What happens when a former speech therapist realizes the “perfect plan” for parenting doesn’t exist—and chooses presence over pressure? We sit down with Carrie Lingenfelter to explore how mindful attention, compassionate language, and simple spiritual practices can transform family life, especially for highly sensitive and neurodiverse kids.

Carrie shares her journey from evidence-first frameworks to heart-led parenting that honors each child’s wiring. We unpack how labels can open doors to support without defining identity, why words like gifted, spirited, and sensitive change a child’s inner story, and how to build a shared family language that spotlights strengths. From quick pre-pickup resets to modeled boundaries that sound like “give me five minutes to recharge,” we offer practical steps that shift the home from reactivity to co-regulation.

You’ll learn kid-friendly energy tools that actually stick: morning “white and gold light” protection, grounding roots into the earth, a simple mantra to keep emotional spillover at bay, and bedtime meditations that release the day’s weight. We talk about helping children become experts of themselves—recognizing when empathy serves and when a clear boundary is the most caring choice. Friendship dynamics, reflective questions, and story-based coaching round out a toolkit that helps sensitive kids navigate loud social worlds with clarity and confidence.

If you’re craving strategies that feel human, doable, and steadying, this conversation offers a path back to calm connection. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a little extra ease, and leave a review to help more parents find these tools. Your presence is the most powerful practice—start with one small ritual today.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

The glow of “perfect together” can hide a much harsher truth. We sit down with narcissism specialist Dr. Anthony Mazzella to unpack how the illusion of blissful union forms, why ordinary differences feel like threats, and what actually changes when you stop outsourcing your worth. From a psychodynamic perspective, we trace the arc from early unmet needs to adult relationships that demand constant validation, then explore the real cost of leaving: grief for the fantasy, and the devaluing voices you carry after the breakup.

We get practical fast. You’ll hear how to spot red flags—pressure to be “always positive,” fights over hobbies or time apart, and the panic that turns separation into abandonment. Dr. Mazzella demonstrates “containment,” a therapeutic process that pairs validation with mindful inquiry, so you can slow reactivity, notice discomfort, and choose differently in the moment. We contrast projection with mentalization, show how integration of self reduces idealize–devalue cycles, and share simple repair scripts and redo language to stabilize daily interactions.

Parenting patterns take center stage too. We map how a history of domination and powerlessness can resurface as rigid control of a child, and how mindful boundaries protect connection without shutting people out. Along the way, we challenge the myth that change is a straight line. Progress happens in moments: one honest pause, one contained feeling, one boundary you keep. If you’re navigating a narcissistic relationship, healing after one, or trying to end a generational cycle, this conversation offers clarity, language, and tools you can use today.

If this resonated, share it with someone who needs it, subscribe for more grounded guidance, and leave a review so others can find the show. Your support helps us grow a community built on calm, courage, and real change.

To listen to the other podcast episode that Dr. Mazzella and Lindsay recorded, check out this episode of the Narcissism Decoder Podcast. 

For more information about Dr. Mazzella’s psychoanalytic affiliations and membership in The International Psychoanalytic Association (IPA) -which is restricted to psychoanalysts who fulfill the most recognized international standards for psychoanalytic training- visit his website.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

One tall flower in a crowded field changes everything. Dr. Douglas Garland joins us to unpack Tall Poppy Syndrome—the ancient metaphor with very modern consequences—and gives parents a working language for envy, jealousy, pride, and the status games kids navigate every day. We dig into how cultures reward sameness or celebrate standouts, why the U.S. produces both more tall poppies and people who cut them down, and how social media keeps comparison always on.

We draw sharp lines between helpful envy that fuels emulation and growth, and the envy that sparks gossip, pile-ons, and cutting others down. Doug shares why anger and sloth intensify cutting in fast-result cultures, and how humility and kindness act as counterweights. He offers a candid story from his own career of being cut down at the top, then using that moment to reset, refocus, and build something larger—an approach families can model when a child’s wins trigger peer backlash.

Parents get a clear playbook: look for context before reacting, map power differences, and teach kids to read the field—family, classroom, team, and community. We cover practical scripts to help a child hold their ground without drifting into hubris, steps to distinguish bullying from status pressure, and a nuanced look at gender dynamics that shape how boys and girls experience and report bullying behavior.

Listen for a primer on Tall Poppy Syndrome and how to respond to it.  For more on Doug's work visit his website or find him on Instagram.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Holiday seasons are loud, bright, sweet, and often overwhelming—and that’s exactly why they’re perfect for teaching kids (and ourselves) how to be present. We explore a simple presence practice that uses the five senses to bring a busy mind back to now, turning chaotic moments into chances for calm, clarity, and connection. From Halloween costumes and crinkly candy wrappers to warm pie dough and the glow of neighborhood lights, we show how everyday sensory details can anchor the nervous system and reduce stress.

You’ll hear a real family scene—a late‑night discovery of ants in a backpack—and how shifting attention to sights, sounds, textures, and smells transformed frustration into laughter and purposeful action. We unpack why acceptance is not giving up but stepping into reality long enough to choose a better response. Instead of fighting what’s happening or spiraling into what‑ifs, we practice noticing what is here, right now, and responding on purpose. That skill helps kids build emotional regulation, resilience, and self‑confidence while giving parents a steadier way to lead.

We also share quick, repeatable prompts that fit into busy days: tasting candy with attention, listening to neighborhood laughter, feeling cool air on your skin, and watching lights flicker. These micro‑rituals train the brain to settle faster, make good memories more vivid, and lower the temperature during meltdowns. The holidays become a training ground for year‑round calm, where presence turns modern chaos into manageable moments and families reconnect with what matters most.

If this resonates, share the episode with a friend who needs a little extra calm, and leave a quick review so more parents can find the show. Want more tools? Visit thestressnanny.com and subscribe so you never miss a practice that helps your family breathe easier.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Ever wish your teen would text more than “k,” while your paragraphs go unread? We dive into a simple framework that makes family communication clearer and calmer: six modes—sending, talking, meaning-making, tacit knowing, signaling, and advocacy—and how to switch between them without adding more stress. Our guest, Craig Mattson, professor of communication and author of Digital Overwhelm, brings research from modern workplaces into everyday parenting, showing how the same pressures and patterns play out at the dinner table, in the car, and over text.

We unpack what each mode looks like at home: when to broadcast logistics, when to go one-on-one, how to explain the why behind rules, and why some skills are best learned by doing rather than explaining. We also decode the subtle stuff—tone, timing, punctuation—so your messages land the way you intend. Craig shares a memorable bookstore story where a plan fell apart and flexibility saved the day, modeling how small experiments (QR codes, short videos, quick chats) can reach different people with the right touch at the right time.

Mindfulness threads through the conversation. We talk about noticing your default mode, spotting the moment you’re “stuck,” and choosing a new approach on purpose. You’ll hear practical language shifts that create distance from big feelings, drawing on relational frame theory: “you’re having overwhelm” rather than “you are overwhelmed.” We close with simple ways to teach kids a wider range of modes—clear updates, compassionate talks, meaning checks, subtle signals, and brave advocacy—plus a reminder to lean on your village of coaches, teachers, and mentors so you don’t have to do it all yourself.

Listen for real-world examples, short scripts you can try today, and a calm path forward when life is loud. If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a little more ease, and leave a quick review so more parents can find these tools.

For more on Craig's work click here. To get Craig's book click here.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Homework shouldn’t feel like a bear attack, yet for many ADHD families, everyday tasks trigger fight, flight, or freeze. We invited ADHD coach and mindfulness facilitator Corie Wightlin to help us turn those explosive moments into opportunities for calm, connection, and growth. Corie blends neuroscience, executive function know-how, and lived experience to show how a simple “pause” can redirect the entire evening—and how a practical “fast-forward” thought experiment helps parents choose the next right move without the guilt spiral.

We dig into what actually works when brains are overwhelmed: sensory resets like cold touch, fresh air, or a 60-second song; visible, tactile pause signals; and nonverbal cues that defuse rather than escalate. Then we move from crisis to design. Instead of one-size-fits-all checklists, Corie walks through micro-step sticky notes placed where action happens, pre-staging friction points the night before, and turning time into a friendly cue with Alexa timers or playlists. You’ll hear how a small shift—like keeping shoes with the laid-out clothes in the living room—can shave minutes off the morning and unlock a child’s sense of competence.

Because novelty fades, we build “falter plans” that anticipate boredom and change, keeping systems fresh without starting from scratch. We also talk directly to moms who see themselves in their kids’ profiles: late-diagnosed ADHD, rejection sensitivity, and the exhaustion that comes from running on adrenaline and perfectionism. Corie offers a self-compassion framework and boundary-setting scripts that lower cognitive load, protect bandwidth, and model healthy regulation at home.

If you’re craving fewer meltdowns, smoother mornings, and more moments where your child genuinely believes “I can do this,” this conversation offers tools you can try tonight. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a gentler plan, and leave a review to let us know which strategy made the biggest difference for your family.

For more on Corie's work click here.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

What if the fastest way to move forward isn’t a grand reinvention, but one small promise kept today? That’s the heartbeat of this conversation with possibility coach and author Victoria Rader, PhD—a practical, grace-filled path from survival to significance that starts with a better question and a tiny step.

We start with Victoria’s unlikely origin story: a joyful family trip that quietly became debt, a Google search for flexible income, and a shy newcomer who stumbled into real estate during a recession—and still rose to the top 1% through simple daily actions. From there, we unpack the knowing–doing gap and the inner commitment we make each day: scared or sacred. You’ll learn how to shift “Why is this happening?” to “How can I use this?” so your subconscious starts working for you, not against you. Victoria’s electricity metaphor reframes resistance as a former protector, not an enemy, and shows how lowering internal resistance lets more light—and abundance—through.

We dig into her four S’s framework—Survival, Stability, Success, Significance—and how to climb it with the right next step: install one non-negotiable habit, then upgrade your mindset, then widen your heart to serve. Victoria demystifies “quantum leaps,” grounding them in physics: steady, boring movement meets a spark of light that carries you higher. We also talk courage and discouragement, why overthinking is a sign the heart’s offline, and how “forgive me” repairs relationships without shame. Parents and leaders alike will find tools to model emotional regulation, resilience, and self-trust—plus a fresh language that kids can use to turn anxiety into action.

If you’re ready to close the gap between what you know and what you do, this is your map: ask better questions, honor tiny wins, expose yourself to light, and keep moving. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs calm and courage, and leave a review to help more families find these tools. Then tell us: what’s your one non-negotiable habit this week?

To connect with Victoria and learn more about her work click here.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Ever found yourself staring at the ceiling, mind racing, unable to drift off to sleep? You're not alone. This episode was born from a conversation with one of my middle school clients who shared she'd been using regular podcast episodes to help calm her mind on sleepless nights. Together, we realized what she truly needed was a dedicated guided relaxation - and that's exactly what this special episode delivers. Thanks Liv!

Guided relaxations are among my favorite tools to share with children because they provide a simple yet powerful pathway to calm. Using the gentle imagery of a warm wave washing over the body, I'll guide you (or your child) through systematically releasing tension from the top of your head all the way down to your toes. You'll discover areas where you unconsciously hold stress and learn how to let it go through conscious breathing and body awareness.

What makes this practice particularly special is its versatility. While perfect for bedtime struggles, it works equally well for daytime moments when overwhelm strikes. The recording provides clear guidance for both scenarios - either drifting peacefully to sleep or gently returning to your day feeling refreshed and centered. Parents tell me their children often request this relaxation when they're feeling anxious or having trouble settling down.

Whether you're a parent seeking tools to help your child develop emotional regulation skills or someone looking for a moment of calm in your own busy life, this guided relaxation offers a gentle reset button. The practice takes just under thirteen minutes but provides benefits that last much longer. Give yourself or your child this gift of calm - your nervous system will thank you!

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Ever watched your child navigate a challenging moment with unexpected grace? In this illuminating conversation with Giselle Shardlow, founder of Kids Yoga Stories, we explore how ancient yoga wisdom offers modern solutions for our children's most pressing challenges.

Giselle's journey weaves together threads of yoga practice from her childhood in rural Canada to her work as an international school teacher. What began as a response to childhood obesity and stress has evolved into something even more vital today: providing children with essential tools for emotional regulation in an increasingly complex world. As Giselle puts it, "These SEL tools are no longer a nice-to-have, they're a must-have."

We dive deep into how mindfulness and yoga practices create resilience not just for children but for entire families. The beauty lies in their adaptability—these aren't rigid programs requiring hours of dedication but flexible approaches that meet everyone exactly where they are. Whether it's a simple breathing exercise during a stressful moment or a yoga story at bedtime, these small practices create profound ripple effects.

Particularly moving are the stories of transformation: the child who chose breathing exercises instead of punching during a playground conflict, or the young teenager who can articulate, "Sometimes I need something calming, and sometimes I need to get rid of extra energy to feel calm." This level of self-awareness represents exactly what our children need to navigate our uncertain world.

Giselle shares her powerful "Five C's" framework—Calm, Curious, Connect, Creative, and Commit—offering parents a practical roadmap for incorporating these practices at home. She emphasizes that the journey begins with our own regulation: "What I could control is myself...and even by practicing yourself, all of that has ripple effects."

Ready to bring more calm, confidence, and connection into your family life? Listen now, and discover how simple yoga and mindfulness tools can transform not just your child's emotional wellbeing but your entire parenting experience. Your journey toward a more mindful family starts with just one breath. 

Find out more about Kids Yoga Stories here. 

To access an email you can use to connect with your child's school to learn more about SEL and share resources like Kids Yoga Stories click here.

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.

Have you ever considered that your body's pain might actually be stress looking for a way out? That the mysterious aches, tension, and discomfort could be your body's increasingly desperate attempt to communicate something important?

Naturopath and reflexologist Njideka Olatunde transforms our understanding of the pain-stress connection with revolutionary simplicity: "You cannot have pain without stress, and you can't have stress without pain." This profound insight opens the door to a completely different approach to healing – one where we stop fighting our bodies and start listening to them.

Njideka reveals how our bodies whisper before they shout, progressively increasing the volume of their communications when we ignore the early signals. Rather than running straight to medication, which forces our already-stressed systems to process foreign substances, she offers accessible reflexology techniques anyone can use. The beauty lies in their simplicity – even children's games like "This Little Piggy" actually stimulate nerve pathways that trigger natural pain relief!

Perhaps most powerful is Njideka's distinction between treating your body as a temple versus a warehouse. When we recognize our physical form as sacred space requiring intentional care, we become more discriminating about what we allow in – physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes being mindful of media consumption, recognizing when external information disrupts our inner peace, and honoring our right to disconnect.

True healing, Njideka explains, begins with listening as the first form of touch. From there, we can implement touch-based techniques that open communication channels between our brain and body, facilitating natural healing. While conventional medicine often treats symptoms mechanically, an integrative approach honors the interconnectedness of all bodily systems and incorporates traditional cultural wisdom that has stood the test of time.

Ready to transform your relationship with stress and pain? Download Njideka's free pain and stress relief poster after completing a short form at touchologyreflexology.com and start implementing these powerful yet simple techniques today. Or check our Njideka's website. Your body has been trying to talk to you – isn't it time you started listening?

Lindsay Miller is a distinguished kids mindfulness coach, mindfulness educator and host of The Stress Nanny Podcast. She is known for her suitcase tricks and playful laugh. When she's not cheering on her daughter or rollerblading on local trails with her husband, you can find her using her 20+ years of child development study and mindfulness certification to dream up new ways to get kids excited about deep breathing. Having been featured on numerous podcasts, platforms and publications, Lindsay’s words of wisdom are high impact and leave a lasting impression wherever she goes.

To sign up for Lindsay's "Calm & Collected" Newsletter click here.

To review the podcast click here.