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)
How to End the Undeclared War on Childhood and Simplicity Parenting with Kim John Payne – SASM 079
This episode features Kim John Payne on how our chronically overwhelmed culture creates an undeclared way on childhood, giving kids the gift of wandering or boredom, and the shifting parental role from Governor to Gardener to Guide.
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The Gratitude Journal, Vision Board, and Tension between Hustle and Slowness with Vernon Foster – SASM 078
This episode features Vernon Foster on why attachment to outcomes can hold you back from best ones, how Costa Rica made him feel like he landed on another planet, a dynamite question that can change everything, and (perhaps my favorite) why you don't have to be Jean-Claude Van Damme every day.
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Want a Thriving Community? Share More, Own Less, and Join the Economy of Human Connection with Sash Milne – SASM 077
This episode features Sash Milne on how to break down the new, hidden barriers to human connection, why you have to act locally to be felt globally, what the “Economy of Human Connection” is (and how to participate), plus how the invisible walls of privilege can come crashing down.
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How to Go Carbon Neutral, Grow from Rejection, and Have the Pope Ask for Your Prayers with Jared Brock – SASM 076
This episode features Jared Brock on how living at an eco-resort or intentional community can change everything, what happens when a little kid loses a $20 bet (with money he doesn't have), why you need to do a full life audit to become carbon neutral, and why Pope Francis asked Jared to pray for him.
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Feeling Stuck? How to Align Your Time, Money, and Energy with Stephen Warley – SASM 075
This episode features Stephen Warley on why having tons-o-free time isn't enough (and what else you absolutely need), some of the habits that can make you “unstuckable,” how thinking less helps you align your time, money, and energy toward what you truly want, plus when (and how) to take control over what you purge.
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The Missing Connection Between Money, People, and Wellness with Joan Sotkin – SASM 074
This episode features Joan Sotkin with a simple, instant mindset shift to control your money worries, how to become someone who doesn't fear losing anything, why were not designed to have abundance (and why nothingness is so important), plus what happens when you eliminate sugar from your diet for 42 years.
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How to Find the Gold Inside When Life Piles on the Clay with Sean Rogers, “Ambassador of Water” – SASM 073
This episode features Sean Rogers on how to transform gratitude from just a word into a mindset, the “reverse outsider” perspective, how to find gold when life piles on the clay, and why self-love is a life-long journey (and can get easier every day).
From Desperately Lost to Intentionally Found: 5 Years of Striking Personal Renaissance Highs (and a Few Lows) – SASM 072
You're invited to celebrate Joel's five-year personal renaissance anniversary with a special podcast episode about some crazy experiments, the most amazing communities, resources in the “Refuge of Simplicity,” and wild speculation about the next five years.
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Gratitude Gains from Pain, How to Remove “Bad” Days Forever, and New Ways to Show Love with Aaron Kennard – SASM 071
This episode features Aaron Kennard on how to find euphoric joy in immense pain, eliminate bad days forever, use discomfort to trigger gratitude, the meaning of “Ho’oponopono,” and why empowering habits start as one small, simple act.
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Simplify, Organize, and Minimize: Meet Your New Friend, Streamline, with Tico and Tina – SASM 070
This episode features David and Christina (a.k.a. Tico and Tina) on how to make life happen for you instead of happen to you, the mysterious link between productivity and a minimalist lifestyle, how to love yourself (and others) by embracing your inner tensions, and how “streamlining” supports a simple life.
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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.