Zen Parenting Radio

Todd and Cathy discuss mortality and question why we shy away from talking about something we all share. Todd references a book called Being Mortal by Atul Gawande, and talks about an important conversation he had with his 93 year old grandmother. They also discuss how cancelling on friends through text has become the new normal, and why it’s important to be impeccable with our word and never take anything personally (Two of The Four Agreements).

Cathy and Todd discuss why it’s sometimes important to give your partner “credit” for introducing you to new ideas or experiences. Cathy admits that it was difficult when Todd first started doing yoga and getting interested in her line of work – she was excited for him, but she also felt like she losing a part of her identity.

We talk with Roman Krznaric, author, cultural thinker, and empathy expert. He has been named one of Britain’s leading popular philosophers, and he’s the founder of the Empathy Museum and the Empathy Library. Over half a million people have watched his RSA Animate video The Power of Outrospection (it’s a much watch!). Roman talks to us about the golden rule vs the platinum rule, how to raise empathetic kids, and why empathy has the power to change the world.

Cathy and Todd discuss empathy and how it relates to connection, self awareness, and parenting. They discuss how empathy is the necessary step, in all situations, toward real and meaningful change.

On today’s show we discuss Bryan Stevenson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Initiative, and why he is one of our heroes. We also discuss an episode of NPR's Invisibilia called Entanglement – specifically how it’s the explanation for why random people tell Cathy stories, and why she doesn’t like to answer the door for the pizza guy. Intrigued? You should be, this show goes deep!

On today’s show we discuss the documentary Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, and why ideology shapes our culture and our lives. We also discuss positive psychology and mindfulness – we focus on why it’s important to notice strengths as we deal with our challenges.

We speak with the Founder of Changing The Game Project John O'Sullivan. Their mission is to ensure that we return youth sports to our children, and put the ‘play’ back in ‘play ball.’ For every Tiger Woods and Andre Aggassi, there are thousands of others who are in it for the fun (until the adults take the fun out of it.)

Cathy and Todd discuss a New York Times article that makes a case for “free-range parenting”.  Why are we so fearful to let our kids roam free and have their own adventures, and do the statistics reinforce or dispute our fear? Parents have started calling the police when they see a child at the park unaccompanied – is this helpful or harmful to our way of living? They also discuss how to talk and stay connected to your child when they make a decision that disappoints you. The name of the article is The Case For Free Range Parenting by Clemens Wergin Other Resources Parent/Daughter date night!!!  Next in  is our ZPR community screenings is a documentary called The Empowerment Project.  This film documents ordinary women doing extraordinary things.  It's on Monday, May 18th @ York Theater in Elmhurst.  Click here for tickets. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTIogIwn8U0 Cathy's 3rd book, Living What You Want Your Kids To Learn- The Power of Self-Aware Parenting, is now on sale! Go here to order your book.

You’ve been let down, put down, you’ve failed, and you’ve had your heart broken. Once we reach a certain age, it’s a given that we will have dealt with lots of life’s challenges. But then what do we do?

On today’s show we discuss Interruption Science, the study of the effects of interruptions on job performance. Not only do interruptions challenge our job performance, but they challenge our parenting skills and our ability to feel calm and happy.

We speak with Dr. John Duffy the author of The Available Parent- Radical Optimism For Raising Teens and Tweens. He talks to us about how to minimize conflict and maximize satisfaction in your relationship with your child.

Cathy and Todd discuss why boys and men can experience emotional isolation and loneliness due to a lack of meaningful relationships with male friends.

Agression. British theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking believes that the greatest threat facing us today is our inability to “correct our aggression”.

We discuss the book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success – How We Can Learn to Fulfill Our Potential, specifically the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset by Carol Dweck.

We speak with Author Annie Burnside about her book "From Role to Soul: 15 Shifts on the Awakening Journey" From her work with many who have awakened, Annie has learned that what it takes for us to finally quit trying to awaken, and simply awaken, is highly individualized.

Cathy and Todd discuss the Oscars, specifically all of the amazing speeches and shout-outs for social change. They answer a listener’s question about a son that doesn’t want to be involved in extracurricular activities, and another question about how to parent together with different philosophies.

We discuss Cindy Crawford’s non-photoshopped picture that went viral and how women were normalized by its authenticity. We also discuss how to see situations from a child’s perspective and why it made sense when our youngest daughter ate a sleeve of Hershey kisses – instead of insisting that our kids listen to us, we can make sure we are listening to them. A listener appreciates how his partner tells him the truth, and we discuss the importance of being thoughtful when offering feedback to someone you love.

Cathy and Todd talk to Tara Mohr, an expert on women’s leadership and well-being. She is the author of Playing Big: Find Your Voice, Your Mission, Your Message, and she’s the creator of the Playing Big leadership program for women. Cathy first heard Tara Mohr at an Emerging Women conference, and she fell in love with her message and book. Listen as Tara talks about why women get blamed for not playing big, the two kinds of fear that hold us back, and why our inner mentor is our greatest guide. Find Tara at http://www.taramohr.com/ and read her viral blog post, 10 Rules for Brilliant Women.

And not everything that can be counted counts." Albert Einstein Today we discuss our workshop with Dr. Daniel Siegel, Psychiatrist and Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute, where we learned more about mindfulness and how it can change every aspect of our lives AND our children’s lives.

Todd and Cathy discuss a blog that offers 5 ways to raise kind children. They also talk about “dementia of the pre-occupied”, not a true diagnosis, but a great description of what it feels like when you begin forgetting why you walked into a room or what you planned to say next.