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 conversation is filled with helpful tips that make skincare feel doable, not overwhelming.

They also discuss the pressure many women feel to look a certain way, and how to shift our mindset around aging. For moms especially, this episode is a great reminder that small, consistent habits and self-care go a long way—and that asking for help is not only okay, but necessary.

If you’ve ever felt lost in skincare routines, pressured by social media, or just want to feel more confident in your own skin, this one’s for you. Hit play and take what you need from this refreshing and relatable conversation.

REFERENCED LINKS:

www.theskinreal.com

https://www.instagram.com/drminaskin

https://www.youtube.com/@drminaskin

https://www.tiktok.com/@drminaskin

https://www.facebook.com/drminaskin

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 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 happiness
• What high-net-worth celebrities say about true success
• How life in simpler settings can reflect deeper joy
• Personal reflections on motherhood, heritage, and meaning
• A gentle guided meditation and journaling prompt to cultivate gratitude

TUNE IN TO LEARN

• How to reframe your definition of wealth
• The power of gratitude in shifting your mindset
• Questions to reflect on your values and alignment
• Why mindfulness and intention go hand-in-hand with abundance

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE
Being rich isn’t about what you have - it’s about what you notice. Gratitude helps us see the beauty, purpose, and peace that are already present in our lives.

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 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 happiness. Dr. Bowes shares a simple and powerful process to reconnect with yourself, build confidence, and create a life that feels true and fulfilling.

The episode also touches on the difference between therapy and coaching, and how they can work together to support your personal growth. As the founder of Chocolate Serenity, Dr. Bowes wraps up the episode with a mindful eating meditation that makes it easy to bring mindfulness into your daily life.

If you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled, this episode is your reminder that it’s okay to rewrite the rules and choose yourself. Share this conversation with a friend and check out Dr. Bowes’s inspiring work and uplifting book.

Referenced Links

Dr. Nichelle Bowes’s Book: I Like It, I Like It, I Like the Vanity
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CXD9MXY2

Follow Dr. Nichelle Bowes on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/drnichellebowes

Chocolate Serenity
Website: www.chocolateserenity.com
Instagram: @chocolate.serenity

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 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 decade — Vanessa shares the real story behind the milestones, and the values that keep her grounded through every season of change.

EPISODE DESCRIPTION:
Join Vanessa as she shares:

• The origin story of Free to Be Mindful — and what almost stopped it before it started
• Major turning points over the past six years
• What it’s like balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship (with honesty and humor)
• Highlights from this past year including speaking wins, Tea & Takeaways, and therapy dog visits
• Reflections on living with intention — even when life feels uncertain
• Encouragement to pause, reflect, and celebrate your own journey

TUNE IN TO LEARN:

• Why the "messy middle" matters just as much as the polished end
• How seasons of change can deepen your clarity and confidence
• The power of letting go, pivoting, and trusting your purpose
• What it means to stay grounded in values, both personally and professionally
• A guided reflection to help you reconnect with where you are and where you’re headed

TAKEAWAY MESSAGE:
Whether you're planting seeds or watching them bloom, your growth is worth honoring. You don’t need to have it all figured out to pause and appreciate how far you’ve come.

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, Vanessa is joined by Traci 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. Traci 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.