In this episode of The Mindful Educator Podcast, Victoria is joined by sleep consultant and founder of Sleep Thrive Grow, Jen, for a compassionate and insightful conversation about sleep, parenting, nervous system regulation, and the reality of raising little humans.

Jen shares how her background as a nurse, combined with her own experiences as a mother of three, led her into the world of sleep consulting. What began as a personal journey to better understand her own children grew into a deeply supportive business helping families navigate sleep in a way that feels realistic, flexible, and aligned with their unique needs.

Together, Victoria and Jen explore why sleep is never just about sleep. They discuss the role of attachment, co-regulation, temperament, parental overwhelm, and the importance of moving away from rigid, one-size-fits-all sleep methods. Jen explains her holistic approach, which considers not only the child, but the entire family dynamic, nervous system capacity, lifestyle, and emotional wellbeing.

This episode is full of reassurance for parents who feel like they’re getting it wrong, along with practical wisdom around what children actually need in order to feel safe enough to rest.

In this episode, we chat about:

 * Jen’s journey from nursing to sleep consulting
 * How her own children shaped her parenting and coaching approach
 * Why sleep support should never be one-size-fits-all
 * The connection between sleep, nervous systems, and emotional regulation
 * Why babies and children borrow regulation from us
 * How parental triggers and overwhelm can impact sleep
 * The importance of flexibility, experimentation, and dropping rigid rules
 * Why connection and safety matter more than perfection
 * Sleep challenges in older children and how developmental changes can affect bedtime
 * Jen’s REST framework for supporting sleep
 * Why “pause” may be one of the most powerful parenting tools we have

A reminder from this conversation:

You are not supposed to know exactly what you’re doing all the time. Parenting is a constant learning curve, and sleep is not a measure of your worth as a parent. There is so much power in staying curious, softening expectations, and supporting both yourself and your child with compassion.

Connect with Jen:

You can find Jen at Sleep Thrive Grow on Instagram:
@sleep_thrive_grow

She also hosts her own podcast, Thriving Parenting, and offers a range of support options including one-on-one coaching, sleep guides, and membership support for parents.

Connect with Victoria:

🌐 www.victoria-r.com.au [http://www.victoria-r.com.au/]
📧 hello@victoria-r.com.au
📱 @the.victoria.r

36. The One About Sleep and the Nervous System (with Jen of Sleep Thrive Grow)

In this short but powerful episode, Victoria shares reflections after spending time in highly motivated, growth-focused environments during a recent content and planning trip. Inspired by the energy, ideas, and perspectives she experienced, she explores why who we surround ourselves with plays a significant role in shaping our beliefs, confidence, and future possibilities.

This episode dives into how our subconscious mind absorbs the “normal” around us — from childhood beliefs about success and money to the expectations created by our everyday environments - and why intentionally placing ourselves in new spaces can help expand what we believe is possible.

If you’ve ever felt limited by old stories, unsure about stepping into bigger goals, or hesitant to pursue something that feels “beyond you,” this episode is your reminder that growth often begins by simply changing the rooms you step into.

Key Takeaway

The limits we experience are often learned - not real.
When you intentionally place yourself in environments that reflect where you want to go, your mind begins to accept new possibilities as achievable and normal.

Sometimes growth isn’t about becoming someone new - it’s about allowing yourself to expand beyond the box you were taught to stay in.

Reflection Questions

 * Where might you be limiting yourself based on what feels “normal”?
 * Who inspires you - and how can you spend more time in those spaces or communities?
 * Which environments leave you feeling energised, motivated, and expansive?
 * What is one room (literal or metaphorical) you could step into next?

Connect with Victoria

🌐 Website: www.victoria-r.com.au [http://www.victoria-r.com.au/]
📧 Email: hello@victoria-r.com.au
📱 Instagram: @the.victoria.r

If this episode resonated with you, share your biggest takeaway and tag Victoria — she loves hearing how these conversations are landing for you.

35. The One About Getting In The Right Rooms

In this powerful solo episode, Victoria dives into a topic that has been coming up again and again in conversations lately - the difference between living from a victim mindset and stepping into radical responsibility.

This episode is not about dismissing real experiences, pain, or trauma. Instead, it’s about gently bringing awareness to the patterns that can keep us stuck and exploring how we can shift back into an empowered state where we take ownership of our responses, emotions, and choices.

Victoria shares honest reflections, personal insights, and practical mindset shifts to help you recognise where you might be giving away your power - and how to begin reclaiming it.

In This Episode, We Explore:

 * What “victim mentality” really looks like (and why all of us can fall into it at times)
 * The subtle signs you might notice in yourself or others:
   Blame shifting
   Constant complaining
   Feeling powerless or helpless
   Defensiveness and guilt-tripping
   The “woe is me” mindset
   Resistance to change
 * Why playing the victim can feel safe — and the hidden secondary gains behind it
 * The difference between honouring your experiences and staying stuck in them
 * What radical responsibility actually means and how it puts you back in the driver’s seat
 * Emotional ownership and recognising that we control our responses
 * Powerful mindset reframes:
   Moving from “Why is this happening to me?” to “What can I learn from this?”
 * The role of boundaries, self-care, and self-reflection in breaking negative cycles
 * How resentment and anger drain your energy — and how forgiveness can create space for growth
 * Teaching children emotional responsibility, resilience, and empowered thinking through modelling and conversation

Reflection Questions:

 * Where in my life might I be giving my power away?
 * What lesson could be hidden within a challenging situation?
 * What is one small action I can take today to move into an empowered state?

Loved This Episode?

If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who may need a gentle reminder that they have more power than they realise. Your support helps this message reach more women, parents, and educators navigating their own growth journeys.

Get in touch - hello@victoria-r.com.au; www.victoria-r.com.au; @the.victoria.r

34. The One About Victim Mentality vs Radical Responsibility

This week’s episode is a deeply personal one. I’m opening up about parts of my journey that I haven’t spoken about much before - my experiences with depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and the shame that once surrounded my mental health.

From navigating early struggles as a teenager, to living overseas in England and experiencing one of the most challenging periods of my life, I share how these moments shaped the work I do today and the passion I have for helping women and children understand their minds and emotions.

This conversation isn’t about having it all figured out - it’s about normalising the ups and downs of being human, removing stigma, and reminding you that support, tools, and healing are always available.

If you’ve ever felt alone in your mental health journey, this episode is for you.

✨ In This Episode We Talk About:

 * My personal story with depression and anxiety - and why it felt hard to share
 * Experiencing mental health challenges as a teenager and not recognising the signs
 * Living in England, seasonal changes, and how environment can impact wellbeing
 * Panic attacks: what they felt like, what helped, and how to support someone through one
 * The shame many people carry around medication and seeking help
 * Why finding the right psychologist, coach, or support person matters
 * The role mindfulness, emotional awareness, and nervous system tools have played in my healing
 * How these experiences shaped my passion for helping women and children
 * Teaching emotional awareness to the next generation and breaking the stigma cycle

🌿 A Gentle Reminder

This episode shares personal experiences and reflections. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a trusted health professional or support service.

🔗 Connect With Me

If this episode resonated with you, I would truly love to hear from you.
Share your thoughts, your story, or what you took away - these conversations matter.

Email - hello@victoria-r.com.au; IG - @the.victoria.r

33. The One With My Mental Health Story (And Why I’m Sharing It Now)

In this episode, I gently unpack the heaviness many of us are feeling in the world right now - the constant stream of negative news, overwhelming information, and the emotional toll it can take on us as adults, parents, and educators.

Rather than diving into fear or sensationalism, this conversation focuses on what is within our control: how we think, how we protect our energy, and how we support the children in our lives to grow into thoughtful, grounded humans.

We explore the importance of critical thinking - not blindly accepting everything we’re told, but learning to question, reflect, and consider multiple perspectives with curiosity rather than judgement. This is a skill many of us were never taught, and one that feels more important now than ever.

I also share practical, real-life ways we can:

 * Teach critical thinking to children (at home, in classrooms, and through everyday conversations)
 * Model analytical and open-minded thinking as adults
 * Reduce the impact of doom-scrolling, negative media, and information overload
 * Set firm but realistic boundaries around social media, news, and technology
 * Protect our mental health and nervous systems during challenging times
 * Reconnect with gratitude, mindfulness, kindness, and the small moments that ground us

This episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and come back to yourself - while also raising children who can think for themselves, question respectfully, and navigate the world with discernment and compassion.

✨ In this episode, we talk about:

 * Why the current state of the world feels so overwhelming
 * The role of critical thinking in today’s society
 * How to teach children to question information without fear
 * Why different perspectives aren’t wrong - just different
 * Celebrity culture, idolisation, and media influence
 * Simple ways to model critical thinking for kids
 * Protecting your energy and mental health
 * Setting boundaries with news, social media, and technology
 * Gratitude, mindfulness, and being the positive ripple in your world

🌱 Mentioned in this episode:
I’m also hosting a free webinar on finding your spark again - for anyone feeling flat, burnt out, or disconnected from themselves. The link is here - https://victoria-r.com.au/webinar-why-youve-lost-your-spark/, and I’d love to see you there.

If this episode resonated with you, I’d truly love to hear your thoughts. What conversations are you already having at home or in your classroom? How are you supporting your own mental wellbeing right now?

Thanks for being here. And remember: protect your energy, honour your boundaries, and keep coming back to what matters most.

32. The One About Raising Thinkers, Not Followers

Welcome back to the Mindful Educator Podcast 🤍
After a much-needed break, I’m officially back behind the mic - refreshed, reset, and excited for what’s ahead.

In this first episode of the year, I’m sharing a very honest reflection on how different this January felt compared to previous years. Instead of hitting the ground running, I found myself moving slowly, resting more, enjoying time with the kids… and feeling guilty about it - until I realised it was exactly what my body and nervous system needed.

If you’ve felt flat, unmotivated, or like your spark took a little longer to return this year, this episode is for you.

In this episode, we explore:

 * Why it’s okay if January felt heavy, slow, or unmotivated
 * Letting go of the pressure to be a “new version” of yourself on January 1
 * How energy influences how we show up as parents, partners, teachers, and humans
 * The importance of seasons - and why we don’t need to be “on” all year
 * Using intention (not hustle) to guide the year ahead
 * Small, sustainable habit changes vs. overwhelming life overhauls
 * Why sleep is often the foundation for everything else
 * Creating new neural pathways (and why your brain resists big change)
 * Different ways to set intentions — vision boards, journaling, voice notes, or reflection
 * Trusting the process even when the “how” isn’t clear yet

I also share some of the tools that personally support me when I’m setting intentions, including:

 * Yearly energy readings with Courtney
 * Oracle and tarot cards (yes, my woo side 🤍)
 * A powerful 24-hour planning and clarity session with Elsa Mitchell, which helped me reconnect with my direction and confidence for 2026

Most importantly, this episode is an invitation to ask yourself:

How do I actually want to feel this year?
And what’s one small habit that would support that?

You don’t need to have everything figured out.
You just need to choose a direction - and gently keep guiding yourself back when life throws curveballs.

✨ Mentioned in the episode:

 * My Reflections & Intentions Booklet (a beautiful starting point if you’re feeling unsure about the year ahead) https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/1225418/140215074039006976/share
 * A free upcoming webinar focused on helping you reconnect with your spark

👉 Follow along on Instagram: @the.victoria.r
Webinar registration details will be shared there very soon.

Thank you so much for being here, for listening, and for allowing me into your ears and your world. I’m incredibly grateful — and I can’t wait to share what’s coming next.

🎙️ I’ll speak to you next week.

Contact - www.victoria-r.com.au; hello@victoria-r.com.au

31. The One Where We Set Intentions (and Ditch the January Pressure)

It’s the final episode of the year - and what a way to wrap things up. I’m joined by the brilliant (and hilarious) Elsa Mitchell - business mentor, podcast host, and one of the big reasons I started this podcast in the first place.

This chat is equal parts real talk, laughs, and truth bombs, as Elsa shares her journey from owning a hair salon and building multiple businesses, to stepping into the mentoring space - and what she’s learned about success, resilience, and the behind-the-scenes realities of business life.

We talk about what’s changed in business over the years (hello Yellow Pages days), why connection still wins, how personal life always impacts business (even when we try to pretend it doesn’t), and why rural and regional women are becoming a powerful force in Australia.

And of course… a mic-drop reminder to end the year: 

The sooner you stop caring what people think, the sooner your life will move forward.

In this episode, we chat about:

 * Elsa’s journey: hairdressing, business ownership, and becoming a business mentor
 * Why being “the best” isn’t everything - connection matters more than perfection
 * How social media changed the game (and why it can feel harder now)
 * The common patterns Elsa sees in women in business - especially mums and midlife women
 * The fine line between being “authentic” and still feeling professional when life is messy
 * Advice for starting a business when you feel time-poor: start with an hour a day
 * Mum guilt, family juggle, and making choices that actually suit your season
 * Why community (especially in rural/regional areas) is everything - and how women are rising

Where to find Elsa:

Website: elsamitchell.com.au
Instagram: @elsa_mitchell_ (Elsa loves a voice DM)

Connect with Victoria / The Mindful Educator:

Website: victoria-r.com.au
Instagram: @the.victoria.r
Email: hello@victoria-r.com.au

Thanks for listening — and if you’d love to be a guest on the podcast next year, send me a message. I’m already excited for what’s coming in 2026.

30. The One With The Real Talk About Business (No Fairy Tales Allowed) with Elsa Mitchell

As we come to one of the final episodes of 2025, today’s conversation is intentionally slower, softer, and deeply reflective.

This time of year can feel chaotic — school events, winding down work, juggling social plans and trying to think ahead to the new year. But amongst the noise, there’s an opportunity to pause long enough to recognise just how much has happened, shifted, expanded and unfolded.

In this episode, we look back on the year through gentle guided reflection. I walk you through thoughtful prompts exploring:

 * A word to capture the essence of your year
 * Moments that shaped you
 * Highlights, lessons, mistakes and growth
 * How you expanded past your comfort zone
 * What you want to leave behind — and what you want more of
 * The memories, people and experiences that stood out
 * The areas of your life that felt balanced… and the ones that didn’t
 * The version of you that is walking confidently into 2026

It’s an invitation to pause — with curiosity, not criticism.
To acknowledge the hard, the beautiful, the unexpected.
To see how far you’ve come before rushing into what’s next.

You can do this reflection solo with a journal, or use it as a beautiful family conversation ritual. Grab a pen, a cup of something warm, and give yourself the space to breathe, remember and honour the year that was.

📣 A Few Updates Before We Wrap for the Year

✨ Revive Your Spark Round Two enrolments are now open!
Round two begins February 2026, and the BIRTHDAY2025 discount code is extended until December 31st.
This will be the only discount offered.

✨ 1:1 coaching is now closed for the year, and will reopen in February.

✨ One more episode is coming next week — and it’s a good one.

Then I’ll be taking a refreshing break over Christmas and the school holidays to soak up family time and reset for the year ahead.

💛 Stay Connected

I always love hearing from listeners — your reflections, intentions, or even guest suggestions for 2026.
Come say hello:

📧 Email: hello@victoria-r.com.au
📱 Instagram: @the.victoria.r
🌐 www.victoria-r.com.au

✨ Whether this year felt expansive, messy, magical, heavy, surprising, or all of the above — you made it.

Thank you for being here.
Thank you for listening.
And thank you for being part of The Mindful Educator community.

Wishing you a beautiful December, a restful break, and a hopeful start to the new year.

See you in 2026. 💛

29. The One Where We Look Back Before Moving Forward

In this episode, Victoria chats with Susan Hughes, an ADHD parent coach and educator based in Perth. Susan shares her journey from accountant to Master of Education, ADHD researcher, and mum navigating neurodiversity at home.

They unpack what ADHD actually is, why so many kids and adults are being diagnosed now, how it often looks different in girls and women, and what parents and teachers can practically do - even while they’re stuck on waitlists.

You’ll hear about:

 * Susan’s turning point as a parent and how it led her back to university.
 * ADHD as an executive functioning delay, not “naughtiness” or laziness.
 * Why girls and women are often missed, and the big role hormones play.
 * What parents can do right now while waiting for diagnosis or support.
 * Simple strategies for mornings, routines, and scaffolding expectations.
 * How teachers can better support ADHD students in busy classrooms.
 * A compassionate, evidence-based take on ADHD medication for kids and adults.
 * The importance of parental regulation, mindful parenting, and seeing behaviour as communication.

Key reminder: Your child’s behaviour is usually not a choice – it’s a sign of capacity, not character. When we understand their brain, we can support their strengths and protect their self-esteem.

Connect with Susan:

 * Website: susanhughes.com.au
 * Email: susan@susanhughes.com.au
 * Download the freebie mentioned here: https://www.theconfidentadhdparentformula.com.au/lm-5-steps-to-calm-morning

She offers a semester-long small-group parent program and an educator course to support families and teachers raising and working with ADHD kids.

Connect with Victoria:

 * Website: victoria-r.com.au
   Instagram: @the.victoria.r
   Email: hello@victoria-r.com.au

28. The One About ADHD Parenting (with Susan Hughes)

In this episode, Victoria joins us from Perth, where she’s spending a week immersed in Mind School training. Surrounded by new insights, lightbulb moments, and deep personal reflection, she explores a topic that has been completely reshaping the way she thinks, feels, and responds to the world: the language we use.

Victoria breaks down how the words we speak - both out loud and internally - shape our emotional state, our identity, our resilience, and ultimately the world we create around us. She shares heartfelt examples from her own life, dives into the concept of transformational vocabulary, and reminds us that while we may not always be able to control our circumstances, we always have influence over the words we choose.

This episode touches on:

 * How everyday phrases like “I’m tired” or “I’m busy” unconsciously set the tone for our day
 * Why our brain follows the direction our language points it toward
 * The powerful idea from Mind School: “Words create worlds”
 * Flipping negative internal dialogue into more uplifting, empowered language
 * Modelling healthy language for children and students
 * Expanding our emotional vocabulary to better understand what we’re actually feeling
 * Why “I am…” statements can keep us stuck in outdated identities
 * Practical examples of reframing common phrases into more supportive ones
 * Using language to shift our state and reconnect with confidence, energy, and clarity

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that the way we speak becomes the way we live - and small shifts in vocabulary can create huge shifts in how we feel.

🔗 Connect with Victoria

 * Instagram: @the.victoria.r
 * Website: www.victoria-r.com.au
 * Work With Me: Coaching, programs, mindfulness sessions, school workshops & more

27. The One About How Words Create Your World

Welcome to The Mindful Educator Podcast with Victoria R your go-to space for exploring mindset, education, mum life, mindfulness, health, and more. Whether you’re seeking calm amidst the chaos or bold strategies for transformative shifts, this podcast offers personal wisdom, practical advice, and inspiring conversations to help you build a more balanced, fulfilling life.

As a mum, teacher, mindfulness coach, multi-business owner, and city-turned-country girl, Victoria shares lessons she wishes she’d known sooner while guiding you on a journey of personal growth and meaningful change. Join her and other remarkable women as they share stories, insights, and actionable practices to empower your most intentional way of living.

Victoria R

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