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.
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)
A Path to Money, Meaning, and Variety for Multipotentialites with Emilie Wapnick – SASM 119
This episode features Emilie Wapnick on how to have the three pillars of a great multipotentialite work life – money, meaning, and variety – with approaches as diverse as the Group Hug, Slash, Einstein, or Phoenix. (And maybe even join her band of weirdos.)
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Why I Vanished and What’s Next for the Show – SASM 118
The Not So Big Way to Have Useful Beauty Every Day with Sarah Susanka – SASM 117
This episode features Sarah Susanka on how to bring useful beauty to every room in your home, how to schedule your passions and actually act on them, plus why Sarah emphasizes “not so big” over small.
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Why the Future of Work Is Working for Yourself with Stephen Warley – SASM 116
This episode features Stephen Warley on how to make big changes without a major crisis forcing them on you, why we learn best when things are hard, and how to deprogram yourself to take on the “risk” of self-employment.
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When “Being” Your Way into Action Is Better Than Thinking with Julie Gray – SASM 115
This episode features Julie Gray on how to create systems so you can work less and contribute more, why stress management seems so stressful, and how to tap into the power of your innate intelligence.
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Death Literacy, Enoughness, and Why Life Is Long with Humaira Hamid (#CConDD) – SASM 114
This episode features Humaira Hamid on why just about everything in life comes back to death and dying, how and where to become death literate, plus how to surf the waves of “identity death” throughout your life.
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How to Be Social, Selective, and Simple with Ryan Nicodemus – SASM 113
This episode features Ryan Nicodemus on a surprising path from minimalism into environmentalism, why he doesn't do anything for anyone else on the Internet before 12:30 p.m., and three circles of relationships to guide who to connect with.
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Why and How to Run an Offers and Needs Market – SASM 112
This special solo episode features five simple, powerful benefits of an Offers and Needs Market, why your friends, family, and neighbors are counting on you to own your gifts, and how to elevate your own and other people's gifts.
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The Role of Slow in “No,” Letting Go, and Laziness with Brooke McAlary – SASM 111
This episode features Brooke McAlary on how to consistently question what's necessary in your life, a surprising (and rare) hallmark of the slow-living community, and why the minimalism label can be limiting – even if you own it.
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Dear Mindless, Busy Consumer and Buyer of Fleeting Joy – SASM 110
This special solo episode features what the food industry is rubbing your nose in (often successfully), what Citizens against Quiet, Idle Hands, and Saving needs you to know, and some eye-opening stats about how much stuff Americans actually own.
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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.