Podcast
Mindful Mama: Raising Kind, Confident Kids Without Losing Your Cool | Parenting Strategies For Big Emotions & More
Hosted by Hunter Clarke-Fields · EN
How do you raise kind, confident kids without losing your cool? How do you manage kids’ behavior, help them regulate their big emotions, AND stay grounded?
Mindful Parenting is here to help. I’m Hunter Clarke-Fields, former yelling, frustrated mom. Dealing with my anger drove me to find practical, compassionate parenting strategies to regulate emotions as well as mindfulness to bring peace to the chaos at home.
In each refreshingly honest episode you’ll come away knowing that you have permission to be human, you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard.
If you've looking for conscious, positive parenting strategies and expert advice on issues like tech/screen time, ADHD, tantrums, teens, toddlers, and more, you’re in the right place. Join our community of parents changing generational patterns for a brighter future! https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/
28episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Words That Shape Your Child - Cara Tyrell
2w ago00:47:21Tap to summarizeWhat if the way you speak to your child is shaping not just their language—but their identity? In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Cara Tyrrell, linguist and early childhood educator, about how intentional language can transform your relationship with your child—from birth and beyond. They explore the powerful difference between communication and language, why emotional safety is the foundation for learning, and how small shifts in your everyday words can build connection, confidence, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered whether you are saying the “right” things, this conversation offers a grounded, practical reframe. It is not about saying more. It is about saying what matters. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why communication and language are not the same—and why both matter How using full, natural sentences supports early language development What permission-based language is and how it helps children regulate emotions Why emotional safety is essential for learning, exploration, and connection How quality of communication matters more than quantity The role of silence in supporting language development How everyday phrases can shape your child’s identity and inner voice Simple ways to shift from control-based to connection-based communication Why it is never too late to repair and rebuild your relationship with your child How neuroplasticity supports growth for both parent and child Key Takeaways Your words have weight, and your presence matters even more Children thrive when they feel safe, seen, and accepted Language can support or undermine a child’s sense of self Connection is the foundation for cooperation and learning Parenting is a process of becoming, not just achieving outcomes ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host of the Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Your Calm Is Your Child's Best Drug, with Hunter Clarke-Fields
3w ago00:55:24Tap to summarizeThis is from Hopestream: Parenting Kids Through Addiction & Mental Health with Brenda Zane. Hunter Clarke-Fields was a painter. She had a graduate degree in art education, a high school teaching job, and what looked from the outside like a creative life. What nobody could see was that she was white-knuckling her way through it, cycling between intense highs and pits of despair she could not explain, having panic attacks in the hallways before she had any tools to handle them. She reached for yoga, then for books on mindfulness, and read about it for years before she finally, at 27, sat down and actually tried. She set a timer for 10 minutes and sat there thinking the whole time. She was certain she was doing it wrong. But two months in, she looked back and realized she had not fallen into a single pit. Not one. For someone who had been cycling into darkness every couple of weeks for most of her adult life, that was not a small thing. It was everything. And it sent her down a path she never expected, one that eventually turned her into the Mindful Mama Mentor, a podcast host, a mindfulness teacher, and the bestselling author of Raising Good Humans. Hunter now teaches mindfulness to parents all over the world, with over 20 years of meditation practice behind her and two daughters who, she will freely admit, grew up slightly allergic to the whole thing. I wanted to have this conversation because I think mindfulness gets written off as vague or soft, and Hunter makes it anything but. She explains what is actually happening in your brain when you blow up at your kid, why longer exhales are not just a cliche, and what she calls the Three R's, a framework so simple you will remember it in the worst moment. She also says something about feelings being like toddlers that I keep coming back to. If you have ever thought that mindfulness is not for you, or that you are too far gone to start, this one is for you. You'll learn: Why Hunter spent two months certain she was meditating wrong. The part of mindfulness most people skip that changes everything. Her Three R's for the moments you most want to lose it. What she says feelings are like, and why it reframes everything. The one thing she would tell a struggling parent to try today. EPISODE RESOURCES: Hunter Clarke-Fields website Raising Good Humans Book Mindful Mama Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Creating Rules Kids Will Follow: A Guide for Parents - Wendy Snyder
Jun 2300:51:07Tap to summarizeMost parents underestimate the power of changing their approach—it's not about strict rules or punishments, but about reconnecting through compassionate discipline. Wendy Snyder and Hunter Clarke-Fields dive into how shifting from control to connection transforms your relationship with your children and creates a peaceful, respectful home. Discover the hidden influence of your nervous system patterns, and how unlearning them is the secret to lasting change. You'll hear real stories of mistakes turned lessons, like the police station scare that failed—and what worked instead. Wendy shares her groundbreaking framework: Rules plus relationship equals respect—an approach that empowers kids to learn, cooperate, and trust without force. We break down practical tools to set firm boundaries with love, manage parent's own emotional triggers, and foster resilience in strong-willed children. If you've ever felt like you're failing or wonder if parental honesty can coexist with discipline, this episode offers hope—and a blueprint for a family legacy rooted in respect, peace, and joy. Perfect for parents ready to ditch shame and control, and those committed to raising confident, compassionate kids while honoring their own well-being. Whether you're just starting this journey or looking for fresh inspiration, these stories and strategies will empower you to create lasting change. Wendy Snyder is a certified parenting coach, known for her work on compassionate discipline and high-will kids. She's the author of Fresh Start Your Family, dedicated to transforming family life—one gentle boundary at a time.Transform your parenting. Reclaim your connection. And get ready for a family dynamic you’ll love into your elder years. Don’t just survive parenting—thrive with respect and resilience. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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MPI: Summer, Separation & Growing Up: Helping Kids Thrive While Letting Go - Chris & Hunter
Jun 1600:45:55Tap to summarizeSummer brings more than sunshine and vacations—it brings change. Whether your child is heading to camp, navigating more freedom with friends, learning new responsibilities, or preparing for college, summer often reminds us of a truth that's easy to avoid during the busy school year: our children are growing up. In this special summer conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields and Chris Willard explore how mindfulness can help parents navigate transitions with greater ease, courage, and trust. They discuss why letting go can feel so difficult, how overprotection can unintentionally undermine children's confidence, and what research says about raising capable, resilient kids. Together, they dive into the parenting paradox: our job is to build strong attachment, but our goal is eventual independence. In this episode you'll learn: Why transitions feel difficult for both children and parents How mindfulness helps us navigate uncertainty and change The surprising science behind autonomy, competence, and connection How to support independence without sacrificing safety Why boredom is often the gateway to creativity and resilience Practical ways kids can become contributors at home How to handle homesickness, separation, and mixed emotions Why summer is the perfect season to practice flexibility The difference between healthy guidance and controlling behavior How simple family rhythms can create calm during less structured months Plus, Hunter and Chris discuss summer routines, family vacations, camp jitters, teenage freedom, and the often-unspoken grief parents experience as children grow more independent. Because raising confident kids isn't about holding on tighter—it's about learning when and how to let go. Resources Mentioned Self-Determination Theory (Edward Deci & Richard Ryan) Maria Montessori's work on independence and competence Mindfulness practices for parenting through transitions Have you ever struggled with letting go as your child grows? Share this episode with a parent who could use a little support this summer. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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When Teens Turn to Drugs: What Parents Need to Know - Brenda Zane
Jun 900:51:20Tap to summarizeWhen a tween or teen experiments with drugs or alcohol, many parents spiral into fear, shame, and self-blame — wondering Where did we go wrong? and What do we do now? In this deeply honest episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields speaks with Brenda Zane, TEDx speaker, podcast host, and co-founder of Hopestream Community, about parenting through teen substance use — without shame, disengagement, or outdated “rock bottom” thinking. After nearly losing her son to two fentanyl overdoses in three days, Brenda brings both lived experience and evidence-based insight to this conversation. She explains why substance use is often a response to emotional pain, nervous-system overload, or unmet needs — not bad parenting — and why parents remain one of the most powerful protective factors in a child’s recovery. Together, they explore how fear can push parents toward control or avoidance, what actually helps teens open up, and why mindfulness may be one of the most effective prevention tools we have. This episode offers clarity, compassion, and hope for parents who feel scared, exhausted, or alone — and a reminder that connection is never wasted. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why tweens and teens experiment with drugs or alcohol The emotional, social, and neurological risk factors parents should watch for Why you are not the cause of your child’s substance use — and why that matters Common (loving) parenting patterns that shut down communication Why shame and self-blame undermine a parent’s effectiveness Evidence-based approaches that work without “rock bottom” thinking How boundaries and natural consequences support growth Why science and kindness outperform disengagement How mindfulness helps parents stay regulated in terrifying moments What gives real hope — even after crisis or overdose ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Why Smart, Loving Parents Still Lose It (And What That Tells Us) - Cassidy Freitas
Jun 200:50:11Tap to summarizeMom Needs a Moment: Moving From Parenting Reactivity to Self-Trust with Dr. Cassidy Freitas Why do the parents who care the most often feel the most shame when they lose their temper? In this episode, Hunter talks with licensed marriage and family therapist and author Dr. Cassidy Freitas about the deeply human moments of parenting—when we react in ways we wish we hadn’t, and the shame that can follow. Dr. Cassidy explains what’s actually happening in the nervous system right before we snap, why knowing the “right” parenting tools doesn’t always mean we can access them in stressful moments, and how understanding reactivity as nervous system wisdom can help parents move from shame toward self-trust. You’ll also learn how slowing down and creating space—or “margins”—in your life can help regulate emotions, break reactive cycles, and strengthen connection with your kids. If you’ve ever thought, “I know better… so why did I react like that?” this conversation will help you understand yourself with more compassion. In This Episode You’ll Learn Why parents who care deeply often experience the most shame after losing it What’s happening in the nervous system just before parenting reactivity Why parenting tools can disappear under stress How triggers can be useful information rather than personal failures The role of “internal parts,” stress, and personal history in parenting moments How modern parenting advice can erode parents’ trust in their inner knowing What repair looks like—not just with your child, but within yourself A Few Powerful Takeaways Reactivity is nervous system wisdom—not personal failure. Parenting requires space to reflect, not just strategies to apply. Self-compassion is essential for breaking cycles of shame and reactivity. Resources Mentioned Mom Needs a Moment by Dr. Cassidy Freitas Visit Dr. Cassidy: https://www.drcassidymft.com Follow Dr. Cassidy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcassidy About the Guest Dr. Cassidy Freitas is a licensed marriage and family therapist, host of the Holding Space podcast, and author of Mom Needs a Moment. She helps parents move from reactivity and shame toward self-trust, compassion, and deeper connection with their children. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Let Them Grow: Why Kids Need Independence - Lenore Skenazy
May 2600:45:27Tap to summarizeWhat happens when we stop hovering and start trusting our kids a little more? In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter talks with Lenore Skenazy — president of Let Grow and author of Free-Range Kids — about why childhood independence is becoming one of the most important parenting conversations of our time. After a media firestorm erupted when she allowed her 9-year-old son to ride the subway alone, Lenore became a leading voice advocating for kids’ freedom, resilience, and confidence. Together, Hunter and Lenore unpack the cultural fear driving overprotective parenting, the rise in childhood anxiety, and the growing movement to normalize age-appropriate independence again. They explore how programs like The Let Grow Experience help families break the worry cycle, why “reasonable childhood independence” laws are spreading across the country, and how small acts of freedom can transform both kids and parents. This conversation is hopeful, practical, and deeply empowering for any parent wondering how to raise capable, confident kids in a fear-filled culture. In This Episode, You’ll Learn Why childhood independence is directly connected to confidence and mental health How overprotection can unintentionally increase anxiety in children What “reasonable childhood independence” laws actually protect Why today’s world is statistically safer than many parents think How the Let Grow movement helps families break the fear cycle Age-appropriate ways to start building independence Why small risks are essential for resilience and growth How parents themselves often change through the process of letting go About Lenore Skenazy Lenore Skenazy is the president of Let Grow, a nonprofit promoting childhood independence and resilience. After becoming known as “America’s Worst Mom” for letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone, she wrote Free-Range Kids and became a national voice for childhood freedom and reasonable risk-taking. Resources Mentioned Let Grow Website The Let Grow Experience (Schools Program) Four Weeks to a Let Grow Kid Lenore’s TED Talk (2025) Key Takeaways Independence is not neglect — it’s preparation for adulthood. Kids build confidence by doing hard things without constant intervention. Anxiety often shrinks when competence grows. Parents’ fears are understandable, but many are culturally amplified rather than statistically grounded. Children need chances to solve problems, make mistakes, and experience responsibility. Small moments of independence can transform family dynamics. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Breaking the Dopamine Cycle - Michaeleen Doucleff
May 1900:54:52Tap to summarizeWhat’s really happening in your child’s brain when screens, sugar, or shows feel impossible to take away? In this powerful and grounding conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD—author of Dopamine Kids and Hunt, Gather, Parent—about how modern parenting has become deeply entangled with dopamine, and what families can do to restore balance without shame, punishment, or power struggles. Drawing on neuroscience, anthropology, and real-life parenting experiments, Michaeleen explains why kids aren’t “addicted” or broken—and why parents aren’t failing. Instead, we’re all navigating a dopamine-saturated environment that no human brain evolved for. This episode offers compassionate insight and practical tools to help parents reduce overwhelm, create calmer homes, and support kids’ emotional regulation—starting with small, realistic changes. In this episode, we discuss: How Michaeleen first recognized her daughter’s intense attachment to a show—and what dopamine taught her about it Why kids melt down when screens or treats are removed (and what’s actually happening neurologically) The invisible ways modern life overstimulates kids’ brains—beyond just screen time What parents often notice first when dopamine levels normalize How our own phone habits shape our kids’ nervous systems The smallest, kindest first step families can take to reduce dopamine overload Why changing microenvironments (like cars, bedrooms, and dinner tables) can have outsized emotional payoffs The power of replacement over deprivation Why “Tech Sabbaths” work—and how to introduce them without turning them into battles One crucial mindset shift to approach kids’ screen or food obsessions with more compassion ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Ripple Effect of Teaching Mindful Parenting
May 1400:07:24Tap to summarizeWhat if the hardest parts of your parenting journey could become the very thing that helps other families heal? In this heartfelt mini-episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields shares the vision behind the Mindful Parenting Teacher Certification — a transformative training designed for parents, therapists, coaches, educators, and helpers who feel called to support families in a deeper way. Hunter explains why this program starts with your own inner work first: mindfulness, self-compassion, nervous system regulation, and breaking reactive patterns. From there, participants learn how to confidently lead mindful parenting groups, workshops, and courses using a complete ready-to-teach curriculum. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why mindful parenting must be embodied, not just taught How the certification supports both personal healing and professional growth What’s included in the training and curriculum The ripple effect of helping parents respond instead of react Why the world needs more grounded, compassionate parenting leaders right now Whether you dream of becoming a parenting coach, want meaningful work supporting families, or simply feel called to share what’s helped you most, this episode is an invitation to explore what’s possible. Learn more about the Mindful Parenting Teacher Certification at Mindful Parenting Teacher Certification Program If this episode resonates, follow the podcast and share it with someone who feels passionate about helping parents and children thrive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Navigate Tantrums, Meltdowns & Defiance - Alyssa Blask-Campbell
May 1200:58:22Tap to summarizeSmall humans can have some BIG emotions! How do we navigate tantrums, meltdowns, and defiance and actually raise emotionally intelligent kids? Alyssa Blask Campbell returns to the Mindful Mama Podcast to discuss her new book, Tiny Humans, Big Emotions. 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! Alyssa Blask Campbell is a thought-leader and expert in emotional development. She is deeply passionate about building emotional intelligence in children and co-created the Collaborative Emotion Processing (CEP) method. Her book, TINY HUMANS, BIG EMOTIONS, will be available Fall 2023 from HarperCollins. Follow @seed.and.sew. Get Hunter's best selling book, Raising Good Humans now! Over 200,000 copies sold! Click here to order and get book bonuses! And now Hunter's newly released book, Raising Good Humans Every Day, is available to order! Click here to get your copy! ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at MindfulMamaMentor.com. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: /mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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