The Minimal Mom

Busy Kids Now Displaying "Trauma Brain"?

Why are so many of our kids showing signs of trauma when they live in relative safety? How do we raise counter-cultural kids in a world of excess?

Today, Dawn is joined by Kim John Payne, M.ED., who has been a counselor, educator, consultant, and researcher for over thirty years. 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

-The one thing Kim would say to parents right now

-What lead Kim to study simplicity in parenting

-A formula for unstructured playtime

-Importance of rhythms vs. routines 

-Parenting as a governor, gardener, and guide 

ABOUT KIM JOHN PAYNE:

Kim John Payne is an Australian who has, for 24 years, worked throughout the world as a counselor, consultant/researcher and educator of both children and adults. He has been helping children, adolescents and families explore issues such as social difficulties with siblings and classmates, attention and behavioral issues at home and school, and a range of emotional issues such as defiance, aggression, addiction and self-esteem.

BOOKS:

Simplicity Parenting Book: https://amzn.to/4c9P7VQ

Being at Your Best When Your Kids are at Their Worst: https://amzn.to/3T5Tokh

^{The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance -- From Toddlers to Teens: https://amzn.to/3VahD3p}

Reset Your Child's Brain, 4 Week Screen Detox: https://amzn.to/3wVCxsM

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

 

Q+A: “You have time to do what???”

How do I get myself out of the messy middle? How many kids books should I keep? How can I move towards minimalism with with chronic illness, young kids, busy schedules, etc. etc?

Listen in as Dawn answers from listeners on these topics and more! 

 

Want to record a decluttering question? You can do so here: https://sayhi.chat/MinimalMom

 

In this Episode: 

• How Dawn manages to keep up with daily cleaning tasks in about 40 minutes
• How to minimize with a chronic illness
• Get out of the messy middle 
• Sharing small living spaces with kids and their friends 
• Deciding what kids books to keep in the house

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

“We don’t have to own all this stuff!”

What would your reaction be if you heard, “We don’t have to own all this stuff”? Do you dream about a life where less time is spent cleaning and organizing and more time actually living?

This simple phrase jump started Joshua’s journey to minimalism. Listen in as he and Dawn reminisce about his early days of minimalism and the benefits he’s seen in his life and family through it.

 IN THIS EPISODE: 

-Joshua’s introduction to minimalism 

-Biggest friction between his spouse when decluttering 

-GEM: Joshua’s best advice for raising kids with less (minute 17:50)

-What Joshua has been up to recently  

ABOUT JOSHUA:
Joshua Becker is a prominent author, speaker, and minimalist advocate.
He is known for his practical advice on simplifying possessions, relationships, and priorities to foster a more fulfilling and purposeful existence.

Books:

Things that Matter: https://amzn.to/49BaugC

The More of Less: https://amzn.to/42F3rkF

The Minimalist Home: https://amzn.to/3OOrJmG

LINKS MENTIONED: 

Article that kickstarted Joshua’s Minimalism journey: https://zenhabits.net/a-guide-to-creating-a-minimalist-home/

The Hope Effect: https://www.hopeeffect.com/
Becker Method Certified Professional Training Course: https://www.becomingminimalist.com/becker-method-certification/

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

The Fascinating Brain Science Behind Keeping "Just in Case" & Extra Items

Why do so many of us struggle with moderation and pursue the unpredictable? Why do we constantly crave more, when we have enough? 

In today’s episode, Dawn is joined by Michael Easter, a New York Times Bestselling author, journalist, and professor who wrote the books The Comfort Crisis and Scarcity Brain.

Together, they discuss how our society's pursuit of ease has drastically changed the way in which we think and live - and tactics of how to not fall into the scarcity mindset trap! 

ABOUT MICHAEL EASTER:  Michael's work explores how we can leverage modern science and evolutionary wisdom to perform better and live healthier and more meaningful lives. His ideas have been adopted by NASA, MLB teams, NCAA D1 athletic programs, US Special Forces units, Fortune-500 companies, top tier universities, and millions of people worldwide.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Scarcity Brain: https://amzn.to/42xvJO2
Comfort Crisis: https://amzn.to/49qZqT6
Newsletter Signup: https://www.twopct.com/
Clearspace app: https://www.getclearspace.com/

IN THIS EPISODE:
-How pursuing ease has changed our society
-Scarcity brain
-Why are we bad at moderation
-Our focus on unpredictability
-The relationship between scarcity and creativity
-When to introduce social media to our kids
-Gratitude journals are probably not the answer!


Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff with Matt Paxton

Are you struggling to downsize a home filled with memories? Does the fear and guilt of purging family keepsakes keep you from decluttering?

In this episode, Matt Paxton shares helpful insight on how to discern what heirlooms are worth keeping, and what to do with the rest. 

 

 IN THIS EPISODE: 

-helping loved ones dealing with hoarding 

-the most misunderstood thing about hoarders 

-dealing with the guilt of stuff
-how does this actually work? 

About Matt

Matt Paxton is a downsizing and cleaning expert, speaker, author, radio personality, and host of the 2-time Emmy nominated television show Legacy List with Matt Paxton.

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff by Matt Paxton: https://amzn.to/3I3zOQJ More info about Legacy List: https://www.mylegacylist.com/

Save the stories with Artifacts: https://artifcts.com/
Minimalism for Families by Zoë Kim https://amzn.to/4867IyC
Zoë Kim’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingsimple/?hl=en

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

 

Q+A: “I can’t say no to free” & getting kids to help

Do you want to involve your kids in decluttering but have trouble figuring out how? Have you ever shared your excitement over living with less only to be told, “good for you, but I could never!” Do you find it nearly impossible to say, "no" something free? 

Listen in as Dawn answers real questions from her listeners and helps navigate some of the sticky situations that can come up when decluttering.

Want to record a decluttering question? You can do so here: https://sayhi.chat/MinimalMom

IN THIS EPISODE:
- how to get kids on board with cleaning
- dealing with guilt of, “good for you, but I could never”
- when you just can’t say no to free
- how to keep pushing through the layers of decluttering

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

Baggage in Boxes: Clutter's Link to Hidden Trauma

Have you ever had the thought, “why do these decluttering tactics work for everyone BUT me?” Is it possible that emotional or psychological trauma has contributed to the clutter and disorganization in your life?

Listen in as Dawn and Anna Runkle from The Crappy Childhood Fairy address how clutter can often be a symptom of trauma and give encouragement on how to start the process of overcoming these hurdles in your life or in the lives of those you may know.  

IN THIS EPISODE:
-Anna’s motivation in starting Crappy Childhood Fairy 

- Encouragement on the “doability” of starting to heal and where to start

- Why It can be more helpful to write it out rather than talking it out! 

- Removing mental clutter in order to help reduce physical clutter 

- Theories on helping others who struggle with clutter 

- Encouragement for the woman who always feels like an outlier 

About Anna 

Anna Runkle is not a doctor or therapist; she’s someone who grew up in a rough family that was deeply affected by addiction and all the problems that tend to go with that – poverty, violence, neglect, and shame.

Everything changed for her in 1994 when she stumbled upon two techniques that unexpectedly made her feel better – dramatically better. With that little bit of healing, she was able to, at last, begin changing the self-destructive patterns she had learned (common for trauma survivors) and change the course of my life.  Today, almost half a million people follow her work and participate in her training. Her mission is to change the paradigm of what’s possible for people “like us” and to help all I can to heal and lead lives of joy and purpose.

See Anna’s video: Clutter as a Trauma symptom: https://youtu.be/FZwY4tAfX1A?si=As4YXzXeG0rJ-Jkn
IG: https://www.instagram.com/crappychildhoodfairy/
YT: https://www.youtube.com/@CrappyChildhoodFairy
FREE course: the daily practice: https://courses.crappychildhoodfairy.com/daily-practice?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=description&utm_campaign=daily-practice


Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

The interruption of stuff (and how to stop it!)

Do you feel stuck waiting for motivation to show up? Are you struggling to answer the elusive “why” in hopes it will propel you into transformative lifestyle habits? Is the work of decluttering even worth it? Listen in as Brit Frank, a licensed Neuropsycholotherapist, shares WHY decluttering can be the most powerful mental health practice that you can do and HOW to get started!

IN THIS EPISODE:

- (GEM) Our misunderstanding of motivation 3:12
- A prescription for decluttering
- Self compassion vs. self permission
- How changing your self talk can change your life!
- Why kids don’t need perfect parenting
- The question you should be asking to find friends
- You don’t need motivation - you need momentum!

About Brit: Britt Frank, LSCSW, SEP is a licensed neuropsychotherapist and author of The Science of Stuck. In this new book, Britt offers an eclectic and customizable plan, addressing old habits, trauma, and the paralyzing nature of incessant "why" questions. Recognizing that simply thinking our way forward is often insufficient, this book is a guide for anyone feeling stuck in their lives and wanting to break free of old habits and patterns.

Check out Britt’s book here: https://amzn.to/421Kzfl

Welcome to The Official Minimal Mom Podcast. Thank you so much for listening and could I ask a favor? Would you mind following? It helps podcast apps recommend this podcast to more friends. Thank you! Dawn

The Crushing Weight of Debt (and how to get out this New Year!) with Frugal Fit Mom

Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB

The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!)

The Next ALL DAY DECLUTTER is Saturday, Jan. 13 - replays available if you can't join us live (Payment plan available, too!)

IN THIS EPISODE:

Are you struggling with post-holiday letdown, discouragement over credit card statements, and navigating a sense of unease as the new year unfolds?

While getting out of debt is hard, listen and hear Dawn and Christine of Frugal Fit Mom encourage you to start taking steps to replace the weight of debt with the lightness that comes from debt-free living! 


IN THIS EPISODE: 
-Christine and Dawn’s personal stories of getting out of debt 
-How to start your debt-free journey 
-Motivating yourself and others towards paying off debt
-The freedom that comes from minimizing access to social media and streaming services


ABOUT CHRISTINE: Christine from Frugal Fit Mom has garnered a loyal following by sharing her practical insights on budgeting, frugality, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle on a dime.

Her journey is a testament to the transformative power of mindful spending, sensible budgeting, and strategic money-saving tactics. Whether it's expertly navigating the grocery store aisles for budget-friendly yet nutritious meals or offering ingenious tips to maximize savings, Christine's approach is both relatable and inspiring.

Through Frugal Fit Mom YouTube channel, Christine invites her audience to join her on a journey towards financial resilience, overall well-being, and the joys of a balanced, intentional life.

https://www.youtube.com/c/FrugalFitMom

How to get rid of piles on counters (and other places, too!)

Take Your House Back (Just $94): https://urlgeni.us/TYHB

The Take Your House Back Course is a powerful way that I can come along side you and make sure you get your home simplified in the new year! (And it's only $94 right now - normally $597!)

The Next ALL DAY DECLUTTER is Saturday, Jan. 13 - replays available if you can't join us live (Payment plan available, too!)

 

Today I'm joined by Dana from A Slob Comes Clean. She is a friend and colleague and I'm a believer in her No Mess Decluttering Method!