Zen Parenting Radio

Todd and Cathy interview author/podcaster and all-around amazing guy- Rob Bell

Todd and Cathy discuss the different types Childhood Emotional Neglect (CEN) and why it’s important to recognize our own experiences and blindspots. They discuss Malcolm Gladwell’s new book, Talking to Strangers, and how it can help us think in a more nuanced and expansive way.

In the second half of this two part interview, Todd and Cathy talk with friend Dr. John Duffy about his new book Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Child's Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing Adolescence They discuss weed, gaming, identity traffic,  and much more.

Todd and Cathy discuss a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the people in our lives called the Enneagram - it’s a system of nine personality types that combines traditional wisdom with modern psychology. They discuss the light and dark of each number and why understanding the different types develops self-compassion and empathy for others.

Cathy+Todd introduce the speakers for the 5th annual Zen Parenting Conference, February 28+29, 2020. They share why there’s more to love, more to learn, and MORE TO THE STORY. The 2020 conference is for parents, educators, therapists and definitely TEENS. Go to zenparentingradio.com and click events for your early-bird tickets! Only $25 for a teen ticket!

Todd and Cathy discuss a powerful tool for understanding ourselves and the people in our lives called the Enneagram - it’s a system of nine personality types that combines traditional wisdom with modern psychology. They discuss the light and dark of each number and why understanding the different types develops self-compassion and empathy for others.

Cathy and Todd breakdown the manipulation tactic known as gaslighting, where the goal is to abuse or control through lying, manipulating, and destabilizing. They discuss how it can be used by partners, parents, friends, bosses, and the political system, and why self-awareness and reality testing are essential to keep yourself from being victimized. They also discuss Norway’s approach to childhood sports and how its contributed to their record-setting number of Olympic medals.

We couldn’t tape a show this week because Todd was sick ☹, so this is our Pop Culturing Podcast where we talk about the movie Say Anything… (1989) – we share why Lloyd and Diane’s love and friendship inspired us to be better people. We will return to our regularly scheduled programming next week! Say Anything ... is a 1989 American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Cameron Crowe in his directorial debut. The film follows the romance between Lloyd Dobler (John Cusack), an average student, and Diane Court (Ione Skye), the class valedictorian, immediately after their graduation from high school. In 2002, Entertainment Weekly ranked Say Anything ... as the greatest modern movie romance, and it was ranked number 11 on Entertainment Weekly's list of the 50 best high-school movies.

Cathy and Todd discuss the benefit of mental health days after a law passed in Oregon allowing them to be excused. They also discuss the light and dark side of empathy, and how pain and challenge is a an opportunity to become more compassionate toward ourselves and others. The discuss post-traumatic growth and how we are hard-wired to help people in need, especially if we relate to their experience.

Cathy and Todd discuss why alone time or time away from your partner can be healthy and connective. They share the benefits and discuss the balance of togetherness and individuation. They share why it’s important to keep a sense of self and why the healthiest partnerships exist within the paradox of safety and adventure.

Cathy and Todd discuss Stranger Things Season 3 and how it deals with grief, trauma, and growing up. They also discuss the “believe women” theme and all of the obvious and less obvious 80’s references.

Cathy and Todd discuss how we all have different approaches to challenging situations, and why there isn’t one way to speak up or solve a problem. They discuss how we can help children build a “self-awareness muscle” through question-asking and curiosity, and why understanding and honoring who we are is a life-long endeavor.

Todd and Cathy discuss Jon Krakauer’s book Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town and the documentary the Bystander Moment (ZPR and The Tribe Men’s Group are hosting a free screening of this movie at the Elmhurst Public Library on July 9th at 7 pm). They discuss the statistics and trauma of sexual assault, and the why it’s important to talk to our kids about entitlement, desire, and consent. They explain what it means to be an Upstander and why supporting and speaking up for others is a socially responsibility.

To celebrate their 500th episode and 8 years of podcasting, Todd and Cathy talk with their daughters Jacey (16), Camryn (14), and Skylar (11) about their experiences with “zen” parenting, and discuss the issues confronting teens and pre-teens today. Todd and Cathy also announce the launch of their new podcast, Pop Culturing - they discuss movies, tv shows and books, and break down key moments and little-known facts to touch upon underlying themes of self-awareness and what it means to be human.

Cathy and Todd discuss some questions that Lori Gottlieb addresses in her book, Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, and share their own experiences with being the practitioner and the patient.

Cathy and Todd discuss how fatherhood is being redefined and expanded as we learn more about ourselves and gender, Team Zen, Taylor Swift and much more...

Cathy and Todd discuss Sheryl Paul’s book The Wisdom of Anxiety, and why anxiety is an opportunity to be curious rather than afraid. They discuss how compassion, stillness, and gratitude play a role in understanding and coping with anxiety, and why anxiety is a wound and a messenger. They also discuss the Equal Rights Amendment and how it hasn’t yet been ratified by 38 states.

Todd and Cathy discuss Sister Joan Chittister and her new book The Time is Now: A Call to Uncommon Courage. They discuss civil discourse, why we get our loves out of order, and why we yearn for the genuine. They discuss why self-care is the first step toward bettering our partnerships, parenting, and engagement in community and activism.

Todd and Cathy talk with Gemma Hartley, author of Fed Up. They discuss emotional labor, how it affects partnership and parenting, and why it needs to be an evolving and ongoing conversation. Gemma will be taking questions during our Team Zen talk on June 4th – click here to join Team Zen and participate.

Cathy and Todd discuss why the new laws in Alabama and other states strip women of their reproductive and human rights. They discuss how we have to take a wider view and not assume everyone has access to the same resources or education. They discuss how men make these decisions but remove themselves from what should be legislated or criminalized, and how we could refocus our energy to educate and support all communities. This episode is for mature audiences.