Podcast appearances and mentions of less can lead

Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos thinks the U.S. can grow its way out of a massive deficit. He says we need a “growth mindset.” Stephanie and Dave call it a “suicide economic model,” and note that growth addiction is exactly what afflicts most policymakers around the world. The dynamic duo discuss the little-understood fact that a shrinking economy can be healthy – when it accompanies a contracting population. Bezos also proposes that we plunder the universe in order to protect Earth “we've sent robotic probes to all of the planets in this solar system. This is the good one.”) Also: The Congressional Budget Office lowers U.S. population projections, further stoking the fires of depopulation panic – the result of a lack of overpopulation literacy Isaac Asimov's “metaphor of the bathroom,” about the need for more regulation as our population grows (we dug up great video of Asimov; see link below) The parable of the Mexican fisherman A great poem, Rather Than by Sandy Trust. Featured in an episode of one of our favorite podcasts, Planet Critical (see link below)   MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Congressional Budget Office Lowers U.S. Population Projectionshttps://www.cbo.gov/publication/61164#_idTextAnchor003 Immigrants Fill the Birth Dearth: U.S. Population Will Crater Without NewcomersNew York Daily News editorialhttps://www.nydailynews.com/2025/01/17/immigrants-fill-the-birth-dearth-u-s-population-will-crater-without-newcomers/ The Interview: From Amazon to Space — Jeff Bezos Talks Innovation, Progress and What's Next – 2024 New York Times DealBook Summit, with Andrew Ross Sorkinhttps://youtu.be/s71nJQqzYRQ?si=uTMCtPVaXw8WnDeD The Four Hour Work Week - by Tim Ferrisshttps://fourhourworkweek.com/ The Story of the Mexican Fishermanhttps://bemorewithless.com/the-story-of-the-mexican-fisherman/ A blog post on the website of Courtney Carver, author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, and Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want Isaac Asimov on World of Ideas – 1988 Interview by Bill Moyershttps://youtu.be/CWovZtCQWfE?si=nnxiJJb8LmC026Q_ Planetary Solvency – Finding Our Balance With Nature – report by Institute and Faculty of Actuarieshttps://actuaries.org.uk/news-and-media-releases/news-articles/2025/jan/16-jan-25-planetary-solvency-finding-our-balance-with-nature/ Planetary Solvency: Sandy Trust – episode of Planet Critical with Rachel DonaldSandy Trust responds to one question with his poem, Rather Thanhttps://www.planetcritical.com/p/planetary-solvency-sandy-trust Give Us Feedback: Record a voice message for us to play on the podcast: 719-402-1400 Send an email to podcast at growthbusters.org The GrowthBusters theme song was written and produced by Jake Fader and sung by Carlos Jones. https://www.fadermusicandsound.com/ https://carlosjones.com/ On the GrowthBusters podcast, we come to terms with the limits to growth, explore the joy of sustainable living, and provide a recovery program from our society's growth addiction (economic/consumption and population). This podcast is part of the GrowthBusters project to raise awareness of overshoot and end our culture's obsession with, and pursuit of, growth. Dave Gardner directed the documentary GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth, which Stanford Biologist Paul Ehrlich declared “could be the most important film ever made.” Co-host, and self-described "energy nerd," Stephanie Gardner has degrees in Environmental Studies and Environmental Law & Policy. Join the GrowthBusters online community https://growthbusters.groups.io/ GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth – free on YouTube https://youtu.be/_w0LiBsVFBo Join the conversation on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GrowthBustersPodcast/ Make a donation to support this non-profit project. https://www.growthbusters.org/donate/ Archive of GrowthBusters podcast episodes http://www.growthbusters.org/podcast/ Subscribe to GrowthBusters email updates https://lp.constantcontact.com/su/umptf6w/signup Explore the issues at http://www.growthbusters.org View the GrowthBusters channel on YouTube Follow the podcast so you don't miss an episode:  

In today's episode, author, Courtney Carver and I dive into a question that feels more urgent than ever: When was the last time you gave yourself permission to pause, rest, and truly reset? In a world that tells us happiness and success come from doing more and pushing harder, many of us are left feeling like we're never enough. But what if there's another way? Today, we'll explore the transformative wisdom of Courtney's new book, Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want. Courtney's message is simple yet profound: by embracing rest, releasing what weighs us down, and redefining success, we can step into the life we truly desire—with less overwhelm and more ease.Links Discussed in This Episode |Diane's Resource: Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than PeersConnect with Courtney:InstagramBook: Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less and Live the Life You Actually WantWebsiteAbout Courtney |Courtney Carver is the founder and creator of bemorewithless.com and The Simplicity Space, a membership community supporting and celebrating people as they simplify their lives. She co-hosts the Soul & Wit podcast with her daughter, Bailey, and is the bestselling author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More and Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More. She has been featured by Good Morning America, the New York Times, and O, The Oprah Magazine. She lives with her husband in Salt Lake City, Utah.Work with Me |If you've been struggling with motivation to work through bad habits that are keeping you stuck, I'd love to help you achieve your goals! We'll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away. For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Episode Sponsors |Clear Intentions would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Cymbiotika: Go to Cymbiotika.com/Minimalist for 20% off your order + free shipping today Hungry Root: Get 40% off your first box PLUS get a free item in every box for life. Go to Hungryroot.com/minimalist and use code minimalist.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. Please share with friends that could be inspired by the wisdom of each and every guest!Further Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane (and a FULL list of previous guests' books!)Grab a copy of my first book Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with SimplicityCheckout a list of my past collaborative podcasts here!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast2093/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Welcome back to another episode of “I'm the problem, it's me,” where I call bullshit on myself for the things I'm getting wrong, so we can all learn from the struggle. Today's adulting confession: I'm terrible at letting things go. I never know when to walk away and call it quits, and I try to make things work long past the point of productivity or hopeIf you're listening to this, you're probably feeling a little overwhelmed or frustrated at how hard you've been trying in some area in your life.This episode is your permission slip to stop trying to do something if it's not working.We're taught our whole lives that “quitting is bad”, and “If you try harder you'll do better” — but trying harder isn't always the solution to achieving more.Tune in as we explore a beautiful metaphor I heard at Lewis Howes' Summit of Greatness. We dive into a story from Price Pritchett's book, You2, on the power of redirection, pivoting, and NOT trying harder when there's a smarter, more effective solution just around the corner.I haven't always known when to let go and walk away from something, but I'm setting out to change that.If something isn't working in your life and you're still desperately trying — stop and reevaluate. There's probably a better wayRead Price Prichett's book, You2 Our show is produced by:Gillian Berner, Host, Producer & EditorOlivia Nashmi, Audio EngineerCarolyn Schissler, Designer & Web ProducerSara Valentine, Content ProducerFor advertising and sponsorship inquiries, please contact Frequency Podcast Network. Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadult

If you want to make a greater impact on your team and work while avoiding overwhelm and overwork, check out this FAN FAVORITE episode from the new podcast "The Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader"! You can find it wherever you're listening to this episode!  Just search for "The Modern Humanitarian and Development Leader" and make sure to SUBSCRIBE for the latest updates! ------------------ Ever feel like you're drowning in your workload and still not making the impact you want? In this episode, we tackle a critical issue facing humanitarian and development leaders today: burnout. Discover why traditional ways of working are causing you more harm than good and how you can break free from this cycle. In this 11 minute episode you'll learn: The real reasons behind burnout that you might not be aware of and how to address them. Gain insights on how to become a modern leader who maximizes impact while reducing stress and overwhelm. Learn how to acquire practical skills to empower your team, enhancing productivity and fostering a high-performing, inclusive work environment. Don't let overwork and overwhelm hold you back—listen to this episode now and start your journey towards more effective and sustainable leadership! -----------------    

Discover how to simplify life and access an abundance of energy, time, and space in this month's episode.Join Myra Lewin, founder and director of Hale Pule Ayurveda and Yoga, and Hale Pule's Partnerships Coordinator, Claudia Nethery, as they explore how your possessions can deplete or support your life force energy, or prana. Myra and Claudia dive deeply into:Feeling consumed and held back by the stuff we own.Possessing less on the outside to ultimately have more on the inside.How we practice simplicity at Hale Pule, including Myra's personal experiences over the years and her thoughts on minimalism.Setting the right energy in different areas of your life to support your prana.Practical tips on how to navigate the temptations of our modern, materialistic world.How our worldly possessions relate to the yamas and niyamas, the ethical foundation of Yoga.This is an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation that uncovers different perspectives on practicing non-possessiveness in a physical world. And because Ayurveda is a holistic science, this conversation goes well beyond your material belongings!Learn Hale Pule's tridoshic approach to creating nourishing meals, join Simple Ayurvedic Cooking with Hale Pule. The recipes are easy, delicious, and will leave you feeling energized. Thanks for tuning in to the Everyday Ayurveda and Yoga at Hale Pule podcast. If this series inspires you to live a more holistic and balanced lifestyle, check out Hale Pule's 4-week Agni Therapy program - a reset for your digestion and your life! It includes Ayurveda and Yoga practices, on-on-one consultation, energy work, a private support group, and a library of Q&As with Myra to support your healing process. Learn more here.You can also connect with Myra and the Hale Pule team over at the refreshing Spark your Intuition meditation series, and on Instagram and Facebook.

Are you ready to make more sales without spreading yourself thin? That's the goal of scaling an online business, but it requires some prep work. In this episode we'll talk about the difference between seasons of expansion and seasons of selection, and how one leads to the other. I'm giving you a peek under the hood of The Inspired Business today and sharing what's working for me, what totally flopped last year, and how I'm planning to grow without making myself crazy. Then we'll wrap up with three big tips for simplifying your business so you can scale your results to new heights.Highlights:My word for the year: simplifyWhat pre-simplification looks like (maybe you can relate)Wins and losses in 2022How I shed $4K in one month (not recommended)We can do our due diligence, but one part of the decision process is not up to usExperimentation/Expansion vs. Selection/SimplificationMy two goals for this yearMy primary strategies for growthThree key tips for simplifying your business in order to scale your resultsResources mentioned in this episode:The Inspired Business Guide BundleProfitable Digital Products Method The Funnel Club Want to partner with Becky by hosting a digital products masterclass? Contact her at becky@theinspiredbusiness.co.Are you a digital marketing genius? Take our quiz to find out!Plus watch our FREE masterclass: How to Create and Sell Digital Products Without Feeling Stupid, Salesy, or Sacrilegious

Today's episode is the second half of the two-part series on materialism and minimalism. Minimalism is the intentional choice to live with less. It is a set of deliberate life choices designed to to simplify our lives in order to magnify what really matters; including (but not limited to) the Kingdom of God, service, and relationships with others.We cover some practical tools for pairing down our possessions, and I recommend five resources to further assist on the journey to living an intentionally simplified life:The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark ComerMoney, Possessions and Eternity by Randy AlcornMinimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things  Your Money or Your Life:9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver. 

Stel Coombe-Heath sat in her home a few years ago, surrounded by the evidence of fast food and donuts she'd eaten, and realized it was her time to ask for help. She'd long taken her fitness and weight to punishing levels, depriving herself for period of time, followed by bingeing. Then shame. Discomfort. And pushing herself to exercise more and eat less. It was time for a change.You will learn: *It's possible to retrain and rewire the brain.*There is support for individuals with eating disorders, but it can be harder to find if the sufferer doesn't exhibit extreme symptoms.*Using the scale to measure success for binge eaters may not be productive.For show notes, click HERE.Writers! Want a to-do list to help you the year before you publish your book? Enjoy my freebie!

Crystal is a small town girl on the East Coast who loves encouraging women to live the best life God has designed for them. A writer for more than a decade, she is the author of three self-published books and a Bible study called Work Hard, Rest Well. Her first book, Holy Hustle: Embracing a Work-Hard, Rest-Well Life (Harvest House) came out in 2018 and her second book, Quieting the Shout of Should: How a Life of Less Can Lead to More released in October 2020. From her experiences in motherhood, years of corporate life, work in ministry, or whatever new stage God has her in, Crystal writes and speaks so that you know that you are exactly where God needs you, your work matters, and you are the best one for the job.Connect with Crystal https://crystalstine.me/https://www.instagram.com/crystalstine/

In SOULFUL SIMPLICITY: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney Carver shows us how to pare down not only our closets but our mental and emotional spaces. COURTNEY CARVER is the creator of BeMorewithLess.com and the Project 333 challenge.

In SOULFUL SIMPLICITY: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney Carver shows us how to pare down not only our closets but our mental and emotional spaces. COURTNEY CARVER is the creator of BeMorewithLess.com and the Project 333 challenge.

En este episodio te cuento un poco de mi experiencia con el Proyecto 333 de Courtney Carver, cuanto tiempo me llevo implementarlo y cual ha sido mi experiencia en las dos semanas que llevo implementándolo y de como este proceso me ha ayudado a soltar culpas, frustraciones y a ganar espacio.   Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More de Courtney Carver Project 333: The Minimalist Fashion Challenge That Proves Less Really Is So Much More de Courtney Carver Prueba Audible por 1 mes totalmente gratis (2 libros)   Si éste o algún otro episodio te ha ayudado o inspirado, me atrevo a pedirte una reseña y una valoración en Apple Podcast para que otras mamás también puedan aprovechar la información que comparto. ¡Conectemos en IG! Por allá me encuentras como @NaturalmenteMama!

Welcome to Episode 16 of The Perfectionist's Guide to Mothering! Today I'm talking with author and speaker, Crystal Stine. Crystal loves encouraging women to live the best life God has designed for them. She is the author of two books, Holy Hustle: Embracing a Work-Hard, Rest-Well Life* and her most recent book, Quieting the Shout of Should: How a Life of Less Can Lead to More*. She is also releasing The Holy Hustle Planner* next month. We talk about some common "shoulds" moms struggle with both now and during the holidays, how to quiet those voices, creativity, and much more. You can connect with Crystal here: crystalstine.me Instagram: @crystalstine Crystal has graciously offered to giveaway a signed copy of Quieting the Shout of Should: How a Life of Less Can Lead to More*! To enter, take a screenshot of this podcast episode while you're listening and tag us on social media: @crystalstine and @andreafortenberry. *Affiliate Link --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/andreafortenberry/support

We live in a world where no matter what/how much we have, we never seem to have enough. In this episode, author Courtney Carver shares her decade-long search to find a life of Soulful Simplicity by dialing back her ego and listening to her heart. She describes this work as “radically simplified change done gently,” and offers fun lifestyle challenges that will inspire you to free yourself from unnecessary things, harmful expectations and the excesses of our chronically busy lives. Courtney’s website is Be More With Less. Her book is “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More.”

Courtney Carver shows us the power of simplicity to improve our health, build more meaningful relationships, and relieve stress in our professional and personal lives.We are often on a quest for more—we give in to pressure every day to work more, own more, and do more. For Carver, this constant striving had to come to a stop when she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Stress was like gasoline on the fire of symptoms, and it became clear that she needed to root out the physical and psychological clutter that were the source of her debt and discontent. In this book, she shows us how to pursue practical minimalism so we can create more with less—more space, more time, and even more love. Carver invites us to look at the big picture, discover what's most important to us, and reclaim lightness and ease by getting rid of all the excess things.

On this episode of the Your Financial Pharmacist podcast, Tim Church, YFP team member, interviews Dr. Jessica Louie about how to spark joy as an entrepreneur.  Jessica is a Board-Certified Critical Care Pharmacist and Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice. She is also a multi-passionate entrepreneur with 3 small businesses. Jessica is the CEO of Clarify Simplify Align, High Performance Life Coach, Professional Organizer and Certified KonMari Consultant. Mentioned on the Show: YFP Giveaway: Tax Preparation and Filing Services Petite Style Script Like to Know It Rewards Style Simon Sinek Clarify Simplify Align KonMari Method The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo Spark Joy: An Illustrated Master Class on the Art of Organizing and Tidying Up by Marie Kondo Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek     High Performance Habits: How Extraordinary People Become that Way by Brendan Burchard Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth Contact Dr. Jessica Louie

Learn the power of simplicity to reduce stress, improve your health, and “be more with less.” Lauren and Kelly connect with minimalism and simplicity thought leader Courtney Carver. She is the author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, and the creator of minimalist fashion challenge #Project333, which involves dressing with 33 items or less for 3 months. Courtney says, “simplicity is the way back to love.” She runs BeMorewithLess.com where she offers e-courses and advice on how to live more simply. Her work and #Project333 have been featured in O, The Oprah Magazine among notable publications, wellness blogs and podcasts.    Connect with Courtney Carver Web: BeMorewithLess.com IG: @bemorewithless TW: @bemorewithless

In SOULFUL SIMPLICITY: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney Carver shows us how to pare down not only our closets but our mental and emotional spaces. Courtney Carver is the creator of the Project 333 Challenge and BeMorewithLess.com.

In SOULFUL SIMPLICITY: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney Carver shows us how to pare down not only our closets but our mental and emotional spaces. Courtney Carver is the creator of the Project 333 Challenge and BeMorewithLess.com.

In SOULFUL SIMPLICITY: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney Carver shows us how to pare down not only our closets but our mental and emotional spaces. Courtney Carver is the creator of the Project 333 Challenge and BeMorewithLess.com.

Show NotesPodcast written by Jennifer WhiteMusic & Production by Jimmy Sferes at Hummingbird StudiosLearn more at the Happy Human Handbook::your simple (and sometimes serious) guide to the complex (and often funny) business of embodying our humanity in this crazy and beautiful world we all share::Learn How to SimplifyThere are a lot of great resources out there for how to get back to basics and start simplifying, but here are a few of my recent favorites:The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing, by Marie KondoSoulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, by Courtney Carver {Her approach covers more than conquering clutter, and includes topics such as food, work, and wellbeing. Check our her blog: Be More with Less}Radical Simplicity: Small Footprints on a Finite Earth, by Jim Merkel {This is an old classic that covers stuff, money, and resource use—with lots of simple, practical, and sometimes radical, tools to try.}

Closet Joy Part 2 of 3. Our guest, Courtney Carver, shares minimalist wardrobe tips centered around 33 pieces that will help you be more with less. Today’s episode of Spark Joy is part two of a three part series dedicated to closet joy. We’ll talk to three guests who are revolutionizing the way we view fashion and style. We’re going to learn how to be more with less from one of the minimalism movement’s veterans - Courtney Carver. Courtney changed her life by simplifying it after a devastating diagnosis in 2006. She’s the founder of bemorewithless.com and minimalist fashion challenge Project 333. Her new book Soulful Simplicity was published by Penguin Random House. Carver shows us the power of simplicity to improve our health, build more meaningful relationships, and relieve stress in our professional and personal lives. We want to hear from you! Tell us your burning tidying questions or share stories about how KonMari has impacted your life. Find us at www.sparkjoypodcast.com and click “Ask Spark Joy” to leave a question or comment for a chance to be featured on next week’s show. While you’re there, sign-up to join our Spark Joy podcast community and get notified when each episode airs. You can also join the Spark Joy podcast community on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter at the handle @sparkjoypodcast. In this episode, you’ll enjoy: The documentary about Minimalism that featured Courtney's story How a health scare in 2006 led Courtney to explore her wardrobe to reduce stress and improve her overall well-being The origins of Courtney's personal challenge, Project 333, that focuses on paring down your wardrobe to 33 items or less for three months How Courtney connected her shopping behaviors to dissatisfaction in other areas of her life How tucking excess clothing away, out of sight instead of immediately discarding allowed Courtney to experiment with having a capsule wardrobe without evoking unnecessary stress How you may already be practicing Project 333 without even knowing it! Why you don't have to have exactly 33 pieces to simplify your wardrobe. (hint: there's no magic number!) How to handle laundry, occasional wear, and goal clothes when simplifying your closet How Project 333, KonMari, and frugality don't promote suffering or deprivation. The methods are meant to be helpful, stressless and value add The Be More with Less courses, virtual community, and Tiny Wardrobe Tour How dressing with less has helped those in Courtney's community lose weight and recover from depression and anxiety disorders Courtney's steps to minimalism for beginners: Dress with Less Write it Down Discard the Duplicates Declare a clutter-free zone Travel lightly Eat Similar Meals Have an Emergency Fund Why you have to have a good "why" to shape a compelling reason to change How Courtney followed Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover to get out of debt in three years and establish an emergency fund The importance of creating a clutter free KonMari Power Zone The future of Be More with Less Gems: "I didn't know what enough was." "Your workout clothes have to workout." "I didn't know what I loved." "It's just interesting to really notice what you're actually wearing." "This isn't a project in suffering." "In the history of my life, a smaller size has never gotten me to where I want to be." "Choose clothes that fit you today." "I wanted one area for the family that would inspire us to declutter other areas." "Don't discount the tiny steps, because that's what big change is." Courtney’s favorite tidying tip: Reset to zero. What sparks joy for Courtney: Her daughter's golden doodle puppy Stanley. To connect with Courtney Carver, visit Be More with Less and follow her on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you’re interested in Courtney’s book “Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More” she's made a free copy of Chapter 1 available for Spark Joy listeners. You can find Karin Socci at The Serene Home You can find Kristyn Ivey at For the Love of Tidy Special Guest: Courtney Carver.

Ambition is a valuable personal quality to have, but oftentimes individuals get too wrapped up in doing more, more, more.Ambition is a valuable personal quality to have, but oftentimes individuals get too wrapped up in doing more, more, more.That was Courtney Carver's reality... until she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). The stress of constantly being busy fueled her symptoms even more. It became clear that she needed to root out the physical and psychological clutter that were the source of her debt and discontent.In her book, Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, Courtney provides tips on how to "pursue practical minimalism so we can create more with less—more space, more time, and even more love." She invites us to look at the big picture, discover what’s most important to us, and reclaim lightness and ease by getting rid of all the excess things.Listen as Courtney shares her personal journey to simplicity and how you can get on that path as well.

The idea of living with less—less stuff, less obligations, less debt and making less of a footprint environmentally—is really gaining momentum. And here’s my hypothesis about why: For anyone on a journey to find some meaning in their life or simply trying to gain clarity on what truly makes them happy and fulfilled, we mostly all land in the same place with similar conclusions: it’s not the stuff or the money or the house or the important to do list that give our lives fulfillment: it’s our relationships. And when we have space—physical, emotional and spiritual—to nourish those relationships, our lives are simply better. What’s ahead is a conversation about how living with less makes for room more: more love, more space and more joy.   Guest Bio Courtney Carver launched her blog Be More with Less in 2010 and is one of the top bloggers in the world on the subject of minimalism. Recently she published the book Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More, which tells her story of living with less and gives practical advice for shedding the excess in our lives to make room for more live. Courtney has been featured in countless articles, podcasts, and interviews on simplicity and is the creator of the minimalist fashion challenge Project 333, which was featured in O magazine and Real Simple.   Mentioned in this Episode https://bemorewithless.com/ Project 333: https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ https://www.amazon.com/Soulful-Simplicity-Living-Less-Lead/dp/0143130684   Connect with the 60 Mindful Minutes podcast   Web: https://kristenmanieri.com  Email: Kristen@kristenmanieri.com    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/60MindfulMinutes Instagram: @kristenmanieri_ 

Today we learn how to pare down all of our junk that's we've accumulated over time and simplify our lives with minimalist author and blogger, Courtney Carver. Carver wrote the book, Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More. Is this a hike through a meadow with a back-packed, man-bunned millennial? Fast forward to 33:39 to find out. Earlier in this episode, Phil Hulett and Gonzo Greg Spillane speak with Travel Dude, Gary Warner about travel during the bombogenesis storm. Don't miss his tips on how to avoid a cancellation and what to do if your flight is cancelled. Then we have these stories: Gonzo's least favorite new TV game show "Child Support." Play along with the 15 things that instantly cause inner rage. Game of Thrones final season is pushed. You know, there's a chance China's space station won't vaporize on re-entry when it falls from space in March...that thing is probably made of lead. Uh, China came under fire for making a lot of stuff with lead in it. Get it? No? How about this? We track the Tesla in Space! And, the new plans to land on an asteroid and bring back clay for children to play with. What could go wrong? Beware of sex robots. Hackers can re-program them to kill you. But, they might eat your brain first. Speaking of brains...Alex Trebek 's was in jeopardy until surgeons performed an emergency procedure that save his life and his condescending, superior personality. While we're talking Jeopardy, are white guys allowed to say "Gangsta?" Health Warning: lay off the lettuce for a while. We'll tell you what kind. Here's something for you, a man who ate a lifetime of tacos in a year. And finally, the kid who answered the riddle wrong, but the Internet says it's oh so right.

Courtney Carver teaches us how to declutter as well as make space for joy. The book "Soulful Simplicity" is an extension of her minimalist blog, BeMoreWithLess.com, where she continues to chronicle her journey of living with less. The book was born of Carver's own painful wakeup call being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (M.S.).  Forced to slow down, she began digging herself out of debt while also letting go of stuff. Now, years later, she recognizes decluttering was only the beginning of letting go.With every item she releases, she also lets go of guilt, frustration, and exhaustion.  Carver overhauled her closet and her shopping patterns with Project 333, her brainchild for paring down her wardrobe. Now, she invites others to join her in limiting apparel to 33 items for a 3-month period. Meanwhile, she cautions against substituting shopping for unmet emotional needs. Instead, she suggests we avoid over-purchasing by trading shopping habits for self-care practices. For example, getting massages or taking walks can satisfy our souls far more than making a trip to the mall. Carver sets an example of how to stay in close contact with our authentic selves. She begins each day with a mindful morning routine of breathing slowly and holding her hands over her heart. Then, before connecting with technology, she commits to connecting with people she truly cares about. To resist being swept up in the daily rat race, she proposes we adopt a “Busy Boycott.” For 21 days, we agree not to mention how busy we are, then we do less and say no. In the same vein, she encourages us to reclaim the lost art of “Lingering Longer.” As Carver says, “We don't remove clutter, reduce the stress, and boycott busyness to have a simple life. We do it have a life.” BUY Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More Go to Carver's blog Music Credit Sound Editing Credit

An excerpt from Courtney Carver's new book: Soulful Simplicity. Episode 746: Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver (Slow Living). Courtney Carver was stopped in her tracks with a scary MS diagnosis after decades of debt, discontent, and trying to do it all. She had to slow down, prioritize her health, and figure out what was really important in her life. She discovered what mattered most by getting rid of everything that didn't matter at all. In the end it all came down to love and health. She went from a busy, overwhelmed advertising director to spending 2-3 hours every morning taking care of herself, loving her work, and being present and engaged with the people she loves. Her family changed, too. They moved from wanting bigger closets, nicer furniture, and more stuff to downsizing into a 750 sq. ft apartment with no storage. Courtney has written books, courses, and hundreds of articles to help you simplify your life and work so you can focus on what really matters. You can find the book and more info here: http://BeMoreWithLess.com Check out the year long course on simplicity: http://OLDPodcast.com/learn Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An excerpt from Courtney Carver's new book: Soulful Simplicity. Episode 746: Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver (Slow Living). Courtney Carver was stopped in her tracks with a scary MS diagnosis after decades of debt, discontent, and trying to do it all. She had to slow down, prioritize her health, and figure out what was really important in her life. She discovered what mattered most by getting rid of everything that didn't matter at all. In the end it all came down to love and health. She went from a busy, overwhelmed advertising director to spending 2-3 hours every morning taking care of herself, loving her work, and being present and engaged with the people she loves. Her family changed, too. They moved from wanting bigger closets, nicer furniture, and more stuff to downsizing into a 750 sq. ft apartment with no storage. Courtney has written books, courses, and hundreds of articles to help you simplify your life and work so you can focus on what really matters. You can find the book and more info here: http://BeMoreWithLess.com Check out the year long course on simplicity: http://OLDPodcast.com/learn Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An excerpt from Courtney Carver's new book: Soulful Simplicity. Episode 746: Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More by Courtney Carver (Slow Living). Courtney Carver was stopped in her tracks with a scary MS diagnosis after decades of debt, discontent, and trying to do it all. She had to slow down, prioritize her health, and figure out what was really important in her life. She discovered what mattered most by getting rid of everything that didn’t matter at all. In the end it all came down to love and health. She went from a busy, overwhelmed advertising director to spending 2-3 hours every morning taking care of herself, loving her work, and being present and engaged with the people she loves. Her family changed, too. They moved from wanting bigger closets, nicer furniture, and more stuff to downsizing into a 750 sq. ft apartment with no storage. Courtney has written books, courses, and hundreds of articles to help you simplify your life and work so you can focus on what really matters. You can find the book and more info here: http://BeMoreWithLess.com Check out the year long course on simplicity: http://OLDPodcast.com/learn Please Rate & Review the Show! Visit Me Online at OLDPodcast.com and in The O.L.D. Facebook Group and Join the Ol' Family to get your Free Gifts! This episode is proudly sponsored by TalkSpace! Get $30 off your first month by using the coupon code OLD, and visit: Talkspace.com/OLD --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/optimal-living-daily/support

On this episode of the podcast, I am joined by My friend Courtney Carver, the person behind Be More with Less and author of Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More. A passionate and energetic speaker, Courtney shares to communities the power of simplicity in improving health, building meaningful relationships, and creating more joy in life. It goes without saying that we could all afford to be a little less stressed and more emotionally balanced. That's why I'm sure you'll find tons of value in this episode no matter what you've got going on. Relevant Links: http://courtneycarver.com/ (Courtney Carver | Website) https://bemorewithless.com/ (Be More with Less) https://www.amazon.com/Soulful-Simplicity-Living-Less-Lead/dp/0143130684/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=vardyme-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=1feab2d2339e96a000cadadb89d90164&creativeASIN=0143130684 (Soulful Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More | Amazon)  https://bemorewithless.com/project-333/ (Project 333)  https://twitter.com/bemorewithless (Courtney Carver | Twitter)  Thanks for listening and your support!

Courtney Carver returns to the show today to talk about some of the ideas in her new book, Soul Simplicity: How Living with Less Can Lead to So Much More. Many people think of minimalism and un-stuffing as merely a way to get rid of stuff, but there is actually a very important tie between how much excess stuff we own and pursue, and how much room we’re making for the things that matter. Charlie and Courtney explore these relationships, and provide a handy way to get back to the heart of what matters. Key Takeaways: [3:00] - Courtney received her wake-up call when she was diagnosed with MS, and that was the start of her changing her entire life. A little over a year after her diagnosis and she began making her initial changes, she realized the common thread of all those changes was simplicity. [5:07] - It seems that most life changes are based on some sort of wake-up call or pattern interrupt. Some of the ones Courtney often hears about are health scares, losing a family member, or the beginning or end of a relationship. They are usually pretty major wake-up calls, and sometimes it takes something big because we don’t always pay attention to or act on the little things. [6:55] - Minimalism is so often focused on stuff, but it’s broader than that. For Courtney, it was about figuring out how she was going to live well with MS. All her research came back to eliminating stress. She started with her diet, and then focused on debt. Shopping gave her an outlet blow off steam, but it was leading to more debt and more clutter, both of which led to more stress. Letting go of her stuff relieved more stress than she imagined, because she was getting rid of things that didn’t add value to her life. [9:40] - The shopping high (or whichever outlet you choose) can placate us into thinking we’ve done something about whatever problem we’re trying to escape, but the problem is still going to be there. Courtney talks about the myth of ownership, and how we feel like we need to buy a certain thing so we’ll be a certain type of person. We also shop to relieve boredom. [13:15] - In times when Charlie has ended up in “accidental consumerism,” he takes time to evaluate why he’s making the purchase and make sure he’s not acting on a stress stimulus. This extends to any of the vices we turn to when we’re bored or frustrated or stressed. How can we be curious about why we’re bored and what might make us less bored? [15:40] - It is okay to be stressed or frustrated or bored. It’s definitely okay to feel our feelings, but one reason that change doesn’t stick is because we’re not willing to feel uncomfortable. Charlie finds that as people, we are selectively uncomfortable about certain types of discomfort. There are some situations where we’re okay being uncomfortable, and other situations that we can’t be in. It is important to identify what types of things make you uncomfortable, and not use discomfort as excuse to miss out on an opportunity for growth. [19:17] - Sometimes it’s hard to get ourselves to do the things that are going to make us better, like working out or meditating. Once we do them, we usually don’t feel worse after. Courtney’s rule is just to show up - get to the gym or the place where you meditate - just make the effort to show up and go from there. [24:40] - Courtney has a practice/exercise to help people figure out where to start or what to let go of. She closes her eyes and literally puts her hands over her heart, as if she’s holding it. From there, she either listens or she asks questions - as she listens for the response, sometimes she writes them down or engages further. The message she gives herself is that she trusts herself and has confidence in her decisions. This exercise gives you permission not to be in your head. [28:50] - Many people get stuck when they look ahead from where they are now to a future state that’s dramatically different from where they are. Focusing on small steps that will push you closer to the future state can help with progress. Small, tiny changes make for huge, huge changes. [31:42] - Busyness is just as pervasive as clutter in terms of stress and discontent. Often times we try to prove who we are by what we do, sometimes in a way that has negative consequences. This business can affect relationships or leave us feeling overcommitted and overwhelmed. It is important to be intentional about how we’re spending our time. [36:55] - We often get caught in the busyness trap because we conflate hard work and value - we think if we work harder we’re a more valuable person, and a lot of times this isn’t true. You may reach a point where you realize that working harder isn’t going to solve the problems, but is contributing or creating more. [38:01] - As Charlie mentioned, it’s smart to schedule our non-work events with the same intention as our work times. If you’ve set aside time to spend with family, it’s important to focus on the family, rather than than doing work stuff. This allows you to figure out what it means for you to be fully engaged. [44:47] Courtney’s invitation to you is to try the practice of putting your hands on your heart. Take five minutes and sit down and put your hands on your heart; take some deep breaths, and see how that feels. Mentioned in This Episode: Productive Flourishing Courtney Carver Soulful Simplicity, by Courtney Carver Productive Flourishing Podcast Episode 92: Be More with Less with Courtney Carver