The Minimalists give keynote speech to conclude the Presidential Career and Leadership Series
New York Times bestselling authors, podcast hosts, and Emmy-nominated Netflix stars appear at Wilks Theater
•
Published
The Minimalists address the Miami University community in Wilks Theater.
The Minimalists give keynote speech to conclude the Presidential Career and Leadership Series
New York Times bestselling authors, podcast hosts, and Emmy-nominated Netflix stars appear at Wilks Theater
•
Published
Joshua Fields Millburn, the frontman of the Minimalists, reflected on how he once defined happiness in his early college years and his pursuit of the “American Dream.”
“Maybe $65,000 a year, maybe that’s happiness,” Fields Millburn said. “Maybe $75,000, or $90,000, or maybe six figures, or maybe owning a bunch of stuff was happiness. Whatever happiness was, I knew that once I got there, I would finally feel free.”
He found out later in his life that this wasn’t the case. Money and material things didn’t satisfy him, and there was simply more to life than having everything you could ever want. Everyone around him said he was successful, but Fields Millburn said he was just “ostensibly successful.”
“I was miserable,” Fields Millburn said. “I may have looked successful, but I certainly didn’t feel successful. And really it got to a point in my life where I didn’t know what was important. But one thing was clear. I had this gaping void in my life so I tried to fill that void the same way many people do: with stuff, lots of stuff.”
The Minimalists, Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, gave a keynote speech to the Miami University community on April 14 in the Harry T. Wilks Theater. The session wrapped up the 2025-26 Presidential Career and Leadership Series, made possible by President Gregory P. Crawford and the Center for Career Exploration and Success.
The night opened with an introduction to Fields Millburn and Nicodemus, New York Times bestselling authors, podcast hosts, and Emmy-nominated Netflix stars. For the next 45 minutes, the two took turns explaining what minimalism is, sharing personal experiences and lessons learned along the way.
The bulk of the speech was centered around an important lesson, which is letting go of stuff and finding more value in the essential things of life. Nicodemus gave critical advice for anyone who was unsure if they had enough things in life.
“Here’s the truth: if you don’t decide what ‘enough’ is, the world will decide for you,” Nicodemus said. “I promise you, it will never be enough. Minimalism isn’t about having less. It’s about making room for the person you want to become. So ask yourself, ‘What can I let go of today so that tomorrow I can become someone greater than yesterday?’”
Taylor Toberman, a sophomore Organizational Leadership major, listened to the keynote speech and stuck around for refreshments, snacks, and a chance to meet the Minimalists one-on-one. Her main takeaway was from finding value in the essentials.
“The biggest thing I took away was getting rid of a lot of things that bring more value,” Toberman said. “If you have less things, you find more value in them.”
Paige Grand, a junior Organizational Leadership major, joined Toberman for the opportunity to meet the Minimalists. When asked if she valued material things versus non-material things like time, she advocated for both.
“I value both minimizing the material things and also minimizing my time,” Grand said. “I’m a very busy person so I would say finding the balance between those two and finding ways to be productive is important.”
The night concluded with signed books, career conversations and informal interactions in the Armstrong Atrium and Career Center Pop-Up Shop.
The Center for Career Exploration and Success offers Miami students a range of programs and events, including networking opportunities with employers and alumni, professional development workshops, and career exploration activities. Visit its Programs and Events page to learn more about future offerings.
“Maybe $65,000 a year, maybe that’s happiness,” Fields Millburn said. “Maybe $75,000, or $90,000, or maybe six figures, or maybe owning a bunch of stuff was happiness. Whatever happiness was, I knew that once I got there, I would finally feel free.”
He found out later in his life that this wasn’t the case. Money and material things didn’t satisfy him, and there was simply more to life than having everything you could ever want. Everyone around him said he was successful, but Fields Millburn said he was just “ostensibly successful.”
“I was miserable,” Fields Millburn said. “I may have looked successful, but I certainly didn’t feel successful. And really it got to a point in my life where I didn’t know what was important. But one thing was clear. I had this gaping void in my life so I tried to fill that void the same way many people do: with stuff, lots of stuff.”
The Minimalists, Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, gave a keynote speech to the Miami University community on April 14 in the Harry T. Wilks Theater. The session wrapped up the 2025-26 Presidential Career and Leadership Series, made possible by President Gregory P. Crawford and the Center for Career Exploration and Success.
The night opened with an introduction to Fields Millburn and Nicodemus, New York Times bestselling authors, podcast hosts, and Emmy-nominated Netflix stars. For the next 45 minutes, the two took turns explaining what minimalism is, sharing personal experiences and lessons learned along the way.
The bulk of the speech was centered around an important lesson, which is letting go of stuff and finding more value in the essential things of life. Nicodemus gave critical advice for anyone who was unsure if they had enough things in life.
“Here’s the truth: if you don’t decide what ‘enough’ is, the world will decide for you,” Nicodemus said. “I promise you, it will never be enough. Minimalism isn’t about having less. It’s about making room for the person you want to become. So ask yourself, ‘What can I let go of today so that tomorrow I can become someone greater than yesterday?’”
Taylor Toberman, a sophomore Organizational Leadership major, listened to the keynote speech and stuck around for refreshments, snacks, and a chance to meet the Minimalists one-on-one. Her main takeaway was from finding value in the essentials.
“The biggest thing I took away was getting rid of a lot of things that bring more value,” Toberman said. “If you have less things, you find more value in them.”
Paige Grand, a junior Organizational Leadership major, joined Toberman for the opportunity to meet the Minimalists. When asked if she valued material things versus non-material things like time, she advocated for both.
“I value both minimizing the material things and also minimizing my time,” Grand said. “I’m a very busy person so I would say finding the balance between those two and finding ways to be productive is important.”
The night concluded with signed books, career conversations and informal interactions in the Armstrong Atrium and Career Center Pop-Up Shop.
The Center for Career Exploration and Success offers Miami students a range of programs and events, including networking opportunities with employers and alumni, professional development workshops, and career exploration activities. Visit its Programs and Events page to learn more about future offerings.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg.