Mindful Mama: Raising Kind, Confident Kids Without Losing Your Cool | Parenting Strategies For Big Emotions & More

Hunter Clarke-Fields
  • 4.8 (440)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

How do you raise kind, confident kids without losing your cool? How do you manage kids’ behavior, help them regulate their big emotions, AND stay grounded?  Mindful Parenting is here to help. I’m Hunter Clarke-Fields, former yelling, frustrated mom. Dealing with my anger drove me to find practical, compassionate parenting strategies to regulate emotions as well as mindfulness to bring peace to the chaos at home.  In each refreshingly honest episode you’ll come away knowing that you have permission to be human, you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard. If you've looking for conscious, positive parenting strategies and expert advice on issues like tech/screen time, ADHD, tantrums, teens, toddlers, and more, you’re in the right place. Join our community of parents changing generational patterns for a brighter future! https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/

  1. 2d ago

    The Mental Health Side of Motherhood - Dr. Kat

    Everyone tells new parents to expect sleepless nights—but far fewer prepare them for the emotional upheaval that can come with pregnancy and postpartum. In this compassionate conversation, Hunter Clarke-Fields sits down with perinatal psychologist Dr. Katayune Kaeni (Dr. Kat) to explore the often-overlooked mental health challenges of becoming a parent. They unpack why so many mothers struggle in silence, how unrealistic expectations fuel anxiety and guilt, and what "good enough" parenting really looks like. Whether you're expecting a baby, navigating postpartum, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers reassurance, practical wisdom, and a reminder that you don't have to do this alone. In this episode, you'll learn: What perinatal mental health actually includes The difference between normal adjustment and postpartum anxiety or depression Why mothers often feel pressure to pretend everything is wonderful How perfectionism makes postpartum even harder The surprising identity shifts that come with becoming a parent Why connection—not perfection—is one of the strongest protective factors How to work with guilt more compassionately Simple practices to support your mental health during an overwhelming season If you've ever wondered whether you're doing enough as a parent, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing begins with self-compassion—not impossible standards. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing TRAVIS BARKER: "My Biggest Fear Actually Happened" from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty In this episode, Jay sits down with legendary drummer Travis Barker to talk about the discipline that built his career, the tragedy that almost ended it, and the slow, hard-won path back to peace. Travis opens up about losing his mother as a teenager, his struggles with addiction, the 2008 plane crash that changed his life, and how love, friendship, and sheer determination brought him back to himself. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty PURPOSE10 for 10% at altrarunning.com⁠/onpurpose. Free Shipping and Free 30-Day Trial. JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:43 Childhood Memories & Drum Practice 03:08 Skateboarding 03:48 Drum Kit & Musical Genres 05:45 Getting Good & Learning Jazz Charts 07:49 Natural Talent Vs. Hard Work 09:56 Grieving The Loss Of His Mother 11:54 Mom’s Final Advice & Marching Band Tryouts 13:40 Garage Rehearsals & Dad’s Hard Ultimatums 15:58 The Grind of Being In An Independent Band 17:42 Counselors Laughing At The Dream 19:13 How Blink-182 Came Into His Life 22:17 What Practicing Looks Like Today 23:26 Early Financial Success & His Dad’s Advice 26:55 Introduction To Drugs And Self-Medicating 30:48 Inside Blink-182’s First Breakup 32:32 Collaborating With DJ AM 35:01 High-Functioning Addiction & DJ AM’s Intervention 37:01 The South Carolina Show & His Daughter’s Premonition 41:47 The Plane Crash 45:17 Processing Loss And Amputation Fears 48:49 Survivor’s Guilt & 20 Years Without Flying 50:18 How Kourtney Got Him Flying Again 51:36 Skin Grafts And Hospital Suicidal Thoughts 54:44 Grieving the Death of DJ AM 59:20 Feeling The Presence of Passed Loved Ones 01:00:20 Surprises of Life Today 01:01:07 His Relationship with Kourtney Kardashian 01:02:41 Navigating A Miscarriage 01:03:51 Rocky’s Birth And Emergency Fetal Surgery 01:05:25 The Decision To Go Sober 01:07:32 First Flight In 20 Years 01:10:00 Blink-182 Reunion 01:11:53 Overcoming Fear & Running Toward Challenges 01:14:19 What His Mother Would Be Most Proud Of 01:14:45 Favorite Collaborations & Grammy Moment 01:16:10 Travis Barker On Final Five Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

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  3. Aug 4

    Music, Movement, and Mindfulness Help Kids Regulate Big Feelings - Kira Willey

    What if helping your child calm down could be as simple as a song, a breath, or a playful one-minute practice? In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter talks with children's mindfulness expert, author, and award-winning musician Kira Willey about how music, movement, and mindfulness can help children develop emotional regulation, confidence, and connection. Kira shares practical ways parents can use rhythm and playful rituals to navigate some of the hardest parts of family life—from transitions and bedtime routines to meltdowns and moments of overwhelm. She explains why children often respond more readily to music than words, how a parent's nervous system influences a child's ability to self-regulate, and why presence matters far more than perfection. You'll learn simple, realistic practices that fit into everyday family life—even when you're busy, stressed, or running on very little sleep. In this episode, you'll learn: • How rhythm helps children regulate emotions and feel grounded• Why music can improve cooperation and ease difficult transitions• Simple one-minute mindfulness practices for busy families• How to create joyful routines around bedtime and daily transitions• Why matching a child's energy can be more effective than trying to immediately calm them down• The connection between a parent's nervous system and a child's behavior• How mindfulness can be playful, accessible, and practical for children of all ages• Why presence—not perfection—is the foundation of mindful parenting Whether you're parenting a toddler, school-age child, or tween, this conversation offers simple tools to bring more calm, joy, and connection into your family's daily life. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 28

    When You're Parenting Solo - Dr. Gila

    In this episode, parenting coach, psychologist, and neuropsychologist Dr. Gila joins us for an honest conversation about the unique challenges—and unexpected strengths—of single parenting. Together, we explore what it means to parent with connection instead of perfection, why community and support matter, how to manage overwhelm through emotional regulation, and what "real" self-care looks like when you're doing it all on your own. Whether you're a single parent or supporting one, this episode offers practical tools, encouragement, and a powerful reminder that you don't have to navigate the journey alone. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 21

    Are We Raising Picky Eaters? - Helen Veit

    Are We Raising Picky Eaters? Most parents today assume picky eating is just part of childhood. But what if it’s not? In this fascinating conversation, Helen Zoe Veit joins Hunter Clarke-Fields to explore the surprising history of children’s eating habits—and how modern parenting norms may be creating more picky eaters, not fewer. You’ll discover why kids in the 19th century ate a wide variety of foods, how the concept of “kid food” was invented, and the unexpected ways well-meaning advice from the past continues to shape how we feed our children today. If you’ve ever struggled with mealtime battles, short-order cooking, or worry about your child’s limited diet, this episode will completely shift your perspective—and offer a more grounded, confident way forward. What You’ll Learn Why picky eating may be more cultural than biological What children really ate in the 1800s (and why it matters) How “kid food” and marketing changed children’s diets The hidden impact of 1940s parenting advice on feeding kids Why accommodating picky eating can backfire How to help kids develop a broader palate—without pressure or power struggles ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 14

    How To Be Happier - Gretchen Rubin

    Hunter talks to Gretchen Rubin about How To Be Happier. Some big takeaways from this episode include: 1. Make easy changes first — go for the low hanging fruit 2. How do you respond to expectations (inner and outer)? Answer this question BEFORE you try to change a new habit. 3. How to draw boundaries and when to simply stop doing something Gretchen Rubin is one of today’s most influential and thought-provoking observers of happiness and human nature. She’s the author of many books, including the blockbuster New York Times bestsellers The Four Tendencies, Better Than Before, and The Happiness Project. How do you change bad habits and create good habits? How can you be happier every day? Author Gretchen Rubin has made a science of these subjects and shares her wisdom on this podcast. She pushes back against some commonly held beliefs like, “the middle path is always best,” and “give what you want to receive.” Gretchen will tell you why these are NOT always good ideas. ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    How To Be Happier - Gretchen Rubin

  7. Jul 7

    The Words That Shape Your Child - Cara Tyrell

    What if the way you speak to your child is shaping not just their language—but their identity? In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with Cara Tyrrell, linguist and early childhood educator, about how intentional language can transform your relationship with your child—from birth and beyond. They explore the powerful difference between communication and language, why emotional safety is the foundation for learning, and how small shifts in your everyday words can build connection, confidence, and resilience. If you’ve ever wondered whether you are saying the “right” things, this conversation offers a grounded, practical reframe. It is not about saying more. It is about saying what matters. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why communication and language are not the same—and why both matter How using full, natural sentences supports early language development What permission-based language is and how it helps children regulate emotions Why emotional safety is essential for learning, exploration, and connection How quality of communication matters more than quantity The role of silence in supporting language development How everyday phrases can shape your child’s identity and inner voice Simple ways to shift from control-based to connection-based communication Why it is never too late to repair and rebuild your relationship with your child How neuroplasticity supports growth for both parent and child Key Takeaways Your words have weight, and your presence matters even more Children thrive when they feel safe, seen, and accepted Language can support or undermine a child’s sense of self Connection is the foundation for cooperation and learning Parenting is a process of becoming, not just achieving outcomes ABOUT HUNTER CLARKE-FIELDS: Hunter Clarke-Fields is the host of the Mindful Parenting Podcast (Top 0.5% podcast ), global speaker, number 1 bestselling author of “Raising Good Humans” and “Raising Good Humans Every Day,” Mindfulness Meditation teacher and creator of the Mindful Parenting Course and Teacher Training. Find more podcasts, Hunter’s books, blog posts, free resources, and more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠MindfulMamaMentor.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.   Discover your Unique-To-You Podcast Playlist at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mindfulmamamentor.com/quiz/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   We love the sponsors that make this show possible! You can always find all the special deals and codes for all our current sponsors on our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠/mindfulmamamentor.com/mindful-mama-podcast-sponsors/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 30

    Your Calm Is Your Child's Best Drug, with Hunter Clarke-Fields

    This is from Hopestream: Parenting Kids Through Addiction & Mental Health with Brenda Zane. Hunter Clarke-Fields was a painter. She had a graduate degree in art education, a high school teaching job, and what looked from the outside like a creative life. What nobody could see was that she was white-knuckling her way through it, cycling between intense highs and pits of despair she could not explain, having panic attacks in the hallways before she had any tools to handle them. She reached for yoga, then for books on mindfulness, and read about it for years before she finally, at 27, sat down and actually tried. She set a timer for 10 minutes and sat there thinking the whole time. She was certain she was doing it wrong. But two months in, she looked back and realized she had not fallen into a single pit. Not one. For someone who had been cycling into darkness every couple of weeks for most of her adult life, that was not a small thing. It was everything. And it sent her down a path she never expected, one that eventually turned her into the Mindful Mama Mentor, a podcast host, a mindfulness teacher, and the bestselling author of Raising Good Humans. Hunter now teaches mindfulness to parents all over the world, with over 20 years of meditation practice behind her and two daughters who, she will freely admit, grew up slightly allergic to the whole thing.  I wanted to have this conversation because I think mindfulness gets written off as vague or soft, and Hunter makes it anything but. She explains what is actually happening in your brain when you blow up at your kid, why longer exhales are not just a cliche, and what she calls the Three R's, a framework so simple you will remember it in the worst moment. She also says something about feelings being like toddlers that I keep coming back to.  If you have ever thought that mindfulness is not for you, or that you are too far gone to start, this one is for you. You'll learn: Why Hunter spent two months certain she was meditating wrong. The part of mindfulness most people skip that changes everything. Her Three R's for the moments you most want to lose it. What she says feelings are like, and why it reframes everything. The one thing she would tell a struggling parent to try today. EPISODE RESOURCES: Hunter Clarke-Fields website Raising Good Humans Book Mindful Mama Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Your Calm Is Your Child's Best Drug, with Hunter Clarke-Fields
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4.8
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About

How do you raise kind, confident kids without losing your cool? How do you manage kids’ behavior, help them regulate their big emotions, AND stay grounded?  Mindful Parenting is here to help. I’m Hunter Clarke-Fields, former yelling, frustrated mom. Dealing with my anger drove me to find practical, compassionate parenting strategies to regulate emotions as well as mindfulness to bring peace to the chaos at home.  In each refreshingly honest episode you’ll come away knowing that you have permission to be human, you're not alone, and it won't always be this hard. If you've looking for conscious, positive parenting strategies and expert advice on issues like tech/screen time, ADHD, tantrums, teens, toddlers, and more, you’re in the right place. Join our community of parents changing generational patterns for a brighter future! https://www.mindfulmamamentor.com/

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