriveau.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP193: Taking Inventory of Our Possessions with Dawn Madsen (@theminimalmom)

What if you took inventory of everything in your house? Would it make you rethink the things you’re holding onto? If we took inventory and categorized the stuff in our house, we’d have a much better idea what needs to exit our house. Joining me today to discuss the idea of our possessions as inventory is Dawn Madsen (otherwise known as the Minimal Mom!) 

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP189: “Priority Means One” with Christy Wright

Join me today with author, Christy Wright as we discuss time management, priorities, and balance in motherhood. As a busy mom with three young kids and a career, Christy knows how chaotic life can be - how balance feels like something that can never be achieved, no matter how hard you try. In her latest book, Take Back Your Time: The Guilt-Free Guide to Life Balance, Christy argues that balance doesn't come from getting more done. It’s about doing the right things at the right time. 

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

Bonus Episode: Safe Smart Phones for Kids with Bill Brady

According to a survey by Common Sense Media, over half of US children own a cell phone by the age of eleven, and 1 in 5 own a cell phone by the age of eight. Kids are heading back to school, and as cell phones become an increasingly accepted part of our children’s academic and social lives, the concern of child phone safety and surveillance weighs on parents. Here to join me for a quick conversation on smart phone safety is founder and CEO of Troomi Wireless, Bill Brady.

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Guest Interview, Homeschooling Diane Boden Guest Interview, Homeschooling Diane Boden

Bonus Episode: Homeschool Simplified (The Four-Hour School Day) with Durenda Wilson

Every parent wants their child to have the best education but when they think about homeschooling they dismiss it due to self-doubt. After remote learning became a reality to parents during the pandemic, many are now faced with the decision of sending their children back into the classroom or continuing with home education. My guest today is author, Durenda Wilson. She is here to discuss how we simplify the homeschooling process. We don’t need to feel overwhelmed by the idea as WE ARE QUALIFIED. Join me to hear how we can take control of our children’s education with confidence and simplify the process while doing so!

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP179: Creating an Eco-Friendly Playroom with Rachel Classi

Any family with children will experience their fair share of toys throughout the years. It’s inevitable that some will slip in that have a short ’lifespan’; however, being intentional in this area isn’t as hard as it seems and simple strategies can help foster diverse play experiences for children without filing our playroom with junk. Join me today as I talk with founder of Tiny Earth Toys, Rachel Classi. She’ll discuss scientific studies that discuss the benefits of minimal toys in the playroom, how the choices we make about what toys to buy impact our child's play and the environment, what we know about how the toy industry is playing a role in the plastic crisis and tips for parents about how to take the power struggle out of gifting to align with your family values.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP178: Tidying To-Do’s for Meaningful & Productive Days with Ashley Barber

As mothers, we have a lot on our plates to juggle each day. It can be tricky to pin-point what exactly takes priority (especially when everything feels that way). If you struggle with productivity and overall enjoying your days, this conversation may help! Join me for this conversation with Ashley Barber, a KonMari Consultant based in Texas, for some of her best tips to identify and focus energy on what we deem ‘high-priority’ tasks.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP177: Is Bulk Shopping Anti-Minimalist? with Carly Adams

Are you a member of Costco or Sam’s Club? Wholesale retail stores such as this are able to sell their products for much cheaper than local businesses; however, the question I pose to you and my guest today, Carly Adams, is: is bulk shopping anti-minimalist? There is a certain affordability when it comes to big chains; however, big-box retail stores also promote consumerism due to the sheer volume of products for sale. As we work through this topic, I’m sure you’ll build your own pros and cons list to see whether it’s the right choice for your family.

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Guest Interview, Bonus Episode Diane Boden Guest Interview, Bonus Episode Diane Boden

Bonus Episode: Creating a Simple, Effective Birth Plan with Elizabeth Presta

Join me today as I speak with Elizabeth Presta about all things regarding a simpler birth plan. Elizabeth is a licensed doula through DONA International and has been practicing since 2013. She is passionate about women’s healthcare and is continually learning. Today she’s here to explain how we can simplify the birth experience, create a simple birth plan, how a doula can help us throughout the process and some of her suggestions for packing the hospital bag.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP175: You Don’t Have to Document Everything with Jenna Arvidson

Do you feel like you need to write in every line of your child’s baby book? Are there days when the camera doesn’t leave your hand? Or do you intentionally keep it tucked away on some family outings? As with most things in life, it’s all about balance, right? Join me and fellow podcast host & photographer, Jenna Arvidson as we talk through the idea of over-documenting our days. We discuss what made Jenna begin to think about over-documentation, how to decide what to document and what not to, easy shifts to simplify this area, and more.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

Bonus Episode: A Simple Meditation Practice with Kelly Smith

What do you know about meditation? Do you include a meditation practice in your day-to-day? I’ve always wondered the difference between mindfulness and meditation. I know both are know to make your life simpler and yourself happier. Here to answer these questions (and more) today is founder of Yoga For You and host of the Mindful in Minutes Podcast, Kelly Smith.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP174: Helpful Hints for Living Small with Laura Fenton

Today’s episode is all about small spaces: How minimalism makes living in a small space easier, but also sometimes forces minimalism upon us (in the best way possible!) Practical advice about being a minimalist mom in a small space - where to start? We’ll also cover ways to “live small” in your existing space. Joining me to discuss these topics is author, Laura Fenton. Laura is the author of The Little Book of Living Small: a comprehensive guide to small-space secrets and real-life solutions for living in 1,200 square feet or less. She writes about home design and sustainability, and is a regular contributor to Apartment Therapy.

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Guest Interview, Bonus Episode Diane Boden Guest Interview, Bonus Episode Diane Boden

Bonus Episode: Intentional Exercise with Brooke Cates

As women, our bodies are constantly evolving. From puberty to our 20s to our pregnancy and postpartum bodies - there can be a lot of shifts that naturally take place. That said, it makes sense that our workouts should also evolve to fit our season of life. It takes focus and attention to maintain a routine. Today I have founder and CEO of The Bloom Method, Brooke Cates, her to join me to talk about intentionality with exercise. How do we fit exercise into a minimalist lifestyle? Find out what Brooke has to say on this bonus episode of the show.

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Guest Interview Diane Boden Guest Interview Diane Boden

EP172: "Things I No Longer Buy" with Bridget Utschig

After years of living a minimalist lifestyle, I’ve noticed that there are certain items I never (or rarely) buy anymore. Some of these you simply can say ‘no’ to while others take a bit more intentionality. My guest today, Bridget Utschig. joins me to share her list of twenty items she no longer buys as a minimalist. A lot of her list is curated towards clean living; however, the vast majority of these items are simple shifts you could make that benefit in more ways than one. Also, I wanted to note that some of the items Bridget mentions may require an initial investment; however, moving forward, you’ll no longer need to buy them (at least not as regularly)!

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