Zen Pop

Todd and Cathy emphasized the importance of understanding and connecting with daughters, using Cathy's upcoming book on parenting girls as a guide. They shared personal experiences and strategies for maintaining strong relationships with children, highlighting the need for physical presence, understanding, and adapting communication styles. They also stressed the importance of respecting individua...

Todd and Cathy bring calm in the context of an upcoming election. They discussed the importance of self-compassion, its three components, and the concept of mindfulness, emphasizing that self-compassion is not about letting oneself off the hook, but rather about treating oneself with kindness and understanding. They also highlighted the challenges of balancing emotions and planning for the future,...

Todd and Cathy emphasized the importance of supporting children through their challenges, the need for parents to understand their children's perspectives, and the significance of civic engagement, particularly voting. They also discussed the importance of critical thinking, questioning authority, and engaging with adults, while expressing concern about the current political climate and the need f...

Todd and Cathy explored the concept of love bombing, its connection to cults and abusive relationships, and the importance of teaching children to recognize and navigate such situations. The conversation also touched on Todd's experience at an event addressing domestic violence, Cathy's upcoming book, and the significance of intuition and boundary-setting in relationships.

Cathy & Todd explore anxiety spirals sharing personal experiences and strategies for managing anxiety, including mindfulness, grounding techniques, self-soothing methods, and healthy distractions.

Todd & Cathy shared the pervasive nature of comparison culture in various aspects of life.  They  emphasized the importance of self-awareness, individuality, and understanding the underlying motivations behind one's actions and desires, rather than just focusing on external validation. They also discussed the impact of social media on comparison culture, the importance of empathy and kindness, and...

We discuss the importance of self-understanding, real conversations with children, and the impact of labels on their development. Discussions also focused on mental well-being, resilience, and personal growth in children, emphasizing the need to allow them to explore their own interests and make decisions.

Dr. John Duffy joins us as we take questions from Team Zen regarding teens experimenting with drugs and alcohol, lack of motivation, screen time, time management, and challenges with youth sports coaches.  

Todd and Cathy discuss the paradox of feedback as well as the 8 C's of IFS (Internal Family Systems)

Todd and Cathy discuss cell phone use in schools, and the challenges of navigating through difficult situations such as elderly care and relationship dynamics. They also highlighted the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and self-care in dealing with such situations. Lastly, they discussed the top 10 common obstacles families face when dealing with aging parents.

Todd and Cathy discussed the importance of self-understanding, open communication, and healthy boundaries in parenting and relationships. They also highlighted the value of shared experiences, respect, and emotional regulation in building strong relationships. Additionally, they touched on the appeal of various forms of media and the need for ongoing conversations about family history and challeng...

Todd and Cathy discuss the concept of milestones in parenting, emphasizing the importance of allowing children to develop at their own pace and encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones. They shared personal anecdotes about their own children's developmental differences and their experiences with spiders, cicadas, and flies. They also highlighted the challenges and milestones of parentin...

Todd and Cathy discuss projection and why sometimes we are projecting, sometimes we are reacting, sometimes we are sharing our feelings, and sometimes it's a mix of all three! They also discuss why the first day of school (from Kindergarten through college) is filled with both joy and fear, and reminisce about how the saxophone is used in so many 80s movie scores and pop music.

Cathy and Todd discuss the new language around healthy masculinity, inspired by Vice Presidential nominee Tim Walz, and they explore how men can embrace traditional masculine traits while also valuing and expressing compassion and kindness. They talk about the small happy things—those small, happy moments that not only boost our mood but also improve our overall perspective. They also discuss stra...

Cathy and Todd talk about anxiety and why it’s a completely normal part of life. They explain how anxiety isn’t just a response to stress but a built-in part of our survival system. Using the movie Inside Out 2, they show how anxiety, like the other emotions in the film, helps us navigate uncertainty and stay safe. They also offer practical tips for managing anxiety and discuss how accepting and u...

Cathy and Todd discuss life trajectories, emphasizing that success isn't confined to a single right path, way, class, major, or job. They highlight the importance of children trusting their instincts and their own knowledge as they go through life. They also explore how resilience and adaptability are developed through every setback, and how we can help our children feel supported and trusted as t...

Cathy and Todd discuss cognitive labor, which is the mental effort and worry of anticipating needs, considering options, making decisions, and tracking progress in the home and with kids. They explore how it's connected to emotional and invisible labor and stress the importance of ongoing discussions to reduce resentment and ensure everyone feels seen and understood.

Todd and Cathy emphasize the importance of being present, thinking critically, and doing in parenting, and discussed the concept of human archetypes and the need to focus on the present moment. They also shared personal anecdotes about balancing 'being', 'doing', and 'thinking', and discussed the challenges of societal expectations and the importance of living authentically. Lastly, they addressed...

Cathy & Todd discuss why our kids feel pressure to conform, focusing on when it’s developmentally appropriate and when it may be cause for concern. They also discuss how adults feel the same pressure to conform, emphasizing why relating to our kids, rather than judging them, is more impactful for their learning and for maintaining our connection.

Todd and Cathy discuss the importance and value of difficult conversations in partnership and parenting, emphasizing the two extremes: complete avoidance or overbearing insistence on discussing things. They explore how to find a middle ground—being approachable and open, but also willing to set boundaries and agree to expectations. This approach allows for a home environment where real conversatio...

Todd and Cathy discuss what brings us joy when we are young versus what brings us joy when we are older. They also discuss agreements that can be made within a relationship to keep communication open and healthy. They share why it’s important to appreciate who we are and where we are now, rather than trying to return to a certain time, body, or mindset that may not align with who we have become.

Todd and Cathy discuss who's in the inner circle of the Brat Pack and who is Brat Pack adjacent based on their memories from the 80s and their experience with Andrew McCarthy’s Brat Pack Documentary. They discuss how growth and self-awareness play significant roles in the documentary, and why some individuals evolve faster than others. They also touch on Inside Out 2 and address a listener questio...

Cathy and Todd discuss how women are socialized to become smaller and more restricted, and then begin to unwind and unfold this process once they become aware of what's happening. Cathy provides an overview of this in her Substack titled 'Women Unfolding,' explaining why this is the image she sees in her mind when she works with women. Todd shares his version of men unfolding, and they discuss son...

Todd and Cathy discuss acceptance and emphasize the importance of releasing old ideas and remaining open to new ones in order to figure out how to accept and move forward. They also discuss the reality of nuance and paradox, explaining why decision-making is not about finding the 'right' decision, but rather the right decision for right now. The also talk about Tim McGraw's music and how it remind...

Cathy and Todd discuss why necessary conversations are so difficult to manage and why and how we try to avoid them. They share examples of the experiences that lead to avoidance and offer insights into developing understanding instead. They emphasize why the most challenging and reactive conversations can be pivotal for relationships and lead to greater intimacy.