What It's Like To...

Interest in "tiny living" is getting bigger.  But what is it, really--what are the benefits, and what do you sacrifice by "going small"?  Tiny house enthusiast Laura Lynch shares what inspired her to trade in her 2300-square-foot house for a home about one-fifth that size; the process of downsizing  ("do you own your stuff,  or does your stuff own you?"); and the wonderfully supportive "tiny" community (of people living in not just small homes, but also vans, schoolies, RVs, and more).  Laura also is a financial planner and helps others with the practical matters involved in transitioning their lifestyles.  Going tiny gave Laura the freedom and opportunities to follow her passions--which she never would have had if she'd been locked in to paying off her big house for years and years. Laura is the host of a podcast called "Less House, More Moola."

In this episode:

02:06--What is tiny living?
05:21--The benefits of having less space
07:46--The process of downsizing: why do I get value out of these things?
11:55--Reasons why people "go tiny": finances, sustainability, simplicity, lifestyle, the housing shortage
14:43--Luxury elements included some tiny homes
15:36--Legalization of building tiny homes
18:50--People of all ages are going tiny
21:12--Focus on your values: what is really important to you?
25:03--Traits common to most tiny living enthusiasts
26:41--What Laura misses from her big house; comparing living in her big house to her tiny house

Want to know more about Laura?

We're revisiting a popular episode from our archives this week! 

It's not easy to get to the top of the world.  It takes a lot of training and determination, a willingness to endure pain and suffering--and no small amount of luck.  Even the most prepared climber can confront a deadly avalanche or fatal turn in the weather.

Our guest, Jeff Gottfurcht, was the first person ever to summit the tallest mountain in the world--Mt. Everest--with rheumatoid arthritis.  Hear his incredible tales of ten years of training (including climbing all of the world's biggest mountains); what a climber eats, sleeps, and wears on Everest (you'll never believe Jeff's diet!); what happened on his summit ascent in a -20 degree windstorm; and what it's like to sit at the highest point on earth.

Jeff also shares the lessons that have shaped his life that he learned while he was "dancing with fate" on Mt. Everest.


Want to learn more about Jeff?

• Check out his company's website: cyberdive.co

Want to know more about What It's Like To...?

Lots of people say they “like to travel”... but most probably can’t claim they're “travel addicts.” Karen Gershowitz has earned that title by visiting more than 95 countries–many of them numerous times!  She’s worked her career around traveling, and is now a travel writer. She has also published two books about her travels. In this episode Karen shares tales from her adventures and gives tips all travelers can use to have authentic experiences--from taking public transportation, to eating at communal tables with locals, to the benefits of "getting lost."

In this episode:

01:50--How and why Karen found a career to support her travel habit

02:48--The genesis and growth of Karen's love of travel

04:47--Tips for finding your way in a new town (take public transportation, sit at communal tables)

08:37--The beauty of allowing yourself to get lost and pivoting when things go "wrong"

12:40--Karen's thoughts on planned itineraries vs. being spur of the moment

15:08--Plan your trip around what you love (food, sports, art, history, etc.)

17:39--Be curious about a place and about people

18:39--Test case: planning a trip for a fictitious traveler

24:39--Tips for traveling in non-English-speaking countries

26:30--Thoughts on traveling solo vs. with friends vs. with groups

27:55--Journaling while traveling

30:30--Places Karen would like to visit, and places she never wants to return 

34:42--Tips for dealing with jet lag

37:20--Becoming a travel writer (books and articles)

Want to know more about Karen?