Zen Pop

Cathy and Todd discuss Susan David’s book and TED Talk about emotional agility and why the ability to be agile leads to healthy human beings. They discuss why we need the skills to deal with the world as it is, and why sharing our emotions allows us to pay attention to our values and notice what’s working in our lives and families.

Todd and Cathy discuss the double bind of “do no harm”, in that all decisions, even educated and well-thought out choices, may impact some negatively. They discuss the positive impact of empathy and the danger of gaslighting, and share Anne Lamott’s theories around hatred and self-understanding.

Cathy interviews Todd, Frank Naugo, & Shaun Emerson discussing the relaunch from the Tribe Men's Group over to Men Living.  They discuss the resources available that will help men step up to make a more harmonious world.  

Cathy and Todd discuss how the election has provided a more sturdy foundation to rebuild trust, beauty, and a sense of self and community. They discuss how we can continue to do small acts of kindness, continue our activism, and remember to “sing while filled with our dreams and troubles”.

Todd and Cathy discuss getting through difficult and vulnerable moments (like election day) and how self-compassion and mindfulness are key. They discuss coping mechanisms versus escapism, how to effectively breathe, and why we should check-in on our strong friends.

Cathy and Todd discuss Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how Ezra Klein’s article in Vox used Maslow’s work to explain the importance of next week’s election. They discuss the importance of the election, what’s at stake, and why we need to remember our dignity, humanity, and interconnectedness as we move through this week and into 2021.

Cathy and Todd discuss Emily and Amelia Nagoski’s book Burnout, and how we can better process and release the stress we experience. They discuss their interview on the Unlocking Us podcast with Brene Brown, and the seven things we can do to make a difference in our overall well-being. They also discuss why women experience stress differently than men, and why rest, human connection, and befriendin...

Cathy+Todd discuss Cathy’s recent Zen Parenting Moment about how to guide our children with humility, and why spiritual narcissism can lead us to believe we have all of the answers. They discuss the HBO documentary The Vow and why in all situations we need to stay connected to our own inner knowing.

Relationship expert Dr. Alexandra Solomon join Cathy and Todd to discuss why dominance isn’t strength when it comes to politics, partnership, and parenting, and why last week’s debate was so difficult to watch. They discuss the necessary breakthroughs for a successful marriage, and what it means to hold space for someone we love.

Cathy and Todd talk with Rosalind Wiseman (Founder of Cultures of Dignity and author of Queen Bees and Wannabees) about her new book The Distance Learning Playbook for Parents and her “Tiny Guides” to help you quickly comprehend core social and emotional concepts.

Cathy and Todd discuss losing RBG and why we have to practice what she taught us rather than decide all is lost. They discuss how we can grieve and also be strong, be afraid but also find joy. They discuss the importance of mindfulness and share Author Michael Singer’s description of a strong heart.

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...