Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

When we think about the arts for our kids, we often think about piano lessons, dance classes, or learning how to paint. But the benefits of creative expression go so much deeper than developing a particular skill or talent. The arts can help children build confidence, process emotions, develop problem-solving skills, and discover more about who they are. Today I'm joined by Sheila Fortson, founder and executive director of the FAME Center (Fortson Arts and Music Education), to explore why the arts are such an important part of childhood development and how we can make more room for them in our children's lives.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Book: Wanting: Mimetic Desire: How to Avoid Chasing Things You Don't Truly Want
Book: The Creative Act by Rick Rubin
Connect with Shelia
Website

About Shelia |
Sheila Fortson is an Arts Education Advocate, Child Development Expert, and Social Impact Entrepreneur. As the Founder & Executive Director of the FAME Center (Fortson Arts and Music Education Center), a Chicago-based nonprofit, Sheila is on a mission to expand access to creative education for youth and families. In 2018, after identifying a lack of accessible creative programming in Chicago’s South Loop, Sheila applied her artistic background and entrepreneurial mindset to build a solution. What began as a grassroots initiative has grown into a high-impact community organization, supporting more than 950 individuals in 2025 ib everything from art therapy to creative writing for children. An advocate for arts education, Sheila is a strong voice on the role of creativity in childhood development and long-term outcomes, emphasizing that creativity is a critical tool for academic success, workforce readiness, social mobility, and CVI (community violence intervention).
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Cure Hydration and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://www.curehydration.com
* Check out DeleteMe and use my code joindeleteme.com/MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://joindeleteme.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Joining me for her third appearance on the show is professional organizer, Tracy McCubbin. On this episode, we talk about Black Friday pressures, sticking to a holiday budget, buying secondhand presents, pressure to decorate our homes, what to do when we receive gifts we didn't ask for and so much more!
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Links Discussed in This Episode
Order a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity
Substack: Minimalist Moms Podcast
Tracey's Resource: Otto Skin Goods
Previous Episode: …But First, We Need to Address the Acquisition Cycle with Tracy McCubbin
Previous Episode: EP241: Stop Attracting Clutter with Tracy McCubbin
Book: Fast Like a Girl by Mindy Pelz
Tracy's Resource: Save the Food
Tracy Can't Stop Talking About: I Am Stripes | Dr. Mary Galveston
Connect with Tracey:
Website: dClutterfly
Instagram
Book: Make Space for Happiness by Tracy McCubbin

About Tracy |
Tracy is a professional organizer, bestselling author, and founder of dClutterfly, with nearly two decades of experience helping people simplify their homes and lives. Inspired by her motto, “Don’t put it down, put it away,” she has helped thousands of clients tackle clutter and develop lasting organizational habits.
As the daughter of a hoarder, Tracy understands the emotional connection we have to our possessions and brings a unique perspective to decluttering. She is the author of Making Space, Clutter-Free and Make Space for Happiness and has been featured in The New York Times, Forbes, The Washington Post, and more.
Beyond organizing, Tracy is the co-founder of GalCare, a women-led social enterprise in Kenya. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband—and always knows where her keys are.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Cure Hydration and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://www.curehydration.com
* Check out DeleteMe and use my code joindeleteme.com/MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://joindeleteme.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 want to miss!
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What if one of the most important things we could give our children isn't having all the answers, but creating a relationship where they feel safe asking the questions?
In today's episode, I'm joined by Dr. Kathryn Saunders, a mom, grandmother, and spiritual formation doctor, to explore how vulnerability, humility, and honest conversations can strengthen our relationships with our children while helping them develop a faith of their own.
We discuss why admitting our mistakes can actually build trust, how to make room for difficult questions and doubts, and the importance of creating margin for meaningful connection. Kathryn also introduces the idea of a family "rule of life," challenges the comparison traps that shape our expectations of family life, and reminds us that hospitality begins with simply being present.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Connect with Dr. Katheryn Saunders
Book: Having Spiritual Conversations with Your Kids: Simple Practices for Deepening Your Faith Together

About Katheryn |
Dr. Katheryn Saunders has a DMin in leadership and spiritual formation from Portland Seminary, focusing on next-generation faith and giving. She also has a master’s degree in teaching and is a licensed chaplain. Dr. Saunders has more than twentyfive years of experience working in the Christian nonprofit world, including more than a decade working for World Vision, where she is currently regional director for philanthropy for the northwest region.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Cure Hydration and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://www.curehydration.com
* Check out DeleteMe and use my code joindeleteme.com/MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://joindeleteme.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

I’m excited to share a podcast I’ve been loving lately called Just Sleep: Bedtime Stories for Adults. Host Tasha Glasgow reads classic, comforting stories to help you quiet your racing mind, step away from late-night phone scrolling, and easily drift off to sleep. Search for Just Sleep wherever you get your podcasts. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

What if the reason you're feeling exhausted isn't how much you're doing, but the pace at which you're doing it? In this episode, I'm joined by Elizabeth Svoboda, author of The Art of Pacing, to explore why so many of us are caught in a cycle of pushing harder, doing more, and struggling to slow down. Drawing on research, psychology, and lessons from elite athletes, Elizabeth explains how to recognize when you're running on empty, work with your natural energy rhythms, and make room for rest without putting your goals on hold. It's a refreshing perspective for anyone who's tired of feeling like they're always racing to keep up.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Elizabeth's Resource: Hero's Journey Exercise
Connect with Elizabeth
Website
Instagram
Book: The Art of Pacing: A Guide to Balancing Short-Term Demands with Long-Term Thriving

About Elizabeth |
Elizabeth Svoboda is an award-winning science writer and contributor to Scientific American, Discover, The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and other publications. Elizabeth is a winner of the Evert Clark/Seth Payne Award for Young Science Writers, and her work has been anthologized in the Best American Science and Nature Writing series. She lives in San Jose, California, with her husband and young sons. 
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code betterhelp.com for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Cure Hydration and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://www.curehydration.com
* Check out DeleteMe and use my code joindeleteme.com/MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://joindeleteme.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy