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•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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. Get your FREE 40-page workbook called Becoming a Reflective Parent: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/reflectiveparentingworkbook Join our membership, The Reflective Parent Club t...
Nov 03, 2024•14 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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! Get your FREE 40-page workbook called Becoming a Reflective Parent: https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/reflectiveparentingworkbook Join our member...
Aug 12, 2024•19 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast 
