The Minimalists Podcast

Joshua and Ryan talk about the high price of materialism, and they answer the following questions: What is a ‘curative’? (02:43) Why is it important to recognize our discontent? (06:52) Is money entirely problematic? (07:38) Why does it seem most of us continue to make terrible financial decisions when we’re poor? (16:18) Do celebrities influence society with their bad habits? (17:22) How do I strengthen my focus on minimalism to avoid materialism? (19:18) How do I get my family’s buy-in regarding minimalism? (22:55) Is it reasonable to be expected to pay to avoid materialistic ads? (26:03) What should I do with stuff I love when I don’t have space available for it? (29:57) What is our language problem? (30:12) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss if one can ever truly heal emotionally with author and holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about mental health, the psychology of healing, and consciously creating a healthy relationship with yourself and others with author and holistic psychologist Dr. Nicole LePera, and they answer the following questions: What is a ‘holistic psychologist’? (01:05) What do you focus on in your new book? (03:02) How do you define ‘trauma’? (05:06) How do I stay positive and focused on the days when maintaining my mental balance is particularly challenging? (08:22) What is ‘bypassing’? (15:24) How do I tactfully address my extended family placing undue hospitality obligations and stress on me regarding hosting them in my home? (17:16) How do we let go of others’ expectations? (24:08) How do we communicate appropriate boundaries? (25:48) What can you do to promote healing in someone other than yourself? (30:05) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss forgiveness with author and former con artist Matthew Cox. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about how to find redemption within ourselves and with others with author and former con artist Matthew Cox, and they answer the following questions: When did your journey as a con artist start? (04:52) What incident stands out above all others in your journey as a con artist? (11:42) What are ‘enhancements’? (12:39) How did you create fake individuals? (14:15) When did your scams start falling apart? (18:14) Did you ever squeeze out of a scam? (22:32) How do you define ‘redemption’? (37:45) How have the events of your journey changed you? (40:37) When did you recognize that what you were doing was wrong? (42:23) How do you stay out of prison? (49:26) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss when abstaining from voting could be an appropriate option with returning guests T.K. Coleman, Kim Iversen, and Jamie Kilstein. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about the 2020 election, our current political divide, and how we can find unity even when we disagree with returning guests T.K. Coleman, Kim Iversen, and Jamie Kilstein, and they answer the following questions: If your values aren’t aligned with either of the major party candidates, is voting for a third-party candidate really a wasted vote? (06:36) How do we incentivize the system to improve? (11:33) Is it okay to minimize politics in my life and ignore the social media posts, the news, and the debates that feel very toxic, or is it my responsibility as a citizen to be well-informed and confident in my political opinions? (16:22) Is it our duty to vote? (21:42) Is moralizing politics the crux of the problem? (24:42) Are these candidates really the best we have to offer? (28:42) What is Unity2020? (30:26) Should I vote even if I don’t fully understand the issues? (35:14) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss the crux of the issues with porn with director, media personality, and adult film star Lisa Ann. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about sex and porn addiction—how to recognize it, how to break it—and, conversely, even the possible positive attributes of porn with director, media personality, and adult film star Lisa Ann, and they answer the following questions: Is porn addiction a recognized addiction? (03:40) How do we better restrict our children’s access to porn? (06:40) Do we overmoralize porn? (09:20) Is porn addiction just a matter of self control? (11:00) Why is Gen Z statistically having the least sex of any generation? (11:40) What are the pros and cons of porn? (13:49) Are there age limits for adult film stars? (20:20) Can a minimalist approach to viewing porn enhance a relationship? (21:15) How does libido play into relationships? (21:50) How important is communication in a sexual relationship? (25:39) What are your thoughts on the difference between guilt and shame being a primary trigger to lead someone to become addicted to porn? (30:01) How does age affect porn addiction? (43:48) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua discusses finding strong, supportive, nonreligious communities with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin McManus and his son, film producer Aaron McManus. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists  

Joshua discusses our constant craving for spirituality with author, podcaster, and pastor Erwin McManus and his son, film producer Aaron McManus, and they answer the following questions: How do I responsibly let go of expensive items that can't be reused by others? (06:17) Is anything actually ‘free’? (08:14) How compatible are minimalist and Buddhist practices? (12:25) I recently let go of religion, but I don’t know what to cling to next. (24:16) What is the difference between religion and faith? (25:42) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss the viability of switching to a flip phone to further minimize the temptations of social media with social media specialist Jess Williams. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about how The Minimalists apply minimalism to social media, how they’ve changed their opinion about social media over the years, and they review the new Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma with social media specialist Jess Williams, and they answer the following questions: Is social media the original social distancing? (02:06) How do we do a better job of using social media as a tool? (07:17) What are the problems with social media? (16:16) Has the smartphone become more of a distraction than the TV? (20:57) Do we unfairly judge others in assuming that they’re simply wasting time on their smartphones rather than being productive? (21:46) Has the ubiquitousness of social media contributed to creating an overly judgmental society? (26:48) How do we set appropriate boundaries for social media? (28:06) How do I address the desire to explain my behavior to others? (30:20) Why do disagreements escalate so quickly on social media? (31:50) How do I balance staying informed with being in the moment? (38:29) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss introverts' boundaries with comedian Josh Wolf. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua and Ryan talk about repairing and strengthening relationships during difficult times with comedian Josh Wolf, and they answer the following questions: Is it possible that the global pandemic actually helped save some relationships? (01:20) What are some good habits to adopt to save a relationship? (06:36) What is ‘Object A’? (09:59) How much is enough? (10:37) What does it feel like to be satisfied? (13:13) What is the difference between pleasure and joy? (15:32) What is the ‘price of admission’? (19:50) Has social media given us a false sense of self-importance? (22:35) What is the difference between a recipe and a template? (24:05) Is restricting a partner’s choices a reasonable solution to their staunch resistance to change? (24:45) What is the value of stretching our comfort zone? (34:00) How will I know when I’ve found ‘the one’? (36:02) Do we set unrealistic expectations regarding relationships? (39:52) Why do we often start relationships in an attempt to fix ourselves? (45:01) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua talks about the pros and cons of digital books and physical books. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua discusses books and how to best ensure they enhance our lives, and he answers the following questions: What is the true value of books? (04:42) How do I determine whether to keep or purge books I own that I haven’t yet read? (06:10) What do I do with books to which I’m attached but my partner insists I let go? (12:33) Why do writers choose that profession? (16:10) How do I let go of books I inherited from a loved one that have sentimental value? (21:03) How do I start trimming my book collection? (23:22) Why do some items have sentimental value? (24:12) How do I break my sentimental attachments to my books? (27:46) What is the ‘why’ behind the ‘what’? (30:21) What is the perfect amount of books? (30:48) What makes one book format better than the others? (34:53) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua discusses whether paper straws and paper sip-cup lids actually help the environment with Sheila Morovati, Founder and President of the Crayon Collective and Habits of Waste. Watch the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Joshua talks about waste and all the ways in which we are wasteful with Sheila Morovati, Founder and President of Crayon Collection and Habits of Waste, and they answer the following questions: Why do we rarely consider how we’re being wasteful? (03:44) How can I reasonably ensure my donated items don’t become a burden to anyone else? (04:57) How do I ensure I don’t receive unwanted correspondence? (11:47) How do I responsibly repurpose or recycle outdated technology at work? (17:06) What are my recycling options if I live in a city without a robust recycling program? (22:34) What are some alternatives to plastic storage? (27:47) Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Support The Minimalists: minimalists.com/support

Joshua and Ryan discuss the possibility of life after death with author, podcaster, and theologian Rob Bell. Listen to the full episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists