05/07/2024
Man or Bear- Why Did It Go Viral? Episode #763 Cathy and Todd discussed the viral "man or bear" debate, addressing why many women felt compelled to pick "bear" and why some men felt hurt or angry. They discussed the importance of listening and empathy when it comes to other people’s experiences and how being defensive might be our initial reacti
04/30/2024
Mornings with Teenagers- Episode #762 Todd and Cathy discuss how to talk to kids in the morning without being too annoying. They also discuss when to use Gen Z slang and when not to, and why not “needing” too much from our kids makes us easier to talk to. They also discuss Taylor’s new album, the movie Swingers, and why pop culture make
04/23/2024
Teenage Boys and Belonging- Episode #761 Todd and Cathy discussed the importance of developing talents and the challenges of pursuing one's passions. They also emphasized the need for understanding and empathizing when teenage boys lash out or question their belonging (they share an audioclip from Dr. John Duffy). They shared the differenc
04/16/2024
Weaponized Incompetence- Episode #760 Cathy and Todd discuss the distinction between weaponized incompetence and regular incompetence, exploring how gender norms and societal expectations shape these ideas. They engage in real-time reflection on how they navigate these dynamics within their partnership and parenting, and they stress the
04/09/2024
The Two Secrets to Parenting – Episode #759 Todd and Cathy discuss two factors that make parenting feel more self-directed and understandable. While it will still be messy, unpredictable, and tiring, at least you will feel more in your integrity while doing it! They also talk about listening skills, anxiety, NCAA basketball, and Beyoncé’s new
04/02/2024
Curiosity Creates Connection- Episode #758 Todd and Cathy discuss about how genuine curiosity helps our kids really hear us and value what we're saying. The same goes for understanding each other in a partnership or empathizing with someone from a different gender perspective. When we're open about not having all the answers, it paves the wa
03/26/2024
The Do’s & Don’ts of Emotional Conversations- Episode #757 Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of emotional conversations with our kids and why we need to pay attention to how we experience and perceive what our children are telling us. They discuss what kids really need from us when they are emotional and how we can support them without absolving or abso
03/19/2024
The Ordinary is the Extraordinary- Episode #756 Todd & Cathy discuss why it’s the ordinary moments that make us feel connected and content, and why what we end up missing are the simple things, not the big things. They also discuss the five things that make someone a Gen Xer, have a follow-up discussion about astrology and its usefulness, and Cat
03/12/2024
The Stories We Tell Ourselves- Podcast #755 Todd and Cathy discuss the stories we create about our lives and process whether or not we can reconsider our stories – not to deny reality, but to focus on what’s working rather than what’s lost. They also talk about role models for men, why it’s important to acknowledge every aspect of ourselves,
03/05/2024
Even Nothing is Something- Podcast #754 Cathy and Todd discuss why we struggle to show up as fully ourselves in groups, and how we can get better at noticing this behavior. Then Todd says, “I’m just not feeling it” so they move into a pop culture conversation that seems to be about nothing, or maybe it was about a lot of little somethings
02/27/2024
How Our Past Shapes Today – Episode #753 Cathy and Todd discuss how our upbringing shapes our current approach to parenting, share why some traditional parenting tricks fall short, and attempt to redefine romance—it's not just about grand gestures, but the heartfelt intentions behind them.
02/20/2024
Are We Over-Involved in Our Adult Children’s Lives? The Research Might Surprise You- Episode #752 Cathy and Todd discuss an article from The New York Times titled, 'Parents Are Highly Involved in Their Adult Children’s Lives, and Fine With It,' explaining that staying intimately connected to our older children has benefits, not just risks, and most young adults agree. They discuss the perspectiv
02/13/2024
Staying Open in a Distracted World- A Conversation with “Open” Author Nate Klemp- Episode #751 Todd and Cathy talk with Author Nate Klemp about his new book, Open: Living with an Expansive Mind in a Distracted World. They discuss why technology is addictive and so appealing, and how it’s not our fault that we are attracted to screens and scrolling. They also discuss how being closed leads to
02/06/2024
Talking to Kids About Online Sports Betting- Episode #750 Todd and Cathy discuss the explosion of online sports betting and why kids and teens are more likely to develop a gambling disorder than adults. They discuss the reasons why teens use it, how AI is being used to market at them, and how, just like weed, alcohol, and porn, it necessitates an ongoing c
01/30/2024
Two Types of Messy Conversations- Episode #749 Todd and Cathy discuss the two types of messy conversations and explain why it's important to know the difference if you want to connect with your kid. They discuss the awesomeness of Zen Parenting, 2024 and share some of the most important lessons learned. They also highlight the significance of kn
01/25/2024
Rescuing Our Sons- An Interview with Dr. John Duffy: Part 3- Episode #748 In Part Two of our three-part series with Dr. John Duffy, author of 'Rescuing Our Sons,' John shares why emotional intelligence is crucial for boys. He tells a story about one of his clients who took a gender studies class and explores the 'Taylor Swift effect,' emphasizing why boys need more of thi
01/24/2024
Rescuing Our Sons- An Interview with Dr. John Duffy: Part 2- Episode #747 In Part Two of our three-part series with Dr. John Duffy, author of 'Rescuing Our Sons,' John shares why emotional intelligence is crucial for boys. He tells a story about one of his clients who took a gender studies class and explores the 'Taylor Swift effect,' emphasizing why boys need more of thi
01/23/2024
Rescuing Our Sons- An Interview with Dr. John Duffy: Part 1- Episode #746 Cathy and Todd interview Dr. John Duffy, author of 'Rescuing Our Boys,' discussing his book and the state of boys in America. In the first part of a three-part series, they explore John's experiences while talking with boys during therapy, the reasons boys feel like they don’t belong, and the lack o
01/16/2024
What Does It Mean to Be Seen- Episode #745 Cathy and Todd discuss the power of words and how their significance is subjective to the person using them. They focus on the necessity of being seen, emphasizing how the quality of our partnerships and parenting is influenced by our ability to truly see others. The discuss what it means to have a
01/09/2024
Wisdom from our Friends- Episode #744 Cathy and Todd share the best clips from interviews with their friends Michelle Icard, Dr. Devorah Heitner, Dr. John Duffy, and Dr. Alexandra Solomon (they are all keynote speakers at Zen Parenting, 2024, Jan 26&27)! They also discuss the heightened skincare of teens, why we need so many sweatshirts
01/02/2024
How Did It Go?- Episode #743 Todd and Cathy discuss why it’s important to process how the holidays went before moving forward—what worked, what didn’t, and what can be repaired or celebrated. They also focus on school refusal after the holidays, emotional labor during the holidays, and answer a question about what’s most import
12/26/2023
Dr. Shefali & The Parenting Map- Episode #742 Dr. Shefali returns to ZPR to discuss her new book The Parenting Map: Step-by-Step Solutions to Consciously Create the Ultimate Parent-Child Relationship. They discuss how to check our own egos, recognize our children’s psyches, and make connection the cornerstone of our parenting experience.
12/19/2023
Find Your Next Favorite Holiday Movie- Episode 741 Cathy and Todd discuss their favorite holiday movies, what makes them great, and whether or not they are truly holiday movies. They share clips from the best movies and finish with the top 20 best holiday movies of all time.
12/12/2023
Should I Let My Kid Fail? A Conversation with Michelle Icard- Episode 740 Todd and Cathy talk with Michelle Icard, the author of '14 Talks by Age 14' and her new book, '8 Setbacks that Can Make a Child a Success.' They discuss why we try to manage everyone's emotions, the challenges of letting our kids experience failure, and how embracing these challenges can contribute