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. 18H AGO

    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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 12/08/2025

    When Holiday Joy Feels Out of Reach | The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series

    The holidays are often portrayed as a season of joy, connection, and magic, but for many of us, they also bring emotional overwhelm, grief, stress, and the pressure to “stay cheerful” even when we don’t feel that way. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, licensed therapist and mom coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores why holiday joy can feel out of reach and how the emotional load of the season affects moms and families. With humor, honesty, and practical insight, Vanessa breaks down the emotional spectrum of the holidays and offers mindful tools to help you navigate the stress, mixed feelings, and expectations that come with this time of year. EPISODE DESCRIPTION In this conversation, Vanessa explains why so many people struggle emotionally during the holidays and how factors such as grief, change, overstimulation, and family expectations impact mental health. She also shares the difference between clinical depression and the “holiday funk” many moms experience, and introduces mindful practices from her Mindful Living Framework, including awareness, temperance, and intentional action. The episode includes a grounding gratitude meditation and intention-setting exercise to support emotional regulation during the busy holiday season. This episode covers:  • How grief, transitions, and emotional burnout show up in December  • The difference between depression vs. emotional overload  • Why moms often feel pressure to be joyful  • How mixed feelings during the holidays are normal and valid  • Tools that help regulate your nervous system during stressful moments  • How to reconnect with yourself when joy feels out of reach  • A short guided meditation to help you reset and ground TUNE IN TO LEARN • How to recognize when holiday stress is affecting your mental health  • Signs that indicate true depression versus seasonal overwhelm  • Why naming your emotions reduces holiday anxiety and tension  • How micro-pauses and mindful moments help calm your body  • Practical ways to release unrealistic expectations during the holidays  • What creates authentic, sustainable joy   • How gratitude and intention-setting can shift your emotional experience  • How to support yourself through grief, transitions, and family dynamics 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
  7. 12/01/2025

    Helping Kids and Parents Stay Calm Through Holiday Overstimulation

    The holidays promise magic, but for many families, they also bring sensory overload, unpredictable routines, big emotions, and the kind of meltdowns that can appear out of nowhere. And if we’re honest, parents aren’t far behind. In this episode, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores why holiday overstimulation affects kids and adults, how behavior becomes communication during busy seasons, and what families can do to stay grounded, connected, and regulated. With humor, relatable stories, and practical strategies, this conversation will help your household navigate the holidays with more ease and fewer meltdowns. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Understanding why the holidays increase sensory overload for kids and parentsHow to identify early signs of overwhelm in your childWhy emotional regulation starts with basic needs like sleep, food, and hydrationThe role of modeling calm, even imperfectly, during chaotic momentsSimple reset routines and calm corners that work at home and on the goWhy Santa threats and empty consequences don’t support regulationHow parents can manage their own holiday overload with realistic toolsSupport available through the Making Spirits Bright Holiday Guide and Amiga Moms™ Coaching TUNE IN TO LEARN Practical ways to prevent overstimulation for kids and adultsWhat to say when your child is melting down (and what not to say)How to create a calm corner without making it a Pinterest projectWhy parents’ nervous systems matter as much as their children’sSmall, doable mindfulness practices that help the whole familyHow to protect your peace and set healthy boundaries this season TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Holiday overstimulation is real, for both kids and for parents. But with small shifts, simple routines, and moments of presence, families can move through the season with more calm and connection. Tune in for tools that help you protect your peace, support your children’s regulation, and create a holiday experience that feels manageable, meaningful, and grounded. 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.

    19 min
  8. 11/24/2025

    Navigating Family Triggers and Boundaries This Holiday Season | The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series

    When the holidays roll around, many moms find themselves slipping back into old family roles before they even realize it’s happening. One step into a family gathering, one comment from a relative, one expectation placed on you, and suddenly your nervous system is on high alert.  In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman breaks down the emotional patterns, cultural expectations, and invisible pressures that make this season feel so heavy for so many moms. With humor, honesty, and practical guidance, Vanessa shares how to identify your emotional triggers, understand why family dynamics hit so hard, and set boundaries that don’t require conflict or confrontation. You’ll walk away with simple scripts, mindful tools, and a whole new perspective on protecting your peace this season. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Why holiday gatherings activate old emotional patterns and childhood wiringThe most common family triggers and how they show up in your bodyHow to recognize the difference between respect and obedience in culturally rooted familiesWhy avoidance can be a boundary — and how to use it intentionallySimple, clear, drama-free scripts you can use with relativesMindful tools to help you stay grounded when emotions run high TUNE IN TO LEARN How to understand the “invisible hierarchy” in family dynamicsWhat physical signs reveal your emotional triggersScripts that help you say no without guilt or confrontationHow to protect your energy, time, and emotional bandwidthStrategies for maintaining calm around family stressorsA grounding reflection to help you visualize healthier interactions this season TAKEAWAY MESSAGE Family gatherings can bring joy, and they can bring triggers. You deserve to walk into this season feeling empowered, centered, and supported. With awareness, intentional boundaries, and mindful tools, you can show up with clarity and compassion for yourself and your loved ones.  Remember… in a world where you are free to be anything, you are 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.

    21 min

Trailers

5
out of 5
28 Ratings

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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