Podcast
Clutter Free Academy
Hosted by Kathi Lipp · EN
Have you always known you could change the world - if only you could find your car keys on the regular?
Clutter Free Academy is for you. If you want to live clutter free, organized and prepared for anything, this is to podcast you must listen to.
With practical ideas and tons of hope, humor and how-tos, host Kathi Lipp with teach you to live with Less Cutter, More Life.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Overpacker's Guide to Smarter Travel (Without the Guilt)
3d ago00:25:48Tap to summarizeDo you dread packing for a trip? Are you an overpacker who loves having options but hates paying baggage fees? Whether you're heading out for a family vacation or traveling for work, packing doesn't have to be a source of stress and anxiety.In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with author and literary agent Barb Roose—a self-proclaimed overpacker who has mastered the art of smart travel. Together, they share practical, real-world tips that will transform the way you approach your next trip.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeBarb shares her three-part packing philosophy that has revolutionized her travel experience:Pack Early: Starting four to five days before your trip gives you time to think, rethink, and do laundry without the last-minute panicPack Like You Have Amnesia: Create a laminated checklist of essentials so you never forget the items that matter mostPack for Reality: Embrace who you really are—if you need extra toiletries, three pairs of shoes, or compression socks, pack them without guiltRapid-Fire Tips for Smarter TravelKathi and Barb trade their best travel wisdom, including:Why packing cubes are a game-changer for organizationHow to use a cord organizer to keep your backpack from becoming a hot messThe importance of packing 24 hours' worth of essentials in your carry-onWhy speakers should always wear something to the airport that could work for an eventCreating three "anchor outfits" for busy travel seasonsThe life-changing tip about freezing yogurt before TSAKey TakeawaysOverpacking isn't something to be ashamed of—it's something to manage wisely. By giving yourself margin, creating systems, and packing for your real needs (not an idealized version of yourself), you can travel with confidence and comfort. The goal isn't deprivation; it's showing up as your best, most prepared self.
Transcribe →Why the Big Saturday Garage Cleanout Never Works (Try This Instead)
1w ago00:17:49Tap to summarizeIf you're one of the many homeowners who can't park a car in their garage, you're not alone—and you're definitely not without hope. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp sits down with returning guest Tenneil Register, who brings a unique perspective to garage organization from her experience managing inventory for an actual retail store.Why the Garage Is So Hard to TameThe garage tends to become a catch-all space because it's undefined. It's where things go when company is coming, when seasons change, or when we simply don't know what else to do with something. Unlike the rest of your home, there's no "garage inspector" coming to motivate a cleanup—so clutter piles up without any natural deadline.A Professional Approach to Home StorageTenneil shares hard-won lessons from running a retail business, including how to think about garage contents in categories: seasonal items, repair tools, and backup supplies. This simple framework helps create logical zones that make finding (and putting away) items so much easier.What "Done" Really Looks LikeForget Pinterest-perfect matching bins. A well-organized garage is one where anyone can walk in and find what they need. The secret? Clear containers so you can see what's inside, simple labels (even handwritten ones count!), and contained categories that others can understand without explanation.Key TakeawaysUse clear containers – If it's opaque, there's always the possibility the thing you're looking for might be in that box. Clear bins let you scan and move on.Label everything – A 30-second scribble with a marker can completely change someone else's ability to use the space, including future you.Work in small time chunks – The "big Saturday cleanout" leaves you too exhausted to actually organize. Small sessions are more sustainable and effective.Create a "maybe" zone – Tape out a spot for items you can't decide on. By the end of your organizing session, you'll often be tired enough to let go of some maybes.Make it a choice, not a consequence – Deciding intentionally that you need storage more than parking feels completely different than living with the result of accumulated mess.Even improving your garage by just 20% this season will make a huge difference every time you go out there looking for something. Progress, not perfection, is the goal.
Transcribe →When Nobody Wants Your Stuff: Smart Alternatives When Thrift Stores Say No
2w ago00:25:50Tap to summarizeAre you holding onto mattresses, kitchen supplies, or linens because your adult kids might need them someday? You're not alone—and you're not wrong for wanting to help. But what feels like wisdom or generosity might actually be one of the sneakiest forms of clutter. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and Grace Church tackle a question that resonates with so many listeners: How do you decide what to keep for your kids and what to let go? The Real Cost of "Just in Case" Storage Before you dedicate precious square footage to items your children haven't asked for, consider this: you might be making decisions based on a future that may never happen, for a person who hasn't requested anything. Grace shares her eye-opening experience of calculating 10 years of storage unit costs—and the painful realization of what that money could have done instead. A Simple Framework for Deciding Kathi offers a straightforward approach: "I have [blank]. Do you want it? And if so, when?" This simple conversation can save years of storing items that your kids may never want—or worse, items that deteriorate while waiting for their "someday" moment. When Donations Feel Impossible The episode also addresses a common frustration: what to do when thrift stores are overwhelmed and Facebook Marketplace isn't working. From Buy Nothing groups to foster care closets and community swaps, Kathi and Grace share creative alternatives for getting items out of your home and into hands that need them today. Key Takeaways Storage costs (even in your own home) often exceed replacement costs Stored items don't always store well—deterioration adds grief to clutter Your house is not a storage unit; your square footage has value If you can replace it for under $50 and it's taking up real space, let it go Have your favorite donation spots mapped out before you start decluttering It's okay to throw things away—they'll be thrown away eventually Whether you're storing things for adult children, struggling to find homes for donations, or simply need permission to let go, this episode delivers the practical wisdom and gentle encouragement you need to reclaim your space.
Transcribe →Why Your Unpredictable Schedule Isn't the Problem (Your Survival Strategy Is)
3w ago00:30:33Tap to summarizeDo you ever feel like traditional organizing advice just doesn't work for your life? Maybe you're a caregiver with an unpredictable schedule, a mom juggling multiple kids' activities, or someone whose daily responsibilities shift constantly. If you've ever felt like you can't get on top of life because life just won't stay still, this episode is for you.When Every Day Looks DifferentIn this powerful conversation, Kathi sits down with author and speaker Barb Raveling to tackle a question many listeners have been asking: How do you maintain peace and order when your schedule is anything but predictable?Barb brings both practical wisdom and deeply personal experience to this topic. Having spent nearly a decade living with a spouse struggling with addiction, she knows firsthand what it means to wake up to chaos you didn't cause and can't control. From that difficult season, she developed strategies that have carried her through book deadlines, family medical emergencies, and the ongoing demands of a busy speaking and writing ministry.The Top 5 Daily AnchorsBarb shares her "Top 5" approach—five simple, non-negotiable things she commits to doing each day, no matter what chaos swirls around her:Prioritize sleep – Getting the best rest possible given the circumstancesMove your body – Not a specific workout, just intentional movementMake healthy food choices – Working with what's availableSpend time with God – Quality over quantityHave one quality connection – Reaching out to someone who mattersThese anchors aren't about perfection—they're about staying as regulated as possible when everything else feels out of control.When You Can't Even StartFor listeners who feel too buried to even think about five things, Barb offers gentler advice: Do one thing for yourself today. For her, it once started with simply putting on a pair of earrings. That small act of self-care sparked something inside her during her darkest days. Later, it became a daily walk with earbuds in—a simple practice that gave her something to hold onto.The Spiritual FoundationBarb also shares how her faith became her lifeline, not through elaborate spiritual practices, but through simple acts like reading five promises of God written on a notecard each morning. When she couldn't pray, when all she could do was cry, those promises helped her "hold on until she could hold on."Her powerful prayer—"God, I can't, but You can, and I will let You"—offers a starting point for anyone ready to release what they cannot control.Key TakeawaysYou're not crazy for craving certainty—it's natural, but trying to manufacture control often creates more chaosSmall, faithful steps build the foundation for handling bigger challengesGod's plan was never for you to set yourself on fire to keep everyone else warmBefore you can figure out your "top five," you need to figure out what to let go ofOne small act of self-care can be the first step out of survival mode
Transcribe →Revenge Bedtime Procrastination and the Morning You Keep Losing
4w ago00:28:33Tap to summarizeDo you feel defeated before your feet even hit the floor? Does your morning feel like a race you've already lost? You're not alone—and more importantly, you're not the problem.In this encouraging episode, Kathi sits down with bestselling author Jennifer Bennett to unpack what morning rituals can actually look like when life is a lot. Jennifer shares a perspective-shifting truth: everyone is a morning person. It's not about when you wake up—it's about how you choose to begin.What You'll Discover in This EpisodeWhy the cultural idea of a "morning person" has been keeping you stuckThe difference between being an early bird and being a morning person (hint: they're not the same)How even five seconds of intention can change the trajectory of your entire dayWhat "revenge bedtime procrastination" is and how it's sabotaging your morningsSimple, doable ways to prepare the night before for a more peaceful morningThe powerful truth that God is a morning person—and because you're made in His image, you are tooA Morning Mindset ShiftJennifer studied all 200+ mornings mentioned in Scripture and discovered something beautiful: not all mornings in the Bible were easy, but God was present in every single one. From Abraham's difficult obedience to the hardest morning in history—the crucifixion at 9 a.m. on a Friday—morning has always been a place where God meets His people.This episode is for every woman who has felt like a "non-morning person," who has believed that peaceful mornings are for more organized versions of themselves, or who simply needs permission to start small. Whether you have ten minutes or ten seconds, there's a way to begin your day with hope, intention, and the presence of God.Key TakeawaysYou are already a morning person. It's not about the clock—it's about deciding to live the day with hope and intention.Start with a simple prayer. Even saying "Good morning, Jesus" before anything else can set the tone for your whole day.The best mornings begin the night before. Avoiding revenge bedtime procrastination and prioritizing sleep is a gift to your future self.God's mercies are new every morning. No matter what mess surrounds you, His presence is available at the start of every day.
Transcribe →Why Your Bedroom Became the Dumping Ground (And How to Reclaim Your Sanctuary)
Apr 2800:23:55Tap to summarizeDo you find yourself postponing bedtime because the thought of walking into your cluttered bedroom feels overwhelming? You're not alone. For many of us, the bedroom has become a catch-all space—a place where laundry piles up, papers accumulate on nightstands, and clutter hides behind closed doors. Your Bedroom Should Be Your Exhale Room In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register have an honest conversation about why the bedroom often becomes the most cluttered room in the house—even for people who don't consider themselves "cluttery." They explore why we use this private space as a dumping ground and, more importantly, how to reclaim it as the sanctuary it's meant to be. What You'll Discover in This Episode Why 75% of cluttery people struggle most with their bedroom The emotional reasons we avoid dealing with bedroom clutter How to evaluate what your bedroom says about how you feel about rest Simple first steps to reset your bedroom starting tonight The nightstand strategy that creates instant calm Why making your bed might be easier than you think (if you simplify it) The Safety Factor Beyond the mental and emotional benefits, Kathi Lipp shares a personal story about passing out in the middle of the night and the relief of knowing there was nothing on her floor to trip over. Your bedroom should be the safest room in your house—a place you can navigate even in the dark. Key Takeaways Rest is a gift, not just a reward. You don't have to earn the right to a peaceful bedroom by completing everything else first. Your nightstand should only hold items you use daily or weekly—everything else needs a different home. If you're resisting making your bed, you've probably made it too complicated with too many pillows. Ready to transform your bedroom from a stress zone to a sanctuary? Start with just one small step tonight.
Transcribe →Procrastinivity and the Last Two Rooms: A Clutter-Free Q&A
Apr 2100:32:07Tap to summarizeHave you conquered most of your home only to find yourself completely stuck on those final one or two rooms? You're not alone. Those last spaces are almost always the hardest—and there's a reason for that.In this encouraging episode, Kathi Lipp sits down with Grace Church, the community leader of Clutter Free for Life, to tackle one of the most common struggles in the decluttering journey: finishing strong when you've already come so far.Why Those Last Rooms Feel ImpossibleKathi and Grace dive deep into the psychology behind why final rooms become such roadblocks. These spaces aren't random—they're where all your unmade decisions have migrated. Every item you couldn't face in other rooms has found its way here, creating a concentration of emotional weight and decision fatigue.What Listeners Will DiscoverWhy the last rooms represent more than just clutter—they often hold grief, identity, and memories we're not ready to releaseThe difference between productive avoidance and strategic room-hoppingHow body doubling (working alongside others, even virtually) accelerates progress and improves decision-makingThe power of the "minimum viable" approach—starting with your C plan instead of your A planA practical combo approach: 10 minutes of easy decisions plus 5 minutes of hard onesPermission to define "done" as functional and peaceful rather than Pinterest-perfectThe One-Item MethodGrace shares a surprisingly simple breakthrough strategy: instead of tackling the whole room, pick up just one item and fully process it. That doom room is made up of individual items, and one decision at a time adds up to transformation.Key TakeawaysIf you're depleted, you need rest and smaller goals—try 15 minutes or even just 2 minutesSystems beat motivation every time, especially when life gets hardDon't save decluttering for vacation days—small daily progress preserves your weekends for livingFind one square foot of space to clear; your eye will be drawn to that victory every time you enter the room
Transcribe →Why Your House Smells (And You Don't Even Know It): The Nose-Blind Fix
Apr 1400:30:23Tap to summarizeHave you ever walked into someone else's home and immediately noticed a smell—good or bad—and wondered what your own house smells like to visitors? The truth is, we all become "nose blind" to our own homes, and no amount of candles can cover up odors that haven't been eliminated at the source.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeIn this practical episode, Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register tackle a topic that doesn't get discussed enough: how to make your home genuinely smell fresh and inviting. They share real-world strategies for identifying and eliminating hidden odors, plus tips for creating a signature scent that welcomes guests without overwhelming them.Stop Masking, Start EliminatingThe biggest mistake most people make? Layering good scents over bad odors. Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register explain why cleaning beats spraying every time, and share specific techniques for tackling odor sources like drains, garbage disposals, and P-traps that may be releasing sewer gas into your bathroom.The Power of VentilationOne of the simplest and most effective strategies is also the most overlooked: fresh air. Learn why opening windows for just 10 minutes daily—even in winter—makes a significant difference, and why you should run your bathroom exhaust fan 20 minutes before and after your shower, not just during.Soft Surfaces: The Hidden Odor TrapsCurtains, towels, couch cushions, dog beds, and blankets are constantly absorbing smells from cooking, pets, and daily life. Discover how often you really need to wash these items, plus a game-changing product recommendation for freshening fabrics between washes.Creating Your Signature ScentOnce you've eliminated the bad odors, it's time for the fun part! Kathi Lipp and Tenneil Register share their favorite ways to add pleasant scents to their homes—from essential oils in vacuum canisters to the vanilla extract oven trick that makes your home smell like fresh-baked cookies.Key TakeawaysOpen windows for 10 minutes daily and use ceiling fans to circulate airRun your range hood during cooking, not just afterWash towels at least weekly and use borax in hot water for stubborn smellsWash curtains every 3-6 months with cold water and minimal detergentRun bathroom exhaust fans 20 minutes before and after showersKeep guest bathroom faucets running 1-2 minutes weekly to prevent P-trap odorsPut essential oil drops on a cotton ball in your vacuum canisterConsider hypoallergenic scent options for guest rooms
Transcribe →Cleaning Out Your Parents' Home Without Losing Your Relationship (Or Your Mind)
Apr 700:30:55Tap to summarizeIf you're staring down the overwhelming task of helping your parents downsize or clean out their home, you're not alone. Whether it's preparing for a move, navigating a health transition, or dealing with the aftermath of loss, this emotionally charged process can leave even the most organized person feeling stuck. In this episode of Clutter Free Academy, Kathi sits down with Ruthie Gray, host of the Sandwich Season Sanity podcast, who shares her 16-year caregiving journey—including helping her parents transition from a 2,400 square foot farmhouse to an apartment half that size. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why starting with a conversation (not a moving truck) is the crucial first step How to navigate resistance when parents don't want to let go of anything The power of involving a third party like a financial advisor to help set realistic expectations Why "facts are your friends" when the measuring tape has to deliver hard news Creative solutions for handling collections, photo albums, and cherished heirlooms How to find good homes for items your parents can't take with them When to push and when to simply listen to a grieving parent Resources available to help you through this season of caregiving Key Takeaways Start the conversation early. Don't wait for a crisis to discuss future living arrangements and what that might mean for their belongings. Bring in a third party. A financial advisor or other neutral party can help facilitate difficult conversations about what's realistic. Let measurements do the talking. When emotions run high, practical facts about what will physically fit can help everyone move forward. Find purpose for possessions. Helping parents see their belongings go to people who will use and appreciate them eases the pain of letting go. Get support for yourself. Connect with friends who've been through this, find community resources, and don't try to carry this burden alone. Whether you're years away from this transition or in the thick of it right now, this episode offers compassionate, practical guidance for one of life's most challenging tasks.
Transcribe →From Locker Room to Spa: The Bathroom Reclaim That Doesn't Require a Remodel
Mar 3100:27:59Tap to summarizeDo you dream of walking into your bathroom and feeling like you've stepped into a peaceful spa instead of a chaotic locker room? You're not alone. That sense of calm—the clear counters, the beautiful organization, the space to breathe—is absolutely achievable without a single renovation. In this episode, Kathi Lipp sits down with her friend Tenneil Register to tackle one of the most overlooked spaces in our homes: the bathroom. Together, they share practical, budget-friendly strategies to transform this everyday space into a personal retreat. What's Ruining Your Bathroom Calm? Before you can create that spa-like atmosphere, you need to identify what's creating friction in your space. Kathi and Tenneil walk through the five major friction points that steal your bathroom peace: Counter clutter – When reaching for one item means navigating nine others Half-used products – The hairspray you don't love but might use "someday" Towel chaos – Clean, dirty, half-used, and too many categories Medicine cabinet randomness – Duplicate products bought in desperation Homeless items – Hair dryers, clips, and samples without a designated spot The Order of Operations for Bathroom Calm The key to success is working through your bathroom systematically without creating a bigger mess. Kathi and Tenneil share their step-by-step approach: Fast win first: Take out the trash and expired items (you're on a trash scavenger hunt!) Group like with like: All skincare together, all dental together—but only what you currently use Sort by frequency: Daily items get prime real estate, weekly and rare items go deeper One basket per person: Especially crucial for shared bathrooms The reset rule: Nothing lives on the counter that you don't use daily Simple Spa Upgrades That Make a Difference Once the clutter is cleared, small touches can elevate your bathroom experience without breaking the budget: Put counter items on a pretty tray (just like at the spa!) Invest in one set of luxurious towels just for you Add a favorite scent through a diffuser or candle Include a stool or seat for comfort Use attractive containers for cotton pads and Q-tips Add music with a rechargeable lighted mirror that holds your phone Key Takeaways The bathroom requires a different mindset than closet decluttering. Instead of asking "what should I keep?" you're asking "what can I throw away?" This trash scavenger hunt mentality, combined with the reset rule and simple organizational systems, can transform your bathroom from overwhelming to inviting in just 15 minutes. Your homework: Set a 15-minute timer and clear just one surface in your bathroom today.
Transcribe →