Mindful Mama | Inspiration To Thrive Not Just Survive

Simpler, more natural living is really appealing to thoughtful parents in our world of more tech and more stuff. It can give us a sense of rest and ease. But how do we get there from our busy lives? My guest, Rachel Rainbolt helps us move from overwhelmed to calm, from fearful to trusting. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Kids absorb their environment and reflect it back in their behavior. When we have the intention to join with our child, we get out of the house more easily. We need to pull together our intuition with science and research. Rachel Rainbolt is the Sage Family coach, writer, podcaster, and advocate for gentle parenting, natural hom

What is it like when your child tells you they are trans? This happened to Paria Hassouri when her then son, came out as a girl at 13 years old. Find out what it’s like parenting a transgender teen. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Our children need us to trust and support them when they come out as trans. As a mom, she went through denial, anger, and grief at this huge change. Girls are often celebrated for being strong, but we also need to celebrate boys for being soft. Paria Hassouri is a mother of three, pediatrician, writer, and trans rights activist in Los Angeles. Found in Transition: A Mother's Evolution During Her Child's Gender Change i

What messages does our kids' education send? What are the lived results—does it keep their spark of curiosity alive? Like many of us, especially this year, you may be totally frustrated with your kid’s education system. In this episode, I talk to Akilah Richards about her story of disenchantment and the perhaps-not-so-radical step of moving to self-directed learning. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Examining the beliefs we take for granted liberates us from harmful patterns. Conventional education can be about being told what to do and enforcing that. There is no arrival point. Unlearning is the process. Akilah S. Richards hosts Fare of the Free

Talking about racial and lifestyle differences can be hard and uncomfortable. Yet it’s our job to raise the next generation to respect and learn from people who look or believe differently than we do. Carolyn Helsel and Y. Joy Harris-Smith offer practical ways to build compassion and empathy in our children. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: We have to practice restraint when answering questions from kids. Our kids watch everything we say and do. Food can be a great entry point to experiencing different cultures. Carolyn and Joy are authors, mothers, teachers, and preachers. Carolyn is white and Joy is black, and they each bring different experien

Sometimes truths about parenting go against the grain—against what we assume is natural or normal. Ashley Merryman loves to find research that debunks conventionally held truths. Learn about the problem with praise, and what are some of the best ways to respond to kids. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Kids who are overpraised underperform. Little kids lie because they don’t want to disappoint. You can catch bad behavior from others. With Po Bronson, Ashley Merryman is the New York Times bestselling author of NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children and Top Dog: The Science of Winning and Losing. Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Clic

Parenting can be mentally and physically depleting—especially for moms. The greater the challenges and vulnerabilities we’re experiencing, the greater the resources we need to meet these challenges. Today, I talk to Dr. Rick Hanson about this and how mindfulness can be a primary resource that helps us develop other resources in ourselves. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: The greatest unacknowledged public health problem in the developed world is mothers' long-term stress and depletion. Body awareness can disrupt neurotic preoccupations. We can move from having experiences to cultivating traits. Rick Hanson, Ph.D. is a psychologist, Senior Fellow

How can we connect to ourselves authentically—while parenting? Ora Nadrich talks to us about how to follow a journey of self-awareness while developing more presence for our children. Spoiler alert: it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Parenting and the journey of self-awakening can be done at the same time. Behind every feeling is a connected thought. “I don’t have time for that” is an excuse. Ora Nadrich is the founder and president of the Institute for Transformational Thinking. She is the author of Live True: A Mindfulness Guide to Authenticity and Says Who? How One Simple Question Can Change the Way You Think For

Sometimes it seems like the world is going to hell in a handbasket. Modern life is overwhelming. In this episode, I talk to Devon, meditation teacher, and Craig, meditation coach and therapist, about six guiding life principles, inspired by the wisdom of mindfulness—that will help you guide your way. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Don’t be a jerk - it’s all about communication. Body awareness is a big part of communication. Mindfulness is a whole package with guidelines and values. Devon and Craig Hase mentor dharma practitioners and lead meditation retreats online. They wrote a book called: A Survival Guide for Modern Life. Get Hunter's

Have you ever missed out because of procrastination or that thought, “I can never do _____.” Self-sabotage is a universal behavior, even for those of us who are high achievers in some areas. In this episode, I talk to neuropsychologist Dr. Judy Ho about why we do this, and how to stop. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Self-sabotage happens when our natural avoidance of threat drive is out of balance. If we never learned healthy coping skills from our parents, stress can hamstring us. The path away from self-sabotaging behaviors starts with our awareness of our thoughts. Dr. Judy is a triple-board certified clinical and forensic neuropsychol

When I was a young mom, I was scared, overwhelmed, and I felt alone. Now, over 13 years after the birth of my first child, I have some messages for that younger self. These are messages that we all need to hear as parents. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: There is nothing wrong with you. There is a path to freedom. It IS the most important work you can do. Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is a mindful mama mentor. She coaches smart, thoughtful parents on how to create calm and cooperation in their daily lives. Hunter has over 20 years of e

The global pandemic is creating inordinate amounts of stress for both parents and kids. Kids, unfortunately, show that stress with behavior problems because their fight-flight-or-freeze system is on overdrive and they don’t know how to handle it. Today I talk to Tammy, a Mindful Parenting Member whose 6-year old daughter has been yelling at her. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Kids' “behavior problems” are often a sign of stress. We can look underneath the behavior to think about what kids need. Strategies to help yourself and your child regulate emotions. Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses

We are moving into a school year that looks very different from every year before, with many kids learning completely virtually or even homeschooling. So what’s the best way to learn at home? What do we need to pay attention to and what can we let go? In this episode, I bring together two education experts, Lauren Spigelmeyer & Kimberlynn Lavelle, who will walk us through this new learning-at-home land.  Takeaways:  Mental and emotional health is the number one priority Moving their bodies and getting outside are essential to learning and brain development We can design the space—from seating, to decor, to aroma—to optimize learning Kimberlynn Lavelle is an Education Specialist and has worked with struggling learners with a variety of profiles for over 15 years. She now teaches the best strategies to parents so that they can teach their own children successfully! Visit her website to learn more! Lauren Spigelmyer is the Founder of The Behavior Hub and Professor at University of Pennsyl

We are living in stressful times with this global pandemic (to say the least!) and kids are feeling it too. How do we help kids cope with stress, anxiety - even anger? In this episode, I talk to Janine Halloran, author of the bestselling Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, about strategies for kids to deal with all that life throws at them. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: We underestimate the power of play as a stress-reliever for kids. Three easy grounding techniques for anxious kids. Kids can only learn coping skills when they are calm. Janine Halloran, LMHC, has been working with children & families for 20 years. She's the author of the be

Mindful Parenting Member Liliana’s oldest child has been difficult and was recently diagnosed with ADHD, while her younger son is relatively easy. Comparisons between them have been popping up in her brain leading to some major guilt. Plus, how to set boundaries on sweets and cartoons? If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Judgment is toxic, comparison is normal. How to mindfully deal with unwelcome thoughts. Kids need healthy boundaries. Join the Mindful Parenting Free Training here. Losing your cool? Kids not listening? Help has arrived. Join hundreds of other parents in this FREE, LIVE event to become a more mindful parent. Get Hunter's book

What is the biggest mistake parents make about discipline? We don’t realize or forget that yelling and threats make kids less able to learn. Tina Payne Bryson helps us hold boundaries with empathy and gives powerful tools to chill ourselves out so we can be more responsive. Join the Mindful Parenting Free Training here. Losing your cool? Kids not listening? Help has arrived. Join hundreds of other parents in this FREE, LIVE event to become a more mindful parent. If you enjoyed this episode, and it inspired you in some way, I’d love to hear about it and know your biggest takeaway. Take a screenshot of you listening on your device, post it to your Instagram stories, and tag me @mindfulmamamentor. Have you left a review yet? All you have to do is go to  Apple Podcasts or  Stitcher (or wherever you listen), and thanks for your support of the show! Takeaways: Discipline is about teaching and building skills. Kids have to be in a receptive and regulated state to learn. 4 powerful ways to downregulate when

Have you ever wondered if you are parenting the “right” way? Our podcast guest Jen Lumanlan did and decided that she would go to the research to figure out how to parent her child. She discovered what was worth paying attention to and what wasn’t, and it allowed her to let go of some core tenets of parenting. Takeaways:  When we understand why our children resist things, then we can discover solutions. The right way to get your child to eat their vegetables. What we think of as “bad behavior” are our children’s unskillful attempts to meet their own needs. Join the Mindful Parenting Free Training here. Losing your cool? Kids not listening? Help has arrived. Join hundreds of other parents in this FREE, LIVE event to become a more mindful parent.  Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! Jen Lumanlan M.S., M.Ed., hosts the Your Parenting Mojo podcast, which distills scientific research on parenting and child development into tools that parents can use to make

Do you know that you are not to blame for your triggers and harmful reactions? Mark Wolynn, author of It Didn’t Start With You, explains how traumas and harmful patterns pass on from one generation to the next. We also talk about the power of mindfulness and other modalities to help us heal these hurts for good. Takeaways: By rejecting our parents, we share or repeat their life patterns. Trauma stays within families' genetic code, changing the way genes express. To transform trauma, we must practice the feelings & sensations of positive experiences. Mark Wolynn is Director of the Family Constellation Institute in San Francisco and the author of It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle (Viking/Penguin), winner of the 2016 Nautilus Book Award in psychology. Fan of the Mindful Mama Podcast? Support it by leaving a quick review -----> Apple Podcasts or on Stitcher (or wherever you listen!) ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is a mindf

Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! The most important quality I want for my kids during these difficult times is probably what you want: resilience. Our kids need the capacity to overcome hard times because we cannot (and would not want to) protect them from every single one of life’s difficulties. In this episode, I talk to author and psychologist Chris Willard about raising resilience. Takeaways: The younger your child is, the more contagious your emotions are. The best practice for a kid in a meltdown is your mindfulness practice as a parent. Resilient kids have both a stable, loving adult and responsibility. Dr. Christopher Willard (PsyD) has been practicing meditation for 20 years and has led hundreds of workshops around the world, with invitations to more than two dozen countries. He is the author of Child’s Mind (2010) Growing Up Mindful (2016) Raising Resilience (2017) and ten other books for parents, professionals, and children. He teaches at

Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! None of us knew how hard it was going to be as a parent; we mess up constantly. When we respond to ourselves with harsh criticism and judgment, we leave ourselves feeling helpless and incapable. Even though it can feel strange, the practice of self-compassion is essential to becoming a more mindful parent. My guest today is Dr. Susan M. Pollak, author of Self-Compassion for Parents. Takeaways: We can tolerate failure better and have more resilience with self-compassion. 95% of us grow up with imperfect parents. “If you lose it, you can use it.” Susan M. Pollak, MTS, EdD, is a longtime student of meditation and yoga who has been integrating the practices of meditation into psychotherapy since the 1980s. Dr. Pollak is co-founder and teacher at the Center for Mindfulness and Compassion at Harvard Medical School/Cambridge Health Alliance. She is the author of the new book, Self-Compassion for Parents: Nurture Your Child

Get Hunter's book, Raising Good Humans now! Click here to order and get book bonuses! So many of us are concerned about what will happen (or not happen) with school this fall. Is it safe? What will the schedule be like? The only thing certain is that it will be different. Perhaps we need to broaden our definition of what it means to do school. Perhaps learning could travel outdoors? I talk to Megan Fitzgerald, co-founder of Tinkergarten, about how to support kids best in these times. Takeaways: Outdoors is a safer place for kids to be social and learn right now. We can set up our home environments to optimize independent play. We can teach kids to manage risks playfully. Meghan Fitzgerald alongside her husband, Brian founded Tinkergarten. Meghan previously worked as an Elementary School Principal and teacher as well as a Math/Science Specialist. Fan of the Mindful Mama Podcast? Support it by leaving a quick review -----> Apple Podcasts or on Stitcher (or wherever you listen!) ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FI