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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 moment 
• Discussing the impact of emotional regulation on children 
• Highlighting the importance of self-awareness and reflection in parenting 
• Exploring the unique emotional needs of each child 
• Encouraging connection as a solution in difficult moments 
• Suggesting practical techniques for parents to foster understanding and communication 
• Recommending engagement in the Reflective Parent Club for deeper support

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 into parenting
• Understanding play as a tool for resilience building
• The role of scaffolding in teaching emotional management
• Encouraging open conversations about feelings through play
• Modelling emotional regulation for children in real-life scenarios

Sources:

Get The Way of Play on Amazon in  Canada or Amazon in the US

Follow Dr. Bryson on Instagram

https://www.tinabryson.com/

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 often associated with addiction. In this conversation, Travis Goodman, LMFT, discusses the critical role of connection in healing from addiction, particularly for men. He emphasizes the importance of building support systems, whether through therapy or community, and the need for safe spaces where men can express vulnerability and accountability. 

The discussion also covers navigating denial in loved ones struggling with addiction, setting boundaries, and the significance of changing the narrative around addiction to foster understanding and empathy.

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/FDUyGUYBH5Q

Resources:

1. Follow Travis on Instagram @integratedmanproject
2. Join the next cohort of the Men's Collective with Travis here
3. Private coaching or counselling with Travis here
4. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction here
5. Editorial: Human Connection as a Treatment for Addiction here

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 for engaging with emotions
• Defining and communicating boundaries effectively
• Navigating partner dynamics in the parenting journey
• The need for compassion and curiosity in parenting conversations

Purchase Bryana's new book, Parent Yourself First:
In Canada or the US

Follow Bryana on Instagram (@consciousmommy)

Visit her website to learn more from her:
https://www.consciousmommy.com/

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 reflection as a tool for growth and understanding 
• Introducing the new structure of the Reflective Parent Club program 
• Encouraging parents to define what "good enough" means for them 
• Calling for compassion and flexibility in parenting practices

Watch this on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/PbnlJ7IUkR4

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 with children
• Assessing children's current understanding of events
• Fostering empathy through reflective questioning
• Addressing children's fears by discussing safety measures
• Balancing parental emotions with children's emotional needs
• Engaging in community service to help children process feelings
• Recognizing signs of trauma in children’s behavior
• Establishing routines to provide normalcy
• Prioritizing self-care for parents during challenging times

Here is a growing directory of 500+ providers offering pro bono services for individuals impacted by the Los Angeles wildfires:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uAMVz8TQMzShQeuEA6kmOP0jyRN7qe1Iiqb6JOLTPqg/edit?gid=303232729#gid=303232729

Helpful article in the LA Times:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-11/kids-wildfire-losses-experts-eaton-palisades-fire


Listen to my conversation with research Dr. Susan King (from McGill University) to learn how natural disasters can impact expecting moms and their babies (and how to mitigate the stress).

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/curious-neuron-with-dr-cindy-hovington/id1440533170?i=1000502669619

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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, exploring how understanding our vulnerabilities and personal history can help us better interpret our child's behavior. Learn to recognize your feelings and urges in the moment and practice the skills to manage them effectively. We assure you, this isn't about achieving parental perfection but gaining understanding and awareness that leads to a more effective response.

By the end, you'll understand why following the 'rules' of parenting isn't enough. It's about understanding yourself to become a more mindful and effective parent. Join us and Dr. Sarah Bren on this insightful journey into the heart of parenting.

Join Dr. Bren's FREE masterclass here:
https://drsarahbren.com/powerstruggles_CH

You can follow her on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/drsarahbren/

Visit her website for more courses:
https://drsarahbren.com/

Yes, the Reflective Parent Club is STILL on sale. Don't miss out!
https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/the-reflective-parent-club-3-month-plan?coupon_code=CYBER30

Get Meltdown Mountain:
https://curiousneuron.com/shop/

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 
• Understanding brain development through the hierarchy of functions 
• Importance of rupture and repair in parent-child relationships 
• Fostering resilience through connectedness and shared experiences 
• Overcoming the stigma of parenting struggles and being proactive 

Leave a rating and review for the podcast. Rate the podcast, leave a review and just send me an email. Let me know that you did it and I will send you Meltdown Mountain, which is a printable that you can put right up on your fridge and have the language to talk to your child about emotional awareness and what it feels like to be dysregulated.

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 attachment, and better child outcomes, including enhanced social-emotional skills, fewer behavioral issues, and improved cognitive abilities.

Her work highlights the role of RF in fostering healthy relationships, reducing child anxiety and aggression, and promoting emotional and psychological well-being. Parents can apply these insights by engaging in reflective practices and interventions like ATTACH™ to deepen their connection with their children and support their development.

You DON'T want to miss this episode!

To celebrate this special episode, if you send me a screenshot of your review AND a screenshot of you sharing the podcast on either a newsletter at work, a Facebook parent page etc, I will give you 3 FREE months for the Reflective Parent Club that Curious Neuron launched in September. That is a $79 value!

How to Contact Dr. Letourneau:
For more information about Dr. Nicole Letourneau and the Attach program visit attach.teachable.com for program details and links to research findings.

To learn more about Resolve SK, head to research-groups.usask.ca/resolve/

https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/4/3078

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization. 

Send us Fan Mail

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 community and mindfulness, especially in moments of profound sorrow. By fostering an environment of presence and awareness, families can build emotional well-being and resilience, finding strength in shared experiences and mindful practices.

About Reshma:

Follow her on Instagram: @reshmakearney

Reshma Kearney is a widowed mom of three and a certified mindfulness instructor passionate about helping children and families cultivate emotional resilience and mental wellbeing. After losing her husband to suicide in 2022, she turned to the mindfulness practices she had been sharing with her children even before his passing, using them as a lifeline to navigate grief and support their healing. Her website is currently being created so if you want to reach her, please reach her through Instagram. 

Support the show

More ways to become a Reflective Parent with Curious Neuron:

Join our NEW book club for only $9.99!

https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club

Learn about the next books we will be covering:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):

https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s

Grab our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent 

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Join the next 6-8 week cohort for parents, kids or teens:

https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.