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Every episode
Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living
30 episodes
197: Decluttering Collectibles, Who I'd Switch Lives With, & Bribing Children
Aug 13, 2026 · 14 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What about collectibles? Hubby collects…everything? 2. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be? Listener recommendation of the week: @OkeeDokeeBros MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: How to Declutter When You're a Collector (YouTube video) PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
196: Ivy League Attorney Advice on How to Advocate for Your Health with Rayna Rayford
Aug 12, 2026 · 45 min
Attorney Rayna Reid Rayford and I are old friends from Miss New York, and she’s become a powerful force for maternal advocacy. Today, you’ll hear how Rayna turned her own terrifying pregnancy experience into a nonprofit that's changing how women advocate for themselves in the doctor's office. In this episode, you'll learn: Practical tools for advocating for yourself at medical appointments, from tracking symptoms to asking the right follow-up questions Why Black women are three times more likely…
195: How Decluttering Reflects Our Values
Aug 11, 2026 · 46 min
If you want to get in the mood to declutter, look no further than this episode! Today, I’m doing something a little different by sharing an episode I did on the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast with Emily McDermott. We talk about how decluttering reflects our values and practical ideas for reducing the amount of things in your home. EMILY MCDERMOTT: Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast IG: @simplybyemmy PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
194: When Do I "Arrive" at Decluttered?, Scheduling Around PMDD, & Living in the Grey
Aug 6, 2026 · 17 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I’ve been at it for so long but still feel far from minimal/pared down enough- when do I arrive? 2. Tell us more about PMDD and how you schedule your time around it Listener recommendation of the week: O’keeffe 30 spf chapstick - orange tube MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 137: Knowing When You've Decluttered Enough, Maple Syrup, & the Mental LoadEp 151: 10 Subtle Things Stealing Your Joy Ep 103:…
193: Building an Empire of 10 Million Followers While Living with Chronic Illness with Rachel Farnsworth
Aug 5, 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Rachel Farnsworth is an absolute force with over 10 million social media followers and her wildly successful brand, The Stay at Home Chef. But her chronic health journey is a story so wild it's hard to believe it's real. She gives us an inside look at her struggle with Addison’s disease, how she lost the ability to walk and swallow, and what’s led to her recent recovery. Rachel shares why she chose to build her business to spite her illness rather than in spite of it, and how "spoon theory" help…
192: A Better Way to Plan Your Fall & School Year with Danielle McGeough
Aug 4, 2026 · 55 min
If the busyness of the start of fall and a new school year stresses you out, today’s conversation with Danielle McGeough is for you! We cover: The difference between burnout and demoralization How to figure out what actually matters to our families Practical systems for managing school paper How to prioritize activities and commitments …and more. Don’t let the new school year pressure you! This conversation is a perfect reminder that sometimes the most intentional thing you can…
191: Decluttering Computer Files, My Favorite Way to Vacation, & the Savannah Bananas
Jul 30, 2026 · 15 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Do you have any advice on decluttering and organizing files on a computer? 2. What’s your favorite way to vacation with your family? Listener recommendation of the week: Emily Ley - Simplified MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 74: Removing the Chaos from Our Email Accounts & Desktops with Shawn Lemon The Savannah Bananas: @thesavbananas PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
190: Shocking Things that Bring People to the Emergency Room with Dr. J Mack Slaughter
Jul 29, 2026 · 55 min
I sat down with Dr. J Mack Slaughter—ER physician, former boy band member, and one of my favorite follows on social media—for a conversation that's equal parts entertaining and genuinely lifesaving. Here's what I learned, and what you'll take away too: Which common situations usually don't require an ER visit (and the specific warning signs that mean you should go immediately) The most avoidable dangers that send people to the ER most often How to spot health misinformation online How to be awar…
189: Environmentally Friendly Decluttering—from Recycling Razor Blades to the Truth About Greenwashing with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle
Jul 28, 2026 · 60 min
This is such a fascinating episode for anyone who wants to declutter while being mindful about the environment! I’m joined by Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, who gives us a behind-the-scenes look at recycling and his unique approach to reducing waste. We get into the truth about greenwashing, how TerraCycle recycles unique items like cigarette butts, diapers, and razor blades, and even how mindful consumption has affected how often Tom washes his hair. If you've ever wondered wha…
Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering (Summer Saturday Throwback)
Jul 25, 2026 · 45 min
If you struggle with decluttering because it feels like watching bags of money go out the door, then this episode is for you! In it, I share not only helpful mindset shifts, but practical ways that decluttering actually helps us financially in the long run. PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! The L.E.S.S. Express Website: …
188: How to Request Money Instead of Gifts, Homemade Chai Lattes, & Washing Scrunchies
Jul 23, 2026 · 15 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What’s the best way to ask for money for a gift instead of stuff? 2. How do you make your chai lattes? Listener recommendation of the week: Away luggage MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Email Chai Chat submissions to paringdownpodcast@gmail.com Gift Request Template TAZO Chai Latte Concentrate PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
187: Opening Up About My Health: Postpartum Struggles, Weight Fluctuations, PMDD and More
Jul 22, 2026 · 44 min
I'm kicking off a brand new 10-week series on health for these Good Stuff episodes—what do we want to fill our lives with? Health seems like a great option to me! Before we dive in with an impressive array of expert guests in this series, I wanted to start with a vulnerable solo episode about my own health journey—physical, mental, and everything in between. If you've ever felt like health talk online is more about hacks and appearances than an honest desire to take care of the bodies that help…
186: Decluttering Your House is Only the Beginning of a Better Life with Suzanne Searcy Johnson
Jul 21, 2026 · 55 min
You know this one will be good because it’s the second time we’re welcoming Suzanne Searcy Johnson to the podcast! This time, we dig into why decluttering is only the first step toward a simpler life, and what it really takes to enjoy life beyond the clutter. In this episode, you'll learn: Why organizing your space can be its own subtle form of control, and how to recognize when decluttering has become the end goal instead of a starting point What "Blue Zones" are and how they contribute to long…
Curating Simple & Ethical Wardrobes with Lacey Woodroof (Summer Saturday Throwback)
Jul 18, 2026 · 1 hr 9 min
I don't know about you, but I want getting dressed to feel easy. Our guest, Lacey Woodroof of Basic (abasicshop.com), speaks to the heart of why women's fashion can be such a pain, and offers creative and practical ways to start dressing in a less overwhelming, more sustainable manner. LACEY WOODROOF Basic Instagram: @abasicshop Lacey Woodroof Instagram: @laceymwoodroof Basic Website: www.abasicshop.com Color Remover: ritdye.com Machine Dye: dylon.co.uk BRANDS WITH RANGED SIZING: Ala…
185: What to Do with Kid 3D Artwork, My Original Career Goal, & Preconceived Notions
Jul 16, 2026 · 14 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do I do with kids artwork when the artwork is 3D– lots of dioramas and sculptures! 2. What was your original career goal? Listener recommendation of the week: Hanna Seymour’s The Weekly One podcast Ep 122: How to Create Life-Changing Habits with Hanna Seymour Ep 8: What the Bible Says About Our Stuff with Hanna Seymour PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
184: How Bike Bus World Brings Back the '80s Community Vibe with Sam Balto
Jul 15, 2026 · 49 min
Who wouldn't want to ride their bike to school with Benson Boone or Zara Larsson?? In this super fun episode that wraps up our mini-series on community, Sam Balto, founder of Bike Bus World, shares how bike buses help kids get to school while building stronger, more connected communities. Even if you don't want to head up a bike bus (maybe you'll want to after listening!), this episode is full of inspiring reminders that getting outside, allowing for a bit of risk, and trusting each other create…
183: How to Not Get Distracted When Decluttering
Jul 14, 2026 · 45 min
Does decluttering take forever because you reminisce, try things on, or end up tidying in a different room where you went to put something away? In this episode, I break down the reasons we get distracted mid-decluttering and offer 10 practical strategies to stay on track. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Get on my book list HERE Ep 171: How to Organize Your Home So It Actually Stays Organized (Macro vs. Micro Organizing) Ep 121: What to Do with Everything You Declutter Ep 177: How to Avoid Decision Fati…
Decluttering Photos on Our Phones and In Our Homes (Summer Saturday Throwback)
Jul 11, 2026 · 47 min
You only get to find out how many photos are on my phone if you listen to the podcast! Haha...but seriously, it's embarrassing. I'm learning right along with you in this episode, offering strategies for how to go through an overwhelming number of photos, and best ways to organize them once we declutter. We also dive a bit deeper into the importance of photos. How can we be intentional about preserving memories instead of picking up the phone simply because that's what we're used to doing? What a…
182: Not Knowing the Value of Items You're Decluttering, My Weirdly Fast Engagement, & Grifters
Jul 9, 2026 · 18 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do you do with items that you’re not sure the value of, like old basketball cards or jewelry? 2. How did you meet your husband and how long did you date before getting engaged? Listener recommendation of the week: Secrets of the Bees on Disney+ PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! The L.E.S.S. Express…
181: How Intergenerational Relationships Boost Happiness, Health & Perspective
Jul 8, 2026 · 40 min
Our world tends to separate us by age—through retirement communities, social media algorithms, and workplace culture. Is this problematic? In this episode, I do a deep dive into what we gain when we spend time with people of a different generation than ours, as well as what we lose when we stop separate ourselves. You'll learn: • Why Western culture has become so age-segregated, and how income, living arrangements, and social media all play a role in keeping generations apart • What research rev…
180: Thrift Shopping Tips for Mindful Consumers with Rebecca Bingham
Jul 7, 2026 · 56 min
I love when real friends collide with my podcasting world! Rebecca Bingham is my former coworker...and an Atlanta-based vintage reseller. Becca walks us through her thrifting philosophy, from navigating the aisles of a thrift store with intention to curating a home and wardrobe full of character and story. We also dig into how secondhand shopping can be a powerful tool for decluttering, reducing waste, and keeping more money in your pocket, all while building a more conscious and sustainable lif…
Decluttering Sentimental Items (Summer Saturday Throwback)
Jul 4, 2026 · 26 min
Do you struggle to let go of sentimental items? In this episode, I share my experience with decluttering sentimental items after my mother passed away when I was 24 years old. You'll hear some perspective shifts that helped me not hold onto every little thing that reminded me of her. I dive into letting go of baby items for our kids, deciding what *is* special to keep, and a big question that I've learned to ask myself because of what happened one afternoon flipping through old yearbooks. PARING…
179: Consistent Devotion to Living with Less, My Musical Theatre History, & the Final Countdown in Kodiak
Jul 2, 2026 · 16 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do you stay consistent with your attitude towards living with only what you need? 2. Tell us more about you doing musical theater! And who is your dream podcast guest? Listener recommendation of the week: Crime Junkie Podcast MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Elisabeth Beam: @balancingbeams Erin Port: @simplepurposefulliving Khrystyne Jaspers: @khrystynejaspers Episode 83: Making the Most of Our Space w…
178: How 15 Women Have Maintained 19 Years of Unbreakable Long-Distance Community with Leslie Hepburn
Jul 1, 2026 · 52 min
Nineteen years ago, a group of women came together at Christopher Newport University and built something truly special. I got to sit down with my very dear friend, Leslie Hepburn, to reflect on the journey of our acapella group, the Newport Pearls, who still gets together for annual retreats 19 years later. This episode is a celebration of the community that forms when friends choose each other, again and again, on purpose—and plenty of insight to create something similar in your own life. PARIN…
177: How to Avoid Decision Fatigue When Decluttering
Jun 30, 2026 · 46 min
Decluttering decisions add up fast, so today I share 5 concrete strategies to avoid decision fatigue! You'll learn about... • The famous study on parole judges that reveals how even trained professionals make worse calls the longer they go without a break — and what that means for your decluttering sessions • How "pre-deciding" your rules can take the exhaustion out of every single item • Which categories to start with and how choosing the right time to declutter plays into stamina If you’ve eve…
176: When You Have No Energy to Declutter, the One Job I'd Never Do, & Dog Walking
Jun 25, 2026 · 15 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I'm decluttering with a chronic illness. How do I keep going with no energy? 2. What is one job no one could pay you enough to do? And do you believe in ghosts? Listener recommendation of the week: Silk eye mask for sleeping! Get one HERE. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Episode 71: How Growing Up in a Cult Made Me More Intentional PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! …
175: Combating Loneliness by Rethinking the Suburban Neighborhood with Eli Spevak
Jun 24, 2026 · 44 min
This conversation with general contractor Eli Spevak opened my eyes to what's possible in modern neighborhoods if we prioritize people over privacy. We explore how co-housing and shared spaces turn neighbors into genuine support networks, creating the trust, safety, and belonging so many of us are looking for. The good news is that whatever your neighborhood's culture is, you'll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to be part of the solution for a kinder, more connected world. MENTIONED…
174: Getting Paper Clutter Under Control with Lisa Woodruff
Jun 23, 2026 · 1 hr
If you feel overwhelmed by paper clutter, today's episode is for you! Lisa Woodruff, the author of The Paper Solution and founder Organize 365, joins me to share her practical approach to managing paper, from taxes to random notes to medical documents. In this episode, you'll learn: • The six categories for sorting household paper, plus Lisa's Sunday Basket strategy • How to build reference binders for medical, legal, and other important documents so information is easy to find and portable • Th…
173: If Ethical Shopping Feels Too Expensive, Keeping a Loved One's Memory Alive, & Summer Childcare
Jun 18, 2026 · 17 min
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I looked at the Basics website for ethical clothing - holy moly the prices? How to even start? 2. How do you keep your mom’s memory alive with your kids? (Mom died @23, 2 toddlers) Listener recommendation of the week: Kin by Tayari Jones Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Ep 37: Curating Simple & Ethical Closets with Lacey Woodroof abasicshop.com @sheisapaigeturner PARING DOW…
172: How to Build Community and Make Friends Anywhere You Live with Bethany Roth
Jun 17, 2026 · 51 min
Bethany Roth is a military spouse who has mastered the art of building community no matter where life takes her. Since I'm a military spouse, too, we both dig into what it really means to create belonging in new places and why kindness is the foundation of any strong community. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to reach out, show up, and invest in the people around you. BETHANY ROTH Instagram: @bethanyraeroth TikTok: @bethanyraeroth YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bethanyrae…
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