Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

What if some of the most challenging moments of parenting - morning chaos, bedtime resistance, and emotional meltdowns - could become opportunities for connection instead of conflict?In this conversation, Diane sits down with mindfulness expert, recording artist, and bestselling author Kira Willey to discuss her latest book, The Joyful Child. Kira shares how simple, playful practices rooted in movement, music, and mindfulness can help children develop emotional regulation skills while bringing more joy into everyday family life.Rather than waiting until children are overwhelmed to teach coping strategies, Kira explains how small, intentional moments woven throughout the day can build resilience, focus, self-awareness, and calm over time.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Kira's Resource: Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John PayneConnect with KiraWebsiteInstagramBook: The Joyful Child: Calm the Chaos, Connect with Your Kids, and Create More Happiness in Your Daily RoutinesAbout Kira |Kira Willey is the author of seven bestselling children's books that have been translated into twenty-four languages, including the #1 beloved bestseller Breathe Like a Bear. A world-renowned recording artist, Kira is also the co-creator and host of three PBS mindfulness, music, and yoga television shows and the creator of Rockin' Yoga school programs. As a yoga teacher and lifelong musician, Kira's unique and powerful method of integrating music and movement into joyful, child-centered mindfulness practices has resulted in millions of streams, more than half a million children's book sales, and a massive, devoted fan base spanning the globe. A mother of three, she lives in eastern Pennsylvania.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Do you ever find yourself replaying conversations long after they end, carrying guilt that may not belong to you, or feeling unable to quiet your mind no matter how hard you pray?In this conversation, I sit down with licensed mental health counselor Melissa Fisher to explore a question many Christians quietly wrestle with: What if anxiety isn't simply a faith problem?Drawing from both neuroscience and Scripture, Melissa unpacks why our minds and bodies respond the way they do to stress, worry, and relational tension. We discuss the hidden patterns that keep us stuck, the surprising role our thoughts play in shaping our emotions, and how faith and practical tools can work together rather than compete with one another.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelMelissa's Resource: The Bible RecapConnect with MelissaWebsiteLinkedInSubstackBook: Jesus for the Anxious: 8 Weeks of Practicing Peace to Calm Your Worry and FearAbout Melissa |Melissa Fisher is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Vancouver, Washington, working with trauma and anxiety. She has two decades of experience in Christian youth, women's, military, and young adult ministries, as well as personal work in spiritual formation. Melissa has contributed to Karen Whiting and Jocelyn Greene's Battlefields and Blessings. She and her husband, a retired military officer, enjoy traveling with their adult children and hiking in the mountains.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity. You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

As parents, we dream big dreams for our children and our families. For many, choosing to homeschool - especially in the younger years - is a way to intentionally achieve those dreams, offering not just academic flexibility but the freedom to truly know a child and nurture them accordingly. But as high school approaches, a question remains: Can homeschooling in the high school years continue to be a well-rounded and practical path that helps teens pursue their dreams for the future?Rachel Kovac knows this is the case. In today's conversation, she shares personal stories, expertise and words of encouragement to empower parents to confidently guide their student through a thoughtfully crafted high school education at home that ensures they're academically prepared and emotionally resilient for their unique post-graduation paths. Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelRachel's Resource: italki language learning appRachel Can't Stop Talking About: VoxerConnect with RachelWebsiteInstagramSubstackBook: Their Future Is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling in High School -- and Equipping Your Child for Success and Fulfillment in AdulthoodAbout Rachel |Rachel Kovac is a homeschooling mother of six and a longtime writer on motherhood, education, creativity, and home life. When she’s not writing or homeschooling, she loves photography, sewing, growing flowers, baking sourdough, and learning Italian.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Every year, millions of honey bees are transported across the country to pollinate the crops that fill our grocery stores - but few of us ever stop to consider the toll this takes on the bees themselves.In this episode, I sit down with author Jennie Durant to discuss the surprising and often unseen realities of modern beekeeping and industrial agriculture. We explore the challenges facing honey bees today, including pesticide exposure, disease, climate pressures, and the demands of large-scale farming. Jennie shares what she learned while researching Bitter Honey and introduces us to the beekeepers, farmers, and advocates working to create a healthier future for pollinators.Whether you're passionate about food, sustainability, gardening, or simply living more intentionally, this conversation offers a fascinating look at the interconnected systems that support our daily lives - and why the future of bees matters to all of us.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelBook: The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk KiddPrevious Episode: Buzzing with Purpose: Teaching Kids to Protect Pollinators | Luke Howard (Going Deeper)Previous Episode: The Future of Food: What Regenerative Farming Really Means for Your Family | Jenni Harris (EP440)Xerces SocietyPollinator PartnershipConnect with JennieWebsiteInstagramLinkedInBook: Bitter Honey: Big Ag’s Threat to Bees and the Fight to Save ThemAbout Jennie |Jennie Durant is a writer and researcher focused on bees, agriculture, and the environment. She has spent more than a decade working with beekeepers, scientists, and policymakers, including time at the US Department of Agriculture and University of California, at both Davis and Berkeley. Her writing has appeared in Grist, Glamour, HuffPo, and the San Francisco Chronicle. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Today, we're planning our summer! Joining me for the conversation is host of the Minimal-ish podcast, Desirae Endres! Instead of traditional scheduling, Desirae shares her four pillars of minimal-ish living to help shape the summer season. We chat balancing flexibility and structure, creating simple routines, prioritizing family connections, and finding time for friendships. I hope this episode is helpful to you as you kick off your own minimal(ish) summer! Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What happens when women slowly lose themselves inside motherhood, marriage, addiction, caregiving, and the pressure to keep everything together?In this Going Deeper Episode, I’m joined by novelist Jessica Guerrieri to discuss her emotionally layered new novel, Both Can Be True. Jessica vulnerably shares how addiction can evolve beyond substances into cravings for validation, desirability, productivity, and being needed - and why connection, honesty, and learning to stay present in difficult emotions are often the real path toward healing. We also explore motherhood’s contradictions, unresolved trauma, social media’s impact on selfhood, and the subtle ways women lose themselves while trying to be everything for everyone else.While this conversation centers around Jessica’s novel, it ultimately becomes a deeper discussion about intentional living, emotional awareness, and what it looks like to reclaim yourself in a world that constantly pulls you away from who you truly are.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelPrevious Episode: Sobriety, Storytelling, and the Truth About "Mommy Wine Culture" | Jessica Guerrieri (Going Deeper)Book: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue SeaConnect with Jessica:WebsiteInstagramBook: Both Can Be True: A NovelAbout Jessica |Jessica Guerrieri (grr-AIR-ee) is a Northern California–based writer and novelist, where she lives with her husband and three daughters. A former special education teacher, she left the classroom to raise her family and pursue writing full-time. Now more than a decade sober, she is a passionate advocate for addiction recovery, and her work centers on the complex interior lives of women, motherhood, and healing.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, author and journalist Lisa Katayama joins me to discuss her book The Japanese Way of Parenting and the lessons she’s bringing from her upbringing in Tokyo into raising her children in America. We explore Japanese parenting philosophies around cooperation, responsibility, routines, independence, and caring for others - while also discussing the balance between freedom and boundaries. This conversation is all about creating calmer, more connected homes and raising kind, capable kids in today’s world.Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelConnect with Lisa:InstagramBook: The Japanese Way of Parenting: And What It Taught Me About Raising (Mostly) Calm, Caring, Capable KidsAbout Lisa |Lisa Katayama is a working mom and writer who was born and raised in Tokyo. She is the author of two books, including Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan, and is a former tech and culture journalist for Wired, Fast Company, and The New York Times Magazine. Katayama is a US-Japan Leadership Program Fellow and an Asia Society Young Leader and was named one of Forbes Japan’s Top Women to Watch in 2018. She currently serves as Chief Transformation Officer for the Japanese technology company Digital Garage and lives in Northern California with her family.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if confident parenting isn’t about making the “right” decision in every moment - but about building a family system you trust? In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle and Greg Neufeld, hosts of The Most Important Thing, to explore how leadership principles from high-performing teams can translate into family life. We talk about the subtle ways modern parenting advice creates second-guessing, why focusing on process over perfection can shift everything, and how to define success through a long-term lens. Danielle and Greg also share practical ways to approach decision-making, repair after conflict, and create a culture of trust at home. This conversation offers a grounded, refreshing perspective for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to get parenting “right.”Links Discussed in This Episode |Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube ChannelDanielle's Resource: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier Greg's Resource: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months | Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free ProductivityConnect with Greg & Danielle:Linktree: linktr.ee/themostimpthingYouTube: youtube.com/@themostimpthingInstagram: instagram.com/themostimpthingWebsite: tmitpod.comAbout Danielle & Greg |Danielle and Greg Neufeld are the hosts of The Most Important Thing, a podcast exploring the idea that family is the most important team we will ever build. They are partners in life, leadership, and parenting three kids while navigating careers, ambition, and modern family life in real time.Danielle is a relationship builder and culture shaper who draws on her experience in the hedge fund industry and a deep interest in psychology and systems thinking. Greg is a venture investor and founder who focuses on people, incentives, and long-term decision-making.Together, they explore how families make decisions, share authority, repair after conflict, and stay connected in a fast-changing world. Their work blends research, lived experience, and practical experiments to help families operate with greater trust, clarity, and shared purpose at home.Episode Sponsors |The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!Enjoy the Podcast?Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.Our Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com* Check out Ruggable and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://ruggable.com* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy