Todd and Cathy Adams
Zen Pop
Zen POP is a podcast about understanding ourselves through the music, movies, and moments that shaped us. With a distinctly Gen X sensibility, we use pop culture as a mirror, reflecting our emotional patterns, relationships, blind spots, and where we’re still learning. Each episode starts with something we all know and love, then uses humor, memory, and shared reference points to go deeper into what we watch and listen to, what it reveals about us, and how those stories shape our relationships and our sense of self. We organize conversations into categories, themes, and “best of” lists because...
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Author
Todd and Cathy Adams
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Oct 13, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
Failure, Consent, & Kobe- Podcast #490 23.04.2019 42:12
Cathy and Todd discuss a sports psychologist Dr. Michael Gervais interview on Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. They discuss the difference between being the best and being your best. Time Stamps 4:42 Don’t tell your kids they can be president 13:55 Being the best vs being your best 18:38 Friday Night Lights clip 23:42 Ricky Henderson 26:54 Dax on #metoo 38:10 Painting or remodeling needs? ...
Permission Slips- Podcast #489 16.04.2019 58:38
Cathy and Todd discuss how to give ourselves permission to change or try something new. They share some wisdom from Oprah’s new book The Path Made Clear , and discuss why trusting and honoring ourselves can strengthen our relationships. Time Stamps 0:23 Painting or remodeling needs? Check out the bald headed beauty Jeremy Kraft @ Avid Don Wall Team Zen- 0 Pressure, 100% support Enter coupon cod...
Essentialism- Podcast # 488 09.04.2019 1:03:45
Todd and Cathy discuss Greg McKeown’s book Essentialism about how we can do less, but better. They discuss how to figure out what’s essential, how to let go of what we no longer need, and how essentialism relates to KonMari and the movie City Slickers. Time Stamps 3:50 Painting or remodeling needs? Check out the bald headed beauty Jeremy Kraft @ Avid 6:14 Essentialism by Greg McKeown 1:00:26 Te...
The Space Between- Podcast # 487 02.04.2019 49:32
Cathy and Todd discuss how parenting experts can appear to contradict each other (even when their information is valid), and why we need to know our family and trust our instincts when making parenting decisions. They discuss Gabor Matè’s interview on the Goop podcast , Lori Gottlieb’s interview on NPR’s Fresh Air , and they share MILCK’s #ICANTKEEPQUIET project. Time Stamps 2:53 Marianne Williams...
What makes us happy – Podcast #486 26.03.2019 50:38
Todd and Cathy discuss the lessons from the longest study about happiness from the Harvard Study on Adult Development . They discuss Steven Pinker’s data about the world getting better , and what Bill Gates and Warren Buffet both recommend for a happy life. Time Stamps 3:28 Why the “why” is important 6:15 Basics of the Harvard study 19:17 Boogie Wipes – enter coupon code “zen” f...
Public Shaming- Podcast #485 19.03.2019 47:13
Cathy and Todd discuss public shaming and why responsibility, humility, and reflection need to be a part of the process. They discuss John Oliver’s interview with Monica Lewinsky and the college admission scandal . Time Stamps 25:26 Boogie Wipes – enter coupon code “zen” for $5.00 off plus free shipping (>$25 order) 39:19 ImPACT Baseline Test – Enter “zen25”...
Greatest Hits from the 2019 ZPR Conference Podcast #484 12.03.2019 58:34
Cathy and Todd speak about the most impactful moments of this year’s conference. Time Stamps 16:03 Boogie Wipes – enter coupon code “zen” for $5.00 off plus free shipping (>$25 order) 37:44 ImPACT Baseline Test – Enter “zen25” to get 25% off your baseline test. 54:40 Team Zen 55:55 Painting or remodeling needs? Check out the bald headed beauty Jere...
Connection Is Everything Podcast # 483 05.03.2019 1:14:29
Todd and Cathy discuss Dax Shepard’s interview with Dr. John Gottman, and discuss his research around marriage, parenting, sex, and the key to longevity. Time Stamps 2:00 Shake Shack 4:38 Dax Shepard/ John Gottman Intro 7:42 Labeling kids 15:40 Differences b/w boys and girls 23:58 Boogie Wipes – enter coupon code “zen” for $5.00 off plus free shipping (>$25 order) 25:59 Tools...
School Decisions- Podcast #481 26.02.2019 53:43
Todd and Cathy discuss why parental self-awareness is essential when our kids are making their life decisions. They discuss how our history plays a role in what we think is best for our kids, and why we need to be clear about what “success” means. They discuss why what worked for us may not work for them, and why staying connected is dependent on honest and vulnerable communication. Time Stamps 5:...
Punitive vs Restorative- Podcast #480 19.02.2019 1:02:29
Cathy and Todd discuss the difference between a punitive (inflicting punishment) and restorative perspective (seeking to understand and address what happened to all involved), and why it’s important to recognize how we parent and why. They discuss why a restorative approach necessitates self-awareness and mindfulness, and why our willingness to effectively communicate with our kids about choices w...
Simplicity & Equifinality- Podcast #479 12.02.2019 58:19
Todd and Cathy discuss why focusing on simple allows other things to flow more easily, and why aligning with what feels right allows determination, grit, and curiosity to show up naturally. They discuss why Equifinality (the fact that there are many different pathways to the same outcome) is important to acknowledge when we are making choices for ourselves or for our children. Time Stamps 4:30 Sim...
Words Matter- Podcast #478 05.02.2019 51:38
Cathy and Todd discuss the Superbowl and the most impactful commercials, specifically The Washington Post commercial titled Democracy Dies in Darkness. They discuss how the Justice Department minimized the description of domestic violence and why less information can create more problems. They process Lady Gaga’s deposition for Kesha, the Dirty John Podcast, and why connection and listening are th...
What Parts Do You Repress?- Podcast #477 29.01.2019 58:14
Todd and Cathy discuss the shadow parts of themselves that they pretend aren’t there, and Todd shares an activity where he had to act out the parts he tries hardest to repress. They share why the people who annoy us tend to display traits in ourselves that we don’t want to look at, and why accepting all of our parts keeps us whole and develops our compassion. Time Stamps [2:02] Quick Takes [7:18]...
What Is Traditional Masculinity?- Podcast #476 22.01.2019 54:40
Todd and Cathy discuss the new American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines for men and boys, and why a Gillette ad about healthy masculinity has drawn so much criticism. Time Stamps: 3:13 Clip from the Better podcast discussing vaping, jeweling, etc. Dr. John Duffy 8:44 APA guidelines regarding “traditional masculinity” 25:04 ImPACT Baseline Test – Enter “zen25” to get 2...
Truth & Lies- Podcast #475 15.01.2019 1:10:46
Todd and Cathy discuss why instead of looking for truth, we can begin to notice the lies that we consistently tell ourselves. They discuss failure, and why Cody Parkey’s kick during the Bears game became a teachable moment. They talk about extended family, noticing our ego, and what we can learn from the movie Cocktail. Time Stamps: 0:55 How to deal with failure by Cody Parkey 12:45 ImPACT Baselin...
Take Turns- Podcast #474 08.01.2019 1:04:52
Cathy shares an essay by Mark Nepo about partners who are willing to take turns exploring the outer and the inner . They discuss why equality is like an unwinding onion with limitless new things to explore, while focusing on Glenn Close in The Wife and Amy Adams in Vice . They also talk about what “unlikability” means for female candidates, and why it’s important to discuss specifically what makes...
Team Zen Podcast #473 01.01.2019 1:05:19
Team Zen- Enter coupon code “Jan” for free month of January Todd and Cathy share different questions asked by Team Zen members during Zen Talks. Team Zen was created based on feedback from listeners – they wished they could ask Cathy+Todd a question, get resources for a specific challenge, and find a supportive and interactive community. Team Zen does all of this, and more. It includes...
Dark and Light Podcast #472 25.12.2018 45:27
Cathy and Todd discuss why light and dark are part of the holidays, and why every season has a purpose. They discuss Barbara Brown Taylor’s book, Learning to Walk in the Dark , and why embracing dark can make us more compassionate and integrated people. They discuss the challenges of spiritual bypassing and what Wayne Dyer meant when he said, “Learn to die while you are living” . Todd Adams Coachi...
There’s No Right Answer Podcast #471 18.12.2018 1:09:29
Todd and Cathy discuss Jonathan Haidt’s book The Coddling of the American Mind , specifically focusing on the interview with Sam Harris on the Waking Up podcast . They discuss why universities struggle with controversial speakers, why safe spaces were created, and why some people have a hard time viewing emotional pain as valid pain. They process why there are no simple answers, and how each situa...
Love Is Help- Podcast #470# 11.12.2018 1:03:00
Cathy and Todd introduce four more speakers and four special organizations who will be at the 2019 Zen Parenting Conference. They discuss a podcast featuring Tony Robbins and the author of The Untethered Soul, Michael Singer, and they play a clip from Will Smith about why love is help. Time Stamps 2:05 Conference intro 4:47 Jahmal Cole 9:09 Dr. Alexandra Solomon 11:41 Dr. John Duffy 16:24 Karen Br...
The Joke- Podcast #469 04.12.2018 50:46
Cathy and Todd discuss Brandi Carlisle’s song The Joke , and why it was written for people who feel “under-represented, unloved or illegal”. They talk about the newest sexual assault allegations, and what needs to be done to create change. The discuss the dignity of George HW Bush, and why his agenda while in office was surprising. Time Stamps 0:54 I Am Evidence Screening 3:10 Get Your Brave On Z...
The Sequel- Why Do We Have 2 Kidneys? So We Can Give 1 Away- Podcast #468 30.11.2018 1:00:46
Our friend Josh St. Pierre returns to the show to give us an update on his recent kidney transplant ( click here to listen to Josh’s first podcast where he shares his story ). He shares what it felt like to get the phone call about the potential match, how he’s reflecting and recovering, and why he’s grateful for the people and lessons learned along the way. Click here to learn more about organ do...
Narrate Your Own Story- Podcast #467 27.11.2018 1:09:44
Todd and Cathy discuss how we tell our story, and how we can frame it in a way that serves us rather than depletes us. They discuss why mindfulness and sharing our story are essential when dealing with trauma, and also when we are parenting and relating to our children. They discuss Mark Epstein’s books , Sharon Salzberg’s path to compassionate teaching, and why Michelle Obama says we need to own...
Becoming- Podcast #466 (Fixed) 20.11.2018 52:35
Cathy and Todd discuss Michelle Obama’s new book Becoming , focusing in on some of the best pieces of advice for parents and kids. They discuss why we are always evolving, why growth never ends, and why we should allow our kids (and ourselves) to fail, pivot, and change. Time Stamps 2:23 Don’t rake your leaves 4:15 International Men’s Day discussion 8:00 The power of voices 15:06 Confe...
More Words For Anger- Podcast #465 13.11.2018 1:10:11
Cathy and Todd discuss anger and how it can be productive, but also be destructive if not monitored. They discuss Pete Davidson’s apology and Lt. Com. Dan Crenshaw’s willingness to accept it on SNL this weekend . They discuss how Bridesmaids and Pitch Perfect allowed the women to be the complex characters, and why Bohemian Rhapsody is so fun to watch. Time Stamps 0:00 Review of “Bohemian Rha...
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