Send us a text I had an interesting conversation with a parent that felt frustrated because parenting felt like a struggle for her while it seemed so easy for her partner. Can you relate? I thought it would be interesting to break this down and think of a way we could reflect on this. If you can relate to this, don't miss this quick episode! 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 you...
Aug 12, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 33
Send us a text I read this fascinating article that looked at parental well-being of parent with teens. This article reminded me of a few things that I think you should know as well. There are lots of things we should be working on today that can have an influence on our well-being when our kids become teens. Life's purpose, our relationship and conflict resolution skills are talked about and I give you a few reflection prompts. Here is the article I talk about: Predictors of Psychological ...
Aug 05, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 32
Send us a text In this episode, Cindy discusses the topic of psychological well-being and the importance of nurturing different domains of well-being. She introduces the six domains of psychological well-being according to Dr. Carol Ryff: self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. Cindy emphasizes the significance of these domains for parents and encourages listeners to reflect on their own well-being and identify areas that ma...
Jul 29, 2024•23 min•Season 6Ep. 31
Send us a text Regardless of being a child or an adult, it is much easier to express anger than sadness. Something happened the other day with one of my kids that helped me realize I had missed this in my own child. There "easily upset" behaviour was actually them feeling sad about something. This episode outlines the conversation I had with my child, gives you tips to teach your child emotion regulation skills and a reflection prompt to understand your own anger if you get upset very ...
Jul 22, 2024•26 min•Season 6Ep. 30
Send us a text In this episode, Cindy reflects on her conversations with parents and the importance of feeling connected and supported. She introduces the concept of parental self-efficacy and encourages listeners to reflect on their own confidence as parents. Cindy provides a brief self-efficacy scale for parents to assess their level of confidence and offers guidance on how to improve it. She also discusses the impact of setting high standards for oneself and the importance of self-awareness i...
Jul 16, 2024•24 min•Season 6Ep. 29
Send us a text In this episode, Cindy discusses the challenges parents face when setting boundaries with their children. She shares a personal experience of setting a strong boundary with one of her kids and feeling conflicted about it. Cindy emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and provides reflection prompts for parents to work through their struggles with boundary-setting. She highlights the empowering nature of boundaries and the positive impact they have on building respect and t...
Jul 08, 2024•15 min•Season 6Ep. 28
Send us a text In this conversation, Cindy Hovington interviews Victoria Talwar about the topic of lying in children. They discuss the development of lying in children, the different types of lies, and the role of parents in teaching honesty. They also touch on the importance of modeling honesty and the impact of lies on trust. The conversation provides guidance for parents on how to handle lies and teach honesty to children of different ages. In this conversation, Victoria Talwar discusses the ...
Jul 01, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 27
Send us a text Constantly striving for an idealized version of yourself might not be as beneficial as it seems. Do you ever wonder if the endless pursuit of self-improvement is actually doing more harm than good? Join me, as I challenge the pervasive self-help culture that pressures us into relentless self-improvement. Inspired by an enlightening anecdote from Phil Knight's "Shoe Dog," I'll highlight the value of embracing our inherent traits and accepting our flaws. Discover...
Jun 24, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 26
Send us a text In this conversation, Chris discusses his personal journey of transformation and how he helps dads improve their lives. He shares his experience of going through phases of discipline and inconsistency, and how he reached a point of dissatisfaction that motivated him to make a change. Chris emphasizes the importance of connection and the power of a supportive community in helping dads overcome their struggles. He also addresses the challenges that arise in relationships when one pa...
Jun 17, 2024•37 min•Season 6Ep. 25
Send us a text I just came back from a trip to Italy and there was a moment at a park where I realized something....we need to connect more with ourselves and those we love. I polled our Instagram audience and 50% of parents feel disconnected and of these, 43% feel disconnected from their partners. If you can relate to this, have a listen to this short solo episode. You can also read the blog post I wrote about this and add a comment: https://www.curiousneuron.com/blog/2024/6/8/are-we-too-busy-f...
Jun 10, 2024•22 min•Season 6Ep. 24
Send us a text In this conversation, Bridget Callaghan PhD, discusses her research on the gut-brain-microbiome connection and the impact of generational adversity. The study they conducted found that different forms of adversity were associated with unique signatures in the child's microbiome, and some of these microbes were associated with the emotional health of the children. In this conversation, Cindy and Bridget discuss the impact of early environments on children's gut health and...
Jun 03, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 23
Send us a text In this conversation, Cindy Hovington speaks with Matt Brown and Leah Blain about the experiences of military families and their children. The conversation highlights the need for awareness and understanding of the unique lifestyle of military families and the support they require. The goal of the conversation is to shed light on the experiences of military children and promote empathy and support for them. Military families face unique challenges, including frequent moves and dep...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 22
Send us a text In this episode, Cindy Hovington interviews Kei Nomaguchi and Melissa Milkie about their research on parenthood and well-being. They discuss the concept of intensive parenting and the societal expectations placed on parents, particularly mothers. The conversation explores the pros and cons of intensive parenting and the challenges faced by parents in balancing work and family responsibilities. The need for workplace support and community connections is emphasized, as well as the i...
May 20, 2024•45 min•Season 6Ep. 21
Send us a text In this conversation, Jacqueline discusses the application of the science of wellbeing in daily life. She shares her personal journey of implementing wellbeing practices and emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and self-reflection. The conversation explores misconceptions about happiness and the role of circumstances in our overall wellbeing. Jacqueline also highlights the significance of understanding and embracing different perspectives on happiness. The conversation delve...
May 13, 2024•43 min•Season 6Ep. 20
Send us a text As a child of divorce, I know that it can be very difficult to go through. I have been getting lots of emails around this and so I asked my dear friend Dr. Tamara Soles to join me today. We break down divorce into before, during and after so that you have all the tips and advice you need to navigate this in a way that is best for you and your child. We discuss arguing in front of your child, what repair looks like, how to talk to your kids and how to co-parent. Don't miss thi...
May 06, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 19
Send us a text Navigating the tender complexities of mental health as a parent can often feel like a solitary journey, but it doesn't have to be. Nathalie shares candidly from the heart about her postpartum experiences, while Dr. Tina Montreuil of McGill University blends these personal narratives with academic insights. Together, we unravel the challenges and celebrate the resilience of birthing parents, marking World Maternal Mental Health Day as a beacon of support and solidarity. In the...
Apr 29, 2024•56 min•Season 6Ep. 18
Send us a text Hello my dear friend, I get it, I have said this over and over myself. However, today, I would like you to take a step back and really reflect on this thought "I don't have time for myself". I walk you through some reflection prompts and how you can view this problem a little differently and work through it. Making time for yourself doesn't need to be 2 hours every day. It is a little moment of connection, a little moment that reminds you that you are important...
Apr 22, 2024•20 min•Season 6Ep. 17
Send us a text Let's chat about self-compassion with the scientist that created the self-compassion scale herself! Today, I am joined by Dr. Kristen Neff, Tedx speaker and author of Self-Compassion: The proven power of being kind to yourself. Leading expert in self-compassion, Dr. Neff walks us through what it means to be self-compassion and how we can start with baby steps to be kinder to ourselves. I remember being a first time mom and how I had so much guilt around everything I did with ...
Apr 15, 2024•47 min•Season 6Ep. 16
Send us a text Have you ever found yourself scrubbing baseboards and questioned why you place so much pressure on yourself? As I prepare for my trip to California at the end of the month, that exact introspection led to a profound realization about the 'shoulds' in my life, a topic I eagerly explore with Erica Djossa, therapist and author of "Releasing the Motherload," on our latest Curious Neuron podcast episode. Together, we scrutinize the mental load that mothers bear, add...
Apr 08, 2024•53 min•Season 6Ep. 15
Send us a text I really messed up last night and I want to share this with you so that you can learn from my mistake. When we are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can trickle down to our kids. If we don't notice this, then all we see if a child that is "misbehaving" when in reality it is a child that is dysregulated, doesn't feel connected, doesn't feel validated or seen. When we NOTICE this, it makes it easier for us to switch our own behaviour or thoughts with the g...
Apr 01, 2024•19 min•Season 6Ep. 14
Send us a text Let's talk about executive functions and how these skills support your child's academic performance! In today's episode, I chat with Dr. Stephanie Carlson, Tedx speaker and Distinguished McKnight University Professor in the Institute of Child Development at the University of Minnesota. She investigates basic developmental processes in executive function in children. If your child often gets stuck in their emotions, struggle with staying focused or struggles with get...
Mar 25, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 13
Send us a text Ever wondered how your stress levels could be painting the world for your little ones? I unpack the spillover theory and zero in on pivotal insights from current studies that reveal the depth of our influence on our kids’ behavior. It’s a journey of reflection—a look in the mirror at our own stress and parenting styles—and a step towards cultivating a nurturing and conscious home environment. Finally, I arm you with the strategies to manage stress effectively. From recognizing wha...
Mar 18, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 12
Send us a text Ever wonder how your earliest experiences of love and connection with caregivers are playing out in your adult relationships? Join me, along with couples therapist Vanessa Morgan, as we uncover how attachment styles developed in infancy can have a far-reaching influence on our interaction patterns with romantic partners and even our children. Vanessa guides us through understanding different attachment styles, the importance of self-reflection, and the powerful effect of establish...
Mar 11, 2024•42 min•Season 6Ep. 11
Send us a text As a mom of three with a neuroscience background, I've come to understand that the emotional health of fathers is a critical but often overlooked topic. That's why I invited Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, an expert in counseling and male psychology, onto the podcast. Our conversation offers an essential guide for anyone invested in the development of healthy boyhood and supportive environments for men as they embrace parenting, with insights into breaking cycles of anger and f...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 10
Send us a text As I dive into leadership and business books, I can't help make the link with parenting. I think leadership books are the best parenting books! I gave a workshop this week to a leadership team and realized how many of these tips applied to parenting so this week, I break down 3 aspects of this talk and give you some reflection prompts to apply this to your home. Want more reflection prompts that support your emotional health? Purchase my Reflective Parent Workbook below (send...
Feb 26, 2024•28 min•Season 6Ep. 9
Send us a text Dr. Ramani and I rigorously tackle the complexities that emerge when parenting with or alongside a narcissist, offering invaluable strategies for setting boundaries and cultivating a nurturing environment for both parents and children. We discuss the often-overlooked impact narcissistic parenting has on the developmental stages of children, from their tender infancy to their more independent years. We confront the harsh truth that parenthood doesn't magically reform a narciss...
Feb 19, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 8
Send us a text My grandfather Roger always said that the true measure of character is found not in comfort, but in the face of challenge. In this episode, I share my story of a day I called my grandpa pretending to be sick when I was in high school. This story is a reminder that we need to place our children in uncomfortable situations to help them work on their inner dialogue and motivation. It also reminds, the parents, that we need to do the same. I hope you enjoy my story about my grandpa Ro...
Feb 12, 2024•18 min•Season 6Ep. 7
Send us a text Being a new parent can make you feel really alone. But don't worry, I talked to Dr. Kelly Elliott and Dr. Tracy Vozar, and we had a chat that might make you feel better. Today, we talk about the different ways people raise kids and how it can affect our feelings. We also look at how feeling anxious and trying to be the perfect parent can make us feel really lonely. We talk about how social media can help connect parents and make them feel less alone. We don't just talk a...
Feb 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 6
Send us a text Have you ever wondered how to keep the spark alive in your relationship and fend off the threat of monotony that might edge you toward divorce? Join me, Cindy Hovington, along with Amy Morin, author of "13 Things Mentally Strong Couples Don't Do," as we uncover the secrets to a flourishing partnership that benefits not just you and your spouse, but your children as well. We discuss the delicate balance of setting boundaries in a relationship can feel like walking a ...
Jan 29, 2024•51 min•Season 6Ep. 5
Send us a text Hang tight for a cozy chat that's like catching up with your parent BFF – we're spilling the beans on emotions and parenting with Jenny from EQ School. No fancy talk, just a laid-back convo packed with aha moments. From decoding our emotions to setting real, self-care boundaries, we're giving you the inside scoop on the family feels. This isn't your typical podcast; it's your backstage pass to leveling up your connection game at home. Emotional intelligenc...
Jan 22, 2024•50 min•Season 6Ep. 4
