If you’ve ever felt like you’ll never get out of credit card debt, or can’t seem to get ahead with money, you’re not alone. In this open conversation around women, money, and what is holding us back, I sat down with Sequin debit card founder, Vrinda Gupta, to clear the air about what makes women struggle with money. Do you like the idea of being able to spend without guilt, reap the rewards, and get paid back the money that is owed you? If so, be sure to tap play, tune in, and get ready to feel seen (finally) by the financial community!Open your Sequin cardFind Sequin on Instagram Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Having a parent who struggles with an addiction is a challenge in and of itself. Losing that parent is a whole other kind of challenge. Finding a way to learn valuable lessons in order to shape my life in a better direction than my parent’s? Well, that really seemed like the only option. At the end of the day, while it might not be a popular opinion, my dad’s death shaped my life more than anything he ever said or did while he was alive. Whether you’ve lost a parent or not, I encourage you to tune in because you just might start looking at life, and hardships a little differently after this.Join the Basic B* CommunityAll the links Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Have you ever considered what this world would look like if we all truly did exactly what we wanted? Even for just five minutes per day. During this interview with Ashley Strong Smith, she and I sit down and chat like two friends about what growth can really look like. Ashley shares her thoughts on cultivating a peaceful work environment, living with intention and allowing ourselves to do more of what feels good for us.Join the Basic B* CommunityConnect with Ashley on Insta : https://www.instagram.com/ashleystrongsmith_/ Heart Centered Foundations Workbook: https://round-scene-279.myflodesk.com/ni0kpum7w2 Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
I've spent the last seven years talking about minimalism, and decluttering my life, but the reality is, it has been so much more than that. Before I decided to downsize my stuff, I first decided I needed to find myself. Sure, I was a shopaholic with a monthly shoe membership subscription, but I knew there was so much more to me than that. After spending almost three decades trying to be who I thought everyone else wanted me to be, I set out on a mission to find out who I really was. This podcast, is my diary - on a decade delay.Join the Basic B* CommunityAll the links Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Have you ever really sat down to enjoy a cup of coffee? Do you ever put your camera away just to take in the moment around you rather than capturing the perfect snapshot? How about buying a boring cake just so you can decorate it at home for fun. All of these slow living, personal touch ideas and more are the topic of conversation during this interview with Palak Dave, the founder of Embria and author of Beautiful Everydays. Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Could you imagine going from active, high-achieving woman to bed ridden and physically struggling with an MS diagnosis? That’s the story Kim Rahir shares with us today on the podcast. She was able to take a scary physical diagnosis and use it as a reason to build strength beyond her wildest dreams. What started as weigh lifting to avoid fatigue quickly turned into Olympic style training, and teaching other middle aged women how to take back their power, even into their golden years. Today’s message is perfect for anyone who feels the wear and tear of age on their bodies, or have struggled with physical limitations. In today’s episode Kim takes the time to remind us that age is just a number, strength is more than muscle, and that it’s never too late to enjoy the little things in life.Kim’s Website + Free AssessmentSubscribe on SubstackRenee on InstagramRenee on TikTok Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
What does it really take to change the world? Most of us have some desire to leave a lasting impact, but often aren’t sure where to start. Today’s guest, Donal MacCool is a clinical psychologist and founder of One Planet Thriving. During our chat today we do a deep dive into human connection, embracing our own authenticity, and finding the right words to spark lasting change. If you have ever felt hopeless when it comes to the state of the world, or misunderstood when it comes to sharing your true self, today’s episode will speak directly to your heart. Pinky promise.Save 10% at One Planet ThrivingSubscribe on SubstackRenee on InstagramRenee on TikTok Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you have ever been conflicted about how you want to live your life, what you want to do, or the job you want to have, you are not alone. Tune into today’s episode with guest, NoorJehan Tourte who boldly rejects the idea that we can only be one thing. From Sports Illustrated swimsuit competitions, to climbing the corporate ladder, NoorJehan has done it all and doesn’t plan on stopping now. Listen in to get inspiration for simply extraordinary living and a reminder that being multi passionated is perfectly normal.NoorJehan on InstagramSubscribe on SubstackRenee on InstagramRenee on TikTok Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Our family has found so much joy in reconnecting to the outdoors in the last few years and today's guest made me start itching for adventure and fresh air a little bit more. Glen Van Peski is the author of the new book, Take Less, Do More, where he shares life lessons from his outdoor adventures on how to lighten your load in life and in your backpack. Together we discussed the beauty of nature, the lessons in letting go when it comes to parenthood, and choosing a life where our possessions don't take top priority.Buy Take Less, Do MoreInstagramTikTok Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Today’s guest had me hooked when she told me she sat at a table with Victoria Beckham. My Spice Girl’s loving heart skipped a beat, and I was all ears as she told me she walked away from her successful fashion career in order to create her own styling business. Nicole Russo’s belief about fashion is that you don’t need a lot to have a good wardrobe, and that if you dress yourself right, you can totally change your life. Free Edit Your Closet Guide: https://www.letsgetyou.com/closeteditThe Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
It’s so easy to become overwhelmed by life’s problems. We can do deep dives into trying to uncover perfect solutions to our biggest problems, only to realize the solution is even more complicated than the problem itself. During today’s Part 2 conversations with Melanie Ann Layer, the Alpha Femme, she shares with us how learning to simplify our coping mechanisms can totally transform our lives — and save us a lot of unnecessary stress.Join my Substack: https://substack.com/@reneebenesAlpha Femme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphafemme/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Do you think your biggest fears are designed to show you what you are capable of overcoming? What if the hardships we face can be something that remind us of just how resilient we really are? This is today's guest, Melanie Ann Layer's (AKA Alpha Femme) perspective on life and hitting rock bottom. Not only will Melanie encourage you to look at the hard times with a softer lens, but she'll also encourage you to shift the way you look at your mindset and how it operates so that you can start escaping some of your biggest mental blocks.Join my Substack: https://substack.com/@reneebenesAlpha Femme on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alphafemme/?hl=enInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you have teenagers like I do you have probably heard the term, "It's giving me The Ick." If you haven't heard this, welcome to the new slang...apparently it's a part of my vocabulary now. I'm just gonna run with it. Talking about minimalism topics like decluttering, organizing, and capsule wardrobes has been wearing on me for some time. Today I want to break down for you why talking about my minimalist lifestyle no longer feels aligned, and why I hope you might consider adapting a similar mindset in your own life. Whether we are addicted to shopping or are practicing decluttering, we can very easily give the stuff in our life way more weight and significance than it deserves and I'm so over it.50 Top Book Recommendations: https://www.reneebenes.com/booksThe Ebook: https://www.reneebenes.com/minimalist-lifestyle-guideThe Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Shooting a kind text is a thoughtful idea, but did you know speaking the words out loud leaves an even bigger impact? Today I sat down with founder of the HiLU app, Emily Montgomery to talk about the power of the spoken word and how we can use it to build one another up. Send a HiLU: https://www.teamhilu.com Emily's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamhilu/ The Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com My 50 Top Book Recommendations: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
The idea of walking away from minimalism and the online presence that I have built has been something that has been on my mind for a long time. Today it all came to me in one giant AHA moment...or did it? Here is how I have been taking small, bold, steps toward the calling on my heart and how it all finally caught up with me today. Decluttering and downsizing my life has helped create the space for this kind of change, but I'm realizing letting go of something else is really going to be the key to make my dreams come true... The Blog: https://www.thefunsizedlife.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
If you have ever dreamed of turning in your 2 week notice, and living life on your terms, then you're going to want to tune into today's episode where I sit down with Wayba founder and coach, Jean-Francoia Lappas to talk about burnout, leaving the corporate world behind, and finding purpose and passion. Remember, life is not a one size fits all. Different things work for different people and finding what works for us is the key to aligning with what we were always meant to do.Visit Wabya: https://wabya.com The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
This week I found myself struggling with a bath mat. For real. Even though I wasn't decluttering this particular item, I couldn't help but feel an emotional attachment to it which just reminded me of how painful the decluttering process can truly be. When we start decluttering our house, we can so easily think all we need is the right step by step organization process. The reality is that as we begin to create a clutter free home we just might find ourselves face to face with some hard emotional struggles. If you have a tough time letting go of sentimental items, or feel an emotional attachment to your things, tune in, I think you're gonna want to hear this!The Ebook: https://www.reneebenes.com/minimalist-lifestyle-guide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Life can feel so tough. Whether we are going through a new transition, we've had back to back setbacks, or it just feels like we're not quite living life the way we want to. Today I tossed out any scripts, or game plans for what to say, plopped myself on my bed, and plugged in my mic for a little heart to heart. You know I don't shy away from the hard stuff like grieving, overcoming perfection, parenting, or finding purpose. If you are in the need for a little slow down, heart-to-heart, real talk conversation today, I got you. Just press play.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
What happens to a family when they are told their child may never see again? This is a fear that most parents never consider, but today I sit down with dad, Stephen Johnston to talk about what he did when it happened to him. When your son is battling a rare illness, there is a grieving process, a moment of acceptance and also a moment where you decide to control what you can. Stephen shares about his Navy Seal mindset inspiration that has helped him him take action, reminds us all to embrace each day, and shares about his mission to save his son's sight through his non-profit organization, A Race Against Blindness.Donate Today: https://araceagainstblindness.org My 50 Favorite Books: https://www.reneebenes.com/books Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe
Minimalism was so much more than decluttering. It actually allowed me the space to completely redesign my life from the outside in. In today's episode I'm giving you a quick breakdown as to how clearing clutter and creating space has allowed me to spend more time with my kids, make passive income on my own terms, heal past traumas and all around live a more intentional, well-rounded life.The Escape Plan: https://www.reneebenes.com/escape Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renee.benes/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@renee.benes/ Get full access to Basic B* Community at reneebenes.substack.com/subscribe