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. 4d ago

    Why Validation Isn't Enough: Helping Kids Reframe Big Feelings - Anna Housley Juster

    In this episode of the Mindful Mama Podcast, Hunter Clarke-Fields talks with child and adolescent mental health clinician, educator, and award-winning author Anna Housley Juster, PhD, LICSW, about helping children build emotional resilience through connection, validation, and gentle cognitive reframing. Anna shares practical tools parents can use during everyday moments—from meltdowns to worries to difficult transitions—to help children recognize emotions without becoming overwhelmed by them. Together they explore how parents can validate feelings while also teaching children that thoughts aren't always facts. You'll also hear why repairing after mistakes is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children—and why it's never too late to reconnect. In this episode, you'll learn: Why validating emotions doesn't mean validating every thought How mirroring helps children feel seen, safe, and understood When to shift from emotional validation into gentle problem-solving The difference between feelings and the stories we tell ourselves Practical ways to help children reframe anxious thinking How your own nervous system shapes your child's emotional regulation Why repair is always possible—even years later Everyday ways to build emotional resilience in young children 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. Aug 25

    Ask A Pediatrician: The Truth About Fevers, Antibiotics & Vaccines - Dr. Diane Arnaout

    When your child gets sick, it’s easy to spiral—Googling symptoms at 2am, worrying about fevers, and wondering if you’re missing something serious. In this reassuring and eye-opening episode, Dr. Diane Arnaout—board-certified pediatrician, mom of two, and Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics—breaks down what’s actually going on in your child’s body, and what parents truly need to know. From fevers and antibiotics to vaccines and “weird but normal” baby symptoms, this conversation will help you replace fear with understanding—and respond with more calm and confidence when your child is sick. Dr. Diane shares what pediatricians wish parents would stop worrying about, the subtle signs that really do matter, and how to avoid the late-night Google spiral that only fuels anxiety. If you’ve ever wondered “Is this normal?”—this episode is for you. What You’ll Learn Why fevers are not dangerous—and how they actually help your child heal The difference between “normal kid stuff” and signs that need medical attention When antibiotics help—and when they can do more harm than good What pediatricians wish parents would stop worrying about Subtle symptoms you should never ignore (like breathing changes or limping) How to stay calm when your child is sick The truth about vaccines—and what they protect against What’s actually in vaccines and why those ingredients are there Why spreading out vaccines may not be safer How to make informed health decisions without fear  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

  3. Aug 18

    Become a Stable Center of Peace - Oren Sofer & Emily Horn

    These are anxious times with schools closing and communities taking action to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. Is the anxiety getting to you? In this special episode, Hunter talks to two meditation teachers, Oren Sofer and Emily Horn about how to deal with our fear and become a stable center of peace for our families. Takeaways: The choices we make affect one another. Our choice to take care of ourselves matters. We don’t need to be afraid of fear—it’s just energy moving through. We can be peaceful and anxious at the same time. Emily Horn is an authorized dharma teacher through Spirit Rock Meditation Center & Insight Meditation Society. She’s also a Certified Mindfulness Teacher via the International Mindfulness Teacher’s Association. Oren Jay Sofer teaches mindfulness, meditation and Nonviolent Communication in both secular and Buddhist contexts. He’s the author of the book Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, a practical guidebook for having more effective, satisfying conversations. 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. Aug 11

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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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