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

Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC

The Free to Be Mindful Podcast with Licensed Therapist and Latina Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman helps professional moms find calm in a busy world. Each episode blends mindful living strategies, mental health insights, and REAL TALK - grounded in culture and inspired by everyday life - to help you stress less, live with intention, and feel more like yourself... without hours of meditation.  Tune in for practical tools and relatable heartfelt stories that help you slow down, recharge, and show up as your best self. 

  1. 12H AGO

    Rebuilding Emotional Connections with Your Partner

    Emotional connection in relationships often fades quietly - not because something is wrong, but because life gets full. Parenting, work stress, cultural expectations, and emotional fatigue can slowly replace curiosity, affection, and presence. In this episode licensed therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman is joined by Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Sheila Arias, for a conversation on how couples can reconnect emotionally without blame, judgment, or unrealistic expectations. This episode offers practical, relationship-strengthening tools that can be used any time of year - not just around Valentine’s Day. Together, Vanessa and Sheila explore how small, intentional moments, compassionate communication, and emotional curiosity can help couples rebuild closeness over time, even in the busiest seasons of life. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Why emotional disconnection is common in long-term relationshipsHow judgment and comparison quietly erode intimacyThe role of curiosity and compassion in strengthening emotional bondsWhy small, consistent moments matter more than grand gesturesHow structure and intentionality support connection and intimacyThe importance of physical affection beyond sexual intimacy TUNE IN TO LEARN How to rebuild emotional connection without blaming yourself or your partnerSimple communication tools couples can practice right awayWhy emotional intimacy fades and how to restore it intentionallyHow scheduling connection can still feel meaningful and authenticWays to reconnect that fit real life, not unrealistic relationship ideals CONNECT WITH SHEILA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheilaariaslmftTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheilaariaslmftWebsite: https://www.compasiontherapy.com TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Rebuilding emotional connection isn’t about fixing your relationship or judging where you are. It’s about choosing one small, intentional shift that brings curiosity, warmth, and presence back into your connection. Over time, those moments add up and help relationships feel alive again. As always, thank you for listening. If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with a partner or someone who may need this reminder. And remember - in a world where you are free to be anything, you are always free to be mindful. DISCLAIMER Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    33 min
  2. FEB 2

    When Stress Becomes Your Normal Baseline

    You finally slow down… but your body doesn’t. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores what happens when chronic stress becomes so familiar that it no longer feels like stress at all. For high-achieving moms, leaders, and caregivers, operating in survival mode can quietly become the baseline... making rest feel uncomfortable, quiet feel unsettling, and calm feel out of reach. Through personal reflection and real-life examples, this conversation helps name what many are experiencing but haven’t fully articulated: the difference between looking calm on the outside and feeling regulated on the inside. This episode offers language, awareness, and gentle reframes for listeners who are carrying a lot, especially in times that feel heavy beneath the surface. TUNE IN TO LEARN How to recognize stress when you’re used to functioning through itWhy slowing down can trigger guilt or restlessness instead of reliefA simple reflective practice to name what you’re feeling and whyHow nervous system awareness supports better leadership and parenting UPCOMING SUPPORT & RESET OPPORTUNITIES If this episode resonated and you’re craving intentional space to pause and recalibrate, here are two upcoming opportunities to continue the work: Virtual Leadership Coaching Container – February 5, 2026 (1 PM EST) A facilitated space for leaders, founders, and professionals who are holding significant responsibility while navigating internal stress and external demands. 👉 https://propelonpurpose.hbportal.co/public/febcoachingcontainer/1-Inquiry_form Reset Experience for Moms – February 22, 2026 | Ridgefield, NJ An intimate in-person reset for moms to connect, release what’s weighing on them, and leave feeling lighter. Not therapy — but deeply therapeutic. 👉 https://www.amigamoms.com/event-details/resetexperience-feb2026 Oura Ring Vanessa shares how she uses the Oura Ring as a temporary tool to build stress awareness. Get 10% off! https://ouraring.com/freetobemindful  TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Experiencing stress is part of being human. But when stress becomes your normal, your body may be asking for awareness before action. This episode is a reminder th Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    17 min
  3. JAN 27

    Love on the Spectrum Inspired App

    In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Jamie Castano, LCSW, and Britt Moser, two of the co-founders of Synchrony, a first-of-its-kind social app designed to help neurodivergent adults build friendships, experience belonging, and strengthen social confidence. Inspired by Jamie’s son and shaped by Britt’s expertise as an autism specialist and educator, Synchrony goes beyond traditional dating apps by centering community, communication support, and safety. This conversation is especially relevant for parents of neurodivergent teens and young adults, therapists, educators, and anyone supporting autistic adults navigating friendship, dating, and real-life communication challenges. Vanessa and the founders explore what happens when childhood services fade, why social connection still matters deeply in adulthood, and how an AI-powered social coach can provide real-time, context-based support. EPISODE DESCRIPTION A look at the gap in social resources for neurodivergent teens, young adults, and adults once childhood services endHow Synchrony uses AI as an on-demand social coach to support communication, not replace human connectionWhy interests and communication preferences are central to reducing ambiguity and anxiety when connecting with others TUNE IN TO LEARN How “aged-up” supports can help neurodivergent adults navigate real-world social situationsHow real-time support can help with expressive language, social decoding, and boundary settingWhat it looks like to bring an idea to life by knowing your lane, building the right team, and trusting the process TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Neurodivergent needs don’t disappear in adulthood, and neither does the desire for friendship, belonging, and connection. Synchrony is a powerful example of what can happen when lived experience and professional expertise come together to address a real and often overlooked gap.  If there’s something you’ve been wanting to bring into the world - a project, a resource, or a new way of supporting others - this episode is a reminder that your ideas matter and your sazón is what makes them uniquely impactful. LEARN MORE ABOUT SYNCHRONY Website and waitlist: https://joinsynchrony.comSocial media: https://Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    38 min
  4. JAN 19

    The Invisible Leadership Moms Practice Every Day

    In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores the invisible leadership moms practice every day - at home, at work, and in the moments no one sees. Released on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this conversation reframes leadership away from titles, visibility, and recognition, and instead centers the emotional labor, decision-making, and presence that motherhood quietly requires. If you’re a mom who carries responsibility, holds systems together, and influences others daily, yet rarely calls yourself a leader, this episode offers a powerful reframe. Through lived examples, gentle humor, and reflection, Vanessa invites listeners to recognize leadership in the ordinary moments that often go unnamed. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Explores leadership through the lens of motherhood and everyday responsibilityReframes leadership as influence, presence, and emotional regulation rather than title or authorityConnects professional leadership skills with the unseen leadership happening at homeExamines how leadership is shaped in private moments, not public performance TUNE IN TO LEARN Why many moms don’t see themselves as leaders, even though they are leading dailyHow emotional regulation, anticipation, and tone-setting are forms of real leadershipThe cost of quiet leadership and why it often goes unrecognizedHow leadership shows up when no one is watching — after drop-off, between meetings, and in internal self-talkA mindful reframe that allows leadership to feel more intentional and sustainable TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Leadership doesn’t always look loud, visible, or celebrated. Much of it lives in the quiet moments - in how we respond under pressure, how we carry responsibility, and how we treat ourselves when no one is watching. When we begin to name this invisible leadership, we stop disappearing inside our own lives and start honoring the value of how we already show up. This week, notice one quiet leadership moment - not to improve it or fix it, but to acknowledge that it matters. Vanessa is currently booking speaking engagements for the spring, including Women’s History Month, Stress Awareness Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month. To learn more or book a call, visit https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking If this episode resonated, consider sharing it with another quiet Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    14 min
  5. JAN 12

    Lifestyle Shifts Supporting Longevity and Well-Being

    Lifestyle Shifts Supporting Longevity and Wellbeing Taking care of your health can feel overwhelming, especially when so many approaches promise big results but don’t last. If you’ve ever wondered why healthy habits are hard to sustain, this episode offers a grounded and realistic perspective. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman is joined by Renee Fitton, a longevity dietitian and Vice President of Growth at L-Nutra, for an honest conversation about lifestyle shifts that support longevity, wellbeing, and mental health - without extreme dieting or pressure. Renee breaks down what longevity nutrition really means, why living longer isn’t helpful if we don’t feel well along the way, and how small, intentional changes can support physical health, brain health, and emotional wellbeing over time. The conversation includes an introduction to fasting mimicking approaches, including ProLon, while emphasizing safety, muscle protection, and sustainability... especially for women navigating midlife changes. Vanessa and Renee also explore how mindset, gratitude, and intention-setting shape how we age and how we experience everyday life. In this episode, we talk about: Lifestyle shifts that support longevity and wellbeingWhat longevity nutrition is, and what it isn’tHow fasting mimicking works and who it may be appropriate forWhy muscle protection and metabolic health matter as we ageThe connection between mindset, gratitude, and brain healthWhy small, consistent changes matter more than drastic overhauls This episode is for moms and busy professionals who want to care for their health in a realistic, compassionate way, without adding more pressure to an already full life. STAY CONNECTED WITH RENEE:  https://www.instagram.com/fittonnutrition/https://prolonlife.com/ https://l-nutra.com/   DISCOUNT LINK for 20% OFF: https://prolonlife.com/freetobe 🎧 Listen in, reflect, and remember… you’re always free to be mindful. Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    31 min
  6. JAN 5

    Letting Go of the New Year, New Me Pressures

    The start of a new year often comes with quiet expectation... to do more, be more, and have everything figured out. For many moms, especially those balancing motherhood, work, and caregiving, that pressure doesn’t feel motivating. It feels heavy. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, licensed therapist, mom coach, and podcast host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman reflects on the emotional weight of the New Year and what it really means to grow when life, and capacity, looks different than it once did. Rather than leaning into “new year, new me” energy, this conversation offers a grounded reframe rooted in grace, intention, and deliberate growth. It’s an honest look at expectations we place on ourselves, how motherhood reshapes our capacity, and why progress still counts even when it doesn’t show up loudly or in numbers. This episode is especially for professional moms who are juggling multiple roles while quietly wondering if they’re doing enough, or falling behind. EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this reflective New Year episode, Vanessa explores: Why the New Year often feels emotionally heavy for momsHow motherhood and professional life change capacity and expectationsThe difference between intentional growth and deliberate growthWhy progress doesn’t always show up in numbersLetting go of unrealistic “new year, new me” pressureA more compassionate approach to personal growth A NOTE FOR MOMS WHO NEED SUPPORT RIGHT NOW Vanessa shares why she’s bringing back The Real Talk Reset, an intentionally small Amiga Moms support group created for moms who are carrying a lot and need space to pause, talk honestly, and manage big emotions without suppressing them. The next Real Talk Reset takes place January 10th in Ridgefield, NJhttps://www.amigamoms.com/event-details/therealtalkreset-jan Podcast listeners receive a special thank-you discount: FTBMPod25J Groups are intentionally kept small for a curated, intimate experienceWhile it can feel therapeutic, this is not therapyIf you’re listening after January 10th, The Real Talk Reset will continue on a monthly basis in Ridgefield, NJ. TAKEAWAY MESSAGE You don’t need a louder year to have a meaningful one. You don’t need to reinvent yourself to grow. And you’re not behind... you’re r Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    21 min
  7. 12/22/2025

    Recovering From the Holidays | The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series

    Recovering from the holidays can feel unexpectedly heavy for moms… even after schedules finally slow. In this final episode of 2025, and the culmination of the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC reflects on what this season asked of moms, why the week between Christmas and New Year’s can feel emotionally off, and how investing in yourself is not indulgent, but instead an essential piece in parenting, regulation, and long-term well-being. This episode offers a gentle close to the year, permission to rest during the break, and reassurance that support is available when you’re ready, without pressure or urgency. EPISODE DESCRIPTION A concise reflection on the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series and the core themes moms resonated with mostWhy the week between Christmas and New Year’s often feels strange, emotional, or unsettling… even when life slows down externallyA powerful reframe: this week is for integration, not intentionA relatable reminder to invest in yourself, including a light, honest take on self-investment and careWhat coaching actually looks like in real life - practical tools that help moms pause, regulate, and respond instead of reactWhy regulated parenting, repair, and emotional modeling matter for kids and help break generational patternsA compassionate look ahead to 2026 using quarterly goals instead of pressure-filled resolutions TUNE IN TO LEARN Why Feeling Exhausted After The Holidays Is Normal, Not A Personal FailureHow Moms Can Use The Week Between Christmas And New Year’s As A Landing SpaceWhat It Really Means To Invest In Yourself Without GuiltHow Coaching Supports Everyday Parenting Moments - Mornings, Bedtime, Transitions, And MeltdownsWhy Emotional Regulation And Repair Create Long-Term Benefits For KidsHow To Think About The New Year In A Way That Feels Supportive, Not Stressful TAKEAWAY MESSAGE You don’t need to use this break to catch up, reinvent yourself, or plan your entire year. You’re allowed to rest, soften, and let this be a pause. And when you’re ready, whether through coaching support, in-person spaces for moms beginning in January, or simply continuing to listen, you don’t have to do motherhood alone. Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    16 min
  8. 12/15/2025

    Giving without Over Giving this Holiday | The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series

    The final week of holiday shopping can feel overwhelming, especially for moms carrying the mental load of gifts, schedules, budgets, and expectations. In this episode of the Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores the emotional pressure behind money, gift-giving, and the belief that we have to “go big” to show love during the holidays. Through personal reflection, humor, and real-life examples, Vanessa unpacks why holiday financial stress and comparison hit so hard, how gift guilt sneaks in quietly, and why generosity doesn’t have to mean overspending or overextending yourself. This episode offers permission to simplify, redefine what “enough” looks like, and spread care throughout the year, not just on one day. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Why the last week of holiday shopping increases overwhelm and mom mental loadHow gift-giving pressure becomes tied to love, worth, and expectationsVanessa’s personal approach to holiday gifts and why it works for her familyLessons from the Netflix movie Roofman and the “more is better” trapWhy generosity isn’t always about money, and how time and presence matter TUNE IN TO LEARN Why feeling behind during the holidays doesn’t mean you are behindHow “go big or go home” thinking fuels stress, comparison, and overspendingWays moms can simplify holiday expectations without guiltHow to reduce financial stress during the holidaysWhy support for moms doesn’t have to wait until the new year TAKEAWAY MESSAGE This episode isn’t about doing the holidays right - it’s about easing the pressure so many moms carry quietly. If you’re still shopping, you’re not behind. If your gifts look simpler this year, your love isn’t smaller. And if this season feels heavier than expected, there’s a reason... you’ve been carrying a lot.  As we move through this final stretch, we’re invited to slow down, let go of comparison, and remember that generosity can be sustainable. And sometimes, the most meaningful gift we give ourselves is support. Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful. Send us a text Support the show 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT! https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice. LET’S STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com 🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/ 💛 Coaching for Moms: https://www.amigamoms.com/ 🎤 Speaking & Workshops: https://www.freetobemindful.com/speaking DISCLAIMER: Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional help from a licensed clinician.

    15 min

Trailers

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About

The Free to Be Mindful Podcast with Licensed Therapist and Latina Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman helps professional moms find calm in a busy world. Each episode blends mindful living strategies, mental health insights, and REAL TALK - grounded in culture and inspired by everyday life - to help you stress less, live with intention, and feel more like yourself... without hours of meditation.  Tune in for practical tools and relatable heartfelt stories that help you slow down, recharge, and show up as your best self. 

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