The Parent Pod

In this episode of The Parent Pod, Rachel chats with naturopath and nutritionist Jacqueline Stenhouse from The Healthy Alternative. With a calm, grounded approach and a passion for practical wellness, Jacqueline shares simple, doable ways families can support their health through food, daily habits, and a low-tox lifestyle.

We explore:

• What “clean eating” really means for busy parents

• Easy routines that bring calm and nourishment to your home

• Go-to meals and prep tips for healthy family eating

• Small but powerful changes beyond the kitchen—like sleep and screen-time habits

• Encouragement for parents feeling stuck or overwhelmed

Whether you're starting fresh or looking to fine-tune your family's wellbeing, this episode offers inspiration and doable steps for a healthier home.

In this powerful episode, Rachel sits down with Mitch Tambo – singer, songwriter, author, and one of Australia’s most distinctive First Nations entertainers – to explore fatherhood, culture, creativity, and healing.

Hailed as “the new voice of a generation,” Mitch has earned 14 consecutive Top 10 singles on the Australian iTunes Worldwide chart and performed at major national events including the Australian Open, T20, NRL Indigenous All Stars, and Fire Fight Australia. In 2024, he topped the charts with The Best and his album Tambo Jamz Vol. 1, and in 2025, he was celebrated for his stunning duet and solo versions of My Island Home.

Now a father in a blended family, Mitch brings everything he’s learned—and continues to learn—into his role as a parent, artist, and advocate. Together, we explore:

• How fatherhood has deepened Mitch’s sense of purpose and legacy

• The power of culture, language, and storytelling to shape identity

• Why intergenerational healing matters more than ever

• What drives Mitch forward in his creative and personal journey

• His message for parents raising children in today’s world

This episode is a heartfelt reminder of the strength in sharing stories, embracing identity, and leading with spirit.

In this episode of The Parent Pod, Rachel is joinedby Professor Narelle Lemon—internationally recognised researcher, educator, and coach—who invites us to rethink self-care as the foundation for wellbeing in all aspects of life.

As Lead of the Wellbeing and Education Research Community at Edith Cowan University and Director of Explore & Create Co, Narelle brings a rich blend of experience from education, the arts, leadership, and positive psychology. She shares how self-care can be a daily, intentional practice thatgrounds us—even amid parenting chaos.

With mountain biking, mindful rituals, and a green tea inhand, Narelle walks her talk—offering a grounded, inspiring look at how we can all flourish a little more, one moment at a time.

 Find Narelle:

 www.exploreandcreateco.com

www.shespeakswellbeing.com

www.wellbeingcitizenscientist.com

As @rellypops on Instagram

In this soulful episode of The Parent Pod, we’re joined by holistic psychologist and consciousness mentor Daniella Princi. Daniella shares her powerful journey from traditional psychology to a more integrated, spiritual approach—blending evidence-based science with somatic wisdom, energy work, and ritual.

Together, we explore how mothers can reconnect with their inner truth, navigate the tension between purpose and parenting without guilt, and rediscover who they are beyond the roles they play. Daniella offers gentle, practical strategies for self-care, aligning with your values, and beginning the journey back to yourself—because when mums heal and grow, families do too.

Strap in, friends — this one’s real, raw, and full of heart!
Bec Shepherd joins us today to share her powerful story of parenting three children — including a foster daughter, a daughter with ASD and ADHD, and a son with Down syndrome.

With humour, grit, and so much strength, Bec opens up about:

Life as a mum navigating multiple diagnoses

The rollercoaster of receiving and processing earlydiagnoses

Lessons in advocacy, self-education, and working with theNDIS

How she stays grounded and looks after herself

The joy, chaos, and deep connection found in parentingdifferently-wired kids

If you’re parenting outside the box or just want a betterunderstanding of life with disability, this one’s for you.

Stay rad

Today on The Parent Pod, we're joined by the inspiring Tara Swann.

Tara is an Emotional Empowerment Coach, author, and proud mama of three. In 2023, she released three powerful books, each focused on helping individuals break free from fear and self-doubt, step into their true power, and lead from their higher self.

Her work is deeply rooted in her personal journey—overcoming chronic anxiety through emotional release and self-discovery. Now, she’s on a mission to help others do the same.

You can connect with Tara on Instagram @itstaraswann, visit her website at taraswann.com, or explore her upcoming group program for women at taraswann.com/hometoher.

In this episode, Rachel takes a dive into the real reasons behind tantrums—from what's happening in a child’s brain and nervous system to the powerful role of emotions like shame and embarrassment. Grounded in psychology and neuroscience, Rachel explores why kids lose it and how parents can respond with calm, connection, and confidence. Learn practical, research-backed strategies to support emotional regulation and reduce meltdowns—without shame or punishment.

Resources

Dr. Dan Siegel, The Whole-Brain Child

Dr. Bruce Perry, What Happened to You?

Mona Delahooke, Brain-Body Parenting

If you are interested in reaching out to Rachel for Emotion Coaching:

https://linktr.ee/quitefranklycoaching

#coregulation #parenting #brain #neuroscience #love #connection

In this episode of The Parent Pod, we explore how understanding direct and indirect communication styles can transform the way you connect with your kids. Rachel discusses how different communication styles impact parenting, offering practical strategies for bridging the gap between a direct communicator and an indirect one. With real-life examples, research, and actionable tips, you’ll learn how to speak your child’s language and foster better understanding at home. Tune in to discover how to make communication smoother and more effective in your parenting journey.

In this episode, we chat with communication expert, educator, and emotion coach, Jane McIndoe, about the power of mindful communication with kids. Jane shares strategies on how to label emotions without reinforcing negative identities, follow through on promises to build trust, and adapt your communication style to meet your child’s needs. We also discuss the importance of active listening, timing conversations, and setting clear expectations at home. Tune in for practical tips on how to speak in a way that your child will truly hear and understand.

You can find Jane -

https://www.instagram.com/becuriouscoaching/

Motherhood is a profound transformation—a journey that reshapes not just our daily lives but also our sense of self. In the midst of caring for our children, managing responsibilities, and meeting expectations, many mothers find themselves asking: Who am I beyond motherhood?

In this episode of The Parent Pod, we’re diving deep into self-worth, and identity, as a mother. We’ll explore:

Why so many mums struggle with feeling "enough"
How societal and personal expectations shape our identity Practical ways to reconnect with who you are beyond parenting

Motherhood doesn’t mean losing yourself—it’s an opportunity to grow into a new version of you. Tune in as we unpack what it means to embrace your worth and identity while raising the next generation.

Join Rachel, a parenting expert and emotion coach, from Quite Frankly Coaching for this heartfelt and empowering conversation.