EP229: Simplifying Mindfulness (and How to Start Small)

Aug 27, 2025

Jeff Warren, a meditation teacher and neurodiversity advocate, discusses the transformative power of mindfulness and emotional regulation. He emphasizes that fewer thoughts can mean fewer problems, allowing for a calmer nervous system. Jeff shares simple grounding practices that parents can use to model emotional regulation during meltdowns. He also explores the importance of being present with children and offers strategies for incorporating mindfulness into daily routines. It's all about noticing, being, and allowing space for growth.

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INSIGHT

Fewer Thoughts, Fewer Problems

Fewer thoughts often equal fewer problems because urgent mental stories quiet when you disembed from them.
That quiet gives perspective and reduces the felt urgency so many issues resolve or feel manageable.

ANECDOTE

Retreat Changed A Neurotic Journalist

Jeff described shifting from a neurotic journalist to meditation after a week-long retreat in Scotland.
That retreat showed him disembedding from thoughts created space and lasting change in his life.

INSIGHT

Presence Creates A 'No Problem' Bubble

Slowing down and being present resets the nervous system so you can respond intelligently rather than from panic.
Presence creates a 'no problem' bubble you can increasingly carry into stressful situations.

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What if doing nothing is exactly what your nervous system needs? In this episode, meditation teacher Jeff Warren joins the conversation to explore mindfulness, emotional regulation, and the power of presence. Learn why fewer thoughts can mean fewer problems and how simple grounding moments can shift the way you parent. This isn’t about fixing; it’s about noticing, being, and allowing space for something new to emerge.

What to expect in this episode:

Why fewer thoughts lead to fewer problems and a calmer nervous system
What happens in the brain when we pause and breathe
How mindfulness helps regulate emotions in both kids and parents
When to use short grounding practices and why consistency matters
How to model calm presence for your kids during meltdowns

About Jeff Warren
Jeff is a meditation teacher, author, and neurodiversity advocate known for his engaging and down-to-earth approach to mindfulness. He is the co-author of “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics,” founder of the Consciousness Explorers Club, and co-host of the Mind Bod Adventure Pod. Jeff’s guided meditations reach millions through platforms like Ten Percent Happier, Calm, YouTube, and his Substack Home Base. With lived experience of ADHD and bipolar, Jeff brings a neurodiverse, stigma-free perspective to his mission of making mental health care through meditation accessible, practical, and empowering for everyone.

Connect with Jeff

Related Links:

Are You Unflappable? Adapting to Parent Stress, Grief, Change, and More
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-171-are-you-unflappable-adapting-to-parent-stress/id1565976964?i=1000662477347

Get your FREE copy of 12 Key Coaching Tools for Parents at https://impactparents.com/gift.

Read the full blog here:
https://impactparents.com/simplifying-mindfulness-and-how-to-start-small

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