About Us
Get to know Real Simple!
REAL SIMPLE is your go-to source for practical, useful and clever solutions to make every aspect of your busy life easier:
- Quick, tasty dinners. Our collection of simple, healthful recipes have fewer ingredients and won't take forever to get to the table.
- Cleaning and organizing hacks. A clean, organized space means a clean, organized mind. Let us help you find your bliss.
- No-fuss beauty and fashion. Sometimes it's as easy as the perfect pair of jeans, comfortable shoes and a dab of sunscreen.
- Sensible health advice. Separate the proven from the trendy with sound, tested information about nutrition, fitness, wellness and mental health.
- Get daily solutions via e-mail. Sign up for free newsletters and get tips and tricks sent straight to your inbox.
History
We started REAL SIMPLE in 2000 with the goal of keeping life simple and stress free. Today, we reach more than 10 million digital users and 6.2 million magazine readers each month.
You can find REAL SIMPLE everywhere, including on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and TikTok ; by listening to our award-winning podcast Money Confidential , or by purchasing our line of cleaning products for Clorox, an upcoming line of kitchen tools by Argento, and other special items at T.J. Maxx, 1-800-Flowers , QVC and Bed, Bath & Beyond .
Editorial Guidelines
At REAL SIMPLE we take pride in providing you accurate, reliable, credible, engaging, and balanced information, and we review our content on an ongoing basis to ensure it is up-to-date and accurate.
We are committed to creating high-quality content that represents and serves all people, working with a diverse group of writers and editors representing a wide range of ages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and abilities, all of which reflects in our content.
We uphold the principles of the Dotdash Meredith Content Integrity Promise including the following policies:
Independence and Impartiality
We believe in independent, fair, and impartial journalism. Our editors and writers are held accountable to a high standard of honesty and transparency, and our original editorial content is not influenced by our advertisers. As such, we maintain a strict separation between advertising and editorial content. Any content that is provided by or on behalf of an advertiser or sponsor, is clearly labeled as such.
Product Reviews
All product reviews on RealSimple.com are independent and based on research and product testing conducted by our editors and writers. We share the products we love and that we think our readers will love, too. If you visit certain links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases. We never receive compensation for recommending products within our content.
Sourcing and Fact Checking
Our writers and editors investigate claims and verify all information and data gathered for all articles, including news. We consult relevant, diverse, qualified sources to ensure we're providing proper context and background to the reader.
We rely on current and reputable primary sources, such as expert interviews, government organizations, and professional and academic institutions and studies. All data points, facts, and claims are backed up by at least one credible source.
All of our news and information is thoroughly reviewed by a staff editor and articles are rigorously evaluated for accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
Corrections
If there is an error in a story, we will correct it as soon as possible. All corrections will be clearly labeled as such and will include what changes were made and when. When an article is factually correct, but the language is not as clear or detailed as necessary, the story may be updated without an editor's note.
Timely and daily news stories generally cover a distinct event in time, so they are not routinely updated. Our editorial team consistently reevaluates and updates evergreen content to ensure everything is timely, accurate, and relevant. The date-stamp at the top of each article reflects when it was last updated.
If you've noticed an issue or error, please bring it to our attention by emailing letters@realsimple.com .
Diversity and Inclusion
At REAL SIMPLE we aim to help everyone simplify their lives. Key to that mission is understanding the many structural and societal obstacles that our readers face and to respond with the most inclusive solutions.We know REAL SIMPLE readers are not a monolith: We are many races, sizes, identities, and abilities, we form different relationships and families; and we follow different cultural and religious traditions. We want REAL SIMPLE to be a valuable resource for all, and we will use our platform to foster inclusivity, equality, and human rights.
Read more about our pledge to make our site more inclusive and promote diversity.
Real Simple Digital
Melissa is the senior vice president and general manager of Southern Living, Real Simple, The Spruce Pets, and Daily Paws. Previously she was the senior vice president of digital content strategy and operations over a broad portfolio of 15 lifestyle brands—including Real Simple, InStyle, Travel + Leisure, and Allrecipes—overseeing the strategic development of programs and partnerships that expand the brands' engagement and reach across digital platforms. Melissa has more than 25 years of experience in lifestyle content creation and management across print, digital, social and audio platforms. She joined Meredith Corporation in 2001 as editor of the company's scrapbooking magazines, books and website. She went on to lead content teams on brands such as Parents, Shape, Martha Stewart, and Better Homes & Gardens. In 2019, she was named one of Folio's Top Women in Media. She earned a B.A. in Mass Communications from Westminster College.
Amanda is the vice president and general manager of Real Simple. Amanda was previously the Senior Director of Content Strategy, overseeing the editorial and social teams for award-winning brands like Shape.com, Parents.com, Health.com and DailyPaws.com. She has 17 years experience in editing, writing, and using social media, video and audio to connect with audiences. Amanda has been an expert guest on programs like the Today show and she regularly presents at industry conferences and events like DCN's Powerful Storytelling. She's also been a guest lecturer for media classes at NYU and The New School. Amanda was named one of Folio's Top Women in Media (2020 & 2018) and she earned a B.A. in English and Mass Communication from Miami University in Ohio.
Mickey is the senior editorial director of Real Simple and a producer of its Webby-honored Money Confidential finance podcast. Previously, he was the editor-in-chief of TV Guide's award-winning digital platforms. He has appeared on Good Morning America , CBS Evening News and Cheddar, and is the former host of CBS News' What to Watch, a weekly segment of streaming TV recommendations. Before that, he was the founding editor of PopWatch, Entertainment Weekly 's first entertainment news blog. He has also written about design for Architecture magazine, The New York Times and various design publications. He holds an architecture degree from Hobart College and graduated from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with honors in cultural reporting and writing.
Katie Holdefehr is the associate editorial director at RealSimple.com. She was previously the senior home editor at the brand, covering everything from cleaning and organizing to decor and paint colors. She is the host of Spotless, a cleaning video series, and has made appearances on Good Morning America , the Today Show , PIX11 News, and Cheddar as a home decor and cleaning expert. Before joining Real Simple , she was an associate editor at Apartment Therapy, where she became well-versed in reversible decor for rentals and small spaces.
Samantha is the senior food editor at RealSimple.com. Prior to joining Real Simple, she wrote and edited stories about food trends, plant-based food, nutrition, and new product releases for Food Network, LIVEKINDLY, and Eat This, Not That. She also launched the US Weekly food vertical, where she wrote about the intersection of food and pop culture. She is a graduate of New York University as a University Honors Scholar.
Maggie Seaver is the digital health and wellness editor at Real Simple, with seven years of experience writing lifestyle and wellness content. She spends her days writing and editing stories about sleep, mental health, fitness, preventive health, nutrition, personal development, relationships, healthy habits, and beyond. She loves demystifying complicated health topics, debunking wellness fads, and sharing practical, science-backed solutions for healthy living.
Morgan Noll is an associate editor at RealSimple.com. She is a lifestyle writer and editor with a background covering a range of topics—from finance and career content to travel, health, and beauty. Whether thoroughly testing products or digging up the best money advice, she's passionate about providing accurate, current, and resourceful content to readers.
Hali is the Social Media Editor for Realsimple.com, where she curates and promotes lifestyle content across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and more. Before joining the Real Simple team, she gained four years of media experience through her editorial and special project roles held at Good Housekeeping magazine. Hali received a B.A. in Marketing from Loyola University Maryland and currently lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Jennifer is the senior video producer for REAL SIMPLE. With a background in photography, she's passionate about shooting and producing visually compelling videos. Prior to REAL SIMPLE, she worked for Food & Wine as the senior video Producer. She received her BFA from The School of Visual Arts.
Julia has been with REAL SIMPLE since 2019. Over the past three years, her team has shaped the brand's digital identity by creating assets for the site, on video and for its social media feeds. She formerly worked in print design for Fortune, Money and Chicago magazines and the Chicago Tribune. She holds a B.A. in design management from Parsons School of Design.
Real Simple Magazine
Lauren is the editor in chief of REAL SIMPLE, one of the premier brands in the women's lifestyle space with a print and digital reach of nearly 22 million. An award-winning content professional with more than 20 years in publishing, Lauren has worked at some of the biggest and most respected brands in the industry, including Rachael Ray Every Day, Drew + Jonathan Reveal, Glamour, O, The Oprah Magazine, Marie Claire, and Allure . Lauren lives just outside of New York City with her husband, two daughters, and their scruffy mutt Rusty.
Creative Director Phoebe Flynn Rich
Executive Editor Lisa Freedman
Photo Director Muzam Agha
Managing Editor Tara Cox
Features Director Amy Maclin
Features Editor Melissa Matthews
Senior Editor Keydra Manns
Assistant Editors Hannah Dorough , Teddy Willson
Contributing Editors Michelle Buteau , Kristyn Kusek Lewis (Books)
Food Director Jenna Helwig
Food Editor Lizzy Briskin
Beauty Director Heather Muir Maffei
Home Director Erica Finamore
Senior Home Editor Leslie Corona
Contributing Home Editor Cat Dash
Fashion Editor Flavia Nunez
Design Director Deanna Lowe
Deputy Photo Editor Lawrence J. Whritenour Jr.
Editorial Production Director Filomena Guzzardi
Copy & Research Chief Jenny Brown
Contributing Senior Research Editor Maya Kukes
Awards and Recognition
-
2022
Telly Awards
, Bronze Winner, Series—Social Video
-
2022
Webby Awards
, Nominee, Video, How-To and DIY; Honoree, Podcasts, Advice and How-To; Honoree, Best Writing, Editorial
-
2022
Money Confidential
named by Policygenius as one of the
8 best personal finance podcasts for 2022
.
-
2021
Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards
, Honorable Mention, Podcast, Consumer-Banking/Business/Finance
-
2019
National Magazine Awards
,
Finalist,
Leisure Interests
-
2018
Society of Publication Designers Merit Awards
, Winner, Cover Design, Feature Design, Feature Photography, Feature New/Documentary Photography, Illustration
-
2018
Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards
, Winner, Full Issue, Overall Design, Instructional/How To, and Supplemental, Annual or One-Shot
- 2017 Folio: Eddie and Ozzie Awards , Winner, Best Use of Instagram/Pinterest
Contacts
For help with your magazine subscription, or to renew or buy a gift subscription, please visit Customer Service , call (800) 881-1172, or email us at rspcustserv@cdsfulfillment.com .
To respond to the magazine's monthly "Your Words" question, please email yourwords@realsimple.com .
To ask a "Modern Manners" question, please email modernmanners@realsimple.com .
If you would like to advertise in REAL SIMPLE magazine , please email Tiffany Ehasz , senior VP/publisher, or Kristin Guinan , associate publisher, marketing.
If you would like to advertise on RealSimple.com
, please email
advertise@dotdash.com
.
About Dotdash Meredith
REAL SIMPLE is published by Dotdash Meredith, an operating business of IAC , and the largest digital and print publisher in America. From mobile to magazines, nearly 200 million people trust Dotdash Meredith to help them make decisions, take action, and find inspiration. Dotdash Meredith's more than 40 iconic brands include PEOPLE , Better Homes & Gardens , Verywell , FOOD & WINE , The Spruce , Allrecipes , Byrdie , Investopedia , Southern Living , Lifewire , and The Balance .