Are you tired of the tired question, “What do you do?” as an at-home parent—a question that oversimplifies and undervalues the role? In this podcast episode, I spoke with Neha Ruch, founder of Mother Untitled, to explore the multifaceted reality of taking a career break after having kids. We discuss the invisible yet essential labor of managing a household, the need to redefine success during this unique life phase, and practical ways to stay connected to professional goals while prioritizing family. Neha offers actionable strategies for remaining prepared to re-enter the workforce when the time is right, while also addressing the cultural stigma surrounding career pauses. Together, we reframe parenting as a valuable and fulfilling chapter, challenging outdated narratives about success and family balance. Whether you're navigating this journey or curious about modern perspectives on work and family, this conversation offers an empowering look at thriving in every phase of life.

For those that are new around here, I release bonus episodes that serve a niche part of my audience, so if this topic 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!

Rejection is a universal experience, yet it often feels deeply personal and isolating. In this episode, we delve into the profound impact rejection has on our sense of identity and connection to ourselves and others. Drawing inspiration from Tabitha Panariso’s Loyal in His Love, we’ll explore how rejection, though painful, can be a transformative force when met with truth and self-reflection. Tabitha’s wisdom, rooted in her journey as a therapist, invites us to move beyond shallow comfort and into a deeper understanding of healing and restoration. Join us as we uncover how confronting rejection can pave the way for hope and renewal in our lives today.

A father of three with a stressful job, Tyler Moore felt his life resembled an overstuffed closet: disorganized and overly busy behind the tidy, closed doors. When it all became too much—for their 750-square-foot apartment and his nerves—he set out to unpack the physical and emotional mess around him. In today's conversation, we explore the broader concept of tidiness beyond physical decluttering, touching on mental health, personal values, and routines. The conversation also delves into balancing career, creative pursuits, and family life, highlighting the importance of grounding one's lifestyle in core values.

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 tone. This week, I spoke with Morgan Kline of Burn Bootcamp. Morgan dives into the history and philosophy behind Burn Boot Camp. These pillars emphasize physical and mental health, nutrition, goal setting, and the importance of community. Additionally, Morgan discusses working alongside her husband, co-founding the business, and balancing family life with professional commitments. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or looking for inspiration to start a healthier lifestyle, this episode offers valuable takeaways!

Feeling overwhelmed by the thought of post-holiday clutter? This episode is for you! Joining me this week is host of the Paring Down podcast, Shannon Leyko. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating calm spaces, managing holiday chaos, and setting realistic goals for the new year. Shannon also offers advice on handling unwanted gifts and fostering gratitude in children while maintaining a minimalist lifestyle.

In this episode, I spoke with author, Whitney Lowe to discuss her new book, Set Your Eyes Higher, a devotional designed to help young women navigate life through the lens of faith and abundance. Together, we delve into how shifting from a scarcity mindset to one rooted in God’s provision can transform the way we approach consumerism, minimalism, and the true meaning of fulfillment. Whether you’re seeking a deeper connection with God or looking for ways to simplify your life, this conversation is full of encouragement to set your sights on a higher purpose.

In this episode Diane chats with Conni Jespersen, founder of Art in the Find Styling, about creating an intentional wardrobe. Conni shares her journey from middle school history teacher to wardrobe stylist and offers practical tips for maximizing closet wearability, identifying wardrobe gaps, and redefining personal style to fit your lifestyle. They discuss the five key elements of personal style—personality, lifestyle, preferences, environment, and influences—and how to shop more intentionally. Conni also highlights the value of secondhand shopping and finding wardrobe staples to create a polished look on a budget. With her expertise in helping women rediscover their "style DNA," Conni provides inspiration for anyone looking to refresh their closet and embrace everyday fashion.

Joining me today is Brianna Carey, a relationship and intimacy coach with 16 years of experience in sexual health education. The conversation covers strategies for nurturing all forms of intimacy in a relationship, not just sexual, through intentional communication, scheduling intimate time, and understanding hormonal changes. Brianna also discusses the importance of self-care, open dialogue, and setting aside regular time for connection in order to prevent resentment and maintain a healthy relationship.

Joining me for her third appearance on the show is organizing expert, Shira Gill. In today's conversation, we discuss topics from her latest book, 'Lifestyled: Your Guide to a More Organized and Intentional Life'. Shira shares her journey from feeling overwhelmed (despite being an organizing expert) to simplifying different areas of her life through actionable steps. With practical examples from her own life, Shira discusses strategies for creating systems and habits to manage volume and reduce stress. The conversation also touches on how to apply these principles during the holiday season!

In this episode of the Minimalist Mom’s Podcast, Michelle Grosser, a nervous system and semantics coach, shares her journey from being a trial attorney to focusing on coaching amidst life changes and burnout. Michelle discusses the importance of nervous system regulation and offers practical tips to manage stress and anxiety through body-based tools. Discover lesser-known symptoms of nervous system dysregulation and learn about the impact of clutter on our mental state. Tune in to gain valuable insights on how to slow down, avoid burnout, and bring fulfillment and playfulness back into your life.

Raising kids in today's volatile world is no small feat. Join me for an insightful conversation with Stephanie Malia Kraus, author of 'Whole Child, Whole Life: Ten Ways to Help Kids Live, Learn, and Thrive.' Stephanie shares her experience as an educator, social worker, and mom, discussing her holistic approach to parenting during these ever-changing times. This episode will help you to discover ways to handle modern parenting challenges and learn how simple practices can profoundly impact the health and happiness of your family.

The set up of today’s conversation is slightly different than previous episodes. Alissa has been a previous guest on the podcast so we just jumped right into our topic: the struggle of infertility and the emotional process of letting go of baby items. In our conversation, Alissa discusses the mindset shift from holding onto hope to embracing gratitude for what she already has. She also emphasizes the importance of not feeling alone in this journey and encourages listeners to consider decluttering as a positive step forward. Many of you have reached out asking how to declutter those items you just can’t let go of - specifically baby items - and my hope is that this conversation provides some answers for you - even if your only takeaway is more confidently knowing that you aren’t alone.

Katie Kimball joins the show today to share her journey about teaching kids to cook and the importance of real food. Katie discusses the challenges of introducing kids to cooking, especially amidst a culture of processed foods, and provides practical tips for getting started with your own children. Whether it’s simple tasks for toddlers or knife skills for older kids, Katie emphasizes the lasting benefits of involving children in meal preparation. This episode also dives into how changing dietary habits positively impacts kids' health and overall well-being.

In this episode, Julia Ubbenga, creator of Rich in What Matters, explores the universal struggle with clutter and why letting go of possessions is a challenge for everyone. She shares her journey to minimalism, including overcoming debt and downsizing her family’s belongings by 75%. We discuss strategies for tackling emotional attachments to items, recognizing biases, and aligning decluttering with personal values. Julia explains how minimalism can bring freedom and peace, especially for busy moms.

With the rising cost of living and food prices, many are struggling to afford nutritious meals. Drawing from her own experience with food insecurity after a health crisis, my guest today, author, Kimberley Gillan provides insights on affordable shopping, meal planning, and ingredient swaps that stretch each dollar. She emphasizes realistic strategies that make nutritious eating accessible without sacrificing flavor or quality. Listeners will leave with actionable tools to improve their diet, save money, and foster better well-being for themselves and their families.

"How can slowing down and embracing simple joys lead to a more fulfilling life?" In this episode of the podcast, Diane welcomes New York Times bestselling author Stephanie O'Dea to discuss her journey to a slower-paced, intentional life. From her viral success as a crockpot blogger to redefining the American Dream, Stephanie introduces her SLOW (Simply Look Only Within) approach. They explore the importance of JOMO (Joy of Missing Out), stress management, and achieving a balanced lifestyle through mindfulness and practical steps. Stephanie emphasizes the significance of health, discipline, and collaboration within families for long-term well-being.

Have you ever considered how the colors you wear might impact your confidence and body image? In this episode, I sit down with Lindsey Myers, founder of Created Colorful, to explore how finding your perfect colors can transform your life. Lindsey’s company helps women feel empowered through a unique color matching process that enhances their natural beauty. Since launching during the pandemic, Created Colorful has grown into a team of 22 women who have worked with over 4,000 clients, teaching them how their skin tones, eye colors, and hair colors influence which shades suit them best. Lindsey shares actionable tips for identifying your most flattering colors and explains how embracing color can help you feel more confident every day!

Join me today for a chat with Dr. Tovah Klein, a leading expert in child development and author of Raising Resilience, to uncover the secrets to nurturing resilient kids. In this insightful conversation, Tovah shares practical parenting strategies, explore her five key pillars of resilience, and explains how parents can serve as both an anchor and a container for their children. Dr. Klein also emphasizes the importance of self-reflection in building resilience in children, offering valuable tips for parents on this journey.

How can we detox our living spaces and reduce toxic exposures in our daily lives? Sophia Gushee, author of A to Z of Detoxing, shares her journey into non-toxic living and explores the health impacts of everyday toxic exposures. She delves into the unintended consequences of technological advancements, the importance of detoxifying our homes, and provides insights into non-toxic living with children. The discussion also covers indoor air quality, the post-World War II rise in toxic exposures, the need to address EMFs (electromagnetic fields) in our homes and more...