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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:
- 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
- This show is listener-supported. Thank you for supporting!
- Join our (free!) Facebook community here.
- Find your tribe. Sustainable Minimalists are on Facebook, Instagram + Youtube @sustainableminimalists
- Say hello! MamaMinimalistBoston@gmail.com.
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The Sustainable Minimalists Podcast is for women who want tidiness without trash.
Although minimalism has experienced a rebirth in recent years, the “less is more” movement has been around for centuries. Yet today’s minimalist influencers have resurrected minimalism with a decidedly consumerist spin, as modern minimalism is nearly synonymous with decluttering.
While there’s a lot of chatter about tidying, it’s radio silence and crickets when it comes to sustainability.
Stephanie Seferian is a stay-at-home/podcast-from-home mom and author who believes that minimalism and eco-friendliness are intrinsically intertwined. She’s here to explore the topics of conscious consumerism, sustainability, and environmentally-friendly parenting practices with like-minded women; she’s here, too, to show you how to curate eco-friendly, decluttered homes (without the extra work).
