Zen Pop

Todd and Cathy discuss NFL player Dak Prescott’s willingness to discuss depression and why there was backlash. They process the yin and yang of emotions and why challenge makes us stronger, not weaker. They also discuss whether vulnerable pictures of our kids should be posted on social networking, and how the Japanese art of Kintsugi is a visual representation of falling apart and piecing ourselve...

Jacey, Camryn, and Skylar join Cathy and Todd to discuss the 2020 school year. They discuss the pros and cons of remote and hybrid learning, and why our educational goals from 2019 should not be our focus in 2020. They girls discuss what they’ve learned about themselves and education since the lockdown.

Todd and Cathy discuss what it means to find personal alignment rather than what our society calls “success”. They reference the 4 Noble Truths, Mel Robbins, Eckhart Tolle, the 8-fold path, To Kill a Mockingbird, the power of intuition, and how scientists estimate the probability of your being born at about one in 400 trillion. They also discuss the shocking death of Chadwick Boseman, and Cathy’s...

Cathy and Todd discuss how to see this school year differently and how to accept and reframe our experiences. They discuss how figuring out something new will take time and patience (and self-care), and how children will learn a lot about self-regulation and how to go with the flow in a new system of learning. Time Stamps 6:22 Reframing and accepting 9:05 Blame 12:45 Accepting grief 25:00 Jazz and...

Cathy and Todd discuss why understanding ambiguous loss, the dignity of others, and the humanity of teachers is essential as we navigate a back to school plan. This uncertain time necessitates reflective and respectful discourse, and a reminder that our kids are looking to us as role models in how to respond to a difficult and unprecedented event.

Cathy and Todd discuss why understanding ambiguous loss, the dignity of others, and the humanity of teachers is essential as we navigate a back to school plan. This uncertain time necessitates reflective and respectful discourse, and a reminder that our kids are looking to us as role models in how to respond to a difficult and unprecedented event.

Cathy and Todd discuss managing screen time by investigating the Eightfold Path (8 practices that serve as a framework in Buddhist philosophy). The practice can help us relate to screen time (and everything else) differently and shift how we relate to our children when it comes to technology. #2 of a two-part series.

Cathy and Todd discuss managing screen time by investigating the Eightfold Path (8 practices that serve as a framework in Buddhist philosophy). The practice can help us relate to screen time (and everything else) differently and shift how we relate to our children when it comes to technology. #1 of a two-part series.

Cathy and Todd discuss John Oliver's Last Week Tonight episode about conspiracy theories, and share the psychology behind why people believe tend to believe them. We also discuss how to have productive conversations with people who share and promote harmful pandemic theories.

Cathy and Todd discuss why building a strong foundation can get us through difficultly and uncertainty, and help us recognize what’s most important in crisis and calmer times. They share what a “strong foundation” looks like and why it’s an everyday practice. They discuss Eckhart Tolle, Richard Rohr, and why dark helps us understand the light (and vice versa).

Todd and Cathy discuss why connection necessitates letting go of needing and focusing more on understanding. They share a story of connecting with their daughter and why knowing her well was the key to engagement.

Cathy and Todd discuss the Zen parable about the monkey in the river and why it teaches us to find the aliveness of every moment, even if we are afraid or uncertain. They offer examples and analogies from The Karate Kid, Parenthood, Dead Poets Society and even High School Musical. They also discuss the importance of staying educated and continuing to integrate discussions about race into our paren...

Cathy and Todd discuss how spiritual bypassing (the use of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with our painful feelings) can run counter to being a listener and learner when it comes to race. They discuss how spiritual bypassing has become normalized and separates us from the issues we need to work through when it comes to social justice, partnerships, parenting, or our own growth an...

Cathy and Todd discuss how spiritual bypassing (the use of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with our painful feelings) can run counter to being a listener and learner when it comes to race. They discuss how spiritual bypassing has become normalized and separates us from the issues we need to work through when it comes to social justice, partnerships, parenting, or our own growth an...

Cathy and Todd discuss how spiritual bypassing (the use of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with our painful feelings) can run counter to being a listener and learner when it comes to race. They discuss how spiritual bypassing has become normalized and separates us from the issues we need to work through when it comes to social justice, partnerships, parenting, or our own growth an...

Todd and Cathy discuss the protests and why self-awareness and being a student are essential when talking about race. They share who they learn from, why we need to speak up, and why dismantling racism in ourselves is necessary, difficult, and uncomfortable.

Todd and Cathy discuss some of the questions from this New York Times article titled The 36 Questions That Lead to Love

Todd and Cathy discuss what it means to experience messy and how messy, but necessary, conversations can cause discomfort and uncertainty. They discuss why others are not always bad or wrong, and how we can see the nuance and grey in every situation. They discuss how enlightening or self-aware moments can look different for everybody, and how a Good Will Hunting moment isn’t the only example of ca...

Todd and Cathy discuss what it means to experience messy and how messy, but necessary, conversations can cause discomfort and uncertainty. They discuss why others are not always bad or wrong, and how we can see the nuance and grey in every situation. They discuss how enlightening or self-aware moments can look different for everybody, and how a Good Will Hunting moment isn’t the only example of ca...

Todd and Cathy discuss what it means to experience messy and how messy, but necessary, conversations can cause discomfort and uncertainty. They discuss why others are not always bad or wrong, and how we can see the nuance and grey in every situation. They discuss how enlightening or self-aware moments can look different for everybody, and how a Good Will Hunting moment isn’t the only example of ca...

Cathy and Todd discuss why hitting a wall is to be expected, and why it’s not a failure, it’s a re-calibration. They discuss what walls can teach us and why adaptation and pivoting are important now, and after, the pandemic. They discuss why all feelings are acceptable, and why if we can be specific about what we are feeling, we will have an easier time moving through it.

Cathy+Todd discuss Walt Whitman’s poem This is what you shall do and discuss how his wisdom is relevant today. The discuss what it means to “dismiss whatever insults your soul”, and why this relates to us globally and in our own families. They also share lessons from The Little Rascals and Dead Poets Society.

Cathy and Todd discuss how we judge our own feelings and then instead of self-regulating, we get lost in a cycle of emotions. They discuss Mark Brackett’s book Permission to Feel, and his interview on Brenè Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast. They also share some ways we can monitor our emotions and show up for our kids, partners, and world in a more compassionate way.

Cathy and Todd discuss vivid dreaming and why you might be feeling old griefs during this pandemic. They discuss why talking about your feelings and appreciating humor and joy are stabilizing. They share why Lin Manuel Miranda, John Krasinski, the Cuomo Brothers and Matthew McConaughey have been helpful over the last couple of days.

Cathy and Todd discuss creating new habits during the pandemic – for some this can add structure, and for others this can feel too overwhelming. They share the difference between people who are enjoying this time of shelter-in-place, and those who are working harder and taking risks so we all can feel safe and cared for. They also discuss the show Alone and why we need to take care of those who ar...