Many people argue that kids these days aren’t as strong because they all receive “participation” ribbons or trophies.  They say that if there isn’t a clear “winner”, kids will grow up weak and will be less inclined to work hard. In this episode we share some recent tough parenting moments that illuminate some of the problems with this argument.

In Defence of The Participation Ribbon

Join us on a ridiculously fun journey that celebrates not only our unique stories but also the little imperfections &amp; mistakes that make us human. The show you’re too shy to ask for!  

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What if your deepest secret was an addiction?
To the outside world, Shannon McKinnon seemed like the epitome of success: a loving husband, a thriving career in television, and two beautiful children. But behind closed doors, she was waging a silent war with heroin addiction. In this episode, Shannon shares her journey from battling chronic pain to slipping into addiction, losing her home, job, and marriage, and nearly her life. Listen as she reveals how she found the strength to rebuild and emerge more grateful than ever.



If It Can Happen To Her, It Can Happen To You

 
 
So last episode on home vs hospital births inspired a lot of heated conversations! Many of you expressed how surprising it was to hear close friends completely disagree with each other. With that in mind, we decided to try to unpack some of the reasons why it often feels like everyone is fighting these days (even with those who share the same views!). We also discuss how fear and trauma impacts our ability to listen deeply and why we should all start assuming the best instead of the worst of each other. 
 
More information about Daryl Davis: https://www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/accidental-courtesy/
 
NYT ARTICLE: What if Instead of Calling People Out, We Called Them In?
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/19/style/loretta-ross-smith-college-cancel-culture.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource;=articleShare&sgrp;=c-cb

Yes, You Can Be Friends (or at least, friendly) With People You Don’t Always Agree With

We generally get along about most things. But once we had a discussion and realized that there is a topic we totally disagree on: where to give birth. We unpack our radically different birth stories and debate the pros and cons of home vs hospital births on this heated episode (proving you can still be friends with people you don’t always agree with!)
 
For more information on Hypnobirthing if you’re interested: https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/hypnobirthing#methods
 
For more information about Elaine Welteroth and her charity, follow @birthfund
 
Here’s also an article written by her on Black maternal health: https://time.com/6249274/elaine-welteroth-midwifery-care-maternal-health/
 
And if you’re interested, check out episode 5 of For The Culture, called “The Standard Of Care”: 
https://gem.cbc.ca/for-the-culture-with-amanda-parris
Lancet Article : Home birth—proceed with caution
Home Births Proceed With Caution
 

The Only Fight We Got Into:  Home vs Hospital Births

 
Psychologists are increasingly saying that focusing on yourself is more likely to lead to a happy life. So what if instead of trying to find your “other half” you instead decide to make yourself whole. In this episode we chat with Andrea Bain, author of Single Girl Problems: Why Being Single Isn’t A Problem To Be Solved about how to reframe and embrace solo living. 
 
To get a copy of Andrea’s book, click this link: https://www.amazon.ca/Single-Girl-Problems-Problem-Solved/dp/1459739094
 
If you are interested in Othership, the fine folks there have offered our listeners 11% off credit packages by using the Code: PLEASURE.  **This can only be used on credit packages & one time per person.  Just download the booking app https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/othership-booking-app/id1604297378
 
And if you can share your favourite podcasts with your network or community- we would be forever in your debt. And if you send us a nice note we will show it on social media! 

No Partner Required: The Upsides Of Single Life

Aging is hard. It can feel sometimes like everything is falling apart: our faces, our bodies, our moods and our goals. But research shows that there are certain things we should all be focusing on in order to live the rest of our lives without any major regrets. From relationships to stress to speaking our unmentionables, this is your informal guide to aging well. 
 
Have a great unmentionable story? Or are you an expert and want to be a guest on our show: email us at hello@cynthiaandjosie.com
 
If you have it in your heart to leave us a (positive) review on Apple, we would be so grateful. Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cynthia-and-josies-unmentionables/id1668439555
 
(go to the bottom and write a review)
 
Also, do you have an event coming up this summer that you would love to have us join? You can dm or email us anytime!

In Defence of The Participation Ribbon

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