Trying this new feature on Substack where I read a post and add some off the cuff commentary. Sort of a mini-ROMA, centered around a written piece. Let me know what you think. Is this a good format? Should I do more? This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit chrisryan.subst…

The Minimalists discuss letting go of memories, creating an uncluttered home, three new series from The Minimalists, and more. Discussed in this episode: How do I let go of memories? (3:51) How can I curate a beautiful, uncluttered home? (17:52) What are the three new series coming soon from The Minimalists? (25:12) What’s the best way to create a …

A few months ago, someone mentioned that a dude had walked to Crestone from Colorado Springs — which is a SERIOUS walk over some very rugged mountains — and that he was some kind of Sasquatch expert. I was intrigued, but I have to admit that I assumed the guy was a wild-eyed wayward soul who’d had a bit too much psilocybin and not enough common sen…

The Minimalists talk about the benefits of restraint, the struggles of consumerism for new minimalists, the difficulties of letting go of social media, and more. Discussed in this episode: How do I declutter my online-shopping addiction? (1:56) What factors contributed to The Minimalists leaving social media? (31:04) Why was I still clinging to my …

Following the birth of their daughter, Jack McClure and his wife Alana decided to continue their life of adventure. They set their sights on thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail from Canada to Mexico as a family, beginning when their daughter was 9 months old. What followed was a 1,500 mile odyssey filled not only with primeval forests and sweeping …

The Minimalists discuss the art of streamlining one’s life, letting go of difficult things, how the need for approval keeps people tethered to a lifestyle they don’t want, and more. Discussed in this episode: How can I get my husband to let go of just-in-case items? (3:52) How does my need for approval influence my consumption decisions? (24:17) Wh…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com * Can/should we slow down the development of AI? * Frans de Waal: “Because the role of sex in society is such a loaded and controversial issue, scientists have tended to downplay this side of bonobo behavior…. Sexual encounters of the bonobo kind are strikingly cas…

The Minimalists talk about the three different kinds of letting go (graduation, divorce, death), several ways to detach from a former spouse, and how to move on when you feel like you can’t let go. Discussed in this episode: How can I detach from my former spouse while actively coparenting and sharing familial responsibilities? (1:58) How do I move…

Adam’s name comes up a lot in Crestone. He and his family have been around for a long time, he runs a local business, currently serves on the Town Board of Trustees, is running for County Commissioner, and seems to be admired and respected by pretty much everyone. This is my favorite kind of podcast to bring you, where I’m getting to know the guest…

The Minimalists talk about the process of simplifying for newbies and staying motivated when decluttering gets difficult. Discussed in this episode: How can I maintain traction as a new minimalist? (01:25) How can I keep going on my decluttering journey when I get overwhelmed? (15:45) Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/themi…

The Minimalists speak with Cal Newport about the three principles of slow productivity and letting go of social media. Watch all 2 hours of episode 435 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: What are the three principles of slow productivity? (02:10) Should The Minimalists quit social media? (27:48) Detailed show notes: mini…

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Nicole LePera about breaking cycles and healing relationships. Watch all 2 hours of episode 434 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How can I let go of the idea of what I thought a relationship should be? (02:23) How can I cease self-loathing? (18:48) Why don’t I feel like enough? (33:14) De…

Michael Henry Dunn is a guy who has been around the block a few times. He’s a classically trained actor, having studied at Juilliard. He’s a musician and an activist. He’s an author, journalist, Substacker and scholar who has delved deeply into the controversies around Shakespeare’s true identity, the Code of Chivalry and global human rights. And h…

The Minimalists talk about what to do when success feels like failure, how to let go of shoes, and taking breaks from technology. Watch all 2 hours of episode 433 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How can we stop caring what society wants us to do? (01:46) Why can’t I let go of shoes I never wear? (15:00) How can we tak…

We’ve all heard the adage: “Think globally, act locally.” Liza embodies that perspective. She came to the San Luis valley about 30 years ago to work on a buffalo ranch with her husband. Since then, she’s lived a lot of life in this valley. Raising kids, horses, dogs, working as school board president and County Commissioner, and founding and runnin…

Trained as a neuroscientist, Elliot is the Principle Scientist at a nonprofit called The Good Food Institute, which is focused on building an innovation ecosystem that will accelerate the development of alternatives to conventional/industrialized production of meat, eggs, and dairy. They believe that we can avoid or mitigate the many negative exter…

The Minimalists talk about throwing everything away after an infestation and the hypocrisy of minimalism. Watch all 2 hours of episode 432 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: Should I throw away everything after my bed bug infestation? (01:48) How is it minimalist to encourage people to download seven different wallpapers…

CHARLES DUHIGG is a Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and the author of The Power of Habit, which spent over three years on New York Times bestseller lists. His second book, Smarter Faster Better, was also a New York Times bestseller. His latest book, Supercommunicators, is out now. Charles currently writes for The New Yorker magazine. Intro music “B…

The Minimalists speak with Dr. Ramani Durvasula about recognizing narcissists; whether the term “narcissist” is overused; the roles of self-righteousness, complaining, and comparison in narcissism; and how to walk away. Watch all 2 hours of episode 431 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How do you know someone is a narci…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com “Jordi” has one of the most unusual life stories I’ve ever come across — built around a man’s very pure, very unusual love. We talk about being a child of mixed cultures (Spanish and Basque, in his case). What makes someone a “parent” and what constitutes “a family…

The Minimalists talk about their minimalist kitchen essentials, the No Junk Rule, and letting go of embarrassment. Watch all 2 hours of episode 430 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: What are The Minimalist’s kitchen essentials? (02:39) How can we get better at asking for help? (15:40) Why did I spend more money when I t…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com Wes Atkinson grew up kinda wild and largely unsupervised in a very remote part of Colorado. Nature was his sanctuary. As an adult, Wes ran a thriving outfitting business where he guided hunters all over the world. But then a quiet voice suggested it might be time t…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com Amanda Knox is an exoneree, journalist, public speaker, and author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, Waiting to Be Heard. She spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit.…

The Minimalists talk about the human desire to fill empty rooms, how they spend their downtime, the value of a quiet life, and why people desire fancy things. Watch all 2 hours of episode 429 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How do minimalists spend their downtime? (01:56) Why do I struggle with wanting nice things as …

The Minimalists speak with Ryan Blaser, founder of TestMyHome.com, about the best tests to uncover in-home toxins, including mold, EMFs, WiFi, Bluetooth, blue light, chemicals in water, and other invisible clutter in our homes. Watch all 3 hours of episode 428 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: What are the most surprisi…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com Ian is a writer, podcaster (The Mythic Masculine), and filmmaker who is especially interested in exploring a regenerative future and how to get there. We talk primarily about his recent film, “The Village of Lovers.”…

The Minimalists talk about emotional clutter, the dangers of being a “helper,” and whether hoarding is a form of procrastination. Watch all 2 hours of episode 427 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: Did I accidentally steal a bicycle? (01:52) Is hoarding just another form of procrastination? (15:59) How can I teach my boy…

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit chrisryan.substack.com A few of the issues I discuss in this one: Snoring and sleep apnea. Is doubt an expression of humility? Are all emotions, at base, an expression of love? Is deepfake porn an invasion of privacy or a protection of privacy? My picks for the NFL playoffs. Music: “Brig…

The Minimalists speak with author George Kamel about letting go of past financial mistakes, frugality vs. minimalism, and how much money The Minimalists have. Watch all 2 hours of episode 426 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How can I let go of my past financial mistakes? (02:15) What’s the relationship between frugali…

Teacher, seeker, musician, traveler, visionary, professor, husband, father, scholar…. Lama Thupten is all these and more. I was lucky enough to hang out with him a bit recently here in Crestone, where he was visiting the Yeshe Khorlo retreat center. This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonu…

The Minimalists speak with Marcus Collins, author of For the Culture, about the pernicious forces of corporate marketing. Watch all 2 hours of episode 425 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: How can I reconcile being a minimalist with my corporate marketing job? (02:15) Have we become superficial because everyone is tryin…

Nick has spent a good chunk of his adult life on an island off the coast of Antarctica at McMurdo Station. He’s a cool guy who is living an extraordinary life in a humble, low-key way. I’m really glad to have met him and, with any luck, we’ll be neighbors before too long! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscriber…

The Minimalists talk about how to start decluttering and letting go of stories about things. Watch all 2 hours of episode 424 on The Minimalists Private Podcast. Discussed in this episode: What’s the best method to start decluttering? (02:00) How do you get rid of things that are brand new? (12:36) How can I live my life without constantly feeling …