Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

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 storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Connect with Melissa:
Instagram
Website

Episode Sponsors |
Hey Polo | Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/MINIMALIST or use code MINIMALIST to get 70% off your first year.
HungryRoot | Head to HungryRoot.com/minimalist and use code MINIMALIST to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.
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 1-800-GOT-JUNK and use my code 1800gotjunk.com for a great deal: https://www.1800gotjunk.com
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

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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'm joined by Ainsley Arment, founder of Wild and Free, an author of the new children's book, Grow Wild My Child, for a conversation about protecting the wonder, curiosity, and freedom of childhood, we talk about how easily parenting can become over-structured and adult-directed, why not every childhood interest needs to become productive and the tension between guiding our kids and knowing when to step out of the way because our job isn't necessarily to manufacture a magical childhood for our children, but to leave enough space for them to experience one.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Book: The Call of the Wild and Free: Reclaiming the Wonder in Your Child’s Education, A New Way to Homeschool
Previous Episode: Nature as a Classroom (EP119)
Book: Balanced and Barefooot by Angela J. Hanscom
Book: How to Raise a Wild Child: The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature by Scott Sampson
Book: Restoring Childhood: How to Set Kids Free in the Age of Anxiety by Peter Gray
Previous Episode: The Kids’ Mental Health Crisis Started Before Smartphones - So What Changed? | Peter Gray (Bonus Episode)
Previous Episode: What’s Happening to Our Boys - and How Can We Help? | Dr. Leonard Sax, Boys Adrift (Bonus Episode)
Connect with Ainsley:
Instagram
Website
Book: Grow Wild, My Child

About Ainsley |
Ainsley Arment is the founder and leader of Wild + Free, author of the bestselling book The Call of the Wild & Free, and co-host of the regular Wild + Free Podcast. As she leads this movement of families doing homeschooling in a new way, she thinks deeply about making the most of life and ensuring her children have a fertile seedbed for their own uniqueness and creativity.
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 1-800-GOT-JUNK and use my code 1800gotjunk.com for a great deal: https://www.1800gotjunk.com
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

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

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

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 discuss ways families can make everyday drives calmer, safer, and less stressful. Together, they explore how simplifying what's happening inside the car can help us stay more focused on the road, how modern safety technology is designed to support (not replace) attentive driving, and why creating calmer routines before you leave the driveway may be one of the easiest ways to protect the people you love.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
IIHS.ORG
Report: Consumer Reports Names Mazda Its First‑Ever Safest New‑Car Brand
Jennifer's Resource: Audible
Connect with Jennifer
Website
About Jennifer |
A nationally recognized automotive safety expert, Jennifer Morrison is Mazda’s chief safety advocate in the United States, shaping technical policy positions, guiding public‑facing safety communications, and representing Mazda across regulatory, academic, and industry forums.
Jennifer led Mazda North American Operations to established of the Vehicle Safety Strategy & Communications Department for Mazda North American Operations, where she leads safety compliance, vehicle safety ratings, and advanced safety research for the U.S. market. She is responsible for aligning Mazda’s safety roadmap with emerging regulatory, technological, and industry trends, while advancing the company’s human‑centric approach to crash avoidance, crashworthiness, and occupant protection. Her work supports Mazda’s long-term vision of eliminating roadway fatalities and reinforces the brand’s reputation as a leader in safety engineering.
Jennifer began her career in the Office of Defects Investigation at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) before spending 15 years as a Vehicle Factors Investigator and Investigator‑in‑Charge at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) There, she investigated more than 70 major loss‑of‑life crashes involving passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and trains. Those cases profoundly shaped her dedication to preventing roadway crashes and driving measurable improvements in vehicle safety.
Episode Sponsors |
Hey Polo | Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/MINIMALIST or use code MINIMALIST to get 70% off your first year.
HungryRoot | Head to HungryRoot.com/minimalist and use code MINIMALIST to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.
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 1-800-GOT-JUNK and use my code 1800gotjunk.com for a great deal: https://www.1800gotjunk.com
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

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

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

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 better understand what’s happening in their bodies after pregnancy and childbirth - and, importantly, how to recognize when something may deserve a closer look.
We talk about why pregnancy can uncover or trigger underlying health issues, how to distinguish the exhaustion of motherhood from symptoms of a larger problem, and why postpartum health extends far beyond the traditional six-week checkup. Alexandra also shares how women can advocate for themselves when they know something feels off, even when they’ve been told everything looks “normal.”
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Diane's Resource: Book: Memory-Making Mom by Jessica Smartt
Previous Episode: Protecting Your Spine Through Every Season of Motherhood | Dr. Amir Vokshoor (Bonus Episode)
List of Postpartum Lab Tests
Dr. MacKillop's Resource: Podcast: The Birth Hour
Dr. MacKillop Can't Stop Talking About: The Cost of Discipleship
Connect with Dr. Mackillop
Website
Instagram
Substack
Book: The Postpartum Check-In: What's Normal, What's Not, and How to Advocate for the Care You Deserve

About Dr. MacKillop |
Dr. Alexandra MacKillop is a functional medicine doctor and the author of 3 books, including The Postpartum Check-In, a health guide for moms that helps them understand what is and isn't normal in the postpartum period, and learn how to advocate for themselves in a healthcare setting. Dr. MacKillop specializes in women's health, fertility, and hormonal disorders, and sees patients via telehealth throughout Illinois. 
Episode Sponsors |
Hey Polo | Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/MINIMALIST or use code MINIMALIST to get 70% off your first year.
HungryRoot | Head to HungryRoot.com/minimalist and use code MINIMALIST to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.
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 1-800-GOT-JUNK and use my code 1800gotjunk.com for a great deal: https://www.1800gotjunk.com
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

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

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

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” can quiet the constant internal debate, and why doing one small thing right now can create the momentum we need.

Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Diane's Resource: Previous Episode: EP137: Living a Sustainable(ish) Lifestyle with Children with Jen Gale
Previous Episode: Rethinking "Cleanliness": Faith & the Messy Home | Dana K White (Bonus Episode)
Connect with Dana
Website
Instagram
Podcast
Youtube
Book: Procrastinators Get Stuff Done: How to Go from Overwhelmed to Finished

About Dana |
Dana K. White is a bestselling author, speaker, podcaster and renowned decluttering expert who has helped millions of people make real, visible progress in their homes and lives. 
She is the creator of A Slob Comes Clean and the host of the popular podcast of the same name. Known for her humorous, practical and deeply relatable approach, White offers simple strategies that work in real life for people who do not naturally love organizing, routines or traditional productivity systems. 
Her books and teaching have made her a trusted voice for overwhelmed readers looking for shame-free help and lasting change.
Episode Sponsors |
Hey Polo | Protect your loved ones without spying on them. Go to heypolo.com/MINIMALIST or use code MINIMALIST to get 70% off your first year.
HungryRoot | Head to HungryRoot.com/minimalist and use code MINIMALIST to get 40% off your first box and a free item of your choice for life.
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 1-800-GOT-JUNK and use my code 1800gotjunk.com for a great deal: https://www.1800gotjunk.com
* Check out Amazing Generation: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com
* Check out BetterHelp: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

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

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