Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

In this episode, I sit down with author Adriel Booker to talk about what she calls “the crisis after the crisis” - that disorienting, in-between space where life no longer looks the way it once did, but the path forward still feels unclear. Drawing from her book Tethered to Hope, Adriel shares how these liminal seasons - while often uncomfortable - can become places of deep transformation. We talk about the quiet ways God meets us in uncertainty, why we don’t have to grip hope as tightly as we think, and a few simple, grounding practices that can help u...

What if minimalism wasn’t about having less - but about making space for what matters? In this episode, Diane sits down with Kelly Foss of the Millennial Minimalists podcast to talk about how minimalism extends beyond your home. Kelly shares how embracing a “perfectly imperfect” approach helped her navigate stress, decision fatigue, and major life transitions with more clarity and intention. From simple decluttering strategies to mindset shifts around consumption, this conversation offers practical, doable ways to reduce overwhelm.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

There’s a quiet fear many mothers carry — but rarely say out loud:

What if I’m messing this up?

What if my impatience… my selfishness… my exhaustion… is shaping my kids in ways I don’t intend?

In today’s conversation, I’m joined by Abbey Wedgeworth, author of the upcoming book Help I’m Ruining My Kids. Abby shares candidly about her early struggles in motherhood and the uncomfortable realization that sometimes the problem wasn’t her kids...it was her heart.

We talk about what it really means to be a “work in progr...

What if you’re not broken - but simply carrying too much? In this episode, Diane sits down with psychologist and coach Danielle Dowling to talk about the invisible weight so many mothers carry - burnout, emotional labor, identity loss, and the quiet pressure to “do it all.” Through honest conversation and practical tools, Danielle shares how to support your nervous system, set boundaries, and begin reconnecting with yourself in the middle of everyday motherhood. If you're overwhelmed, resentful, or unsure of who you are anymore, this conversation offers both validation and a way forward - one small, doable step a...

What if chores and cooking weren’t just tasks - but tools for raising confident, capable teens?

In this episode, Diane talks with Katie, a mom of four, about shifting from control to collaboration - helping teens build independence through real-life skills like cooking, responsibility, and decision-making. From reducing anxiety to strengthening communication, Katie shares simple systems that give teens ownership while still maintaining clear boundaries.

If you want to raise teens who feel confident, capable, and prepared for real life, this conversation offers practical, doable steps to start today.

Links Discussed in Th...

Drowning is fast, silent, and often happens with adults nearby - so what are we missing?

With Spring Break and summer travel approaching, Diane shares a timely conversation on what every parent needs to know about keeping kids safe in and around water. From the surprising statistics to the simple systems that save lives, this episode breaks down practical, doable steps - like assigning a “water watcher,” choosing the right swim lessons, and avoiding common safety mistakes many families unknowingly make.

If your family will be near water this season, this is a must-listen conversation that...

What do you do when life doesn’t go as planned - and you’re just trying to get through the day?

In this episode, Diane sits down with author and poet Tanner Olson to talk about navigating grief, burnout, and uncertainty with honesty and quiet hope. Rather than offering quick fixes, Tanner shares how small moments can help you move through hard seasons with more gentleness.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure of what’s next, this conversation offers simple, comforting reminders that you’re not alone - and that hope can begin, eve...

What if stress isn’t the price of success - but the thing stealing it? In this episode, Diane sits down with former C-suite executive and leadership advisor Amy Leneker to explore a simple, practical framework for breaking free from overwhelm. Drawing from her book Cheers to Monday, Amy shares how to identify different types of stress, shift your mindset, and apply a 3-step method to reclaim your time, energy, and joy. If you’re tired of dreading the week ahead or constantly pushing through, this conversation offers a more sustainable - and intentional - way forward.

Link...

What if building wealth wasn’t just about money - but about compounding your entire life?

In this episode, Diane sits down with Kiana Danial - CEO of Invest Diva and self-made multimillionaire - to break down “triple compounding,” a powerful framework to grow your income, investments, and mindset at the same time. From rebuilding her finances with just $500 to creating an eight-figure portfolio, Kiana shares the shifts that changed everything - and why “slow and steady” isn’t always the answer.

If you’re ready for a smarter, more aligned approach to building long-term wealth, this c...

Sleep is one of the most talked-about - and most emotionally charged - topics in parenting. But what if the conversation we’ve been having about it is incomplete?

In this episode, I’m joined by therapist and pediatric sleep specialist Chrissy Lawler, author of The Peaceful Sleeper, to explore how sleep impacts not just our children - but our mental health, relationships, and overall family wellbeing. Chrissy shares how her clinical work revealed a surprising truth: many mental health struggles, especially in postpartum seasons, are deeply connected to chronic sleep deprivation.

We dive into the...

Note: I have listeners of all faith backgrounds that listen to the podcast. This episode is coming from a christian perspective so if that’s something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episode that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!

---------------------------------------

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

Is it possible that sibling rivalry holds the key to teaching kids grace, empathy, and lasting family bonds? In this epis...

In this episode, Diane sits down with holistic interior designer Gala Magina to explore how our homes can better support our well-being. Drawing from her background in meditation, feng shui, and healthy materials, Gala shares how thoughtful design choices—from decluttering and intentional purchasing to biophilic elements and circadian-friendly lighting—can help create calmer, healthier spaces. She also encourages overwhelmed homeowners to start with the area of their home that feels like the biggest energy drain and work toward a more intentional environment.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

Today on the podcast, I’m speaking with biochemist and bestselling author Jessie Inchauspé, known to many online as the Glucose Goddess. Jessie has helped millions better understand blood sugar and metabolic health, and she’s back with a new book, 9 Months That Count Forever, which explores how nutrition during pregnancy can shape a child’s long-term health.

In our conversation, Jessie explains how what happens in the womb can influence a baby’s future through epigenetics - essentially switches on our DNA that are affected by the environment during pregnancy.

And even if you’re not preg...

Motherhood was never meant to be a solo sport. In this episode, Diane sits down with Ashlee Gadd - founder of Coffee + Crumbs and editor of You’re in Good Company - to talk about redefining hospitality and building deep, meaningful friendships in the midst of busy mom life. Together, they explore why real community doesn’t require Pinterest-perfect dinners, but simple, consistent acts of showing up - often imperfectly. Ashlee shares how food becomes a vehicle for connection, why adult friendship can feel so hard, and how moms can create sacred, memorable moments without adding pressure to their plate...

In a culture obsessed with early achievement, test scores, and “educational” apps, are we overcomplicating childhood? In this episode, Diane sits down with developmental scientists Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, authors of Einstein Never Used Flash Cards, to share a freeing, research-backed truth: play isn’t a break from learning - it is learning. Drawing on more than 40 years of research, they explore how joyful play strengthens the brain, how parents can “Reflect, Resist, and Re-center” in a pressure-filled culture, what to know about screen time, and how everyday moments naturally build math, language, and resilience - reminding us that fr...

If you’ve ever felt like your calendar is running your life, this conversation is your wake-up call.

In this episode, Diane sits down with minimalist thought leader and executive coach Chris Lovett to explore how a single frustrating moment - stepping on a CD case - sparked a radical journey from clutter to clarity. What began as physical decluttering evolved into something deeper: questioning busyness, corporate culture, and the internal rules that keep high achievers overworked and overwhelmed.

Chris introduces the concept of “corporate minimalism” and explains why so many professionals - especially parents - stru...

The teenage years can feel like unfamiliar territory - for both parents and kids. In this episode, Diane sits down with author and Bible teacher Melissa Kruger to talk about what it means to raise teens with hope in a culture shaped by social media, constant information, and increasing isolation.

Melissa shares how parenting adolescents today is different than even a decade ago, particularly when it comes to mental health and digital influence. Instead of leading primarily with rules, she encourages parents to lead with conversation - doing the research, staying engaged, and setting boundaries that feel...

In this episode, Diane talks with trauma therapist and parenting expert Maggie Nick about the hidden cost of growing up as the “good kid” - the responsible, high-achieving child who never caused trouble but often learned to ignore their own needs. Maggie explains how this pattern can follow many adults into motherhood, showing up as perfectionism, people-pleasing, anxiety, and the pressure to keep everyone else happy. Together they explore “good kid trauma,” why even loving homes can unintentionally create relational shame, and how these early scripts shape the way we parent. If you’ve ever struggled to relax or felt respo...

Confused by labels like “grass-fed,” “natural,” or “organic”? In this episode, Diane talks with Jenni Harris of White Oak Pastures about what’s really happening inside America’s industrialized food system - and why cracks are beginning to show. From fragile supply chains to soil depletion and greenwashing, they unpack the hidden costs behind cheap food and the promise of regenerative farming. You’ll learn how rebuilding soil and decentralizing food production can strengthen communities and increase resilience. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about making more intentional choices at the dinner table.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

Why do we say things we don’t mean in the heat of conflict? Why does connection disappear the moment we feel criticized, dismissed, or misunderstood?

In this episode, Diane sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Kelly Flanagan, author of The Road Less Triggered, to explore what’s really happening when we get “triggered” in our closest relationships.

Dr. Flanagan explains how conflict shifts us from connection mode into protection mode and introduces the powerful practice of “regulate, then relate,” a concept rooted in nervous system science. Together, they discuss defensiveness, emotional reactivity, compassion, and how learning...

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

Diane sits down with herbalist and author Rachelle Robinett for a deeply grounding and inspiring conversation about the healing power of plants. Together, they explore the ancient, globally practiced art of herbalism, and why it might be exactly what our stressed-out, fast-paced culture needs right now.

From nervines and adaptogens to bitters and mushrooms, Rachelle gently walks us through how herbs can support sleep, digestion, emotional balance, mental clarity, and more. You'll learn that you don’t need a garden, a degree, or de...

In this conversation, science journalist and former biochemist Michaeleen Doucleff (author of Hunt, Gather, Parent and Dopamine Kids) reframes everything we think we know about dopamine. It’s not a “feel-good” chemical - it’s a system that drives wanting and seeking, which today’s ultra-processed foods and digital apps are designed to exploit.

We discuss why willpower alone doesn’t work, how to “curate cues” inside your home, and practical ways to retrain your family’s dopamine system - from screen-free rhythms to pairing foods for better satiety. Michaeleen shares how to create a home sanctuary that protects slee...

Managing family finances can feel overwhelming - especially when you’ve been conditioned to believe that working more is the only path to financial security. In this episode, Diane sits down with financial coach George to talk about simplifying money management, creating practical financial systems, and building long-term freedom without sacrificing your quality of life.

George shares how he and his wife developed a values-based approach to budgeting, investing, and debt payoff that helps couples work as a team while still allowing for guilt-free personal spending. Together, they discuss the importance of auditing subscriptions, investing early to ou...

Burnout, people-pleasing, procrastination, and mom guilt aren’t personal failures—they’re signs of a nervous system stuck in survival mode. In this episode, Diane talks with Elyssa Smith, founder of Your Best Moment and creator of the Ultimate Self-Regulation Method, about why so many women feel overwhelmed and exhausted despite doing “all the right things.”

Elyssa explains how emotional regulation—not time management or self-discipline—is the key to setting boundaries without guilt, ending self-sabotage, and parenting with more peace and confidence. Drawing from her personal healing journey and years of coaching women, she shares practical insights to he...

For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience, so if this content is something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episodes that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!

--------------------------------

Is it really possible to build a meaningful career without sacrificing your presence at home? In this conversation, Diane sits down with venture capitalist and conscious investor Eva Yazhari to talk about the tension betwee...

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

In this episode, we’re joined by speaker and author Justin Jones-Fosu to explore how respectful disagreement can be a powerful antidote to today’s growing loneliness epidemic. With half of Americans reporting just three or fewer close friends, we examine how fear of judgment, cancel culture, and surface-level conversations are driving disconnection. Justin unpacks concepts like the “dotted line dilemma” and the “illusion of asymmetric insight,” showing how our assumptions often block true connection. He also shares practical strategies to foster curiosity, embrace open-hearted dialogue, an...

If you’ve ever decluttered your home only to find the mess creeping back weeks later, you’re not alone - and it’s not a willpower problem. In this episode, Diane sits down with Katy Wells, author of Making Home Your Happy Place, to explore why traditional organizing methods often fail busy moms. After realizing clutter was keeping her from connecting with her toddler, Katy began uncovering the deeper emotional and behavioral roots behind accumulation. We talk about why some spaces feel impossible to manage, what “good enough” really looks like in a home with kids, and how to stop ty...

For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience. This episode is coming from a Christian perspective, so if this content is something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episodes that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!

--------------------------------

What happens when you follow all the “right” rules of faith - make the right friends, attend church faithfully, marry the right person, seek God sincerely - and some...

Did you know that shopping won’t solve your style struggles? If it did, you wouldn’t be struggling with a closet full of nothing to wear. The ultimate style solution starts with a mindset shift. Joining me today is former Hollywood stylist, Jammie Baker. Five years ago, she ditched the red carpet lifestyle to create a virtual styling business. Jammie empowers real women to find their unique style because she knows it’s not just about the clothes you wear, but the life you live in your clothes. Dressing from a mindset of appreciation and acceptance for your body w...

Are tantrums and meltdowns really the same thing? Most parents treat them as interchangeable - but the difference matters more than we realize.

In this episode, parenting expert Tia Slightham returns to the show to help us rethink what’s actually happening beneath our children’s behavior. She breaks down the key distinctions between tantrums and meltdowns, explains the deeper “why” driving these moments, and shares how our responses can either escalate or ease the situation.

Tia also introduces her powerful Behavior Needs Roadmap - a practical, easy-to-use tool that helps parents identify unmet needs before b...

For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience, so if this content is something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episodes that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!

--------------------------------

In a culture where busy schedules and unspoken expectations can quietly erode connection, how do we stay intentional in our relationships? In this episode, Diane sits down with author and TV producer Lindsay Jill Roth t...

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes that speak to a specific part of my audience. If this content is not what you’re looking for right now, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t want to miss.

--------------------------------

Resilience doesn’t start in middle school - it begins in toddlerhood. In this episode, Diane sits down with parenting and education expert Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy, to explore how emotional regulation, confidence, and gr...

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes that speak to a specific part of my audience. This particular conversation is rooted in a Christian perspective. If that’s not what you’re looking for right now, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t want to miss.

--------------------------------

Bestselling author Joshua Becker shares how a pivotal conversation led him from pastoral ministry into a life of radical simplicity - and ultimately into becoming one of the wo...

Is your child deeply emotional, stubborn and seemingly immune to traditional parenting advice? In this episode, Diane sits down with parenting coach Mary Van Geffen, author of Parenting a Spicy One, to explore how to raise intense, big-feeling kids without crushing their spirit - or losing yourself in the process.

Mary shares tools for staying calm during explosive tantrums, choosing connection over control, maintaining firm boundaries, and avoiding burnout when parenting feels relentless. If “gentle parenting” hasn’t worked in your home, this conversation offers a compassionate, realistic alternative rooted in calm, kindness, and confidence.

Links...

As we head into late winter/early spring, the pressure to “get organized,” “purge everything,” and finally become our "most minimalist selves" starts to creep in. But what if our decluttering intentions don’t fail because of laziness - but because they’re rooted in guilt? In this episode, I’m joined by Ari Kimmelfeld, founder of Commonplace, a company rethinking how we buy and sell large wellness and fitness equipment. We talk about the items that often feel hardest to let go of - the big investments that once represented our best intentions. And yet, for many of us, they quiet...

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

What happens when a high-powered entrepreneur realizes that success has come at the cost of her well-being? After launching an award-winning sustainable fashion startup in Hong Kong, Michelle Jungmin Bang found herself in the emergency room, overwhelmed by years of stress. Determined to prioritize health for both herself and her family, she embarked on a journey of healing and self-discovery, chronicled in her new book, SUN & SSUKGAT: The Korean Art of Self-Care, Wellness & Longevity. She dives into the wisdom of traditional Korean wellness practices, the p...

For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience, so if this content is something that doesn’t fit what you’re looking for, check out the other episodes that dropped this week or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation that you don’t want to miss!

--------------------------------

Today’s conversation is one I wish more women were having. I’m joined by Dani Sheriff, founder of The HA Society, who helps high-achieving, health-conscious women recover their missing menstrual cycles and restore their fert...

In a world of constant notifications and endless scrolling, how do we stay present in our real, physical lives? In this episode, Diane sits down with writer and educator Frank Possemato, author of How to Live an Analog Life in a Digital World, to explore how we can reclaim presence, depth, and real connection without abandoning technology altogether.Frank shares how digital overwhelm reshapes our attention, relationships, and even our sense of self - and offers simple, inexpensive practices to take back control. From embracing boredom and asking “What am I doing?” to restoring meaningful face-to-face conversations, this conversation invi...

Motherhood is often framed as either blissful or broken - but most mothers live in the in-between. In this episode, I’m joined by psychotherapist and author Dr. Margo Lowy to explore maternal ambivalence and the conflicting emotions many mothers feel but rarely name. We talk about why feelings like resentment, grief, and overwhelm can coexist with deep love, how unrealistic expectations fuel guilt and burnout, and why these “darker” emotions are a normal part of real-world parenting.

Links Discussed in This Episode |

About Margo|

Dr. Margo...

This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.

What makes someone a great communicator—and can anyone learn this skill? In this insightful episode, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Charles Duhigg joins the conversation to discuss his latest book, *Supercommunicators*, where he breaks down the science of effective communication. Charles challenges the idea that great communicators are simply born that way, revealing instead that communication is a learnable skill rooted in understanding human connection. Drawing from his research and experiences writing for The New Yorker, The New York Times, the discussion explores the power of stor...