Mindful Mama | Inspiration To Thrive Not Just Survive

How can you encourage creativity, emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience in your child? PLAY! Free play is absolutely vital for a child’s life. In this episode, I talk to Any Yudina from The Genius of Play, who reminds us that there is no substitute for free, unstructured play for kids and we parents have to protect that time. We also talk about TOYS—what are the essentials your kid needs? Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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! Anna Yudina has been leading the non-profit Genius of Play initiative to educate parents and caregivers about the benefits of play and provide families with fun and fre

You have definitely heard or experienced yourself the benefits of mindfulness—better emotional regulation, more calm, and clearer thinking. So what about your kids? Many adults want to share mindfulness for kids but there are definitely some DOs and some DON’Ts. Hunter talks to Kailey Lefko is a teacher, co-founder of Educalme about how we should share mindfulness with kids. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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! Kailey Lefko is a teacher, co-founder of Educalme and co-host of The Balanced Educator Podcast. She helps educators create calm classrooms with Educalme’s ready-to-use resources. Get Hunter's book, 

Teens and young adults need to know how to navigate the financial challenges of adulthood including debt, credit cards, how to manage their own household, and more. Are we teaching them everything they need to know? In this episode, I talk to Bobbi Rebell, author of Launching Financial Grownups. If you want to know what to teach your child about money, this is a must-listen! Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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! Bobbi Rebell, CFP® is the author of Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart, a financial literacy advocate, the host of th

How do we motivate our kids to do well—in school, and in life? In this episode I talk to motivation expert Sharath Jeevan about the things we do that kill motivation and how we can help our kids become passionate contributors to our future world instead. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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! Sharath is one of the world's leading experts on re-igniting our inner drive (intrinsic motivation). His groundbreaking book "Intrinsic" has received glowing endorsements ranging from leading smart-thinking writers like Dan Heath and Nir Eyal, to business and education leaders to the former Prime Minister of Greece. Get

You'll know that you're not alone as you hear Hunter's honest and vulnerable sharing of her struggles. You'll see that you are not to blame for your hot temper or feeling like one big button waiting to be pushed. You'll learn research-proven tools and practices that will create palpable changes in your day-to-day life with your child. Raising Good Humans is the roadmap you've been looking for to leave the authoritarian practices of the past behind while creating cooperation from the inside-out, and loving relationships with your children for a lifetime. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: 1. What N

As children’s lives become more “virtual,” teachers notice a decrease in attention and doctors report an alarming increase in sensory and emotional disorders. How can you make sure your kid is instead healthy, resilient, and strong? Hunter talks to Angela Hanscom, founder of Timbernook and author of Balanced & Barefoot about the power of outdoor play. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: Angela J. Hanscom is a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook—an award-winning developmental and nature-based program that has gained international popularity. She is the author of Balanced and B

Birth to age five is when children form 90% of their brain, and the foundation of emotional intelligence they get in those years can impact the rest of their development. In this episode, I talk to Alyssa Campbell, founder of Seed & Sew about young children and how to support their growth as grounded humans. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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 expect too much emotional regulation ability from ages 3-6 We’re not supposed to be regulated all the time (and not our kids either) We often try to skip over the first phases of emotional processing Alyssa Blask Campbell is the founder and CEO of See

Many of us are confused about what to do about our kid’s education. Should they go to a local school? A private school? Homeschool? I brought renowned expert Peter Gray on so that we could talk about how kids learn and what kind of education best supports their healthy development. Find out what you should (and should not) do to help your child have a meaningful education that keeps their natural curiosity alive. 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: Author of introductory psychology textbook; research articles in neuroscience, psychology, anthropology, and education; and Free to Learn, a book about children’s natural capacities for Self-Directed Educa

Sensational news stories about tech can have us wanting to run away to a cabin in the woods without internet or devices! Can there be any good news about kids and tech? In my conversation with Emily Weinstein and Carrie James, authors of “Behind Their Screens,” I found out that there are actually hidden benefits to tech, and that we adults can get much more curious and open-minded about kids and tech. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: 1. Not all screen time is equal 2. Teens worry about digital habits too 3. Parents should lead by example and show kids healthy tech habits allowing them to recogni

The research is in. Shaming and judging ourselves does NOT help us become better parents. What do we need instead? Dr. Shauna Shapiro came back on the Mindful Mama Podcast to talk about self-compassion and her new guided, “Good Morning, I Love You” journal. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: When you practice self-compassion you change the brain, pruning away old, unhealthy pathways You’re never just practicing self-compassion for yourself. It affects others! Attention is our most valuable resource. Shauna Shapiro, Ph.D. is a best-selling author, clinical psychologist, and internationally rec

If your child is consistently irritable, has attention issues, or behavior problems, you may want to check in on how much screen time they have. Dr. Victoria Dunkley talks to us about how screen time affects developing brains—acting as a stimulant for kids. Learn about her intervention and how reducing screen time can radically help mental health disorders. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: How much screen time is a bigger factor than what kids are doing on screens The earlier screens are introduced, the more likely kids will become tech-addicted later The 2 devices that cause the most harm ar

Do you ever think that you are a sh*tty parent? If so, you are not alone. A combination of factors has led to this generation of parents being incredibly hard on themselves. Today I talk to Carla Naumburg, Mindful Mama Podcast favorite and author of the new book “You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent,” about how to turn around this judgmental mindset and how it (paradoxically) can help us become better parents! Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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 are wired for comparison Every parent makes lousy parenting decisions We need to ask, “What do I need?” Carla Naumburg, Ph.D., LICSW, is a clinical s

Cellphones have become a fact of life, with children as young as eight (yes, eight!) getting their very own “devices.” In this episode, I talk to Catherine Pearlman—licensed clinical social worker and parenting expert—about her book, First Phone. I love this book! In it, she speaks directly to eight- to twelve-year-old children about digital safety in a manner that is playful, engaging, and age-appropriate. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: Even if your child doesn’t have their own phone, they will be around phones through their friends Kids need a resource on digital safety, etiquette, self-ca

Kids do and say things all the time that trigger intense feelings in us parents. Then we’re often yelling, shaming, or blaming. Where do these intergenerational dramas come from? How can we transform these triggers? In this episode, I talk to psychologist Dr. Lynyetta Willis about all this and more so that we can move on to healing and empowerment. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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 “triggered travelers” within us We’re always using tools, the question is whether they’re helpful or not We have to retrain our brain to transform triggers Psychologist and family empowerment coach, Dr.

What do you do with a child that won’t listen? Ranine, a single mom of a 7-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy is frustrated with the yelling, so she’s falling on the old tool: take away the electronics. Is there another way to get your child to listen? How do you get your child to clean their room or get off screen time if you don’t threaten? Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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! Ranine is an entrepreneur and single mom of a 7 year old girl and 8 year old boy. The family is high energy; however, Ranine finds she has less energy by day's end. Ranine is from a broken home and as much as she didn't want that for

How can we help kids get better sleep? Authors of “Generation Sleepless,” Heather Turgeon and Julie Wright help us help our tweens, teens, and even little ones get better sleep! We talk about the “perfect storm” of factors that work against us, and how to hold limits to support kids’ sleep! Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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: Only 10% of teens get healthy sleep on a regular basis Lack of sleep is lending to the mental health crisis in tweens and teens Parents let go of limits way too early Heather and Julie are psychotherapists and authors of The Happy Sleeper and N

Hunter meets her childhood hero, actress, director, and documentarian, Soleil Moon Frye…aka Punky Brewster!

In this episode, I talk to Gaetan Pellerin about how tools used in negotiating are more than relevant while raising our kids. We talk about the role of the ego, why parenting can be so challenging, and how powerful mindfulness is when identifying the wants and needs of our kids. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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:  Negotiating is difficult when emotions are involved Mindfulness negating should create value for both sides When we are emotional, we can't be present Gaëtan has always been motivated to understand what’s driving each of us: emotions, fears, desires. This

What is it like to be an American Muslim mama trying to raise kids who are 100% American and Muslim? Is it possible to be progressive and Muslim? Many have misperceptions (including me!), so I brought on Zaiba Hasan, host of the Mommying While Muslim podcast to talk about all this and more. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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:  You can be progressive and Muslim American Muslim kids have to deal with the after effects of September 11 Muslims come from many different cultures, which flavor their experience There was no Ph.D. in parent and life coaching, so she created one herself! Zaiba has recei

Do you struggle with making time to exercise? As parents, exercising can seem daunting and exhausting. In this episode, I talk to Jennifer Heisz, author of Move the Body, Heal the Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia, and Improve Focus, Creativity, and Sleep about the importance of daily movement. We talk about how exercise doesn't have to be vigorous or time-consuming. Jennifer suggests ways even busy parents can make time for movement. Watch this episode on the Mindful Mama Youtube channel! 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:  Moving is a kickstarter to mindfulness Physical inactivity contributes as much to dementia as genetics Contrary