Zen Pop

Are you always volunteering for things you don’t want to do?  Cathy and Todd discuss “people pleasing” and follow up their discussion from last week about trying to “change” your partner (or anyone else for that matter).  They also discuss Cathy’s migraine headache, the differences between principles and laws, and why the OWN TV Network is so ridiculously great.

You want to grow, you want to learn, you want to more enlightened….that’s great, but don’t push it on the rest of the family!  Cathy and Todd discuss loving  your loved ones for who they are, not who you want them to be in the future.  Enjoy your journey and allow others to follow your lead!  And if “self help” or “new age” sounds to “out there&#8221...

We are so uncomfortable with anger, but the truth is that it’s there to HELP us.  It reminds us when our boundaries have been crossed or when we aren’t being true to ourselves.  Cathy and Todd share personal stories of anger and how it transformed their way of thinking.  Once we embrace how anger can be helpful, it won’t scare us as much when our children get angry.  They also di...

How do you support and understand a child who has experienced trauma?  Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of listening and supporting as a child grieves and processes through a challenging experience.  Remember that pain is pain – it could be the tragedy in Colorado, a divorce in the family, or the loss of a goldfish – children need to time to share their feelings and express their...

You may say this, but do you really do this?  When someone doesn’t agree with you, do you make them bad, wrong, or mean, or do you accept their differences and love them anyway?  Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of loving your neighbor (friend, opposing political party, etc) even when you don’t see eye to eye.  They also discuss how they handled the tree in their backyard being cu...

Cathy and Todd discuss “The Busy Trap” from the NY Times – do you create your own busyness or do you believe busyness “happens” to you? They also discuss mammogram anxiety and share tips to relieve doctor anxiety or everyday anxiety.

Cathy and Todd discuss why it’s important to role model contentment for our children.  Instead of believing that situations or people should “make us” content, can we find contentment in our own skin?  Is contentment the same thing as happiness?  Listen and find out!  They also discuss Cathy’s girl weekend, the hot weather, and whether or not Aquaman was a true superhero &#...

Why the truth will set you free! Cathy and Todd break down the differences between men and women. Plus Todd offers some tips to eliminate having to ask your wife, “What’s wrong?”  10 time before she’s ready to answer.  You only have to ask once if you listen to this podcast. Don’t miss the spat between Cathy and Todd regarding air conditioning usage and one really funny line, also the danger...

Todd doesn’t understand why women need to be asked -“What’s wrong?” 10 times before women will answer, and Cathy doesn’t understand why everybody tells Todd he looks like Tom Cruise (but he kind of does).  Todd and Cathy also discuss getting in the “now”, being mindful, and teaching our kids to do the same. Cathy’s workshop – Mind, Body, Spirit...

Did you view the commencement speech  about the kids not being special?  Do you think the speaker is right?  Do you believe that “trophies for everyone” is a bad idea? Cathy and Todd discuss what makes someone “special” and why making everything about “being the best” isn’t good for our kids.  Can we help our kids understand that they are special without m...

We get so excited for summer, but then we miss the structure of a school year.  Cathy and Todd discuss the joys and challenges of easing into the summer schedule, and finding the balance between structure and taking it easy.  They also discuss the demands and challenges of difficult people, and why hangovers just don’t make sense anymore.

Cathy and Todd discuss spanking and why it sends a mixed message.  Discipline means “to teach” so what are you teaching when you spank?  How are you feeling when you spank – can you separate feeling from action?  Listen as they discuss alternatives and why spanking is such a hot-button issue.        

Cathy and Todd discuss “reconnecting” with kids when they seem quiet, distant, or just completely uninterested in you.  Todd shares his struggle to connect with his daughter and realizes he may not be speaking her “ love language “.  They also discuss the importance of staying connected to older kids and the importance of physical touch.  

Is your kid shy?  Guess what?  It might not have anything to do with your child.  Take a look in the mirror.  Cathy and Todd speak about how they handled the times when their children clam up and how our own energy and discomfort might be playing a role. They also discuss some listeners who are having a hard time with potty training.  Have no fear, Zen Parenting is here.  We give you our tips on h...

Todd plays golf with his 9 year old daughter and desperately wants to “teach” her – Cathy suggests “playing” golf so she can develop an appreciation for the game.  If she’s interested,  then he can give her pointers – Todd disagrees – what do you think?  Are you gearing up for summer?  Cathy and Todd discuss striking a balance between activities and...

Cathy and Todd discuss why calling your child “good” or “bad” sends the wrong message.  They also talk about a challenging moment with their daughter (she says something disrespectful) and how they handle it (Todd isn’t proud of his behavior).  Cathy also shares her experience seeing the Dalai Lama and relays his message.  

Do you think girls and boys play sports differently?  Todd does.  Listen today as he shares his observations.  And Cathy shares 3 simple ways to be a more conscious parent.  They are simple, but they will make a big impact!  If you share a kind review about Zen Parenting on iTunes , you are in the running for a Zen Parenting t-shirt !  It’s not only cool, it’s comfortable!

Yes, you read that right.  Instead of telling your children you are proud, why not ask them how they feel about what they did?  Instead of having them impress you, why don’t you ask them to reflect on their sense of accomplishment?  It’s a great way to get them intrinsically motivated!  Cathy and Todd also discuss how you can listen, validate, and normalize while still saying NO.  Bein...

Why do we think our children need to be busy all of the time?  Because WE are busy all of the time.  Cathy and Todd discuss why sports and social activities can be good, but too much can be a problem.  Kids need to learn how to “BE” instead of  thinking they always need to “DO”.  It’s OK if our kids get bored – of course we can play every once in awhile, but its...

Cathy and Todd discuss The Hunger Games and why it’s so disturbing – and why does it get a PG-13 rating (kids killing kids!) while the documentary Bully gets an R rating for dropping a few f-bombs?  They also discuss why what you read or watch effects how you view the world (so choose wisely!).  Todd continues to find things that bug him and adds them to his tournament of “bad&#8...

The documentary called “Bully” comes out this Friday and everyone is talking about it.  From the rating to the relevancy, it’s touched a nerve everywhere.  Cathy and Todd discuss bullying, what bullies really want, and ways to support a child who is being bullied (and how to support a child who is bullying!).  They also talk about their new idea of  “ Tournament of Bad ” but for Parenting (Todd st...

Do you find yourself taking care of your children and helping your parents?  Cathy and Todd discuss the challenge of being in the “middle place”, but they also discuss why it can be a really beautiful time.  Make yourself a priority so you can be there for the people you love the most!   Read Cathy’s Chicago Now blog about her experience with her dad. Upcoming Zen Parenting event...

Todd and Cathy discuss questions from listeners – for example, how to not be “broken open” by your kids traumas, how to handle a pet dying, how to handle disrespectful or defiant behavior and much more.  They also waste some time talking about Friday the 13 th and Jason……do you remember his last name?  Cathy does!  And speaking of Friday the 13 th , Cathy and Todd will be teaching family at The Da...

Yes, Rush has apologized, but that’s after a lot people spoke up and said “this is not OK” – how do we “speak up” in our life without bringing anger to anger?  Can we stay conscious and kind even in a divisive situation like this?  Or do we go numb and do nothing at all?  Cathy and Todd discuss this and also share how they handled the death of their little blue fish Freddy. Cathy and Todd will be...

We have more influence than we think.  On today’s show we discuss last week’s episode of Modern Family.  Haley lost her virginity as a subplot of the show.  Was this inappropriate tv, or a vehicle to start an all important discussion.  Cathy and Todd go back and forth.  Where do you weigh in on the discussion?