Maximized Minimalist Podcast

• 323: Is Your Phone Making You Anxious? Why You Feel Foggy, Fried, and Short-Fused

  Let’s talk about something that affects literally all of us, but rarely gets named. You declutter your home, try to simplify your life, create calmer spaces… But then you reach for your phone and instantly feel anxious, scattered, or drained. Why does that happen? And more importantly: what can we do about it? In this eye-opening conversation, I’m joined by Jenny Wise Black, a licensed therapist, mom, and pioneer in the movement for digital wellness and media trauma recovery. Jenny shares how modern screen habits are rewiring our brains, eroding our ability to focus, and deeply impacting the way we connect to ourselves, our kids, and our peace. We dive deep into what it means to have an anxious attachment to your phone, why downtime has become screen time, and how to reclaim the kind of joy and presence we had before we were tethered to a screen 24/7. You’ll leave this episode with the clarity (and practical steps!) to start shifting your habits without guilt or overwhelm, even if you're a busy mom with zero desire to go off-grid. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What “media trauma” is and how it might be impacting your mental health without you realizing it How screen time affects your nervous system and your home life (yes, even that innocent Instagram scroll) The real reason we feel anxious without our phones and why it’s not a willpower problem Simple, science-backed steps to reduce phone-induced anxiety (without needing a digital detox retreat) Why going grayscale and setting screen boundaries may change your life more than any decluttering tip ever has How to model healthier tech habits for your kids without shame or perfection A powerful reframe for moms: you’re not failing, you're operating in a system that was never built to support you What “predatory media” is, how to spot it, and how to break the consumption cycle Resources & Mentions: Jenny’s Book: Vintage Therapy (https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Therapy-Practical-Wisdom-Modern/dp/B0FPMR7FK9) – free digital version available on her Substack! Visit Jenny’s site + get her screen detox tools: https://mediatox.substack.com/ Ready to Simplify Even More? Start Here: Join the Ready, Set, Simplify Newsletter Over 35,000 women read it weekly for clutter-busting tips, tiny mindset shifts, and practical steps to simplify your home and your life. 👉 Sign up here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/simplify) Loved this episode? Join me inside the Clutter Cure Club (https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercureclub-page837548) — where we take conversations like this even deeper, and I help you simplify everything. Come Say Hi on Instagram Behind-the-scenes, real-life simplicity, and lots of laughs. 💛 @katyjoywells Try This Today: Turn your phone screen to grayscale. It takes 30 seconds. It lowers your stress. And it may just change how you relate to your phone forever. Remember: You don’t have to do a full digital detox to reclaim your life. Start small. Be intentional. And watch your capacity (and calm) grow. Ready. Set. Simplify.

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• 322: Too Tired to Declutter? How to Make Real Progress in a Season of Survival

  Ever finally sit down at the end of a long day, kids in bed, body aching, brain fried, and your eyes land on that cluttered pile in the corner? And suddenly, that peace you were hoping for is swallowed up by guilt and overwhelm? You’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not failing. In this episode, we’re talking about what decluttering really looks like when you’re exhausted, overstretched, and juggling all the things. Whether you’re working full-time, navigating survival mode, or just plain burned out, this episode will help you redefine progress in a way that actually works for your real life. We’ll shift from hustle to healing, all-or-nothing to good-enough, and perfection to peace. ✨ This one’s part pep talk, part practical strategy, and 100% for the overwhelmed mom who still wants to create a home that feels light, even if she’s tired. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why your exhaustion isn’t a personal failure, it’s a systems issue What it really means to declutter in “survival mode” How to redefine progress so it finally feels doable Why “good enough” isn’t settling, it’s sustainable The mindset shifts that create long-term simplicity Tiny, high-impact decluttering actions that don’t require hours or energy How to start where you are, even if that’s standing in a messy kitchen with zero motivation Resources & Links: 14-Day Decluttering Challenge: Your next best step if you want to simplify without the stress. Tailored for your energy level and real life—just 20 minutes a day. Use code PODCAST for $20 off! 👉 Join the Challenge Here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/email-clutter-crusher-challenge234546) 📱 Follow me on Instagram for bite-sized decluttering tips & real-life encouragement: @katyjoywells (https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells) 🎧 Loved this episode? Forward it to a friend who's feeling overwhelmed—she needs this reminder too. Small Action Step: Look around the room you’re in and pick one item to let go of. Don’t overthink it. Just choose, release, and let that tiny win carry you forward. You don’t need more energy. You need a gentler plan. And around here? That’s exactly what we do. 🙌

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• 321: Why You Actually Struggle to Let Go of Clutter (It’s Not What You Think)

  You’ve tried every checklist. You’ve sorted, purged, and folded your clothes KonMari-style. You’ve even whispered sweet nothings to your donation bin. 😅 So why does decluttering still feel so hard? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really happening beneath the surface when you struggle to let go of stuff—no, it’s not that you’re lazy or too sentimental. It’s science. From survival wiring and dopamine hits to something called the “endowment effect,” I’m breaking down the biological and psychological reasons your brain resists decluttering—and how to finally work with it instead of against it. This is the episode you need if you’ve ever asked: “Why can’t I just get rid of this stuff already?!” Let’s drop the shame, ditch the guilt, and simplify in a way that actually makes sense for your real life and real brain. What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why your brain resists letting go of “perfectly good” stuff The psychological trick your brain plays (and how to break it) How to stop guilt-based decluttering in its tracks Why shopping gives you a dopamine rush—and what to do instead Resources Mentioned: ✨ Join the 14-Day Decluttering Challenge Get fast wins and big results—in just 20 minutes a day. This isn’t another checklist. It’s a total nervous-system-safe, progress-over-perfection approach. 🎉 Get $20 off with code PODCAST: https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercrusherchallenge 🎯 Come Hang Out on Instagram You’ll find more simple tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and messy real life at https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells ✨ Your Simple Action Step: Pick one item in your home that’s never used but you’ve been holding on to “just in case.” Ask yourself: “If I didn’t already own this, would I pay to bring it into my home today?” If the answer’s no? Time to let it go. If this episode felt like a lightbulb moment 💡, would you share it with a friend or leave a review? You never know who needs to hear this message today. You know what to do… Ready. Set. Simplify. 💛

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• 320: Budget Burnout: Why You Can’t Stick to a Budget (And What to Do Instead) with Brie Sodano

  Ever find yourself thinking “I should be better with money,” but you’re too tired to track one more thing or clip another coupon? This episode is for you, friend. I’m joined by my long-time money mindset coach and financial strategist, Brie Sodano, and we’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason budgeting doesn’t work for so many smart, capable women. Spoiler: it’s not about spreadsheets, it's about the mental load you’re already carrying. And no, it’s not your fault. We’re diving into the patterns, habits, and “money bleeds” that quietly drain your bank account—and your energy. If you’ve ever opened your credit card bill and wondered, “Where did all our money go?” this episode will hit home in the best way. Let’s shift the way you think about budgeting, spending, and what it really means to steward your money without shame or overwhelm. 🎧 Listen in and take the first step toward using your money with purpose—without the burnout. 💥 What You'll Learn in This Episode: Why traditional budgeting methods fail (and what actually works) What a “money bleed” is—and how to stop yours The 3 resources you need to manage wisely: time, energy, and money Why tracking spending isn't enough (and what to do instead) How habit blindness affects your bank account (hello, Amazon autopilot) Brie’s trick for saving money without giving up convenience or peace The real reason your budget isn't "working"—and it’s not what you think 🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🎯 Find Your Bleed The best $40 I’ve ever spent. Brie’s self-paced course has saved me tens of thousands of dollars over the years—no shame, no spreadsheet overwhelm, just practical tools that work. 👉 Get the course: https://home.katyjoywells.com/fyb 📚 Read Brie’s Book: Cash Confident This book is packed with real-life tools for managing money as a modern woman (no finance jargon, no judgment). 💛 Available wherever books are sold. 📲 Follow Brie on Instagram Get more money wisdom and bite-sized tips: https://www.instagram.com/cashconfidentcommunity/ 💬 Your Challenge This Week: Take a peek at your last 30 days of transactions and look for your “money bleed.” It’s not always big purchases—it’s often the daily $20 that adds up without meaning or purpose. Don’t judge it. Just notice it. Awareness is the first step to freedom. If this episode gave you an “aha” moment or helped you feel less alone in your money journey, would you share it with a friend or leave a review? Every share helps more women gain the clarity (and peace) they deserve. You know what to do. Ready. Set. Simplify. 💛

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• 319: Time Management for Women: Ditch Overwhelm and Take Control of Your Days with Megan Sumrell

  Let’s talk time, mental load, and why “we all have the same 24 hours” is one of the biggest lies women are told. In this episode, I’m joined by the incredible Megan Sumrell—time management expert and creator of Planapalooza—for a deep, honest conversation on why traditional productivity advice doesn’t work for most women. And spoiler: it’s not because you’re doing it wrong. It’s because you’ve been trying to use systems that were never designed for your brain, your season, or your life. We get into the neuroscience behind why women process time, planning, and decision-making differently—and how to finally build a schedule that works with your brain instead of against it. Whether you’ve been feeling scattered, behind on your goals, or just overwhelmed by the mental load that comes with life, kids, clutter, and expectations—you are going to love this one. ✨ What You'll Learn: Why women experience “squirrel brain” (and why it’s not a flaw) The science behind mental load—and how to take control of it One simple shift that can instantly reduce overwhelm and bring clarity Why you haven’t hit your goals this year (and what to do next) The truth about “same 24 hours” productivity culture (and how to opt out) How to plan your time in a way that reflects real life, not just appointments 💡 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: 🎯 Join Planapalooza (http://www.megansumrell.com/a/2148146184/LJ6uRgox): Megan’s annual live planning event for women (October 2025) ✍️ Try Megan’s Weekly Time Awareness Hack: Block out a week of “real life” in your calendar and see what time you actually have. 📅 Follow Megan on Instagram: @megansumrell 🧠 Want Help Creating a Decluttered, Tidy-Home Routine? I’ll be teaching inside Planapalooza on why you’re always tidying and never caught up—you won’t want to miss it! 💬 Your Challenge This Week: Try Megan’s “calendar reality check.” Instead of planning your week in a vacuum, map out everything that actually happens—meals, pickups, walks, laundry, scroll breaks, everything. You might be shocked at how little time is truly “free.” (No shame—just insight.) If this episode gave you permission to take a breath, let go of guilt, or ditch the hustle, would you do me a favor and share it with a friend? The more we share real tools and truth around time and home management, the less we all carry. You know what to do: 💛 Ready. Set. Simplify.

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