Black Minimalists™ Podcast

Michelle Cook is the founder of Roxbury Rides, an organization that encourages people in urban communities (Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, Massachusetts) to use biking and walking as a source of transportation and exercise. Additionally, she is a League Cycling Instructor (LCI) through the League of American Bicyclists, spokesmodel for I Bike Boston, and moderator/shero for the Boston Chapter of Black Girls Do Bike. Michelle is also an urban farmer and herbalist in training.Yolanda sat down with Michelle, also know as “The Bikenista”, for a life-giving conversation on minimalism, farming, and connecting to the outdoors. They first met when Michelle participated in the Black & Minimalist course. Michelle and Yolanda chatted a lot about the importance of land to black and brown communities.Mentioned in the episode:Operation B FitHike 4 LifeUrban Outdoors AssociationBlack Urban GrowersFarming While Black by Lean PennimanWorking the Roots by Michelle E. LeeDr. Monica WhiteBlack Cotton

Yolanda sat down with friend, mama, and activist Amanda Tello to learn more about her journey to intentional living. The two first developed a friendship when Amanda participated in the 2018 Black & Minimalist course. Amanda shared how she found minimalism, the challenge of balancing multiple roles, how her activism has impacted her simple living lifestyle, and her thoughts on the minimalist movement within the Latinx community.Mentioned in the episode:Missouri Immigrant and Refugee AdvocatesTornillo: The OccupationEasy Baby ParadoxJen Rivera Bell

In this episode, Yolanda, Kenya, and I, are joined by Lakara Foster, an author, licensed minister, and also a psychic medium. You may know her online as Lakara With the Gift. We spoke with her about how she navigates her Christian faith with her work as a psychic and how she blends those worlds together. We also spoke about communicating with our ancestors as well as religion and spirituality in general. I hope you enjoy our conversation.Mentioned in this episode:She Speaks! InstituteLakara’s InstagramThe Gift web-series

Kenya and Yolanda tell you what’s good with the Black & Minimalist mini-course, returning January 27th, 2019. Learn about the course lessons, format, and bonus features. Interested in getting free this year with the Black Minimalists team and community, join us by clicking here.Mentioned in this episode:Is This Sustainable liberation frameworkLive Simply & Be Free minimalist guide by Yolanda Acree

This month’s episode is a switcheroo! During our time in Kansas, amidst lots of tea drinking, belly laughs, and toddler wrangling, Yolanda and Kenya turn the tables on Farai and interview her about her forays into herbalism. We chatted about how she got into herbs, her education, favorite resources, as well as, her favorite herbs.

This month’s podcast is a special in-person conversation between the three Black Minimalists co-founders. Yolanda and Kenya graced Farai and Kansas with their presence for a week. We spoke about the Black Urban Growers and Farmers conference in North Carolina that Yolanda and Kenya attended. We also spoke about life in Kansas, visiting Brown vs. Board of Education Museum, voter suppression, and Kansas’ radical roots.

Anamarie "Ree" Shreeves is an earth advocate, who runs Fort Negrita and works closely with environmentally-driven organizations to support and promote their mission.Ree hosts ongoing reusable menstrual pad workshops so people that bleed can take ownership of their menstrual cycles, and sells reusable pads online and via in-person events. She also co-organizes an annual earth day event called bEARTHday Fest, has taught zero waste workshops locally and at national conferences, jump-started the "Zero Waste in Atlanta" Facebook group, developed the “Atl Zero Waste Guide”, and consulted local businesses in zero waste operations and accommodations.Ree started her zero waste habits in April 2014, and at one point, it took her 13 months to fill a 32-ounce mason jar with personal trash! Her zero waste pursuits has led to features on PBS, CNN and ESSENCE Magazine.Ree works to create a world where design, planning and operations are rooted in abundance and net positive benefits for our future. Enjoy the chat.

The Black Minimalists™ Podcast Season 2 is back and swangin' friends! We are so excited to share the conversations we've had with brilliant folxs over the next few months. This past year/season was focused on letting y’all know we're here and proud. The foundation has been built and we're now leaning into sustainability and what that means for us in the hopes of inspiring y’all to get free too.Our first episode is a chat among the current BM team members, Yolanda, Kenya, and myself (Farai). We chatted about our summer experiences, travels, and even ended up getting a little deep by calling each other and ourselves in a bit. We also discussed our minimalist journeys and struggles so far and the plan and direction Black Minimalists will be going in the future. Enjoy!

Spring has sprung and Farai is in full-on home renovation mode. She got to chat with black minimalist Samantha Josephat of Studio 397, a brilliant, young and badass architect based in New York. We chatted sustainability, community, where she gets her inspiration from, and of course Black Panther and just how awesome it was for the black STEM community. Listen below.

Spring is approaching and we are ready for it! Farai got to chat with Chantel Johnson, Tiny Home Dweller, Doula, and homesteader in North Carolina. We have a candid conversation about the pros and cons of tiny home dwelling and homesteading and how isolating as well as fulfilling it can be. Chantel is a passionate breath of fresh air and welcome face in the conversation regarding sustainability and self sufficiency.

We're ending the first month of the year with a frank conversation about finances. Youtuber, College Professor, and all encompassing powerhouse Nicole of Frugal Chic Life sat down with Farai to chat about ending the paycheck to paycheck cycle, student loans, being honest with your shopping addiction, and budgeting. Take notes friends. Let’s get free.

Happy Holidays friends! In our last episode of the year, we chatted with the amazing and insightful Roe of the Instagram blog @brownkids on how to maintain a beautiful home and space while living intentionally and keeping it minimal. We talked how to find that happy balance between functionality while allowing for your home to meet emotional needs with your own unique voice. It’s the perfect note to ring in the new year with if you have home improvement or downsizing on your mind.

Farai got to chat with fabulous Author, minimalist and blogger CP Patrick of theafrominimalist.com. We talk about how she drastically changed her living situation and learned to live in a 635 sq. foot home with her teen daughter. We discuss how to maintain your style while keeping it simple and we even touch on parenting teens and empowering them to be free of excess. Lastly we chat a little about the book she is working on.

Today, we’re talking to Pastaveia Monique of the duo, well now trio that makes up the EcoConscious Lifestyle. When we recorded this, Pastaveia was still pregnant, but has since given birth to their bundle of joy. Congratulations to you and Sean, Pastaveia! We are thrilled for you guys and thrilled to add a new mini-Minimalist into our squad .In our chat, we discussed how their military service led Pastaveia and Sean to minimalism and how they plan to keep it simple with their tiny human. Click below to listen.

In our first episode, we’re introducing the four founders of Black Minimalists via our first group Facebook live video. It's raw and unedited with Farai's daughter making a cameo. It gives insight into the ladies behind the community, how we came into minimalism, and what it looks like to us.