Stephanie Marie Seferian's Blog, page 2

Revisiting The Capsule Wardrobe Conversation

Have a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear? While capsule wardrobes are often touted as the singular solution to closet overwhelm, many report that they can be restrictive, boring and, frankly, unrealistic in practice.

A minimalist closet is best served by first identifying the outfits needed to live YOUR unique life. On today’s show podcaster Lauren Morley shows us how to streamline our wardrobes, say goodbye to clutter, and feel effortlessly put together every day by focusing less on ca...

No Such Thing As Bad Weather

In Scandinavia, daily interaction with nature has helped turn many people into passionate advocates for the environment. But there are forces at play in American society that divide humans from nature. To name just a few? Schools cut recess to make more time for academic instruction, cities boast sprawl over walkability, and our societal reverence for cleanliness prevents many Americans from getting outside and getting a little dirty.

Best-selling author Linda McGurk was born in Sweden and, late...

Living Seasonally, Not Commercially

What is the “holiday season”, really?

Savvy marketers have inserted gingerbread lattes, blow up lawn decor, and lots of gifts as synonymous with December. But we aren’t in some made-up season of buying; instead, we are approaching the Winter Solstice. And when nature is our guide, living seasonally is less about shopping hauls and more about existing in pace with the changing seasons.

In a world where we can buy just about anything, it takes intention to live in alignment with nature. On today’s...

How Many Jeans Do You Own?

Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs.

And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion’s biggest environmental footprints. On today’s show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming th...

How Many Jeans Do You Own?

Denim jeans were once the preferred trouser for cowboys in the American west; some decades later, they became a symbol of rebellion for non-conformist teens. These days jeans are all about comfort and casual style, and the average American woman owns 7 pairs.

And yet blue jeans also happen to have one of fashion’s biggest environmental footprints. On today’s show Sarene Alsharif reveals the harsh realities associated with jeans production; she also shares practical strategies for transforming th...

A Poverty Of Spirit

We Americans may indeed be “rich” in material terms, but we suffer from what Mother Teresa calls a poverty of spirit. As we chased economic growth we closed ourselves off. We abandoned interconnectedness with other people, beings, and things. We also abandoned ourselves.Many of the problems in our world today are visual manifestations of such abandonment. If the world isn’t looking the way you want it to look right now, author Jeff Golden argues that solving our (numerous) issues starts by hea...

How To Be An Anti-Capitalist

Capitalism has transformed the world, sure. But at what cost? (Immense environmental ones, of course.)

Americans, it’s high-time we accept that the Golden Age of capitalism is long gone. On today’s show: A frank discussion with sustainable finance visionary Kara Perez about insulating ourselves from late-stage capitalism’s most damaging effects with individual and collective action.

 

Here’s a preview:

[6:00] Money is a tool for change, and yet it’s literally something we made up

[11:00] Can we ...

A Life Of Purpose

Our culture is marked by both comparison and overconsumption, and we are constantly urged to hustle for something bigger, better, or more expensive because happiness (supposedly) lies within the next purchase or achievement. But what if the key to living a more satisfied life is to simply slow down and listen to your intuition?

On today’s show: A conversation with best-selling author Stephanie O’Dea about breaking free from hustle culture for increased fulfillment, reduced stress, and a stronger...

Water Smarts

Water is a finite resource. Freshwater shortages are increasingly striking regions around the globe and, as demand for water rises while supply continues to drop, the price of water will likely skyrocket.

It’s more important than ever to be smart about water. On today’s show horticulturist Noelle Johnson offers easy ways to save water and have a beautiful yard — even amongst challenging climatic conditions.

 

Here’s a preview:

[5:00] Globally, less rain is falling, and simultaneously the planet ...

Stuff You Should Know

These days, dry cleaners press shirts, industrialized farms grow monocrops, and factories churn out single-use varieties of (nearly) everything. And when a possession looks a little worn or a little torn? Many Americans trash it and buy new without a second thought.

Life can be simpler, more affordable, and downright sweeter when you do things yourself and maintain what you already own. On today’s show: Calling on the timeless wisdom of our great grandparents to re-learn specific, self-sufficien...