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Maximized Minimalist Podcast

Maximized Minimalist Podcast

By: Katy Wells
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You’ve decluttered before…so why does the mess keep coming back? You’ve done the checklists, the bins, the late-night cleanouts—only to find yourself right back where you started. It’s not your fault. You’ve just never been taught to declutter in a way that actually works long-term. The Maximized Minimalist is the go-to podcast for women ready to declutter their homes, lighten their mental load, and finally feel in control of their space—and their life. With over 5 million listens and a spot in the Top 50 global podcasts, host and holistic decluttering expert Katy Wells shares a fresh take on what it really means to clear the clutter—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you’re: ✔️ Drowning in laundry and clutter ✔️ Feeling behind on everything (including your own to-do list) ✔️ Tired of organizing the same space over and over ✔️ Or just craving a calmer, more peaceful home This show will help you go from overwhelmed to in control—without the pressure to be perfect. Inside each episode, you’ll get: ✔️Practical strategies you can implement in 10 minutes or less ✔️Mindset shifts to help you let go (even of the sentimental stuff) ✔️Encouragement to quiet the guilt, the “what ifs,” and the mental load ✔️And simple systems to help you keep the progress going You might be wondering: “How do I get my family on board?” “What if I have emotional attachments to everything?” “Why do I declutter and it still doesn’t feel ‘done’?” “Can I really simplify when life feels so full?” These are the exact questions Katy answers every week—with honesty, real-life examples, and step-by-step guidance that actually works for busy families. Whether you’re deep in clutter or just craving a little more breathing room—you’re in the right place. 🎧 New episodes every Wednesday 🎁 Start simplifying with Katy’s FREE guide: https://www.katyjoywells.com/declutter 📲 Learn more at: https://www.katyjoywells.com Ready, Set, Simplify!The Maximized Minimalist 2025 Hygiene & Healthy Living Personal Development Personal Success Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • 322: Too Tired to Declutter? How to Make Real Progress in a Season of Survival
    Sep 3 2025

    Ever finally sit down at the end of a long day, kids in bed, body aching, brain fried, and your eyes land on that cluttered pile in the corner?

    And suddenly, that peace you were hoping for is swallowed up by guilt and overwhelm?

    You’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not failing.

    In this episode, we’re talking about what decluttering really looks like when you’re exhausted, overstretched, and juggling all the things. Whether you’re working full-time, navigating survival mode, or just plain burned out, this episode will help you redefine progress in a way that actually works for your real life.

    We’ll shift from hustle to healing, all-or-nothing to good-enough, and perfection to peace. ✨

    This one’s part pep talk, part practical strategy, and 100% for the overwhelmed mom who still wants to create a home that feels light, even if she’s tired.

    What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why your exhaustion isn’t a personal failure, it’s a systems issue
    • What it really means to declutter in “survival mode”
    • How to redefine progress so it finally feels doable
    • Why “good enough” isn’t settling, it’s sustainable
    • The mindset shifts that create long-term simplicity
    • Tiny, high-impact decluttering actions that don’t require hours or energy
    • How to start where you are, even if that’s standing in a messy kitchen with zero motivation
    Resources & Links:

    14-Day Decluttering Challenge: Your next best step if you want to simplify without the stress.
    Tailored for your energy level and real life—just 20 minutes a day. Use code PODCAST for $20 off!
    👉 Join the Challenge Here (https://www.katyjoywells.com/email-clutter-crusher-challenge234546)

    📱 Follow me on Instagram for bite-sized decluttering tips & real-life encouragement:
    @katyjoywells (https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells)

    🎧 Loved this episode? Forward it to a friend who's feeling overwhelmed—she needs this reminder too.

    Small Action Step:

    Look around the room you’re in and pick one item to let go of.
    Don’t overthink it.
    Just choose, release, and let that tiny win carry you forward.

    You don’t need more energy. You need a gentler plan.
    And around here? That’s exactly what we do. 🙌

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
  • 321: Why You Actually Struggle to Let Go of Clutter (It’s Not What You Think)
    Aug 27 2025

    You’ve tried every checklist. You’ve sorted, purged, and folded your clothes KonMari-style. You’ve even whispered sweet nothings to your donation bin. 😅

    So why does decluttering still feel so hard?

    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what’s really happening beneath the surface when you struggle to let go of stuff—no, it’s not that you’re lazy or too sentimental. It’s science.

    From survival wiring and dopamine hits to something called the “endowment effect,” I’m breaking down the biological and psychological reasons your brain resists decluttering—and how to finally work with it instead of against it.

    This is the episode you need if you’ve ever asked:
    “Why can’t I just get rid of this stuff already?!”

    Let’s drop the shame, ditch the guilt, and simplify in a way that actually makes sense for your real life and real brain.

    What You'll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why your brain resists letting go of “perfectly good” stuff

    • The psychological trick your brain plays (and how to break it)

    • How to stop guilt-based decluttering in its tracks

    • Why shopping gives you a dopamine rush—and what to do instead

    Resources Mentioned:

    Join the 14-Day Decluttering Challenge
    Get fast wins and big results—in just 20 minutes a day. This isn’t another checklist. It’s a total nervous-system-safe, progress-over-perfection approach.
    🎉 Get $20 off with code PODCAST: https://www.katyjoywells.com/cluttercrusherchallenge

    🎯 Come Hang Out on Instagram
    You’ll find more simple tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and messy real life at https://www.instagram.com/katyjoywells

    ✨ Your Simple Action Step:

    Pick one item in your home that’s never used but you’ve been holding on to “just in case.” Ask yourself: “If I didn’t already own this, would I pay to bring it into my home today?”
    If the answer’s no? Time to let it go.

    If this episode felt like a lightbulb moment 💡, would you share it with a friend or leave a review? You never know who needs to hear this message today.

    You know what to do…
    Ready. Set. Simplify. 💛

    Show More Show Less
    14 mins
  • 320: Budget Burnout: Why You Can’t Stick to a Budget (And What to Do Instead) with Brie Sodano
    Aug 20 2025

    Ever find yourself thinking “I should be better with money,” but you’re too tired to track one more thing or clip another coupon?

    This episode is for you, friend. I’m joined by my long-time money mindset coach and financial strategist, Brie Sodano, and we’re pulling back the curtain on the real reason budgeting doesn’t work for so many smart, capable women.

    Spoiler: it’s not about spreadsheets, it's about the mental load you’re already carrying. And no, it’s not your fault.

    We’re diving into the patterns, habits, and “money bleeds” that quietly drain your bank account—and your energy. If you’ve ever opened your credit card bill and wondered, “Where did all our money go?” this episode will hit home in the best way.

    Let’s shift the way you think about budgeting, spending, and what it really means to steward your money without shame or overwhelm.

    🎧 Listen in and take the first step toward using your money with purpose—without the burnout.

    💥 What You'll Learn in This Episode:
    • Why traditional budgeting methods fail (and what actually works)
    • What a “money bleed” is—and how to stop yours
    • The 3 resources you need to manage wisely: time, energy, and money
    • Why tracking spending isn't enough (and what to do instead)
    • How habit blindness affects your bank account (hello, Amazon autopilot)
    • Brie’s trick for saving money without giving up convenience or peace
    • The real reason your budget isn't "working"—and it’s not what you think
    🔗 Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

    🎯 Find Your Bleed
    The best $40 I’ve ever spent. Brie’s self-paced course has saved me tens of thousands of dollars over the years—no shame, no spreadsheet overwhelm, just practical tools that work.
    👉 Get the course: https://home.katyjoywells.com/fyb

    📚 Read Brie’s Book: Cash Confident
    This book is packed with real-life tools for managing money as a modern woman (no finance jargon, no judgment).
    💛 Available wherever books are sold.

    📲 Follow Brie on Instagram
    Get more money wisdom and bite-sized tips: https://www.instagram.com/cashconfidentcommunity/

    💬 Your Challenge This Week:

    Take a peek at your last 30 days of transactions and look for your “money bleed.” It’s not always big purchases—it’s often the daily $20 that adds up without meaning or purpose. Don’t judge it. Just notice it. Awareness is the first step to freedom.

    If this episode gave you an “aha” moment or helped you feel less alone in your money journey, would you share it with a friend or leave a review? Every share helps more women gain the clarity (and peace) they deserve.

    You know what to do.
    Ready. Set. Simplify. 💛

    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
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