304: Simplify the Mental Load via AI with Kassandra Botkin

In this episode, my guest Kassandra Botkin shares her journey from a non-tech mom to creating an AI-powered tool that helps busy moms save time and reduce mental load. We talk about how AI can be accessible and practical for everyday life, and how we can use it intentionally instead of haphazardly. It's all about delegating so we can focus more time on what matters. Links: Kassandra on Instagram Get the App Desirae on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I have another edition of the Minimal-ish Replay series where I'm bringing back episodes from the archives that need a second (or first) listen. Today's replay is with Joshua Becker - it is the second time I had him as a guest on the show and it was a conversation I'll never forget about intentional living. We talked about his book, ⁠Things that Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a more Meaningful Life.⁠ In his book, Joshua details 8 distractions that keep us from living an intentional life, and in our conversation, we talked in depth about two of those distractions. We cover the distraction of fear and the distraction of technology - two distractions I believe so many of us struggle with. Links: ⁠Joshua on Instagram⁠ ⁠Becoming Minimalist Website⁠ ⁠Things that Matter: Overcoming Distraction to Pursue a more Meaningful Life⁠ --- ⁠Desirae on Instagram⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Ruth Chou Simons is my guest. Ruth shares insights from her book 'This Moment Matters,' and we talk about simplifying life, routines, our wardrobes, taking care of ourselves, screen time, and stewarding our time and resources well. Ruth focuses on a version of intentional living that I believe will help you center yourself on what matters most. I hope you listen in and enjoy! Links: Ruth's Website Ruth's Book Ruth on Instagram Desirae on Instagram Sponsor: Zocdoc: Find an in network doctor now at Zocdoc.com/minimalish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm bringing you a Minimal-ish coffee date and answering the questions I like to ask every guest: What is something you're simplifying right now and what is something you're loving. I enjoy bringing you these lighter, fun episodes once a month and I hope you enjoy listening in to this one! Links: Desirae on Instagram Sponsor: Zocdoc: Find a doctor and book an appointment today at zocdoc.com/minimalish Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am bringing you another episode from the archives! Now that we've hit 300 episodes, I'm bringing back an episode I think deserves a fresh replay each week! Today I have the honor of sharing my conversation with Christy Wright. We talked all about balance - what it means and why we are always in search of it. I absolutely love Christy's take on balance, the way it looks different in different seasons, and how we can achieve it. We also talk about to - do lists and calendars and ways we can make them actually work for us. You can pre-order her book here: ⁠Take Back Your Time⁠ Find Christy on ⁠Instagram⁠ Find Desirae on ⁠Instagram⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome back to Minimal-ish for another guest episode! This week I'm excited to be sharing my conversation with Myquellyn Smith, also known as The Nester, all about her version of decluttering that she calls "House Hushing." She has a new book about this topic, and I just love her practical tips for decluttering our homes in a less overwhelming way. Listen in as we talk about for decluttering and decorating your home to create a peaceful, beautiful space, involving your family in decluttering, tips for small space storage and decor, and more! Get Myquellyn's new book - House Hushing: The Simple Method to Declutter and Decorate for a More Peaceful Home  Myquellyn's Website Myquellyn on Instagram Desirae on Instagram Sponsor: Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/MINIMALISH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is part of a new Minimal-ish Mid-week Replay Series. Now that we've hit 300 episodes, I'm digging into the archives to bring back some of my favorites which I will bring you as an additional episode each week. You'll still get new episodes, but I want to bring my favorites back to the surface, too! It's that time of year when a shift in the routine is coming for many of us. Diana Rene is my guest today, and we're focusing on systems that can simplify some of the most overwhelming parts of the season, like the influx of paper that comes into our homes or the amount of school lunches we have to pack over the next several months. We also talk about simplifying getting out the door in the morning. Stay tuned for our new episode later this week where I'll have "The Nester" as my guest talking about hushing our homes! Links: ⁠Diana on Instagram⁠ ⁠Desirae on Instagram⁠ ⁠Podcast Website⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm bringing you an episode unlike our typical episodes here on minimal-ish. For our 300 episode celebration, I wanted to bring you behind the microphone and just share a little more vulnerably about the podcast journey that has spanned the last 8 years. Here's what you'll find: -The actual journey of the podcast: how it started, name changes, my own creative changes along the way. -Why minimalism is still meaningful all these years later. -Three big struggles I've encountered with podcasting. -Four memorable moments from the past 8 years of podcasting. This may be my most candid/ most vulnerable chat yet, so I hope you will sit down with your favorite drink (or do your dishes or take a walk or whatever it is you are doing) and enjoy listening in. Most of all, thank you for being here, whether it is your first episode or you've been listening for years. I'm beyond grateful for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm joined by Mimi Bouchard, and I can't wait to share this conversation with you. We mention a discount code to try out her app, Activations, in the episode which you can find at activations.com/pod. In our conversation, we talk about simple, attainable ways to live with more intention and motivation in your everyday life. Whether you're striving to be more present in motherhood, more fulfilled in your career, or simply more intentional in the way you approach each day, you'll walk away with practical ideas you can start using right away. I hope this conversation leaves you feeling inspired, empowered, and encouraged to take small, meaningful steps toward becoming the person you want to be. About Mimi: Mimi is an entrepreneur, motivational speaker, published author of "Activate Your Future Self", and founder of the app Activations– a modern alternative to meditation. After years of struggling to connect with traditional mindfulness, Mimi created a more versatile, time-efficient option to feel grounded and motivated. With over 100,000 users (including fans like Miranda Kerr!), Activations are unique guided audiosdesigned to be played while you live your life– no sitting in silence required. Her signature approach blends science and soul; rooted in habit formation, neuroscience, and practical strategies while radiating warmth and relatability. Mimi has helped thousands of women feel more inspired, abundant, and motivated, and is creating a new form of “personal development” method that’s both practical and magnetic. Links: Get a 14-day free trial plus a massive discount on Activations: http://activations.com/pod Mimi’s Website Mimi on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I'm sharing 6 questions that help me when my house gets to an overwhelmingly messy point. These questions aren't just about decluttering, because sometimes our house is overwhelming becasue we are in a season that is a little bit too busy for decluttering. I hope one or more of these questions help put you at ease (or help you take action) if your space is currently overwhelming you. Sponsor: Taking care of your health just got easier – start here with Zocdoc: https://zocdoc.com/MINIMALISH Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices