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Buyer Beware

2023-06-20 Mama Minimalist

We all need to feel like we can make smart purchasing decisions, but it’s hard to know where to put our trust. Researchers have found dangerous levels of mercury in anti-aging creams; they’ve linked chemicals in hair dye to cancer; they’ve traced fragrances in soaps and shampoos to fertility issues.

And while it has become more confusing than ever to know whether our buying choices are putting our health at risk, America’s laws often help manufacturers avoid accountability.

Today’s show is the first in a two part series about creating a marketplace that puts consumers — not mega corporations! — first.

Here’s a preview:

[1:30] Mascara and blindness

[6:00] Antibiotics, antifreeze and over 100 deaths

[11:00] The link between Johnson & Johnson’s baby powder and ovarian cancer; plus: the mega-corp’s attempts to protect itself at the expense of 34,000+ victims

Resources mentioned:

Johnson & Johnson Reaches Deal for $8.9 Billion Talc Settlement (via NY Times)
US Judge Halts Most Talc Lawsuits Against J&J, Stops Trials (via Reuters)
Talcum Powder Lawsuit Update June 2023 (via Forbes)

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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

Resources mentioned:

This episode is sponsored by Fearless Finance. Use code SUSTAINABLE to get $50 off your first meeting.
Technology Is Getting Worse
The Unfollow Effect: Intentional Living in a Digital Age
Book Club

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My Story

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.

Want to know more? Read my story.