Synopsis
Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus discuss living a meaningful life with less.
Episodes
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521 | One Day Less
05/01/2026 Duration: 51minThe Minimalists talk about consumerism's role in workplace overload, what it takes to work fewer hours, the hidden reason grocery prices have increased, why certain 'Buy One, Get One Free' deals have been outlawed, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does consumerism force us to work more hours each week, and what can we do about it? (6:43) What would it take for you to work one less day per week? (26:03) Right Here, Right Now: How to Write Better and the end of our Earthing grant. (42:53) Listener Tip: Book a Clutter Counseling session with T.K. Coleman. (47:10) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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520 | Uncommon Cold
29/12/2025 Duration: 01h02minThe Minimalists speak with Professor Thomas Seager about using ice baths to help minimize pain and chronic illness, uncomfortable activities that get easier over time, a slew of questions JFM has about cold plunge therapy, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does a struggling person live a relatively productive life with chronic illness? (3:34) What's a previously uncomfortable activity that you now regularly do with ease? (32:56) Right Here, Right Now: Joshua's Top 10 Albums of 2025, Friday Afternoon Minimalist Zooms, and How to Write Better (51:35) Listener Tip: Does Kapil Gupta need a hug? (53:54) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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519 | Begin Again
22/12/2025 Duration: 41minIn this bonus episode, The Minimalists host Sunday Symposium in Orange County. Discussed in this episode: Overplanning produces chaos. (08:00) No one on their deathbed says they regret not accumulating more stuff. (17:57) Hold on if it confers more benefits than letting go. (26:18) Anything can be clutter if it gets in the way. (29:54) Acceptance is nice, but needing acceptance is a prison. (32:39) How do you define success for yourself? (39:00) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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518 | All Black Everything
15/12/2025 Duration: 01h15minThe Minimalists speak with philosopher Peter Rollins about why minimalists often wear black clothes, a few examples of emotional decluttering, the concept of "dopamine dressing," some tips for reducing social media scrolling, eight things Joshua's favorite writer tried to warn us about, and more. Discussed in this episode: What is an example of emotional decluttering? (5:28) What's wrong with wearing all black? (26:03) Right Here, Right Now: The Minimalists' 15th birthday and the final Sunday Symposium–for now. (48:57) Listener Tip: A unique way to reduce scrolling. (1:08:07) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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517 | Bad Thoughts
08/12/2025 Duration: 56minThe Minimalists speak with Judah Smith about how other people's perception of us can be upsetting, the biggest things that send people into a mental spiral, advice for minimizing when you're stressed out, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Should I read my mother's diary after she dies? (2:25) What sends you into a mental spiral? (20:17) Right Here, Right Now: The Minimalist's new TEDx Talk, "Scrolling Is the New Smoking," is live! (41:18) Listener Tip: Clearing the external clutter often helps with the mental clutter. (48:02) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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516 | Hoarder Moms
01/12/2025 Duration: 47minThe Minimalists talk about celebrating the holidays without consumerism, our craziest Black Friday stories, the willingness to walk away from anything, six often-overlooked spaces in your home to declutter right now, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why are T.K. and Joshua opening fortune cookies on the podcast? (0:30) How can I deal with my hoarder mom's cluttered house? (10:18) Who's the biggest hoarder in your family? (24:39) Right Here, Right Now: the 30-Day Minimalism Game, Sunday Symposium, and Zoom calls with The Minimalists (40:36) Listener Tip: Getting into the school spirit. (43:45) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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515 | Holiday Shopping Season
24/11/2025 Duration: 49minThe Minimalists talk about celebrating the holidays without consumerism, our craziest Black Friday stories, the willingness to walk away from anything, six often-overlooked spaces in your home to declutter right now, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How does a minimalist enjoy the holidays without falling into the trap of consumerism? (3:41) What's your craziest Black Friday story? (14:51) Right Here, Right Now: Sunday Symposium and the Gift of Less. (40:58) Listener Tip: The willingness to walk away. (43:39) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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514 | Guilty Pleasures
17/11/2025 Duration: 49minThe Minimalists are reassessing guilty pleasures, reducing triggers that cause unnecessary pain, exploring annoying gifts, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of guilt after I buy something that doesn't align with my values? (2:08) What's one thing you feel guilty about having purchased? (19:12) Right Here, Right Now: Tour updates and T.K.'s birthday. (40:23) Listener Tip: A handful of wellness tips. (43:26) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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513 | The Sound of Life
10/11/2025 Duration: 44minThe Minimalists talk about making time for frivolous pursuits, what we're willing to sacrifice for the important things, clutter that shows up unexpectedly, five easy decluttering tips you can apply to every space this winter, and more! Discussed in this episode: How can we justify making time for seemingly frivolous pursuits? (2:33) Solve this equation: X is so important to me that I'm willing to sacrifice Y to spend time on it. (22:13) Right Here, Right Now: T.K.'s Clutter Counseling videos. (34:24) Listener Tip: Clutter can show up in the strangest ways. (37:47) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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512 | The Secret of Letting Go
03/11/2025 Duration: 52minThe Minimalists speak with Guy Finley about letting go of precious memories, why letting go is so freaking scary, the wisdom of letting go, ten truths to follow if you want to let go, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How can I let go of things that are imbued with my precious memories? (4:20) Why is letting go so scary? (32:24) How does our desire to control prevent us from letting go? (33:30) Are we always letting go of a piece of the past when we let go? (36:59) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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511 | Holding On
27/10/2025 Duration: 48minThe Minimalists speak with Ryan Holiday about how the stoics dealt with sentimental items, the potential virtue of holding on, stoical insights about values, regrets, mental clutter, seven things minimalists would never put in their living room, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How would the stoics have handled their sentimental items? (2:40) When is it virtuous to hold on? (22:13) Right Here, Right Now: Books a Clutter Counseling session with T.K. (43:05) Listener Tip: A poem about the weight of the needs of others. (44:19) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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510 | Say Less
20/10/2025 Duration: 47minThe Minimalists talk about verbal minimalism, the things we regret saying, the best ways to let other people down, seven things people regret tossing while decluttering, and much more. Discussed in this episode: How do you practice verbal minimalism? (3:43) What’s the last thing you regretted saying? (18:54) Right Here, Right Now: Joshua’s new documentary, Food for Humans, goes on tour. (38:08) Listener Tip: Creating a list of items you might want again later. (44:05) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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509 | The Fix
13/10/2025 Duration: 51minThe Minimalists talk about feeling defeated because of limitations, problems that won’t go away, other people’s cluttered spaces, five things you should never feel guilty about getting rid of, and more! Discussed in this episode: How do you cope when a recurring injury or limitation makes you feel defeated, anxious, and discouraged? (3:11) What problem keeps popping up even after you fix it? (19:04) Right Here, Right Now: Floor-sleeping. (39:30) Listener Tip: The nightlight rule. (47:42) Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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508 | Too Minimal
06/10/2025 Duration: 48minThe Minimalists talk about the pros and cons of extreme minimalism, when simple living goes too far, so-called “sad” items, and much more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: Why does extreme minimalism make me feel empty? (1:54) How minimal is too minimal? (15:05) Right Here, Right Now: Savi D’s skate videos and Sunday Symposium in Ventura. (39:28) Listener Tip: Taking less so I can give more. (43:37) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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507 | Closer to Contentment
29/09/2025 Duration: 53minThe Minimalists talk about letting go of things that are a reminder of a painful past, everyday essentials, joybaiting instead of ragebating, several things professional organizers say we should let go of this fall, and more. Have a question for the show? Call 406-219-7839 or email a voice memo to podcast@themins.com. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of old digital content—such as photos, contacts, and social media friends—that remind me of a painful past? (4:10) What if I regret getting rid of something? (15:09) What’s something from your past that’s getting in the way of your present? (24:57) Right Here, Right Now: Simplify Everything and Friday afternoon Zoom calls with The Minimalists. (45:23) Listener Tip: How to manage laundry for six people. (47:55) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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506 | Capitalism
22/09/2025 Duration: 59minThe Minimalists speak with Rey Flemings about the upsides and downsides of capitalism, potential alternative economic systems, the best ways for wealthy people to be more generous, plus greed, freedom, private ownership, and more. Discussed in this episode: What’s the best way to talk about capitalism objectively without evoking an emotional response? (3:19) What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word “capitalism”? (11:30) Right Here, Right Now: Sunday Symposium and Clutter Counseling (53:35) Listener Tip: Why didn’t we think of this? (54:29) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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505 | Excessful
15/09/2025 Duration: 49minThe Minimalists talk about what to do with closets and containers that are overflowing with excess, what’s keeping most people from minimizing, when to stop buying new things for your home, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do I do with my two closets and three storage containers filled with excess clothes? (1:47) What’s the last thing you minimized, and what prevented you from letting go sooner? (21:08) Sucky Ad: Dr. Chris Ryan talks about the normalization of deceit. (37:10) Listener Tip: “Storage” by Mary Oliver. (45:05) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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504 | The Little Things
08/09/2025 Duration: 37minIn this solo episode, Joshua talks about disagreeing about the little things at home, his new rule for online shopping, a few stupid things he’s purchased that he’ll never buy again, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Why do my minimalist spouse and I keep arguing about the little things? (2:17) Talkaboutable: The Amazon Shopping Rule. (19:11) Talkaboutable: Three stupid things I’ve purchased that I’ll never buy again. (22:00) Right Here, Right Now: A return to video, a new perk for Patrons, and Minimalism turns two. (24:47) Listener Tip: Surprising things that dirty your clothes. (30:32) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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503 | I’d Rather Be Alone
01/09/2025 Duration: 53minThe Minimalists speak with philosopher Peter Rollins about how increasing fragmentation and fear of others produces unnecessary enemies, the ways in which social anxiety makes it difficult to build a community, how products promise fulfillment yet give us dissatisfaction, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What do introverts understand that extroverts don’t? (1:53) What’s missing from your community? (22:05) Right Here, Right Now: Sunday Symposium and Zoom calls with The Minimalists. (44:57) Listener Tip: Two tips for managing book clutter. (49:00) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.
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502 | The Uniform
18/08/2025 Duration: 48minThe Minimalists talk about the practical issues with curating a simple wardrobe, letting go of troubling conversations, being eco-friendly on a budget, and much more. Discussed in this episode: What should I do if a simple wardrobe isn’t practical for me? (2:08) If you had to wear just one outfit every day for the rest of your life, what would it be? (15:07) Right Here, Right Now: Join us at Sunday Symposium. (42:20) Listener Insight: A tip for dealing with half-dirty clothes. (45:30) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast Recorded at Earthing Studios.