Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
Episodes
140: When Over-Gifters Don't Stop Even After a Conversation, What's in My Basement, & Independent Kids [Chai Chat]
02 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. My in-laws and parents never respect the conversations I’ve...
139: Making "Fun" Less Elusive in Adulthood [Good Stuff: Joy]
01 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we unpack why "having fun" can feel elusive or even guilt-inducing, and how to create more genuine fun in our daily lives as adults. ...
138: Swedish Death Cleaning with Emily McDermott
31 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How would your loved ones feel if they had to go through your stuff after you're gone? It's tough to think about, but the emotional weight of declu...
137: Knowing When You've Decluttered Enough, Maple Syrup, & the Mental Load [Chai Chat]
26 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. When do you reach decluttered “enough”? 2. How did you ...
136: Can Humor Be Taught? with Dr. Janet Gibson [Good Stuff: Joy]
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this Good Stuff episode on the topic of joy, I sit down with psychologist Janet M. Gibson to explore the psychology of humor and how it impacts our...
135: When People Feel Judged by Your Decluttered Life
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever felt like decluttering makes other people in your life defensive? Like you're judging them–even though you're not? In this episode, I’...
134: Keeping Rarely Used Items, My Friendships, & a Giant Pacific Octopus [Chai Chat]
19 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this Chai Chat, I answer these listener questions: • Is it okay to keep something that you rarely use but can’t easily borrow? - Sarah •...
133: Using Our 5 Senses to Create Joy [Good Stuff: Joy]
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We often take our senses for granted, and rarely think about how to intentionally use them to create more joy in our lives! So today, we talk about: ...
132: How Minimalism Makes You Better at Your Job with Chris Lovett
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome on Chris Lovett to talk about minimalism in the workplace, or as he calls it "corporate minimalism": • How did Chris' personal j...
131: Decluttering Guilt, Our Adoption Story, & Great Teachers [Chai Chat]
12 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this Chai Chat, I answer these listener questions: • How to get through guilt of all the things I wastefully bought that I uncover when declut...
130: The Underrated Power of Joy-Filled Stories with NYT Best-Selling Author, Katherine Center [Good Stuff: Joy]
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
How lucky are we?? Katherine Center, NYT Bestselling romance author, is joining us on this Good Stuff episode to talk about the importance of joy-fill...
129: How to Declutter Your Closet
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Decluttering clothes is a unique challenge. So today, I cover: • 7 major reasons decluttering our closet feels complicated • 3 easy-to-rememb...
128: Big vs. Small Decluttering Projects, My 2026 Goals, & Magnesium Lotion [Chai Chat]
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the very first ever Chai Chat!! A 10-15 minute mini-episode each Thursday on the Paring Down podcast. Each week follows this simple form...
127: 5 Science-Backed Ways to Get Out of an Emotional Slump [Good Stuff: Joy]
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to the VERY first Good Stuff episode on the Paring Down podcast!! For the next 10 weeks, we'll be exploring how to design our lives around ...
126: ADHD Decluttering & Organization Tips with Libbi Moore
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
- How do you avoid getting distracted by what you find when decluttering? - How do you stop using piles as reminders? - What if you like trying new ho...
125: 7 Simple Living Lessons from Life in Alaska
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode was so fun to make! Not only do I get to share some fascinating tidbits about the state of Alaska and what it's like to live here, I shar...
124: Stop Feeling Stressed by Your House with Katy Joy Wells
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Fellow podcaster and new author, Katy Joy Wells, joins Paring Down today to talk about creating a home that doesn't stress you out. We cover: •...
123: How Minimalism Can Change Your Life with Joshua Becker
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The most respected voice in modern minimalism, Joshua Becker, joins me today to talk about how living with less can change our entire life. We talk...
122: How to Create Life-Changing Habits with Hanna Seymour
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Welcoming back author Hanna Seymour for the second time on Paring Down, and today we're talking all things habit formation. • What can we do toda...
121: What to Do with Everything We Declutter
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Figuring out what to do with all our stuff AND finding the time & energy to do it is one of the biggest hurdles to decluttering. Here are some thin...
120: Decluttering through Grief - Letting Go of Belongings After Loss with Krista St-Germain
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever struggled with letting go of sentimental items after loss, I hope today's episode gives you both validation and encouragement. I tal...
119: How to Develop Self-Discipline for a Clutter-Free Home
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Self-discipline doesn't have to feel exhausting! In today's episode, I... • Debunk 7 myths about self-discipline • Share 5 core principl...
118: Declutter Your House 15 Minutes at a Time with Tracy Roth
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The problem with our determination to declutter in the new year is that we often go hard at the beginning and then burn out fast. Then what? So tod...
117: Renewed Excitement for the Benefits of Minimalism
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This past year brought more change than I expected—personally, spiritually, and professionally. As you'll hear in this episode, some of the chan...
116: When Our Health Journeys Lead to Clutter with Andrea Nakayama
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When her husband was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumor while she was pregnant with their first child, Andrea Nakayama's career took a hard left tu...
115: Calm in a Crisis — Decluttering Emergency Supplies
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Are you actually prepared for an emergency—or just surrounded by emergency clutter? In this episode, I take a clear-eyed look at emergency suppli...
114: Navigating Grandparent Over-Gifting from Both Perspectives with DeeDee Moore
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I sit down with Deedee Moore of More Than Grand to talk about something so many families quietly wrestle with: over-gifting from gran...
113: No More Holiday Resentment & Stress from Other People's Expectations
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we’re exploring what it actually looks like to simplify your holidays—not just by cutting back on decor or gift clutter, but by setting...
112: The Trap of Upgrading Our Lives with Laura Fenton
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Thanksgiving week to those of you in the U.S.! In this thought-provoking conversation with Laura Fenton—writer and creator of the beloved Subs...
111: The "But I Love Everything!" Decluttering Dilemma
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you love your belongings but feel overwhelmed by the piles, the mess, or the jam-packed closets, this episode is for you. Today, we’re breaking d...
110: Is Overconsumption That Big of a Deal?
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's "guest" episode is slightly different...because I'm the guest! My good friends at the Pretty Furious podcast are graciously letting me...
109: What to Do with Clothes that Don't Currently Fit
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of the hardest categories to declutter? Clothes that no longer fit. But just because it's complicated doesn't mean we can't tackle it and make ...
108: Avoid Clutter by Developing Personal Preferences with Courtney Florey
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Do we even realize that we're creating a life based on what other people like, instead of our own preferences? I loved this casual, relatable convers...
107: 7 Ways to Stop Kids’ Clothes from Overflowing
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Kids' clothes get out of hand FAST. Which is why in this episode, I share seven practical strategies to help you stay ahead of the kid clothing chaos....
106: How Comparison Fuels Clutter & Financial Constraint with Amy Slenker-Smith
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are being influenced by way of comparison more than we even realize, and this episode is a really inspiring and uplifting conversation about learni...
105: Strategies for Living Minimally in a Big House (And Research on Buying in Bulk)
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you live a minimalist lifestyle in a big house? In this episode of Paring Down, I explore what it really means to live minimally in a large home—...
104: Finding Adventure in Everyday Life (Thanks to Less Clutter) with Shannon & Gerry Arner
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're an adventure junkie or totally risk-averse, this episode is a fun and motivating listen because it highlights how living with fewer pos...
103: Struggling Through PMDD to Declutter & Tidy
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Getting a little personal this week. Living with PMDD (Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder)—or ANY chemical imbalance, hormonal sensitivity, or particul...
102: Creating Systems to Be Productive Toward What Matters with Chelsi Jo
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What would life look like if you didn't have to decide what's for dinner? If you had a communication system that actually worked with your spouse? If ...
101: What Cozy Season Teaches Us About Decluttering
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I hope this episode feels like a warm hug—the embodiment of sweatshirt weather—inviting you to shed clutter from a place of romanticism, not panic...
100: Life-Changing Hacks to Make Tech Your Personal Assistant with Amanda Jefferson
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We made it to 100 episodes of Paring Down! For this milestone, I wanted a super practical episode that will change your life. So I sat down with the...
99: 7 Tips to Conquer Decluttering Burnout
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Has decluttering become more overwhelming than freeing? You’re not alone. In this episode of Paring Down, I share how to reset when your'e completel...
98: Shaping Your Home to Support Your Wants & Needs with Mia Danielle
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your house feels like it's working against you—or you can't seem to keep the clutter from coming back—this episode is for you. After her divor...
97: Harnessing the Scientific Power of Enthusiasm to Declutter
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Paring Down podcast, we uncover the surprising science of how enthusiasm can fuel your decluttering journey—and why your exci...
96: How to Make Your Home Feel Warm & Welcoming with Etiquette Coach, Alison Cheperdak
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Paring Down, I’m joined by etiquette coach Alison Cheperdak to talk about how to create a home that feels warm, inviting, and dee...
95: How to Declutter a Storage Unit
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this jam-packed episode of Paring Down, I walk you through how to declutter three common types of storage units—with actionable, step-by-step tip...
94: Practical Advice for Living Intentionally with 7x NYT Bestselling Author Gretchen Rubin
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Can you believe THE Gretchen Rubin is on the show?? She's a 7x NYT bestselling author, and one of my professional heroes. Her work dives into human ...
93: Behind the Scenes of Our Road Trip to Alaska & What I Wish We'd Decluttered
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what went down on our 3-week road trip to Alaska, insight into our new life in Kodiak, and what we've decluttered since we arrived! Isn't it ...
92: Parenting in a World with X-Rated Content with Kristen A. Jenson
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is a little different from our typical conversation, leaning heavily into intentional living. After all, when we drown out the noise a...
91: Things that Feel Illegal to Declutter (But Aren't)
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes we fail to declutter because of a silent pressure that tells us we're breaking an unwritten rule. Today's episode explores different categor...
90: How Clutter Affects Our Mental Health with Dr. Brittany Pope
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What does a licensed therapist have to say about how clutter affects our mental health? You're about to find out! Today's episode with my dear fri...
89: The Key to Staying Motivated to Declutter
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a pile while decluttering, having lost all motivation? Or have you ever felt like it's impossible to ke...
88: How the Beauty Industry Fuels Overconsumption with Miss America 2014 Nina Davuluri
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If anyone knows about the underbelly of the beauty industry, it's Miss America 2014, Nina Davuluri. Nina's documentary COMPLEXion (available on Prim...
87: 10 Ways to Make Your Home Easy to Tidy
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You've heard it said that we shouldn't focus on having a perfectly tidy home 24/7...rather, we should focus on having a home that's EASY to tidy. Wh...
86: Strategies for Getting Your Kids to Declutter
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"How do I get my kids to declutter if they're super attached to all their stuff?" "Should I include my kids or do it myself?" "Where should I start?" ...
85: Become an Essentialist with NYT Bestselling Author, Greg McKeown
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
NYT Bestselling author Greg McKeown is on the show!! (WHAT?!) Buckle up for one of the most special, exciting, and insightful episodes of Paring Down ...
84: Learning to Ride the Waves of Clutter Tolerance
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes the clutter drives us nuts...and sometimes, we don't have the energy to get worked up about it. Guess what? That's totally normal! Today we...
83: Making the Most of Our Space with Khrystyne Jaspers
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If your home is small, quirky, or simply not your "dream home" - then this episode is for you! In fact, this episode is for you even if you're inside ...
82: The Sweet Spot Between Beauty & Function with Whitney English
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often think that minimalism looks one way: white, neutral, & bare as possible. The truth is that minimalism simply means choosing only what's truly...
81: The Art of Making Friends & How it Helps Us Declutter
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does it sometimes feel impossible to make real friends in adulthood? And what does that have to do with paring down our lives? As a military wife, I ...
80: Be Rich in What Matters with Julia Ubbenga
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When you slow down and consider your life, do you feel rich in what matters? Today's guest, Julia Ubbenga, found herself asking that question years ag...
79: Decluttering Before You Move (or Mock Move)
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
There's no motivation to declutter quite like relocating! But where should we start? In this episode I break down why we should declutter before we m...
78: Addressing the Mental Load of Clutter with Dr. Morgan Cutlip
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"What if our partner says they'll do something, but they don't follow through?" "How do we get our partners to care about all the details of home/fam...
77: What If I End Up Needing What I've Decluttered?
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What-if items tend to be the biggest culprits of clutter! We are worried we'll need it some day, so we hold on just in case. In this episode, I walk...
76: Is Celebrity Self-Help Advice Useful? with Jim Oliver
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Introducing my brother, Jim Oliver!! We talk about losing our mom 12 years ago, and what that has meant for both of us in terms of living our lives wi...
75: Minimalism Hot Takes
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The beautiful part about intentional living is that we get to decide what resonates with us and what doesn't. Not all advice is for everyone, and that...
74: Removing the Chaos from Our Email Accounts & Desktops with Shawn Lemon
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ready for some truly practical help that will change your daily life? Shawn Lemon of The Digital Organizer delivers just that in today's episode as h...
73: Avoiding Vacation Clutter: Souvenirs & Vacay Wardrobe
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Spring Break is right around the corner, and it's very tempting to buy new wardrobes for vacation or bring home plenty of souvenirs. (Especially if it...
72: Reclaiming the Sacred: Does Money Make Us Happier? with Jeff Golden
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Defining what is "sacred" is to determine what truly matters and to recognize the beautiful intersection of every living thing. In this realm, Jeff Go...
71: How Growing Up in a Cult Made Me More Intentional
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whew, I kind of can't believe I'm pressing publish on this one. I grew up in a high control religious organization, and today I'm sharing my story aft...
70: Is Decluttering Just for the Financially Secure? with Aubrey High
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Avoiding difficult subjects isn't something I want to do on Paring Down. Yet I want to make sure I approach them with humility, positivity, and an ope...
69: The 10 Best Principles to Guide Your Decluttering
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finding a decluttering method that works for you is great, but identifying principles that can apply to any decluttering decision is even more powerfu...
68: Decluttering for Senior Adults & Their Families with Jeannine Bryant
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode has been a long time coming, and I'm so happy it's finally here!!! I know so many of you struggle to help your parents declutter in their...
67: 5 Psychological Phenomena that Affect Decluttering & Consumption
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's always SO exciting when I record something that immediately becomes one of my favorite episodes. This is one of those!! My degree is in psycholog...
66: How to Develop a Minimalish Mindset with Diane Boden
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Diane Boden of the Minimalist Moms podcast joins us on Paring Down today to talk about how to adopt a more minimalish mindset in 2025 and beyond. It's...
65: Reflection Questions to Live More Intentionally
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We can't live intentionally while never taking time to pause and reflect on our lives. Through this purposeful evaluation, we are able to consciously ...
64: Tweaks to Simplify Your Life with Erin Port
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we welcome Erin Port of Simple Purposeful Living to the podcast! I LOVE Erin's "big sister energy" (her words) that so gently remind us that we ...
63: A Balanced Approach to Birthday Parties
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Birthday parties are a great example of how the true power of a “minimalish” life isn’t in less for the sake of less, rather it’s about intent...
62: Tidy Up Your Life with Tyler Moore (aka Tidy Dad)
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
THE ONE THE ONLY Tyler Moore aka Tidy Dad is on today's episode! Tyler is so engaging, positive, and honest-- three attributes that have led him to fe...
61: Simplifying Holiday Traditions
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we talk through 5 ways to keep traditions from becoming overwhelming -- from focusing on the big picture instead of the details, to c...
60: Decluttering Out of Gratitude with Deanna Yates
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We often declutter from a place of frustration with all of the stuff in our homes, but the process is not only more enjoyable - but more sustainable, ...
59: Busting Myths About Decluttering
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If I’ve learned one thing since creating a public platform about decluttering, it’s that a LOT of people have misconceptions about what it means t...
58: Spending Money on What We Value with Jen Smith
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You lucky ducks get to hear from Jen Smith of the highly popular Frugal Friends podcast! In this episode of Paring Down, she teaches us all about valu...
57: Should We Never Buy Anything Ever Again?
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Learn 5 ways to be a conscious consumer, along with some of the dangers of taking minimalism to the extreme in this episode of Paring Down! Paring Do...
56: What If You Lost Everything? with Lala Hairston
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Lala Hairston lives in the Tampa Bay area, which was ravaged by both Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. She shares her powerful story of coming to...
55: The Ripple Effect of Clutter with Laura Carlin
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever considered how your home either helps you or hinders you when it comes to your goals? Is it helping you be the kind of parent you want ...
54: How to Keep the Clutter from Coming Back
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Somehow, inanimate objects seem to grow legs and find their way back into our homes and onto our counters. Decluttering can feel like fighting a losin...
53: Home Organization Tips with Kenika Williams
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Decluttering is the first step to an organized home, but today we're diving into the organization piece of home management head first. What product ...
52: Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you struggle with decluttering because it feels like watching bags of money go out the door, then this episode is for you! In it, I share not onl...
51: Getting to the Root of Our Clutter with Jenny Albertini
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who better to help us understand how clutter affects us from a holistic perspective than public health expert, Jenny Albertini? Jenny uses easy to r...
50: The Guilt & Fear of Decluttering Gifts
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
"What if they ask me where it is??" "I feel ungrateful." "They expect to see it displayed." These are just a few of the hard issues we dive into on t...
49: The Link Between Money Management & Clutter with Brad Nelson
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There are two major pieces to living a decluttered life: 1) What we get OUT 2) What we let IN On today's episode with Brad Nelson from Debt Fr...
48: Decluttering Books as a Book Lover
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
STOP, book lovers! Don't scoff and say "No way am I listening to this episode because books are something I'll never declutter!" I mean, you can ab...
47: Motivation to Unplug & Enjoy Life with Eric Moeller
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
No one wants to end up on their death bed and say, "I wish I hadn't spent so much time on my phone." Founder of FreeWyld vacation cabins, Eric Moel...
46: How We Decluttered Our Garage
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ask and you shall receive! When I polled the audience a few weeks ago about areas you'd like to declutter, lots of you said that your garage or you...
45: Determining Your Priorities with Ashli Pollard
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paring down what's important in our life sounds nice and all, but HOW? So often, pretty much everything feels important. We'd love to say that not ...
44: Brainstorming Solutions to Clutter Problem Areas
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have an area of your house that can't seem to stay decluttered or organized no matter what you do? Same. Today I walk you through the fou...
43: Creating Household Rhythms to Foster Peace with Ben & Brianna Folkman
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most efficient ways to simplify your life so your life becomes exponentially easier is to implement household rhythms. Each new rhythm (...
42: 15 Ways to Spend Less Money
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode doesn't list things to avoid temptation, like unfollow influencers or take the Amazon Prime app off your phone - though those are great w...
41: Timeless Truths About Simplicity with Suzanne Johnson
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do you know an idea is true? That's a pretty big question, but I've found that the best way to know if an idea is worth exploring is to find ou...