The Minimalists talk about the trap of productivity, the point at which optimization makes your life worse, when purchasing quality goods becomes an extravagance, seven minimalist rules that will help you eliminate your email clutter, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

Don't you hate when people waste your time? (0:48)

How can I escape my addiction to optimization? (6:08)

At what point does optimizing your life make your life worse? (17:00)

Right Here, Right Now: Give Joshua podcast review for his birthday, and join The Minimalists for a live Zoom call. (29:02)

WWJO: Which mattress does Joshua use for floor sleeping? (31:16)

Get Joshua's futon: https://amzn.to/4e19RSz

Get Joshua's tatami mat: https://amzn.to/4ehrVH1

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about everyday things that turn into clutter, areas in your home that become messy quickly, one question to ask before buying new clothes, 15 useful tips for using your phone less, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

Is every item you own something you eventually have to organize? (7:22)

Where do minimalists actually store all the everyday stuff that usually ends up covering countertops and surfaces? (9:54)

What area of your home turns into clutter the fastest? (23:38)

Right Here, Right Now: A Minimalism 10th-Anniversary Tour retrospective. (44:38)

WWJO: Where did Joshua get his new shacket? (51:11)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists speak with behavior expert Dr. John Demartini about loved ones who criticize your minimalist lifestyle, ways to reconcile the tension between simplicity and luxury goods, how our consumption patterns shape our identities, whether good and evil exist, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

What is meant by Charles Bukowski's assertion that we are reduced to ashes by our purpose and desire? (1:23)

How can I handle family members who criticize my minimalist lifestyle? (3:44)

Right Here, Right Now: Very, Very Simple is now available in print. (26:26)

Listener Tip: What is the relationship between our consumption patterns and our identities? (26:58)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about what to do with sacred things that feel like clutter, which minimalist brands work well for home furniture, how to simplify everything in five weeks, how clutter is harming your health (and how to fix it), and more.

Discussed in this episode:

Why are people constantly angered by trivial things but indifferent to major matters like totally wasting their lives? (00:54)

How should I think about sacred things that feel irreplaceable because they keep the memory of my father alive? (6:55)

How does Joshua choose the products and brands he brings into his home? (24:39)

Right Here, Right Now: Simplify Everything (37:36)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk with author and speaker Kute Blackson about quiet luxury, letting go of stigmas, the difference between surrendering and giving up, the requirements of optimism, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

How should I handle the assumptions and stigma I've encountered since embracing a simpler, more comfortable style of dress? (3:50)

What's the difference between surrendering and giving up? (26:58)

Right Here, Right Now: The final stop of the Minimalism 2026 tour. (39:43)

Listener tip: Worry is a waste of the imagination. (42:28)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about letting go of sentimental items you rarely use, some of the things we dislike owning, sustainable products for your home, six tiny habits that prevent a messy home, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

How can I part with my father's prized possession that I rarely use? (4:05)

Is there anything you own that you dislike owning? (14:27)

Right Here, Right Now: Play the 30-Day Minimalism Game. (29:46)

WWJO: Durable everyday items built to last. (32:04)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about dropping everything for a fresh start, why one big change often leads to several more, a handful of questions to ask before buying anything, what we'd get rid of first if we had two hours to declutter your house, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

What should I do if I'm torn between staying in the life I've rebuilt or starting over somewhere new for a fresh start? (11:30)

What would compel you to drop everything and move to a new city? (23:40)

Right Here, Right Now: One more stop on the Minimalism Tour, and Ryan's new restaurant. (43:28) What blue blocking glasses does Joshua own? (50:54)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about the difficulties of podcasting, how our love for minimalism has changed over the years, what we dislike about decluttering, how to let go incrementally, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

A wise kid asks: Do you love minimalism? (4:16)

What do you love about minimalism? What do you hate about minimalism? (17:21)

Right Here, Right Now: Weekly writing tips from the How to Write Better Newsletter (33:48)

Listener Tip: How to let go incrementally. (35:10)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists discuss the passing of Joshua's brother, Jerome, and they talk about confronting loss, the difficult road to acceptance, the difference between processing and complaining, finding meaning in tragedy, and much, much more. Contribute to the GoFundMe for Jerome's family.

Discussed in this episode:

Is it better to confront loss with replacement or acceptance? (00:57)

What's the difference between processing and complaining? (15:23)

What would Jerome say? (53:27)

How did Jerome view material things? (1:02:05)

How can we find meaning in loss? (1:23:29)

Added Value: One of Jerome's favorite songs. (1:29:08)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists speak with Katy Joy Wells about setting the emotional stage in your home to make it feel more peaceful, uncovering your happy place amid the chaos, finding silence in a noisy world, getting rid of clothes we're unsure about, 15 ridiculous things that society still accepts as normal, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

How can I intentionally create a more peaceful, happy emotional tone in my home—and can one person set that tone? (3:30)

Where is your happy place? (19:07)

Right Here, Right Now: Simplehaven and a programming note. (35:36)

Listener tip: A fresh take to minimize clothes you're unsure about. (36:51)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

The Minimalists talk about the next step beyond owning less, minimizing the desire to complain, practical ways to stay motivated when you're a beginner, 50 emotions you regularly feel but haven't ever had a name for, and more.

Discussed in this episode:

Once I've minimized, what's the next step beyond just owning less? (7:36)

Congratulations! You've finally minimized everything. Your life is now completely clutter free. Now what? (21:08)

Right Here, Right Now: The Minimalism 10th Anniversary Tour, Simplehaven Retreat, and a new podcast segment. (32:34)

Listener tip: Three practical ways to stay motivated when you're a beginner and things feel difficult? (41:33)

Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to [email protected].

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast