EP26: Let’s Get Rid of Some Toys!

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Here to share her deeply personal journey through infertility and ultimately, surrogacy is my friend (and fellow podcaster), Keri Croft. On this episode, Keri opens up about her decision to pursue surrogacy, the support systems that sustained her, and the workshop she created to help others find their dream surrogate. This powerful conversation is a testament to resilience, community, and the courage to keep moving forward. The conversation covers Carrie's private battle with infertility, the decision to pursue surrogacy, and the emotional, financial, and logistical aspects of finding a surrogate.Diane's Note: Surrogacy can be a complex—and sometimes even controversial—topic that touches on deeply personal, ethical, and emotional layers that vary widely from one person’s experience to the next. While opinions may differ, it’s important to approach these conversations with empathy and openness. Listening to real stories—like Keri’s—offers a powerful opportunity to move beyond assumptions and gain a deeper understanding of the realities many individuals and families face. By learning from others’ lived experiences, we not only broaden our own perspective but also become better equipped to support and stand alongside those in our lives who are navigating infertility, loss, or alternative paths to parenthood.Links Discussed in This Episode |Episode: Chad Underwood on Male Factor Infertility, Mental Health and Modo YogaConnect with Keri:InstagramPodcast: The Keri Croft ShowYoutubeSurrogacy WorkshopAbout Keri|Keri Croft is the host of *The Keri Croft Show*, a mom, entrepreneur, and advocate for infertility, child loss, and surrogacy. After 16 years of infertility and the heartbreaking loss of her daughters Angel, Hope, and Jade, Keri now supports others on similar journeys—especially those navigating surrogacy without an agency. She spent 15 years in IT sales, finishing her corporate career as an Enterprise Director at AT&T before launching her own fitness brand, System of Strength. The company grew to include multiple studios and a global digital platform. Keri brings a mix of grit, heart, and honesty to everything she does—on the mic and beyond.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

17 Huhti 36min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Note: I have listeners of all faith backgrounds that listen to the podcast. This episode is coming from a christian perspective so if that’s something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episode that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!-------------------------What if the path to peace, purpose, and a more meaningful life begins by letting go—first in your heart, then in your home? In this episode, Julia Ubbenga shares insights from her book Declutter Your Heart and Your Home, revealing how minimalism transformed her mental health, family life, and faith. What happens when you part with 75% of your possessions and still feel like you’ve gained more than you lost? Julia explains how clearing clutter—physical, digital, and emotional—can create space for God, calm, and true abundance. She offers practical tips for starting a minimalist journey, especially for overwhelmed moms longing for simplicity. If you’re craving less chaos and more clarity, this conversation is for you.Links Discussed in This Episode |Previous Episode: When Decluttering Feels Difficult | Julia Ubbenga (EP364)Previous Episode: Let's Declutter: Negative Self-Talk (EP252)Connect with Julia:WebsiteInstagramBook: Declutter Your Heart and Your Home: How a Minimalist Life Yields Maximum Joy About Julia|Julia Ubbenga is the author of the book Declutter Your Heart and Your Home: How a Minimalist Life Yields Maximum Joy and creator of the blog Rich in What Matters. Her online projects have attracted over 50 million views. Julia helps people let go of inner and outer clutter and reorder their lives around what matters most. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and their five children.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

15 Huhti 27min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.For nearly two years, Ashlee Piper challenged herself to buy nothing new. And in the process, she got out of debt, cut clutter, crushed her goals, and became healthier and happier than ever―all the things she’d always wanted to do but “never had time to” (because she was mindlessly scrolling, shopping, spending, and stressing). Today we specifically talk about: Whether you’re a bona fide shopaholic or someone who just wants to buy less and live more, this episode will encourage you to conquer today's overwhelm.Links Discussed in This Episode |Connect with Ashlee:WebsiteInstagramBook: No New Things: A Radically Simple 30-Day Guide to Saving Money, the Planet, and Your SanityAbout Ashlee|Ashlee Piper is a sustainability expert, commentator and speaker whose work has been featured on 300+ television segments, including The TODAY Show, Good Morning America and CNN, and in VOGUE, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Newsweek. Piper's book, Give A Sh*t: Do Good. Live Better. Save the Planet., has been hailed as a 'sustainability Bible' by celebrities and reviewers. Piper has spoken at the United Nations, SXSW and has a popular TED Talk. She is also the creator of the #NoNewThings Challenge, which received a Silver Stevie Award for Best Non-profit Innovation, and a Professor of Sustainability Marketing. She holds a BA from Brown University and a Master’s degree from the University of Oxford, UK. She lives in Chicago in a home that’s 98% secondhand, and can often be found singing Seal's 'Kiss From A Rose' at any not-so-fine karaoke establishment.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

14 Huhti 46min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.What does it really take to build a strong, lasting sense of family and belonging—even through life’s hardest moments? In this episode, Chris and Julie Bennett share their journey from Oklahoma to Malibu and the powerful story behind their book Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging. They open up about facing Julie’s stage three breast cancer diagnosis and the challenges of marriage, parenting, and community in the midst of adversity. How can forgiveness, authenticity, and intentionality strengthen family bonds? The Bennetts offer practical advice for creating resilient relationships rooted in love and faith. If you're looking for hope, connection, and purpose in your family life, this conversation is for you.Links Discussed in This Episode |Connect with Chris + Julie:Instagram - JulieInstagram - ChrisWebsiteBook: Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building BelongingAbout Chris + Julie |Chris and Julie Bennett are writers, producers, and speakers with a shared passion for storytelling and building community. Originally from Texas and Oklahoma, they co-founded Welcome Home Lifestyle, a production company focused on creating content that celebrates strong families and meaningful relationships. In 2018, they moved with their four children to Los Angeles, a journey marked by unexpected challenges including Julie’s cancer diagnosis, a relapse, and the global pandemic. Their upcoming book, Fighting for Family: The Relentless Pursuit of Building Belonging (Harper Horizon; March 12, 2024), draws from their experiences to offer practical insight into cultivating connection and belonging. Both graduates of Baylor University, Chris and Julie have spent over two decades in vocational ministry and currently live in Malibu, where Chris serves as lead pastor of Vintage Church Malibu.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

11 Huhti 32min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the showStoicism combined with empathy may sound like a contradiction in terms. But when these seemingly opposing forces are harnessed together, they have the power to change your life. In today's episode, I explore the concept of "stoic empathy" with award-winning lawyer, speaker, and thought leader Shermin Kruse. Blending cutting-edge research, ancient Stoic wisdom, and practical strategies, she challenges the traditional view of empathy as purely emotional, instead introducing a cognitive approach that allows us to understand others without losing control of our own emotions.Links Discussed in This Episode |Ryan HolidayThe Daily StoicBook: Meditations by Marcus AureliusConnect with Shermin:InstagramWebsiteBook: Stoic Empathy: The Road Map to a Life of Influence, Self-Leadership, and IntegrityAbout Shermin|Shermin Kruse is an award-winning idea curator, global change-maker, international business lawyer, speaker, and storyteller. With nearly two decades of experience, she specializes in competitive strategy, game theory, corporate advocacy, brand protection, and dispute resolution for Fortune 500 companies and international corporations. She also produces thought-leadership events, including TEDx conferences and salon series, and teaches Negotiating with Tactical Empathy, Global Transactions, and Leadership at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. A mother of four in Chicago, Shermin’s journey from war-torn Tehran to elite corporate boardrooms fuels her passion for justice, empathy, and global understanding. Her work bridges complex negotiations, leadership, and advocacy to drive meaningful change worldwide.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

9 Huhti 31min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Why do we instinctively add more—but rarely consider taking things away? In this episode, Leidy Klotz joins us to explore the hidden power of subtraction and why our brains are wired to overlook it. Drawing from his book Subtract, Leidy explains how this instinct to add can lead to unnecessary complexity, missed opportunities, and burnout. But this conversation goes far beyond minimalism—it's about rethinking how we approach challenges and choices in every area of life. We also dive into practical ways to shift our mindset and discover Leidy’s unexpected path to becoming a behavioral science expert. If you’ve ever felt buried under the weight of “more,” this episode will open your eyes to the liberating potential of “less".Links Discussed in This Episode |Connect with Leidy:InstagramWebsiteBook: Subtract: The Untapped Science of LessAbout Leidy|Leidy Klotz is an award-winning professor, international speaker, and the acclaimed author of Subtract, whose groundbreaking research – published in both Nature and Science – has shifted our understanding of how to approach problems and create change. Leidy knows design – the craft of changing things from how they are to how we want them to be. Which, he reminds us, is something we all do every day.Leidy has given more than 100 invited talks for organizations and universities including Stanford, MIT, and every member of the Ivy League (except Yale). He has been interviewed for Hidden Brain (NPR), Freakonomics, and The Atlantic. And he has written for The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Scientific American, and The Washington Post.An experienced educator, Leidy has taught thousands of students as a professor at the University of Virginia, including 21 Ph.D. advisees whose designs and teaching shape the world. Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of Leidy’s work, as more than three quarters of his advisees are from groups underrepresented in their respective fields.Before he taught design, Leidy designed schools in New Jersey. And before that, he played professional soccer.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

7 Huhti 30min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Note: I have listeners of all faith backgrounds that listen to the podcast. This episode is coming from a christian perspective so if that’s something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episode that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!Every relationship has its highs and lows, but we often don't know what to do with our "lows," or how we ended up there. In today’s conversation, I sit down with therapist and author Dan Allender to discuss his new book, Deep-Rooted Marriage. He shares how deeper intimacy can be a source of healing and joy. More often than not, the hidden forces fueling conflict and disconnection stem from the unresolved stories of our past. But if we’re willing to examine them with honesty and courage, we can begin to rewrite a new, more hopeful story for the future.Links Discussed in This Episode |Podcast Episode: Diary of a CEO with Paul BrunsonConnect with Dan:InstagramWebsiteBook: The Deep-Rooted Marriage: Cultivating Intimacy, Healing, and Delight About Dan|Dr. Dan Allender is a pioneer of a unique and innovative approach to trauma and abuse therapy. He earned a master of divinity from Westminster Theological Seminary, followed by a Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Michigan State University. Dan served on the faculty of the Biblical Counseling Department at Grace Theological Seminary from 1983 to 1989 and at Colorado Christian University from 1989 to 1997. In 1997, Dan and a cadre of others founded the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, where he served as president from 2002 to 2009. In 2011, he established The Allender Center with the mission of fostering healing and equipping leaders and mental health professionals with the courage to confront others' stories of harm. Dan has authored or co-authored over two dozen books and continues to serve as a professor of counseling psychology at the Seattle School.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 Huhti 33min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience, I have listeners of all faith backgrounds that listen to the podcast. This episode is coming from a christian perspective so if that’s something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episode that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!----------------------------------------My guest today, Tori Hope Petersen grew up in an unpredictable, dysfunctional and abusive environment, moving through more than twelve foster homes before she turned eighteen. Now a sought-after national speaker, bestselling author and host of the I Love You Already Podcast, she inspires other women, moms and children with painful pasts to overcome adversity and change the world. Today we will discuss her book, Breaking the Patterns that Break You and focus the conversation on assessing the subtle signs of a self-destructive cycle, how our brokenness isn’t something to be discarded (but something to be embraced), breaking through thought patterns and more...Links Discussed in This Episode |Connect with Tori:WebsiteBook: Breaking the Patterns That Break You by Tori Anne PetersenInstagramPodcast: I Love You Already PodcastAbout Tori|Tori Hope Petersen is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and lover of people. Since coming to faith, she has shared her testimony and life as authentically as she can to help and offer hope to others. Tori is known for her fierce advocacy work for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. At home she is a wife and mama who enjoys cooking with her children. With a deep value for family, community, and hospitality, Tori and her family love to make extra food for whoever might stop by.Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Questions |You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!Our Sponsors:* Check out Acorns Early: https://acornsearly.com/MINIMALISTMOMS* Check out Bioma Health and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://gobioma.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Infinite Epigenetics: https://infiniteepigenetics.com/MINIMALIST* Check out Moon & Skin and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://moonandskin.com* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com* Check out Uncommon Goods: https://uncommongoods.com/minimalistSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

4 Huhti 26min