Episodes

Todd and Cathy discuss why it’s necessary to regroup (especially when we are hit with bad news most days) and how regrouping is just like the tide going in and out – sometimes we go all in, and then we recede – repeat. They discuss how to practice devotion, the work of Gabor Matè, and taking a wider view when it comes to Ukraine, “Don’t Say Gay”, and other challenging events. Buy Cathy’s Book Zen Parenting Radio Join the Women’s March madness pool brought to you by MenLiving/Zen Parenting Radio...

Buy Cathy’s Book Zen Parenting- Caring for Ourselves & our Children in an Unpredictable World Team Zen– Enter the coupon code “friend” for your first month free Women’s March Madness Tournament MenLiving Fundraiser Todd and Cathy discuss the lessons from the longest study about happiness from the Harvard Study on Adult Development. They discuss Steven Pinker’s data about the world getting better, and what Bill Gates and Warren Buffet both recommend for a happy life. Time Stamp 0:00 Buy Cathy’s...

Todd and Cathy discuss managing so many difficult things at one, and how the grief process is a way to understand and manage pain. They discuss Ukraine, Dopesick and Michael Keaton’s acceptance speech, and the everyday experiences in our homes, lives, and abroad that force us to wake up to what’s important. Watch this show on Vimeo here Time Stamp 2:17 Zen Parenting Moment 7:58 Grief 34:48 Michael Keaton’s acceptance 12:45 Team Zen– First month free with coupon code “friend” 55:38 Buy Cathy’...

Cathy and Todd discuss how Zen Parenting Radio started and play a clip or two from their first podcast (11 years ago!). They discuss what they’ve learned, their most humbling experiences, and then share the prologue from Cathy’s audiobook (also titled Where It All Began). Time Stamp 1:05 Zen Parenting Moment 39:09 Audio Clip of Zen Parenting The Book as read by Cathy Cassani Adams 12:45 Team Zen– First month free with coupon code “friend” 50:38 MenLiving – A virtual and in-person community o...

Todd and Cathy discuss how to approach our children when they are struggling – do we give them space, keep showing up, or both? They discuss the importance of paying attention to our inner workings so we can role model what this looks like for our kids, and they offer guidance on how to develop our emotional literacy so we can pay closer attention to how we feel. Time Stamp 1:05 Zen Parenting Moment 10:11 Todd plays virtual ping-pong 15:48 Disengagement vs over-engagement 28:28 Brene Brown a...

Todd and Cathy discuss conversational dynamics and how we can pay better attention when talking to our kids or partner. They also share why human behavior is similar to financial markets, and why bands have so many farewell tours. Time Stamp 4:42 The Who farewell tour 8:45 Why we do what we do 44:00 MenLiving – A virtual and in-person community of guys connecting deeply and living fully. No requirements, no creeds, no gurus, no judgements 44:20 Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 5 “The Right to Speak and Hear Truth” of Cathy’s new book : Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world. Topics covered: self expression, the art of communication, words are things, heard and understood, learning differences All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens,...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 4 “The Right to Love and Be Loved” of Cathy’s new book : Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world. Topics covered: Open heartedness, empathy, self-compassion, breathing, grief All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire ...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 3 “The Right To Act” of Cathy’s new book : Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world. Topics covered: Autonomy and the hero’s journey, Individuation, Self-care, Energy, True and false self All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, t...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 2 “The Right to Feel” of Cathy’s new book: Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world. Topics covered: Pleasure, emotional intelligence, creativity and play, and sexuality. All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and f...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 1 “The Right to Be” Topics include: Body foundation, root to rise, physical and emotional safety, survival and connection, and reestablishing our roots. All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration.

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Cathy and Todd take a deep dive into Thich Nhat Hanh quotes (the Zen Buddhist monk/teacher who died last week at 95), and also discuss human archetypes and why we show up the way we do. They also discuss the importance of children’s individuation and why female monkeys are ready to lead their barrel. Time Stamp 1:07 Zen Parenting Summit 5:10 Zen Moment 7:50 Female monkey now the alpha 12:31 Archetype talk 23:18 Thich Nhat Hanh inspiration 53:44 ...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss some quotes from Adam Grant, Author of Think Again, and why rethinking our beliefs leads to a wider perspective and a more compassionate viewpoint. They also discuss why allowing our kids to have different beliefs and perspectives allows them to “individuate” or find their own sense of self. Time Stamp 0:00 Zen Parenting Summit 5:12 Zen Moment 11:30 An idea how to connect with your kids 13:30 Todd’s relationship with Tik-Tok...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd and Cathy discuss how we ask our kids to be responsible for themselves, but we also encourage them to ask for help. They process how to help our kids discern between the two requests, and how we can be more clear about our expectations. They also share some clips from the upcoming Zen Parenting Summit and how mindfulness and meditation are related. Time Stamp 0:00 Zen Parenting Summit 2:00 Zen Moment Teaching responsibility 51:37 Avid Co DuPa...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Cathy and Todd offer the case for optimism (but don’t worry, it’s not toxic positivity…). They share some actual good news and why we are stronger and more resilient than we think. Time Stamp 0:00 Zen Parenting Summit 2:00 Zen Moment 15:24 The Case For Optimism 21:03 Toxic positivity 51:37 Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration. All things ...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Cathy and Todd discuss the road to wellness and why shame, judgment, anxiety, and hope all play a role. They also discuss why asking for help is so essential, and why asking for help is an act of bravery and strength. They discuss what it means to be a strength-based parent and play a clip from Lea Waters, author of The Strength Switch. Todd plays a clip from the TED Talk podcast about how people with less money actually give more to those in need, an...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Cathy and Todd discuss hypervigilance, or the elevated state of constantly assessing potential threats. They discuss how our uncertain and ever-changing world can create this, or how some of us learned it in childhood. They also discuss the mental wellness of our kids and how we can talk to them about self-care and staying hopeful. Time Stamp 3:20 Leaving parties 7:28 You & Hope Moment 23:40 Summit Announcement 28:30 Hypervigilance All things ZPR...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Todd+Cathy talk with coach and author Annmarie Chereso about recovering from infidelity, the process of self-awareness, and the importance of forgiveness. They discuss how we can notice our attachments and live with more presence and compassion. All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire...

Register for the Zen Parenting Summit here. Cathy and Todd present their Zen Parenting Summit, 2022 and introduce their lineup of speakers. They discuss why and how it came to be, and how to register for FREE! All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration.

Todd and Cathy discuss being flexible with how we see ourselves, our interactions, and our past experiences. They share how we can be realistic and optimistic, and how we can reframe challenges to benefit our future selves. More from Cathy & Todd: Preorder Cathy’s Zen Parenting Book – coming 2/22! Subscribe to Cathy’s Zen Parenting Moments– your inbox needs more helpful & hopeful moments Join Team Zen – 1st month free with coupon code “friend” GETTING TO ZERO- HOW TO LISTEN DURING AND AFTER CO...

Todd and Cathy discuss dysregulation and how it relates to self-awareness, social awareness, and our relationships overall. They discuss how when we yell, storm out, or lash out during a meeting, conversation, or even online it’s an indicator of dysregulation. They process how to become more aware, find calm, and act in congruence with our values. More from Cathy & Todd: Preorder Cathy’s Zen Parenting Book – coming 2/22! Subscribe to Cathy’s Zen Parenting Moments– your inbox needs more helpful...

Cathy and Todd discuss how feelings are physical body-based sensations and how thoughts are mental constructs like beliefs, opinions, and judgements. They discuss the definition of trauma and how to recognize and respect our shadow. More from Cathy & Todd: Preorder Cathy’s Zen Parenting Book – coming 2/22! Click on Zen Parenting Moment- Not My Problem– your inbox needs more helpful & hopeful moments. Join Team Zen – 1st month free with coupon code “friend” GETTING TO ZERO- HOW TO LISTEN DURING...

Cathy and Todd discuss the paradox of suffering, how it can be viewed as negative, important, as a path to awareness, and also as a way of staying stuck. They discuss why people run marathons, why and how we grieve, and how make exhaustion and productivity a status symbol. More from Cathy & Todd: Preorder Cathy’s Zen Parenting Book – coming 2/22! Click on Zen Parenting Moment- Not My Problem– your inbox needs more helpful & hopeful moments. Join Team Zen – 1st month free with coupon code “frie...

Todd and Cathy discuss why we sometimes need to disappoint others so we don’t disappoint ourselves, and how we need to stay curious and open when it comes to connecting with our children. They discuss the writing of Thomas Merton, Anne Lamott, and Mary Oliver, and share why doing enough and doing more is always a work in progress. More from Cathy & Todd: Preorder Cathy’s Zen Parenting Book – coming 2/22! Click on Zen Parenting Moment- Not My Problem– your inbox needs more helpful & hopeful mom...