Zen Pop

Todd and Cathy discuss how to get in touch with our essential humanity to navigate difficult times. They talk about getting up again and again, specifically how to pay attention, make a difference, and focus on what matters most. They also discuss Tom Cruise movies, Stranger Things, Mythology, and finding joy in what inspires us.

Cathy and Todd discuss the impact of the overturn of Roe V Wade, finding joy through the sadness, and how we can show up during difficult times.  We also mention this blog by Adam Grant titled How to Argue about Abortion

Cathy & Todd discuss how paradoxical emotions are common and normal, and how we can accept rather than avoid our emotional experiences. They discuss why experiencing uncomfortable emotions are not a failure or an inability to keep our inner impulses in check, but rather the way we experience the normal ups and downs of life. They also debate whether the person grilling has the most power and how C...

Todd & Cathy are joined by two of their daughters (Camryn, 17 & Skylar, 14) to discuss Season 4, Volume 1 of Stranger Things. They discuss how the season was influenced by horror movies from the 80’s (Carrie, The Amityville Horror, A Nightmare on Elm Street to name a few….) plus other fan favorites from Generation X (Star Wars, War Games, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, etc). They each choose a song...

Cathy and Todd talk with actor, comedian, and author Michael Ian Black (The State, Wet Hot American Summer, Inside Amy Schumer, The Baxter) about his  book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son. They discuss healthy masculinity, why language keeps us from understanding each other, and how communication and empathy can keep us connected to ourselves and our kids.

Todd and Cathy discuss common sense gun laws that can make a difference, and discuss the work that Moms Demand Action and Founder Shannon Watts have done and are doing. They discuss how optimism is the recognition that something can be done, and also how taking care of yourself and taking breaks from the news are part of the process. They also discuss Cathy’s latest Zen Parenting Moment about Stra...

Todd and Cathy talk with Ben Feller, former AP White House reporter under George W Bush and Barack Obama, and now author of Big Problems, Little Problems, a story of how a dad teaches his son to solve the daily challenges of life. They discuss priorities, lessons from our children, what it’s like to work in the White House, the state of journalism, and also debate their favorite journalism movies...

Cathy and Todd process what “every day is a good day” actually means, and how to recognize the challenges of the world and also take care of ourselves in our day to day lives. They also discuss disenfranchised grief (when your grieving doesn't fit in with your larger society's attitude about dealing with death and loss) and how to recognize and process what hurts, even if others can’t relate.

  Buy Cathy’s Book Zen Parenting Radio Thursday, June 9th @ 7:30 Central MenLiving Tri-faith Panel Watch this podcast on Vimeo here  Time Stamp 5:50 Defining the problem 16:40 Mental health crisis 23:40 Priorities as it relates the money 24:58 Women’s issues 39:02The happiness gap 42:20 three t’s- tuning in, talking more, taking turns 57:34 Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Paintin...

Cathy and Todd discuss why a wider perspective (instead of a personal narrative) is needed when we talk about the potential overturning of Roe v Wade and reproductive rights. They discuss why having proximity and understanding of other people’s experiences can develop our compassion and desire to support rather than harm. They process how in the end we all want the same things (love, family, welln...

We talk with Debi Lewis, author of Kitchen Medicine: How I Fed My Daughter Out of Failure to Thrive about feeding her child who struggled to eat. Her memoir shares how she learned to love food, navigate a complex medical system, deal with diet culture, and advocate for her family.

Todd and Cathy discuss the meaning of nostalgia (as discussed in Atlas of the Heart) and share how it effects our parenting, politics, and perspective. They discuss Senator Mallory McMorrow’s speech from last week, and the difference between fitting in and true belonging.

Cathy and Todd discuss Susan Cain’s new book, Bittersweet, and also Brenè Brown’s Atlas of the Heart TV series on HBO Max. They discuss what bittersweet looks and feels like, and why it can offer a more accurate depiction of reality. They discuss bittersweet experiences, music, and why sad songs make us happy.

We talk with Kaley & Nate Klemp, authors of The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship. We discuss invisible labor, fairness, compassion, and what to do if one partner is reluctant to make a change.

Todd and Cathy discuss prioritizing mental and emotional well-being above all other things. School, sports, and other issues can still be expectations, but during this time of elevated teen anxiety and depression, we can focus on the most important thing which is their emotional health. They also discuss Lady Gaga and Liza Minnelli’s Oscar moment, and Cathy’s Zen Mother’s Day Event, A Virtual and...

Cathy and Todd discuss the cyclical nature of abuse and how to recognize red flags and help our kids recognize them, too. They discuss Evan Rachel Wood’s documentary, Phoenix Rising about her history with Marilyn Manson, and how other documentaries and even personal stories have similar patterns and experiences. They discuss how to notice and create a conversation around grooming, love bombing, ga...

Cathy and Todd discuss the cyclical nature of abuse and how to recognize red flags and help our kids recognize them, too. They discuss Evan Rachel Wood’s documentary, Phoenix Rising about her history with Marilyn Manson, and how other documentaries and even personal stories have similar patterns and experiences. They discuss how to notice and create a conversation around grooming, love bombing, ga...

Todd and Cathy discuss why it’s necessary to regroup (especially when we are hit with bad news most days) and how regrouping is just like the tide going in and out – sometimes we go all in, and then we recede – repeat. They discuss how to practice devotion, the work of Gabor Matè, and taking a wider view when it comes to Ukraine, “Don’t Say Gay”, and other challenging events.

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.

Todd and Cathy discuss managing so many difficult things at one, and how the grief process is a way to understand and manage pain. They discuss Ukraine, Dopesick and Michael Keaton’s acceptance speech, and the everyday experiences in our homes, lives, and abroad that force us to wake up to what’s important.

Cathy and Todd discuss how Zen Parenting Radio started and play a clip or two from their first podcast (11 years ago!). They discuss what they’ve learned, their most humbling experiences, and then share the prologue from Cathy’s audiobook (also titled Where It All Began).

Todd and Cathy discuss how to approach our children when they are struggling – do we give them space, keep showing up, or both? They discuss the importance of paying attention to our inner workings so we can role model what this looks like for our kids, and they offer guidance on how to develop our emotional literacy so we can pay closer attention to how we feel.

Todd and Cathy discuss conversational dynamics and how we can pay better attention when talking to our kids or partner. They also share why human behavior is similar to financial markets, and why bands have so many farewell tours.

Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 5 "The Right to Speak and Hear Truth" of Cathy's new book : Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world.  Topics covered: self expression, the art of communication, words are things, heard and understood, learning differences

Todd and Cathy discuss chapter 4 "The Right to Love and Be Loved" of Cathy's new book : Zen Parenting: Caring for Ourselves and our Children in an Unpredictable world.  Topics covered: Open heartedness, empathy, self-compassion, breathing, grief