The Minimalists

Latest Episodes:

557 | The Context Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

T.K. Coleman speaks with Zach Bush, MD, about why context matters more than content, why relationships are more important than possessions, how we learn to be dissatisfied, what disconnection from nature has to do with addiction and disease, how social media distorts our sense of enough, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

What is antibiosis? (3:09)

How did boxed apple juice compromise the last remaining indigenous culture? (7:41)

What have we really lost in our loss of ancient technologies? (29:06)

What's it like to watch a cancer cell under a microscope? (45:14)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

556 | The Undoing Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. talk about irreversible decisions, how to simplify everything in your life in five weeks, downgrading your smartphone to a dumbphone, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

What did Lao Tzu mean by "It is easier to carry an empty cup than one that is filled to the brim"?(0:44)

How much weight should we give a decision based on how difficult it is to undo? (4:20)

Give It Five Minutes. (12:50)

Right Here, Right Now: Enrollment for Simplify Everything is now open year-round. (26:05)

WWJO: Would Joshua consider getting a dumbphone? (29:02)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

We're Simplifying... Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

Listen to full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

555 | Born to Walk Sep 07, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. speak with Mark Sisson about the health benefits of walking, ultra-high-networth minimalism, the most minimalist exercises, and much more!

Discussed in this episode:

What does the fitness industry get wrong about exercise? (2:48)

How does Mark rate these 12 fitness activities? (11:01)

If you woke up tomorrow ultra-wealthy, in what ways would you still be a minimalist? (32:30)

Right Here, Right Now: The How to Let Go Tour and Joshua's late brother's birthday. (48:24)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

554 | The Floor Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. speak with Natasha Theresa about how subtraction can help us see what matters most, the pros and cons of Japanese floor sleeping, the power of a single question, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

Is comfort a wonderful servant but a terrible master? (1:31)

Can Japanese floor sleeping improve sleep and lower-back pain, and what should a beginner know about transitioning from a traditional mattress to sleeping on the floor? (3:29)

Talkaboutable: Is floor sleeping the most minimalist form of sleeping? (9:23)

What are the pros and cons of floor sleeping? (19:12)

Right Here, Right Now: Joshua's appearance on T.K.'s new show, One Question. (36:16)

Check out the FULI futon. (Enter code THEMINIMALISTS for 15% off.)

Check out the Nuropod.

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

553 | Organize by Room Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. speak with Julia Raz about struggling to keep common areas clutter free, organizing your home by room, the difference between decluttering and eliminating, three signs you're emotionally drained from cleaning your home, and much more!

Discussed in this episode:

How have unrealistic expectations contributed to the clutter and stress in people's homes? (1:01) When one person in a household embraces minimalism but everyone else doesn't, where's the healthiest place to begin? (4:03)

Right Here, Right Now: The Letting Go Tour and the Simple Newsletter (20:47)

Listener Tip: A tip for managing children's pajamas. (21:42)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

552 | Stories We Tell Ourselves Aug 17, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. speak with writer Conner Habib about how the stories we consume shape our lives, esotericism, letting go of heirlooms, what to do with the junk you don't want to inherit from your parents, and more!

Discussed in this episode:

Whatever tracks you leave in the mud or the sand, the wind smooths them over. (1:17) Why does storytelling matter, and how do the stories we consume and create shape our lives? (3:51)

Who was Rudolf Steiner, and what is esotericism? (19:06)

Listener Tip: Letting go of an heirloom doesn't mean letting go of its story. (25:32)

Right Here, Right Now: Joshua's solo tour and T.K.'s Clutter Counseling sessions. (35:34)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

551 | Children of Hoarders Aug 10, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. talk about inheriting clutter from hoarder parents, possessions we wish would disappear from our homes, how the spending habits of rich people are raising prices on everyday goods, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

Does compassion without boundaries become captivity? (0:45)

How can I escape my inherited clutter? (3:38)

What's one item in your home you wish would disappear? (20:03)

Right Here, Right Now: Kudos to Audio Ben for making our remote episode sound so good. (34:59)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

550 | Surgical Decluttering Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. talk about surgical decluttering, when more is better than minimalism, our favorite minimalist furniture brands, a new 14-minute decluttering rule, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

Is expectation premeditated disappointment? (6:07)

When does minimalism stop solving the problem and start becoming the problem? (9:51)

When is more better than minimalism? (21:01)

Right Here, Right Now: Zoom calls with The Minimalists and Tom Cat's em(body)ment sessions. (30:21)

WWJO: What couch and dishes does Joshua own? (43:01)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast

549 | Humble Things Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

Joshua and T.K. talk about some simple rules for a humble home, small tasks with large rewards, surprising things a minimalist might own, why clutter spreads throughout your home, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

What is the cost of convenience? (0:41)

Is there hidden value in doing the "menial" work we've been taught to pay someone else to do? (11:17)

Right Here, Right Now: The How to Let Go Tour (39:58)

What Would Joshua Own? (47:03)

Listen to the full Maximal episode on Patreon: patreon.com/theminimalists

Detailed show notes: minimalists.com/podcast