Simple

Surprise! These people are the only ones that matter — and keeping this in mind will probably help you keep the right things, the right things. Plus, Tsh's friend Crystal hops on to share what idea is currently on her Good List. For show notes and a transcript of this episode, as well as to subscribe to the show, head to thegoodlistshow.com.

Tsh's new show launches in January 2020. Listen to the trailer and know right away when the first episode drops.

Ending this chapter is bittersweet, because we have all LOVED what we’ve created here at Simple, and yet there’s so much goodness to come. This show has existed in some iteration since 2011 — a LONG time in podcast years. It’s changed a lot, as has the podcast landscape, but Tsh has loved every minute of creating it. So… thank you. Truly. In this final episode, Tsh chats with her dear friend Katherine Willis Pershey about change, when to know it’s time to say goodbye to a good thing, and what to do to still enjoy that thing you know you’re gonna miss. Links From This Episode: NEW: The Good List, Tsh's new podcast Katherine on Twitter Katherine’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Ep. 196: Changing your Mind + Investing in Help Ep. 40: Knowing When to Quit Even Nobodies Have Fans Now Ep. 212: Art Well + Work Well Ep. 209: Tech + Family + Creativity Ep. 178: Loving our 40s Ep. 173: My Good List with Jacqui Skemp The Liturgical Calendar Series Ep. 139: Food Swap Love Making the Most of 2 Weeks Off Series Ep. 100: Love Where You Live Ep. 58: The World's Most/Best Cities Ep. 25: Raising Kids on Harry Potter Ep. 26: Everyday Spiritual Practices Ep. 16: Hot Mess with Hummus Ep. 11: It's Okay to Like Your Fork Joshua Becker's YouTube Channel + Course Courtney Carver's website + Project 333 The Slow Home Podcast w/ Brooke McAlary + here’s a recent episode when I was on her show Hurry Slowly with Jocelyn Glei John Comer Ep. 224: Our Holiday Good Lists Tsh's books The AoS 2019 Gift Guide Shadow + Light – enjoy the book’s first week a whole year early Join Tsh’s insider community called Books & Crannies Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

Why not do what we’ve long loved here on this show? Tsh and Christine each share their current Good Lists, holiday-edition: a thing, a habit, a work of art, and an idea that’s both making their lives (and holidays) better right now. Related Posts: Make Both To-Do and To-Don't Holiday Lists by Tsh A Glimpse Into a Slow & Sacred Christmas Day by Christine Links From This Episode: Christine on Instagram Christine’s blog Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Padraig Cottage slippers "Chili's Menu, by Cormac McCarthy", by Justin Tapp Unearthing Wonder Adorning the Dark, by Andrew Peterson The Gap video of Ira Glass’ interview Andrew Peterson on That Sounds Fun podcast The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer Bridgetown Church podcast “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” 3 Mile an Hour God, by Kosuke Koyama Astounding Multi-Flavor Joe-Joe’s Trader Joe's Stocking Stuffers You Should Secretly Buy For Yourself Fraser Fir candle Rick Steves' Christmas in Europe The Great British Baking Show Holidays The AoS 2019 Gift Guide NEW: The Good List Podcast Shadow + Light – enjoy the book’s first week a whole year early Join Tsh’s insider community called Books & Crannies Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

If you don’t yet know Shawn Smucker or his work, GET READY, because you should. He is one of my favorite modern writers, both as a human and as a creator of good work — our whole family loves his books. And like we do on this show every now and then, Shawn is sharing with us his Good List: a thing, a habit, a work of art, and a philosophy that’s making his life just a little bit better.  Links From This Episode: Shawn's website Shawn on Instagram & Twitter Tsh on Instagram & Twitter Light From the Distant Stars, by Shawn Smucker Once We Were Strangers, by Shawn Smucker The Day the Angels Fell, by Shawn Smucker The Edge of Over There, by Shawn Smucker The Storm on the Sea of Galilee, by Rembrandt "Rembrandt is in the Wind" by Russ Ramsey Shawn's Spotify Ep. 219: YA Books for Adults + Adult Books for YA The Stories Between Us Podcast The AoS 2019 Gift Guide Bonus: An Announcement! NEW: The Good List Podcast Shadow + Light: enjoy the book’s first week a whole year early! Join Tsh’s insider community called Books & Crannies Sign up for 5 Quick Things, Tsh's weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

Tsh has a rather big announcement to make. And well, she’d be honored if you took a few minutes to hit play and hear what’s up. For more elaborate details, including a logo-rific walk down memory lane, head to the show notes here. Links From This Episode: Tsh on Twitter & Instagram NEW: The Good List Podcast Head here for details on how to leave a recorded voicemail about what’s on YOUR good list Shadow + Light – enjoy the first week of Tsh’s new Advent book a whole year early! If you're an insider, you already knew this bit of news almost two weeks ago — so join them in Tsh’s insider community called Books & Crannies. Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email For any links and codes from our sponsors, click here Download the transcript for this episode

It’s time once again for the holidays, so in this chat, Andrea shares some practical tips for staying sane during the holidays as an introvert — these ideas are great for both introverts and extraverts. And because Advent is coming soon, Tsh shares how her family celebrates it really, really simply (along with a fun announcement!).  Related Posts: On Advent by Tsh An Introvert's Guide to Loving the Holiday Season by Andrea Links From This Episode: Andrea on Instagram Andrea's website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Quiet, by Susan Cain "Why You Should Find Time to Be Alone With Yourself" The Bible Project Advent Series Digital Minimalism, by Cal Newport Calm app Mr. dinkens and His Carol, by Samantha Silva Shadow + Light – Enjoy the book's first week a whole year early! DIY Beeswax Candles Shadow & Light's Advent Playlist Daily Office Lectionary Join Tsh's insider community called Books & Crannies! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the free weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, click here Download the transcript for this episode

Crystal and Tsh are in different stages of their respective marriages, so in this chat, Crystal talks about things she didn’t know about marriage when she was younger — the things MANY of us don’t realize until we live through it in our marriages. And since Tsh and her husband recently celebrated their 17th anniversary, she shares some of the practicals of what’s working for them right now, specifically in regards to communication and having more fun. Related Posts: We Need More Fun, by Tsh Marriage Advice I’d Give My Younger Self, by Crystal Links From This Episode: Crystal on Instagram Crystal’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work, by John Gottman, PhD Saving Your Second Marriage Before it Starts, by Les Parrott How & Why to Hold a Weekly Marriage Meeting Join Tsh's inner circle & you'll help support her work Sign up for 5 Quick Things, Tsh's free weekly email For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

Christine and her family host Kindred Dinners on their farm, where over a hundred people gather for a true farm-to-table feast with live music, locally-made beer, and beyond. She talks about what it’s like to put on an event like this in your own space. Then Tsh shares two seemingly opposite ideas: ignoring the noun and focusing on the verb, and embracing the noun in order to accomplish the verb. It has nothing to do with grammar. Related Posts: Nouns AND Verbs Matter by Tsh 6 Things I've Learned From Hosting Kindred Dinners by Christine Links From This Episode: Christine on Instagram Christine’s blog Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Kindred Dinners  Athena’s Harvest Farm Taylor Family Farm Simpson Farms Noble Springs Dairy Brother’s Health Foods B’s Salty & Sweet Bakery Harding House Brewing Co. Nashville Craft Beverage Co. OneHope Wines October 2019 fall dinner in greenhouse Oct 2018 fall dinner photo outside May 2019 spring greenhouse dinner photo 7 Questions I Ask As A Minimalist Business Owner by Amy Lynn Andrews New: Tsh’s community is moving from Patreon to Substack! Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode 

Nicole has a fantastic bookstagram account, and she particularly loves reading the Young Adult genre. So in this chat, she and Tsh talk about why so many adults like them love to read YA, along with lots of recommendations for dipping your toes into the YA waters as an adult reader. Tsh then shares a list of adult book recommendations for teens who love to read — books written for adults, but are appropriate enough, and potentially interesting enough, for teen readers. Related Posts: What I Read in October by Tsh On Taking My Reading To The Next Level by Nicole Links From This Episode: Nicole's website Nicole on Instagram & Twitter Tsh on Twitter & Instagram To All the Boys I've Loved Before Trilogy, by Jenny Han Dumplin, by Julie Murphy The Sun is Also A Star, by Nicola Yoon The Hate You Give, by Angie Thomas Looking for Alaska, by John Green The Grisha Trilogy Book Series, by Leigh Bardugo Rainbow Rowell Julie Buxbaum Veronica Roth Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch Red Rising, by Pierce Brown The Lunar Chronicles, by Marissa Meyer The Illuminae Files, by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff The Hunger Games Trilogy, by Suzanne Collins Scythe, by Neil Shusterman Charlotte Holmes series, by Brittany Cavallaro Olivia Twist, by Lorie Langdon My Lady Jane, by Cynthia Hand, Brodi Ashton & Jodi Meadows To Kill A Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Anne Frank: The Diary of A Young Girl, by Anne Frank A Separate Peace, by John Knowles A Tree Grow in Brooklyn, by Betty Smith A Raisin in the Sun, by Lorainne Hansberry The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald Night, by Elie Wiesel The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows The Outsiders, by S.E. Hinton The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry, by Gabrielle Zevin The Help, by Kathryn Stockett Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by Alan Bradley The Thursday Next series, by Jasper Fforde The House on Mango Street, by Sandra Cisneros Non-YA books to read with teens via Twitter 12 YA Book Series by Tsh Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

Katherine created a mom’s group in her small town, where everyone’s welcome, they provide fabulous childcare, and it’s all about building relationships, not a program. In this chat, she shares the nuts and bolts of how to start something similar wherever you live. And Tsh shares what she’s learned from gathering people for events — for things like week-long adventures in London, and in weekend retreats in her small town, like she’s doing for the first time ever the weekend this episode drops. In all this, there’s a thread: IRL relationships > pixels. Related Posts: IRL Friends by Tsh Creating Community From Scratch by Katherine Links From This Episode: Katherine on Twitter Katherine’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Work of the People Literary London The Art of Gathering, by Priya Parker Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode  

Caroline Starr Rose has written six children's books, and her most recent one just came out. Like we do on the show every now and then, she shares with Tsh her Good List: a thing, a habit, a work of art, and a philosophy that’s making her life just a little bit sweeter. They also talk about her new book, which is completely up 4th grade Tsh’s alley — she was a big fan of the historic figure Caroline writes about. Related Posts: My Good List by Tsh Links From This Episode: Caroline's website Caroline on Twitter & Instagram A Race Around the World, by Caroline Starr Rose Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Snapchat Atomic Habits, by James Clear The Four Tendencies, by Gretchen Rubin Daily Goal Tracker In the Woods, by Tana French (audiobook) I See You, by Clare Mackintosh I Let You Go, by Clare Mackintosh The Value of Fairness: The Story of Nellie Bly, by Ann Donegan Johnson Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, Tsh's weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

Sometimes topics are timeless. We're re-sharing an episode from a little over a year ago, when Tsh and her friend Erin Loechner did a four-part deep-dive about knowing the news — this feels pretty relevant right now since so many of us are bombarded with so much constantly-changing news. Since this series focused on the broad idea of how to stay engaged without losing your mind or your soul, this collection of ideas feels oh-so timely right now. To keep listening to the rest of the series after you’re done here, head to the links below. Links From This Episode: Erin’s blog, Design for Mankind OtherGoose.com Erin on Instagram and  Twitter Tsh on Instagram and Twitter Ep. 211: Knowing the News (2/3) Ep. 212: Knowing the News (3/3) Why the News Makes Us Dumb NPR Journalism Ethics and Standards on Wikipedia Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

There's benefits to reading different genres of books, even (especially?) when you don't naturally gravitate to one. In this chat, Tsh talks to Christine about what we can learn from genres like sci-fi, historical non-fiction, mysteries, and more. And since Christine is a farmer, it's the busy season for her right now — she shares with Tsh how she's learning to flip the script on busyness this fall, embracing the season's fullness without succumbing to the pressures of fall frenzy. Related Posts: What I Read in September by Tsh How To Nourish Your Body and Soul This Fall by Christine Links From This Episode: Christine on Instagram Christine’s blog Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Forbes article on busyness Evernote app Todoist app Finish 2020 Calendar Family Plan Calendar 10 tips for hosting overnight guests Make a gratitude list Ep. 188: Analog Living + Reading Classics The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne The Crucible, by Arthur Miller Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Bronte Louise Penny Inspector Gamache series Father Brown mysteries by G. K. Chesterton Agatha Christie books 11/22/63, by Stephen King Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch The Hunger Games trilogy, by Suzanne Collins Educated, by Tara Westover Everything Happens For a Reason, by Man’s Search for Meaning, by Victor E. Frankl The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom A People’s History of the United States, by Howard Zinn America: The Last Best Hope, by William Bennett The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead Homegoing, by Yaa Gyasi The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah Atomic Habits, by James Clear Profit First, by Mike Michalowicz Burnout, by Emily Nagoski & Amelia Nagoski Company of One, by Paul Jarvis Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

There are places in our lives that end up staying with us long after we leave them. In this chat, Katherine talks with Tsh about nostalgia — why we have it about certain places, how to embrace it instead of shake it off, and how to use it so we're more at home in the present. Tsh then talks with Katherine about why she loves that her family has been renovating their fixer-upper entirely themselves, even with all its challenges. It’s easy to forget the benefits when she's staring at all the work they still need to do, but when she remembers their why, it makes all the difference. Related Posts: 5 Reasons I Love Living in a Small House by Tsh I Love This Place: Kent, Ohio by Katherine Links From This Episode: Katherine on Twitter Katherine’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Ep. 64: A Year Off the Internet To Double Down on Being Human by Tsh Life in the "During" Phase of a Fixer-Upper by Tsh Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode You can find new episodes of Simple, completely ad-free, on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code ‘WONDERY’.

A little over a year ago, Tsh and Haley Stewart had a four-part deep-dive conversation on the idea of social self-care for the greater good; the simple idea that being healthy means we’re better citizens, members of our community, neighbors, and family members. In this episode, we’re re-sharing the first part of their conversation, one of the most downloaded episodes of this show. Links From This Episode: The rest of the series: episodes 122, 123, & 124 Haley's blog, Carrots for Michaelmas Haley on Instagram and Twitter Tsh on Instagram and Twitter Home Fires My thoughts on making friends & partial solutions Can We Be Friends? by Rebecca Frech Fountains of Carrots, episode 79 with Rebecca Frech The Dunbar number Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode You can find new episodes of Simple, completely ad-free, on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code ‘WONDERY’.

Crystal talks about why it’s so important to make time for whatever it is you love — without the added burden of doing it so that you’re a better mom, or wife, or neighbor, or human, or even because the final result is something you can use. Do something just because you love it. Tsh then shares how she uses the ideas of deep work and shallow work, time-blocking her calendar, and tapping into her peak energy levels to get more done in less time — so I can make time for play, as Crystal says. Related Posts: My Top 20 Work Tools by Tsh In Praise of Making Things No One Will Ever See by Crystal Links From This Episode: Crystal on Instagram Crystal’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram 3 Ways to Calculate Your Peak Energy Time of Day A Beginner's Guide to Parkinson's Law Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule Easily Distracted? Try this: the pomodoro method Deep Work, by Cal Newport When, by Daniel Pink Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode You can find new episodes of Simple, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code ‘WONDERY’.

It seems like it’d be easier to connect with neighbors living in her previous urban neighborhood over the farm where Christine now lives and works, but she’s found the opposite is true. In this chat, she shares little ways their family has made their farm open to neighbors and friends, and how we can do the same in our homes, whether we’re in the suburbs, a small town, or a major metropolis.  Then Tsh shares three daily rituals that have been a life raft for her the past few weeks — they’re simple but significant — because life has been nuts and unexpected. These three things have helped her feel like she’s getting a passing grade at Adulting 101, even when lives throws curveballs. Related Posts: My Daily Bookends by Tsh Finding Community In An Unexpected Place by Christine Links From This Episode: Christine on Instagram Christine’s blog Tsh on Twitter & Instagram Ep. 209: Tech + Family + Creativity Bread & Wine by Shauna Niequist Ep. 78: Summer Hospitality & Entertaining Summer evenings playlist How I Use My Bullet Journal by Tsh Bullet Journal Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode

It’s back to school season, but what about those of us who are no longer students? Katherine shares 3 things to help us keep learning more about history, ecology, and contemporary poetry. And Tsh turned 42 this week, so she shares 5 things she's learned about life lately, little shifts in thinking that have made her life better. Related Posts: My Good List: Birthday Edition by Tsh A Fall Reading List for the Lifelong Learner by Katherine Links From This Episode: Katherine on Twitter Katherine’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram 1619 Project 1619 Project printable 1619 Project curriculum Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer Good Bones by Maggie Smith "Good Bones" poem by Maggie Smith Sorry For Your Troubles by Pádraig Ó Tauma On Being with Krista Tippett: Belonging Creates and Undoes Us Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode You can find new episodes of Simple, completely ad-free, on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code ‘WONDERY’.

Springboarding off her deep-dive this week into the 11 books Tsh read on her month-long sabbatical, in this episode she chats with Andrea about how to keep technology in its proper place at home, and the different steps her family is taking to keep away screen addiction and prioritize healthy relationships. This idea comes from one of her favorite reads, The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch.  Andrea talks about something similar — she’s recently realized that her smartphone used to be a portal for her creativity, but now it’s become a block. She chats with Tsh about why she thinks that is, what she plans to do about it, and the article written five years ago that changed her perspective on screens.   Related Posts: What I Read in July (On My Sabbatical) by Tsh The Question That's Saving My Creativity by Andrea Links From This Episode: Andrea on Instagram Andrea’s website Tsh on Twitter & Instagram The Tech Wise Family by Andy Crouch unGlue Google WiFi system 5 Benefits to to My Month-Long Screen Break by Tsh "Reboot or Die Trying" by David Roberts Ep. 94: Attention Spans "Here's Why Instagram Is Going To Hide Your Likes" "The Perils of 'Sharenting'" Become a patron and help make this show happen Sign up for 5 Quick Things, the weekly email Kindly leave a review For any links and codes from our lovely sponsors, head here Download the transcript for this episode You can find new episodes of Simple, completely ad-free, only on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code ‘WONDERY’.