In this episode, Vanessa is joined by Tracy Peterson—nurse practitioner, entrepreneur, and founder of Woman Lessons, a movement designed to help mothers and daughters build confidence and connection.

They explore how busyness can become a woman’s identity, why so many high performers struggle with self-worth, and how those patterns can unintentionally shape the next generation. Tracy opens up about the moment her daughter asked for “woman lessons” and how it led to a deeper mission around identity, self-care, and presence.

Perfect for moms, educators, and anyone raising girls in today’s world, this episode offers thoughtful insights and practical tools to help women lead from within and model true confidence.


REFERENCED LINKS
Website: https://tracipeterson.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tpete/ and @motherdaughtermovement

Use code EMPOWERED for 10% off the Woman Lessons retreat


120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podca...

CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podca...

SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor

GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.

STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus

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.

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Before becoming a mom, many of us carry a picture in our minds—a version of motherhood built from childhood dreams, cultural narratives, and curated social media posts. But what happens when real life doesn’t match the picture? In this episode, Vanessa gets honest about the gap between expectations and reality, not in parenting—but in the motherhood experience itself. With warmth, humor, and grounded reflection, she explores what it really means to let go of perfection, make peace with the mess, and embrace the version of motherhood that’s unfolding right in front of you.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why so many moms feel blindsided by the reality of motherhood
• How to process grief over the version of life you imagined
• The emotional rollercoaster of adjusting to your “new normal”
• Mindful ways to reframe guilt, comparison, and unmet expectations
• The power of compassion and presence in your motherhood journey

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:
Motherhood isn’t a checklist or a Pinterest board—it’s a lived experience, full of mess, beauty, contradiction, and growth. Let go of the picture-perfect version, and open your heart to the one you’re living today. There’s room for joy, connection, and presence—even when the laundry’s not done. You’re not behind. You’re not failing. You’re doing the work. And you’re always free to be mindful.

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, host Vanessa had such a meaningful conversation with Lacey Newman—a powerhouse speaker, coach, and top real estate team leader based out of Nashville. Lacey is a high-performing entrepreneur who’s led a top 1.5% real estate team and a mom of two who knows what it’s like to juggle a million things while still trying to stay grounded.

Lacey opened up about her journey as a single mom, and how that chapter of her life forced her to get crystal clear on her priorities. Vanessa and Lacey talked about the myth of work-life balance and how she created her own system for living and working with intention—what she calls “Book Your Own Business.” It’s a simple yet powerful approach to planning your days around what matters most, starting with yourself.

What Vanessa loved most about our conversation was how real and relatable Lacey is. She reminded us that while the balls we juggle may all seem important, some are glass and some are rubber—and learning which ones can drop without breaking is key.

Whether you're a mom, a business owner, or just someone trying to find more peace in the chaos, you’ll definitely take away something valuable from this episode.

Referenced Links:

• https://www.instagram.com/elevated_agents
• https://www.elevatedagents.co/reclaim
• https://laceynewman.com/reclaim-refocus-optin/

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, therapist, mom, and speaker, dives into a conversation that’s equal parts real talk and reflection: the blurry line between rest and avoidance.

With humor, honesty, and a few unpopular opinions, Vanessa explores what it really means to honor your limits—without using boundaries as an excuse to check out.

Whether you’re feeling burnt out, stuck in a lazy season, or caught in a cycle of “I just don’t feel like it,” this episode offers a compassionate push forward.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION
Vanessa shares her take on how today’s culture of boundaries, bandwidth, and self-care can sometimes blur the lines between wellness and responsibility. With a mix of personal insight and professional perspective, she challenges listeners to examine whether their habits are serving growth—or avoidance.

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• How to tell the difference between rest and resistance
• What healthy boundaries actually sound like (and what they don’t)
• Why discipline doesn’t mean rigidity—but reliability
• What happens when avoidance becomes a lifestyle
• Reflective questions to get real with yourself
• How to gently shift from stuck to showing up
• Practical strategies to move forward with clarity and compassion
• The role of personal accountability in your growth journey
• When laziness is actually fear in disguise
• A short guided meditation to reset your mindset

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
Boundaries should protect your peace—not become an excuse to stay small. With honest reflection, small steps, and self-compassion, you can move from avoidance to aligned action.

Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful.

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

In this episode, I had the pleasure of chatting with Angel Hepp—fellow mom of two, golden doodle lover, and co-founder of Meet Salt Collective, a creative marketing agency that helps businesses connect through powerful storytelling. We talked all about how motherhood and entrepreneurship overlap in the most unexpected (and sometimes messy) ways, and how being clear, whether with your kids or your clients, can make all the difference.

Angel shared so many gems—from her favorite mom hacks, like teaching kids to sort socks (yes, really!), to her journey as a recovering perfectionist. We also talked about how curiosity, not judgment, is key when it comes to personal growth, parenting, and running a business. There’s so much goodness in this episode for moms, high achievers, and anyone who's trying to do all the things without losing themselves in the process.

If you’ve ever felt like you're figuring it out as you go, you're not alone—and this conversation is for you. I hope it gives you a laugh, a breath of fresh air, and a few ideas to make life just a little bit easier.

REFERENCED LINKS:

• Meet Salt Collective
  Website: www.meetsaltcollective.com
  Instagram: www.instagram.com/meetsaltcollective
• Josephine & Grace Co.
  Instagram: www.instagram.com/josephineandgrace.co
• Book Mentioned:
  Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller: www.storybrand.com

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

Life has a funny way of making us feel like we’re always racing against some invisible clock — like if we don’t meet certain milestones by a certain age, we’ve somehow failed. But what if we’ve been measuring progress all wrong?

In this episode of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast, we explore the pressure of timelines — the kind we create in our minds, hear from others, and absorb from social media. Vanessa shares psychological insights, personal stories, and mindset-shifting strategies to help you reframe what it means to be “on time.”

Whether you’ve been stuck in comparison traps or feel like you’re too late to start something new, this episode is your permission slip to breathe, reset, and embrace the journey as it is.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Vanessa unpacks why so many of us feel “behind” in life — and where that pressure really comes from. Through the lens of psychology, society, and real-life reflection, you’ll learn how to break free from the myth of the perfect timeline and redefine success on your own terms. This episode offers practical tools to shift your mindset, become more present, and move forward with confidence — no matter where you are in your journey.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why feeling “behind” is a psychological trap many of us fall into
• The role society and social media play in our internal timelines
• How hustle culture keeps us in a cycle of pressure and burnout
• Practical ways to redefine success and reframe limiting beliefs
• A grounding exercise to help you stay present in your own journey

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:
There is no one-size-fits-all timeline — just your path, your pace, and your progress. You’re not behind — you’re right where you need to be. So pause the pressure, trust the process, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful.

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

Welcome to The Consult a Counselor Series, a special segment of the Free to Be Mindful Podcast. Join therapist and host Vanessa De Jesus Guzman, LPC, NCC, as she answers real-life parenting questions to help you find your calm in the chaos of parenting—and not lose your, well… you know.

TODAY'S QUESTION:

"My daughter is 16 and is definitely smoking weed. What should I do?"

Finding out your teen is using weed can bring on a wave of panic, anger, confusion—and guilt. Do you confront her? Punish her? Ignore it and hope it’s just a phase? In this episode, Vanessa breaks down how to approach the situation with calm, clarity, and connection—not control.

Vanessa shares what’s changed about marijuana today (hint: it’s not what it used to be), how to have real conversations with your teen that don’t immediately shut them down, and how to balance boundaries with emotional safety. She also explains why fear-based approaches only go so far—and what truly makes a lasting impact.

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why today’s marijuana is more dangerous than it used to be
• How to bring up real consequences without scaring them into silence
• What teens really need when it comes to substance use conversations
• How to set clear, firm boundaries without shame
• Why connection, curiosity, and consistency matter most
• When to seek professional support for your teen—and yourself

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:

This isn’t just about weed. It’s about helping your teen learn how to navigate stress, peer pressure, and life choices with guidance and support. You don’t have to go into detective mode or fight it out. You can parent through this with confidence, connection, and compassion.

Listen in, and remember... you’re always free to be mindful!

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.

In Episode 262 of Free to Be Mindful Podcast, Vanessa De Jesus Guzman welcomes Rebecca Taylor, a real estate investor who transitioned from tech after a near-death experience in childbirth. Rebecca shares insights on mindful living, balancing career and family, and building multiple income streams for financial freedom—all while prioritizing self-care and mental health.

As a mom of three, she highlights the power of routines, quality time, and flexibility. She also breaks down real estate strategies like syndications and group investments, showing how passive income can create long-term stability. Plus, she shares why emergency funds and diversified income are essential for financial security.

Packed with relatable stories and practical insights, this episode will help you create balance, build wealth, and live intentionally. Tune in for inspiration and actionable strategies!

REFERENCED LINKS:

www.tayloredinvestments.co

https://www.instagram.com/taylored_investments/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebekah-taylor1986/
https://www.youtube.com/@TayloredInvestments/videos

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063772878587

Send us a text

120 COPING SKILLS
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-120copingskills


CULTIVATE CALM CHALLENGE
https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast-cultivatingcalmchallenge


SUBMIT QUESTIONS for CONSULT A COUNSELOR:
https://qrco.de/consultacounselor


WATCH THE PODCAST ON YOUTUBE:
https://www.youtube.com/@counselorvdejesus


GET THE MUSE HEADBAND AT A DISCOUNT!
https://choosemuse.com/freetobemindful
Use this link to get 15% off your total when you purchase the amazing brain sensing headband that tells you when you're in a meditative state and guides you to improve your practice.


STAY CONNECTED:
Show Hashtag: #freetobemindfulpodcast
Website: https://www.freetobemindful.com/podcast
All Social Channels: @counselorvdejesus


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.