Smart and Simple Matters: Creating Community, Simplicity, and Authenticity with You

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Joel Zaslofsky – your community-building, convention-challenging show host – taps into all his powerful (and often quirky) strategies in a diverse mix of conversations and solo episodes. For example, you'll get chats with TED Talk hotshots like Andy Puddicombe on meditation, experts like Tsh Oxenrei…

Joel Zaslofsky: Community Animator, Connector, Multipotentialite, Podcaster, and Spreadsheet Guy


    • Apr 17, 2019 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 50 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Smart and Simple Matters: Creating Community, Simplicity, and Authenticity with You

    Facilitation in Small Groups: How to Have More Influence and Action with Less Stress and Conflict – SASM 130

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2019 55:10


    This special solo episode features how to kick start any conversation, keep it humming, and leave people buzzing. Plus, how to have influence without the need for power or control and the key qualities of great facilitators. The post Facilitation in Small Groups: How to Have More Influence and Action with Less Stress and Conflict – SASM 130 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Be Human and Our 9 Core Needs with Ry Edwards – SASM 129

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 27, 2018 60:27


    This episode features Ry Edwards to explore the nine core human needs that govern everything in life, simple questions that will help you understand why you do what you do, and why love is helping others meet their core human needs. The post How to Be Human and Our 9 Core Needs with Ry Edwards – SASM 129 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    My 12 Favorite Podcast Episodes Ever – SASM 128

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2018 55:39


    This special solo episode features what wins the water wars: distilled, reverse osmosis, tap, or spring water. Plus why your light environment is more important than food, exercise, and sleep. AND how grief is culturally learned and when empathy isn’t serving anyone. The post My 12 Favorite Podcast Episodes Ever – SASM 128 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Ask Better Community Questions: It’s as Easy as ABCD with Cormac Russell – SASM 127

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2018


    This episode features Cormac Russell to explore why our unexpressed gifts can do tremendous harm, how an institutionalized five-year-old changed his life direction, and why community makes a better verb than a noun. The post How to Ask Better Community Questions: It’s as Easy as ABCD with Cormac Russell – SASM 127 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Dear Isolated, Detached, and Helpless Individual – SASM 126

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2018 21:18


    This special solo episode features what the loneliness industry is rubbing your nose in (often successfully), some eye-opening stats about how much our isolation costs us, and what the President of the Rugged Individualists Society needs you to know. The post Dear Isolated, Detached, and Helpless Individual – SASM 126 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How the Modern Simplicity Movement Thrives with Dan Hayes – SASM 125

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2018


    This episode features Dan Hayes on how to be a strong believer without an organized belief system, why a walk can be better for your head than your body, how the origins of our modern simplicity movement started with the Industrial Revolution, and how Dan and his wife lived in 40 square feet for seven months. The post How the Modern Simplicity Movement Thrives with Dan Hayes – SASM 125 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Full Life Integration, Non-Negotiables, and Your Powerful Lens with Kristoffer “KC” Carter – SASM 123

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2017


    This episode features Kristoffer "KC" Carter on which sacred life ingredients are needed for full life integration, why self-care is about consistency – not duration, and why the numbers 1:5:10 are so meaningful. The post Full Life Integration, Non-Negotiables, and Your Powerful Lens with Kristoffer “KC” Carter – SASM 123 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Give a Great Hug – SASM 122

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 6, 2017 29:31


    This special solo episode features the subtle similarities and wild differences in how cultures greet each other, how to telegraph your hugging intentions to help your fellow huggers, how long your hug should last (and how to relax into it), plus much more. The post How to Give a Great Hug – SASM 122 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    4 “C”s That Make Sustainability Possible with Ma’ikwe Ludwig – SASM 121

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2017


    This episode features Ma’ikwe Ludwig on how Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage happily uses 90% less resources than the average American, how competing cultures and classes can mix in beautiful ways, and why the economics, equality, or sustainability of resource-sharing works so well in intentional communities. The post 4 “C”s That Make Sustainability Possible with Ma’ikwe Ludwig – SASM 121 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    american sustainability ludwig dancing rabbit ecovillage
    Delight is Right in Your Hands with Annie Raser-Rowland – SASM 120

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2017


    This episode features Annie Raser-Rowland on how a frugal lifestyle can be the highest form of luxury, how to own your pleasure-seeking urges without paying for it, and what lesser known pollution may be doing to you. The post Delight is Right in Your Hands with Annie Raser-Rowland – SASM 120 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    A Path to Money, Meaning, and Variety for Multipotentialites with Emilie Wapnick – SASM 119

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2017


    This episode features Emilie Wapnick on how to have the three pillars of a great multipotentialite work life – money, meaning, and variety – with approaches as diverse as the Group Hug, Slash, Einstein, or Phoenix. (And maybe even join her band of weirdos.) The post A Path to Money, Meaning, and Variety for Multipotentialites with Emilie Wapnick – SASM 119 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why I Vanished and What’s Next for the Show – SASM 118

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2017 28:17


    This special solo episode features where I've been on my podcasting break and what's coming up now that the show is revived. The post Why I Vanished and What’s Next for the Show – SASM 118 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The Not So Big Way to Have Useful Beauty Every Day with Sarah Susanka – SASM 117

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2017


    This episode features Sarah Susanka on how to bring useful beauty to every room in your home, how to schedule your passions and actually act on them, plus why Sarah emphasizes "not so big" over small. The post The Not So Big Way to Have Useful Beauty Every Day with Sarah Susanka – SASM 117 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why the Future of Work Is Working for Yourself with Stephen Warley – SASM 116

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2016


    This episode features Stephen Warley on how to make big changes without a major crisis forcing them on you, why we learn best when things are hard, and how to deprogram yourself to take on the "risk" of self-employment. The post Why the Future of Work Is Working for Yourself with Stephen Warley – SASM 116 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    When “Being” Your Way into Action Is Better Than Thinking with Julie Gray – SASM 115

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2016


    This episode features Julie Gray on how to create systems so you can work less and contribute more, why stress management seems so stressful, and how to tap into the power of your innate intelligence. The post When “Being” Your Way into Action Is Better Than Thinking with Julie Gray – SASM 115 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Death Literacy, Enoughness, and Why Life Is Long with Humaira Hamid (#CConDD) – SASM 114

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2016


    This episode features Humaira Hamid on why just about everything in life comes back to death and dying, how and where to become death literate, plus how to surf the waves of "identity death" throughout your life. The post Death Literacy, Enoughness, and Why Life Is Long with Humaira Hamid (#CConDD) – SASM 114 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Be Social, Selective, and Simple with Ryan Nicodemus – SASM 113

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2016


    This episode features Ryan Nicodemus on a surprising path from minimalism into environmentalism, why he doesn't do anything for anyone else on the Internet before 12:30 p.m., and three circles of relationships to guide who to connect with. The post How to Be Social, Selective, and Simple with Ryan Nicodemus – SASM 113 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why and How to Run an Offers and Needs Market – SASM 112

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2016 54:45


    This special solo episode features five simple, powerful benefits of an Offers and Needs Market, why your friends, family, and neighbors are counting on you to own your gifts, and how to elevate your own and other people's gifts. The post Why and How to Run an Offers and Needs Market – SASM 112 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The Role of Slow in “No,” Letting Go, and Laziness with Brooke McAlary – SASM 111

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2016


    This episode features Brooke McAlary on how to consistently question what's necessary in your life, a surprising (and rare) hallmark of the slow-living community, and why the minimalism label can be limiting – even if you own it. The post The Role of Slow in “No,” Letting Go, and Laziness with Brooke McAlary – SASM 111 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Dear Mindless, Busy Consumer and Buyer of Fleeting Joy – SASM 110

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2016 27:12


    This special solo episode features what the food industry is rubbing your nose in (often successfully), what Citizens against Quiet, Idle Hands, and Saving needs you to know, and some eye-opening stats about how much stuff Americans actually own. The post Dear Mindless, Busy Consumer and Buyer of Fleeting Joy – SASM 110 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Rewilding, Sovereignty, and the Heart of Domestication with Daniel Vitalis – SASM 109

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2016


    This episode features Daniel Vitalis on the difference between natural, wild water and processed water, how to see yourself as and act like a sovereign being, and why we're not biologically designed for houses, jobs, or modern institutions. The post Rewilding, Sovereignty, and the Heart of Domestication with Daniel Vitalis – SASM 109 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    From Mindless in a Rocker to Rocking Bonsai Business with Shanna Mann – SASM 108

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2016


    This episode features Shanna Mann on how to strategically use constraints to pole-vault over your obstacles, how she got left on the side of the road with a traumatic brain injury, and how to grow your own intentionally small bonsai business. The post From Mindless in a Rocker to Rocking Bonsai Business with Shanna Mann – SASM 108 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Get a “Plan A” Life with Bravery and Bravado – SASM 107 with Warren Talbot

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2016


    This episode features Warren Talbot on how to borrow bravery when you're coming up short, how to make conscious decisions to have your "Plan A" life, and how to tell fear, "I hear you … but this is still happening." The post How to Get a “Plan A” Life with Bravery and Bravado – SASM 107 with Warren Talbot appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    bravery talbot bravado plan a life
    Social Security vs. social security – SASM 106

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2016 45:27


    This special solo episode features why and when social security is more important than Social Security, the history of Social Security and how the word "social" got attached to it, and why your social capital is literally keeping you alive. The post Social Security vs. social security – SASM 106 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Discuss Identity, Race, and Prejudice with Charlie Gilkey – SASM 105

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2016


    This episode features Charlie Gilkey on what's required to talk reasonably and openly about self-identity, race, and discrimination, how to say, "What about this?" without discounting others' views, and why Charlie shifted his focus to engage would-be allies more than current allies. The post How to Discuss Identity, Race, and Prejudice with Charlie Gilkey – SASM 105 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Simplicity as Your Path Back to Love with Courtney Carver – SASM 104

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2016


    This episode features Courtney Carver on how she got 2,000 people to almost instantly ask her to come to their city, how she fell in love with forty strangers in one day, and why starting with the mechanics of simplicity is so helpful. The post Simplicity as Your Path Back to Love with Courtney Carver – SASM 104 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Practice Dying to Live Better – SASM 103

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2016 37:57


    This special solo episode features how to transcend our hard-wired fear of death and dying, the step-by-step process of how I practice dying, and what finally shattered the emotional walls between my pal Sal and his father. The post Practice Dying to Live Better – SASM 103 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Escape the Crash/Recover Cycle with Christine Walker – SASM 102

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2016


    This episode features Join Christine Walker on what to do when your mindfulness muscles are weak, how the "Pentagon of Wellness" works to heal you, and why going fast is addictive in our brains and culture. The post How to Escape the Crash/Recover Cycle with Christine Walker – SASM 102 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Mix Ingredients to Make the Minimalism Documentary with Joshua Fields Millburn – SASM 101

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2016


    This episode features Joshua Fields Millburn on how you can have more meaning and less stuff with a slight pivot, why a ninety-something great-great grandma took five family generations to a book tour stop, and how to align your short-term actions with your long-term values. The post How to Mix Ingredients to Make the Minimalism Documentary with Joshua Fields Millburn – SASM 101 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    6 Key Community Conversations and the Questions That Transform Them – SASM 100

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2016 61:05


    This special solo episode features why community becomes a bigger deal the more you don't have it, the 3 qualities of a great question for any community setting, and which of the 6 crucial conversations you need to have in your community. The post 6 Key Community Conversations and the Questions That Transform Them – SASM 100 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Feeling Paralyzed? Find a New “P” and Change Your Reality with Kelly Exeter – SASM 099

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2016


    This episode features Kelly Exeter on how her total breakdown led to a less frantic life, a gift that every parent can (should?) give their kids, and why more "doing" is not the solution to feeling overwhelmed. The post Feeling Paralyzed? Find a New “P” and Change Your Reality with Kelly Exeter – SASM 099 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The More of Less and Generosity as an Act of Bravery with Joshua Becker – SASM 098

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2016


    This episode features Joshua Becker on why generosity is an act of bravery (even though everyone wants it), how minimalism lets you pursue happiness or fulfillment where you want, and the three layers of clutter ... and how to get rid of each one. The post The More of Less and Generosity as an Act of Bravery with Joshua Becker – SASM 098 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Alexx Stuart: from World’s Best Bartender to Low Tox Life Champion – SASM 097

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2016


    This episode features Alexx Stuart on why food as love can be unhealthy – especially for children, how to align what's best for you with what's best for our planet, and the #1 tip to give your kids ownership over what and how they eat. The post Alexx Stuart: from World’s Best Bartender to Low Tox Life Champion – SASM 097 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Being Happily Replaceable, Spreadsheet Poets, and Fertility Challenges with Emily McDermott – SASM 096

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2016


    This episode features Emily McDermott on why asking for help early prevents getting overwhelmed later, how having an accountability partner can change your life (even if you've never met), and whether happiness can come from making yourself replaceable at work. The post Being Happily Replaceable, Spreadsheet Poets, and Fertility Challenges with Emily McDermott – SASM 096 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The 5 Elements of Your Full Voice and Saying Yes to Our Biggest Fears with Barbara McAfee – SASM 095

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2016


    This episode features Barbara McAfee on why fear is like an outfit that looks bad on everyone, the five distinct elements of your voice and how to use them, plus how innate talents are trained out of you (and how to get them back). The post The 5 Elements of Your Full Voice and Saying Yes to Our Biggest Fears with Barbara McAfee – SASM 095 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why Deleting 90.44% of My Best Music Made Me Feel Super – SASM 094

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2016 28:00


    This special solo episode features what artists influenced my youth – and that I'm now disowning, attributes of the 26 songs I kept (and the 246 I deleted), and how to reassess what experiences you invite into your life. The post Why Deleting 90.44% of My Best Music Made Me Feel Super – SASM 094 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Finding and Aligning Your Core Values with Jeff Sandquist – SASM 093

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2016


    This episode features Jeff Sandquist on how to uncover your core values and live in alignment with them, why relying on external validation is such a dangerous trap, and how tasting life's brittleness is both a curse and a blessing. The post Finding and Aligning Your Core Values with Jeff Sandquist – SASM 093 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Slow Food, Social Obesity, and Why Nobody Wins a Parenting Race with Carl Honore – SASM 092

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 25, 2016


    This episode features Carl Honore on how to prevent social obesity while gorging on meaningful connections, how to make your smartphone your servant instead of your master, and who wins the parenting race: the tortoise … or the hare? The post Slow Food, Social Obesity, and Why Nobody Wins a Parenting Race with Carl Honore – SASM 092 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why JoelZaslofsky.com Is Our New Home for Simplicity, Community, and All Things Groovy – SASM 091

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 11, 2016 50:55


    This special solo episode features my new vision of how I contribute best to your life, why my favorite currencies are hugs, smiles, and authentic chats, and why I made the big move from Value of Simple to JoelZaslofsky.com. The post Why JoelZaslofsky.com Is Our New Home for Simplicity, Community, and All Things Groovy – SASM 091 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Be Alive and Embrace Your Personal Power with Colin Beavan – SASM 090

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2015 53:39


    This episode features Colin Beavan on how to help people wake the heck up to their personal power (and what happens when we do), how the "monk and the merchant" paradox applies to you, and how to participate in an eco-Sabbath – No Impact Project style. The post How to Be Alive and Embrace Your Personal Power with Colin Beavan – SASM 090 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    5 Secrets to Quick and Consistent Mindfulness with Toku McCree – SASM 089

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 14, 2015 66:47


    This episode features Toku McCree on why self-awareness is the most powerful catalyst for change, what his one universal truth is, and – of course – Toku's five secrets of super-fast mindfulness. The post 5 Secrets to Quick and Consistent Mindfulness with Toku McCree – SASM 089 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Why Simplicity Helps You Reach Your Life’s Purpose(s) with Tsh Oxenreider – SASM 088

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 30, 2015 45:15


    This episode features Tsh Oxenreider on how pretending to move overseas can help you declutter, where to find freedom when you're tethered to your town, and why simple-living can be as simple as living holistically with your life's purpose. The post Why Simplicity Helps You Reach Your Life’s Purpose(s) with Tsh Oxenreider – SASM 088 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How Scott Dinsmore’s Connections, Passion, and Work Changed Our World (a Tribute) – SASM 087

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 16, 2015 53:17


    This episode pays tribute to Live Your Legend's founder and my friend, mentor, and hero – Scott Dinsmore. Remember his legacy with me and discover how to change the world by doing work you love, where to find the most amazing people in your local community, the fastest way to do things you don't think can be done, and why life sometimes comes down to this: bring people together. The post How Scott Dinsmore’s Connections, Passion, and Work Changed Our World (a Tribute) – SASM 087 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How 241 Post It Notes, Candid Stories, and Huggr Power Changed 55 Folks (#SimpleREV 2015 Recap) – SASM086

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2015 63:07


    SimpleREV 2015 brought 55 simple-living enthusiasts together and the impact was big. Discover why we loved sticking 241 Post It Notes on a wall (and what we did with them), how one small clothes donation quickly changed a family's life, why you can't get a positive answer from a negative question, and the #1 thing that our participants wanted at SimpleREV 2015. The post How 241 Post It Notes, Candid Stories, and Huggr Power Changed 55 Folks (#SimpleREV 2015 Recap) – SASM086 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    Essentialism with Greg McKeown: The Priorities Problem, Creating Space, and Your Highest Contribution – SASM 085

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 19, 2015 46:41


    This episode features Greg McKeown on why you need to create s-p-a-c-e to discern what's essential, how a "personal quarterly offsite" helps you find consistent clarity, and the best way to become an Essentialist. The post Essentialism with Greg McKeown: The Priorities Problem, Creating Space, and Your Highest Contribution – SASM 085 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The Joy of Cravings, Intimate Acts in Public, and Surprising Science with Alex Jamieson – SASM 084

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2015 51:59


    This episode features Alex Jamieson on how to have cravings that empower you instead of enslave you, the four root causes of cravings – and what to do about each one, plus why eating food is the most intimate thing we do with others (in public). The post The Joy of Cravings, Intimate Acts in Public, and Surprising Science with Alex Jamieson – SASM 084 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How to Grow Food Anywhere and Build Community Everywhere with Eugene Cooke – SASM083

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2015 54:29


    This episode features Eugene Cooke on why you need a food abundance system more than abundant food, how to ease poverty with local solutions and NO legislation, how to make nature your church, and why the men who spoke the least influenced Eugene the most. The post How to Grow Food Anywhere and Build Community Everywhere with Eugene Cooke – SASM083 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    5 Strategic Steps to Streamline Your Life with Miriam Ortiz y Pino – SASM 082

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2015 51:09


    This episode features Miriam Ortiz y Pino on why clutter is really just unresolved piles of decisions, the five simple steps to streamline your stuff and life, and how Miriam went from a "pack-rat stacker" to an organized simplifier. The post 5 Strategic Steps to Streamline Your Life with Miriam Ortiz y Pino – SASM 082 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    How Rich I Am, What Angers Me, and the Mess I’m Withholding from You – SASM 081

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2015 61:57


    Discover just how freakin' rich I am, what pisses me off, why I'm so scared of you listening to this episode, how I've wronged my dogs, why SimpleREV makes me feel like an entitled parent (or spoiled brat), and who I was, am, and want to be – truly and completely. The post How Rich I Am, What Angers Me, and the Mess I’m Withholding from You – SASM 081 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

    The 4 Pillars of Survival and How to Reconnect to Nature with Cliff Hodges – SASM 080

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2015 50:26


    This episode features Cliff Hodges on the benefits of "moving at the pace of nature," how to reconnect with your primal, animal heritage, and the 4 pillars of survival (one of them unique to humans). The post The 4 Pillars of Survival and How to Reconnect to Nature with Cliff Hodges – SASM 080 appeared first on JoelZaslofsky.com.

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