Zen Pop

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.

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.

Todd and Cathy discuss cognitive distortions, or habitual ways of thinking that are often inaccurate and negatively biased. They discuss how addressing these distortions are at the heart of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). They also share their favorite scary shows for spooky season and why it’s best to not work through other people’s problems.

Cathy and Todd discuss how “loading the language” and using jargon can be purposeful in building community, but can also veer toward excluding and feeling more “special” than others. They discuss how certain wellness communities, organizations, and workout facilities can feel “cult-ish” and how personal agency and individual integrity are essential in staying grounded.

Cathy and Todd discuss why order, disorder, reorder is a natural parental rhythm, and why getting out of rhythm is an opportunity for new learning. They also discuss why not knowing what comes next keeps us human nd why it’s OK to not be good at everything.

Todd and Cathy talk with Jayson Gaddis about his new book Getting to Zero, and how to manage conflict in our most important relationships (partnership, parenting, even work!). Todd & Cathy walk through a few of their challenges and Jayson offers reframes & considerations that focus on compassion toward ourselves & each other. Available today!

Cathy & Todd discuss why difficult conversations are necessary and allow for deeper connection and intimacy. They also answer a listener question about how to talk to our young teens about relationships and sex.

Todd and Cathy talk to Rob Bell about his new Everything is Spiritual Tour and how our creative impulses and willingness to speak up keep us true and connected.

Cathy and Todd discuss Cathy’s book (now available for preorder, available everywhere 2/1/22) and the process of condensing 10 years of podcasts, 20 years of clinical practice, and 50 years of living into one book.

Todd and Cathy discuss an episode of We Can Do Hard Things and the difference between feeling deeply and feeling cognitively. They discuss how each style has its benefits, and why the blend of both can help us take action and create change.

Cathy and Todd discuss the new Texas law that strips women of their privacy, their dignity, and their physical and mental health.

Cathy and Todd discuss how to declutter our parenting minds so we can really be with the child who is in front of us. They discuss how parenting is rollercoaster, how life is a toggle between fear and joy, and how life is not a linear journey like a train, it’s a sailboat ride filled with adventure.

Todd & Cathy discuss the difference between saying “I have anxiety” and “I feel anxiety” and the difference between anxiety and fear. They also discuss three different stress responses in kids and how we can better support them when they are feeling overwhelmed.

Cathy & Todd discuss self-betrayal, taking breaks, and how to share our opinion while respecting the inherent dignity of others. They discuss how to keep going when we feel stuck and the pillars we can rely on in the midst of a crisis.

Todd and Cathy discuss shifting from summer into school year, and why it can feel anxiety provoking. They also discuss how we can better understand our worry, and how we can help our children find balance this year.

Cathy and Todd discuss how similar anxiety and excitement feel, and how we can channel the negative arousal of anxiety into a motivating experience of excitement. They also discuss Simone Biles’ decision to make her mental wellness a priority, and why rejection carries wisdom if we are willing to examine our experiences.

Cathy + Todd discuss Dr. John Duffy’s recent CNN article, Your tweens and teens are lonely – and they want your help. They share why our kids may be pretending to be okay when they are not, and how we can stay connected and engaged even when our kids seem to be pulling away.

Todd and Cathy discuss how to allow for difficult emotions while releasing judgment, shame, or fear about how we are feeling. They also discuss why labeling ourselves can be counterproductive and what it means to feel sparkle and terror.

Todd and Cathy discuss the strengths of Highly Sensitive People and how these traits can be understood and utilized to navigate parenting and partnership. They also discuss why the brain can remember every word from an 80’s song but it can can’t come up with a simple word like “mailbox”. Podcast – The Good Life Project – Dr. Elaine Aron 

Cathy & Todd discuss offering and receiving feedback from our children and why it’s important to stay curious rather than defensive. They discuss how parents say that “their kids can tell them anything”, but how kids don’t always feel this way due to poor communication and overreaction.

Cathy and Todd discuss Chatter: The Voice in our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Cross and how our capacity for introspection can morph into a cycle of negative thinking. They discuss some of his suggested tools for self-regulation and real-world examples of taming our inner voice.

Todd and Cathy discuss a Freakanomics interview with Angela Duckworth about self-esteem, and what it takes to raise children who feel empowered. They also discuss how we can find meaning in our experiences, and the difference between heeding and exceeding limits.

Todd and Cathy discuss Najwa Zebian’s book, Welcome Home, and how we can find a home inside ourselves instead of searching for home in other people. They also discuss the concept of “praxis” which means turning theory into practice and then reflection. They celebrate Pride month and share why all people (especially parents) need to become competent and educated allies for the LGBTQ+ community.

Todd and Cathy discuss Ethan Hawke’s TED talk about creativity and why what we love is our offering to the world. They discuss why creativity matters and how offering and receiving sustains us. They share how creativity effects our relationships and parenting, and how we are either “jackhammers” or “hummingbirds”.

Cathy and Todd discuss Adam Grant’s article about languishing (the middle place between thriving and depression) and Rob Bell’s podcast about discomfort and “upgrading”. The process how word usage plays a role in our motivation and why doing nothing is an important something.