Sustainable Minimalists

Subscription Services

Many of us signed up for entertainment (streaming television! date night in a box!) and regular home delivery of essentials (toothbrushes! groceries! toilet paper!) at the start of the pandemic. If you’re like me, these days you may find yourself signed up for 10 or more subscription services. Subscriptions can be time-saving and convenient, and specialty ones make great gifts. But if you aren’t receiving the value you expect from the subscription in question, it’s simply a colossal waste of... Read More Read More The post Subscription Services appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.

Evergreen Rooms

Home decor is a lot like fashion: the second we invest in a new piece of furniture or a new decor item, the catalogs and showrooms push a new trend. The items we just bought, then? They suddenly become out of style. Today I speak with interior designer Jessica Velazquez about how exactly to curate rooms that are timeless. Jessica believes that style must always support lifestyle: when we play it right, we can design spaces that won’t expire when stores... Read More Read More The post Evergreen Rooms appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.

Made In China

Fellow consumers: we want new things and we want them now. Our spending habits put brands on perpetual searches for ways to shorten the time between design, manufacturing, and distribution, and China has stepped up with the technology and the supply chains to meet our needs. Our consumption habits, then, can only be satisfied by purchasing from China. Today’s show analyzes the ethical and environmental implications associated with excessive reliance on the “World’s Factory”, as China has affectionately been dubbed. What... Read More Read More The post Made In China appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.

Mental Minimalism

While minimalism may sometimes seem trendy, the reality is that the lifestyle has been around for centuries. Indeed, ancient philosophies touted the importance of Less Is More living as a means of finding inner peace amidst frenetic daily life. Today I speak with author Jessie Kanzer about first steps toward mental minimalism. Jessie argues that you don’t have to be a Zen master to simplify your cognitions and reduce unnecessary internal chatter; she argues too that enlightenment is about first... Read More Read More The post Mental Minimalism appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.

Forever Chemicals

When carbon and fluorine fuse together they create a virtually unbreakable compound. These days, such per- and polyfluoroalkyl (or PFAS) substances are widely used in thousands of products from food packaging to clothing, carpets, and more. And because these chemicals are designed to be unbreakable? “Forever chemicals” are adding up in our bodies and in the environment. On today’s episode I’m answering a listener’s question about the group of chemicals known as PFAS by bringing you an interview with Kevin Loria.... Read More Read More The post Forever Chemicals appeared first on Sustainable Minimalists.