Send us a text Have you ever felt crushed by the pressure to follow a specific parenting style perfectly? The weight of trying to fit into boxes labeled "positive parenting" or "conscious parenting" leaves many of us feeling inadequate and constantly seeking more information. What if there's a more sustainable approach? The newly renamed Reflective Parenting Podcast launches with a powerful message: building emotional intelligence skills matters more than following perfe...
Mar 10, 2025•33 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Send us a text Discover the importance of forging meaningful connections and the healing power of friendships, especially after periods of isolation. In today's episode, I chatted with author of The Connection Recession, Rich Woo. We discuss the following key points: • Emphasizing connection as essential for mental well-being • Personal anecdotes highlighting the necessity of nurturing relationships • Strategies to combat loneliness, especially for new parents • The value of intentional com...
Mar 03, 2025•47 min•Season 7Ep. 27
Send us a text We discuss the essential balance of parenting, focusing on how allowing children to fail fosters resilience and independence. Jessica Leahy shares insights from her book, The Gift of Failure, highlighting the dangers of over-parenting and the need to embrace failure as a part of learning. • The significance of letting children experience failure • Over-parenting and its effects on children's autonomy • Emphasizing the process of learning rather than the end result • Strategie...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Season 7Ep. 26
Send us a text Understanding how to navigate emotional responses with our children is vital for fostering healthy relationships within families. This episode explores the importance of self-awareness, recognizing triggers, and methods to de-escalate conflicts with children for more effective communication and connection. • Emphasizing the challenge of escalating vs. de-escalating situations • Identifying and managing parental triggers • Sharing a personal story about a challenging parenting mome...
Feb 17, 2025•33 min•Season 7Ep. 25
Send us a text The episode delves into the critical role of play in both parental and child emotional development. Tina Payne Bryson shares insights from her book, *The Way of Play*, emphasizing how engaging in playful interactions can foster emotional intelligence and resilience in children while helping parents regulate their own stress. • Exploring the connection between play and emotional development • Importance of parental emotional well-being • Practical strategies for incorporating play ...
Feb 10, 2025•1 hr 10 min•Season 7Ep. 24
Send us a text In this episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, I chat with therapist Travis Goodman about the rising concerns around addiction. We explore the importance of compassionate curiosity when approaching conversations about addiction, the role of the nervous system in addiction, and the necessity of managing personal emotions when dealing with loved ones struggling with addiction. The conversation emphasizes the need for connection and vulnerability as antidotes to shame and isolation o...
Feb 03, 2025•56 min•Season 7Ep. 23
Send us a text This episode explores the profound impact of childhood experiences on parenting styles, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and emotional healing. Brianna shares insights on building connections with children through understanding and compassion while setting healthy boundaries. • Understanding how childhood wounds manifest in parenting • Importance of self-reflection for emotional health • The role of connection in nurturing healthy relationships • Practical strategies ...
Jan 27, 2025•44 min•Season 7Ep. 22
Send us a text This episode encourages parents to shift their focus from rigid parenting styles to a more reflective, emotion-centered approach. We discuss the pressures of perfectionism, the importance of self-awareness, and how embracing the idea of "good enough" can transform parenting experiences. • Exploring the pressures of positive and conscious parenting • Emphasizing emotional awareness and self-regulation • Addressing perfectionism in parenting and its impacts • Promoting ref...
Jan 20, 2025•25 min•Season 7Ep. 21
Send us a text Open communication is essential for helping children process their fears and feelings regarding crises like the LA wildfires. Parents should approach conversations with empathy, reinforcing feelings of safety and community support while recognizing their own emotional well-being. Today, I chatted with Dr. Tamara Soles to get some advice for how to speak to kids that were impacted by the fires or those that are hearing about it. • Importance of initiating conversations about crises...
Jan 13, 2025•29 min•Season 7Ep. 20
Send us a text REPLAY EPISODE Ever wondered how your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviours impact your parenting? Prepare to gain a deeper understanding of your own emotional triggers and responses as we delve into the complexities of parenting with clinical psychologist Dr. Sarah Bren. This episode is a masterclass in mindful parenting, giving you insights and practical tools to help you respond better to your child's behavior. We tackle the all-important subject of parental triggers, exp...
Jan 06, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 7Ep. 19
Send us a text The episode highlights the vital role of self-regulation in parenting, especially in navigating holiday gatherings and family dynamics. Dr. Bruce Perry discusses the importance of understanding brain development and the processes involved in engaging with children emotionally. • The significance of regulating oneself before helping children • Strategies for approaching holiday gatherings with realistic expectations • The role of community support and resources in parenting • Under...
Dec 30, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 7Ep. 18
Send us a text In this special 200th episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, we chat with renowned professor from the University of Calgary Dr. Nicole Letourneau. Her research focuses on enhancing parental reflective functioning (RF), the ability to understand and interpret one's own and a child's mental and emotional states. Through the development of the ATTACH™ program, a 10-week intervention, she has demonstrated that improving RF leads to stronger parent-child interactions, secure ...
Dec 23, 2024•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 17
Send us a text Grief is a complex journey, especially when it involves the devastating loss of a loved one by suicide. Join us as we sit down with Reshma, a mother of three, who shares her heartfelt story of healing following her husband's tragic death. Through her lens, we explore how mindfulness has been a beacon of hope for her family, providing essential tools for emotional regulation and coping with stress. Reshma's experience serves as a poignant reminder of the power of communit...
Dec 16, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 16
Send us a text Discover how to navigate the stress of the holiday season while prioritizing your mental well-being and fostering a joyful atmosphere for yourself and your family. This episode promises to equip parents with actionable strategies and insights, offering three essential tips to manage the challenges of family gatherings, financial pressures, and past negative experiences. But that's not all—the episode also sheds light on the art of boundary-setting, ensuring you maintain holid...
Dec 09, 2024•29 min•Season 7Ep. 15
Send us a text In this conversation, Cindy Hovington chats with Tammy Schamuhn, Registered Psychologist, Best-Selling Author, Co-Founder of the Institute of Child Psychology and the Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres discuss the importance of parental involvement in child development, the challenges parents face, and the need for setting boundaries. They explore the emotional struggles parents encounter, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and emphasize the significance of understa...
Dec 02, 2024•50 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Send us a text A parent from our membership asked me "How can I manage the mental load" and in today's episode, I break down the advice I gave this parent. We all have a mental load and sometimes it seems like nothing can make it disappear. However, there are ways that we can manage this better and feel less of this burden on our minds. I share tips from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown and one study that I found on productivity. I summarize these 4 changes you can make at th...
Nov 25, 2024•28 min•Season 7Ep. 13
Send us a text In this conversation, Dr. Pierre Azzam discusses the intersection of mental health and professional coaching, particularly focusing on the experiences of fathers. He highlights the stigma surrounding mental health for men and the importance of understanding postpartum depression in fathers. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassionate communication and support for men experiencing mental health challenges, especially during the transition to fatherhood. We tackle the sen...
Nov 17, 2024•54 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Send us a text In this conversation, Cindy and Lauren discuss the multifaceted role of a fertility coach, emphasizing a holistic approach that integrates emotional and physical well-being. They explore the significant stress associated with fertility journeys, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of community support. Lauren shares insights on emotional processing, the necessity of allowing oneself to feel pain, and the value of listening and holding space for those experienci...
Nov 11, 2024•43 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Send us a text Does your child struggle with letting go of toys they love? Saying goodbye and having closure is something we need to support our kids with. I hope this week's episode helps not only your child with closure, but helps you the next time you need to say goodbye to a loved one or something major. Want to join Curious Neuron's Reflective Parent? If you are ready to learn healthy emotional coping skills and to get support on. how to teach your child these skills, book a call ...
Nov 03, 2024•14 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Send us a text In this conversation, Dr. Jessi Gold, Author of "How do you Feel?" discusses her book on mental health and burnout, particularly in the healthcare sector. She shares her personal experiences and insights on the subtlety of burnout, the cultural perceptions surrounding mental health, and the importance of self-care and compassion. The discussion emphasizes the need for individuals to recognize their own emotional states and the societal pressures that often prevent them f...
Oct 28, 2024•51 min•Season 7Ep. 9
Send us a text In this episode of the Curious Neuron Podcast, Cindy Hovington speaks with Dr. Erin O'Connor, Ph.D., about the complexities of the mother-child relationship, the importance of attachment theory, and the impact of parental stress on parenting styles. We discuss the significance of sensitivity and responsiveness in parenting, the challenges of separation anxiety, and the role of community support for parents. The conversation also touches on the teacher-child relationship, the ...
Oct 21, 2024•47 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Send us a text What if you could turn fleeting happiness into lasting joy and protect yourself from worry and self-doubt? In the latest Curious Neuron podcast, join me, Cindy, as we explore the connection between joy and emotional regulation. We’ll dive into neuroscience and the insights of Brené Brown to tackle the fears and anxieties that often block joy. Let’s rethink joy—not as material things, but as simple pleasures and meaningful moments. Learn how savoring these moments can boost your re...
Oct 14, 2024•26 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Send us a text In this episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, host Cindy Hovington engages in a heartfelt conversation with Miranda, a mom of 3, about the complexities of parenting. They explore the evolution of parenting styles, particularly the shift towards more conscious and respectful approaches. Miranda shares her personal journey of navigating discipline, understanding developmental appropriateness, and the importance of emotional intelligence in parenting. The discussion highlights the c...
Oct 07, 2024•31 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Send us a text What if your automatic "no" responses are stealing precious moments of joy with your children? This week, I share an eye-opening personal story about how a spontaneous water gun fight with my kids became a treasured memory and a lesson in the power of saying "yes." We dive into the roots of our instinctual refusals and explore practical strategies to be more present and connected with our children. Discover how tools like emotional intelligence, effective commu...
Sep 30, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 5
Send us a text In this conversation, I chat with Connie about the critical aspects of preschool education, emphasizing the importance of play in child development. We explore the challenges children face in adapting to open-ended play, the significance of emotional regulation, and the need for realistic expectations from parents. The discussion highlights the role of curiosity in learning, the nurturing of compassion and empathy, and practical tips for parents to support their children's de...
Sep 23, 2024•58 min•Season 7Ep. 4
Send us a text In this episode, Kirsten Cobabe, a teen coach, discusses how parents can navigate the challenges of raising teenagers. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong connection with teens and understanding their perspective. Kirsten suggests that parents should shift their mindset and approach the teenage years with openness and curiosity. She encourages parents to set boundaries while also holding space for their teens' emotions and experiences. Kirsten also highlights t...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr•Season 7Ep. 3
Send us a text In this episode, I discuss the importance of parental stress and its impact on parenting. I introduce the Reflective Parent Club (IT'S FINALLY OPEN!!), a membership program aimed at helping parents pause, reflect, and regulate their emotions. I emphasize the need for parents to respect their time and create meaningful connections with their children. I also encourage parents to evaluate their schedules, set boundaries, and prioritize quality time with their families. The epis...
Sep 09, 2024•21 min•Season 7Ep. 2
Send us a text Curious about finding real happiness even in life's chaos? In this episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, we explore what happiness truly means, with insights from Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy . She shares simple ways to bring joy into your life through small, meaningful actions. We also challenge the idea that you have to go it alone and talk about the importance of community and support systems. Learn how gratitude and kindness can improve your relationships and ...
Sep 02, 2024•48 min•Season 7Ep. 1
Send us a text Have you ever wondered why children's natural curiosity seems to fade as they grow older? This episode takes you on a reflective journey from the inception of Curious Neuron, inspired by a transformative comment from a Harvard professor. I share the pivotal moments from my academic path, including my PhD in neuroscience and postdoctoral studies, that led to the creation of Curious Neuron. From the spark of an idea to a full-fledged business, I recount the challenges and trium...
Aug 26, 2024•38 min•Season 6Ep. 34
Send us a text Last week inside the Reflective Parent Club, we assessed our core values with our special guest expert Christina. Today, I walk you through this and help you identify your 2 core values. We chat about what this means in your life, what to do if you partner's values don't align with yours, and reflect on if your core values are similar to how you were raised. Assess your values: https://jamesclear.com/core-values You might want to listen to these podcast episodes: Dr. Tra...
Aug 18, 2024•25 min•Season 6Ep. 34
