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PODCAST

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

If staunch minimalism feels too extreme, but you want to declutter your house to alleviate some stress, this is the podcast for you. Shannon Leyko"s style is like having your best friend in your ear, helping you get past those tough mental roadblocks that are keeping you from decluttering the things you don"t need. From New York Times bestselling authors to everyday people in the trenches of life, Shannon"s guests give practical tips and mindset advice for intentional living and

education self-improvement

All Episodes

50:20

219: Your House is a Mess? Here's a Shame-Free Way to...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/10/06

Brittinie Tran, founder of the nonprofit, Hot Mess Express, joins me to talk about messy homes, clutter, cleaning overwhelm, and why there’s no shame in asking for help. I was blown away by the work she's doing, and once again convinced that nothing in the world is more spectacular than women coming together! Hot Mess Express brings women together through practical, non-judgmental help and community support when life and home feel overwhelming. Today's big takeaway: Accepting help isn’t a sign

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19:25

218: Capsule Wardrobes, Funny Pageant Memories, & My...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/10/01

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. Do you have a capsule wardrobe? 2. What is your silliest memory from pageant life? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Solve for Happy: Engineer Your Path to Joy by Mo Gawdat MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 162: Stop Overshopping for Good and Finally Declutter Your Clothes with Lauren Morley Ep 129: How to Declutter Your Closet What to Do with Clothes that Don't Currently Fit PARING DOWN (SHANNON

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57:08

217: Our Adoption Story: An In Depth Breakdown of How...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/30

Why didn't we choose international adoption? Do we have an open adoption? What about children waiting to be adopted in foster care? How long did the process take? What does adoption cost? How do you know if you're doing it ethically? How do you talk about adoption with your kids?Today, I'm answering these questions and more as we kick off our 10-week Good Stuff series all about why family matters. I figured it was a good time to share a bit more about my own family (while maintaining the highest

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55:34

216: The Full Story Behind My Burnout

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/29

Today's a more personal episode. When I shared on social media that I'm feeling a little burned out, I got a huge reaction from people. So I wanted to share what's going on behind the scenes in my life in hopes that it helps you feel less alone during seasons of burnout in your own life.MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 117: Renewed Excitement for the Benefits of Minimalism PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): PREORDER MY BOOK, Don't Save the Good Stuff, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Coming April 2027. Join

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15:42

215: My Opinion on Decluttering "Right" the First...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/24

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. What do you think of the quote “If you don’t have the time to do it right the first time, when will you have time to do it over” as it relates to decluttering? 2. Were or are you in a choir? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Earth Rangers Podcast for kids MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 121: What to Do with Everything You Declutter Ep ⁠48: Decluttering Books as a Book Lover⁠ PARING DOWN (SHANNON

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46:59

214: Nutrition Myths Debunked: Stanford's Dr....

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/23

There's so much noise out there about what we should eat, so I had the HONOR of going directly to the leading global expert of nutrition science, Dr. Christopher Gardner. Dr. Gardner is Stanford's Director of Nutrition Studies, former chair of the American Heart Association's Nutrition Committee, and has led more than twenty large-scale randomized clinical trials related to what we eat. You might remember him from Netflix's You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment! In this episode, Dr. Gardner

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43:40

213: 5 Clutter Traps That Make Decluttering Never-Ending

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/22

Who here throws in an extra purchase to get free shipping? Today, we're covering 5 major clutter traps that feel smart at the time, but end up bogging down our house (and clearing out our wallets). Decluttering doesn't have to feel never-ending, so listen in to figure out which trap has been working on you, and how to stop it for good. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 141: Where to Start Decluttering (or Start Again) Ep 52: Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering Ep 32: Finding the Time to

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17:17

212: Memories Attached to Stuff, Update After My Son...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/17

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. Sentimental stuff is so hard. When it is gone the memory is gone. What do I do? 2. What is the update about your son after he swallowed a quarter recently? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠Flik Flak kids watches by Swatch MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 5: Decluttering Sentimental Items PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): PREORDER MY BOOK, Don't Save the Good Stuff, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Coming April

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46:53

211: The Effective, Accessible Remedy for a...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/16

I wanted someone who isn't just pointing out that movement is good for our mental health, but who's actually doing something to help us bridge that gap. So today we have the pleasure of hearing from Rio Wilson, licensed counselor and founder of the Brain-Body Therapy app. She joins me to unpack the connection between our brains and our bodies. I share about a wild time when moving my body helped me get over a major heartbreak, and Rio walks us through which types of movement works best for

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51:39

210: Saying No to Tempting New Things with New York...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/15

New York Times editor and author Eric Athas joins me today to explore why we’re so drawn to new things, and the way our modern world has amplified our desire for more. We cover... The present bias The "new thing gap" The good kind of novelty vs. the detrimental kind And more! If you ever get carried away in excitement about new things you probably don't actually need...do not miss this one! ERIC ATHAS: His book, Saying No to New: www.sayingnotonew.com Substack:

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23:29

209: What "Just In Case" Items to Keep & the Time I...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/10

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. Are there any valid reasons for keeping something just in case? 2. What are some of the most random things you’ve seen/done on your travels? Listener recommendation of the week: The Lazy Genius Podcast by Kendra Adachi ⁠ MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 52: Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering Ep 70: Is Decluttering Just for the Financially Secure? with Aubrey High Ep 5: Decluttering Sentimental

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41:14

208: Can We Survive without Smart Phones? with Andrew...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/09

What happens when you stop letting your phone dictate your attention? Andrew Dugan joins me to share his journey from smartphone dependency to creating a minimalist smartwatch—and we explore how technology can affect our mental health, focus, sleep, and relationships. If you’ve ever felt like your devices take more than they give, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on using technology more intentionally rather than trying to get rid of it completely. ANDREW DUGAN: Visit RIST.WATCH to

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42:47

207: My Involuntary Staunch Minimalism in Finland

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/08

Finally—I'm recording from our brand new home in Rauma, Finland! And I'm spilling all the details about our first month living with (almost) none of our stuff while it makes its slow journey across the ocean! So come hang out with me while I figure out life in a new country, one borrowed towel at a time! MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: MY BOOK: Don't Save the Good Stuff Get your ⁠⁠⁠⁠FREE ticket ⁠⁠⁠⁠to Get Organized HQ Virtual Summit Ep 19: Decluttering as a Couple with my husband, Aaron Leyko Ep

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13:06

206: How to Ask for Help with Decluttering, My...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/03

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. Any tips on asking for help? I feel like I want/need someone for support to get momentum. 2. What is the biggest surprise about Finland so far? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Derry Girls on Netflix MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Get your ⁠⁠⁠FREE ticket ⁠⁠⁠to Get Organized HQ Virtual Summit Episode 165: The 15 Best Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Decluttering Easy Episode 83:

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52:01

205: Figuring Out a Realistic Fitness Routine with...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/02

For those of us who aren't fitness junkies, it can be hard to figure out good fitness routines that don't feel overwhelming, inconsequential, or like one more thing on our to-do list.This week I'm joined by Olivia Young, a registered dietitian and personal trainer who's built her career around helping people find a healthier relationship with movement and food. She breaks down the mental blocks that keep so many of us from getting started, and shares practical ways to fit strength and cardio

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56:03

204: How to Stop Feeling Behind on Your To-Do List...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/09/01

Most of us need a to-do list to survive, but there's one major issue with them that productivity expert Megan Sumrell helps us unpack today: To-do lists are not a plan. Megan has spent years helping women rethink how they plan their time, and this conversation is full of practical, refreshing ideas. If you've ever ended a day feeling behind despite working nonstop, this episode is for you! MENTIONED THIS EPISODE FriXion erasable pens MEGAN SUMRELL Grab your ticket to Plan-a-Palooza HERE!

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20:48

203: How to Get Past Decluttering the Same Spots,...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/08/27

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. How do I get past feeling stuck doing the same spots (table, couch, entry) over and over? 2. Are you following the Lindsay Clancy trial? Who did it? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The ChomChom roller for pet hair SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY: Get your ⁠FREE ticket ⁠to Get Organized HQ Virtual Summit PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): PREORDER MY BOOK, Don't Save the Good Stuff, ⁠⁠HERE⁠⁠

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50:01

202: Which Teeth Whitening Products to Avoid & Do You...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/08/26

I learned SO MUCH today! I sat down with Dr. Sanya Arora to get real about what's actually happening with our oral health. From flossing myths to the truth about whitening products, this conversation challenged a lot of what I thought I knew about how to take care of my teeth. We Cover: What actually matters more for preventing cavities than flossing The hidden risks of mouth rinses Which toothpaste could be wearing down your enamel The surprising links between your dental

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50:18

201: Declutter by House Hushing with Myquillyn Smith

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/08/25

What a TREAT! New York Times bestselling author Myquillyn Smith is on today's episode to help us declutter through a term she's coined House Hushing. (Also the title of her brand new book!) Today's episode will help you create a home that feels not only peaceful and calm, but still highly personalized to YOU. We Cover: How to create a calmer, cozier home without sacrificing personality Myquillyn's seasonal practice that helps her let go of clutter Practical ways to create a home that

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15:54

200: Decluttered but Still Overwhelmed, What I...

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, &... ·

2026/08/20

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat!I answer: 1. What do I do if I’m organized, decluttered, and use everything I have but I’m still overwhelmed? 2. What’s something you recently changed your mind about? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Organize a free meal train PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): PREORDER MY BOOK, Don't Save the Good Stuff, ⁠HERE⁠! Coming April

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