Mama Says Namaste Podcast
349 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 47 ratingsLooking for input to shift your family from chaos and reaction to a life with intention? Ashley's audio blog series is theme-focused with binge-worthy content on how to create the family and lifestyle you love to come home to. She's a fulltime RVing, location independent, unschooling mama of three, focused on authenticity, awareness, personality styles and embracing love in the present moment.
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Episodes
5 Questions Before You Travel
March 15, 2023 19:42 - 27 minutes - 24.1 MBDreaming of travel, yet aren't sure where to start? Nathan and I share my friend Holly's five questions to ask yourself before any big life decision, and then we share our acronymn for full time RV travel - and how it translates to all kinds of travel. Start with these questions, and break down the details so you're fully ready to enjoy the trip.
I can't afford a vacation...and wow do I need it
March 08, 2023 14:58 - 32 minutes - 29.9 MBWhat do you do when you can't afford a vacation? Or maybe you can't afford NOT to take a break. Nathan and I share our top tips for vacationing on a budget, and looking outside the box of what a vacation can look and feel like.
Co-Creating at Home...x3
March 01, 2023 15:26 - 32 minutes - 29.4 MBHave you really looked at how - or what - you're co-creating with your partner? How about your kids? Oftentimes we look at co-creation being collaboration with two or more people...yet there are two other aspects of co-creation we want to address that are important to keep in mind as you're looking forward together.
How Can I Be Driven When I Don't Know My Calling?
February 22, 2023 10:00 - 27 minutes - 23.5 MBConversations with my 10-yr-old daughter about drive, being multi-passionate, and the beautiful grace of growth and discovery.
The Go-Giver Marriage: 5 Lasting Secrets
February 15, 2023 18:30 - 34 minutes - 29.9 MBNathan and I share about the book, The Go-Giver Marriage: A Little Story About The 5 Secrets To Lasting Love. As we break down the 5 secrets and how to apply them, we share the real challenge to making a marriage to work...and it may have nothing to do with your partner.
Labels Be Gone: A Family's Guide to Navigating Gender Roles
February 08, 2023 12:05 - 26 minutes - 23.6 MBWe're in a time of "what's your pronoun", and it can be hard to navigate roles, labels and expectations in our homes. Nathan and I cover a LOT in 25 minutes! We're not here to give you "the answer"; we want to dig deep with the questions for you to gain clarity and confidence...even in the gray areas of life. Because there is a lot of gray, and that's part of this life! Maybe, instead of forcing something, we simply allow that color to exist in our lives as well?
Let Them Be Bored!
February 01, 2023 12:58 - 17 minutes - 15.3 MBBoredom is the plague you hope doesn't enter your home...or maybe you want it? While a kid saying "I'm booooooooorrrrrreeeedddd" can sound like fingers on a chalkboard, it's a great launchpad for amazing innovation and creativity. In this quick episode, we break down the B-O-R-E-D acronym and some quick tools to redirect your kids and get out of the way while they expand their minds.
Popular, I wanna be popUlar...
January 25, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 14.1 MBPopularity seems to be a desired commodity for kids, yet what does it really mean to be popular? It makes me think of that song from the musical, Wicked...Popular, I wanna be pop-u-lar... Join 10-year-old Juliet and Ashley as we discuss 3 key things to keep in mind to really be popular in a way that lives on beyond high school.
The Danish Way of Parenting
January 18, 2023 17:00 - 41 minutes - 36.9 MBThis week Nathan and I discuss the book, The Danish Way of Parenting, and what the PARENT acronym stands for, as well as the importance of hygge (as well as how to pronounce it!)
Desire-Driven Direction
January 11, 2023 16:44 - 38 minutes - 33.3 MBGoals, words of the year...what do they really do for you? Do they inspire you or intimidate you? Is it freeing and exciting, or stifling? We'll walk you through what goals mean for us, what words and mantras we've focused on over the past 8 years, and what we're focusing on this year, along with a different twist on it all we invite you to explore for your own family.
Better Support, Better Speech
January 04, 2023 18:48 - 28 minutes - 21.5 MBThis week I talked with the Chief Knowledge Officer of Better Speech, Lenora Edwards, to hear about what they offer and tips for navigating speech, food and processing issues with kids. We talk about speech therapy, who all it helps, and how to support our kids at any level.
Creating Mama Systems with Laura Hernandez
December 28, 2022 12:40 - 38 minutes - 27.8 MBJoin me this week as I talk to Laura Hernandez, mama of ten and creator of Mama Systems, as she shares how to keep your sanity even with a busy household, special needs, or any other exceptions that are causing chaos in your home. Hop over to www.MamaSaysNamaste.com/podcast-mama-systems-laura to get the corresponding blog post and access her free self-care guide.
Just Own It (Yourself)
December 21, 2022 16:05 - 18 minutes - 16 MBJoy. Just Own it Yourself. Can you? Or are you so focused on making or bringing joy to others that you've sabotaged it with your own stress overload? In this short and sweet episode we help you with reframing so you keep your sanity and actually enjoy the upcoming weeks, as well as a few ideas where we've let go of tradition and added more simplicity and ease.
4 Tips for Abundance for Holidays and Beyond
December 14, 2022 18:49 - 27 minutes - 23.2 MBAs we're nearing Christmas, we want to share four quick tips that will help you navigate the holidays - and beyond - with an attitude of abundance and gratitude. What do drop? What's on your "don't do" list? What do you fill, and what do you accept? Check out the blog post and podcast episode - what is something that helps keep you calm and enjoying the holidays?
Gift Ideas for Impact and Personality
December 07, 2022 20:33 - 28 minutes - 24.1 MBNot sure what to gift? Here are ideas that make a positive impact, as well as take into account the different personality styles in your life! I've added to a previous gift guide with even more ideas, and Nathan and I share about the gifts with meaning that truly leave a ripple effect of positivity vs. clutter.
Kiss the Walls: Simple Boundaries, Simple Gratitude
November 30, 2022 20:25 - 28 minutes - 24.8 MBIs a wall always a brick wall of negativity? Or is there a chance to put clear boundaries around the life you want to create? As we've moved from our RV into a stationary house for the next six months or so, it's an opportunity for us to reflect on what we've created - and the walls we "kiss" - and what we choose to bring awareness and gratitude to. What might you be missing in the rush of your life? How are you teaching others to treat you? As we discuss boundaries, awareness and gratitude,...
A Meditation on Thanksgiving
November 23, 2022 23:12 - 27 minutes - 25.1 MBIt's the week of Thanksgiving. While we don't celebrate the history that caused pain to so many, we do focus on what true thanksgiving is. Gather your family around to hear what we're grateful for, and follow along with our ten-year-old, Juliette, as she leads on a meditation of gratitude!
The 12 Tenets of Wellness
November 16, 2022 17:27 - 40 minutes - 34.2 MBAre you healthy...really? Does this include all aspects of mind, body, and soul? We've compiled 12 tenets for wellness to open the door for health in all three areas - mind/body/soul. Are you reinforcing the LIFE you want to live, or the death you want to avoid? Let me know which of these 12 tenets come easy for you, and what might be a struggle.
Authoring Reality
November 10, 2022 00:35 - 40 minutes - 36.4 MBHave you considered you're the narrator of your life? What story are you telling yourself? Is it one that is fueling you forward, or affirming what you wish would actually change? This week Nathan and I talk about the books we've been reading, and boy are they deep. So what do Dr. Bernie Siegel, Viktor Frankl, Nathan and Ashley all agree on? What, truly is the meaning of life? How do we write the stories on our own realities? And how to they manifest and check us in the process?
You Can Sleep When You Die
November 02, 2022 22:40 - 50 minutes - 46.1 MBStruggling with sleep in your home? I used to believe "you can sleep when you die"...and I see now how that can be a recipe for a much sooner death. As we're digging into what people are tolerating in their homes, lack of sleep was another one stated - and not just because of littles! Having TWO teenagers now in my own home, I know sleeptime can be a struggle for any age, and we're huge advocates of keeping it sacred. This week we share three myths we used to live by that we've thrown ...
Eating the Elephant of Clutter
October 26, 2022 19:42 - 46 minutes - 42.6 MBYou know that old saying about how to eat an elephant? One bite at a time. Well that's definitely the case for clutter. It can get out of hand, and then you're hit with way too much and not sure where to start. Well look no further. Let's take it a "bite" at a time and see how clutter can be curbed, and your home can be a place of joy.
The Family Trap - 3 Questions To Ask Yourself
October 19, 2022 17:35 - 39 minutes - 35.8 MBI've asked a question in the Mama Says Namaste communities - "What are you tolerating that you'd like to change at home?" While I'm still gathering responses, this week lays the foundation of what to ask yourself if you're in this "stuck" point of tolerating (or, even worse, resenting) the life you're in. Here are three questions to ask yourself if you're feeling trapped in a life you're tolerating. And, if you can share your story with me, I'd love to share it on an upcoming podcast - ...
How to Create Namaste at Home
October 12, 2022 17:48 - 35 minutes - 31.6 MBThis is the Mama Says Namaste podcast...so what does that mean for our home life? Are we all zen and "namaste" all the time...and what does namaste really mean? We address how we create a namaste vibe in our home by using an acronym of NAMASTE for open communication. And nope, we're not zen masters -we have plenty of high emotions with a tween and two teen daughters (not to mention strong personality styles to begin with). If we can do it, so can you. It's not eliminating the crazy as ...
Ian's Aftermath
October 05, 2022 19:34 - 29 minutes - 26.6 MBHurricane Ian has come and gone through our country and the aftermath is still happening. The flooding and destruction will be a long haul of recovery. As we share about our experience over the past week, and what all we saw, it opens the door to what this makes possible. It can seem pretty bleak when you're hit with something catastrophic. Yet there can be so much that can come from a "clean slate" and starting over. While we can't go back, we can move forward, and we encourage you to li...
Ian's Approaching...Wait To Worry
September 28, 2022 18:29 - 42 minutes - 37.9 MBWell, we're recording this today, Wednesday, September 28th, 2022, as we're waiting for Hurricane Ian to make landfall here in Florida. We've been evacuated from where we were volunteering down in the Florida Keys and are at another campground watching the weather, and bracing for how hard of a hit our house in Venice, Florida is going to get. As friends and family come out of the woodwork from all over asking us how things are going for us, we figured we'd give a real-time update of the ...
A Decade of Gratitude (GUEST EPISODE)
September 21, 2022 13:02 - 29 minutes - 25.4 MBAs we near Juliette's birthday, we asked her to reflect on what ten things she might want to share on the podcast. She came up with ten things she's grateful for, and I absolutely loved her answers. Join us to hear Juliette's gratitude list of the top ten things she's grateful for as she completes her first decade of life - and see what it sparks in you. What are you grateful for? What are your children grateful for...and aware of? This is an insightful way to learn so much about your ...
How To Discipline Kids Naturally...For Life
September 14, 2022 20:41 - 28 minutes - 25.4 MBHow do you discipline your child so they aren't just punished, but they learn other options for navigating this world on their own? Here are 6 tips to help them feel what they feel, bring awareness to what they don't see, and cultivate options in their toolbox to navigate life in a healthy way. Nathan and I share examples of "natural consequences" and how we help our children learn best choices without just punishing them for immaturity or lack of knowledge. We reap what we sow in this...
Why Kids Lie...and What To Do About It (GUEST)
September 07, 2022 20:13 - 39 minutes - 7.12 MBIn this guest conversation, I talk with Kimball Lewis of Empowering Parents a second time (first was episode 252) about a specific behavior: lying. He shares how to navigate it in your home as well as the keys to effective consequences. This episode is up on video as well as a blog post. As we address why it happens and what you can do about it, he shares several key elements to ensure you create a culture of honesty and integrity in your home. Lying isn't just reserved for children ...
"C" Through Rage To Grace
August 30, 2022 16:16 - 20 minutes - 18.6 MBNathan had a beautiful insight this past week on rage and how to shift into more grace in our lives. Moving from rage to grace can be tricky when it's become a part of our identity. We share three tips on how to shift your perspective and reset, especially as parents.
3 Ps for Internal Climate Change
August 24, 2022 20:30 - 28 minutes - 25.1 MBClimate change can be scary and overwhelming...and that's not counting the weather in your own internal climate! How are you weathering...from within? This week Nathan and I share a bit about how we're learning about ways to support our planet with our kids, as well as sharing the three Ps to navigate the climate we're bringing to our families, and beyond! Do you feel a sense of personal responsibility, pride and purpose that creates a "climate of possibility" in your home, as Sir Ken R...
4 Steps to Reset and Thrive
August 17, 2022 16:30 - 21 minutes - 19.6 MBIf you're maxed out with your family and building more resentment and overwhelm than joy, this is the episode for you. We go through four simple steps that can help you truly dance in life (and you have to listen in to hear the analogy we share). We have complete control over our own perspective - how you are viewing your life?
3 Ways to Replace Tech Time with Together Time
August 10, 2022 13:42 - 27 minutes - 24.8 MBHave you gotten stuck in a rut of the same old thing every night with your family? Have screens taken over so it seems like that's everyone's "go-to" for down time? Maybe it's time to look for other opportunities to connect as a family vs. a side-by-side family movie night. We share 3 ways we replace tech time with together time in our home, and I'd love to hear what you do in yours!
Are You a Parent? Step into the Spotlight!
August 03, 2022 16:41 - 39 minutes - 35 MBAre your children following your advice...or your example? How are you processing things mentally, physically and emotionally in your own life? How are your children learning to navigate life like you do? Are you okay with them copying your actions, opinions, habits and values? Maybe it's time to check yourself.
Get Used to Disappointment
July 27, 2022 14:26 - 32 minutes - 29.5 MBLife has a lot of variables, and disappointment is par for the course. Have you struggled with disappointing your kids? Is that cringe-worthy moment something you want to desperately avoid at all costs, or do you see it as a valuable part of living life together? Nathan and I have no issues with navigating disappointment with our kids, and can attest to the benefit of emotional resilience as one of the most powerful things you can foster in a child's life "toolkit". We'll share how we do ...
Your Children Aren't The Center Of The Universe
July 20, 2022 20:39 - 43 minutes - 39.7 MBSometimes in our desire to support our children, we let the world revolve around them. And then, at some point, they have to recognize their impact. This week we're building on the conversation about expectations last week and setting clear boundaries in your home. As Dr. Henry Cloud says, "you get what you tolerate." We talk about oceans, rebellion, and how to course-correct. We want our children to feel safe and secure. That also means trusting that you as the parent will call them ou...
Experts, Expectations and Getting What You Want
July 13, 2022 19:40 - 46 minutes - 43 MBDo you have high expectations and end up disappointed when things don't go your way? Are you disillusioned by the "experts" who aren't really helping you and don't really have it all together? We all have expectations - yet a simple reframing of what we hold onto and how we communicate it can make a drastic shift in your joy and accomplishment. What do you expect? Start with no expectation. Listen in. And then tell me what you've learned.
Our PSA for the USA
July 06, 2022 18:19 - 35 minutes - 31.5 MBIn a country of "united" states, it seems there is division everywhere. It's hard to know what to do, and getting even harder to simply stay silent. So this week, Nathan and I have a raw and unfiltered conversation about what we're seeing and experiencing here in the US - and our first focus on what we're doing to make a difference. There are so many ways to make an impact - and this is the first step for every single one of them.
Who is the Author of your Story?
June 29, 2022 14:05 - 46 minutes - 43.2 MBWho is truly writing your story? Are you proactively creating it, or is the author the pains of your past, your dreams of the future, or someone else's voice entirely? As we address the past, present and future, we look for how to move forward regardless of the trauma we've experienced. In a time where trauma seems to be the word of the moment, we discuss the impact of it and the seeds of hope you have already within you. These are the raw parts of who we are, and it's time to handle them...
Do I Get My Kid A Smartphone?
June 22, 2022 17:35 - 33 minutes - 29.4 MBAre smartphones the enemy? Are your kids begging, and you're not sure what to do about it? This week we add our 12-year-old daughter, Elle, to the mix to share about how she went from begging for a smartphone to being a-okay without one. What is the reality around smartphone usage? What have we learned? And what can you do about it in your home? Listen in.
Snakes, Unschooling, and Fear of the Unknown (GUEST EPISODE 255)
June 15, 2022 11:06 - 26 minutes - 22.9 MBI was that mother who said I'd "never" have a snake in my home. And here we are, five snakes in, and I'm singing a different tune. What are your children interested in that has warranted an immediate shutdown from you? Is it based on a true fear, or simply what is unknown? This week Nathan and I invited our 15-year-old daughter, Clara, to join us and educate us a bit on snakes and moving past our fears to continue learning throughout our lives.
The Honest Truth About Secrets
June 08, 2022 18:38 - 27 minutes - 25.5 MBAre you keeping things from your children in order to "protect" them? We have a "no secrets" policy, yet still believe keeping children's innocence. It can be dicey to navigate, yet in our information-overload world, our kids are being bombarded with the same news we are. We can't just hope they don't notice.
Holding Space for Grief
June 01, 2022 17:11 - 11 minutes - 9.33 MBOur world seems to be reeling from so much right now, and it's heavy on our hearts. Join us for 11 minutes - of reflecting and holding space for those who are grieving loss in so many ways.
When Kids Act Out (And What To Do About It)
May 25, 2022 11:57 - 44 minutes - 45.9 MBStruggling with what to do when your child acts out, or why they are? This guest interview with Kimball Lewis is truly eye-opening. Learn why our kids act out, how to course correct, and how to keep it from happening to begin with.
Four Styles of Childhood Learning
May 17, 2022 18:09 - 47 minutes - 43.8 MBWhat type of learning style is your child? There are four styles of childhood learning, and knowing all four is key in unlocking the best way to connect. Your child doesn't fit into a perfect mold; yet these tips are powerful for better understanding on how to motivate in a way that works for your unique child.
Four Types Of Parenting: How Do You React?
May 11, 2022 14:47 - 34 minutes - 31.6 MBHow do you react to your children as a parent? Are you aware of how you are in full-on reaction mode? Check out these four types of parents, and pay attention to how you're creating synergy in your home vs. competing agendas.
I'm not a teacher, I'm a parent!
May 04, 2022 15:37 - 31 minutes - 28.5 MBI'm a parent, not a teacher! Well, actually, you're both. The instant you become a parent, you are teaching and influencing your child more than anyone else. We all "homeschool" in some ways. Yes you are credible, and no, you're not just a teacher. You're an awakener. Check out how to awaken more within your child and yourself in this episode.
How Do I Get My Kid To Think Like An Unschooler?
April 27, 2022 16:17 - 41 minutes - 37.4 MBHow do you get your kid to "think like an unschooler"? How can you motivate your kids and spark their curiosity, regardless of where they go to school? How in the world do you navigate boredom and lack of drive? This week, 9-year-old Juliette joins us to discuss this topic, and I have to say, I was pretty impressed with her perspective on boredom - I'd love to hear what you think!
4 Tips for Curious Kids
April 20, 2022 17:08 - 30 minutes - 27.8 MBI was inspired by a video shared in our unschooling community all about igniting curiousity in our kids. I loved Ruth's approach for reframing our communication with our kids, and share her 4 points for motivating kids through curiosity in this episode and blog post. Additionally, Nathan and I dig in yet again to screen issues and how to navigate them in your home! Remember there is a full blog post to go along with each Mama Says Namaste Episode!
Deschooling and the Myths of Education
April 13, 2022 15:34 - 33 minutes - 30.6 MBRegardless of where your child is attending "school", our concept of education is in serious need of revamping. In this episode and blog post, we lay out some of the key components kids truly need to learn, why creativity is important, and the one constant in life you absolutely MUST help your children learn to navigate.
Can Your Child Talk to Adults?
April 06, 2022 15:17 - 33 minutes - 29.6 MBCan your child easily interact and talk with people of all ages and perspectives? As we talk about how to build a thriving family, it's important that we address how our children are interacting with the rest of the world...beyond just their small bubble of understanding.