Cat & Nat Unfiltered

Hockey season is officially here, which means we’re back in the rink, yelling from the stands and trying to understand birth years and rankings. We’re talking tryouts that feel like The Bachelor, the pressure to win, and learning how to lose without rage-quitting.

We also have strong opinions on hockey celebrations, including the mysterious post-goal “woo” that Cat absolutely cannot stand, and cowbells that should be reserved for championship games (Cat can't stand those either).

Plus, we get into what it’s really like watching our kids compete, the highs and lows of being way too invested, and why one of us is already planning a post-hockey career as a DJ.

Keywords

youth hockey, Canadian hockey, American hockey, youth sports, parenting, team dynamics, sports culture, hockey tournaments, reclassing, sportsmanship

Key topics

• Differences between Canadian and American youth hockey systems
• The significance of hockey in Canadian culture
• Parenting strategies and experiences in youth hockey
• Team dynamics and player development
• The process of reclassing and its impact on young athletes
• The emotional aspects of youth sports and sportsmanship
• The role of community and identity in hockey
• Insights into youth tournaments and team selection

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As moms raising boys, how do we talk to our kids about sexual assault, consent, peer pressure and the bystander effect without making them feel ashamed of being boys? We brought in Registered Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Toronto Psychology Wellness Group, Dr. Nina Mafrici to help us unpack what is happening when a group of young people knows something is wrong but nobody speaks up. We get into pack mentality, group chats, alcohol and drugs, consent, the freeze response, and why “just speak up” can be much harder for a teenager than it sounds. What we can actually do as parents? How do we prepare our kids for situations before they happen? How do we teach them to trust their gut, look out for their friends, stand up when something feels wrong and choose people who share their values?

Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be the one who says, “Guys, this is not okay.”

Keywords

parenting, consent, sexual violence, peer pressure, adolescent development, mental health, values, safety, communication, teenage boys and girls

Key Topics

The impact of high-profile sexual violence cases on youth

How to talk to children about consent and boundaries

The role of peer pressure and group dynamics in risky behaviors

Strategies for fostering values of respect and integrity in boys and girls

The importance of early and ongoing conversations about safety and morality

How to empower boys to be responsible and respectful

The influence of social media and group chats on behavior

The neurobiology of trauma and dissociation in assault cases

Natural consequences and learning from mistakes

Building a home environment of trust and open communication

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*Trigger Warning: This episode discuss The Cornell 7

The Cornell 7 case has us asking some difficult questions as moms raising boys. How do we teach our sons about consent, respect and accountability without making them feel like they're being blamed for the actions of other men? And what happens when boys witness something wrong but stay silent?

We discuss the importance of male friendships, peer pressure and the responsibility of being a good friend, including having the courage to call out bad behaviour. We also explore what we might be missing as parents, why boys need more opportunities for honest conversations and how we can help our sons navigate difficult situations without simply telling them what not to do.

Keywords

friendship, social dynamics, respect, accountability, relationships, parenting, teenage behavior, social media, consent, education

Key Topics

• The concept of 'insignificant' friends and social inclusion

• The importance of mutual respect and understanding in friendships

• How societal and media influences shape perceptions of relationships

• Teaching children and teens about consent and accountability

• The role of open dialogue in fostering healthy social behaviours

• Differences in friendship dynamics between genders

• The impact of social media on social interactions and accountability

• Strategies for parents to teach respect and responsibility

• The importance of standing up against peer pressure and misconduct

• The challenges of navigating social hierarchies and peer influence

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How far would you go to help your kid make it to the big leagues? After watching Team Moms, we’re questioning the world of ultra-competitive youth sports, where kids are spending their childhood training for the MLB, parents are dissecting every practice, and sometimes an entire family seems to revolve around one athlete. We get into the pressure and whether all of it is worth it. We also get into Cat's latest hockey rink obsession, the crock pot!

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, early specialization, athlete development, sports culture, jersey customization, social dynamics, youth athletics

Key Topics

• The intense dedication of parents to youth sports

• Average retirement age of professional athletes and its implications

• The culture of early specialization and its impact on childhood

• The social dynamics and peer relationships among young athletes

• The quirks of youth sports culture, including jersey customization and nicknames

• The physical and emotional toll of early sports specialization

• The role of social media in following young athletes' careers

• The importance of balance and mental health for young athletes

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We couldn't wait to bring you part two of our conversation with Dr. Jeremy Alland! In part two we ask the question, is your kid actually loving their sport, or have we turned it into a full-time job? We’re talking youth sports, burnout, the pressure to go “elite,” endless tournaments and the growing expectation that more training always means better athletes. Dr. Jeremy Alland talks about how much is too much, why kids need real downtime, and how parents can support their kids without making their sport their entire identity. Plus, the simple thing he says every parent should tell their kid after a game. If you haven't watched part 1 go back and check it out! And for more on Dr. Jeremy find him @jeremyallandmd.

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, athlete development, sports system, burnout, competition, fun in sports, youth athlete health, sports parenting, sports system reform

Key Topics

• The impact of year-round sports on children's health and happiness

• Balancing competition and fun in youth sports

• The influence of social media and marketing on youth sports

• Strategies for parents to support their children's sports journey

• Understanding the real chances of making it professionally in sports

• The importance of communication and setting expectations

• The role of systemic change in youth sports reform

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Youth sports have officially gotten out of control. We’re talking year-round training, travel teams, rankings, social media, parents spending a small fortune and the pressure to figure out your kid’s “next level” before they’ve even hit puberty.

We sit down with Dr. Jeremy Alland, a sports medicine physician in Chicago where he serves as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox. He’s also the voice behind Play the Long Game, a youth sports platform built on the belief that every kid deserves the chance to play sports, stay in sports, and develop a lifelong love of the game. Now a dad of young athletes himself, he gets both the medical side and the very real parent side of trying to keep your kids healthy, happy, and actually enjoying the game.

We get into what’s really happening in youth sports and whether we’re pushing our kids too hard. When does encouraging them become pressure? When is quitting actually quitting, and when does a kid just need a break? And do they really need to be playing their sport 10 months a year to keep up? We also get into the ridiculous idea that if your eight-year-old isn’t already on an elite team, they’re somehow falling behind. Are we actually listening to what our kids want from sports, or are we projecting what we think they should want?

We loved this conversation so much we had to break it up into two parts! Tune in for part two tomorrow and follow Dr. Jeremy Alland @jeremyallandmd.

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, athlete development, sports system, burnout, competition, fun in sports, youth athlete health, sports parenting, sports system reform

Key Topics

• The impact of year-round sports on children's health and happiness

• Balancing competition and fun in youth sports

• The influence of social media and marketing on youth sports

• Strategies for parents to support their children's sports journey

• Understanding the real chances of making it professionally in sports

• The importance of communication and setting expectations

• The role of systemic change in youth sports reform

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re talking college athletes making millions, kids becoming “famous” on Instagram, parents turning into sports managers, and somehow… Taylor Swift sitting beside Tom Cruise at a football game. Just your average day with ADHD.

College sports have changed, and athletes can now make money from their name, image and likeness, which naturally leads us down the rabbit hole of whether parents should help a kid who’s training to be an athlete build a following. Is Instagram part of the job if you’re a young athlete?

Key words

celebrity gossip, social media influence, AI in fame, youth sports, college scholarships, social media for kids, digital identity, sports marketing, celebrity relationships, online trolling

Key topics

Celebrity gossip and behind-the-scenes stories

The role of social media in shaping youth sports and fame

The impact of AI on online reputation and trolling

The economics of college sports and athlete compensation

Celebrity relationships and privacy issues

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Natalie sent her daughter off to university and, surprisingly, she’s… fine? We’re talking about the reality of sending your kid away, why the transition can sometimes be easier than you expect, and how university forces kids to figure things out for themselves. Then, of course, we get into Taylor's Pottery Barn dorm room makeover which sparked plenty of opinions. Some loved it and saw it as a fun opportunity, while others felt it was unrealistic and questioned the expectations we’re setting for kids heading off to university. Plus, we share all the dorm hacks we learned along the way.

Keywords

university, dorm room, parenting, independence, student life, college prep, room decor, transition, parenting tips

Key topics

• Dorm room decor tips and tricks
• Parenting and managing expectations during college transition
• The importance of independence and self-reliance for students
• Practical advice for creating inspiring and functional dorm spaces
• Insights into university housing and student life

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We’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the world right now. AI is moving faster than we can keep up, and somehow we’re supposed to teach our kids how to navigate all of this when we’re still trying to figure it out ourselves. We’re talking about schools going back to pen and paper, kids using AI, algorithms deciding what we see, and whether we’re actually losing some of our ability to think, focus and trust our own instincts. We also get into AI scams, voice cloning and why every family might need a secret code word. And somewhere along the way, we decide that maybe the only reasonable solution is to move to a farm, raise baby chickens and completely opt out of modern life.

Keywords

AI, education, parenting, online betting, NFTs, digital assets, technology, AI safety, social media, internet culture

Key topics

• AI safety and escape from sandbox
• Impact of technology on education and note-taking
• Parenting challenges with digital and social media
• The rise and fall of NFTs and online assets
• Online betting and gambling risks for teens
• AI literacy and education policies
• The speed of technological change and societal adaptation
• Parental strategies for digital safety and awareness

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Youth sports can start out so innocently: your kid loves the game, you sign them up, and suddenly you’re spending your weekends at rinks, tournaments and fields, rearranging vacations and wondering how one sport became a full-time job. We get into the reality of competitive youth sports, from the time, money and commitment to the bigger question: How do you know when your kid really wants it, and when you’re the one who wants it for them?

We talk about kids who love the sport but hate the grind, knowing when to let them quit, giving kids room to change their minds, and the importance of making sure their entire identity doesn’t become their team, their level or their performance. It’s a very real conversation about letting our kids find their own version of success, while trying not to lose our minds getting them there.

Keywords

youth sports, parenting, life balance, sports psychology, family life, sports commitment, youth activities, sports expenses, parenting tips

Key topics

• The emotional and financial commitment of youth sports
• How sports influence family dynamics and parent-child relationships
• Recognizing when to support or step back from a child's sports ambitions
• The importance of allowing children to explore and choose their passions
• Managing expectations and avoiding over-scheduling children
• The role of sports in identity formation and social development
• Balancing competitiveness with enjoyment in youth sports
• The impact of sports on mental health and well-being

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.