Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo
Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo is a podcast hosted by Stephanie Y. Deininger, a professional organizer and productivity expert. It offers tips, inspiration, and a-ha moments on organizing and productivity. The show covers various topics and invites guests from complementary industries like interior design, habit coaching, and mental health. Listeners can find resources and show notes on the host's website.
Episodes
182: Cardboard Boxes in Your Storage Room: Which Ones Are Actually Worth Keeping?
This week on Organize and Cherish, we dig into one of the most common — and most overlooked — storage room culprits: cardboard boxes. We explore a straightforward decision framework for figuring out which boxes deserve a permanent spot in your storage area and which ones are quietly stealing your space. And we talk about what intentional box-keeping actually looks like, so you walk away with a cle
181: Is It Junk or a Jackpot? A Quick Exercise to Find Out If Your Stuff Is Worth Something
This week on Organize and Cherish, we walk through what to do when you pull something out of your storage room and wonder if it's worth something. We chat about how to match your research method to the item and your situation, so you're not spending $200 to find out something is worth $40. And we make sure you factor in your most valuable resource: your time.In this episode, we talk about: This we
180: Decluttering with Purpose: An Insider Look at Where Your Donations Go
This week on Organize and Cherish, we hear the insider tips every donor and thrift shopper should know, from how to sort your items before you arrive to the one department most shoppers always skip. Go behind the scenes of a thrift store donation center, including what happens to items after you drop them off and how seasonality, neighborhood character, and responsible recycling all play a role.In
179: Is It Me or My System? How to Actually Tell What's Not Working in Your Storage Space
This week on Organize and Cherish, we answer a listener question that so many of us have quietly wondered: am I the problem, or is my system the problem? We dig into how to tell the difference but without blame, and what to actually do next inside your storage spaces.In this episode, we talk about:How to honestly assess whether your storage space keeps reverting to chaos because of a habit gap or
178: How to Store Photos, Clothing, Electronics, and Wood So They Don't Get Damaged
This week on Organize and Cherish, we get specific about what your most-kept belongings actually need to stay protected, walk through a practical step-by-step plan for improving your storage environment, and reframe what it truly means to keep something with intention.In This Episode We Talk About:What specific categories of belongings — photos, textiles, electronics, wood, instruments, and holida
177: How Each Season Affects What's in Your Storage Room
This week on Organize and Cherish, we uncover what may be happening inside your storage room across all four seasons, and break down the specific seasonal threats that could be quietly damaging the things you've chosen to keep.In This Episode We Talk About:Why your storage room isn't a neutral space; it has a climate, and that climate changes with every season What summer heat, fall condensation,
176: When the Storage Room Belongs to Everyone (and No One)
This week, we’re getting into one of the most common reasons storage rooms stay stuck: when the space belongs to more than one person. Whether it’s a spouse with a different attachment to things, kids whose childhood memories live in those boxes, a roommate who just has a lot of stuff, or an aging parent whose belongings have taken up residence in your home, shared storage rooms require something
175: Why Your Stuff Goes Into Your Storage Room and Never Comes Back Out
This week we're looking at one of the quietest problems in storage rooms: how things move..or don't. Most storage spaces work like a one-way street: things go in, they get tucked away, and somehow they just... stay. Today we're talking about intentional rotation. The simple idea that what you store should actually come back out into your life, and how building even a small retrieval habit changes
174: Three Conversations to Have Before Tackling Your Storage Room
This we’re talking about the conversations that have to happen before real decisions can. When you walk into a storage room, you’re not just sorting through things, you’re navigating three very different kinds of dialogue. One with your current self, one with your past self, and one with your future self. And once you know which conversation you’re actually in, the whole process gets a whole lot m
173: Storage Room Q&A Part II: Products, Piles, and What to Do When You're Stuck
This week, we are back with more of your storage room questions, and this round gets into some territory we haven't covered yet. We're talking about a product question that comes up constantly: what to do when the stuff in your storage space belongs to someone else, and how to know when your storage room is actually working for you. If you've been following along with the Year of the Storage Rooms
172: Are you keeping that outfit for the unknown special event?
This week, we're diving into how to decide what "special event" items to keep and which ones to let go. We are chatting about more intentional keeping, with key questions to ask when deciding what to keep. We explore the difference between keeping out of expectation vs genuine intention, the stories we attach to sentimental objects, and how to reframe "special" as the people and experiences, not t
171: Is Poor Lighting Sabotaging Your Storage Room Organization?
When our storage spaces feel overwhelming, we often blame it on a lack of organization. But what if the real culprit is that it wasn't enough light? In this episode, we explore how improving illumination can revolutionize the functionality and feel of your storage rooms. Discover quick wins and longer-term lighting strategies to help you finally see your way clear to organized bliss.In this episod
170: Why Letting Go Feels Like Loss (And What to Do With That)
This week on Organize and Cherish, we unpack the many forms grief takes in our storage rooms, gives you practical tips for moving through it, and sends you off with a real action plan for what to do with that stuff this week.IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUTThe many forms grief takes in our storage rooms: losing a loved one, the end of a relationship, the season when your kids were little, a weight yo
169: What People Are Really Asking About Their Storage Rooms Right Now
This week, we are answering the three questions we hear most often when it comes to organizing storage rooms. We talk about storage inside your home and off-site units. Real questions behind the clutter about letting go, about systems that actually hold, and about where to even begin when a space has been ignored for years. In This Episode We Talk AboutThe top three questions we get asked abo
168: What Can I Declutter in My Storage Room in an Afternoon?
Every spring, millions of people pull on their oldest clothes, prop open the storage room door, and make a deal with themselves: this is the year I finally deal with this. They haul things out, sort into piles, maybe fill a donation bag, and then pause, unsure. Then they put most of it back. April is decluttering season, but for storage rooms, decluttering alone rarely works. In this episode, we g
167: What to Store in What: The Simple Guide to Soft and Hard Containers
When organizing our storage spaces, we spend a lot of time deciding what to keep, but not nearly enough time on how we will store it. You may have purchased bins, but it's a mismatch of cloth and plastic bins that seemed like a good purchase at the time. In this episode, we're diving into the canvas bins we fill without a second thought, to the plastic totes we stack to the ceiling, the containers
166: Dear Future Me: Why We Hold On 'Just in Case' (And How to Finally Let Go)
This year, we’re spending time in our storage rooms, like really spending time there. Not just sorting and labeling, but understanding why these spaces become what they become. And if there’s one phrase that explains more storage rooms than almost anything else, it’s this: “just in case.”. So in this episode, we’re pulling apart the “just in case” mindset: where it comes from, why it feels so rati
165: Decluttering Your Storage Room When You Have Intention
Most of us treat our storage rooms like a "black hole" where items go to be forgotten. But what happens when you approach that dusty space with a clear vision for your life? In this episode, we explore how to transition from passive storing to intentionalkeeping. We touch into the psychology of "just in case" clutter and provide a step-by-step framework for reclaiming your square footage so it ser
164: Organizing for the Sandwich Generation: Family, Tradition & Clutter
This week, we're revisiting one of our favorite episodes. As we continue our year-long focus on storage areas, this replay from Episode 107 digs into one of the biggest reasons storage spaces get overwhelmed in the first place: inherited stuff. If you're caught between caring for aging parents and supporting younger generations, you're likely also the one holding the boxes, the heirlooms, and all
163: The Most Honest Room in Your House
This week, we explore why storage rooms are often the most revealing spaces in our homes. We walk through a very quick history of basements and storage spaces, how their purpose has evolved, and why modern storage rooms so often become holding zones for postponed decisions. Instead of forcing dramatic change, we focus on identifying how the space is actually being used right now and organizing fro
162: How to Learn to Let Go of Your Stuff (when you know you need to)
Letting go isn’t just emotionally hard, it’s physically and mentally demanding, too. In this love-and-learn episode, we share a personal story from our own storage space and explore why letting go often feels heavier the longer we postpone it. This episode offers compassionate reframes for when you’re stuck in decision-making loops, helping you look honestly at what items cost you now and not just
161: Big Ideas, No Follow-Through: How Clutter Really Starts
In this episode, the conversation shifts away from guilt and overwhelm and toward something far more practical: the gap between ideas and action. Drawing from real-life experiences both at home and while supporting a nonprofit project, this episode explores how items we genuinely love can quietly turn into clutter when ideas are never translated into clear decisions.In This Episode, We Talk AboutW
160: Organizing & Decluttering the Legacy Boxes You Haven't Opened in Years
Legacy boxes often hold more emotional weight than we expect. In this episode, we walk you through what actually happens when those boxes finally get opened. From surprise and overwhelm to relief and clarity. We share what we consistently see as a professional organizer, how to identify which boxes to start with, and practical systems that help people make progress without regret, guilt, or perfec
159: When Love Meets Limits: Rethinking How We Store What Matters
Storing items from loved ones can feel like an act of love—but when storage becomes unsustainable, guilt quietly builds. In this episode, Stephanie explores how to store inherited and sentimental items realistically, without shame, and how to recognize when care has turned into obligation.In This Episode We Talk AboutWhy inherited items feel heavier than our own belongings The real (often hidden)
158: The Emotional Weight of Storage: What Clutter Does When We’re Not Looking
In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we explore the emotional weight of stored clutter and the items we keep out of sight but still carry with us. From a professional organizer’s perspective, Stephanie explains why storage can feel comforting, how emotional attachments quietly shape our spaces, and what clutter continues to do even when we’re not looking at it. This episode offers compassion
157: Why You Can't Stop Avoiding Your Storage Room and What To Do About It
Not all storage is created equal. Some storage is thoughtful, temporary, and intentional.Other storage is stress, avoidance, and postponed decisions, just packaged neatly in bins, closets, garages, and storage rooms.In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between stalling and storing, a framework first introduced in Episode 114, and taking it deeper, specifically through the lens of storag
156: What’s Behind the Storage Door? A Compassionate Look at Why We Keep Things
In Episode 2 of our Storage Year, we explore the real reasons we store things, far beyond “just in case.”From inherited habits and emotional holding patterns to identity clutter and delayed decisions, this episode helps you understand the psychology behind storage so you can reclaim your space with clarity and compassion.Just like last year’s Storage Series, we’re pulling back the curtain on why s
155: Welcome to The Storage Year
We’re kicking off a brand-new year-long emphasis on one of the most overlooked yet emotionally loaded areas of the home: storage rooms. Whether your storage space is a basement, garage, guest room, attic, or an off-site unit, these areas often hold delayed decisions, inherited items, unfinished projects, and emotional weight we don’t even realize we’re carrying.In today’s episode, Stephanie shares
154: Favorite Organizing Products of the Year: 2025 Edition
In this episode, we share our top 8 organizing products of 2025. The tools we used the most, recommended the most, and returned to because they genuinely work. This year’s list builds on our 2023 and 2024 favorites while introducing new standouts that made a real difference in daily routines.We also talk about why these tools matter, how we update our recommendations, and how you can use each one
153: A Look Back, A Look Forward: What’s Ahead for Organize & Cherish in 2026
As we close out another meaningful year on Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo, we’re taking a moment to look back at how this podcast began, how it has evolved, and where we’re heading next.In 2026, we’re taking everything we’ve learned and focusing on one powerful theme: storage. Storage rooms, storage habits, storage stories - those spaces that quietly collect decisions, memories
152: Why “Put It Away” Works for Some (But Not Everyone)
This week, we share how people react to motivational organizing and decluttering one-liners differently and why that is.In this episode, we unpack why these catchy organizing mantras land differently for everyone, the psychology behind tidy habits, and why a single phrase can’t replace a whole system. We also revisit our 7-Step to Organizing *almost* Anything Framework and explain where this mantr
151: Integrating Heirlooms Into Your Holiday Decor (Without the Overwhelm)
In this heartfelt holiday episode, we explore how to thoughtfully integrate heirlooms, childhood ornaments, inherited pieces, and our kids’ holiday keepsakes into seasonal decor, without drowning in boxes or feeling guilty.Whether we’re living through the sandwich-generation moment, receiving holiday items from our parents, or trying to preserve meaningful memories for our children, this episode w
150: What Do You Want This Holiday to Feel Like? Let’s Create It
This week, we revisit one of our most-loved episodes and expand it for 2025: creating (or refreshing) your Holiday Mission Statement. We talk about defining a holiday season that aligns with what truly matters, avoiding overwhelm and clutter, making clearer decisions, and staying grounded even when life feels busy. We walk through simple reflection questions, real organizing examples, and a step-b
149: When One Search Turns Into an Organizing Spiral
Ever gone looking for one small thing and somehow ended up cleaning the whole drawer or the entire room? You start searching for your missing item, and before you know it, everything’s out, you’re exhausted, and the original thing you needed is still missing.In this episode, we talk about the psychology behind this common spiral, why your brain confuses searching with organizing, and how to pause
148: October Fix It or Free It: Saying Goodbye to “Someday Shoes”
In this month’s Fix It or Free It Challenge update, we focus on shoes. The pairs we swear we’ll fix but never do. We explore what happens when we realize we’re holding onto things that no longer fit our lifestyle, comfort, or identity. This episode dives into the psychology of decision fatigue and identity clutter, showing how letting go can be just as powerful as repairing.Whether you’re declutte
147: 10 Helpful Questions to Ask Yourself When Organizing Any Space
This week, we’re revisiting one of our most popular classic episodes originally recorded during our Organized & Productive days, which is packed with timeless tips and thoughtful questions that still ring true today.We explore ten powerful “end-goal” words that can guide any organizing project: from purpose and usefulness to comfort and adaptability. These questions are designed to help transf
146: Strong Space, Strong Self: Organizing Your Home Gym with Care
In this episode, we explore what happens when your home’s “luxury” spaces like the gym or pantry finally come into focus. Inspired by a long-term client who realized her gym felt dreadful after organizing the rest of her home, we talk about why certain areas only become priorities once we feel grounded elsewhere. We’ll also walk through practical tips for creating a safe, motivating, and functiona
145: Clearing Out the Scary Stuff Lurking at Home
Every October, we delve into a spooky organizing theme, and this year, we’re exploring the mysterious “potions” that may be hiding around our homes. From expired medicine and makeup to old paint cans and forgotten cleaners, expired items can haunt our cabinets, take up space, and sometimes even pose safety risks.In this episode, we explore how to safely declutter these expired potions room by room
144: Taking Stock of What’s in Your Storage Spaces (Storage Series)
In this episode, we continue our Storage Series by tackling the often-overlooked task of taking inventory of what we own. From seasonal bins in the garage to off-site storage units, it’s easy to lose track of what we’ve tucked away. We explore why doing an inventory at least once a year can bring clarity, save money, and reduce stress.To make this practical for every lifestyle, we share three diff
143: Fix It or Free It: Mending My Broken Holiday Village
In this episode, we continue our yearlong Fix It or Free It challenge with September’s focus: broken holiday pieces. As fall decorations came out, we were reminded of our cherished Department 56 Halloween village that had been stored away with cracks and chips. Instead of letting them sit for another year, we finally took action with ceramic glue and repaired the pieces. This month’s challenge isn
142: Collecting With Intention and Without Overwhelm
Collecting has always been part of human life, from porcelain figurines and souvenir spoons to today’s Lego sets, puzzles, sneakers, and Funko Pops. In this episode, we explore how modern collectibles reflect a cultural shift in how adults play, create, and connect with memories. We’ll look at why this resonates across generations, and how to enjoy these hobbies without letting them become overwhe
141: Too Many Choices? How to Beat Decluttering Decision Fatigue
Decluttering isn’t just about sorting items; it’s about making decisions. And those choices can be exhausting. In this episode, we explore why decision fatigue shows up when we’re organizing, how it impacts our ability to make progress, and what strategies help protect our energy so we can move forward with clarity and confidence.In this episode we talk about:Why so many small choices during declu
140: What to Do with Old Cables, Chargers, and Screens
In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we continue the Fix It or Free It series with August’s project: electronics. From letting go of old headphones to tackling the bigger items like TVs and printers, we explore practical, compassionate strategies for clearing out tech clutter. Electronics can be sneaky sources of overwhelm—whether it’s tangled cables, outdated backups, or the promise of “som
139: When Plans Change Unexpectedly
Life doesn’t always go according to plan. In this episode of Organize & Cherish with The Organized Flamingo, we explore how unexpected changes — from last-minute travel to sudden moves or local routine shifts — can throw us off balance.We’ll talk about how organization helps us meet these moments with less stress and more presence. By streamlining what we can control, we create the emotional b
138: How To Prevent Holiday Clutter This Year
The holiday season can bring joy, celebration, and memory-making—but it often brings clutter, stress, and an overwhelming amount of “stuff” too. In this episode, we share simple, compassionate strategies to help prepare your home and mindset before the holiday rush sets in.By picking nonprofits ahead of time, setting up sorting bins that actually work, and letting go of the dreaded “junk in the tr
137: Fix It or Free It: When Cleaning Your Stuff is the Real Repair
In this episode of the Fix It or Free It series, we recap July’s project: repairing and cleaning a travel backpack. We explore how simple cleaning can sometimes be the fix we need, why not every item is worth saving, and how to set boundaries around bags and backpacks that pile up. This is a reminder that caring for your belongings extends their life, but also that letting go is part of the proces
136: The Real Cost of Storage: What Are We Really Paying? (Storage Series)
In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we take a compassionate but clear-eyed look at the true cost of storage. Whether it's a rented unit or boxes in the garage, storage comes with more than a price tag—it requires our space, time, energy, and emotional bandwidth. We explore national statistics on storage usage, how clutter impacts our stress levels, and why postponing decisions might be cost
135: When Helping Someone Declutter Feels Lonely
In this episode, we turn our attention to the often-overlooked emotional experience of helping someone else declutter, downsize, or organize. Whether you're supporting a parent, a partner, or a friend, this type of work—while full of love—can also be incredibly isolating. We're diving into why it feels so heavy, what resources are available, and how to care for yourself as you care for others. If
134: A Powerful Part of Organizing is to Pause
In this episode, we challenge the all-or-nothing mindset around decluttering and organizing. Not everyone is a minimalist, and not every item needs to go in a donation bag to count as progress. We explore the emotional and personal work of deciding what to keep—not just what to toss—and why organizing is ultimately about awareness and alignment with the life you’re building today.This is a gentle
133: June Let It Go & Common Questions (Mid-Year Check-In)
It’s the halfway point of the year, and we’re recapping our Fix It or Free It progress from January through June. In this mid-year check-in, we share what was fixed, what was let go, and what those small choices taught us. We also answer five of the most common questions we’ve seen from listeners and readers this year from how to start when you’re overwhelmed to what to do with inherited items tha
132: How AI Can Streamline Your Organizing Process
In this episode, we’re exploring how artificial intelligence can support real-life organizing, not just as a tool for planning, but as a partner for taking action. We’ll share common ways people are using AI tools to declutter, make decisions, and communicate more clearly with family and loved ones. Most importantly, we’ll explain how to ask better questions so that AI can provide you with answers
131: Back-to-School Chaos? Try These Calm, Sustainable Organizing Routines
Back-to-school season can feel like a fresh start or a total scramble. In this episode, we explore how to approach this transition with compassion, not perfection. Whether listeners are managing their own lives or supporting kids, aging parents, or both, we offer small but impactful systems that reduce stress and bring ease to daily routines. It’s not about doing more, it’s about removing friction
130: The Low-Lift Organizing Task That Brings Big Clarity
In this episode, we’re sharing a simple yet powerful organizing practice that helps prevent forgotten items, duplicate purchases, and long-term overwhelm: intentional labeling and list-making. This low-effort task is a great way to check in with what you’ve stored, bring awareness to what you’re holding onto, and set yourself up for smarter organizing decisions. We also share how this practice can
129: Decluttering Jewelry and Garage Sale Lessons
In this Fix It or Free It series and Community Garage Sale update, we’re recapping what got accomplished in May. From finally tackling that pile of tangled jewelry to hosting the Larkspur Community Garage Sale. This episode is about momentum, finishing what we start, and finding clarity through simple actions. Whether it’s repairing a clasp or parting with boxes of unused items, we explore how bot
128: A Garage Sale Is Just the Beginning: What Sorting Stuff Really Reveals
What if a garage sale was more than just a way to offload old stuff? In this episode, we explore how sorting for a sale—whether or not you actually host one—can offer powerful insights into what truly matters. From free boxes to family heirlooms, we share how the process of letting go often leads to surprising clarity and confidence. Whether you’re prepping for a big purge or just starting small,
127: The Problem Isn’t the Clutter, It’s the Question: Are You Asking the Right Question?
In this episode, we explore why getting organized often has less to do with stuff—and more to do with the questions we’re asking ourselves. Whether it's searching on Google, using ChatGPT, or trying to help a loved one decide what to keep, progress depends on how we frame the problem. We talk about the subtle power of shifting from judgment-based questions to curiosity-led ones, and how asking bet
126: How to Stop Overplanning and Start Decluttering
In this episode, we explore the mindset shift from overthinking to intentional action—especially during the months when decision fatigue and “I’ll get to it later” thinking tends to pile up. Whether it’s a storage bin you keep ignoring, digital clutter you keep bookmarking, or inherited items waiting for attention, we walk through how to break the loop of mental overwhelm and take the first doable
125: The Power of Fixing What You’ve Been Avoiding
This week we reflect on the small but powerful act of fixing a broken wheel on an office cart—and what it taught us about decision-making, resourcefulness, and letting go of mental clutter. We explore how these “tiny wins” can create major momentum in your organizing journey, and how to know when it’s time to fix something, repurpose it, or move on.This is part of our ongoing Fix It or Free It ser
124: Decluttering Together? Know When to Step Back and When to Step In
In this episode, we explore the subtle but important difference between coaching and guiding when it comes to helping someone through a decluttering or downsizing journey. Whether you're supporting a parent, friend, or managing your own stuff, understanding your role can make the experience more effective—and more compassionate.In this episode, we talk about:The difference between coaching and gui
123: Garage Sales: Worth It or Waste of Time? Let’s Break It Down
Thinking about hosting a garage sale but not sure if it’s worth the effort? In this episode, we dive into the real-life pros and cons of garage sales—from the emotional benefits of letting go to the practical challenges of pricing and planning. This conversation explores whether a garage sale is the right fit for your organizing journey and how to make the most of the experience if you decide to m
122: Living for Later? How Future-Based Storage Affects Us Now (Storage Series)
In this episode of the Storage Series, we explore the sneaky ways future-based thinking affects what we keep. From saving items for the “next house,” “the kids,” or “retirement,” we often hold onto things that don’t reflect our current reality. This conversation invites listeners to challenge the stories we attach to stored belongings and offers thoughtful ways to reconnect with what we truly need
121: Using AI to Organize Your Life? Let’s Talk About That
In this episode, we dig into a surprising trend from a recent Harvard Business Review article: more and more people are using AI to “organize their lives.” But does organizing digitally mean we're actually taking action in real life?We reflect on how technology—from notebooks to planners to AI—has always promised to help us stay on track. But in our experience, clarity is only half the battle. The
120: Fix It or Free It: The Power of Letting Go
In this episode of Organize & Cherish, we're diving into March’s Fix It or Free It moment—a month that turned out to be more about letting go than fixing. After trying my hand at repairing items earlier in the year, this month I faced my overflowing fix-it box with honesty and a 15-minute timer. Tune in to hear what stayed, what left, and the big reminders this month brought up about storage,
119: Out of Sight, Still a Problem: When Storage Hides the Clutter
Sometimes, the most overwhelming clutter isn’t what we see—it’s what we’ve quietly stored away and forgotten about. In this episode, we explore how on-site storage areas like garages, closets, and attics can slowly become emotional and financial burdens when they're used as long-term holding zones. These spaces may not feel like a problem at first, but over time, they carry hidden costs—monthly fe
118: Using family stories to decide what stays and what goes
In this heartfelt episode, Certified Professional Organizer® Stephanie Deininger shares how family stories can guide the decision-making process when sorting through sentimental and inherited items. For many in the sandwich generation, decluttering isn't just about making space—it’s about honoring memories without holding onto every physical object. Stephanie offers a compassionate, practical fram
117: When Storage Makes Sense: Smart Reasons to Keep Things
In this episode, Stephanie discusses the often overlooked positive aspects of storage, shifting away from the idea that decluttering always means discarding. She highlights practical and emotionally beneficial reasons for intentional storage, reassuring listeners that storage can sometimes be the best solution for managing life's transitions, preserving memories, and simplifying everyday living.In
116: Who Can Help When Feeling Stuck with Downsizing or Inherited Clutter
When you're faced with a home full of inherited belongings—or trying to help a loved one downsize—it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But just because it feels heavy doesn’t mean you have to carry it alone.In this episode of Organize & Cherish, Stephanie breaks down the different types of support available to help during emotional and logistical organizing challenges. Rather than just listing resou
115: Was It Worth It? Altering a Dress Instead of Buying New
In this episode, we share our latest Fix It or Free It update, where Stephanie transformed a green dress she loved—but never quite fit right—into a skirt. She walks through the decision-making process, the steps she took to find a tailor, and whether the alteration was worth the investment.We also introduces the March Fix It or Free It project, which involves revisiting a box of items she set asid
114: Storage vs. Stalling—Are You Keeping It or Postponing a Decision?
This week we dive into the emotional side of storage and how to recognize when it's becoming a form of avoidance. Sometimes keeping things in storage is about preserving memories, but other times it's a way to postpone tough decisions.This episode helps listeners reflect on why they’re keeping certain items and how to move from stalling to intentional choices. We share practical strategies for eva
113: Storage Series Kickoff: An Introduction to Our Storage Series
Storage can be a useful tool—or a way to postpone decisions. In this episode, the conversation kicks off a brand-new Storage Series, exploring the real costs, emotional weight, and decision-making process behind keeping things in storage. Whether it's inherited items, sentimental belongings, or everyday clutter, this series will dive into the pros and cons of storage and how to use it effectively.
112: Refresh Your Space Without Adding Clutter
Seasonal transitions often bring the urge to refresh our homes, but adding new items without a plan can quickly lead to clutter. In this episode, I share practical strategies for refreshing a space without accumulating excess belongings.Designed for caregivers, those in the sandwich generation, and anyone helping loved ones downsize, this episode provides actionable tips to create a more intention
111: Who Gets What? Navigating Family Conflict Over Shared Belongings
When it comes to organizing shared belongings—whether it’s downsizing a parent’s home or handling an estate—family tensions can run high. Sentimental value, long-standing family dynamics, and unclear expectations often lead to disagreements about what stays, what goes, and who gets what.In this episode, Stephanie shares a professional organizer’s perspective on how to navigate these moments with c
110: When Loved Ones Insist Everything Is Worth Something—How to Handle It
Helping a loved one declutter can be challenging, especially when they believe everything they own is valuable. In this episode, professional organizer Stephanie Deininger shares practical strategies for having compassionate and productive conversations about letting go.With over 20 years of experience, she provides insights into why people hold onto items, how to shift the conversation in a posit
109: Reviving What You Love: The Power of Small Fixes
In this episode, we dive into the Fix It or Free It challenge and how one simple $18 repair brought a favorite work bag back into daily use. We explore why small fixes are often overlooked, how to decide what’s worth repairing, and when to let go of items that no longer serve us. Plus, we discuss how this mindset applies to inherited or sentimental belongings—helping listeners create space for the
108: It's Your Home Too: How to Set Boundaries in Your Space
In this episode we addresses the unique challenges related to setting boundaries faced by sandwich generation caregivers, particularly those in multicultural and multigenerational households. With practical strategies and compassionate advice, this episode helps listeners create personal boundaries and maintain their own physical spaces while juggling the demands of caregiving and inherited clutte
107: How to Balance Family, Tradition, and Clutter: Organizing for the Sandwich Generation
In this episode, the Organize and Cherish Podcast dives into the unique challenges of the sandwich generation—those navigating the complexities of caring for aging parents and younger loved ones. With a fresh perspective on multi-generational and multi-cultural family dynamics, we explore strategies for managing inherited items, balancing cultural traditions, and finding purpose in the process. If
106: A New Chapter: Organizing for the Sandwich Generation and Beyond
In this milestone episode, the podcast takes an exciting new direction, focusing on the unique challenges faced by the sandwich generation, multigenerational households, and multicultural families. Stephanie shares the story behind the rebrand, highlights the importance of compassionate organizing for those juggling caregiving and life responsibilities, and offers practical tips to ease the stress
105: Avoid the Frustration: Organizing vs. Decluttering vs. Tidying Up
In this episode of Organized and Productive, soon to be Organize and Cherish, we dive into the differences between organizing, decluttering, and tidying up. These three actions are often used interchangeably, but they each have distinct purposes and processes. We break them down, helping listeners understand when and how to tackle each one to save time, reduce frustration, and make meaningful prog
104: Get Ahead of Time: Organizing Tips to Stop Running Late
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103: Scrap, Accept, Finish - What to Do With Your Unfinished Holiday DIY Projects
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Markus Schulz presents Global DJ Broadcast
The Daily
The Joe Rogan Experience
The Church of What's Happening Now: The New Testament
This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
The Bread and Banter Podcast
Solved Murders - True Crime Stories
紐約鳥｜New York Aperture
Stand In The Circle
