Minimalist Moms Podcast | Purposeful Life & Parenting Tips

In this episode, author and journalist Lisa Katayama joins me to discuss her book The Japanese Way of Parenting and the lessons she’s bringing from her upbringing in Tokyo into raising her children in America. We explore Japanese parenting philosophies around cooperation, responsibility, routines, independence, and caring for others - while also discussing the balance between freedom and boundaries. This conversation is all about creating calmer, more connected homes and raising kind, capable kids in today’s world.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Connect with Lisa:
Instagram
Book: The Japanese Way of Parenting: And What It Taught Me About Raising (Mostly) Calm, Caring, Capable Kids

About Lisa |
Lisa Katayama is a working mom and writer who was born and raised in Tokyo. She is the author of two books, including Urawaza: Secret Everyday Tips and Tricks from Japan, and is a former tech and culture journalist for Wired, Fast Company, and The New York Times Magazine. Katayama is a US-Japan Leadership Program Fellow and an Asia Society Young Leader and was named one of Forbes Japan’s Top Women to Watch in 2018. She currently serves as Chief Transformation Officer for the Japanese technology company Digital Garage and lives in Northern California with her family.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Boll & Branch: https://bollandbranch.com/minimalist
* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com

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Fatherhood is changing - but many of the expectations around it haven’t.
Today I’m joined by Kevin Maguire, author of The New Fatherhood, for a conversation that challenges the traditional scripts many men are still trying to follow and why those scripts are no longer serving families.
Kevin’s work is rooted in both personal experience and research. After the birth of his second child, he experienced severe paternal postpartum depression - something rarely talked about, especially among men. In this episode, he shares how it showed up for him, why it often goes unrecognized, and what helped him begin to heal.
We also explore the “invisible load” fathers carry today - the pressure to provide, be present, succeed at work, and stay emotionally grounded - all while navigating identity shifts and often shrinking social circles.
More importantly, Kevin offers a hopeful path forward: a new model of fatherhood that makes room for vulnerability, connection, and sustainability.

Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Book: Mindfulness in Plain English
Book: Waking Up by Sam Harris
Kevin's Resource: On Being with Krista Tippett (Podcast)
Connect with Kevin:
Website
Instagram
Substack
Podcast
Book: The New Fatherhood: Why Everything They Told You About Being a Dad Is Wrong and How Embracing It Will Transform Your Life

About Kevin |
Kevin Maguire is the creator of The New Fatherhood newsletter, read by tens of thousands of dads in 150+ countries. His work has been featured in Esquire and Emily Oster’s ParentData, and he’s appeared on podcasts with Daniel Pink, Oliver Burkeman, Brad Stulberg, and Jon Klassen. As an executive coach, he works with leaders at Amazon, Netflix, Google, and other Fortune 500 companies on the collision of career, identity, and family. He lives in Barcelona with his wife and two children.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Boll & Branch: https://bollandbranch.com/minimalist
* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if confident parenting isn’t about making the “right” decision in every moment - but about building a family system you trust? In this episode, I’m joined by Danielle and Greg Neufeld, hosts of The Most Important Thing, to explore how leadership principles from high-performing teams can translate into family life. We talk about the subtle ways modern parenting advice creates second-guessing, why focusing on process over perfection can shift everything, and how to define success through a long-term lens. Danielle and Greg also share practical ways to approach decision-making, repair after conflict, and create a culture of trust at home. This conversation offers a grounded, refreshing perspective for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to get parenting “right.”
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Danielle's Resource: 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People: A Groundbreaking Approach to Leading the Next Generation―And Making Your Own Life Easier 
Greg's Resource: The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months | Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity
Connect with Greg & Danielle:
Linktree: linktr.ee/themostimpthing
YouTube: youtube.com/@themostimpthing
Instagram: instagram.com/themostimpthing
Website: tmitpod.com

About Danielle & Greg |
Danielle and Greg Neufeld are the hosts of The Most Important Thing, a podcast exploring the idea that family is the most important team we will ever build. They are partners in life, leadership, and parenting three kids while navigating careers, ambition, and modern family life in real time.
Danielle is a relationship builder and culture shaper who draws on her experience in the hedge fund industry and a deep interest in psychology and systems thinking. Greg is a venture investor and founder who focuses on people, incentives, and long-term decision-making.
Together, they explore how families make decisions, share authority, repair after conflict, and stay connected in a fast-changing world. Their work blends research, lived experience, and practical experiments to help families operate with greater trust, clarity, and shared purpose at home.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Boll & Branch: https://bollandbranch.com/minimalist
* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Diane sits down with Zach Thompson, founder of the Scatter Joy Project, to discuss the personal experiences that led him to become an advocate for mental health awareness and accessibility. Zach shares how his own journey shaped the mission behind Scatter Joy Project - an initiative focused on making mental health resources more affordable, approachable, and community-driven. Together, they explore the importance of changing the conversation around mental health, reducing stigma, and creating cultures of care where people feel supported rather than isolated.
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Links Discussed in This Episode |
Order a Copy of Minimalist Moms: Living and Parenting with Simplicity
Connect with Zach:
Scatter Joy Project
Instagram
LinkedIn

About Zach |
Zachariah Thompson is the founder of the mental health nonprofit, The Scatter Joy Project. In his work with Scatter Joy and as a speaker, he aims to make complex social-emotional concepts a bit simpler to grasp and put into practice. His own personal journey with anxiety and battle with suicidal ideation has inspired all of this, to help people become more aware of the strength in their story and the joy to be had in life. Zach is also a proud husband and father, and he is newly obsessed with the idea of 20-second hugs and the scientific power they hold in the world of happiness. 
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Boll & Branch: https://bollandbranch.com/minimalist
* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Diane sits down with Dr. Mamina Turegano, a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist, to talk about simplifying skincare and focusing on what actually works. Dr. Mamina shares why a minimal approach is often best, and how lifestyle factors like diet, stress, and hormones can influence skin health. We discuss common concerns like adult acne, postpartum skin changes, and eczema, along with practical ways to support the skin barrier through gentle routines and consistent care. She also offers straightforward guidance for parents, including how to treat diaper rash, when to start sunscreen, and what products are worth keeping on hand. This conversation is a helpful reset if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by skincare advice and just want a simple, effective approach.
Links Discussed in This Episode |
Checkout the podcast storefront for recommendations from Diane.
Subscribe to the Minimalist Moms Youtube Channel
Active Skin Repair
Connect with Dr. Mamina Turegano:
Website
Instagram
TikTok
Dr. Mamina’s Favorite Products: https://shopmyshelf.us/shops/dr.mamina 

About Dr. Mamina Turegano|
Mamina Turegano, MD, is a triple board-certified dermatologist, internist, and dermatopathologist based in New Orleans. She specializes in medical, cosmetic, and integrative dermatology, blending conventional and holistic approaches to skin health. With over 2 million followers across social media, she shares dermatologist-backed skincare and wellness insights with a broad audience. She also co-hosts a podcast, called Skin Deep MDs, has been published in leading medical journals, and frequently contributes her expertise to major press outlets, TV, and beauty publications.
Episode Sponsors |
The Minimalist Moms Podcast would not be possible without the support of weekly sponsors. Choosing brands that I believe in is important to me. I only want to recommend brands that I believe may help you in your daily life. As always, never feel pressured into buying anything. Remember: if you don't need it, it's not a good deal!
Enjoy the Podcast?
Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your fellow mothers so that they can be inspired to think more and do with less. 
Order (or review) my book, Minimalist Moms: Living & Parenting With Simplicity.
You can contact me through my website, find me on Instagram, Pinterest or like The Minimalist Moms Page on Facebook.

Our Sponsors:
* Check out Avocado Green Mattress: https://AvocadoGreenMattress.com/MINIMALIST
* Check out BetterHelp: https://betterhelp.com
* Check out Boll & Branch: https://bollandbranch.com/minimalist
* Check out Time4Learning: https://www.time4learning.com

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy