What if true happiness isn’t found in material wealth but in something far more profound? In this thought-provoking episode, I spoke with Jeff Golden, author of Reclaiming the Sacred, to explore his decade-long journey of gathering wisdom from psychologists, activists, saints, and poets. Jeff shares how his diverse life roles have shaped his understanding of joy, presence, and interconnectedness. Together, we examine why happiness has declined in industrialized nations despite increasing prosperity, highlighting the vital roles of relationships, health, and self-acceptance. The discussion weaves through spiritual traditions, from Christianity to Taoism and Buddhism, offering insights on how reconnecting with nature and our inner selves can lead to deeper fulfillment. A rich and inspiring conversation that challenges societal norms and invites us to redefine what it means to truly thrive.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Book: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver
• Book: Sensing God: Experiencing the Divine in Nature, Food, Music, and Beauty
• Dr. Kristin Neff - Self Compassion
• Connect with Jeff:
• Book: Reclaiming the Sacred: Healing Our Relationships with Ourselves and the World
• Website
• Jeff's Course: Reclaiming the Sacred - An Experiential 6 Week Online Course

About Jeff |

Jeff Golden, M.Ed., was most recently a scholar-in-residence at Vassar College. He is a former Fulbright Scholar in sustainable development, was awarded the US State Department’s Millennium International Volunteer Award, and has directed several nonprofits dedicated to sustainability and social justice. Jeff has been featured on NPR, USA Today, Scripps Evening News, The Shaun Proulx Show, How To Live a Fantastic Life Environment Times, iHeartRadio, Talk Radio Europe, and more.

Episode Sponsors |

The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!

Enjoy the Podcast?

Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 

Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.

Questions |

• You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

• Checkout the Minimalist Moms Podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.

• If you’ve been struggling with motivation to declutter or work through bad habits that keep you stuck, I’d love to help you achieve your goals! We’ll work together (locally or virtually) to discover what areas in your life are high priority to get you feeling less overwhelmed right away.  For more info on my processes, fees, and availability please contact!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://avocadomattress.com
* Check out Blueland: https://blueland.com/clear
* Check out Happy Mammoth and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://happymammoth.com
* Check out Washington Red Raspberries: https://redrazz.org


Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast2093/exclusive-content

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy