Why do we instinctively add more—but rarely consider taking things away? In this episode, Leidy Klotz joins us to explore the hidden power of subtraction and why our brains are wired to overlook it. Drawing from his book Subtract, Leidy explains how this instinct to add can lead to unnecessary complexity, missed opportunities, and burnout. But this conversation goes far beyond minimalism—it's about rethinking how we approach challenges and choices in every area of life. We also dive into practical ways to shift our mindset and discover Leidy’s unexpected path to becoming a behavioral science expert. If you’ve ever felt buried under the weight of “more,” this episode will open your eyes to the liberating potential of “less".

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Links Discussed in This Episode |

• Connect with Leidy:
• Instagram
• Website
• Book: Subtract: The Untapped Science of Less

About Leidy|

Leidy Klotz is an award-winning professor, international speaker, and the acclaimed author of Subtract, whose groundbreaking research – published in both Nature and Science – has shifted our understanding of how to approach problems and create change. Leidy knows design – the craft of changing things from how they are to how we want them to be. Which, he reminds us, is something we all do every day.

Leidy has given more than 100 invited talks for organizations and universities including Stanford, MIT, and every member of the Ivy League (except Yale). He has been interviewed for Hidden Brain (NPR), Freakonomics, and The Atlantic. And he has written for The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Scientific American, and The Washington Post.

An experienced educator, Leidy has taught thousands of students as a professor at the University of Virginia, including 21 Ph.D. advisees whose designs and teaching shape the world. Diversity and inclusion are core tenets of Leidy’s work, as more than three quarters of his advisees are from groups underrepresented in their respective fields.

Before he taught design, Leidy designed schools in New Jersey. And before that, he played professional soccer.

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!

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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!

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