Ever feel like you’re carrying the whole village on your shoulders? We sit with Dr. Melanie Gray—nurse, trauma-informed wellness coach, and leadership consultant—to map a practical route from constant overwhelm to a sustainable rhythm of care that honors you and strengthens your family. This conversation is a masterclass in reading your body’s signals, setting boundaries that stick, and turning everyday routines into reliable rest stops.

We start by naming the signs of burnout too many of us normalize: short tempers, sleepless nights, headaches, gut issues, and that sinking feeling that we don’t like how we’re showing up. Dr. Gray connects the dots between chronic stress, immune function, and long-term health risks, then shows how small, consistent actions rewrite the trajectory. Think simple anchors like phones down at dinner, an hour of quiet after, and signature family norms—Help Mama Monday, protected date nights, slow Sundays—that signal to kids and community what your household stands for.

We also unpack the emotional load: how “exhaustion Olympics” keep us stuck, why clear non-negotiables reduce anxiety, and how a trauma-informed lens helps you see beyond old chapters without denying them. Dr. Gray shares strategies to ask for help loudly and widely—church bulletins, neighbor groups, EAP programs—and to protect your bandwidth by limiting repetitive venting and doom-scrolling. Her take on trade-offs is refreshingly doable: redirect a small weekly spend to outsource laundry or cleaning for a season and buy back hours for true recovery.

By the end, you’ll have language to teach your family how to treat you, tools to regulate your nervous system, and a vision for legacy-level self-care—more health, more presence, and more capacity to lead with calm. If this conversation gives you a breath of relief, tap follow, share it with a friend who’s stretched thin, and leave a quick review to help more caregivers find these tools. Your calm can become your family’s culture.

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.

A three-year-old hugging the Envy plush in a Disney store sparked a conversation we’ve been waiting to have: what if the feelings we avoid are the exact teachers our kids need? We walk through a simple, compassionate way to help children work with emotions like envy, sadness, and embarrassment so they gain self-knowledge instead of shame. Rather than pushing “clearance emotions” to the back of the shelf, we show how to name them, normalize them, and use the signals they carry to guide values, goals, and growth.

We start with thinking of envy as a compass—how comparison often points to a desire worth exploring—and how to turn that signal into a simple, doable plan. Throughout, we share everyday scripts and practical steps: notice what’s happening in the body, name the feeling accurately, validate the context, and choose a next step that restores agency. By meeting hard feelings with curiosity instead of fear, kids learn they can face what shows up and still live their best lives.

Listen for a story-driven guide that blends real-life moments with mindful tools parents can actually use. If this resonates, share the episode with a friend, subscribe for more calm in your week, and leave a review so other parents can find us.

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 a color could say everything your child can’t yet put into words? We sit down with women’s health practitioner turned author Constance Lewis to explore how her family’s journey through epilepsy inspired a simple, memorable system that helps kids name big feelings and feel brave enough to face them. From NICU shifts and IVF to early-morning seizures and brain surgery, Constance maps the moments that shaped Miles and the Colorful Capes of Feelings—and the practical tools any parent or teacher can borrow tonight.

We get specific about what works under stress: asking for a color instead of a label, using capes or favorite dress-up items to signal state, and returning to the moment later with curiosity rather than critique. You’ll hear how calm modeling, low voices, and eye-level posture change the tone, why decatastrophizing protects the whole family’s nervous system, and how short, repeatable rituals—like meditation music during the dinner rush—turn regulation into a daily habit. We also talk about empathy as a skill kids learn by watching us: holding doors, checking on a friend, and noticing when a sibling needs space.

Schools matter here too. Constance shares ideas for discreet classroom signals so teachers can spot dysregulation before it derails learning. We discuss why social-emotional skills aren’t extra—they’re the foundation for attention, memory, and behavior—and how a quick “What color are you today?” can prevent bigger disruptions. Plus, a peek at what’s next: Mariah and the Colorful Tutus of Feelings, a toddler tools board book, and upcoming titles that normalize the emotional lives of moms and dads.

Ready to try it? Ask your child for their color, borrow the script, and watch how quickly the room softens. If this conversation gave you a useful tool, follow the links to the book and free resources, share with a friend who needs more calm, and leave a review to help others find the show.

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 more cooperation at home is to stop chasing control? We sit down with Katherine Sellery, founder of Conscious Parenting Revolution, to explore why power moves and punishments so often backfire—and how connection-first strategies create durable trust and real influence. Katherine unpacks the “three Rs” that control tactics trigger—retaliation, rebellion, resistance—and shows how to interrupt that spiral with co-regulation, perspective-taking, and a reliable ritual of rupture and repair.

We dig into the everyday moments that test our calm: public meltdowns with an audience, teens clamming up, and the sting of believing we must be doing something wrong. Katherine and Lindsay show how to re-frame behavior as information, assume goodwill, and place the relationship at the center so problem-solving can begin. You’ll hear vivid stories, practical scripts, and a clarifying distinction between “belonger” kids who protect connection and “autonomous” kids who protect their inner compass. Both needs matter; both can be nurtured without rewards and punishments.

Expect actionable guidance you can use tonight: how to “get bigger than what’s bugging you,” what to say when a child fears your reaction, and why asking “What was your perspective?” can unlock stalemates. We also highlight supportive resources like Katherine’s Family Lifeline community, gaming webinars, and her book “Seven Strategies to Keep Your Relationship with Your Kids from Hitting the Boiling Point.” If you’re ready to trade obedience goals for belonging and mutual respect, this conversation offers plenty of ideas—and the encouragement to keep practicing.

Subscribe for more calm, share this with a caregiver who needs a lift, and leave a review to help other parents find the show. Your support grows a community where kids and parents can thrive together.

For more on Katherine's work visit her 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.

What if lowering family stress isn’t about fixing problems but about changing perspective? We sit down with Anil Gupta, “The Love Doctor,” to unpack a simple, profound approach to raising resilient kids: pair unconditional love with developmentally appropriate challenges, then use everyday rituals to lock in confidence and connection.

We start with the turning point that reshaped Anil’s life and work, then move into the practical framework he uses with families worldwide. You’ll hear how scaffolded adversity—ordering lunch, paying the bill, navigating transit—teaches kids to trust themselves without panic. We trade fear-based scripts for strength-based phrases that shape identity from the inside out, and we model the shift from external motivation to inspiration by letting kids gather their own proof: I can do this. Along the way, we address common communication roadblocks, the power of keeping your word, and how to let kids co-create consequences to learn accountability without shame.

The highlight is a repeatable dinner table sequence that transforms the tone at home: gratitude for unseen efforts, spotting and doing acts of kindness, noticing what stood out, and naming what was fun, exciting, magical, or funny. Rotate the nightly leader and watch public speaking, empathy, and listening skills bloom. We also dig into Anil’s happiness formula—giving, gratitude, and growth—and the counterintuitive mindset shift that eases tension fast: stop trying to remove darkness and choose to add light.

If you’re ready to swap helicoptering for heart-led guidance and build the kind of belonging that fuels bravery, this conversation is your roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs more calm, and leave a quick review so more parents can find tools that work. Then tell us: which question will you ask at dinner tonight? Find Anil's dinner questions here.

To connect with Anil you can find him on his website, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube or LinkedIn.

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 toughest parts of your year quietly made you and your child braver, calmer, and more connected? We dive into a gentle, science-informed approach to reflection and reframing that helps families convert stress into usable strength without minimizing real feelings.

We start by unpacking why curiosity-based reflection regulates emotions and supports meaning making, a cornerstone of mental health. You’ll hear how mindsight—observing your inner world with compassion—strengthens coping pathways that your kids can reuse when life gets loud. From there, we explore the research on stress mindset and the “challenge state,” showing how a small shift in interpretation can improve focus, performance, and health. Instead of chasing zero stress, we learn to find the optimal zone where tension becomes a tool.

Then we get practical. We model growth mindset language for everyday moments—like bike riding, auditions, or tricky school days—and show how to replace “I can’t” with “I’m still learning.” You’ll get a short guided reflection to try on a walk or before bed, plus simple family rituals that make resilience a habit: rose thorn seed at dinner, a “This year I…” courage jar, and monthly growth snapshots that help kids own their progress. Along the way, we normalize the messy middle, honor the cracks in the heart and celebrate the flowers that rise through them.

If you’re ready to trade perfection for progress and build ordinary magic at home, this conversation is your invitation. Listen, save the prompts, and share them with someone who needs a calmer way forward. If the episode helps, subscribe, leave a review, and pass it to a friend who could use a little extra calm this week.

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 calm is connection, not correction? Lindsay sits down with counselor and art therapist Jacintha “J” Field to explore how families can raise emotionally literate kids using the languages children actually speak: play, pictures, movement, and modeled honesty. J’s story journeys from a childhood of “toughen up” messages to discovering art as a safe pathway for feelings, then transforming that insight into clinical work and a gamified platform that helps 5 to 12-year-olds name and regulate big emotions.

We dig into practical, real-life tools parents can use today. Instead of “How are you feeling?” try drawing faces and letting kids choose their state. Build a calm corner with paper, pillows, and a favorite stuffed animal to “hold” heavy feelings. Turn chores and breath work into games. When a meltdown hits at the worst time, keep the boundary and stay close—play Uno, walk the block, or sit quietly until the body settles. You’ll hear scripts to prevent kids from blaming themselves for adult stress, plus the “friendship circle” method for mapping safe people and shifting relationships with grace.

J also shares why role models unlock buy-in—mention that LeBron meditates and suddenly breath work is cool—and how Happy Souls Kids weaves athletes and artists into short, kid-friendly regulation practices. We talk self-compassion for parents, timing hard talks for bedtime when kids are ready to open up, and celebrating every emotion, not just happy ones. If you’re seeking a calmer home, stronger bonds, and a shared family language for feelings, this conversation offers grounded, doable steps that fit real life. For more on J's work you can find her on IG, Facebook, Youtube, LinkedIn or via her website.

If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend who needs a calmer week, and leave a quick review so more parents can find these tools. What connection-first practice will you try tonight?

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.

A thousand-pound therapist can teach you more about trust than a bookshelf of parenting guides. Shane Jacob—life coach, professional horseman, and former heavy drinker—opens up about a two-decade cycle of numbing, the wreckage it caused, and the unlikely path to healing through faith and horses. We unpack how an animal’s sensitivity turns into a powerful mirror, reflecting the energy we bring into every interaction and revealing why congruence, not perfection, builds connection.

We dive into the myth that life should feel good all the time and how that belief fuels escape behaviors for teens and adults alike. Shane explains the “speed of trust” with horses: when cues become fair and clear, they update quickly and stop keeping score. That lesson translates at home—separate behavior from worth, hold boundaries, repair fast, and then truly let it go. We explore communication breakdowns, why over-explaining escalates confusion, and how a few simple, shared cues can calm power struggles. Creating repeated correlations to parenting we recognize that sensitive kids read body language, tone, and pacing more than words; showing up aligned matters more than saying the perfect thing.

The heart of the conversation centers on self-compassion. Parents often weaponize their inner voice, then hope kids will somehow learn a kinder one. We offer practical, mindful tools—like the thought river shorthand and loving-kindness—to refill your cup and model emotional regulation. If you’ve ever wondered how to rebuild after mistakes, create unity between caregivers, or help a teen move from shame to resilience, these horse-powered insights will give you grounded, usable steps.

If this conversation helped, follow and share it with a friend who needs a dose of calm and hope. Subscribe for more mindful parenting tools, leave a quick review to help others find the show, and tell us: what cue will you try at home this week?

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.