The Marie Kondo craze: it has even started taking over podcasts.
I want to share with you some minimalist podcast recommendations. But first, let me explain why I can’t escape Marie Kondo.
As a podcast blogger, I listen to at least 6-10 podcast episodes every day. I was shocked when, a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that Marie Kondo – and “Kondo-ing” – had shown up in several podcast episodes.
Suddenly, she was everywhere. Being mentioned in comedy shows, entrepreneurial podcasts, and episodes about relationships. Podcast hosts who never talk about decluttering or minimalism were “sparking joy” left and right.
This got me to thinking about how, when an idea goes mainstream, the bigger meaning is often lost on most people.
To me, the lesson to be learned from decluttering and organizing is that, while one massive declutter can be a life saver, maintaining that lifestyle can be
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After the Cameras Stop Rolling
Whether or not you’ve watched Marie Kondo’s new Netflix show, you probably get the gist of it: Family has messy house. Family’s life is not ideal because of messy house. Family cleans up. Family is happy when Marie and the cameras leave.
But what I really want to know (and I bet you do, too) is:
Does having an organized house continually spark joy for them? Does the family embrace the idea of living with fewer possessions? Do their kids really appreciate the few toys they have left?
Also on my mind: do they have piles of stuff accumulating in corners again 3 months later?
I wouldn’t dare to judge them if they did. Because maintaining an organized, minimalist lifestyle requires practice. It’s a mindset that no one is born with; it has to be learned.
To maintain this mindset, you need reminders about how living with fewer material things – and taking care of the ones you have – can lead to a less stressful, more fulfilling life.
That’s where podcasts come in. When I need reminders, affirmations, and life lessons, I turn to podcasts. Listening to podcasts with tips, tricks, and advice on a topic can help you stay the course and reach your minimalist goals.
Check out these four minimalist podcasts – and the nine specific episodes I recommend – that support your clutter-free lifestyle, post-Kondo.
Minimalist Podcasts to Keep You on the Path to Joy
Organize Your Life Podcast with Clutter Coach
Episodes of this podcast are very short (each is under 10 minutes), but they pack a punch.
The host is a professional organizer and clutter coach, and she focuses on one minimalist challenge at a time, with straight-forward talk and tips.
She explains why we struggle to part with items we own, and continue to accumulate more. Her explanations for how we develop feelings about our “things” are really insightful.
I appreciate how quick and to the point this podcast is, while still providing actionable tips that are easy to implement.
Try These 2 minimalist podcast episodes from Organize Your Life Podcast with Clutter Coach:
1. Podcast 066: Attachment to things
2. Podcast 100: Completion (this one is
Functioning Minimalist
Here’s another minimalist podcast with super short episodes (in keeping with the minimalist mindset!)
The Functioning Minimalist, aka Sara, is young and spunky. But don’t let her Millennial-ness fool you. Her insights and advice are classic; she just presents them in a modern, real-world way.
This minimalist podcast covers a range of topics, from general minimalism to sustainability, to mindfulness and contentment. If you struggle to justify your choices as a practicing minimalist, Sara will help you identify your pain points, and remind you to give yourself a break.
Try these 3 minimalist podcast episodes from Functioning Minimalist:
- Habits
- Minimalists Are Allowed to Own Things
- Kids, Toys, and Tough Conversations with Non-Minimalists
DeCluttr Me
Let me be up-front about this: this minimalist podcast has a whole episode on what the host doesn’t like about the concept of minimalism.
Personally, I subscribe to Happy Simple Mom’s definition of minimalism, which focuses on simplifying life and focusing on things and experiences that bring joy.
The host of DeCluttr Me also subscribes to this version of minimalism, so she’s got a bone to pick with the extreme minimalists. But that’s just the focus of one episode.
Each of the other podcast episodes is short, and full of actionable tips and tricks for avoiding clutter on a daily basis.
One of the things that sets this podcast apart from others is the many episodes about decluttering digital things. Like apps on your devices, files on your computer’s desktop, eBooks, and more.
Try these 2 minimalist podcast episodes from DeCluttr Me:
Simple Life Together
Husband and wife team Dan and Vanessa fully embrace the idea that simplifying your life is a mindset.
Their entertaining and useful minimalist podcast episodes are full of anecdotes and first-hand experiences. Then they translate these stories into the lessons they’ve learned and turn them into tips for simplifying your life.
The episodes average 35 minutes in length, but I recommend that you find a little extra time to listen. Dan and Vanessa’s conversations about how they tackle the challenges of modern-day life will resonate with you.
Try these 2 minimalist podcast episodes from Simple Life Together:
Bonus Minimalist Podcast Recommendation
Still can’t get enough of Marie Kondo and The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up? Check out this classic episode of the By The Book podcast, in which the hosts live by the steps of the book for two weeks straight. (Spoiler: their partners are less than thrilled about this!) Plus, there’s a follow-up episode!
Nicole writes the blog PodcastManiac.com. Nicole has been addicted to podcasts since 2013, and she started her blog to share her love of podcasts and podcast recommendations with others. She can often be seen walking around with an iPhone in her pocket and a headphone in one ear. Her favorite shows are Death, Sex & Money and The West Wing Weekly.
Got a long commute or massive loads of laundry? Podcast Maniac has other great recommendations as well, including The Best Podcasts for Women, By Women.
