Welcome back to the Wannabe Crunchy Podcast! In this episode, host Hannah dives into Balanced and Barefoot by Angela J. Hanscom, a powerful read on the importance of active, outdoor, unstructured play for kids of all ages. We’re talking muddy boots, barefoot adventures, and why letting your toddler taste dirt might actually be a good thing.

Hannah breaks down key takeaways from Hanscom’s research as a pediatric occupational therapist and founder of TimberNook, highlighting the vital role outdoor play has in developing sensory skills, emotional regulation, and physical health. From proprioception to vestibular development, you’ll learn why 3+ hours of free play a day can do wonders for your child (and you).

If you’re a mom wondering whether letting your little one climb trees, roll in the dirt, or just be bored is “okay”—this episode is for you.

Plus, stay to the end for a quick shoutout to Hannah’s new children’s book Dempsey the Dump Truck, available now on Amazon!

https://timbernook.com/?v=0b3b97fa6688

https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Barefoot-Unrestricted-Confident-Children/dp/1626253730

https://www.audible.com/pd/Balanced-and-Barefoot-Audiobook/B01IDSF3T8

https://www.amazon.com/Dempsey-Dump-Truck-Hannah-Rodwell/dp/B0DYB5ZGGW

Welcome to Wannabe Crunchy Podcast, where we simplify crunchy living in a not-so-crunchy world. In this episode, we kick off the Wannabe Crunchy Podcast Book Club with Atomic Habits by James Clear—a book that’s not just about habit-building but about reshaping your identity and daily life.

We dive into key takeaways, breaking down Clear’s four laws of habit formation and how they apply to a crunchy lifestyle. From small shifts like swapping out toxic products to building a system for cooking at home, we explore how 1% daily improvements can transform your life over time.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the homesteading, non-toxic, sourdough-making influencers on your feed, this episode is for you. We’re here to build sustainable habits, not chase perfection. Tune in to learn practical ways to create systems that align with your goals—without burning out.

Because in the end, it’s not about overnight success—it’s about showing up every day and making choices that shape who you want to become.

Resources Mentioned:

https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits

https://jamesclear.com/habit-tracker

https://www.audible.com/pd/Atomic-Habits-Audiobook/1524779261

In this episode, we dive into the chaos of real-life motherhood and the start of a larger conversation about hormones. We kick things off with Hannah’s chaotic virtual therapy session—complete with a crying baby, a messy kitchen, and a lot of moving around. Brooke shares her scholarly perspective as a PhD in molecular biology, offering insight into the science of hormones, while we both reflect on the ups and downs of therapy experiences (the good, the bad, and the awkward).

We also explore how gardening ties into hormone balance and discuss how modern-day challenges like microplastics and home fragrances impact hormonal health. Whether you're juggling life as a mom or just curious about how hormones affect everything from mood to health, this episode is your relatable and informative starting point.

Welcome to the Wannabe Crunchy Podcast

Meet Hannah and Brooke, two sisters on a mission to navigate motherhood, health, and the crunchy life - one step at a time. Hannah, an everyday mom in her 30s, is all about finding realistic, healthier solutions for her family, while Brooke a mom of two with a PhD in Molecular Biology, brings a scientific twist to the crunchy life. In this first episode, we share our postpartum stories, introduce the Wannabe Crunchy Podcast, and give you a glimpse into our blend of science, humor, and relatable chaos. Lets start this journey together!