Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

If staunch minimalism feels too extreme, but you want to declutter your house to alleviate some stress, this is the podcast for you. Shannon Leyko's style is like having your best friend in your ear, helping you get past those tough mental roadblocks that are keeping you from decluttering the things you don't need. From New York Times bestselling authors to everyday people in the trenches of life, Shannon's guests give practical tips and mindset advice for intentional living and self-improvement. Listen to Paring Down if you've ever asked yourself... Where do I start decluttering my house? Where do I start decluttering when overwhelmed? How do I declutter if I have ADHD? What if I end up needing something I decluttered? How can I stop shopping my shopping addiction? How do I stop being stressed? How do I keep my house clean? How do I tidy my room? How do I get my husband or wife to declutter? How many toys should a child have? How can I save money? What is minimalism? How can I be a minimalist with kids? What should I declutter first? How can I be a conscious consumer? Find more of Shannon's work: Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.shannonleyko.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shannonleyko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@shannon_leyko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@shannonleyko⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.facebook.com/shannonleyko.paringdown⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Weekly Newsletter: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The L.E.S.S. Express⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Substack: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog & Additional Support (free trial!)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PARING DOWN RESOURCES⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (free checklist, hacks, worksheet, & more!)

Episodes

197: Decluttering Collectibles, Who I'd Switch Lives With, & Bribing Children

August 13, 2026 • 14 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What about collectibles? Hubby collects…everything? 2. If you could switch lives with anyone for a day, who would it be? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @OkeeDokeeBros  MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: How to Declutter When You're a Collector (YouTube video) PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for m...
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196: Ivy League Attorney Advice on How to Advocate for Your Health with Rayna Rayford

August 12, 2026 • 45 mins
Attorney Rayna Reid Rayford and I are old friends from Miss New York, and she’s become a powerful force for maternal advocacy. Today, you’ll hear how Rayna turned her own terrifying pregnancy experience into a nonprofit that's changing how women advocate for themselves in the doctor's office. In this episode, you'll learn: Practical tools for advocating for yourself at medical appointments, from tracking symptoms t...
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195: How Decluttering Reflects Our Values

August 11, 2026 • 45 mins
If you want to get in the mood to declutter, look no further than this episode! Today, I’m doing something a little different by sharing an episode I did on the Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast with Emily McDermott. We talk about how decluttering reflects our values and practical ideas for reducing the amount of things in your home. EMILY MCDERMOTT: Moms Overcoming Overwhelm podcast⁠ IG: ⁠@simplybyemmy PARING DOWN ...
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194: When Do I "Arrive" at Decluttered?, Scheduling Around PMDD, & Living in the Grey

August 6, 2026 • 17 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I’ve been at it for so long but still feel far from minimal/pared down enough- when do I arrive? 2. Tell us more about PMDD and how you schedule your time around it Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠O’keeffe 30 spf chapstick - orange tube MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 137: Knowing When You've Decluttered En...
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193: Building an Empire of 10 Million Followers While Living with Chronic Illness with Rachel Farnsworth

August 5, 2026 • 60 mins
Rachel Farnsworth is an absolute force with over 10 million social media followers and her wildly successful brand, The Stay at Home Chef. But her chronic health journey is a story so wild it's hard to believe it's real. She gives us an inside look at her struggle with Addison’s disease, how she lost the ability to walk and swallow, and what’s led to her recent recovery. Rachel shares why she chose to build her busine...
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192: A Better Way to Plan Your Fall & School Year with Danielle McGeough

August 4, 2026 • 54 mins
If the busyness of the start of fall and a new school year stresses you out, today’s conversation with Danielle McGeough is for you!  We cover: The difference between burnout and demoralization How to figure out what actually matters to our families Practical systems for managing school paper  How to prioritize activities and commitments  …and more. Don’t let the new school...
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191: Decluttering Computer Files, My Favorite Way to Vacation, & the Savannah Bananas

July 30, 2026 • 14 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. Do you have any advice on decluttering and organizing files on a computer? 2. What’s your favorite way to vacation with your family? Listener recommendation of the week: Emily Ley - Simplified MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 74: Removing the Chaos from Our Email Accounts & Desktops with Shawn Lemon The Savannah Bananas: @thesavbanana...
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190: Shocking Things that Bring People to the Emergency Room with Dr. J Mack Slaughter

July 29, 2026 • 55 mins
I sat down with Dr. J Mack Slaughter—ER physician, former boy band member, and one of my favorite follows on social media—for a conversation that's equal parts entertaining and genuinely lifesaving. Here's what I learned, and what you'll take away too: Which common situations usually don't require an ER visit (and the specific warning signs that mean you should go immediately) The most avoidable dangers that s...
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189: Environmentally Friendly Decluttering—from Recycling Razor Blades to the Truth About Greenwashing with Tom Szaky of TerraCycle

July 28, 2026 • 59 mins
This is such a fascinating episode for anyone who wants to declutter while being mindful about the environment! I’m joined by Tom Szaky, founder and CEO of TerraCycle, who gives us a behind-the-scenes look at recycling and his unique approach to reducing waste. We get into the truth about greenwashing, how TerraCycle recycles unique items like cigarette butts, diapers, and razor blades, and even how mindful consumption has a...
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Getting Past the "Wasted Money" When Decluttering (Summer Saturday Throwback)

July 25, 2026 • 45 mins
If you struggle with decluttering because it feels like watching bags of money go out the door, then this episode is for you! In it, I share not only helpful mindset shifts, but practical ways that decluttering actually helps us financially in the long run. PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The L.E.S.S. Express⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...
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188: How to Request Money Instead of Gifts, Homemade Chai Lattes, & Washing Scrunchies

July 23, 2026 • 14 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What’s the best way to ask for money for a gift instead of stuff? 2. How do you make your chai lattes? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Away luggage MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Email Chai Chat submissions to paringdownpodcast@gmail.com Gift Request Template TAZO Chai Latte Concentrate PARING DOWN (SHANNON LE...
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187: Opening Up About My Health: Postpartum Struggles, Weight Fluctuations, PMDD and More

July 22, 2026 • 43 mins
I'm kicking off a brand new 10-week series on health for these Good Stuff episodes—what do we want to fill our lives with? Health seems like a great option to me! Before we dive in with an impressive array of expert guests in this series, I wanted to start with a vulnerable solo episode about my own health journey—physical, mental, and everything in between. If you've ever felt like health talk online is more about h...
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186: Decluttering Your House is Only the Beginning of a Better Life with Suzanne Searcy Johnson

July 21, 2026 • 54 mins
You know this one will be good because it’s the second time we’re welcoming Suzanne Searcy Johnson to the podcast! This time, we dig into why decluttering is only the first step toward a simpler life, and what it really takes to enjoy life beyond the clutter. In this episode, you'll learn: Why organizing your space can be its own subtle form of control, and how to recognize when decluttering has become the end goal...
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Curating Simple & Ethical Wardrobes with Lacey Woodroof (Summer Saturday Throwback)

July 18, 2026 • 69 mins
I don't know about you, but I want getting dressed to feel easy. Our guest, Lacey Woodroof of Basic (abasicshop.com), speaks to the heart of why women's fashion can be such a pain, and offers creative and practical ways to start dressing in a less overwhelming, more sustainable manner. LACEY WOODROOF Basic Instagram: ⁠@abasicshop ⁠ Lacey Woodroof Instagram: ⁠@laceymwoodroof ⁠ Basic Website: ⁠www.abasicshop.com⁠ Color Remover:...
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185: What to Do with Kid 3D Artwork, My Original Career Goal, & Preconceived Notions

July 16, 2026 • 14 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do I do with kids artwork when the artwork is 3D– lots of dioramas and sculptures! 2. What was your original career goal? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Hanna Seymour’s The Weekly One podcast⁠ Ep 122: How to Create Life-Changing Habits with Hanna Seymour Ep 8: What the Bible Says About Our Stuff...
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184: How Bike Bus World Brings Back the '80s Community Vibe with Sam Balto

July 15, 2026 • 48 mins
Who wouldn't want to ride their bike to school with Benson Boone or Zara Larsson?? In this super fun episode that wraps up our mini-series on community, Sam Balto, founder of Bike Bus World, shares how bike buses help kids get to school while building stronger, more connected communities. Even if you don't want to head up a bike bus (maybe you'll want to after listening!), this episode is full of inspiring reminders that getting...
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183: How to Not Get Distracted When Decluttering

July 14, 2026 • 45 mins
Does decluttering take forever because you reminisce, try things on, or end up tidying in a different room where you went to put something away? In this episode, I break down the reasons we get distracted mid-decluttering and offer 10 practical strategies to stay on track. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Get on my book list HERE Ep 171: How to Organize Your Home So It Actually Stays Organized (Macro vs. Micro Organizing) Ep 121: Wh...
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Decluttering Photos on Our Phones and In Our Homes (Summer Saturday Throwback)

July 11, 2026 • 46 mins
You only get to find out how many photos are on my phone if you listen to the podcast! Haha...but seriously, it's embarrassing. I'm learning right along with you in this episode, offering strategies for how to go through an overwhelming number of photos, and best ways to organize them once we declutter. We also dive a bit deeper into the importance of photos. How can we be intentional about preserving memories instead of picking...
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182: Not Knowing the Value of Items You're Decluttering, My Weirdly Fast Engagement, & Grifters

July 9, 2026 • 17 mins
Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. What do you do with items that you’re not sure the value of, like old basketball cards or jewelry? 2. How did you meet your husband and how long did you date before getting engaged? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Secrets of the Bees on Disney+ PARING DOWN (SHANNON LEYKO): Sign up for my newsletter! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠...
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181: How Intergenerational Relationships Boost Happiness, Health & Perspective

July 8, 2026 • 40 mins
Our world tends to separate us by age—through retirement communities, social media algorithms, and workplace culture. Is this problematic? In this episode, I do a deep dive into what we gain when we spend time with people of a different generation than ours, as well as what we lose when we stop separate ourselves. You'll learn: • Why Western culture has become so age-segregated, and how income, living arrangements, a...
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