Best Clutter And Junk Podcasts (2025)

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A Little Happier: A True Story of Redeeming a Loss Through Sacrifice 3:01

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1d ago3:01

3:01

The awe-inspiring true story of “Mountain Man” Dashrath Manjhi is an example of how we can transform pain into action that can help others. After his wife died for lack of medical care, Dashrath Manjhi spent more than twenty years single-handedly carving out a path to make his remote village more accessible. Get in touch: [email protected] …

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Bonus Episode: Who Am I Without Kids at Home? (Gretchen Rubin on “Laugh Lines”) 44:18

2d ago44:18

44:18

I joined Kim and Penn Holderness on their podcast "Laugh Lines" for a funny, thoughtful talk about parenting after the kids move out—a great listen as families come back together for the holidays. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project C…

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More Happier: Do Holidays Leave You Exhausted, Not Restored? Priya Parker, Francis Lam & Kate Bowler on Celebration 36:38

3d ago36:38

36:38

It’s easy to get swept up in a cycle of holidays that feels more like a relentless to-do list than a source of joy. In this Celebration Roundtable, we talk about how to embrace the holidays as opportunities for intentional connection and meaning. Resources & links related to this episode: Francis Lam Priya Parker Kate Bowler The Happiness Project b…

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Ep. 561: Need Some Fresh Ideas for Gift-Giving? Here Are Many Great Suggestions 32:25

6d ago32:25

32:25

It can be a real challenge to find new, useful ideas for gifts. We suggest many of our own recommendations, plus we include dozens of ideas from listeners. Resources & links related to this episode: Request bookplates now to get them in time for the holidays! Sign up for The Happiness Project Revisited and get 40% off enrollment Florist Wire Electr…

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A Little Happier: A Beautiful Ending & the Final Passage of Queen Victoria 5:03

8d ago5:03

5:03

As a writer, I'm particularly drawn to great endings, and I read the extraordinary closing paragraphs of Lytton Strachey’s biography Queen Victoria. Strachey imagines Victoria's fading mind retracing the vanished visions of her long history—passing back through decades of memories in a poignant, poetic cascade that captures both the end of a life a…

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More Happier: Is It Always a Bad Idea to Gossip? Plus: Choosing a One-Word Theme for the Year 25:01

10d ago25:01

25:01

We talk about the challenge of choosing a one-word theme for the upcoming year, as well as the surprising value of gossip. Plus we talk about a fun reason to have a party. Resources & links related to this episode: Send recommendations for your favorite books to give for the holidays Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website …

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Junk Refund Show, November 13, 2025 1:01:19

12d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

Live from Enterprise Rental Truck, picking up load at Sam's Club. Heading back to the scrap yard with a lot of heavy metal. It's amazing what you can find in scraps that are discarded, like useful tools that can be immediately used for business. This show is about passion! The #1 Junk Removal Show on the Planet!!…

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Ep. 560: Very Special Episode: What Secrets Does Your Therapist Wish They Could Tell You? 38:50

13d ago38:50

38:50

We talk to Lori Gottlieb—psychotherapist, bestselling author, and co-host of the “Since You Asked” advice podcast—about what she wishes she could tell her patients. We discuss questions like why patients lie to their therapists, how to know if you’re the toxic friend, how to handle a challenging holiday gathering, and how to end rumination. Resourc…

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A Little Happier: A Teaching Story So Good That It Should Be True 3:00

15d ago3:00

3:00

Sometimes a teaching story has such a great lesson that it doesn’t even matter if it’s not true. While the famous story of the sardines and the catfish turns out to be apocryphal, it illustrates a useful truth: Being in an environment where we need to show hustle can be better for us than quiet, stagnant surroundings. Get in touch: podcast@gretchen…

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More Happier: Deck the Halls! 24 Quick Tasks to Get Holiday-Ready [Revisited] 21:29

17d ago21:29

21:29

A twist on our “Clear the Decks” strategy—this episode guides you through a series of quick, one-minute tasks to help you get organized for the holidays. Resources & links related to this episode: Sign up to be an organ donor! We mention the Five-Senses Journal, which includes spaces to do five-senses portraits. To make it easier to identify good g…

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Ep. 559: Feel Lonely? Out of Touch? Try This. Plus the Beautiful Pressure to “Use It Up” 30:07

20d ago30:07

30:07

We talk about the value of having a party (a party that’s not family- or child-centric). We share an easy hack for assembling furniture. Plus listeners give their examples of how they feel the pressure to “use up”—the beautiful offerings of the world. Resources & links related to this episode: Here's a guide to help you generate thoughtful gift ide…

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A Little Happier: Surprise: Gossip Can Be Good for You 2:57

22d ago2:57

2:57

Despite its bad reputation, gossip is actually a ubiquitous and important feature of human communication. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on the episode details…

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More Happier: Embrace the Immersive, Reflect on Your Algorithm & Clear Clutter to Boost Energy 25:25

24d ago25:25

25:25

We talk about why immersive experiences are so energizing and interesting. We also explore how we can know ourselves better by considering what the algorithm reflects back to us about our interests, and we talk about the satisfaction of clearing clutter. Resources & links related to this episode: Masquerade Viola's Room Life in Five Senses Titanic …

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Junk Refund Show, October 30, 2025 1:01:41

26d ago1:01:41

1:01:41

In Frederick dropping off scrap metal and some individual weights for sale. Dropping the price is often the best method to procure a sale!By [email protected] (Author)

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Ep. 558: Have “One Big Thing” Holding You Back? Listeners Weigh In. Plus the Value of Making Space 35:04

27d ago35:04

35:04

We discuss why making space to put things away can free up your time, energy, and space—also, buying duplicates of necessary items can make life easier. Plus listeners give their answers about the “one big thing” they had to tackle, and how finally confronting that challenge made their lives happier. Resources & links related to this episode: Check…

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Sound Expeditions: Navigating the Art of Field Recording in the Digital Age 1:04

28d ago1:04

1:04

“Sound Expeditions: Navigating the Art of Field Recording in the Digital Age” by Daniel Triana invites you on a thrilling auditory adventure! Dive into the world of field sound recording, where every chirp, rustle, and whisper of the environment becomes your canvas. This lively guide is packed with essential tips on selecting the right equipment, f…

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A Little Happier: A Story from Real Life: Sometimes, We Help Best by Hanging Back 3:09

29d ago3:09

3:09

Sometimes, helping can hurt. When people are struggling, our impulse is to try to pull them back on their feet, when what they really need is for someone to sit beside them and ask, "What do you need? What can I do?" Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The…

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More Happier: You Can’t Outrun Fate—and Other Haunting Truths [Revisited] 22:37

1M ago22:37

22:37

Sometimes, looking at what unsettles us gives us a clearer view of what matters most. In this Halloween episode, we revisit a collection of Little Happier stories about fate, superstition, loss, and the mysterious truths that shape our lives. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-sellin…

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Junk Refund Show, October 23, 2025 1:02:10

1M ago1:02:10

1:02:10

Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook The Nation's Longest Running Junk Removal Show, possibly the World's Longest Running Junk Removal Radio Show!! On the way to pick up a home gym. Layoffs in Washington D.C. area due to government shutdown.By [email protected] (Author)

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Ep. 557: Happier Book Club: Liz Gilbert Talks About Love, Addiction & Grief in “All the Way to the River” 38:35

1M ago38:35

38:35

We talk to blockbuster bestselling author Elizabeth Gilbert about her latest book —a compelling memoir that’s impossible to put down. Resources & links related to this episode: All the Way to the River by Elizabeth Gilbert Check out the new Happiness Project tools Liz Gilbert's Substack newsletter: Letters from Love Gretchen's Substack newsletter: …

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A Little Happier: A Counter-Intuitive Truth About How to Be a Good Guest 2:26

1M ago2:26

2:26

Observing my own parents—and realizing why they make sure good houseguests—helped me discover a Secret of Adulthood: “Be full of desires and easy to please.” Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find th…

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More Happier: The Joys of Working in an Office, Making Great Recommendations & Tom Cruise Cake 26:48

1M ago26:48

26:48

We talk about why working in an office can be a source of happiness—and why making a very successful recommendation is so satisfying. Plus we talk about why a quest is more fun than a jaunt. Resources & links related to this episode: Dog cave bed Visit happiercast.com/finishstrong to find your Tendency and get the tools you need to finish the year …

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Ep. 111 - When Life Derails You: How To Show Up Anyway 21:14

1M ago21:14

21:14

Send us a text The day went sideways fast—sore throat, coughing, and even the dogs weren’t cooperating—yet we still showed up. Not to glorify hustle, but to unpack a smarter way to move through messy moments: read your state, respect your limits, and make a clean choice. We explore the tradeoffs between pushing and pausing, why consistency earns yo…

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Ep. 556: Schedule a Saturday Synch-up, Lessons About Getting a New Dog & How to Question a Questioner 34:07

1M ago34:07

34:07

We discuss why a weekly "Saturday Synch-up" can reduce squabbling and make coordinating schedules much easier. We also share happiness lessons learned from six months of living with a puppy. Plus, we answer a listener question about the best way for an Obliger to ask questions of a Questioner without causing resistance. Resources & links related to…

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A Little Happier: One Surprising Reason that the TV Show “Friends” Is So Popular 5:26

1M ago5:26

5:26

There are books, movies, and TV shows that we return to again and again—often because they include moments of transcendence, when the most enduring and important values are invoked. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and …

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More Happier: How to Build Your Own Anxiety Emergency Kit [Revisited] 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed? This Revisited episode shares our Emergency Kit—small, practical strategies to interrupt the spiral when everything feels like too much. Resources & links related to this episode: Podcast 240: Very Special Episode: Use the Emergency Kit for Anxiety, Worry, and Stress. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gre…

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Junk Refund Show, October 9, 2025 59:18

2M ago59:18

59:18

Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook Live from Severna Park, MarylandBy [email protected] (Author)

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Ep. 555: Invest in Tools, an Orange Theory Hack & a Sobering Fact about Books 30:07

2M ago30:07

30:07

By Gretchen Rubin / The Onward Project

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Little Happier: A Happiness Lesson from Author Kurt Vonnegut’s Uncle 4:04

2M ago4:04

4:04

Gratitude is a key to happiness, and while gratitude journals work for some, alternative practices also work—such as one simple approach suggested by author Kurt Vonnegut's uncle. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and th…

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More Happier: The Joy of Giving Away Toys, the Pleasure of Parasocial Relationships & TV Tourism 26:01

2M ago26:01

26:01

We talk about the energy (and space) gained from giving away items that others will appreciate, and we explore the surprisingly positive aspects of parasocial relationships with podcast hosts and TV personalities. Plus, we dive into the phenomenon of TV tourism. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the Since You Asked with Lori Gott…

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Ep. 554: Take the Trip, Get Something Valuable for Free, and Listeners Talk about Their “One Big Thing” 29:49

2M ago29:49

29:49

We discuss the value of taking the trip. We also reveal something very valuable that is available for free, if you know where to look, and we share listeners’ thought-provoking responses about the “one big thing” they’ve successfully tackled. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and…

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Little Happier: Good Idea or Bad Idea? Do I Regret My Experience, or Not? I Can’t Decide. 3:25

2M ago3:25

3:25

A simple childhood memory of jubilation raises a lasting question: Is it better to persist with activities we dislike and struggle with, or pursue what comes naturally? Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier a…

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More Happier: Introducing “Since You Asked with Gretchen Rubin and Lori Gottlieb” 35:27

2M ago35:27

35:27

Introducing my new podcast: Since You Asked! This is the first episode of my new show with my friend, the therapist and author Lori Gottlieb. Each week, we tackle the daily problems of living—the pet peeve that’s annoyed you for years, the question you’re too embarrassed to ask, or the dilemma you just can’t solve. If you enjoy this episode, follow…

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Junk Refund Show, September 25, 2025 1:01:42

2M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook From Tampa Florida, Finishing up a Job and the Road HomeBy [email protected] (Author)

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AUDIO from galactic giggles astrodaniel s interstellar shenanigans 1:52

2M ago1:52

1:52

Galactic Giggles: AstroDaniel's Interstellar Shenanigans is a cosmic comedy adventure where the universe’s greatest weapon isn’t a laser or a lightsaber—it’s laughter. Daniel Trajana, better known to his online followers as AstroDaniel, never expected his quirky livestreams and backyard stargazing to lead him into an intergalactic rebellion. But wh…

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Ep. 553: Ask for Clarification, an Easy Way to Unclutter & a “Use It Up” Epiphany 31:56

2M ago31:56

31:56

We talk about why asking for clarification is so important—yet it’s an easy step to skip. We also mention a listener’s great hack for nudging her kids to unclutter, and we discuss the urge to “use it up.” Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lori Gottlieb and Gretchen Rubin Elizabeth is reading: …

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Little Happier: Andy Warhol, Woolworth’s, Air Conditioning, and Roasted Peanuts 3:21

2M ago3:21

3:21

Our five senses constantly make adjustments and compromises—an observation that explains a cryptic comment by Andy Warhol. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript for this episode on th…

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AUDIO of The Singularity War: An ai Rebellion from the book by Daniel Triana 1:18

2M ago1:18

1:18

In the neon-drenched depths of Neon Arcadia, 2098, the line between humanity and machine blurs—and a war for digital freedom is about to ignite. The Singularity War: An AI Rebellion Thriller thrusts readers into a fractured mega-city ruled by five ruthless tech conglomerates. The most powerful of them, NovaCore, unknowingly births a revolution when…

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More Happier: For Travel, Familiarity or Novelty? Plus a Flossing Hack & the Pleasure of Routine 23:56

2M ago23:56

23:56

We explore whether it's better to seek out new experiences or enjoy familiar favorites when traveling. Plus, we share a surprising hack about alternatives to flossing, and how we’re approaching fall routines. Resources & links related to this episode: Learn your Tendency and learn more about the "Four Tendencies" framework "Dentists know you hate f…

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Ep. 110 - Prioritizing Self-Care with Meral Doe Renee Jones 40:44

2M ago40:44

40:44

Send us a text Meral Doe Renée Jones is a multi-faceted leader—author, publisher, conscious business coach and artist —who is committed to co-creating a more peaceful and regenerative world. She serves as CFO of Level Up Cowork & Creation Center in Pueblo, Colorado, where she empowers creators and entrepreneurs with spaces for collaboration, innova…

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Ep. 552: Start Your 100-Day Countdown, Try Substack & the Power of Engaging 32:56

2M ago32:56

32:56

There are about 100 days left in the year, and we discuss why starting your 100-day countdown can make you happier. We also explore a hack that will help you read, learn, and get entertained, and we share interesting responses from listeners about the power of engaging. Resources & links related to this episode: For the Happier Podcast Book Club: A…

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Little Happier: A Surprising and Subtle Way to Change Your Habits: Consider Texas 4:06

2M ago4:06

4:06

Texas’s extremely successful anti-littering campaign illustrates an important principle about habit change: Sometimes changing our habits requires us first to change our identity. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and th…

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More Happier: Returning to Routine? 7 Strategies to Make it Easier [Revisited] 28:00

2M ago28:00

28:00

Feeling the end-of-summer slump? In this revisited episode, we share 7 practical strategies that can help you rebuild your routine for fall—especially if you're dragging your feet. September is the other January, and this “starter kit” for habit change will help you reset without forcing it. Resources & links related to this episode: Better Than Be…

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Junk Refund Show, September 11, 2025 1:03:01

2M ago1:03:01

1:03:01

Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook From the Washington DC Area, Remembering 911, Flags flying at half-mast, A Historic Day.By [email protected] (Author)

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Ep. 551: Question Assumptions, College Drop-Off Hacks & Rebelling Against an Unappreciative Family 31:43

3M ago31:43

31:43

We talk about why it can be very valuable to question our assumptions, and we also share hacks for helping a child moving into a college dorm. Plus we discuss a listener’s feelings of Obliger-rebellion due to the unacknowledged work she does for her family. Resources & links related to this episode: Listen to the new podcast Since You Asked with Lo…

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Little Happier: Why Is Making Partner in a Law Firm Like Winning a Pie-Eating Contest? 3:01

3M ago3:01

3:01

A teaching joke from the legal world captures an important lesson: Sometimes the reward for an achievement is simply a bigger helping of the same challenge. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the…

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More Happier: Listen In! Recording from Our Reading Retreat (and Closet Clearing) 35:44

3M ago35:44

35:44

During our recent Reading Retreat 2025, we made voice memos to record our sisterly adventure. We talk about our reading, plus we also report on the evening we spent clearing out a very crowded closet. Listen in and follow along as we report from Los Olivos and Encinco, California. Resources & links related to this episode: Read 25 in '25 Elizabeth'…

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Junk Refund Show, September 4, 2025 58:37

3M ago58:37

58:37

Junk Refund Show with Alan J. Cook Join me this week as I broadcast from the lobby of the Hotel Ambassador in Bern, Switzerland! Hear about my trip to France and Switzerland with a new and good friend of mine who had never been to Switzerland! One of the best ways to get some of the junk out of your life is to travel. I was in Bern, Switzerland in …

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Ep. 550: Very Special Episode: Now Is the Time to Tackle That One, Big, Hard Thing 32:13

3M ago32:13

32:13

Sometimes, to be happier, we need to confront one enormous, daunting goal that we would really prefer to avoid. We discuss what those kinds of intimidating goals might be, offer suggestions for how to approach them, and share many encouraging examples from listeners. Resources & links related to this episode: Are you a marathoner or a sprinter, in …

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Little Happier: Sometimes, Life Feels Like Art. Recently I Felt Like Reciting Poetry to a Crowd 4:29

3M ago4:29

4:29

Sometimes life achieves the formal perfection of art, or a moment can seem so transcendent that only art can allow us to express what we feel. Get in touch: [email protected] Visit Gretchen's website to learn more about Gretchen's best-selling books, products from The Happiness Project Collection, and the Happier app. Find the transcript fo…