Zen Pop

Cathy and Todd discuss Orlando, gun legislation, and how we can better communicate about our differences. Todd shares why not hearing “Happy Father’s Day” led to a two-hour conversation about the energy we bring to a room and what we really want for our kids. They also discuss why we must continuously wake up while parenting, why parenting is a one-way-giving situation, and how our homes can becom...

Cathy and Todd discuss the Stanford rape case , the presidential campaign, and why embracing healthy masculinity and femininity is the key to meaningful change. They also discuss how anger can be paralyzing, why we should be supporting each other rather than fighting each other, and why we need to use our individual voices to create more love and compassion. They reference Tara Mohr’s Playing Big...

Cathy and Todd discuss talking to kids about fear – how to notice it, normalize, and get creative with it. They process why parents need to acknowledge their own fear so they can authentically talk with their kids about being afraid. They share why fear is not always bad and why it gets us closer to the truth. They answer listener questions about religion and music in family culture, and how...

Cathy and Todd discuss some listener questions about toddler sleep issues, a 6-year-old who wants to know more about sex, and why work jargon can be so annoying.   Other Resources Cathy’s 3rd book,  Living What You Want Your Kids To Learn  won the National Indie Excellence Award ! Go  here  to order your book. Click the following links to purchase Cathy’s books The Self-Aware Parent  Part 1  ...

Todd and Cathy talk with Maureen Blaha, Executive Director of the National Runaway Safeline , a support and intervention system for youth and parents. Maureen shares why teens runaway and how families can be more open to the emotional needs of kids. The safeline is based in Chicago but helps kids and families nationwide.  http://www.1800runaway.org/   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Confer...

Cathy and Todd discuss the need for validation, why it’s important to become aware of our needs, and sometimes put them aside, to connect with our kids, and how we can better support each other as we become more self-aware and conscious. Zen Parenting is part of the Education: Next Generation virtual conference – click here to register and read more about it. The Zen Parenting Conference will be h...

Cathy and Todd discuss their difficult conversation and how they went “in and out of child” – is your present-time self talking or is it your 7-year-old? Your inner 7-year-old has a right to be there, and he/she may have some valid points, but the adult needs to manage the conversation so it doesn’t go off the rails. They also discuss why learning and healing through relationship can be more power...

Have you seen the movie or stage production of Once? The movie starred musician Glen Hansard , and his interview on Sam Jone’s Off Camera podcast led to a deep discussion about education, parenting, friendship and why it’s so important to create our own life story. Cathy and Todd also discuss mom guilt and how to become more clear about how your true feelings. Off Camera Sam Jones Interview with G...

Cathy and Todd talk about suffering and why we either transform it, or we transmit it (quote taken from Richard Rohr ). They also discuss why it’s important to celebrate young women, why talking about sexuality is so important, why tampons and pads have a “luxury” tax, and what it means to be in the “8:30 club”. The first three people to purchase Cathy’s award–winning book, Living What You Want Yo...

We’ve been inundated with listener questions so we decided to dedicate an entire show to answering them.  Below are the topics as well as the time stamps for each question: 3:15 Chakras and toddlerhood 14:42 Step-parents and an 8 year old with a huge personality 23:52 Preschool drop-off 30:22 Spanking 36:28 2 year old son with tantrums 43:25 Top 10 books We also mentioned a podcast that woul...

Cathy and Todd discuss an article from the Chicago Tribune about getting rid of emotional and mental clutter. They process the devastation around Prince’s death, but Todd thinks he has alexithemia because he’s not as sad as everyone else. They also talk travel sports, small breakdowns, and Caddyshack.   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference tickets are now on sale. Zen Gets Real Atten...

  In part two of our interview with Dr. Therese Rowley, Therese says Cathy has “clairsentience”, she challenges me to remove some of my built-up walls, and she offers some calming activities for kids and parents. Find Dr. Rowley at http://thereserowley.com/. Does your child seem intuitive, gifted, or sensitive? Cathy and Todd talk with Dr. Therese Rowley, author, consultant, skill...

Cathy and Todd explain how negative experiences stick immediately, but it takes 15 seconds of savoring a positive experience for it to imprint on the brain. They also discuss why judging or fighting someone doesn’t create change. Instead, we can recognize negative behavior and then role model a more rational and kind way to interact. A listener asks a question about work/life balance and they prov...

Does your child seem intuitive, gifted, or sensitive? Cathy and Todd talk with Dr. Therese Rowley, author, consultant, skilled intuitive and innovative educator who challenges us to see sensitive children through a new lens. This is part one of a two-part interview (part two will be posted next Friday). – See more at: https://zenpopparenting.com/ Dr. Rowley is hosting a 12 week class and mas...

Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of “emotional hygiene” (as explained by the Dalai Lama) and why boundaries lead to more compassion (as explained by Brenè Brown). They also discuss how we can  subtlety (and often unconsciously) shame our kids, and how to become more aware of why and how we say things.   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference tickets are now on sale. Zen Gets Real...

Cathy and Todd discuss the 60 Minutes report about the prison system in Germany and how they put rehabilitation above retribution. They also discuss the article in The Atlantic about punish-free parenting , Rocky Balboa’s great advice , and Tim McGraw’s Humble and Kind performance . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_Vg4uyYwEk   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference tickets are now on...

Cathy and Todd discuss how emotional intelligence and “cognitive control” lead to our ability to be kind. They also discuss the relationship between EQ, grit, and resilience, and why paying attention is the essential factor. Cathy and Todd will be focusing on kindness the entire month of April, starting with a talk on Tuesday, April 6th at Fitz’s Spare Keys at 7 pm  titled Teaching Kids to Be Kind...

Cathy and Todd discuss self regulation and self organization and why it’s essential for self understanding and relationship building. They discuss the definition of the mind, how the brain processes emotion, and why the brain can always learn new things ( neuroplasticity ). They also discuss the hilarity and absurdity of the Walk of Life Project .   Other Resources   Cathy’s 3rd book,  L...

We interview Bill Dwight, the Founder of Famzoo.com.  Famzoo is an online family banking designed for kids, teens, and parents. With this amazing resource, it makes it easier for families earn, save, budget , and spend.  We’ve been utilizing Famzoo for several months and have loved it.  Listen in to help teach your children the power of money. To learn more about Famzoo- click on the Famzoo...

Cathy and Todd discuss their experience at the Zen Parenting Conference, they process why it’s important to be curious about your fear, and they answer a listener’s question about feeling continuously triggered by negative people.   Other Resources   Cathy’s 3rd book,  Living What You Want Your Kids To Learn  won the National Indie Excellence Award ! Go  here  to order your book. Click t...

Cathy and Todd discuss the definition of diplomacy and why it’s important in parenting as well as in government (micro and macro level). They also discuss the true and false self (as explained by D.W. Winnicott) and why the true self is the key to our integrity, compassion, and connection to others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTOeuH-iEJ8   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference ti...

This is Part 2 of this discussion, Part 1 aired on March 1st and can be found @  https://zenpopparenting.com/292 Cathy and Todd discuss the many issues raised at the Academy Awards (race, sexual assault, sexual abuse, the environment), why they are necessary to discuss, and what each of us can do to be more empathetic, open, and aware. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion.  Other links mentione...

Cathy and Todd discuss the many issues raised at the Academy Awards (race, sexual assault, sexual abuse, the environment), why they are necessary to discuss, and what each of us can do to be more empathetic, open, and aware. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion (Part 2 will air on Friday).  Other links mentioned in this podcast: One of our partners @ The Zen Gets Real Conference – Conscio...

Todd and Cathy discuss the literal and spiritual definition of grow or die, and share why this universal wisdom keeps us in alignment with ourselves and others. They also discuss the brain of an introvert and how it differs from an extrovert ( click here to see the illustrations).   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference tickets are now on sale. Zen Gets Real Attendee And Sponsorship I...

Staying connected and a changing school system Cathy and Todd discuss why our relationship with our children needs to change and evolve as they age, and why it’s important to be creative in maintaining a connection. They also discuss major changes in the college admission process and how this will effect our children’s high school experience.   Other Resources Zen Gets Real 2016 Conference ti...