Being Happily Replaceable, Spreadsheet Poets, and Fertility Challenges with Emily McDermott – SASM 096

ByJoel Zaslofsky

Who's got more rhymes than the Bible's got Psalms?

House of Pain claimed they did in their 1992 hit, Jump Around. But I'm betting that my guest for this episode – Emily McDermott – has more rhymes than they ever did (and better dance moves, too).

Emily's a fellow happy dancer and she started her simple-living journey in January 2015 with Leo Babauta’s Sea Change program. That led to The Minimalists’ book, Everything That Remains, which led her to searching for podcast episodes with Colin Wright (since he's prominently featured in the book), and then to a Google search for interviews with Colin.

My past Smart and Simple Matters episodes with Colin popped up and I'm a better person for having awesome listeners like Emily. More importantly, you're about to be a better person after listening to my chat with her.

She's the first of (hopefully) many regular listeners I'll feature because I know you have just as much to give as someone like Colin Wright.

For example, Emily shows her courage as we openly discuss her literal seeds of life alongside her figurative seeds of awesomeness. I know you're ready for some great stories, deep vulnerability, and a whole lot of quirkiness.

So press play, prepare to boogie, and enjoy this wonderful conversation!

You're about to Learn …

  • Why asking for help early prevents getting overwhelmed later.
  • How having an accountability partner can change your life (even if you've never met).
  • If happiness can come from making yourself replaceable at work.
  • Why poets can benefit from spreadsheets as much as accountants.
  • How Emily's “Rapper's Debate” became her professor's “Rapper's Delight.”
  • Why the cliché – “if you don't do it then nobody will” – is often misguided.
  • The wrong things to say to someone who just had their first miscarriage.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe Now and Never Miss an Episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS | More

Resources and Items Mentioned in This Episode

Websites

Resources

Books

Podcasts

Where to Find Emily Online

  • Twitter

Direct Download for This Episode

Select “Save Link As … ” or use your preferred method with this link to download the episode directly.

I'm grateful for all of the show's patrons! And you're invited to become one as well on Patreon.

It's a direct way to support future improvements to Smart and Simple Matters and to honor the heaps of time and money it takes to consistently bring you the show.

Click here or on the image below to discover your Patreon rewards and hit some big milestones with our community.

Timestamps and Topics

  • [07:16] Emily's seeds of awesomeness
  • [12:58] The origins of Emily's simple-living journey
  • [17:19] The nature of accountability and not letting others down
  • [19:57] How to say no to the non-essential
  • [24:59] How Emily turned a poem into her first children's book, Little One
  • [28:57] Emily's story of infertility and her decision to let go of expectations
  • [38:27] The differences between a meditation and prayer practice
  • [42:21] Generosity, generosity, and more generosity
  • [43:59] How crazy is Joel?
  • [48:34] How to connect with Emily

Extra Gratitude and Special Mentions

Here's an extra dose of love to Benni in Germany who recently left me a wonderful iTunes review. He said:

“Joel's episodes are always interesting, inspiring, and very entertaining. The conversations are diverse and he facilitates them in fun ways. If you want to lead a minimalist life, I highly recommend Smart and Simple Matters!”

 

Transcript