Zen Parenting Radio

Todd and Cathy discuss the grief and joy of back to school, and why they are memorable moments in time. Todd helps Cathy process through why this time of year is especially hard, and they discuss all the personas and running tapes that live inside of us and want to be heard. They also discuss why it’s important to be gentle with ourselves and how doing our “best” can mean something different every day.

Todd and Cathy discuss why it’s important for dads to practice feeling so their kids come to them with their pain and big emotions. They discuss why dads think moms are just “better” at feeling, and how kids can develop a trusted relationship, regardless of gender, if they feel seen and heard. They also discuss the importance of integrity and how we can use baseball stats to better understand our parenting.

Cathy and Todd discuss Adam Grant’s research around why humans are fascinating, especially when it comes to parenting and partnership. They also discuss why optimism is essential and the beer-drinking games people play.

Cathy and Todd discuss how to “practice” peace through embracing our anger and how gender can play a role in how we experience anger. They also discuss how they differ in their driving choices and how making decisions that make you feel peaceful are the best approach.

Todd and Cathy talked with Dr. Dan Peters, psychologist, author, and host of the Parent Footprint Podcast. They discussed the difference between anxiety, fear, and worry, how to identify “paper” tigers, and how to talk to our kids about real world threats and safety.

Cathy and Todd discuss the truth about suffering (or life is suffering) which is #1 of The Four Noble Truths. They discuss how this truth is so easily misinterpreted and how it actually offers deep wisdom and relief. They use several analogies and metaphors to make their point (some better than others…) and recognize the resilience and hope that lives at the heart of our experiences.

Todd and Cathy discuss focusing on the little things to find joy, especially finding a sense of community and paying attention to nature. They discuss how to “do hard better”, how to take care of ourselves during difficult times, and the genuine and warm nature of Jeff Bridges

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 Chicago baseball is going.

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 to help them run away from Vecna, process the show’s best characters, and share their hottest takes from this season and what comes next.

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 Stranger Things and Kate Bush, and her recent interview with Lewis Howes on The School of Greatness Podcast.

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 (Michael Keaton happens to be in two of them….)

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, Painting, Remodeling includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration. 1:01:48 MenLiving - A virtual and in-person community of guys connecting deeply and living fully. No requirements, no creeds, no gurus, no judgements All things ZPR can be found on our Resources Page This week’s sponsor(s): Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration. Resources Parent Nation  

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, wellness), but we tend to turn on each other instead of band together in establishing a collective good.

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.