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

176: When You Have No Energy to Declutter, the One Job I'd Never Do, & Dog Walking

June 25, 2026 • 14 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I'm decluttering with a chronic illness. How do I keep going with no energy? 2. What is one job no one could pay you enough to do? And do you believe in ghosts? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Silk eye mask for sleeping! Get one HERE. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Episode 71: How Growing Up in a Cult Made Me More Intentional...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

175: Combating Loneliness by Rethinking the Suburban Neighborhood with Eli Spevak

June 24, 2026 • 44 mins

This conversation with general contractor Eli Spevak opened my eyes to what's possible in modern neighborhoods if we prioritize people over privacy. We explore how co-housing and shared spaces turn neighbors into genuine support networks, creating the trust, safety, and belonging so many of us are looking for. The good news is that whatever your neighborhood's culture is, you'll walk away from this episode feeling inspired to be p...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

174: Getting Paper Clutter Under Control with Lisa Woodruff

June 23, 2026 • 60 mins

If you feel overwhelmed by paper clutter, today's episode is for you! Lisa Woodruff, the author of The Paper Solution and founder Organize 365, joins me to share her practical approach to managing paper, from taxes to random notes to medical documents. In this episode, you'll learn: • The six categories for sorting household paper, plus Lisa's Sunday Basket strategy • How to build reference binders for medical, legal, and othe...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

173: If Ethical Shopping Feels Too Expensive, Keeping a Loved One's Memory Alive, & Summer Childcare

June 18, 2026 • 17 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I looked at the Basics website for ethical clothing - holy moly the prices? How to even start? 2. How do you keep your mom’s memory alive with your kids? (Mom died @23, 2 toddlers) Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Kin by Tayari Jones Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Ep 37: Curating Simple...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

172: How to Build Community and Make Friends Anywhere You Live with Bethany Roth

June 17, 2026 • 51 mins

Bethany Roth is a military spouse who has mastered the art of building community no matter where life takes her. Since I'm a military spouse, too, we both dig into what it really means to create belonging in new places and why kindness is the foundation of any strong community. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired to reach out, show up, and invest in the people around you. BETHANY ROTH Instagram: @bethanyraerot...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

171: How to Organize Your Home So It Actually Stays Organized (Macro vs. Micro Organizing)

June 16, 2026 • 39 mins

Everyone I know pulls their hair out because it's one thing to organize the house...it's another for it to STAY organized. That's what today's episode is for! I break down the difference between macro and micro organizing, when to use each type, and how to make sure your house doesn't explode 30 seconds after you finally have it looking good. MENTIONED THIS EPISODE How to Declutter Your Kitchen (YouTube video) Ep 77: What If ...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

170: How to Nudge Your Parents to Declutter, Military Wife Life, & Learning Finnish

June 11, 2026 • 14 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I gently encourage my parents to start going through their stuff? There’s so much! 2. Did you know you would be a career military wife when you married your husband? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caroline Chambers Instagram: @carochambers Substack: What to Cook When You Don’t Feel Like Cooking Coo...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

169: Losing Community After Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing Divorce with Mallory Andrews

June 10, 2026 • 56 mins

This is a super vulnerable and real conversation with my childhood friend, Mallory Andrews, about what it means to trust yourself when everything you've known begins to shift. Mallory opens up about walking away from her evangelical Christian community and the recent end of her almost 20-year marriage—and what both experiences have taught her about true belonging. We cover: Why leaving a community can bring both relief ...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

168: Why Playing the Long Game Always Works—Including for Decluttering with Carrie Fabris

June 9, 2026 • 55 mins

Wow—I was blown away by executive coach Carrie Fabris this week on Paring Down! We talked all about how to stick to our goals (decluttering and otherwise). Carrie shares practical frameworks for staying focused on what actually matters, especially when results don’t happen overnight. What you’ll learn: • How to use the “VIBE” framework to prioritize goals and protect your energy • Why burnout...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

167: If You Have Too Much Furniture, My Favorite Kid Age, & Finish-It Friday

June 4, 2026 • 13 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I think we have too much furniture for our house but I can’t figure out what could go? 2. Which kid age has been your favorite? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Finish-It Friday with an "Unfinished Business" Bin MENTIONED THIS EPISODE Effortless - book by Greg McKeown Ep 85: Become an Essentialist with NYT Bestsell...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

166: Can Social Media Build Healthy Community? with Shannon McKinstrie

June 3, 2026 • 44 mins

Shannon McKinstrie is a social media strategist with a refreshingly grounded take on what it truly means to build community online, and this conversation covers it all. We dig into what separates a thriving, supportive digital space from one that drains you. We Cover: What makes an online community genuinely healthy and supportive Red flags that signal a community has become unhealthy How algorithms shape the w...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

165: The 15 Best Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Decluttering Easy

June 2, 2026 • 49 mins

It's much easier to declutter when we filter our choices through certain questions, so I've compiled the best 15 questions to ask yourself when decluttering. Some are famous ("Does this spark joy?") and some are recent viral sensations ("If this had poop on it, would you wash it off or throw it away?"), but I break down why they work (and circumstances when they don't). Choose your favorites from this list and let them help you p...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

164: Decluttering Fatigue, The Time My Son Got Stuck in a Chair, & The Enneagram

May 28, 2026 • 15 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. I got decluttering fatigue after our recent move to a temporary rental. Motivation tips? 2. What is your favorite funny memory in your life? Moment that makes you laugh still? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Benson's Table Tasty Salt Substitute⁠ MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 99: ⁠7 Tips to Conquer Decluttering Burnout⁠ Ep 1...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

163: Why Gatekeepers Always Lose Even Though They Think They're Getting Ahead

May 27, 2026 • 39 mins

It's the WORST when people "hide" information or help because they think it will help them get ahead or gain respect...psychology tells us it will do the opposite. In this Good Stuff episode about filling our lives with community, I unpack why we're prone to gatekeeping and why it ultimately works against us. In fact, sharing knowledge, connections, and resources freely is the key to building real community and personal success. ...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

162: Stop Overshopping for Good and Finally Declutter Your Clothes with Lauren Morley

May 26, 2026 • 48 mins

It's counterintuitive, but a simple wardrobe can actually make your style even better! In this episode, I'm sitting down with Lauren Morley, founder of the 20 Outfit Wardrobe, who helps people simplify their closets by curating just 20 outfits they love and wear on rotation. We Cover: Why no one is paying attention to outfit repeating as much as you think. How to recognize when your shopping habits may have become unhealthy...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

161: How to Get Kids to Clean Up After Themselves, Tech Tools, & Murder

May 21, 2026 • 15 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do you get kids to clean up after themselves without feeling like you're nagging? 2. What are some technology tools that you use to organize your life? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Emesis Bags MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: ⁠Shoe bin organizer Ep 100: Life-Changing Hacks to Make Tech Your Personal Assistant with Am...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

160: Secret Sessions, Friendship Bracelets & What Makes Swifties Different with Olivia Levin

May 20, 2026 • 47 mins

Olivia Levin, New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Us: How the Taylor Swift Fandom Changed Our Lives, joins me to explore what makes the Swiftie community one of the most powerful fandoms in the world. From meeting Taylor at a secret session to selling Eras Tour tickets at face value, Olivia shares how a shared passion can create genuine, lasting human connection. In this episode, you'll learn: Why authenticity ...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

159: The Truth About Decluttering Influencers and How They Get Paid with Elisabeth Beam

May 19, 2026 • 63 mins

This episode is a little different than usual because it's not an official interview...instead, one of my close friends and fellow "influencer" Elisabeth Beam joined me to have a candid conversation about how we navigate the contradictions of decluttering while making it our career. We answer: • Why would decluttering influencers work with brands if they sell stuff...aren't we supposed to be getting rid of stuff? • How much mone...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

158: Burn It All Energy, How to Write a Book, & Bad Dogs

May 14, 2026 • 14 mins

Here's what you'll find in this week's mini episode, a.k.a. Chai Chat! I answer: 1. How do I channel the burn it all energy into something useful? 2. Any advice on how to go from dreaming about writing a book to actually writing it? Listener recommendation of the week: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Paradise on Hulu Sarah Cray - Let's Make Art MENTIONED THIS EPISODE: Ep 109: What to Do with Clothes that Don't Currently Fit Ep 57: S...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

157: Community vs. Friendship: Why Not Everyone in Your Village Needs to Be Your Best Friend

May 13, 2026 • 42 mins

In this episode, I break down the difference between friendship and community, and explain why confusing the two might be leaving you feeling disconnected. Understanding how these two types of relationships work differently could be the key to finally feeling like you truly belong. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why you can't substitute community with friendship (or vice versa) • The science behind "weak ties"—researc...

Listen

Watch

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

iHeartRadio 24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

The Breakfast Club

The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!

Betrayal Weekly

Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.

Advertise With Us

Paring Down: Realistic minimalism, decluttering, & intentional living

Episodes

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;}176: When You Have No Energy to Declutter, the One Job I'd Never Do, & Dog Walking

.css-r6mb8g{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:1;overflow:hidden;}175: Combating Loneliness by Rethinking the Suburban Neighborhood with Eli Spevak

174: Getting Paper Clutter Under Control with Lisa Woodruff

173: If Ethical Shopping Feels Too Expensive, Keeping a Loved One's Memory Alive, & Summer Childcare

172: How to Build Community and Make Friends Anywhere You Live with Bethany Roth

171: How to Organize Your Home So It Actually Stays Organized (Macro vs. Micro Organizing)

170: How to Nudge Your Parents to Declutter, Military Wife Life, & Learning Finnish

169: Losing Community After Wrestling with Faith and Experiencing Divorce with Mallory Andrews

168: Why Playing the Long Game Always Works—Including for Decluttering with Carrie Fabris

167: If You Have Too Much Furniture, My Favorite Kid Age, & Finish-It Friday

166: Can Social Media Build Healthy Community? with Shannon McKinstrie

165: The 15 Best Questions to Ask Yourself to Make Decluttering Easy

164: Decluttering Fatigue, The Time My Son Got Stuck in a Chair, & The Enneagram

163: Why Gatekeepers Always Lose Even Though They Think They're Getting Ahead

162: Stop Overshopping for Good and Finally Declutter Your Clothes with Lauren Morley

161: How to Get Kids to Clean Up After Themselves, Tech Tools, & Murder

160: Secret Sessions, Friendship Bracelets & What Makes Swifties Different with Olivia Levin

159: The Truth About Decluttering Influencers and How They Get Paid with Elisabeth Beam

158: Burn It All Energy, How to Write a Book, & Bad Dogs

157: Community vs. Friendship: Why Not Everyone in Your Village Needs to Be Your Best Friend

Popular Podcasts

176: When You Have No Energy to Declutter, the One Job I'd Never Do, & Dog Walking

175: Combating Loneliness by Rethinking the Suburban Neighborhood with Eli Spevak