Stephanie Marie Seferian's Blog, page 26
June 9, 2022
The Trauma Response
It feels as though nearly every day Americans must process another mass shooting. Such traumatic events are a part of life in the US today and, if our recent history is to inform the future, these events will continue.
Today I speak with psychotherapist Lena Derhally about the human trauma response: which feelings are “normal”, and which ones aren’t? In the second part of today’s conversation we discuss best practices for talking with our children about the tragedy at Robb Elementary School.
H...
June 7, 2022
Plant-Based Fashion
The fashion industry is in a state of transition, and that’s because fossil fuels-based synthetics simply aren’t sustainable. Enter clothing made from plants: they are neither new or revolutionary (hey there, cotton, linen, and hemp!); still, clothing made from renewable fibers continue to expand in breadth and scope during this unique moment in time.
On today’s show I speak with author Alyssa Couture about the innumerable ways in which plant fabrics support both humans and the planet. Alyssa ha...
June 2, 2022
Countertop Composters
Countertop composters have hit the market, and they’ve hit the market in a big way. Many promise to transform ho-hum food waste into nutrient-rich soil in under 24 hours without odors or hassle. For some of us, these new machines sound like the answers to all our composting prayers.
But listener Katie wants to know if countertop composters – and specifically the Lomi by Pela – are worth the hefty price tags. Are their environmental claims overblown, or will such devices actually reduce household...
May 31, 2022
Rebalancing
There are certain things in life that don’t have to get done, and then there are priorities that absolutely must get done well. On today’s show we discuss what it takes to thrive on purpose, and specifically we’re discussing the importance of flexibility.
Today I speak with author and social impact leader Wendy Teleki. Wendy argues that we shouldn’t be afraid to recalibrate and make the big changes when we need to. In our conversation today Wendy distills her hard-earned lessons on balancing –...
May 26, 2022
Quick Fix Thinking
We want new stuff and we want it now. The possessions we buy often make us happy, at least for a little while (hello, dopamine!). But before we know it, today’s ‘it’ item becomes tomorrow’s clutter.
On today’s show we are examining the psychology behind quick fix thinking. Why do humans tend to prioritize instant gratification over long-term goals such as having a decluttered, minimalist home and obtaining financial security? The good news is we aren’t slaves to our DNA, and in the second part o...
May 24, 2022
Desperation Dinners
Cooking at home is generally cheaper, healthier, and better for the planet than relying on takeout and meal subscriptions. Still, our busy lives crave convenience: cooking, then, is a self-sufficient skill our culture is in danger of losing.
Today I speak with blogger Rachael McKennon about cooking at home and cooking from scratch. Rachael understands that feeding a family is hard work, so she’s here to offer her best tips, tricks, and hacks to take the overwhelm out of the task.
Here’s a prev...
May 19, 2022
Responsible Family Travel
If you are fortunate to embark on vacation with your family this summer, your children will undoubtedly benefit from the experience. There’s the need to practice flexibility and problem-solving in real-time; there’s also the fact that seeing more of the planet will encourage your children to care for its future.
Yet there’s an elephant in the room, and it’s this: vacations often come with a hefty carbon cost.
On today’s show – and just in time for summer! – we discuss tangible ways to make yo...
May 12, 2022
Subscription Services
Many of us signed up for entertainment (streaming television! date night in a box!) and regular home delivery of essentials (toothbrushes! groceries! toilet paper!) at the start of the pandemic. If you’re like me, these days you may find yourself signed up for 10 or more subscription services.
Subscriptions can be time-saving and convenient, and specialty ones make great gifts. But if you aren’t receiving the value you expect from the subscription in question, it’s simply a colossal waste of mon...
May 10, 2022
Evergreen Rooms
Home decor is a lot like fashion: the second we invest in a new piece of furniture or a new decor item, the catalogs and showrooms push a new trend. The items we just bought, then? They’re suddenly out of style.
Today I speak with interior designer Jessica Velazquez about curating rooms that are timeless. Jessica believes that style must always support lifestyle: when we play it right, we can design spaces that won’t expire when stores usher in a new trend.
Here’s a preview:
[5:00] Does evergr...
May 5, 2022
Made In China
Fellow consumers: we want new things and we want them now. Our spending habits put brands on perpetual searches for ways to shorten the time between design, manufacturing, and distribution, and China has stepped up with the technology and the supply chains to meet our needs.
Our consumption habits, then, can only be satisfied by purchasing from China.
Today’s show analyzes the ethical and environmental implications associated with excessive reliance on the “World’s Factory”, as China has affecti...
