Declutter Empress Radio

Ep. 73 The average American home holds over 300,000 items. What happens when it’s time to let go?

After decades in the same home, moving can feel overwhelming — especially when every corner holds a memory. In this heartfelt episode of Declutter Empress Radio, host Derria Murphy sits down with Jeannine Bryant, senior move manager, author of Keep the Memories, Not the Stuff, and founder of Changing Spaces SRS, to explore the emotional and practical process of rightsizing for seniors and their families.

Jeannine shares expert strategies for helping aging adults simplify their spaces before a move — not just to make room in a smaller home, but to pass on their legacy while they’re still here to share the stories behind their heirlooms. From family discussions about sentimental items to holiday gifting of meaningful keepsakes, Jeannine helps families avoid leaving 300,000 decisions for their loved ones later.

You’ll learn how to let go with love, plan moves in advance, and approach this life transition with peace and purpose.

What You’ll Learn:

The difference between downsizing and rightsizing for your next chapter

How to decide what to keep, donate, or gift before you move

Ways to include children and grandchildren in the decluttering process

Why letting go early helps reduce stress and preserve family harmony

Resources Mentioned:

📘 Keep the Memories, Not the Stuff by Jeannine Bryant

🌐 easyrightsizing.com

📲 Follow @EasyRightSizing on Facebook and Instagram

0:00 Right Sizing: Simplifying Moves for Seniors and Families

6:59 Releasing Sentimental Items and Embracing Memories

13:16 Right Sizing Your Home for Life's Changing Stages

15:00 Letting Go of Possessions and Embracing Emotional Release

23:40 Overcoming Downsizing Challenges with Strategic Planning

28:43 Holiday Decluttering and Family Bonding Through Rightsizing

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Ep. 72 No matter where you decide to move on this earth, you need to know what to do with your things. In this episode, I’m giving you a framework on how to do this seamlessly. These tips will help you determine what to take with you, what to get rid of, and what to leave behind. We’ll talk about everything from storage units, organizations to donate to that will actually use your items, and voltage adapters. (Yes. Voltage adapters! 😊)

Donation sites mentioned in this episode:

Cara Collective |Chicago

Dress for Success  |New York

Salvation Army

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Ep. 71 We’re concluding our Merging Lives series with Coliving in Tiny Homes and RVs. In this episode, I will share how to maximize this living space without sacrificing comfort or personality. So, whether you have considered downsizing or making the most of your current space, these tips will help you create your oasis. From multipurpose furniture to creative storage solutions, you will discover how to transform your living area into a haven of ease and style.

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Ep. 70 College move-in day is exciting—until your “hoarder” roommate fills every inch of shared space with freebies. 😩 In this candid episode of Declutter Empress Radio, Derria welcomes her daughter Anya—a recent college graduate with firsthand experience navigating co-living dynamics during school, including the complexities of pandemic-era housing. From “empty haulers” to "the good roomy" Anya unpacks the personalities you might meet in shared spaces and how to keep the peace.

✨ Whether you're heading to a dorm or your first off-campus apartment, this episode is packed with practical tips on:

Setting and respecting boundaries 🧍🏽‍♀️↔️🧍🏾‍♀️

Managing clutter in shared areas 🧽

Communicating expectations without causing drama 💬

Making your co-living space feel like home—even when it’s shared

💬 "If you're not willing to compromise, you need to live solo." — Anya

Plus, a surprise guest (Derria’s grandson!) makes his debut during this heartwarming and insightful convo.

#MergingLives #DormRoomDynamics #CollegeRoommates #DeclutterEmpress #BackToSchool #RoommateTips #MinimalistLiving #MotherDaughterTalk

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Ep. 69 Housing costs are rising, prompting many to explore co-living arrangements. In this episode of the Declutter Empress Radio podcast we’re continuing our “Merging Lives Series” where host Derria offers insightful advice on transitioning to a shared space without sacrificing comfort or personal belongings.

Discover strategic steps for downsizing, decluttering, and creating a harmonious living environment with a roommate. 

From efficient furniture solutions to setting clear boundaries, Derria guides you on making a co-living space feel like a personal oasis. This episode is essential listening for anyone considering co-living and looking to simplify their life while maintaining functionality and comfort.

Co-living as a Cost-Saving Strategy: Sharing living spaces can be a practical way to reduce housing costs and achieve financial goals sooner.

Decluttering as a First Step: Begin by placing all possessions in one area to visually assess what you truly need and can part with before moving into a co-living situation.

Creative Space Optimization: Opt for multifunctional furniture and creative storage solutions to maximize limited space without sacrificing personal belongings.

Communication is Key: Establish clear expectations and boundaries with roommates to ensure harmonious living and mutual respect.

Flexibility and Adaptability: Co-living is not permanent; it evolves with your circumstances, allowing adjustments and improvements along the way.

Chapters:

0:00 Introduction to Co-Living

2:08 Assessing and Organizing Personal Items

2:41 Evaluating Room Space and Flexibility

3:16 Decluttering: Items to Donate or Discard

4:23 Downsizing Bulky Furniture

5:29 Options for Removing Bulky Items

6:47 Setting Boundaries and Sharing Common Areas

7:59 Recap and Action Steps for Co-Living

9:38 Importance of Clear Communication and Quiet Hours

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Ep. 68 Baby on the way? Don’t let clutter steal your calm. This episode of Declutter Empress Radio gives you the real deal on prepping your space—no frills, just function. From ditching infant socks to setting up stress-free changing zones, host Derria serves up sanity-saving tips for every soon-to-be parent. Listen in before the chaos kicks in! 🎧

Focus on functionality, not aesthetics—your space should support your new lifestyle, not stress you out.

Declutter before the baby arrives to avoid being buried in baby gear later.

Choose multifunctional furniture and rethink your storage to keep essentials close.

Streamline your baby registry to just what you’ll use in the first few months.

Build systems that support your day-to-day routines instead of chasing picture-perfect organization.

Chapters:

0:00 Organizing Tips for New Parents

2:49 Creating Functional Spaces for Baby

5:47 Simplifying Newborn Essentials

8:33 Practical Tips for Minimalist Parenting

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Ep. 67 Moving in together isn’t just about merging furniture and sharing fridge space — it’s about blending habits, histories, and yes, sometimes a few too many stuffed animals.

In this episode, I’ll guide you through simple, stress-free ways to declutter as a team without anyone feeling like they have to give up everything they love.

You’ll discover practical strategies to create a calm, balanced home where both of you feel seen, respected, and comfortable.

Let’s turn compromise into true comfort — and build a space that feels like a peaceful oasis for you both.

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Ep. 66 Spring cleaning isn’t just about gutters and yard work, what about the rest of your home? In this episode, I’ll provide you with small, manageable steps to take to stay ahead of clutter all year round. No perfection is required. You will walk away with just enough to keep your space feeling lighter. 

Ditch the 'just in case' mindset and embrace living in a serene, managed space.

Let’s make decluttering a daily habit, not a seasonal event!

"Letting go of unused items is freeing. It allows you to reclaim your space and your mental energy."

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Ep. 65 🧹 “Cleanliness is next to godliness” isn’t in the Bible—so why do so many of us feel shame about a messy home? If you’ve ever struggled with guilt over clutter, this episode will set you free.

Host Derria welcomes Dana K. White, Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life and host of the wildly popular podcast A Slob Comes Clean.

Her latest book, Jesus Doesn’t Care About Your Messy House is a powerful reminder that your worth isn’t tied to the state of your home. With over 750,000 copies sold, her book is transforming the way people think about faith, cleanliness, and self-acceptance.

In this insightful conversation, Dana debunks the idea that a spotless home equals spiritual success. She shares her personal journey of overcoming clutter, embracing grace, and developing simple, shame-free strategies for maintaining a livable home—without the pressure of perfection.

🎧Key Takeaways

✅ Why the phrase “cleanliness is next to godliness” is misleading

✅ How to let go of guilt and find peace in your space—just as it is

✅ The power of small habits like daily dishes and five-minute pickups

✅ Why decluttering isn’t about impressing others but creating a home that works for you

✅ How embracing grace over perfection can change your entire mindset

With millions of followers and a refreshingly honest, relatable approach, Dana K. White is leading a decluttering revolution—one free from guilt and full of grace.

Listen now and discover how to release the shame, embrace your reality, and create a home that serves you. 💫

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/danakwhite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASlobComesClean/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aslobcomesclean

Chapters:

0:00 Introducing Dana K White

1:20 Debunking Cleanliness Myths and Embracing Guilt-Free Decluttering

2:16 Embracing Creativity and Overcoming Clutter Shame

10:59 Overcoming Household Overwhelm Through Incremental Daily Habits

19:27 Embracing Imperfection and Connection Over Presentation in Home Life

24:00 Simple Steps to Declutter and Organize Your Home

28:25 The One Thing Dana Refuses to Get Rid Of

29:54 Connect with Dana K White

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Ep. 64 Embracing decluttering doesn’t have to mean letting go of our heritage. Discover how to create a cozy winter space while cherishing sentimental belongings.

This episode is especially dear to my heart as I discuss Black culture, our relationship with acquiring things, and the role sentimental items play in reflecting love and resilience. It’s all about finding what feels right for you and creating an oasis space that truly feels like home this season.

About the host:

As a dedicated voice in the realm of home organization and wellness, Derria combines her expertise in decluttering with a deep respect for heritage and the emotional bonds people share with their possessions. Embracing both minimalist and culturally-rich approaches to home organization, Derria offers her audience practical advice on creating your own Oasis Space.

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