EP10: A Minimalist Approach to Becoming Debt-Free

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 Apr 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 Apr 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 Apr 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 Apr 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 Apr 26min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Is your mindset helping or hurting your financial future? In this episode, I spoke with the author of Wealth is a Mindset, Shang Saavedra, to explore the emotional and psychological side of personal finance. Shang shares her journey as an "accidental author" and reveals how financial freedom is about more than budgets—it’s about understanding yourself, past traumas, and ingrained habits. We discuss the impact of social media on spending, the importance of financial conversations in relationships, and how parents can set their children up for success. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on money, mindset, and lasting financial well-being.Links Discussed in This Episode |Reclaiming the Sacred by Jeff GoldenConnect with Shang:Book: Wealth is a MindsetWebsiteInstagramYouTubeGoodreadsAbout Shang |Shang Saavedra is the Founder and CEO of Save My Cents, an influential personal-finance website and social-media platform. Saavedra teaches readers the key habits and behaviors needed to become less fearful of money and live life with joy. Saavedra was named one of the "25 Most Influential New Voices of Money" by TIME/NextAdvisor in 2022 and is an Expert Reviewer and Contributor at CNET Money. She received her bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard and her MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Saavedra and her husband finished saving for their retirement by the age of 31 and now live a work-optional life in Southern California with their two boys and two cats.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

2 Apr 29min

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.Today, I’m joined by Matt Barnes, a lifelong artist and creative entrepreneur, to explore the power of leisure and the beauty of analog experiences. As the founder of The Leisure Club, a thoughtfully designed social clubhouse in Columbus, Matt has created a space where people can gather, connect and be more present. In this episode, we dive into the inspiration behind this unique gathering place, the role of intentional design in shaping human interactions, and why prioritizing rest isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential.Become a member of the Leisure Club in Columbus, Ohio.Links Discussed in This Episode |Garage BeerThe Dadass PodcastHans Lori (Differentiated Design)The War KitchenConnect with Matt:The Leisure ClubShop Leisure ClubLeisure Club InstagramMatt's WebsiteMatt's Art InstagramAbout Matt|"At my root, I am a visual artist. I create things with my eyes and hands for others to see and experience. For over two decades, alongside a vibrant creative career, I have quietly dedicated myself to an expansive body of work, exploring a wide range of mediums including drawing, photography, collage, assemblage, poetry, and painting. Raised in the Midwest, my work both carries the imprints of my upbringing and an observational response to American culture. With a knowledge of historical art figures and philosophies my work, expressed through various mediums, is a unique reflection of the criteria I have intentionally consumed and unintentionally absorbed."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

1 Apr 42min

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 becoming your true self isn’t about change, but about uncovering who you’ve always been? In this powerful episode, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith joins the show to share insights from her new book, Being Fully Known, exploring how societal labels and the fear of vulnerability hold us back from spiritual and personal growth. She opens up about her own journey from clinical medicine to a more fulfilling path, emphasizing the importance of stillness, self-acceptance, and aligning with God’s image. Together, we discuss why rest is more than just sleep—it’s a way of life—and how embracing the seven types of rest can lead to true work-life harmony. If you’ve ever felt the tension between who you are and who you’re becoming, this episode will leave you feeling seen, inspired, and ready to grow.Links Discussed in This Episode |Book: Sacred Rest by Saundra DaltonRest QuizConnect with Dr. Saundra:Book: Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and BelongingInstagramFacebookWebsitePodcast: I Choose My Best LifeAbout Dr. Saundra |Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith is a board-certified internal medicine physician, an international speaker, and the CEO of Restorasis, a workplace well-being consulting agency. She is also the award-winning author of Set Free to Live Free and Sacred Rest and the host of I Choose My Best Life podcast. Dr. Saundra lives in Alabama with her husband and their two sons.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

27 Mars 31min