Free to Be Mindful Podcast | Helping Professional Moms Find Calm in a Busy World

Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. Whether it’s a big move, a change in family dynamics, or even a canceled event, curveballs can leave us feeling frustrated or stuck. But what if we looked at these moments differently? In this episode, Vanessa dives into the power of flexibility, exploring how we can embrace change and adapt when life takes an unexpected turn. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Planning is e...

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast . Join therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, as she dives into real-life parenting questions, offering practical advice to help you raise confident kids, nurture stronger connections, and find your calm in the chaos of parenting. TODAY'S QUESTION: "What are the benefits of kids...

Happy New Year! Whether you're tuning in on January 1st or later, this empowering episode offers a fresh start for 2025. Together, we’ll reflect on the past year and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead. Dive into personal and professional milestones, learn how to create your own Year in Review, and choose your Word of the Year to stay focused and grounded throughout 2025. EPISODE DES...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions, helping you reduce the overwhelm, find joy, live life intentionally so you don't lose your... well you know... TODAY'S QUESTION: "My middle schooler got an iPhone for Ch...

In this episode, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Kristi Kandel, a visionary real estate developer, to explore the power of purpose-driven living and the transformation of neglected communities. Kristi takes us on a journey from her humble beginnings in a small Ohio town to becoming a successful entrepreneur and passionate advocate for revitalizing underserved areas. Kristi opens up about ho...

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions, helping you reduce the overwhelm, find joy, live life intentionally so you don't lose your... well you know... TODAY'S QUESTION: "Is 7 too young to get my kid a phone?" In this episode,...

Welcome to the Free to Be Mindful Podcast - your space to reduce overwhelm, find joy, and live life intentionally. In today’s episode, we explore a powerful mindset shift: the idea that less can actually give us more. Let’s talk about how letting go - whether it’s habits, expectations, or distractions - can create space for clarity, peace, and purpose. EPISODE DESCRIPTION: In a world that tells us...

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, tackles real-life parenting questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. TODAY'S QUESTION: "How can I get my middle schooler to understand budgeting and the cost of the holidays?" In...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman chats with her cousin, Dr. Sasha De Jesus, a board-certified weight management specialist and preventive cardiologist. They discuss the importance of a holistic approach to weight management, focusing on sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes. Dr. De Jesus highlights the benefits of clean eating, includi...

 Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. TODAY'S QUESTION: "How do I handle my 7-year-old's tantrums or meltdowns at holiday gatherings?" In thi...

In this heartfelt episode, Vanessa reflects on the power of gratitude for the everyday moments in life. As the year winds down and we transition from Thanksgiving gratitude to the hustle of the holiday season, Vanessa shares personal experiences, including the surprising and miraculous journey of becoming a mother again in her 40s. She explores how even the smallest, seemingly inconvenient moments...

EPISODE DESCRIPTION: Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. TODAY'S QUESTION: "How can I help my kid interact with extended family they don’t see often d...

In this episode, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman chats with Whitney Faires -  an executive coach, keynote speaker, and leadership expert who helps people push past obstacles to reach new levels of success. With years of experience as a corporate executive, Whitney has developed proven strategies to help her clients shift their mindsets, build resilience, and tap into their full potential. In this conversa...

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. TODAY'S QUESTION: "How can you make your kid become more grateful?" In this episode, Vanessa shares practical...

Have you seen the viral TikTok trend showcasing “What a privilege it is…”? This trend flips the script on life’s everyday inconveniences, helping us reframe challenges as opportunities for gratitude. In this episode, we dive into how this viral trend aligns with the spirit of National Gratitude Month, explore the different ways to practice thankfulness, and discuss how gratitude can positively tra...

Episode Description: Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, answers real-life parenting questions to help you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. Today’s Question: "We’re seeing family for Thanksgiving who are very touchy-feely and like to kiss...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Sara Diaz, also known as the First-Gen Madrina, to share an engaging conversation about the unique journey of being a first-generation college student and professional. Sara dives into the highs and lows of navigating this path, emphasizing the value of representation, the feeling of belonging, and how mindfu...

 Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series , a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast , where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, tackles real-life parenting-related questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. Today’s Question: "How should I address my child’s lying or dishonest behavior?" In this episode, Vanessa...

Struggling to find balance? It’s time to reframe how we view stress and embrace the chaos! In this episode, we dive into the idea that stress isn’t always a bad thing. Sometimes, we actually thrive in the busyness of our lives! Join Vanessa De Jesus Guzman as she explores how we can navigate our responsibilities with intention and mindfulness. By examining our “have to” lists and asking the tough...

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, where therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, tackles real-life parenting-related questions, helping you find balance, reduce worry, and live mindfully with your children. Today’s Question: "I caught my kid and his teen friends drinking. What is the best way to handle this?" In t...

In this uplifting episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman catches up with her college friend and breast cancer survivor, Larissa Morgan. Larissa—a healthcare professional, wife, mother of two, and now an HR manager—opens up about her journey with breast cancer, showing us all what resilience and unwavering faith look like. Just in time for Breast Cancer Awareness Mo...

The Consult a Counselor Series is a subset of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, where host and therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC answers parenting related questions so that you can be present and at ease with your child, and live life mindfully.  TODAY’S QUESTION: How can I tell if my teen's moodiness is normal? Or if they’re depressed? Send us a text Send us Fan Mail Support the show...

In today’s episode, we dive deep into something every mom can relate to—the chaos of juggling multiple tasks at once.  Our modern lives demand so much from us—managing households, kids, work, and everything in between—it's no wonder so many moms feel scattered and unfocused. But here’s the thing: just because you're overwhelmed doesn’t necessarily mean you have ADHD. While many women cas...

The Consult a Counselor Series is a subset of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, where host and therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC answers parenting related questions so that you can be present and at ease with your child, and live life mindfully.  TODAY’S QUESTION: My kid has been diagnosed with ADHD. How can I support him at home?  REFERENCED EPISODES: I think my kid may have ADHD, what do...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa welcomes back Naihomy Jerez, a certified integrative nutrition and hormone health coach. Naihomy specializes in supporting women of color to heal their bodies and balance hormones through food and lifestyle choices. She previously joined us to discuss relationships with food, and now, for World Menopause Month, she returns to share her exp...