More of What Matters

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   January 16, 2014

Friends and family. That’s what wedding receptions, baby showers, birthday parties—any type of celebration, really—boils down to, right? It would be a lot less work and cost if a wedding consisted solely of a ceremony. No need to worry about finding a venue or coordinating entertainment. No need to worry about menus or seating arrangements.

Starting a Tool Library: Inspiration and Insights from Baltimore’s Station North

Blog   |   by John Shea and Piper Watson   |   March 8, 2013

An innovative new tool library is opening its doors in an urban neighborhood that's ripe for a renaissance. Here's the story of how it came about.

The Game Theory of Green Parenting

Blog   |   by Kim   |   March 4, 2009

Join Your Neighbors for a Really, Really Big Lunch

Blog   |   by Krislyn Placide   |   April 10, 2012

Last year, The Big Lunch brought nearly 2 million people across the United Kingdom out of doors to have lunch in their communities—literally.

For Cheap, Green Thrills, Go to the Park

Blog   |   by Kim   |   May 18, 2009

People are drawn to the many city parks because of some deep need for the natural, and for some community connection, even from a distance.

“A Small Good Thing”: Bringing the New American Dream Into the Spotlight

Blog   |   by Lisa Madison   |   June 3, 2016

A new film examines how the American Dream has come to the end of its promise, and shows us an alternate pathway to happiness, wellness, and success.

Ideas Worth Spreading: Be Inspired by TED

Blog   |   by Amy Curtis   |   July 13, 2011

These 10 video presentations provide hope, inspiration, and knowledge that although people can damage the Earth, they also have the potential to save it.

Rethinking Our Wasteful Habits: Is Anything Ever Really Obsolete?

Blog   |   by Addison Del Mastro   |   June 6, 2012

We need to rethink the idea of “obsolescence” and focus on the factor that really defines an item’s value: demand

A Year of Buying Nothing New

Blog   |   by Julie Fathy   |   January 28, 2016

A Denver mom resolves to go debt-free by buying nothing new (aside from a few necessities) for a full year.

Going Screen-Free at Home: It’s Not as Hard as You Think

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   April 12, 2013

When a mother of three opted to enforce strict television rules in her home, she discovered that life was actually easier and less stressful.

In Defense of Screen-Free Week

Blog   |   by Edna Rienzi   |   March 25, 2016

Some have called it "unrealistic," but Screen-Free Week can serve as an important opportunity for families to kick-start new habits.

Myths About Mother Earth and Why They Matter

Blog   |   by Kim   |   April 29, 2009

Big Media, Big Bullying, and What You Can Do About It

Blog   |   by Emily Long   |   May 13, 2013

Big media companies spend huge sums on anti-bullying messaging, but the real power lies in our own ability to filter their product.

Skip the Goody Bags and Embrace Creativity Instead

Blog   |   by Rinny Yourman   |   December 13, 2017

New Dreamer Rinny Yourman describes how her family ditched goody bags in favor of giving guests at her daughter's birthday and Bat Mitzvah parties a more meaningful experience. 

TIPS: 15 Tips for Commercial-Free, Fun-Filled Family Holidays

Resources   |   November 1, 2017

If you want to make this year’s holidays more meaningful, memorable, and rejuvenating for your family, these 15 tips will help you opt out of the commercial hype and create a truly special celebration for your kids.