Free to Be Mindful Podcast | Mindset, Permission and Real Talk for the High-Achieving Woman

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 middle schooler is already talking about group costumes for Halloween and it's driving me nuts. So much unnecessary drama! Help!”

Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at [email protected].

FREE GIFTS!

“Tools to Help Kids Navigate Mistreatment”

“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” 

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

Shoutout to the parents that are recovering “ Pinterest Perfect Parents”. You know, the parents that spend countless hours and amounts of energy planning, executing, and preparing for a birthday party. Meanwhile, when they day of the party comes, you’re so consumed with making sure the party, the guests, and every minute detail are spot on, that you forget to schedule time for yourself to enjoy the moment. 

How do I know this topic so well? Because I myself am a recovering
 “Pinterest Perfect Parent”.

This week’s episode is all about how to overcome this “Pinterest Perfect Parent” syndrome. How to heal from the comparison game of other parents, and steps to ensure you’re focusing on what matters most of all; the moments.


 FREE GIFT!
“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool" Guide 

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

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 I teach my child kindness and inclusivity - including everyone and not leaving anyone out?”

Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at [email protected].

FREE GIFTS!

“Tools to Help Kids Navigate Mistreatment”
https://www.freetobemindful.com/navigating-bullying

“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: www.freetobemindful.com
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

The three things I always reinforced in my classroom at the start of every new year were:
Respecting others,  respect of space. and Self-respect. 

These are messages that we as parents, educators, and society in general, instill into kids at such a young age, and continuously embed it year after into them.

While we are so adamant of reminding young ones of these principles of respect in all forms, somewhere along the way, we lose the ability to do the most important one of all: self-respect.

In this episode,  I will share with you some different practices and techniques to help you familiarize yourself with how to implement self-respect into your everyday life. 

FREE GIFT!
“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool" Guide 

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

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: “Kids are in school one month and I'm not liking my kid's teacher. They don't give enough homework. So different from my older child's teacher. What should I do?”

Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at [email protected].

FREE GIFT!

“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: www.freetobemindful.com
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

When was the last time you took a purposeful moment just to pause, and celebrate something in your life that wasn't a special day on the calendar?

Most of us tend to put emphasis on the days that are important, but not  the baby step moments and actions in the day, that lead up to possible monumental achievements.

In this episode,  I will share with you a few personal achievements I have had recently, how I am making mindful reflection on them, and how you can implement the same kind of thinking into your life as well. 

FREE GIFT!
“Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool" Guide 

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:
Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

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'm a stay at home mom. I thought I was going to be thrilled when my kids went to school, but I just miss them. What should I do?”

Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at [email protected].

FREE GIFT!

The “Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” includes strategies for limit setting and the language to use to help you reduce the number of times you repeat yourself, leading to a decrease of your stress levels and overwhelm. 

Find it here! https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

If you’ve been here for a while, you know that my passions revolve around the well-being of children, educators, and mothers in all facets of their daily lives. More importantly, I love to focus on the mindfulness approach we can take with each action to take steps towards a healthy physical, emotional, and mental state, especially for women and children of color.

With National Childhood Obesity Month being in September, I thought it would be great to bring on a guest speaker that is not only a pro when it comes to mindful eating, but she also checks the boxes for a mother, and a Dominican woman as well.

Naihomy Jerez grew up in the Bronx, and is a wife and mom of two young boys. When she was in college people would ask her, “If you could pick ANY job without worry when you graduate, what would it be?” she used to say, “ I want to own a Food Truck where I make delicious food that is not healthy for us….healthy.” It is no surprise that she is now a Food & Health Coach. She is passionate about helping women of color take control of their nutrition, improve their health, and lose weight WITHOUT dieting. All while regaining their energy, confidence, and living their BEST life! Make sure to check her out on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/naihomyjerez/ and her website https://www.naihomyjerez.com/ 

In this week’s episode, Naihomy and I chat about some of the key points when it comes to your relationship with food. We will discuss not only the mindfulness we need to take with the food that we as mothers and women consume, but in the way that we are actually eating it, and how to get our children to start to practice some of these mindful ways of relating to food as well. We will chat about how it is not always about going on restrictive, crazy diets, but living life in a healthier, and more mindful way.

FREE GIFT!

The “Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” includes strategies for limit setting and the language to use to help you reduce the number of times you repeat yourself, leading to a decrease of your stress levels and overwhelm. 

Find it here! https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

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 partner is Latino and I am not. He wants to speak Spanish to our kids at home, but it leaves me out. And they learn Spanish in school anyway. What should I do?”

Have a question for the Consult a Counselor Series? Email at [email protected].

FREE GIFT!

The “Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” includes strategies for limit setting and the language to use to help you reduce the number of times you repeat yourself, leading to a decrease of your stress levels and overwhelm. 

Find it here! https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.

Sometimes it takes tragic events or a loss of a loved one to remind us what is truly important in life. This episode provides tips on how we can take small steps to value life as it’s happening in the right here, right now. 

Join Vanessa - educator, licensed therapist, entrepreneur and mom - for this real-talk conversation on mindful living, mental health, and personal growth, with a short meditation at the end.

FREE GIFT!

The “Talking to Your Kids Without Losing Your Cool Guide” includes strategies for limit setting and the language to use to help you reduce the number of times you repeat yourself, leading to a decrease of your stress levels and overwhelm. 

Find it here! https://www.freetobemindful.com/talkingtokids

STAY CONNECTED:

• Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
• Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/ 
• Social Media: @counselorvdejesus  
• Email: [email protected]

DISCLAIMER:

Free to Be Mindful Podcast episodes are for educational purposes only and should not be considered as or substituted for therapy or professional counseling help from a licensed clinician.

Send us Fan Mail

Support the show

GRAB AN OFFER
🎁 Free 120 Coping Skills: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills

💛 Coaching for the Mom CEO: https://www.amigamoms.com

💡 Coaching for Child Therapists: https://www.thekidclinician.com

💚 Coaching & Community for Latinx Therapists: https://www.latinxpracticecollective.com

 🛍️ Shop My Favorites: https://shopmy.us/shop/counselorvdejesus


ABOUT ME
I'm Vanessa, the therapist who helps high-achieving adults become the best version of themselves, not just at work, but in the rooms that matter most. I host the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, named the #1 Latino Mental Health Podcast in 2026 by Feedspot. 

CONNECT WITH ME ON SOCIAL
🎧 Podcast: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/counselorvdejesus/
📋 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/counselorvdejesus/
🎤 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.