Reflective Parenting Podcast

Send us Fan Mail I just came back from a trip to Italy and there was a moment at a park where I realized something....we need to connect more with ourselves and those we love. I polled our Instagram audience and 50% of parents feel disconnected and of these, 43% feel disconnected from their partners. If you can relate to this, have a listen to this short solo episode. You can also read the blog po...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Bridget Callaghan PhD, discusses her research on the gut-brain-microbiome connection and the impact of generational adversity. The study they conducted found that different forms of adversity were associated with unique signatures in the child's microbiome, and some of these microbes were associated with the emotional health of the children. In this conv...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Cindy Hovington speaks with Matt Brown and Leah Blain about the experiences of military families and their children. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and understanding of the unique lifestyle of military families and the support they require. The goal of the conversation is to shed light on the experiences of military children and promote em...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Cindy Hovington interviews Kei Nomaguchi and Melissa Milkie about their research on parenthood and well-being. They discuss the concept of intensive parenting and the societal expectations placed on parents, particularly mothers. The conversation explores the pros and cons of intensive parenting and the challenges faced by parents in balancing work and family resp...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, Jacqueline discusses the application of the science of wellbeing in daily life. She shares her personal journey of implementing wellbeing practices and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and self-reflection. The conversation explores misconceptions about happiness and the role of circumstances in our overall wellbeing. Jacqueline also highlights the s...

Send us Fan Mail As a child of divorce, I know that it can be very difficult to go through. I have been getting lots of emails around this and so I asked my dear friend Dr. Tamara Soles to join me today. We break down divorce into before, during and after so that you have all the tips and advice you need to navigate this in a way that is best for you and your child. We discuss arguing in front of...

Send us Fan Mail Navigating the tender complexities of mental health as a parent can often feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn't have to be. Nathalie shares candidly from the heart about her postpartum experiences, while Dr. Tina Montreuil of McGill University blends these personal narratives with academic insights. Together, we unravel the challenges and celebrate the resilience of bi...

Send us Fan Mail Hello my dear friend, I get it, I have said this over and over myself. However, today, I would like you to take a step back and really reflect on this thought "I don't have time for myself". I walk you through some reflection prompts and how you can view this problem a little differently and work through it. Making time for yourself doesn't need to be 2 hours e...

Send us Fan Mail Let's chat about self-compassion with the scientist that created the self-compassion scale herself! Today, I am joined by Dr. Kristen Neff, Tedx speaker and author of Self-Compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself. Leading expert in self-compassion, Dr. Neff walks us through what it means to be self-compassion and how we can start with baby steps to be kinder to...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever found yourself scrubbing baseboards and questioned why you place so much pressure on yourself? As I prepare for my trip to California at the end of the month, that exact introspection led to a profound realization about the 'shoulds' in my life, a topic I eagerly explore with Erica Djossa, therapist and author of "Releasing the Motherload," on our...

Send us Fan Mail I  really messed up last night and I want to share this with you so that you can learn from my mistake. When we are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can trickle down to our kids. If we don't notice this, then all we see if a child that is "misbehaving" when in reality it is a child that is dysregulated, doesn't feel connected, doesn't feel validated or...

Send us Fan Mail Let's talk about executive functions and how these skills support your child's academic performance! In today's episode, I chat with Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Tedx speaker and Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. She investigates basic developmental processes in executive function in children....

Send us Fan Mail Ever wondered how your stress levels could be painting the world for your little ones?  I unpack the spillover theory and zero in on pivotal insights from current studies that reveal the depth of our influence on our kids’ behavior. It’s a journey of reflection—a look in the mirror at our own stress and parenting styles—and a step towards cultivating a nurturing and conscious home...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how your earliest experiences of love and connection with caregivers are playing out in your adult relationships? Join me, along with couples therapist Vanessa Morgan, as we uncover how attachment styles developed in infancy can have a far-reaching influence on our interaction patterns with romantic partners and even our children. Vanessa guides us through understandin...

Send us Fan Mail As a mom of three with a neuroscience background, I've come to understand that the emotional health of fathers is a critical but often overlooked topic. That's why I invited Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, an expert in counseling and male psychology, onto the  podcast. Our conversation offers an essential guide for anyone invested in the development of healthy boyhood and suppo...

Send us Fan Mail As I dive into leadership and business books, I can't help make the link with parenting. I think leadership books are the best parenting books! I gave a workshop this week to a leadership team and realized how many of these tips applied to parenting so this week, I break down 3 aspects of this talk and give you some reflection prompts to apply this to your home. Want more ref...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Ramani and I rigorously tackle the complexities that emerge when parenting with or alongside a narcissist, offering invaluable strategies for setting boundaries and cultivating a nurturing environment for both parents and children. We discuss the often-overlooked impact narcissistic parenting has on the developmental stages of children, from their tender infancy to their more...

Send us Fan Mail My grandfather Roger always said that the true measure of character is found not in comfort, but in the face of challenge.  In this episode, I share my story of a day I called my grandpa pretending to be sick when I was in high school. This story is a reminder that we need to place our children in uncomfortable situations to help them work on their inner dialogue and motivation. I...

Send us Fan Mail Being a new parent can make you feel really alone. But don't worry, I talked to Dr. Kelly Elliott and Dr. Tracy Vozar, and we had a chat that might make you feel better. Today, we talk about the different ways people raise kids and how it can affect our feelings. We also look at how feeling anxious and trying to be the perfect parent can make us feel really lonely. We talk ab...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to keep the spark alive in your relationship and fend off the threat of monotony that might edge you toward divorce? Join me, Cindy Hovington, along with Amy Morin, author of "13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do," as we uncover the secrets to a flourishing partnership that benefits not just you and your spouse, but your children as...

Send us Fan Mail Hang tight for a cozy chat that's like catching up with your parent BFF – we're spilling the beans on emotions and parenting with Jenny from EQ School. No fancy talk, just a laid-back convo packed with aha moments. From decoding our emotions to setting real, self-care boundaries, we're giving you the inside scoop on the family feels. This isn't your typical pod...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why your heart races with anticipation or why a simple hug can calm your nerves? Prepare to unlock the mysteries of your emotional landscape with the theories of Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of How Emotions are Made, as we examine the complex world of constructed emotions. I am reading her book and I want to share some key concepts with you that will change your pe...

Send us Fan Mail Today is a very special episode on emotional intelligence with world renowned researcher Dr. Marc Brackett, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. As we navigate the intricate ties between emotions, parenting, and education, Dr. Brackett shares his profound expertise on the RULER approach and the pivotal role of emotions in shaping our lives. Our conversation exte...

Send us Fan Mail Welcome to Curious Neuron, where our sixth season reminds you to prioritize your emotional health. Join me as we unearth the power of journaling and reflection. I also announce the launch of my new workbook called The Reflective Parent You can purchase it here if you are looking for support in working on yourself this year and relflecting on your emotional and mental well-being. h...

Send us Fan Mail Season five comes to a close, and what better way to bid adieu than with a heartfelt guide to steering through the festive frenzy as a parent? I'm Cindy Hevington, and this wrap-up is deeply personal as I share the trials my own family has faced, including my grandmother's recent diagnosis. But it's more than just a story; it's a treasure chest of strategies fo...