Episodes

Todd and Cathy discussed various TV shows, movies, and practices to improve mental and emotional well-being, including gratitude lists, morning pages, and yogic adjustments. They also emphasized the importance of prioritization, effective task management, and creating playlists for personal enjoyment and staying connected with others. Lastly, they touched on the concept of meditation, the importance of initiating conversations with daughters, and the need for nonjudgmental and engaging interacti...

Todd and Cathy discussed the movie “Elf,” covering its production, casting, and memorable scenes. They explored the film’s themes, characters, and cultural significance, while also playing a trivia game and sharing personal reflections on the Christmas spirit. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Order-Restoring our Girls Attend ZenCon 25 Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Other Ways to Support Us Ask Us Anything! Follow us on social media Ins...

Todd & Cathy discussed the release of Cathy’s book “Restoring Our Girls,” which focuses on challenges faced by teenage girls. Todd shared insights on making P, B, & J’s, parenting, particularly maintaining connections with his daughters as they mature and become more independent. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Pre-Restoring our Girls Register for the Workshop Attend ZenCon 25 Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Other Ways to Support Us Ask...

Cathy & Todd discussed the release of Cathy’s fifth book, the importance of allowing oneself and one’s children to express their true selves, and the challenges of parenting. They also shared personal stories about their daughters and the reasons behind children unloading their emotions at night. Lastly, they emphasized the importance of emotional release, creative problem-solving, and maintaining stability for children. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support ...

This week’s podcast features a chat with three high school seniors from Hinsdale Central, just outside of Chicago. Zara, Rami, and Molly have started Chase Light, a group focused on breaking down the stigma around mental health and offering support to their peers. They were inspired by the community support seen in Alcoholics Anonymous and want to help other teens deal with stress and mental health issues that are common in high school. They talk honestly about how adults often don’t quite under...

Cathy & Todd discussed the concept of Spiral Dynamics, a theory about human evolution and societal development, and its application in parenting and relationships. They emphasized the importance of balance, flexibility, and empathy in understanding different stages of development and maintaining a strong value system. They also touched on the interconnectedness of values and the need for critical thinking. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Attend ZenC...

Todd and Cathy emphasized the importance of understanding and connecting with daughters, using Cathy’s upcoming book on parenting girls as a guide. They shared personal experiences and strategies for maintaining strong relationships with children, highlighting the need for physical presence, understanding, and adapting communication styles. They also stressed the importance of respecting individual needs and preferences, and encouraged the use of humor and creativity in communication, while also...

Todd and Cathy bring calm in the context of an upcoming election. They discussed the importance of self-compassion, its three components, and the concept of mindfulness, emphasizing that self-compassion is not about letting oneself off the hook, but rather about treating oneself with kindness and understanding. They also highlighted the challenges of balancing emotions and planning for the future, and the importance of self-care and mindfulness in managing these emotions. For the full show note...

Todd and Cathy emphasized the importance of supporting children through their challenges, the need for parents to understand their children’s perspectives, and the significance of civic engagement, particularly voting. They also discussed the importance of critical thinking, questioning authority, and engaging with adults, while expressing concern about the current political climate and the need for honesty and transparency. Lastly, they shared their experiences and perspectives on leadership, t...

Todd and Cathy explored the concept of love bombing, its connection to cults and abusive relationships, and the importance of teaching children to recognize and navigate such situations. The conversation also touched on Todd’s experience at an event addressing domestic violence, Cathy’s upcoming book, and the significance of intuition and boundary-setting in relationships. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Attend ZenCon 25 Pre-order Restoring our Girl...

Cathy & Todd explore anxiety spirals sharing personal experiences and strategies for managing anxiety, including mindfulness, grounding techniques, self-soothing methods, and healthy distractions. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Attend ZenCon 25 Pre-order Restoring our Girls Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Time Stamps (00:03:15) What we’re talking about (00:09:45) What is an anxiety spiral? (00:32:20) First steps * (00:50:20) Join Tea...

Todd & Cathy shared the pervasive nature of comparison culture in various aspects of life. They emphasized the importance of self-awareness, individuality, and understanding the underlying motivations behind one’s actions and desires, rather than just focusing on external validation. They also discussed the impact of social media on comparison culture, the importance of empathy and kindness, and the fleeting nature of happiness derived from material possessions. For the full show notes, visit z...

We discuss the importance of self-understanding, real conversations with children, and the impact of labels on their development. Discussions also focused on mental well-being, resilience, and personal growth in children, emphasizing the need to allow them to explore their own interests and make decisions. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Attend ZenCon 25 Pre-order Restoring our Girls Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Time Stamps (00:01:45)...

Dr. John Duffy joins us as we take questions from Team Zen regarding teens experimenting with drugs and alcohol, lack of motivation, screen time, time management, and challenges with youth sports coaches. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Some Ways to Support Us Attend ZenCon 25 Pre-order Restoring our Girls Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Time Stamps (00:00:00) ZenCon25 Announcement (00:12:00) 16 year old son experimenting with drugs/alcohol (00:25:07) 20 yea...

Todd and Cathy discuss the paradox of feedback as well as the 8 C’s of IFS (Internal Family Systems) For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources Join Team Zen Sign up for Cathy’s Substack Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800 Time Stamps (00:03:46) Movie “feedback references” (00:06:38) Sign up for Cathy’s Substack– Feedback (00:13:06) The basic premise of IFS (00:19:40) ) Join Team Zen (00:20:35) The 8’C (00:39:22) Painting and Remodeling Needs? Jeremy Kraft from Av...

Todd and Cathy discuss cell phone use in schools, and the challenges of navigating through difficult situations such as elderly care and relationship dynamics. They also highlighted the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and self-care in dealing with such situations. Lastly, they discussed the top 10 common obstacles families face when dealing with aging parents. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources Join Team Zen Want a more intimate relationship? Why “No...

Todd and Cathy discussed the importance of self-understanding, open communication, and healthy boundaries in parenting and relationships. They also highlighted the value of shared experiences, respect, and emotional regulation in building strong relationships. Additionally, they touched on the appeal of various forms of media and the need for ongoing conversations about family history and challenges. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources Join Team Zen Want a more intima...

Todd and Cathy discuss the concept of milestones in parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to develop at their own pace and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. They shared personal anecdotes about their own children’s developmental differences and their experiences with spiders, cicadas, and flies. They also highlighted the challenges and milestones of parenting, including the transition of children into school and beyond, and the need for parents to provide ...

Todd and Cathy discuss projection and why sometimes we are projecting, sometimes we are reacting, sometimes we are sharing our feelings, and sometimes it’s a mix of all three! They also discuss why the first day of school (from Kindergarten through college) is filled with both joy and fear, and reminisce about how the saxophone is used in so many 80s movie scores and pop music. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources Join Team Zen Want a more intimate relationship? Why “N...

Cathy and Todd discuss the new language around healthy masculinity, inspired by Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, and they explore how men can embrace traditional masculine traits while also valuing and expressing compassion and kindness. They talk about the small happy things—those small, happy moments that not only boost our mood but also improve our overall perspective. They also discuss strategies for supporting men, women, boys and girls when it comes to mental wellness, emphasizing the i...

Cathy and Todd talk about anxiety and why it’s a completely normal part of life. They explain how anxiety isn’t just a response to stress but a built-in part of our survival system. Using the movie Inside Out 2, they show how anxiety, like the other emotions in the film, helps us navigate uncertainty and stay safe. They also offer practical tips for managing anxiety and discuss how accepting and understanding it can lead to greater adaptability and resilience. For the full show notes, visit zen...

Cathy and Todd discuss life trajectories, emphasizing that success isn’t confined to a single right path, way, class, major, or job. They highlight the importance of children trusting their instincts and their own knowledge as they go through life. They also explore how resilience and adaptability are developed through every setback, and how we can help our children feel supported and trusted as they navigate their experiences. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources It’s...

Cathy and Todd discuss cognitive labor, which is the mental effort and worry of anticipating needs, considering options, making decisions, and tracking progress in the home and with kids. They explore how it’s connected to emotional and invisible labor and stress the importance of ongoing discussions to reduce resentment and ensure everyone feels seen and understood. For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com. Resources Other Emotional Labor Podcasts Women Aren’t Nags, We’re Fed Up- P...

Todd and Cathy emphasize the importance of being present, thinking critically, and doing in parenting, and discussed the concept of human archetypes and the need to focus on the present moment. They also shared personal anecdotes about balancing ‘being’, ‘doing’, and ‘thinking’, and discussed the challenges of societal expectations and the importance of living authentically. Lastly, they addressed underlying issues in relationships, the importance of taking action, and the need to process emotio...