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)
5 Secrets to Quick and Consistent Mindfulness with Toku McCree – SASM 089
This episode features Toku McCree on why self-awareness is the most powerful catalyst for change, what his one universal truth is, and – of course – Toku's five secrets of super-fast mindfulness.
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Why Simplicity Helps You Reach Your Life's Purpose(s) with Tsh Oxenreider – SASM 088
This episode features Tsh Oxenreider on how pretending to move overseas can help you declutter, where to find freedom when you're tethered to your town, and why simple-living can be as simple as living holistically with your life's purpose.
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How Scott Dinsmore's Connections, Passion, and Work Changed Our World (a Tribute) – SASM 087
This episode pays tribute to Live Your Legend's founder and my friend, mentor, and hero – Scott Dinsmore. Remember his legacy with me and discover how to change the world by doing work you love, where to find the most amazing people in your local community, the fastest way to do things you don't think can be done, and why life sometimes comes down to this: bring people together.
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How 241 Post It Notes, Candid Stories, and Huggr Power Changed 55 Folks (#SimpleREV 2015 Recap) – SASM086
SimpleREV 2015 brought 55 simple-living enthusiasts together and the impact was big. Discover why we loved sticking 241 Post It Notes on a wall (and what we did with them), how one small clothes donation quickly changed a family's life, why you can't get a positive answer from a negative question, and the #1 thing that our participants wanted at SimpleREV 2015.
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Essentialism with Greg McKeown: The Priorities Problem, Creating Space, and Your Highest Contribution – SASM 085
This episode features Greg McKeown on why you need to create s-p-a-c-e to discern what's essential, how a “personal quarterly offsite” helps you find consistent clarity, and the best way to become an Essentialist.
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The Joy of Cravings, Intimate Acts in Public, and Surprising Science with Alex Jamieson – SASM 084
This episode features Alex Jamieson on how to have cravings that empower you instead of enslave you, the four root causes of cravings – and what to do about each one, plus why eating food is the most intimate thing we do with others (in public).
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How to Grow Food Anywhere and Build Community Everywhere with Eugene Cooke – SASM083
This episode features Eugene Cooke on why you need a food abundance system more than abundant food, how to ease poverty with local solutions and NO legislation, how to make nature your church, and why the men who spoke the least influenced Eugene the most.
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5 Strategic Steps to Streamline Your Life with Miriam Ortiz y Pino – SASM 082
This episode features Miriam Ortiz y Pino on why clutter is really just unresolved piles of decisions, the five simple steps to streamline your stuff and life, and how Miriam went from a “pack-rat stacker” to an organized simplifier.
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How Rich I Am, What Angers Me, and the Mess I'm Withholding from You – SASM 081
Discover just how freakin' rich I am, what pisses me off, why I'm so scared of you listening to this episode, how I've wronged my dogs, why SimpleREV makes me feel like an entitled parent (or spoiled brat), and who I was, am, and want to be – truly and completely.
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The 4 Pillars of Survival and How to Reconnect to Nature with Cliff Hodges – SASM 080
This episode features Cliff Hodges on the benefits of “moving at the pace of nature,” how to reconnect with your primal, animal heritage, and the 4 pillars of survival (one of them unique to humans).
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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.