Holistic Psychiatry and Mental Wellness with Dr Hector Rodriguez | Episode 102

Functional Mushrooms, Self-Love and Entrepreneurship with the co-founder of Ananda Elixirs Sammi Dreiling | Episode 104

Functional mushrooms are gaining attention for their potential to support energy, focus, immunity and overall wellbeing, but beyond the science, they are also shaping how people think about health, mindset and daily habits. In this episode, I am talking to entrepreneur, author and co-founder of Ananda Elixirs, Sammi Dreiling. We explore her personal journey with burnout, postpartum fatigue and rebuilding her life through wellness, mindset work and functional mushrooms. We also dive into entrepreneurship, self-love, and how she built a wellness brand rooted in lived experience.   Sammi and I chat about:  • HowThe shift from burnout and exhaustion to discovering functional mushrooms • How lion’s mane, reishi, cordyceps and turkey tail may support energy, focus and immunity • The real-life story behind creating Ananda Elixirs and “Shroom Soda” • The connection between mindset, self-worth and creating meaningful success • How self-love practices like mirror work can shift emotional wellbeing • The role of gratitude in regulating mood and improving family dynamics • How functional mushrooms affect people differently and why consistency matters more than instant results • Teaching children emotional regulation through gratitude and affirmations • Why believing in yourself is often the first step to changing your life   Sammi Dreiling is an entrepreneur, author and co-founder of Ananda Elixirs. She has guided her work through personal experience with burnout, postpartum recovery and mindset transformation, eventually building a wellness brand centred on functional mushrooms. She has worked closely with attachment and relationship experts and translates wellness and personal development principles into practical tools for everyday life. Sammi also supports parents and individuals in building self-awareness, emotional regulation and healthier daily habits. Episode Links  Follow Sammi on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/sammidreiling/]Follow Ananda Elixirs on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anandaelixirs/]Try Ananda Elixirs [https://www.anandaelixirs.com/HILARYCLAI92043] and get 20% off Read Samantha’s book Awaken Your Inner Goddess [https://a.co/d/gAtlJAC] Come say hi to me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/] Free Journal [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mini-journal-release-mama]: Release Mama, Let Go of Overwhelm, Exhaustion and Depletion in Motherhood  Free Motherhood Manifestation [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/your-vibrant-life-meditation]: Your Vibrant Life Manifestation  Books to Thrive in Motherhood: [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/books] Dive into The Motherhood Reset [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/the-motherhood-reset-book], Nourished Mama [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/nourished-mama], and Mama Let It Go [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mamaletitgo] to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/offers/AU5Sf56A/checkout]: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, optimal health for women, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from gut health to pregnancy, functional health for women and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood while creating a foundation for lifelong wellness.

Transformative Parenting and Emotional Regulation with Psychotherapist and Parenting Coach Todd Sarner | Episode 103

Parenting doesn’t need to swing between being overly strict and overly permissive. When you understand what’s driving your child’s behaviour, everything becomes clearer, calmer, and more manageable. I am talking to psychotherapist and parenting coach Todd Sarner about transformative parenting and how to raise resilient, emotionally secure children. We cover attachment, boundaries, emotional regulation, and how small shifts in your approach can reduce daily struggles and create more connection at home. Todd and I talk about: • Why behaviour is often a symptom of unmet emotional needs, not defiance • How to move away from reactive parenting and become more proactive • What “attachment-first parenting” actually looks like in everyday life • How to set firm, calm boundaries without yelling or being harsh • What to do when your child is pushing limits, melting down, or acting out • Why emotional outbursts are a sign your child needs support, not control • How to support your child through big emotions without escalating the situation • Practical strategies to help your child build resilience and emotional regulation • Simple self-care tools to help you stay calm and respond instead of react Todd Sarner is a licensed psychotherapist, a parenting coach and the director of Transformative Parenting. Mentored by Dr. Gordon Neufeld and trained by leading relationship experts Dr. Sue Johnson and Dr. Stan Tatkin, Todd helps parents strengthen connection, improve emotional regulation, and address behaviour challenges using practical, attachment-based strategies. His signature Transformative Parenting Process Intensive (TPPI) has become a lifeline for thoughtful parents who’ve “tried everything” but still find themselves stuck in daily battles. Todd is the author of The Calm & Connected Parent: An Attachment-First Guide to Raising Resilient Kids in the Age of Screens and AI. Episode Links Follow Todd on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tparenting/] Learn more about Todd’s work and book at Transformative Parenting [https://transformativeparenting.com/] Come say hi to me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/] Books to Thrive in Motherhood: [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/books] Dive into The Motherhood Reset [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/the-motherhood-reset-book], Nourished Mama [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/nourished-mama], and Mama Let It Go [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mamaletitgo] to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/offers/AU5Sf56A/checkout]: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Resources I Am Loving The Brain Health Movement [https://www.thebrainhealthmovement.com/complete-course-registration?am_id=hilary8751] – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL MamaZen App [https://app.mamazen.com/?afmc=9c] – Become a happier and calmer mom through cognitive hypnotherapy, CBT, and mindfulness. Use code 9c  Fertility & Beyond [https://www.fertilityandbeyond.co/a/2148253281/oQzgyipC] – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

Holistic Psychiatry and Mental Wellness with Dr Hector Rodriguez | Episode 102

Mental health isn’t just about managing symptoms. It’s about understanding the root cause, building resilience, and supporting the whole person so you can actually move forward in life. I am talking to integrative psychiatrist and brain health expert Dr Hector Rodriguez about his holistic approach to mental wellness.   We cover how to regulate your nervous system, build resilience through everyday habits, and why addressing the root cause of stress, trauma, and burnout is key to long-term healing. Dr Hector and I talk about: * How to move beyond diagnoses and understand what you are actually struggling with at the root level * Why building resilience matters more than avoiding discomfort in motherhood and life * How your nervous system responds to stress and how to regulate it daily * Practical ways to reduce inflammation through nutrition to support mental clarity and energy * Why slowing down improves focus, decision-making, and emotional regulation * How to use small daily habits to create long-term change in your mental health * The connection between hormones, energy, and mood and why this matters for busy moms * How to shift from feeling stuck in stress or burnout to taking ownership of your healing * Why connection and community are essential for true emotional healing * How to approach discipline in a realistic way that actually works in a busy life Dr Hector Rodriguez is an integrative psychiatrist and brain health expert who focuses on a holistic approach to mental wellness. He works with individuals experiencing chronic stress, life transitions, and burnout by addressing root causes and supporting the nervous system, hormones, and overall health. His approach combines medical treatment with lifestyle, nutrition, and mindset strategies to help patients build long-term resilience.  Episode Links Follow Dr Hector on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/doctor_hector/] or LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/drhectorrodriguez] Find out more about Dr Hector [http://www.doctorhector.com/] Check out The White Butterfly Clinic  [https://www.whitebutterflyclinic.com/] Come say hi to me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/] Books to Thrive in Motherhood: [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/books] Dive into The Motherhood Reset [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/the-motherhood-reset-book], Nourished Mama [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/nourished-mama], and Mama Let It Go [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mamaletitgo] to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/offers/AU5Sf56A/checkout]: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

How Sensory Processing Affects Picky Eating with Paediatric Occupational Therapist and Parent Coach Effie Pomaki | Episode 101

Picky eating, big emotions, and constant mealtime battles can leave even the most patient moms feeling overwhelmed. When nothing seems to work, it’s easy to assume it’s behavioural, but often there’s something deeper going on. I am talking to paediatric occupational therapist and parent coach Effie Pomaki about how sensory processing and nervous system regulation impact how kids eat, behave, and respond to daily routines. We cover practical, realistic strategies to reduce mealtime stress, support emotional regulation, and help your child feel more comfortable in their body. Effie and I talk about: * How sensory processing affects your child’s ability to eat, focus, and regulate emotions * Why picky eating is often linked to texture, smell, and visual sensitivities * How to identify patterns in your child’s preferred foods to expand variety * How to introduce sensory play in a low-pressure, child-led way * Why food play outside of mealtimes reduces anxiety and increases exposure * How to support kids who feel anxious about trying new foods * How to use play and silliness to reduce power struggles and increase cooperation * Why connection and safety are essential for learning and behaviour Effie Pomaki is a paediatric occupational therapist and parent coach specializing in sensory processing, emotional regulation, and child development. She helps parents understand their child’s behaviour through a nervous system lens and provides practical strategies to support daily routines. Effie works with families one-on-one and shares tools and resources to help children feel more regulated, confident, and capable. Episode Links Follow Effie on Instagram at Uplifted Parenting [https://www.instagram.com/upliftedparenting/] Grab Effie’s Sensory Decoder Kit [https://upliftedparenting.com/c/sdk?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnoS45ojGi6m80VPd5-thoYa6nA5nuCBYdfNpf3wayNyVZDb9TXbVeBSSOxY0_aem_KS-shIxxejfSedGNIZ-aYA] Come say hi to me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/] Books to Thrive in Motherhood: [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/books] Dive into The Motherhood Reset [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/the-motherhood-reset-book], Nourished Mama [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/nourished-mama], and Mama Let It Go [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mamaletitgo] to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Picky Eating Guide [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/offers/AU5Sf56A/checkout]: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.

Picky Eating in Kids: Causes and Practical Solutions | Episode 100

Picky eating is one of the most common and frustrating challenges for parents. It can turn meals into daily stress, leaving many of us feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, and unsure what to do next. In this episode, I am talking to herbalists Sabrina Cooper and Dabney Vaccaro about the root causes of picky eating and how to shift mealtimes from chaos to connection. The roles have been reversed and they are interviewing me! This is originally from their podcast The Lifestyle Herbalists Podcast. We cover practical strategies, nervous system regulation, gut health, and how your behaviour directly shapes your child’s relationship with food.   We chat about:    • Simple ways to make mealtimes calmer, safer, and more connected • Why making separate meals reinforces picky eating long term • How to use repeated exposure to help children accept new foods • How to reduce mealtime pressure so kids are more open to eating • How a parent’s nervous system directly affects her child’s eating behaviour • Why modelling healthy eating matters more than what you say • How small portions of disliked foods can build confidence and identity • The connection between gut health, nutrient deficiencies, and picky eating • Why zinc deficiency and microbiome imbalance can drive food refusal • How boundaries around food actually reduce anxiety in children • What to pack for school lunches so your child actually eats • Why giving kids ownership over food choices improves outcomes • How to transition away from ultra-processed foods without resistance • The long-term impact of ignoring underlying causes of picky eating Listen to The Lifestyle Herbalists Podcast [https://thelifestyleherbalists.podbean.com/]   Say hi to Sabrina on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/brewja_blends/]   Say hi to Dabney on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dabneytheherbalhygienist/]     Come say hi to me on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/drhilaryclaire/] Picky Eating Guide [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/offers/AU5Sf56A/checkout]: Learn about common but lesser-known reasons kids are picky eaters and practical strategies to help children enjoy healthy foods. Books to Thrive in Motherhood: [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/books] Dive into The Motherhood Reset [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/the-motherhood-reset-book], Nourished Mama [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/nourished-mama], and Mama Let It Go [https://www.drhilaryclaire.com/mamaletitgo] to overcome burnout and become a healthy, energized mom.  Resources I Am Loving Squat Seat [https://shopsquatseat.com/?aff=10] – Comfortable seat to increase mobility and deep squat. Use code WILD5 for a discount.  Green Goo [http://www.greengoo.com/DRHILARYCLAIRE] – Natural plant powered first aid and skincare remedies. Get 10% off with code: DRHILARYCLAIRE n Health Movement [https://www.thebrainhealthmovement.com/complete-course-registration?am_id=hilary8751] – Whole Child Healing Roadmap is a science-backed courses that decode the root causes of your child's struggles. Get £200 off with code WILDANDWELL Fertility & Beyond [https://www.fertilityandbeyond.co/a/2148253281/oQzgyipC] – Natural solutions for your fertility struggles   I would never recommend anything I don’t regularly use myself or trust completely. Some of the links are affiliate links, and others are special discount codes. Either way, all of these are products and resources I genuinely love and recommend. Wild and Well with Dr Hilary Claire is a podcast dedicated to holistic health for moms, postpartum recovery, and children’s wellness. We explore everything from functional health for women and gut health to pregnancy and postpartum wellness to nervous system regulation and motherhood burnout. Each episode offers practical tips for self-care for new moms, guidance on picky eating and parenting, and strategies to support your family’s natural kids’ health, so you can feel healthy, strong, and vital in motherhood.