Remember when as kids, we would say things through an unfiltered lens? As we grow up, we realize how important it is to balance honesty and authenticity with kindness and filters, to nurture relationships and build self-love and growth for ourselves as well. This episode explores the value of being mindful of our real talk. By understanding our intentions, remembering the impact of our words and delivery, and knowing how to communicate, we see why it's not just important what we say; but also ho...
Jul 11, 2023•12 min•Season 4Ep. 156
Sometimes, the expectations we have for ourselves or others can make things overwhelming because we think things have to be 'perfect' to be enjoyed. However, this isn't the case - what really matters is the special moments we make with ourselves and others, regardless of how perfect they seem. This summer replay episode dives into the 'why' behind having certain expectations and how they impact our decisions or views. By removing these expectations, we can be more mindful, soak in the moment, an...
Jul 04, 2023•15 min•Season 4Ep. 155
Free to be Mindful is celebrating the end of its 4th season! But don't worry - we're renewed for Season 5 on August 22, 2023, and have more content coming your way this summer so make sure to be on the lookout. As this season ends, thank you to all of the listeners that made this transformative journey happen. For helping create a space for real talk discussions about personal development, mental health, the relationships we build, and so much more. Tune into this special season finale podcast w...
Jun 27, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 154
The pursuit of happiness isn’t a final destination - it’s a journey. The pursuit is what brings us happiness, and the “end” goals are just celebrations along the way! This episode takes us on a journey of happiness. By being present and intentional with our time and actions, treating ourselves with kindness, and expressing gratitude for special people, things, and moments in life, we learn that we can cultivate happiness by mindful living. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa D...
Jun 20, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 153
What letting go means to you can vary: it can be letting go of pain, letting go of an expectation that didn’t follow through, or letting go of a person you care about deeply. When it comes to letting go, it isn’t just the action that’s difficult: it’s the part about rebuilding after undoing the workings of any trauma you have that requires as much attention and care. This episode explores how letting go can lead to personal growth and the importance of looking back but moving forward. With tips ...
Jun 13, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 152
Love with pride! June is Pride Month - whether you’re a part of the community or an ally, as we celebrate, we also break barriers, learn about various human experiences throughout history, and emphasize the importance of diversity and inclusion. This episode explores the power of education, what gender expression and identity can look like, and ways for parents to support their children on their journeys as they navigate identities. By being kind and understanding the change starts from our own ...
Jun 06, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 151
Summer vacation is officially here! This school year was one for the books - and for parents and children, a vacation is much needed. Summer is a great way to celebrate cherished endings and new beginnings, so the question is: what do we do for the next few months?! This episode shares some ideas on how to take a break from the everyday hustle and bustle, ways to learn and refresh on skills picked up during the school year, tips on implementing self-care, and techniques on tuning into how we can...
May 30, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 150
Happy 4th Birthday to Free to Be Mindful! From where it all began to its fourth birthday celebration, from the milestones to the hurdles, this special episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at it all. Every person has their story, and this is the story of Free to be Mindful. Whether you’re new to the community or you’ve been there along the journey, this episode allows you to take a deeper look at the highs and lows, and what made the mission and vision of ‘learn, grow, and inspire’ possible...
May 23, 2023•31 min•Season 4Ep. 149
May is for Mental Health Awareness Month! Here at Free to be Mindful, we believe in self-care and self-love, mindful living, and real-talk discussions, and talking about mental health is as real as it gets. We all have mental health - so let's join the fight in creating a safe space for everyone. This episode dives into the importance of breaking the mental health stigma by removing judgment, practicing kindness, and understanding our emotions. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vane...
May 16, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 148
Happy Mother’s Day! As we spend this weekend celebrating mothers and caretakers, we realize that there’s a reason moms are superheroes. But the superhero label doesn’t come without complexity; the intense emotions experienced on the motherhood journey, learning how to navigate the roles of being a mom, and understanding that whatever we feel is valid and natural are all a part of the process. This episode is for all of the moms that have experienced the hardships, milestones, and emotions that c...
May 09, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 147
We just celebrated Autism Awareness Month in April. We encourage you to join us in this special guest episode as we explore early symptoms of autism in infants and children, ways parents can advocate and provide support, and build a community where individuals feel seen and heard. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman and special guest Dr. Divina Lopez, pediatrician and founder of Dancing Into Parenthood Digital Program, for this real-talk conversation on autism ...
May 02, 2023•51 min•Season 4Ep. 146
Can you think of a time you’ve felt too busy or were in a constant state of ‘doing’ and not just ‘being’? You’re not alone! Sometimes, we find ourselves too busy because we’re focused on the past or future and don’t let ourselves just enjoy the present moment. Other times, it's to prove ourselves or because it's all we really know. This episode asks the question: Is being too busy truly a good thing? We’ll dive into possible reasons we keep our schedules packed, the importance of adding self-car...
Apr 25, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 145
Insecurities can include uncertainty or a lack of confidence regarding internal or external factors, whether relationships, body image, lifestyle, etc. It’s natural to feel insecure! But by deconstructing insecurities and learning how to get past them, we embark on a journey of self-growth and self-love. This episode explores what insecurity can look like or where it comes from, although it can be different for each person. By being mindful, understanding where the emotions are coming from, and ...
Apr 18, 2023•25 min•Season 4Ep. 144
Happy Sibling’s Day! It’s the perfect time to show appreciation for our siblings, whether it’s reflecting on shared childhood memories or expressing gratitude for the new-found experiences we create. This episode dives into the transformation of sibling dynamics from childhood to adulthood, tips on nurturing our sibling relationships, and learning how to use change as a positive tool for growth. Join this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman for this real-talk conversation on ...
Apr 11, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 143
Sometimes, we find ourselves holding onto unrealistic expectations that carry more weight than we realize. Whether these expectations stem from uncertainty about the future, struggles in the present, or regrets involving the past, it is important we release the weight of our unrealistic expectations and leave that extra room for growth, positive energy, and love instead. This episode highlights ways to break out of a cycle of habits or thoughts that don't serve us purpose and emphasizes the impo...
Apr 04, 2023•22 min•Season 4Ep. 142
Creativity and imagination are important to us as children, but the positive impacts of the various forms of art we are introduced to are just as powerful to us as adults. This episode explores the various forms of art, the benefits of creativity on individual and community growth, and methods to incorporate art into our lifestyles. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman for this real-talk conversation on mindfulness, embracing the creative journey, and a short me...
Mar 28, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 141
Job changes are inevitable — whether it's figuring out a career path, dealing with job loss, or facing some major transformation in your career. No matter what the work transformation is, it’s important to remember that the career path is a learning journey, and you're never alone during the process. This episode shares tips on ways to deal with the social, emotional, and physical impacts of a career change, how to navigate the job search, and the importance of practicing gratitude with yourself...
Mar 21, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 140
Understanding how diversity, emotional intelligence, and mindfulness intersect and using these things to empower each other creates stronger individual identities and relationships. This special guest episode explores the experiences of first-gen individuals, the impact of self-care, and the importance of practicing gratitude and kindness toward ourselves and others. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman and special guest Anyelis Cordero - FirstGen Latina, HR Con...
Mar 15, 2023•52 min•Season 4Ep. 139
March celebrates Women’s History Month. Although womanhood is a beautiful and powerful thing to celebrate, there are also challenges and obstacles driven by internal conflict or external expectations in society. By actively incorporating ways to empower ourselves and the women around us, we can grow past the challenges and become the best versions of ourselves. This episode shares tips on uplifting ourselves and the woman around us, challenging societal norms, and learning how to use self-care a...
Mar 07, 2023•17 min•Season 4Ep. 138
By creating and maintaining a space for healthy relationships in our life, we allow ourselves to celebrate love, growth, and acceptance. No matter the type of relationship you have with your partner, it’s important to remember some tips for keeping a healthy relationship so the flame can continue to grow. This episode shares tips on using healthy communication as a tool for romance, ways to re-ignite the flame past the puppy love stage, and the importance of creating a balance and working throug...
Feb 28, 2023•18 min•Season 4Ep. 137
As Valentine’s Day rolls around, love is in the air. But we usually relate the day to romance—crushes, significant others, and the relationships we build. What we might forget is that this celebration of love doesn’t have to be limited to romantic relationships—it can include platonic relationships and our relationship with ourselves! Self-love and self-care have a wide range of benefits and are essential to building strong relationships, healing, and mindfulness. This episode focuses on physica...
Feb 14, 2023•21 min•Season 4Ep. 136
The “Consult a Counselor Series” is a segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, which answers parenting related questions to help caregivers live life mindfully. Today’s question is: “I really don’t know how to ask this - but I don’t know how to connect with my kids. I’m barely ever with them because of my long work hours. Besides asking them how they’re doing, and checking to see how they’re doing in school, I really don’t know what to talk with them about, or to play with them. Any help you c...
Feb 13, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 135
As children we engage in endless amounts of play. Somewhere along the way we trade in our words for the language of play, and consequently lose in the benefits that play can bring into our lives. This episode shares the various forms of adult play, the physical and emotional benefits of play as adults, and some ways to integrate play in our everyday lives. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman for this real-talk conversation on platonic relationships, mindful liv...
Feb 06, 2023•16 min•Season 4Ep. 134
The “Consult a Counselor Series” is a segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, which answers parenting related questions to help caregivers live life mindfully. Today’s question is: “My high excelling middle schooler scored in the 70s on a test so as a consequence I took the phone away, because I know “Tik Tok is life.” Now of course she hates me. Is this the right thing to do?” Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at podcast@freetobemindful.com. Send us a text 120 COPING ...
Feb 02, 2023•8 min•Season 4Ep. 133
Love languages are a fantastic tool for communication, and by understanding them, we can nourish our relationships with the people we “do” life with. This special guest episode explores what the five love languages are, and demonstrates how they play into our relationships. By being mindful and intentional with our time, energy, and ways we show gratitude, we can create positive, safe spaces for the relationships in our lives to flourish. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De...
Jan 30, 2023•37 min•Season 4Ep. 132
The “Consult a Counselor Series” is a segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, which answers parenting related questions to help caregivers live life mindfully. Today’s question is: "How do you get a quiet/shy child to open up more? I ask my son about his day and it's crickets!" Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at podcast@freetobemindful.com. REFERENCED IN SHOW: Upcoming Social Skills Group for New Jersey residents! https://www.freetobemindful.com/groups FREE GIFTS! “T...
Jan 26, 2023•10 min•Season 4Ep. 131
Navigating friendships as an adult can present challenges. Whether we have varying identities and interests or are in different phases in life, it’s essential to take a step back to reflect on what our friendships mean to us, and how we can create a healthy space for them alongside our other priorities. This episode dives into ways we can show gratitude toward our loved ones, make time for the relationships in our life, and exercise flexibility for our social connections, whether they’re old or ...
Jan 23, 2023•20 min•Season 4Ep. 130
The “Consult a Counselor Series” is a segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, which answers parenting related questions to help caregivers live life mindfully. Today's question is: "This middle school drama has me nuts. My daughter’s circle of friends always has some drama happening, and somehow, she’s always at the center of it. What can I do to help?" Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at podcast@freetobemindful.com . Send us a text 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freet...
Jan 19, 2023•9 min•Season 4Ep. 129
Struggling with the balancing act of high expectations? When we set high expectations for ourselves, we also need to incorporate healthy boundaries and mindsets. This episode shares tips to help us create a work-life balance to manage our personal growth, find areas of improvement in a positive means, and embrace forgiveness and letting go. Tune into this podcast with licensed therapist Vanessa De Jesus Guzman for this real-talk conversation on self-care, mindful living, and a short meditation a...
Jan 16, 2023•15 min•Season 4Ep. 128
The “Consult a Counselor Series” is a segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, which answers parenting related questions to help caregivers live life mindfully. Today’s question is: “How I wish my kid could set a new year resolution to stop whining and actually clean her room! LOL” Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at podcast@freetobemindful.com. Send us a text 120 COPING SKILLS https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE https://www...
Jan 12, 2023•6 min•Season 4Ep. 127
