UnStuff America! Podcast

Kelly Green, fellow Floridian and supporter of Give Kids the World, describes her experiences with Swedish Death Cleaning and helping two older friends and family members tidy up as they entered into the last chapters of life. The idea is simple: once you reach the end of middle age (or sooner if you feel like it), you let go of all the stuff you’ve accumulated that you won’t need anymore. That way, you play an active role in the process AND BONUS, no one else has to do it for you after you leave. In Swedish, the exercise is called döstädning—a combo of the words “dö” (death) and “städning” (cleaning). This is something I’ve been talking about long before it was a trend … so whether you want to be “au courant” or just a responsible steward of your earthly belongings, I encourage you to listen in and then start your own process.   And if you haven’t signed up for our upcoming FREE 5-Day De-Stress Your Mess Challenge starting on Jan 11, you can do it right here.

The USA Podcast is 1 year old today. It's been an amazing year and this is the last episode of the podcast in its current form. Andrew discusses what he's learned and shares his vision for the future -- an America that is inclusive and protective of its natural resources. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Michael Green is an experience engineer, using food, wine and travel to create experiences for clients and audiences around the world. He credits his success to his love of people AND his drive and flexibility. He's created lasting routines to ensure he gets enough rest, exercise and time off. Recently married, he also shares about moving into his husband's furnished apartment, the discordance between his level of organization and his husband's AND his monthly storage bill. Andrew homes in on this and by the end of the conversation, Michael commits clearing out his storage of, among other things, the Playbills he began collecting at age 5. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Kathleen Ronald has been called the "Queen of Networking," and she has figured out simple, effective ways to bring value to every conversation without cluttering up her life or others' lives. Here are her tips for successful networking without dragging home a bunch of business cards and doing nothing with them: 1) Follow-up on promised items; 2) Make a connection/introduction; 3) Book a ‘walk and talk’ or coffee to leverage relationships; 4) Identify any sales opportunities. She also shared actionable items for building self-esteem and showing up! To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Part 3 of a 3-part series on simplifying the process of hiring and working with multi-generational employees. In this episode, Andrew and co-host Debe Black share their conclusions including 7 best practices gleaned from their personal experience. They also discuss 4 things you can't teach and 5 things you can teach to any employee, regardless of their generation. Listen in for actionable items you can apply immediately to simplify any hiring and onboarding process. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Part 2 of a 3-part series on simplifying the process of hiring and working with multi-generational employees. In this episode, Andrew and co-host Debe Black discuss non-negotiables, intangibles including personality traits, as well as getting the clutter out of the hiring process. They also look at the particular challenges solopreneurs and entrepreneurs face when trying to expand a team—and how to juggle the things that have to be done that you may not be good at or are not necessarily fun. Next week, the 3-part series concludes with best practices gleaned from Andrew and Debe's personal experience as well as actionable steps you can take to simplify any hiring and onboarding process. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

This is part 1 of a 3-part series on simplifying the process of hiring and working with multi-generational employees. In this episode, Andrew and co-host Debe Black discuss the current challenges they are facing, including the hiring process as well as onboarding new employees. From how to run a smart job search to effectively engaging and supervising Millennials and other generations, our hosts confront their own pitfalls as well as the hacks they've discovered to get around any real or perceived limitations. Next week, they will talk about non-negotiables, intangibles including personality traits, as well as getting the clutter out of the hiring process. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Michelle Battista says she learned at an early age to figure out what mattered to her. Growing up in a small town taught her self-reliance and that waiting for something to happen might mean waiting forever. Today she blends her love for food and design together at The Nightwood Society, a collective she started and runs with other smart women in Portland, OR. Listen in to learn how Michelle faces her fears every day, from being a single mom to a rockstar entrepreneur. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Why do you want to get organized? That’s not a rhetorical question. Why? Why now? Has something happened recently that has is motivating you? Or are you waking up from a winter slumber? Do you have to move? Has a loved one died? Or is this just your most recent attempt to simplify your life? Whatever the reason, Decluttering your home, your office, your life is the booby prize. Getting your life back … is the real prize. Then looking beyond yourself to start the real work of repairing the world because we are waiting for you. Yes, you.

Do you typically see the glass half empty or half full? Do you see the obstacle or the opportunity? Your mindset is the most powerful tool you have when it comes to simplifying your life. When something unexpected comes up, do you fold or do you double down? it’s totally normal to be upset when the unexpected occurs, particularly if the surprise brings with it complications or setbacks. Even so, how you recover and when you take action ultimately determines your success. Change your mindset and you have the perfect antidote to any disappointment. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Courtney Carver is the founder of bemorewithless.com and minimalist fashion challenge Project 333. She joined the show from her home in Salt Lake City where she went from a 2,000 SF house and tons of debt to a 900 SF apartment debt- and stress-free. Courtney's diagnosis with MS was her wake up call but she makes it clear that everyone gets wake up calls all the time. She grabbed onto the idea of loving something that matters and to focus on the small changes you can make each day. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Many people find direct communication challenging. They are afraid that saying what they want will upset others and they will be viewed as selfish, mean or indifferent. What other people think of you is none of your business—which doesn’t give you license to be a jerk and does give you permission to tell the truth. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

If you find yourself waiting for the perfect moment to begin a project or take an action, you may be waiting a very long time. Now is the perfect time to begin anything you’ve been deferring action on. You don’t need anyone else to give your permission and you definitely do not need to wait for inspiration … it may never come. When it comes to physical clutter, if you didn’t want to deal with it when you were creating it, it seems unlikely you’ll want to deal with it now as well. Exercise a little agency and eat the frog. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.

Multitasking doesn’t exist – it’s one of the 200 lies you tell each day*. You can do things sequentially but you can’t do them simultaneously. All you need to remember is that you can’t bake a cake and perform open heart surgery at the exact same time. Here are a few links to some brain science which proves this: http://bit.ly/multitaskingscience1 http://bit.ly/multitaskingscience2 http://bit.ly/multitaskingscience3 What does exist is a simple, direct way to shift between tasks with agency – and without story or a bunch of cluttered thinking slowing you down and delaying your transitions. To learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America,” visit andrewmellen.com.   * See episode #7: 200 Lies ... and counting!   

Clutter, disorganization and too much stuff are choking America and enslaving our citizens. We’re told that consumer confidence is the key to a robust economy but many of us rack up devastating debt while others are caught in a dead-end struggle trying to stay afloat. More stuff is not the answer. We could blame big business and government for laying the perfect trap, but buyer (or consumer) beware. Take personal responsibility AND set yourself free. Then use your freedom to radically influence the national debate on every level. Don’t drain the swamp, Unstuff America!Whether teaching meditation and mindfulness or preparing for a move, Rev. angel Kyodo williams is in search of both mutable and unmutable, universal truths. She shares with us her unwaivering belief that every action needs to be seated in love for it to be effective and without harm. And she finds simple, profound and amusing similarities between her practice and work and Andrew's mission to unstuff America by engaging citizens where they are most visibly stuck on stuff—physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. To learn more about "the most organized man in America, visit andrewmellen.com.

Clutter, disorganization and too much stuff are choking America and enslaving our citizens. We’re told that consumer confidence is the key to a robust economy but many of us rack up devastating debt while others are caught in a dead-end struggle trying to stay afloat. More stuff is not the answer. We could blame big business and government for laying the perfect trap, but buyer (or consumer) beware. Take personal responsibility AND set yourself free. Then use your freedom to radically influence the national debate on every level. Don’t drain the swamp, Unstuff America!This week on UnStuff America: Reluctant and brilliant parenting expert Jacqueline Green started the Great Parenting Show as a way to deal with her own challenges raising kids. She learned the hard way how to go "from disaster to master" as a single parent as she was forced to downsize and get real about finances and other lacking life skills. With warmth and a great sense of humor, she lets us in on her favorite tips and hacks for creating a simple life of great meaning and purpose. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Clutter, disorganization and too much stuff are choking America and enslaving our citizens. We’re told that consumer confidence is the key to a robust economy but many of us rack up devastating debt while others are caught in a dead-end struggle trying to stay afloat. More stuff is not the answer. We could blame big business and government for laying the perfect trap, but buyer (or consumer) beware. Take personal responsibility AND set yourself free. Then use your freedom to radically influence the national debate on every level. Don’t drain the swamp, Unstuff America! This week, Andrew talks about how to set yourself free from a life of regret and missed opportunities. Every day we have the opportunity to make conscious choices that are aligned with our values or that run counter to our values. What does it take to spend our time mindfully and responsibly so we don't get to the end of this experience with a pile of regrets that may resemble the piles of stuff we may also have accumulated? Listen in to learn how to break this cycle and live well today and every day. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com. 

Enjoy this popular replay as you begin the new year with Dee C. Marshall, an international speaker, author and coach. Dee shares her "aha" moment that came when it was time to downsize. She speaks passionately and frankly about her journey from clutter to control and the freedom she has today. Now her faith and values define her choices as she motivates other women to transform and simplify their lives.  We'll be back with new episodes for 2018 next week. If you like what you hear, please consider leaving me some stars and a favorable review!  

Enjoy this popular replay for the holiday season featuring New York Times bestselling author, meditation teacher and founder of Open Heart Project, Susan Piver. Listen in to learn how Susan faces stuff discordance in her everyday life and her simple workarounds to stay happy, sane and mindful. She offers her own take on simplifying and reveals her Achille's heel when it comes to organizing—scheduling. Andrew shares some tips of his own to help her shift her mindset around time, math and her calendar.  If you like what you hear, please consider leaving me some stars and a favorable review!

Andrew Mellen invites us all to look at obligatory gift giving and our expectations around the holidays. What would it take to interrupt the constant barrage of messages driving us to shop and race around trying to make merry? Perhaps it's easier than we think to slow down and focus on family, intimacy, being together, loving and sharing? Why not enjoy this time of year while it's happening instead of gritting your teeth and waiting for the familiar level of everyday overwhelm to return after New Year's. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Enjoy this popular replay for the holiday season featuring Canadian friend and colleague, Vanessa Judelman, President of Mosaic People Development. Listen in to learn how a busy entrepreneur and mom with two active boys finds time to give back to her community. Vanessa takes the USA Challenge and commits to tracking her time using Toggl and letting unneeded clothing go. Learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America” at andrewmellen.com. If you like what you hear, please consider leaving me some stars and a favorable review!

Andrew Mellen and Maya D. Haynes discuss the rights and responsibilities of all Americans and the premise behind UnStuff America! If you're too busy moving crap around your home, work or life to participate in the community outside your door, you have too much stuff. If you're sick and tired of being sick and tired, get your shit together so you can help shape this great democracy so all people have access to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you don't participate, you have no right to complain and complaining never changed anything anyway. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Since 1999, Richard Lang and Judith Selby Lang as a collaborative team have been visiting Kehoe Beach, Point Reyes National Seashore in Northern California.They have rambled 1000 meters of tideline of this one beach hundreds of times to gather plastic debris washing out of the Pacific Ocean and from this one beach have collected over two tons of material. They share their individual and collaborative journeys as a practical guide and as a metaphor of how microphilanthropy and small acts of kindness and curiosity can shape a life of meaning, fun and deep connection. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Amy Schuber is a life and business coach and the host of the Inspired Conversations Podcast. Amy shares how a deadend corporate job and overwhelming fear motivated her to start her own business and launch a popular podcast. As she unstuffed her life, she saw the impact simplicity and living her values had on her home, her health and her happiness. Amy's journey from clutter to clarity is filled with small and incremental steps that led her to a thriving business and a harmonious home.  Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Professor Gerald Torres, Trustee of the National Resources Defense Council & Board Chair of the Earth Day Network, shares wisdom gained from a lifetime of respect for the earth. Watching his mother make choices about her legacy as well as living in two cities has taught him how simple living can still be rich in experiences and meaning. From natural disasters to overflowing bookshelves, Gerald has great stories about the power and influence of consistent small actions. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Sensei Victoria Whitfield talks about unleashing the healing power in everyday acts of kindness and compassion. Victoria’s personal journey from a soul-deadening corporate job to her current incarnation as a healer for entrepreneurs demonstrates how effective simplifying one’s life and a relentless big-hearted search for clarity can be in manifesting a life of love, generosity and impact. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Writer, actor +humorist Mellini Kantayya created a simple survey before leaving on vacation. She came home to find it had gone viral with over 75,000 signatures and national attention. While every action may not create this much buzz, ANY action can. Mel shares in her fun, no-nonsense style how anyone can make an impact in 15 minutes by being thoughtful and creating something super easy to share. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

It's always great to learn what internationally recognized thought leaders on operational excellence do at home to stay organized and productive. Joseph F. Paris Jr. proves he's not a "do as I say, not as I do" leader as his family adapts to living abroad in Germany. He shares his take on German recycling and consumption and shares his best productivity + travel hacks, too. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Robert Lee is a co-founder and CEO of Rescuing Leftover Cuisine. A native of Queens, Robert grew up learning the value of food and saw a gap in how restaurants and the food industry dealt with waste. His 'aha' moment quickly turned into a thriving organization that redistributes millions of pounds of food, using social media and a simple app to mobilize ordinary citizens to pick up and deliver food fast. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Thought leader, business coach and founder of Boldheart, Fabienne Fredrickson talks about awakening the bold heart in each of us to "play a bigger game." She also shares insight into capsule wardrobes and the simple way French women dress well with less. From closets to personal transformation, the same themes run through all Fabienne's choices: find what is simple, clean and heart-centered and run with it without regret or fear. Listen in to learn how you can activate your higher calling will simplifying your life. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Spiritual teacher, poet, writer, and founder of Center for Spiritual Enlightenment Yogacharya Ellen Grace O’Brian shares her passion for waking up, both personally and as a necessity for our communities. An impromptu poetry reading and a surprising story about a desk chair perfectly highlight her humanity, depth and sense of humor. Listen in to learn how you can easily shift your mindset and increase your happiness and freedom with less stress and a few laughs. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

These days, it's easy to see the glass half-empty and focus on problems—so much seems out of joint and fractured right now. Professional and community organizer Nettie Owens has an antidote to the tumult at home and outside: kindness. Listen in to learn simple ways you can bring more kindness and effectiveness to everything from raising kids to creating a non-profit organization. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

When the house is literally on fire, urgent and important are in sync. When the house is not on fire, every shiny thing will steal focus and lead you astray if you can not or do not remember what IS important. Everyday, from news media to social media and beyond, a million things are trying to get our attention. Hold onto your core values and you're practically immune to "Squirrel" syndrome. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Do you or someone you live with have opposing views on how to deal with stuff? New York Times bestselling author, meditation teacher and founder of Open Heart Project, Susan Piver faces this challenge at home and she shares the mindful way to live in harmony with stuff discordance. She offers more tips on simplifying and reveals her organizing Achille's heel—scheduling.  Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Matt Kresling likes to make stuff—which you can check out here. He also loves books—reading them and giving them away. A current fave is Stoner by John Williams. He also organizes organizers and activists and is passionate about getting money out of politics. Matt is a self-proclaimed 7 out of 10 when it comes to being organized and like many other folks, has tidy surfaces and too much stuff behind closed doors. Matt shares how he keeps a studio apartment in LA functional enough to live and work in the same space and why he got rid of his bed for one year. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

"Family values" is often tossed around as if there were only one kind of family and universal values. Gillian Caldwell, CEO of Global Witness, has traveled the globe with hers, leading campaigns to end the corruption, environmental and human rights abuses driven by natural resource exploitation. Together with her husband and children, they live mindfully of their impact and how to be responsible consumers and stewards of our limited and precious resources. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Everyone who decides to get and stay organized has an "aha" moment. Dee C. Marshall, an international speaker, author and coach, had hers when it was time to downsize. She speaks passionately and frankly about her journey from clutter to control and the freedom she has today. Now her faith and values define her choices as she motivates other women to transform and simplify their lives. Learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Seems simple but too many people are trapped in a faulty mindset that says their stuff defines them. Let’s be clear—your values and your actions define you. You don’t have to worry about being judged—you are being judged and not favorably so why waste another precious minute trying to rearrange the outside? It’s just stuff anyway. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

The average adult tells and hears 200 lies a day. Rest assured, most of them never leave your head. Still, how are you going to recognize the real fake news when you’re so busy making up a story about why you’re late? The truth will set you free … if you can recognize it. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com and more about lies here: http://bit.ly/200liesaday.

This concept literally got a gasp out of Gayle King when we met at the Oprah Magazine offices. You can't fault people trying to sell you stuff—that's their job. It's your job to stop shopping for anything you can't consume until you're organized and are crystal clear about what you own, where it is and what you use it for. If you already have too much stuff, even more stuff (no matter how cheap) is not the answer!  Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com  

The first interview for the podcast features Canadian friend and colleague, Vanessa Judelman, President of Mosaic People Development. Listen in to learn how a busy entrepreneur and mom with two active boys finds time to give back to her community. Vanessa takes the USA Challenge and commits to tracking her time using Toggl and letting unneeded clothing go. Learn more about “The Most Organized Man in America” at andrewmellen.com. If you like what you hear, please consider leaving me some stars and a favorable review!

The third leg of The Organizational Triangle® is Something In, Something Out. By being thoughtful anytime you bring something new into your life, you will reduce any future organizing you need to do. Something In, Something Out also has a macro application and that where we use this rule to set ourselves free from oppressive legislation and lawmakers who would use their power for their own interests rather than furthering the common good. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

The second leg of The Organizational Triangle® is Like With Like. That means all like objects live together. Not some, not most, all. This is great principle when it comes to stuff, to inanimate objects. It's not so useful when it comes to people. Starting with the first ghetto in Venice in 1516, segregating people into like with like categories has never been a good idea. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

I can’t think of a better way to say happy birthday to this great country of ours than to set yourself free. There’s nothing you need to buy America to tell her that you love her. She doesn’t need a gift, at least a gift you can buy—so keep your money in your wallet. The best gift you can give this great country of ours is to set yourself free from wasted time and distractions that are sucking the life out of you. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.

Clutter and poor choices are choking our country and obscuring our values. The only thing trickling down in trickle down economics is the right to create unsecured debt and become a wage slave. Rich or poor, we all complain about having too much stuff and not enough time. Get organized so you can get organizing and really make America great again—before all we’re left with is debt, pollution, illiteracy and a bloated 1%. Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.  

Shann Vander Leek, producer, podcast coach and founder of PodcastBath.com interviews Chief Expert Organizer, speaker, and the best-selling author of  “Unstuff Your Life!”, Andrew Mellen about his brand new podcast. Listen in for what you can expect when you join Andrew each week for UnStuff America Thursday!  Learn more about “the most organized man in America” at andrewmellen.com.