Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
Episodes
161: How to Get Kids to Clean Up After Themselves, Tech Tools, & Murder
21 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do you get kids to clean up after themselves without feel...
160: Secret Sessions, Friendship Bracelets & What Makes Swifties Different with Olivia Levin
20 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Olivia Levin, New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed Our Lives, joins me to explore what makes the ...
159: The Truth About Decluttering Influencers and How They Get Paid
19 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a little different than usual because it's not an official interview...instead, one of my close friends and fellow "influencer" Elisab...
158: Burn It All Energy, How to Write a Book, & Bad Dogs
14 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I channel the burn it all energy into something useful...
157: Community vs. Friendship: Why Not Everyone in Your Village Needs to Be Your Best Friend
13 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I break down the difference between friendship and community, and explain why confusing the two might be leaving you feeling disconne...
156: Surprising Lessons on Simplicity from Sourdough Bread with Brett Wiewiora and Christina Cann
12 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What do sourdough bread, world travel, and minimalism have in common? More than you'd think. In this episode, I sit down with Brett Wiewiora and Ch...
155: Declutter with the Biggest Payoff, My Miss America Journey, & Libraries
07 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What decluttering project is the most bang for your buck? 2....
154: The Joy of Movement (Even If You're Not Into Fitness) with Beyonce's dancer, Deja Riley
06 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today I’m joined by my dear friend from high school, Deja Riley! Watching her career evolve from a professional dancer into a powerful voice in the ...
153: 20 Things I'm Decluttering Before Moving to Finland
05 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
I've been craving a personal decluttering episode—bringing you guys with me around my house while I declutter! And what better opportunity than thin...
152: Decluttering Boxes of Old Mail, Moving to Finland, & Is it Bad to Criticize Generosity?
30 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. How do you declutter boxes and boxes of old mail? 2. How are...
151: 10 Subtle Things Stealing Your Joy, So BEWARE!
29 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this Good Stuff episode of the Paring Down podcast, I want to share about the flip side of joy—as in, what's getting in the way? So I decided t...
150: How Our Surroundings Shape Our Lives with Author/Engineer, Leidy Klotz
28 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What a treat today! Acclaimed engineering professor and author Leidy Klotz joins me on Paring Down to explore how our environments shape our lives mor...
149: When Kids Ask About a Toy You Decluttered, Where I Find Hope, & a Near-Death Decluttering Win
23 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. What happens when you declutter your kids stuff and then they ...
148: Finding Joy When Motherhood is Hard with Libby Ward
22 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The one and only Libby Ward is in the house! In this episode, mega mom influencer Libby Ward shares how to find joy even when motherhood feels overwhe...
147: How I Got 700,000 Followers, a Life-Changing Book Deal, & 1 Million Podcast Plays in 2 Years
21 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ask and you shall receive! Today I'm departing slightly today from usual decluttering content and instead giving you the full lowdown of how to grow o...
146: What If You're Too Busy to Sell Nice Clothing, My Upbringing, & Oil Stains
16 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. What if I have too many clothes, but they’re too nice to g...
146: What If You're Too Busy to Sell Nice Clothing, My Upbringing, & Oil Stains
16 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. What if I have too many clothes, but they’re too nice to g...
145: The Secret to Feeling Happier Before Anything Even Happens
15 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're talking about a highly underrated source of joy: anticipation. In this episode, you'll learn: • The science behind why anticipat...
144: Make Decluttering Simple with Proven Strategies with Kate Vanness-Kandoth
14 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
The strategies in today's episode are practical and life-changing! I had so much fun hearing from Kate Vanness-Kandoth on how her background in scienc...
143: Should We Keep Cool Old Stuff for Our Kids?, Teleportation, & Owala Water Bottles [Chat Chat]
09 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. How much “cool old stuff” to keep for your kids to discover...
142: Busting the Myth that Joy Comes from an Easy Life with Kelli Foreman
08 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What does it really look like to build a joyful life through hard work, resilience, and purpose? I had the pleasure of sitting down with inspiring...
141: Where to Start Decluttering (Or Start Again)
07 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you want to declutter but don't know where to start, this is the episode for you! You’ll learn exactly how to overcome decluttering paralysis an...
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...