Mindful Mama: Raising Kind, Confident Kids Without Losing Your Cool | Parenting Strategies For Big Emotions & More

Hunter talks to Julie Lythcott-Haims about How To Raise An Adult. Are you undermining your child’s future by doing too much for them? Julie Lithcott-Haims shares with us the frightening consequences of over-parenting. She calls it the “checklisted childhood,” and it’s leaving a generation of kids who are anxious and overwhelmed by life. In this podcast we talk about how to avoid the overparenting...

The Screen Time Struggle: When Screens Hijack Childhood with Christopher T. Willard & Hunter Clarke-Fields Screens are everywhere—and they’re changing childhood in ways we’re only beginning to understand. In this powerful live-recorded conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields sits down with psychologist and mindfulness expert Christopher T. Willard to unpack the real impact of screen time on kids (and a...

Sibling rivalry can feel exhausting, confusing, and never-ending — but what if the fighting isn’t really about toys, fairness, or who started it? In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Sarah Rosensweet, certified peaceful parenting coach and host of the The Peaceful Parenting Podcast, about what sibling conflict is really about — and how parents can respond in...

Many parents want to raise securely attached children — but worry that one mistake, one meltdown, or one bad day could cause lasting harm. In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields speaks with Adam Lane Smith, The Attachment Specialist, about what secure attachment actually looks like in real life — not theory, not perfection, but everyday moments of regulation, repair, and...

So many of us know how we want to parent…And yet, in the moments that matter most, we find ourselves reacting instead of responding. In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields explores why this happens—not as a personal failing, but as a biological stress response—and how mindfulness helps parents work with their nervous systems instead of against them. You’ll learn: Why parenting triggers are rooted i...

Motherhood is a profound transformation — yet many moms feel overwhelmed by guilt, anxiety, and an unforgiving inner critic. In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Dr. Angele Close, clinical psychologist and author of Unburdening Motherhood, about how the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model helps mothers understand their inner world, release “good mom” myths,...

Do your child’s meltdowns or aggressive outbursts leave you feeling frustrated, anxious, or unsure how to respond? On this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, I talk with Dr. Bethany Bilodeau, behavioral expert and founder of The Behavior Bootcamp, about practical strategies to manage challenging behavior with humor, compassion, and science-backed techniques. Dr. B explains why behavior escalates...

Why do kids show challenging behavior—and what actually helps? In this episode, Dr. Ross Greene shares a powerful mindset shift: behavior isn’t about motivation, it’s about skills and unmet expectations. When we view behavior as communication, we can move from reacting to problems to proactively solving them with our kids. This conversation will help you bring more calm, connection, and collaborat...

In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, I talk with Mary Van Geffen, parenting coach and mom, about what it means to parent a “Spicy One” — children who are strong-willed, deeply feeling, and emotionally intense. Mary shares practical strategies for staying calm, kind, and firm, setting limits without breaking a child’s spirit, and protecting parents and siblings from burnout. She also explor...

Many parents carry the weight of giving too much—often without realizing it. In this episode, Amelia Nagoski dives into Human Giver Syndrome and its impact on mental health, stress, and burnout. We talk about the importance of sleep, connection, and joy in completing the stress response cycle, as well as practical strategies for managing stress and caring for yourself in the midst of parenting and...

In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, I talk with Katie Kimball about how chores can quietly build children’s competence, confidence, and independence. Katie shares practical strategies for engaging kids of all ages, creating chore systems that actually work, and introducing responsibility in ways that feel collaborative rather than controlling. Whether you’re parenting elementary-aged kids...

Parenting can leave intimacy feeling impossible—but it doesn’t have to. In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Dr. Rebecca Eudy, sex therapist and author of Parents in Love, about navigating desire, connection, and pleasure in long-term relationships. You’ll discover: • Why desire differences are normal—and not a sign something is wrong • How parenting affects intimacy and touch • Practi...

Caring for kids, aging parents, and work—often all at once—can leave caregivers exhausted, overwhelmed, and silently burning out. In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields and clinical psychologist Dr. Christopher Willard explore the unique emotional and nervous-system challenges of the sandwich generation. You’ll learn why caregiver burnout isn’t a personal failure, how ch...

In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Sharon Salzberg, meditation pioneer, bestselling author, and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, about practicing mindfulness and lovingkindness in today’s fast-paced, hyperconnected world. Sharon shares why so many of us feel disconnected and overwhelmed — even when we’re not alone — and how lovingkindness can...

Pregnancy can be full of excitement—but also deep anxiety, fear, and trauma. In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Alexia Leachman, founder of Fearless Birthing and creator of the Head Trash Clearance method, about reproductive anxiety, tocophobia, and maternal mental health. You’ll learn: • What reproductive anxiety is and how it differs from general anxiety or tokophobia • How past tr...

Why don’t kids listen—and how can we get more cooperation without yelling, threats, or bribes? In this solo episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields breaks down the real reasons kids tune us out and what you can do to transform the dynamic with connection, boundaries, and play. You’ll learn: • Why yelling shuts down your child’s “learning brain” • The communication habits that accidentally create resistance...

Eli Harwood, licensed therapist, creator of Attachment Nerd, and author of Securely Attached and Raising Securely Attached Kids, joins Hunter Clarke-Fields to explore the crucial role of attachment in parenting. In this conversation, they discuss how early relational patterns shape children’s development, the four main attachment styles, and practical strategies for fostering secure connections wi...

We’re closing out 2025 with the most-loved, most transformative episodes of The Mindful Mama Podcast! In this special “Best Of” compilation, host Hunter Clarke-Fields revisits five unforgettable conversations that inspired parents everywhere to bring more calm, compassion, and connection into family life. From helping anxious kids to navigating sibling rivalry and supporting our own nervous system...

Is your child oppositional? The problem may not be in your child, but in your relationship. Dr. Gabor Maté returns to the Mindful Parenting Podcast to talk about the problem of “peer orientation” and how it creates a competition between adult intentions and peers. Discussion about the natural parental hierarchy, how to take “back” our kids and promote healthy attachment with adults.  ABOUT HUNTER...

Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or stuck in cycles of yelling and guilt? You’re not alone—and there is another way. In this short mini episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields invites you to Mindful Parenting Live, a free, four-day online series happening January 5–8. You’ll learn practical, mindfulness-based tools to help you parent with more calm, connection, and confidence—even in the middle of tantrums,...

Seth Perler, executive function coach, speaker, and advocate for neurodiverse learners, joins Hunter Clarke-Fields to discuss the challenges and opportunities of parenting neurodiverse children. They explore common myths about executive function, the differences between neurodiverse and neurotypical kids, and how curiosity, empathy, and mindful parenting can make a real difference. Seth shares pra...

Dr. Judy Y. Chu, educator and author of When Boys Become Boys, joins Hunter Clarke-Fields to explore how boys develop emotionally, socially, and relationally in a culture that often limits their expression. In this conversation, they discuss how societal expectations shape boys’ identities, the importance of relationships in their lives, and the ways boys can be supported to maintain empathy, emot...

Dr. Cara Natterson, pediatrician, bestselling author, and founder of Less Awkward, joins Hunter Clarke-Fields to discuss how parents can guide boys through puberty with confidence, compassion, and clarity. They explore how to maintain connection when boys start to withdraw, talk openly about body changes, consent, and online influences, and recognize early signs of emotional struggle. Dr. Natterso...

Author and media critic Joanna Schroeder, co-author of Talk To Your Boys, joins Hunter to explore how we can raise emotionally aware and connected young men in a world that tells them to “man up.” They talk about emotional literacy, having tough conversations about sex, consent, and substances, and how to respond when boys are angry or shut down. Joanna shares insights on helping boys manage big f...

Mindful parenting is about presence, not perfection. In this episode, Hunter Clarke-Fields shares practical do’s and don’ts for staying calm through big emotions, setting respectful boundaries, and caring for yourself while fostering your child’s independence. Highlights: • Stay grounded and model emotional regulation • Set clear, respectful boundaries • Support kids’ independence—and your own gro...