Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

Between school schedules, household responsibilities, extracurricular activities, and everything else that comes with raising kids, it's easy for family life to start feeling like a series of tasks we're simply trying to get through. But what if we stopped dividing and conquering and started working together? Today, I'm joined by Blake and Chandler Allsmith, parents of seven and author...

When our children struggle - with attention, learning, emotions, friendships, or behavior - it's natural to wonder: Is something wrong? Do we need an evaluation? Am I missing something? Clinical neuropsychologist and learning disorder expert Dr. Katie Davis, author of Actually, You're Fine , joins me to unpack the increasingly complicated world of childhood development and diagnosis. We ta...

What if the secret to getting ahead isn't doing more, but getting intentional about what matters most? In this episode, I'm joined by Kelly Mooney, founder and CEO of Equipped Women and co-author of Up: The Playbook for Every Woman on the Rise , for a conversation about ambition, self-advocacy, and creating a career and life that reflect your values. Drawing on three decades of leadership...

When a teen with ADHD knows what they’re supposed to do - but still can’t seem to do it - it’s easy for parents to see defiance, laziness, or a lack of motivation. But ADHD is often a performance problem, not a knowledge problem, and understanding that distinction can completely change the way we respond to our kids.  In this episode, I’m joined by ADHD coach and author Dr. Tamara Rosier to talk a...

Money can feel especially stressful when so much of the economy is outside of our control. Rising costs, housing challenges, job uncertainty, college expenses, retirement - it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly bracing for what might come next. But while we can’t control the economy, we can become more intentional about the way we manage what we have. Today I’m joined by Crystal Paine, author of...

A question that keeps coming up is: how do I declutter crafts? I knew this was a topic that could be applied to not just kids crafts, but our own. Where do we store it all? Do I have too much? How do I know what to keep and get rid of? Joining me today to tackle these questions (and more) is author of Simple Lion Heart Life, Melissa Russell. Links Discussed in This Episode | Checkout the podcast s...

If you've been listening for a while now, you know, I've talked about the benefits of getting kids outside or living a slower childhood or having less screen time. But in today's conversation, we're going to be talking about the negative side of making our children's childhood too structured and adult directed. And what children can gain when we give some of that back? Today, I...

Fatigue. Brain fog. Hair loss. Mood changes. Hormonal shifts. After having a baby, women are often told these symptoms are simply part of motherhood - but when does “normal postpartum” become something worth investigating? Today I’m joined by Dr. Alexandra MacKillop, functional medicine doctor specializing in women’s health and hormones and author of The Postpartum Check-In . Alexandra helps women...

If you’ve ever called yourself lazy because you procrastinate, Dana K. White wants you to reconsider what’s really happening. Dana is back for the second time to discuss Procrastinators Get Stuff Done and why procrastination is often less about laziness and more about overwhelm, mental load, and too many decisions. We talk about why consistency doesn’t have to be the goal, how “pre-made decisions”...

For many families, the car isn't just transportation - it's a second living room, a snack station, a homework hub, and the place where life happens between destinations. But with so much happening inside the vehicle, it's easy for distractions to quietly steal our attention. In this episode, Diane sits down with Jennifer Morrison, Director of Vehicle Safety Strategy at Mazda, to discus...

Going Deeper episodes will be less structured with a more conversational tone. These conversations will focus on interesting people I've come across that share similar values, perspectives and intentions expressed on the Minimalist Moms Podcast. This is an episode of the Going Deeper series of the Minimalist Moms Podcast. Going Deeper episodes will be less structured with a more conversational...

Content warning: This episode contains topics that may not be appropriate for younger ears. Use discernment when listening. American boys are failing to meet their potential And joining me today is New York Times bestselling author, Dr. Leonard Sax, to explain why and what we can do about it. A growing proportion of American boys are failing. From kindergarten to college, boys are becoming less re...

Going Deeper episodes will be less structured with a more conversational tone. These conversations will focus on interesting people I've come across that share similar values, perspectives and intentions expressed on the Minimalist Moms Podcast. What helps a child feel connected to you - even when you’re apart? Actress, author, entrepreneur, and mom of four Sarah Wright Olsen joins me to talk...

We talk a lot about screen time - but what if the bigger issue is what our phones are quietly taking our attention away from? Olivia Yokubonis, known online as Olivia Unplugged , joins me to talk about moving beyond willpower and creating practical boundaries that help us use technology more intentionally. We discuss no-phone zones, practicing boredom, modeling healthier habits for our kids, and w...

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes designed for a specific part of my audience. I have listeners from all kinds of faith backgrounds, and this episode is shared from a Christian perspective. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for today, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t wan...

What if the key to feeling less overwhelmed isn't doing more—it's deciding what you no longer need to do yourself? In this eisode, Diane sits down with Christine Landis, founder of Peacock Parent, to explore the often-overlooked topic of outsourcing at home. While outsourcing is often associated with expensive services or large household budgets, Christine challenges that assumption by sho...

What if the answer to the youth mental health crisis isn’t simply fewer screens - but more freedom? In this conversation, I’m joined by psychologist and Free to Learn author Dr. Peter Gray to talk about his latest book, Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety. Peter challenges us to look beyond smartphones and social media and consider a much bigger shift that’s taken place...

We're surrounded by messages telling us that the next thing will make life better. The upgraded phone, the new clothes, the latest productivity system, the newest trend....but what if our constant attraction to new is actually pulling us further away from the life that we want? Today, I'm joined by Eric Athas , New York Times editor and author of Saying No to New. He's here today to sh...

What if the exhaustion you're feeling isn't coming from everything on your plate - but from trying to carry things that were never yours to hold? In this episode, Diane sits down with #1 New York Times bestselling author Lysa TerKeurst to unpack one of the most common struggles women face: the desire to control people, outcomes, and uncertainty. Whether it's worrying about your childre...

We’re often told that a better life is one that’s faster, easier, and more efficient. But what if removing every inconvenience is also removing some of the satisfaction, connection, and delight from our days? In this episode, Diane sits down with The Atlantic contributing writer Ian Bogost to discuss his book, The Small Stuff: How to Lead a More Gratifying Life. Ian explains how technology and mod...

I'm especially excited to share this replay episode with you as we are celebrating the release of my friend, Monica Packer's new book: Sticky Habits: A Woman's Guide to Reclaim Happiness, Ditch Perfectionism, and Create Habits that Last . Monica is my go-to for all things habits and I know you'll appreciate this conversation as much as I do. ----------------------------- Joining me...

For those who are new here, I occasionally release bonus episodes designed for a specific part of my audience. I have listeners from all kinds of faith backgrounds, and this episode is shared from a Christian perspective. If that’s not quite what you’re looking for today, feel free to explore the other episodes released this week - or join me back here next Tuesday for a conversation you won’t wan...

Artificial intelligence is becoming part of our everyday lives - but where should we draw the line? In this thought-provoking conversation, Diane sits down with Ben Peterson, Army veteran, founder of Engage Your Destiny, and author of When Intelligence Isn't Human, to explore the growing role AI is playing in our relationships, mental health, and sense of identity. Drawing from his military ex...

When did technology stop being a learning tool and quietly become the learning environment? Links Discussed in This Episode | Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane. Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel Early Childhood newsletter signup: https://hechingerreport.org/earlychildhood/ Reporting on school technology: "IPads in kindergarten, YouTube videos at snac...

If you've ever reached the end of the day wondering how you stayed busy but still didn't accomplish what mattered most, this episode is for you. Diane sits down with time management coach and CEO of The Pink Bee, Megan Sumrell, to challenge one of the biggest productivity myths many women believe: that a longer to-do list will somehow make us feel more in control. Instead, Megan explains w...