Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms

Do you struggle to declutter your wardrobe even though you crave a simpler, more intentional closet? Is sentimental attachment the one thing stopping you from finally letting go? In this episode, we explore why editing our closets is so emotionally difficult—even for long-time minimalists. After more than ten years of living a minimalist lifestyle, I still found it challenging to part with certain pieces of clothing and wondered why those “stragglers” from years past had such a strong hold.To uncover the deeper reasons behind wardrobe clutter, I’m joined by author Laura Fenton for an insightful conversation on why decluttering clothes can feel so overwhelming. Laura shares powerful psychological and cultural perspectives on why we struggle to let go, why editing your wardrobe truly matters, and how to release clothing with confidence instead of guilt. We also discuss practical tips for letting go, how to responsibly donate or dispose of unwanted items, and how to build a closet that supports the life you’re living now.-------------------------------Links Discussed in This EpisodeOrder a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with SimplicityDiane's Resource: Indistractable by Nir EyalPrevious Episode: EP174: Helpful Hints for Living SmallPrevious Episode: EP214: The Downsides of Small Space Living (and Solutions For How to Tackle Them!)Brides Across AmericaAmericans throw away too many clothes. Poorer countries are left with the waste.Purging Old Clothes? Here’s How to Responsibly Donate and Repurpose Your Castoffs.Shira Gill SubstackMinimalista by Shira GillSUBSTACK: Minimalist Moms Podcast (Under construction - ha!)Connect with Laura:SubstackInstagramEnjoy this Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my recent book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With SimplicityQuestions? You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Thanks for listening! For more updates and episodes, visit the website. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or Stitcher.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you enjoyed today’s episode of the Minimalist Moms Podcast, then hit subscribe and share it with your friends!Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast 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!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’ve all heard inflammation is harmful, but what exactly is it, why does it happen, and how can we truly heal it? The answers, it turns out, lie deep within your gut. In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Will Bulsiewicz, an award-winning gastroenterologist and internationally recognized gut health expert, to explore the growing role of chronic inflammation in modern health issues. After years of treating patients, Dr. B noticed a clear pattern: conditions ranging from digestive disorders like IBS, Crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis to allergies, autoimmune disease, depression, skin concerns, hormonal imbalances, and metabolic issues are often connected by a common root—the gut-immune system and inflammation.We discuss the core ideas behind his book Plant Powered Plus and how a practical, plant-forward, evidence-based approach can help address inflammation at its source rather than simply managing symptoms. Dr. B explains why the gut is central to immune health, how inflammation develops, and how daily choices around food, circadian rhythm, supplements, and lifestyle can either fuel disease or support healing. This conversation offers a hopeful, actionable roadmap for anyone looking to restore balance, reduce inflammation, and build lasting vitality from the inside out.Links Discussed in This Episode |Diane's Resource: 100 Ways to Go Analog (Instagram Post)Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Connect with Dr. Will:WebsiteInstagramFacebookYouTubeBook: Plant Powered Plus: Activate the Power of Your Gut to Tame Inflammation and Reclaim Your HealthAbout Dr. Will |Will Bulsiewicz, MD, MSCI—known as “Dr. B”—is an award-winning gastroenterologist, gut health expert, and New York Times bestselling author. He trained at Georgetown, Northwestern, and UNC, earning top clinical honors and completing an NIH-funded fellowship in epidemiology. Dr. B has published 25+ scientific papers cited over 5,000 times and has briefed Congress, the USDA, and the NFL Alumni.His books Fiber Fueled and The Fiber Fueled Cookbook have sold over 500,000 copies worldwide, with a third book, Plant Powered Plus, publishing January 13, 2026. He is Co-Founder and Co-CEO of 38TERA, advancing clinically informed gut health supplements, and serves as U.S. Medical Director at ZOE, translating microbiome science into personalized nutrition. Dr. B lives in Charleston, SC, with his wife and four children and offers free resources at theguthealthmd.com.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast 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!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today’s guest says our minds are working overtime, trying to make sense of a world that feels increasingly chaotic - and we don’t even realize how much it’s affecting us. She’s spent years studying the words we use, the beliefs we cling to, and the subtle ways our brains search for certainty when life feels uncertain. And after examining everything from wellness trends to productivity culture to modern spirituality, she realized something eye-opening: many of the stories we tell ourselves to feel safe or in control are actually keeping us stuck.Amanda Montell is a bestselling author, linguist, and host of the podcast Sounds Like a Cult. In her newest work, The Age of Magical Overthinking, she explores how cognitive biases and “magical thinking” quietly shape our decisions, relationships, and sense of self—especially in the information age.In this episode, we talk about why our brains are drawn to certainty, how ideas like manifestation and hustle culture can become emotional shortcuts, and how to gently question the beliefs we’ve absorbed without shame. We explore how awareness - not perfection - is the key to clearer thinking, more intentional living, and a little more peace in the mental noise.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Clay RoutledgeBook: Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English LanguageBook: Cultish: The Language of FanaticismPodcast: Magical OverthinkersPodcast: Sounds Like a CultAlbum: Lily Allen - West End GirlConnect with Becca:WebsiteInstagramBook: The Age of Magical Overthinking: Notes on Modern IrrationalityPodcast: Sounds Like a CultEpisode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast 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!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if living more intentionally didn’t require a total life overhaul - just 20 minutes a week? In this episode, Erin Loechner shares how a simple journaling practice has shaped her minimalist journey and helped her slow down, clarify her beliefs, and make more intentional daily choices. We talk about letting go of perfection, asking better questions, and using reflection - not productivity - as a tool for meaningful change. If you’re craving more clarity, presence, and simplicity this year, this conversation offers a gentle place to start.Links Discussed in This Episode |Diane's Resource: The Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc SchulzPrevious Episode: The Opt-Out Family | How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can't (EP339)Previous Episode: Intentional Learning at Home (EP200)Connect with Erin:WebsiteA Year of Reflection - Journaling LinkBook: The Opt-Out FamilyAbout Erin |Author of The Opt-Out Family and Chasing Slow and founder of Other Goose, Erin Loechner has been writing online for two decades. Her heartfelt words and design work have been showcased in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Today Show, Huffington Post, and a two-season HGTV.com web special, garnering over one million fans worldwide. She has spoken for and appeared in renowned international events for clients such as Walt Disney World, IKEA, and Martha Stewart. Now living off-grid in the mountains, Erin, her husband, and kids strive for less in most areas except three: joy, grace, and pickles.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast 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!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.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.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep 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!Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join me today with author, Christy Wright as we discuss time management, priorities, and balance in motherhood. As a busy mom with three young kids and a career, Christy knows how chaotic life can be - how balance feels like something that can never be achieved, no matter how hard you try. In her latest book, Take Back Your Time: The Guilt-Free Guide to Life Balance, Christy argues that balance doesn't come from getting more done. It’s about doing the right things at the right time. Links Discussed in This Episode |Order a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with SimplicityConnect with Christy:WebsiteInstagramAbout Christy |Christy Wright is the #1 national bestselling author of Business Boutique, Take Back Your Time, and Living True as well as multiple annual Goal Planners. She is a certified business coach and speaking coach and she loves to help people push past their fear to do things scared. Christy is the host of two top-rated podcasts with over 2,000 five-star reviews. In her business show, Business Bootcamp, Christy gives business owners the practical steps they want and the tough love truth they need to succeed in business. Christy has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people on stages all over the country and she has been featured on the Today show and Fox News, and in Success, Entrepreneur, and Woman's Day magazines. Whether she's running around on stage or running after her kids, Christy makes the most out of life and loves to help others do the same. Christy lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Matt, and their three children: Carter, Conley, and Mary Grace.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast 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!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.Further Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Checkout a list of my collaborative podcasts here.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Everyday Dose and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://everydaydose.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy