Minimalist Moms Podcast | Simple Living for Overwhelmed Moms

Why do we say things we don’t mean in the heat of conflict? Why does connection disappear the moment we feel criticized, dismissed, or misunderstood?
In this episode, Diane sits down with clinical psychologist Dr. Kelly Flanagan, author of The Road Less Triggered, to explore what’s really happening when we get “triggered” in our closest relationships.
Dr. Flanagan explains how conflict shifts us from connection mode into protection mode and introduces the powerful practice of “regulate, then relate,” a concept rooted in nervous system science. Together, they discuss defensiveness, emotional reactivity, compassion, and how learning to notice when your heart is closing can change the way you show up in marriage, parenting, and everyday interactions.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Book: Untethered Soul by Michael Singer
Book: What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing
Dr. Flanagan's Resource: Front Row Dads
Connect with Dr. Kelly Flanagan:
Website
Instagram
Facebook
Book: The Road Less Triggered: Turning Conflict into Connection with a Single Choice―The Self-Help Guide to Conflict-Proof Communication, Healthy Relationships & the Belonging You Seek

About Dr. Flanagan |
Dr. Kelly Flanagan is an author, speaker, coach, and clinical psychologist with two decades of expertise in interpersonal relationships. His thought leadership has been featured in The 5 Love Languages, the TODAY show, and SUCCESS magazine. Kelly's proprietary frameworks will take your relationships to a level that traditional communication strategies can't touch. He is married to another clinical psychologist named Kelly, and they have three children--one adulting, and two at home in their small town outside of Chicago.

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: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content

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This podcast is part of the Clear Intentions series of the show.
Diane sits down with herbalist and author Rachelle Robinett for a deeply grounding and inspiring conversation about the healing power of plants. Together, they explore the ancient, globally practiced art of herbalism, and why it might be exactly what our stressed-out, fast-paced culture needs right now.
From nervines and adaptogens to bitters and mushrooms, Rachelle gently walks us through how herbs can support sleep, digestion, emotional balance, mental clarity, and more. You'll learn that you don’t need a garden, a degree, or decades of study to benefit from herbalism—just a teapot and a few mindful minutes.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Connect with Rachelle:
Website
Instagram
Book: Naturally: The Herbalist's Guide to Health and Transformation

About Rachelle|
Rachelle Robinett, RH (AHG), is a writer, herbalist, educator, and life-long naturalist. She’s the founder of multidisciplinary companies dedicated to the art and science of natural wellness. Combining traditional medicine and current health insights with an understanding of individual behavior modification, Rachelle has provided accessible plant-based healing to countless people. She’s based in New York and Costa Rica.
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: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content

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

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

In this conversation, science journalist and former biochemist Michaeleen Doucleff (author of Hunt, Gather, Parent and Dopamine Kids) reframes everything we think we know about dopamine. It’s not a “feel-good” chemical - it’s a system that drives wanting and seeking, which today’s ultra-processed foods and digital apps are designed to exploit.
We discuss why willpower alone doesn’t work, how to “curate cues” inside your home, and practical ways to retrain your family’s dopamine system - from screen-free rhythms to pairing foods for better satiety. Michaeleen shares how to create a home sanctuary that protects sleep, focus, and connection, while staying flexible in the real world.

Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Diane's Resource: Minimalism with Kids (and Beyond) with Diane Boden
Book: Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence 
Connect with Michaeleen:
Website
Book: Dopamine Kids: A Science-Based Plan to Rewire Your Child's Brain and Take Back Your Family in the Age of Screens and Ultraprocessed Foods

About Michaeleen |
Michaeleen Doucleff, PhD, has reported on children’s health for NPR’s science desk for more than a decade. In 2015, she was part of the team that earned a George Foster Peabody Award for its coverage of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. She has a doctorate in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and a bachelor of science from the California Institute of Technology. Before joining NPR, Doucleff completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Institutes of Health. She lives with her husband and daughter in Alpine, Texas, and is the author of the New York Times bestseller Hunt, Gather, Parent and Dopamine Kids.
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: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content

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

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

Managing family finances can feel overwhelming - especially when you’ve been conditioned to believe that working more is the only path to financial security. In this episode, Diane sits down with financial coach George to talk about simplifying money management, creating practical financial systems, and building long-term freedom without sacrificing your quality of life.
George shares how he and his wife developed a values-based approach to budgeting, investing, and debt payoff that helps couples work as a team while still allowing for guilt-free personal spending. Together, they discuss the importance of auditing subscriptions, investing early to outpace inflation, and creating a clear financial mission so every dollar has a purpose.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Diane's Resource: Minori Beauty
Connect with George:
Website 
Instagram

About George |
George Thomas is the CEO and founder of Financial Freedom Builders, a financial education and coaching company that helps individuals and families take control of their money and build lasting wealth. With nearly 20 years of experience, George has guided countless families in eliminating debt, increasing savings, investing wisely, and creating clear plans for financial independence. Known for simplifying complex financial concepts, George teaches practical, judgment-free money strategies that are easy to understand and apply in everyday life. He is also the creator of Freedom Builders Academy, a self-paced program designed to help families build strong financial foundations from home.
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: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content

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

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

Burnout, people-pleasing, procrastination, and mom guilt aren’t personal failures—they’re signs of a nervous system stuck in survival mode. In this episode, Diane talks with Elyssa Smith, founder of Your Best Moment and creator of the Ultimate Self-Regulation Method, about why so many women feel overwhelmed and exhausted despite doing “all the right things.”
Elyssa explains how emotional regulation—not time management or self-discipline—is the key to setting boundaries without guilt, ending self-sabotage, and parenting with more peace and confidence. Drawing from her personal healing journey and years of coaching women, she shares practical insights to help moms stop putting themselves last and start living with clarity and calm.

Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Elyssa's Resource: The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations on Codependency
Connect with Elyssa:
Website
Instagram
Link to Reset (free resource): https://elyssa-smith.mykajabi.com/reset
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Elyssa-Smith

About Elyssa |
Elyssa Smith is a Trauma-Informed Executive Coach who helps female executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals heal from hidden trauma and limiting beliefs to reach their next level faster. 
Through her own healing journey from multiple traumas, she developed methods to rewire the survival brain and overcome the imposter syndrome, overwhelm, negative self-talk and perfectionism that keep so many women stuck.
As host of the "Unlock Your Blocks" podcast and creator of the Ultimate Self-Regulation Method, Elyssa helps women reclaim their time, energy, and hope using brain science-based techniques for nervous system regulation and trauma healing.
Her TEDx talk, Why You Procrastinate and How to Stop it For Good, has garnered hundreds of thousands of views, she has been featured in Forbes, and is a regular contributor to Fox59 Morning News. 
Elyssa believes every woman deserves to unleash her wildest potential for unprecedented success and happiness.

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: https://www.betterhelp.com
* Check out PharmaNutra and use my code MINIMALIST for a great deal: https://pharmanutra-us.com
* Check out Wayfair: https://www.wayfair.com

Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/minimalist-moms-podcast-simple-living-for-overwhelmed-moms/exclusive-content

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

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