the tortoise & the hare

Latest Episodes:

Screen-Free Bedroom #4 Aug 21, 2016

Show notes

As they roll into the fourth week of their screen-free bedroom experiment, Brooke and Ben talk about this week's challenges as well as some of the self-sabotage they've been partaking in.

Brooke also talks about blue light and her recent discovery that it's present in far more than just our phones, computers and tablet screens.

They also talk about September’s experiment (which both Brooke and Ben are feeling a little nervous about) and what you can do to get involved.

For links to everything mentioned in today's episode (including Alexx Stuart's sleep-themed episode of Low Tox Life, and Cybele and Brooke's Simply Calmer challenge) head over to http://www.slowyourhome.com/96.

Enjoy!

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If you're enjoying the show and want to know how to best support it, leave a rating or a review in iTunes: (https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/slow-home-podcast-brooke-mcalary/id985005895?mt=2) or head over to the Patreon page (www.patreon.com/slow) to help support the show financially.

And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listener Chat with Colleen Aug 17, 2016

Show notes

This week Brooke chats with listener Colleen Valles, who has managed to slow down and simplify her life to amazing lengths, despite a full and busy life as a single mum working a full-time (and then some!) job.

Colleen has so much to offer and goes deep into how she uncovered her priorities and slowly changed her job, her schedule and her home to live a life more aligned to those priorities.

She's now building a tiny home in one of the most expensive areas in the US, and her and Brooke talk about how she plans to combine households with her non-minimalist partner too!

For show notes, and links to Colleen's blog and social media head over to http://www.slowyourhome.com/95

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Screen-Free Bedroom #3 Aug 14, 2016

Show notes

In this week's episode, Brooke and Ben talk some more about their current Slow Home Experiment - creating a screen-free bedroom - and the surprising impact it's had on not only their sleep, but a whole heap of other areas too.

Better quality sleep is the one area they expected to improve, but better and more conversations, higher productivity, better mornings, happier days... It's been a revelation!

They also have some suggestions on the best way to adopt a screen-free experiment into your own life, and some options for those living in small spaces.
For links and resources mentioned in today’s episode head over to http://www.slowyourhome.com/94

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Combining Simple Living and Kids with Rachel Jonat Aug 10, 2016

Show notes

Rachel Jonat is back for her second visit to the pogpast and, as always, it’s such a great conversation.

Last they spoke, Rachel and her family had recently moved back to Vancouver from the Isle of Man and were finding their feet and discovering what it meant to keep a slow and simple pace in a busy city.

Today they talk about the move, and the unintentional decluttering that came when a lot of their possessions were ruined in transit.

Rachel and Brooke also talk about her new book and what it looks like to live a minimalist life with three young boys - particularly the baby years. They talk about creating a home that’s flexible enough to change as your family grows, and Brooke decides that their families should house-swap very soon - whether Rachel wants to or not.

For links and resources mentioned in today’s episode head to http://www.slowyourhome.com/93

Today’s episode was brought to you by Ettitude. For 10% off your first order of ethical, environmentally-friendly, sustainable, bamboo lyocell bed linen, visit http://www.ettitude.com.au/slowhome and use the code: sleephealthy

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Screen-Free Bedroom #2 Aug 07, 2016

Show notes

Ben and Brooke are in to the second week of their screen-free bedroom experiment and enjoying it SO MUCH. As Brooke mentioned in last week’s episode there’d been some backsliding in allowing phones in to the bedroom and this past week has been such a great reminder of how much there is to gain when we lose the tech.

Brooke is feeling far more relaxed in the morning, while Ben loves the fact that he’s reading more.

One of the interesting things to note has been “the twitch” that Anthony Ongaro spoke about back in Episode 54 of the poggie. Brooke particularly has found it amazing to see just how often she goes to reach for her phone and this experiment is making it easier to break the twitch - even outside the bedroom.

This is a really easy experiment to join in, so feel free to play along, and tag your social media posts with #slowhomeexperiment.

Ben and Brooke also talk a little more about the launch of the Jackrabbit.FM app, where you can find it and why they’re so excited about it!

For links and resources mentioned in today’s episode head over to http://www.slowyourhome.com/92

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Making of Men with Dr Arne Rubinstein Aug 03, 2016

Show notes

Today’s episode is the first to feature Ben behind the microphone, as he interviews the inspiring Dr Arne Rubinstein - a doctor, counsellor and mentor who has had a profound impact on Ben this year, as well as the lives of many young men throughout the world.

Arne is an expert in adolescent development who had a life-changing experience 20 years ago while on a rite of passage camp. In this episode he and Ben talk through his personal enlightenment and what it felt like to shed his safe, well respected job for the unknown, as well as his thoughts on living intuitively and aligning our actions with our values.

Realising that - for adolescent boys in Western culture, particularly - there was a distinct lack of rites of passage and strong role models, Arne sold his practice, bought a property in the rural Byron Bay hinterland and lived in a bus for three years as he built a camp to mentor young men.

20 years later he an author, facilitates mentoring programs and provides leadership coaching world-wide, but even more importantly, can say he spends his days doing exactly what he was put on earth to do - and that is something that both Ben and Brooke find truly inspiring.

For links and resources mentioned in today’s episode head to http://www.slowyourhome.com/91

Enjoy!

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If you're enjoying the show and want to know how to best support it, you can leave a rating or a review in iTunes: (https://itunes.apple.com/au/podcast/slow-home-podcast-brooke-mcalary/id985005895?mt=2).

Thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Screen-Free Bedroom #1 Jul 31, 2016

Show notes

A new month means a new Slow Home Experiment, and in August Ben and Brooke are going screen-free in the bedroom. And while this seems like something they would have already had on lockdown, they’ve seen a bit of backsliding in recent months and the mobile phones have slowly snuck back in to the bedroom.

Having a screen in the bedroom has definitely impacted both Brooke’s sleep and her morning rhythm, which begs the question why she hasn’t made the shift earlier. But as her and Ben talk about in this episode, the power of habit is a mighty thing to turn around.

Ben is feeling quite nervous about this one, while Brooke is feeling optimistic as the effect on her sleep and mornings is something she’s really keen to reverse.

Don't forget, you can play along with Brooke and Ben by tagging your social media posts with #slowhomeexperiment and sharing your experiences. Hit us up on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram and let’s get experimenting!

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Small Acts and Big Impact with Jono Fisher Jul 27, 2016

Show notes

Sometimes, the idea of making a real change in the world can feel impossible.

In today’s episode Brooke meets the human antidote to these feelings in Jono Fisher, a delightfully warm person who is - quite literally - changing the world with kindness.

As founder of The Wake Up Project - a community and events hub on a mission to bring out the best in people - Jono is super passionate about spreading kindness, mindfulness and positivity far and wide.

Not only do he and Brooke talk about his desire to create and grow a ‘kindness revolution’ but also about the recent arrival of his newborn son and how his arrival impacted Jono’s ability to live a mindful life.

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plastic Free July #2 Jul 24, 2016

Show notes

After committing to cut back on all plastics as part of Plastic Free July., Ben and Brooke are back to talk about the experience.

While they were looking to minimise all plastic, they were particularly focused on doing away with the Big 4 - plastic shopping bags, takeaway coffee cups, plastic drinking straws and single-use plastic water bottles. The good news is they nailed those four! The bad news is, they were mostly nailing those before July even began.

In today’s episode they talk through some wonderful tips they received over the month, discuss the areas they struggled in and look at the changes they’ve made already, plus the changes they plan on making over the coming months.

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Problem with Minimalism Jul 20, 2016

Show notes

After a mid-year break, Ben and Brooke are back in the podcasting chair, and in today’s episode they talk about their time off and a little of what they’ve been up to in July.

Brooke talks a lot about a recent TV experience, taking part in an episode of Insight on SBS. The episode she was part of dealt with stuff - and more specifically, hoarding - and in this poggie she talks a lot about her misgivings of taking part in the show and also the bigger issue of presenting minimalism and hoarding as opposite sides of the same coin.

Head over to http://www.slowyourhome.com/87 for links to the episode of Insight - it's really worth a look!

Enjoy!

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And thanks so much for listening!

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Join The Tortoise Community: https://brookemcalary.substack.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.