Stephanie Marie Seferian's Blog, page 7

Cultural Uniformity

Something semi-sad happens as we age: We lose our nimbleness. So many of us white-knuckle grip long-held habits and beliefs and thus fail to question whether such routines and ideas are working in our best interests. Worse, rigidity goes directly against our “factory settings” as human beings: As a species, we fully live when we prioritize resilience, light-footedness, and fearlessness. (Don’t believe me? Just observe a child!)

On today’s show: embracing fresh starts, prioritizing roads less tra...

Greenwashing 2.0

Many corporations are hopping on the sustainability bandwagon these days, but it’s not always for altruistic reasons. It’s likely due to the green premium: because eco-friendly products cost more, business owners see an opportunity for increased revenue.

The result? Greenwashed products abound (And guess what? You’re likely paying *extra* for a product that isn’t at all eco-conscious!).

On today’s show Aidan Riehl offers advanced tips for avoiding greenwashing in today’s ever-changing market.

 

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Pleasure-Saturated

We Homo Sapiens are notorious for avoiding pain and seeking pleasure. In fact, we have transformed the planet from a place of scarcity to a place of overwhelming abundance, with ample opportunities to flood our brains with dopamine at every turn.

But over-consuming has consequences: Exposure to prolonged and repeated pleasurable stimuli decreases our capacity to tolerate pain and increases our threshold for experiencing pleasure.

On today’s show: Resetting your neural set point to make dopamine ...

Labors Of Love

Last year was the hottest on record, so it’s safe to say that Earth Day as we traditionally celebrate isn’t working.

On today’s show I suggest what I believe is the antidote to the climate crisis (and I’m willing to bet you won’t be able to guess what it is!).

 

Here’s a preview:

[3:45] The Big 5: We know what we should do environment-wise, so why aren’t we doing it?

[7:15] Communal care is anti-capitalist, and that’s really darn important

[16:30] Here’s what research finds re: the relationship ...

The Great Connector

Reminder! Our hands can do more than type and text. In fact, they can grow things.

On today’s show — and in honor of National Gardening Day! — permaculture expert Kareen Erbe lists countless tangible and intangible benefits associated with active participation in your local growing community; she also offers practical suggestions for getting off our screens and reengaging with the natural world.

 

Here’s a preview:

[8:00] Industrializing our food systems has benefits, sure. But in doing so, what...

Stealthily Frugal

Take stealth wealth and reverse it: Stealth frugality is what happens when a person lives big without spending lots of money.

On today’s show: A  laundry list of the ways in which we can each live a rich life but do so frugally.

*A note from Stephanie: I mention a ridiculous amount of companies in today’s show. None of them are sponsored!

 

Here’s a preview:

[6:00] Home is where the heart is, so open up your home!

[10:30] Pizza? Cocktails? Manicures? Learn how make/do what you love, but better

[...

Disconnecting

Work emails. Social media notifications. Weather alerts. The constant news cycle.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos of endless distractions. Yet research has shown that information overload can lead to mental exhaustion, reduced cognitive function, and an inability to make sound decisions. On the other hand, intentional disconnection has the power to enhance creativity and productivity. It improves overall well-being, too.

On today’s show podcaster Diane...

Can We Have Kids And Nice Things?

Can a white couch and a toddler coexist?

Research finds that environment impacts well-being, and we shouldn’t have to wait 18 years to enjoy our homes.

On today’s show, we address the age-old question: Can we have kids and nice things? The answer is yes; here’s how.

 

Here’s a preview:

[6:00] Hey you. (Yes, you!) You don’t have to wait 18 years to enjoy your home

[21:00] Don’t invest in expensive accents and accessories! Go big on the timeless staples, instead

[25:00] Making a case for proudly u...

The Low-Tox Life

Living the low-tox life can seem expensive and out of reach. But it doesn’t have to be.

On today’s show podcaster Regan Nelson suggests 7 research-backed ways to reduce your exposure to toxins that just so happen to *also* be free.

 

Here’s a preview:

[10:00] Lead! Pesticides! Here’s what’s on the bottom of your shoes

[14:00] Sure, this household staple is convenient (but it’s also bisphenol- and phthalate-laden)

[19:00] Be wary of these “regrettable substitutions”

[26:00] Are you still using pr...

Lights Out

Fossil fuels power our modern lives, and yet fossil fuels are also powering global warming. Because many of us lack the self-sufficient skills necessary to survive an extended power outage event, we are one thing and one thing only: vulnerable.

We have become over-reliant on the very thing that’s destroying our planet and perhaps ourselves. On today’s show: Imagining the ways in which modern life, interpersonal connections, well-being and more would change in a hypothetical, fossil fuel-free wor...