A Poverty Of Spirit

In our fast-paced, convenience-driven world, we’ve made our waste invisible. But 'out of sight' isn't out of existence, and our wastefulness is creating big problems for future generations. True self-awareness starts with taking responsibility for what we throw away. On today's show, author Cassandra Marketos joins us to reframe composting from a messy chore into an easy-as-pie, grounding antidote to instant gratification that teaches us slowness, observation, and presence.

Not so long ago, humanity’s main pursuit was finding food and staving off hunger. But these days, we’re throwing out strawberries. We’re letting salad greens go bad in the crisper. And when it comes to transforming those broccoli stalks or potato peels into something delicious, we’ve lost the know-how. In an age where the average home discards enough edible meals to sustain an entire extra person, reclaiming our kitchens from unnecessary food waste has never been more urgent. On today’s show, author Teralyn Pilgrim explores what our wastefulness says about us as a culture—as well as her foundational framework for reframing our relationship with the food in our refrigerators. Here’s a preview: Why food waste stands as one of today’s largest environmental issues, and the stark contrast between historical food scarcity and modern excess How disconnection from food production and changing home-cooking habits contribute to everyday waste The Rules of Food Waste: A step-by-step walkthrough of Teralyn’s core principles for running a waste-free kitchen Never shop hungry! Sweep out the fridge before adding more! And other top tips for reducing food waste once and for all Resources mentioned: No Scrap Left Behind (via Bookshop.org) Want another episode on food waste that’s chock full of tips? Check out episode #437: Breaking Food Waste Norms. 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! [email protected]

A quiet revolution is starting in our backyards. News headlines are certainly frightening at the moment, and watching billion-dollar corporations harm people and the planet in the name of profit is infuriating. But don’t let yourself slide into hopelessness. Whether you have a small urban balcony or sprawling rural acreage, you can reclaim your power as an activist through the small-scale choices you make every day. On today’s show, author and homesteader Devon Ballard-Hudson walks us through her hopeful, accessible framework for reshaping the systems harming the planet, starting in our own homes and backyards. Here’s a preview: [6:30] On the importance of re-learning those “lost skills” [10:00] Moving beyond headline-grabbing protests toward grounded, daily habits [13:00] Applying the seventh generation principle and long-term ecological stewardship to household decisions [18:00] Step one? Rewild! [29:00] Life is noisy. So go on and reset your baseline Resources mentioned: Backyard Climate Activist: Healing the Planet from Home (releases Nov. 8) The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté Next Book Club! Nov. 4 7:30pm EST Book: TRASH! A Garbageman’s Story 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! [email protected]

We live our lives surrounded by smart phones, smart devices, Wi-Fi networks, and wireless wearables. But as our homes become "smarter", the constant electropollution these devices emit carries risks for our long-term health. Your home should be a sanctuary, not a radiation zone. On today's show, radiologist and author Dr. Rob Brown offers simple ways to dramatically reduce your daily electropollution load without giving up modern technology.

Reaching for your phone out of habit rather than necessity isn't a failure of self-discipline—and the fix isn't raw willpower. If you find yourself on your phone more than you'd like, it's likely time to make your phone far less enticing to pick up in the first place. On today's show, author Ruby Ryba shares how decluttering your home screen can quiet the impulse to scroll, restore your personal boundaries, and build a peaceful analog environment at home.