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The Unfollow Effect

The Unfollow Effect

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We’ve come a long way. But not necessarily in the right direction.

From the the nostalgic days of AOL Instant Messenger to 2026’s high-stakes, algorithmic landscape, constant connectivity has fundamentally shifted our attention spans, our peace of mind, and the way we show up for our families.

Worse, the desire to show up online often takes us directly out of real life. It’s no surprise, then, that we’re feeling the mental and emotional weight of the “scroll”.

We don’t have to throw our phones in a lake to find the reprieve we desperately need. On today’s show author Emily Feldpausch argues that it isn’t about rejecting technology. It’s about reclaiming the intentionality that the algorithms try to take away.

 

Here’s a preview:

[5:00] Reflections on the shift from the early days of AIM and MySpace to the current user experience that often feels designed against us

[8:45] How being always on has eroded our collective sense of peace and altered the dynamics of modern family life

[18:00] How to stop checking in and start being present

[23:00] A candid look at 2026 internet culture, from shopping hauls to harmful beauty standards. Can we still find corners of the web that align with our true values?

[27:00] Emily’s personal strategies for maintaining phone boundaries to protect her mental space

 

Resources mentioned:

 

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Plastic Free July

What started in 2011 with just one woman and a small local government has exploded into a worldwide movement of over 174 million people. That movement is Plastic Free July.

Yet 15 years after the challenge’s inception, plastic production continues to exponentially grow. It’s all-too easy to dismiss the challenge as little more than an opportunity to post a picture of a bamboo toothbrush on social media.

But we aren’t just facing a litter problem anymore; we’re facing climate and health crises. A July that’s free of plastic is about building permanent habits, changing your relationship with “stuff,” and sending a clear message to corporations that you don’t want all this plastic junk.

On today’s show, challenge leader Emily Emond joins us to share her top tips for cutting through the overwhelm and setting yourself up for success during Plastic Free July.

 

Here's a preview:

[6:15] Is Plastic-Free July beneficial, or purely performative?

[9:00] On why using less plastic is supports your family’s health

[13:30] Set yourself up for success: Five things you can do right now

[23:00] Nothing changes if nothing changes!

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Hello there, I’m Stephanie. I live a crazy, beautiful life as a full-time wife, blogger + mother to two spirited daughters. I’m on a mission to simplify eco-friendly living so as to greater enjoy life’s sweeter moments.

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