When the holidays roll around, many moms find themselves slipping back into old family roles before they even realize it’s happening. One step into a family gathering, one comment from a relative, one expectation placed on you, and suddenly your nervous system is on high alert. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman breaks down the emotional patterns, cultural expectations, and invisible pressures that make this season feel so heavy for so many m...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman unpacks the guilt moms silently carry during the holiday season - especially the cultural guilt, emotional pressure, and endless “I shoulds” that make this time of year heavier than it looks online. Recorded in real time during a week filled with sick kids, canceled plans, and dropped responsibilities, Vanessa shares a relatable story that highlights how quickly guilt takes over, even when we’re doing our best. This co...

Every scroll, every sparkle, every “perfect” photo tells us that holiday joy means having it all together. But what if the real magic of the season isn’t found in doing more, it’s found in being present? In this installment of The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, licensed therapist, educator, and mom coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC unpacks The Myth of the Perfect Holiday Mom. She shares honest stories, relatable humor, and practical ways to step away from comparison and step back into c...

In this first episode of The Anti-Overwhelm Holiday Series, host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, licensed therapist and mom coach, pulls back the tinsel to talk about the truth many won’t say out loud: moms don’t get a holiday season… we run it. From meal planning and gift shopping to managing family expectations and keeping the “magic” alive, the invisible load moms carry this time of year is real — and exhausting. Vanessa explores the cultural layers behind that pressure, why it’s not your fault, ...

Halloween may come once a year, but for many moms, the masks don’t come off when October ends. In this heartfelt episode, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman explores the invisible emotional masks high-achieving mothers wear - the ones that hide exhaustion, guilt, and vulnerability behind a smile. Through personal reflection and cultural insight, Vanessa shares how the pressure to “do it all” and “be la fuerte” (the strong one) can leave moms feeling unseen, disconnected,...

In this powerful and inspiring episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman sits down with Chicago-based boudoir photographer Liz Hansen to explore how boudoir photography can become more than just beautiful photos - it can be an act of healing, empowerment, and self-love. As women, we often see our flaws before our beauty and dismiss our worth before celebrating it. But what happens when we flip that script? Liz shares how boudoir photography helps women rediscover thei...

Ever reach the end of the day and realize you barely lived it? You checked all the boxes - lunches packed, emails sent, bedtime done - but somehow, it feels like you weren’t really there. In honor of World Mental Health Day, this episode invites you to pause the endless doing and reconnect with the life happening right in front of you. Vanessa shares how living on autopilot quietly affects your mental health, why awareness is the first step toward peace, and how simple daily practices can he...

What if your kitchen could be more than a place to cook? In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Licensed Therapist and Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman speaks with Janet Iri, founder of My Mindful Kitchen and creator of the MMK Method. Janet brings over 25 years of experience in hospitality, education, and sustainability — and she believes the kitchen is where parenting, connection, and mindfulness come alive. Together, we explore how everyday food routines can teach kids gratitu...

Ever snap at your kids because they asked what’s for dinner… while you were literally cooking dinner? You’re not alone — and it doesn’t mean you’re falling apart. It means you’re human. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Licensed Therapist and Latina Mom Coach Vanessa De Jesus Guzman reminds us that you don’t need to be in crisis to deserve support. Mental health isn’t only about anxiety or depression — sometimes it looks like irritability, exhaustion, guilt, or feeling discon...

Birthdays have a way of sneaking up on us. When we were kids, it was all about cake, candles, and balloons. As adults - especially as moms — they can start to feel like just another date on the calendar, squeezed between school emails, soccer games, and endless to-do lists. But what if birthdays weren’t just about a number? What if they became checkpoints, gentle pauses to reflect on how far we’ve come and what we want for the season ahead? In this heartfelt episode, Vanessa - licensed therap...

Discover how to lighten the mom mental load, reduce overwhelm, and create real mental space. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, learn practical tips to manage cognitive and emotional labor so you can rest without guilt and show up with more presence. Vanessa De Jesus Guzman dives into a struggle so many moms know all too well... the mental load. You finally have the house to yourself, the quiet you’ve been craving… yet instead of feeling rested, you’re still carrying the invis...

Motherhood changes everything - your brain, your identity, and the way you move through the world. In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa welcomes Jeanne Clevenger, licensed clinical psychologist and mom of four, to talk about the overlooked transition called matrescence. From the fog of “mom brain” to the pressures of postpartum depression and anxiety, Jeanne shares her personal story of raising four kids (including twins) while navigating identity shifts and professional...

Summer’s over… and somehow we’re already juggling new schedules, endless forms, school supply lists, and those rushed morning routines. For some moms, it feels like a sigh of relief. For others, the chaos is just beginning. In this season 7 kickoff of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, Licensed Therapist, Mom Coach, and retired educator, shares a fresh perspective on navigating this transition with more ease and less pressure. Drawing from her Mindful Living Framework, V...

This season was filled with powerful stories, inspiring guests, and real-life moments that reminded us: this is more than a podcast... it’s a movement. In this heartfelt finale of Season 6, Vanessa reflects on the highs and the lessons, shares fun behind-the-scenes moments, and gives you a sneak peek of what’s coming in Season 7. With 20 incredible guests — including doctors, therapists, entrepreneurs, and real moms navigating real life — this season offered wisdom, validation, and connection...

What if you didn’t have to wait for a breakdown or life crisis to start living with purpose? In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Malaysia Harrell, a spiritual transformation coach, licensed psychotherapist, veteran, and speaker. Malaysia shares how a near-death experience became the turning point that led her to surrender, heal, and fully step into alignment with her life’s mission. If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly putting others first, stuck in survival mode, or unsure how to mak...

In this heartfelt winddown of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa invites us to explore the very thing so many of us struggle with: rest. Through personal stories, cultural reflections, and gentle guidance, she helps us unpack why slowing down feels uncomfortable — and how to finally find peace in the pause. Drawing from her upbringing in a traditional Dominican household, Vanessa shares how hustle culture, perfectionism, and even trauma can shape our relationship with rest. She walks us ...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa is joined by dermatologist and mom Dr. Mary Alice Mina to talk about how our skin changes over time—and why taking care of it doesn’t have to be complicated. They break down what really affects our skin, including hormones, stress, and lifestyle habits. Dr. Mina shares practical advice that goes beyond just products. She talks about how skincare is connected to sleep, nutrition, and how we care for ourselves day to day. The conversati...

In this thoughtful episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa invites you to explore what it really means to be rich, beyond bank accounts and material success. Through reflections on celebrity insights and everyday experiences, she shares how true wealth is often rooted in presence, purpose, and a deep sense of gratitude. EPISODE DESCRIPTION Why money is often tied to safety and happinessWhat high-net-worth celebrities say about true successHow life in simpler settings can re...

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman talks with Dr. Nichelle Bowes, a leadership coach, mental fitness expert, and speaker. After a life-changing bike accident, Dr. Bowes began helping high-achieving women, especially Black and Brown women, live with more purpose and joy. They explore the pressure many women feel to follow a checklist of life milestones—like getting the degree, the job, the marriage, the family—and how that path doesn’t always lead to hap...

In this special anniversary episode, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman — licensed therapist, speaker, and host of the Free to Be Mindful podcast — reflects on six years of growth, resilience, and purpose. What began as a part-time dream has evolved into a full-time mission: supporting others through mindful living, mental health, and personal growth. From navigating licensing setbacks to launching a private practice, from building a national speaking presence to embracing new motherhood again after a d...