The Smart and Simple Matters Podcast
My Smart and Simple Matters podcast explores the slower, simpler side of life: think mindfulness, real connections, and meaningful conversations.
No new episodes since 2019, but it’s still going strong with chats on meditation (hi, Andy Puddicombe), belonging (hey, Cormac Russell), and even death (yep, with Humaira Hamid) … among many other topics.
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Joel Zaslofsky – your community-animating, convention-challenging show host – wanders through time-tested and quirky strategies on a variety of topics. In general, we’ll explore the slower side of life: think mindfulness, real connections, and meaningful conversations. No new episodes since 2019, but it’s still going strong with chats on meditation (hi, Andy Puddicombe), belonging (hey, Cormac Russell), and even death (yep, with Humaira Hamid) … among many other things.
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Most Popular or Influential Episodes by Category
Mindfulness
Simple-Living
“I love that Joel leads with his heart. He cares about people first, which makes everything he does so meaningful in his work and for his community.”
Minimalism
“Joel's generous, selfless, and has a bold desire to see everyone around him thrive.”
Finances
Just Joel
Miscellaneous
Positive Addictions and UNdefining Yourself with Sarah Peck – SASM 033
How to Erase Global Poverty with Tiny Teaspoons of Change (via d’Arcy Lunn) – SASM 064
Rewilding, Sovereignty, and the Heart of Domestication with Daniel Vitalis – SASM 109
Death Literacy, Enoughness, and Why Life Is Long with Humaira Hamid (#CCODD) – SASM 114
Archive (Newest First)
SASM 029 – 4 Reasons and a Moral Imperative to Unsimplify
This Smart and Simple Matters episode reveals 4 reasons to UNsimplify and if there's ever a moral imperative to do so. I also answer the question, “Do you need to be worldly to be worthy?” and “Why is wading into the pool of other people's problems so damn complex?
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SASM 028 – How to Grow Abundance and Combat Stagnation with Charlie Gilkey
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Charlie Gilkey. We talk about how a philosopher becomes a warrior, why most things you want won't get you what you need, types of abundance, the small business cycle… and more.
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SASM 027 – Risk-Taking, Rough and Ready Creativity, and Checklists with Corwin Hiebert
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Corwin Hiebert. We talk about creative and financial risk-taking, the business side of simplicity, translating “rough and ready” cooking skills to business, and much more.
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SASM 026 – Multipotentialite Crimes and Triumphs with Emilie Wapnick
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Emilie Wapnick as we discuss multipotentialite crimes, triumphs, and some revealing stories from both of us.
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SASM 025 – Tetris Theory and How to Act Accordingly with Colin Wright
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Colin Wright. We discuss Tetris Theory, mental frameworks, his new book – Act Accordingly – and why my sports team is better than yours.
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SASM 024 – Reinventing Yourself and Rapidly Reframing Misfortune with Adam Shepard
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Adam Shepard. We discuss reinventing yourself, reframing misfortune, why budgeting is sexy, life-changing $10 purchases, living in a homeless shelter, and much more.
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SASM 023 – How to Curate and Informational Nurses with Robin Good
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Robin Good, curation master. We discuss curating (of course), how to be an informational nurse, getting a big slice of “P.I.E.,” the limits of Google search results, and forming alliances with similarly passionate people.
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SASM 022 – Minimalism, Intentional Living, and Being the Best You with Joshua Becker
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Joshua Becker and his perspective on practical minimalism. We discuss the limits of minimalism, how to live intentionally, the pros and cons of competition, and being the best you that you can be.
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SASM 021 – Residual Income and Minimal Experiences with Natalie Sisson
This Smart and Simple Matters episode features Natalie Sisson and her perspective on building freedom in business and adventure in life. We discuss the seeds of awesomeness, generating residual income streams, minimalist experiences of non-minimalists, and “Tall Poppy Syndrome.”
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SASM 020 – How to Create Space, Kindness, and Happiness with Tammy Strobel
This Smart and Simple Matters show features Tammy Strobel and her views on finding happiness, generating empowerment, the links between simplicity and groovy things, kindness, a peer mindset, and more.
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Me, Briefly
I bring diverse communities together and (maybe) get you excited about spreadsheets. Let's explore how to live intentionally, embrace our multipotentiality, share our gifts, build authentic relationships, and have tons of gratitude. No prior experience necessary.