Zen Pop

Todd and Cathy announce and discuss the speakers for their 2017 Zen Parenting Let’s Get Real Conference . New York Times Best-Selling Author and Oprah favorite Rob Bell , parenting educator and author of Queen Bees and Wannabes (the basis of the 2004 film  Mean Girls ) Rosalind Wiseman , and Executive Director of the Holistic Life Foundation, a safe space for learning mindfulness in the inner city...

Cathy and Todd discuss how The Brady Bunch is a great learning tool and why it’s still relevant today. They answer a listener’s question about how to help her son with friendships, and why caring and loving too much can actually be a problem. They finish by discussing Tony’s Robbins appearance on Super Soul Sunday and why things can be easy to teach, but hard to apply. Upcoming Events MON, SEP 26...

emda9pet Todd and Cathy discuss how when we give up control, we recognize that we never had control in the first place. They process what it means to have humility, be patient with the “not knowing”, and be appreciative for the right now. They discuss why the oldest child is expected to be most responsible, Todd’s most recent experience with letting go, and Dr. Shefali’s most recent appearance on...

Todd and Cathy discuss the book Words Can Change Your Brain and process why “compassionate communication” supports healthy relationships and the brain development of our children. They also discuss the impact of an all-female Ghostbusters cast and how a female presidential nominee shapes the way boys and girls see each other. Upcoming Events MON, SEP 26 AT 7:00 PM, ELMHURST, IL Zen Parenting Prese...

Cathy and Todd discuss how we can shift the dynamics of any situation by “flipping the script” (as explained in this Invisibilia podcast ). They also discuss why we have to keep peace inside so we can keep peace outside, why we have to question the negativity that we hear, and why the journey from the head to the heart is always the longest and most important. They end the show with a  poem by Mat...

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. ~Charles Dickens Cathy and Todd discuss how to process the continuous bad news and stay in a place of compassion. They talk about the importance of mercy and grace, and how we can all contribute to a ripple effect of goodness. They discuss  Tony Robbins new documentary , Mark Nepo’s wisdom , and share some advice from Martha Beck . Upcoming Even...

Cathy and Todd discuss privilege and why self-awareness is essential when we are talking about societal racism. They also discuss why recognizing injustice is not synonymous with taking sides, how we can talk to our children about injustice, and why the best leadership is calm. They share clips from The Daily Show , President Obama , and Michael Franti’s “Same As It Ever Was”  song. They end by di...

Cathy and Todd discuss why we “force” our children to try new things, and why this is usually about our fear rather than theirs. They also talk about the importance of strong moral character ( based on this article from the Tribune ), why we need to allow our children to process through their emotions, and why communal movie time can keep a family connected. They explain what it means to play “Psy...

Todd and Cathy talk with Georgia DeClark, preschool teacher and parent coach who’s life took a dramatic turn when she decided to come out at 60. She talks about her fear, how her grown children handled the news (we are also joined by her son Greg), and how she finally feels free to be her most authentic self. They announce the screening of Screenagers at York Theater on Sept 26, 2016. Click here f...

…so you can be content when you achieve your goals. Cathy and Todd talk about why striving and goal-setting can keep us from contentment, and why money doesn’t equal happiness. They discuss why actor Tony Hale didn’t feel any happier after getting a major role on Arrested Development (hint: he realized he wasn’t living in the moment), and how Lady Gaga  found peace and reconnected to her authentic...

Todd and Cathy talk with entrepreneur Jill Salzman about Founding Moms , a collective of  offline meetups  and  online resources  (based all over the world) where mom entrepreneurs can exchange, connect and learn from one another. Jill shares her authentic take on work and mothering and how women are changing the workplace and supporting each other. Check out Foundingmoms.com and listen to for mor...

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...