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037: When Sustainability + Imagination Collide

037: When Sustainability + Imagination Collide

On episode 37 of the Sustainable Minimalists podcast we discuss creative reuse of items found in our trash and recycling bins.

Design shimmering mosaics from old CDs.

Create rag rugs from used clothes.

Got yourself an abundance of plastic bags? Get weaving.

*Creative Reuse a THING!* If you’ve been to a contemporary art museum lately, chances are good you’ve viewed at least one exhibit that boasts garbage as its sole medium.

While critics argue that trash creations look … well, … trashy, today’s guest swiftly debunks this assumption by offering truly beautiful reuse ideas for our trash + recyclables.

Carla Brown is a podcaster + artist who gleans creative inspiration from items others generally discard. She claims we don’t need to run to the art store ever again: That’s because our trash + recycle bins are already overflowing with possibility.

On today’s episode Carla tells us what to keep, how to store it + what to make. She suggests fun art projects for kids, too. 

Enjoy!

* Access this week’s Show Notes here.

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The Unfollow Effect

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

 

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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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