Cathy and Todd discuss why necessary conversations are so difficult to manage and why and how we try to avoid them. They share examples of the experiences that lead to avoidance and offer insights into developing understanding instead. They emphasize why the most challenging and reactive conversations can be pivotal for relationships and lead to greater intimacy.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

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Monday Night Wildcard- Why did “Man or Bear” Go Viral? (all genders)

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Time Stamps

(00:01:40) Cicadas

(00:06:35) Todd’s old man tendencies

(00:11:40) Relationship talk

(00:19:55) It’s not about the thing

(00:23:20) The cost of not dealing with conflict

(00:30:00) Join Team Zen

(00:49:49) Empty nest coaches **

(01:07:30) Painting and Remodeling Needs?  Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

(01:07:30) Join Team Zen

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Cathy and Todd discuss Netflix’s ‘Love on the Spectrum’ and why the people and families featured make it such a good watch. They discuss the importance of loving, and liking, our children just as they are, and how this allows them to thrive, and they analyze Harrison Butker’s speech and why it was offensive in many different ways.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

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Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

Monday Night Wildcard- Why did “Man or Bear” Go Viral? (all genders)

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Time Stamps

(00:12:16) Love on the Spectrum

(00:30:00) Jamming on the Job

(00:35:30) Just love your kid **

(00:02:08) Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

(01:02:00) Painting and Remodeling Needs?  Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

(01:02:30) Join Team Zen

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Cathy and Todd discuss Gen X slang and intertwine the most popular phrases with clips from the most memorable pop culture moments. They discuss how language changes over time and break down the most popular Gen Z slang, offering suggestions on when to use it (or when not to).

Todd and Cathy are hosting a live discussion about the “man or bear” debate on Monday, May 20th at 7pm CT through the MenLiving platform – all genders are welcome, see below for link to join.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

Join Team Zen

Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

Monday Night Wildcard- Why did “Man or Bear” Go Viral? (all genders)

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Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:02:42) Join Team Zen

(00:03:54) Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

(00:09:38) Slang

(00:36:40) Todd’s English class in high school **

(00:45:15) Gen Z Slang

(00:46:00) You’re primitive **

(01:03:00) To Netflix and chill **

(00:48:32) Painting and Remodeling Needs?  Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Cathy and Todd discussed the viral “man or bear” debate, addressing why many women felt compelled to pick “bear” and why some men felt hurt or angry. They discussed the importance of listening and empathy when it comes to other people’s experiences and how being defensive might be our initial reaction, but we can choose compassion and understanding. They also discussed why opting out of something we don’t want to do makes room for the things we do want to do. Todd and Cathy are hosting a live discussion about the “man or bear” debate on Monday, May 20th at 7pm CT through the MenLiving platform – all genders are welcome, see below for link to join.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

Join Team Zen

Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

Monday Night Wildcard- Why did “Man or Bear” Go Viral? (all genders)

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Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:00:52) Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

(00:01:42) Join Team Zen

(00:06:11) Cathy opting out **

(00:22:46) Man or bear

(00:35:06) Get curious

(00:38:52) Power over **

(00:48:32) Painting and Remodeling Needs?  Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Todd and Cathy discuss how to talk to kids in the morning without being too annoying. They also discuss when to use Gen Z slang and when not to, and why not “needing” too much from our kids makes us easier to talk to. They also discuss Taylor’s new album, the movie Swingers, and why pop culture makes for great conversation with our kids.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

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Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:00:41) Swingers- movie and lifestyle

(00:01:56) Risky Business

(00:04:20) Join Team Zen

(00:06:45) Actors who are good athletes

(00:10:08) The movie “Swingers” and parenting

(00:21:53) Todd’s challenges in the morning ***

(00:25:55) Sign up for Cathy’s Substack

(00:29:45) Understanding teenage slang words

(00:47:08) Just be authentic ***

(00:52:20) The Bolter by Taylor Swift

(00:55:00) Painting and Remodeling Needs?  Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Todd and Cathy discussed the importance of developing talents and the challenges of pursuing one’s passions. They also emphasized the need for understanding and empathizing when teenage boys lash out or question their belonging (they share an audioclip from Dr. John Duffy). They shared the difference between empathy and sympathy, and why it’s important to be really clear about what you need and ask for it. They ended the show by discussing the victim, villain, hero triangle and what it really means when you are ‘hero-ing’ someone.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

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Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:03:44)  Passion vs Talent

(00:27:14) Do our boys feel lost?

(00:29:35) Join Team Zen

(00:42:02)  Empathy vs sympathy

(00:48:25) Not letting it sit *

(00:59:26) Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Cathy and Todd discuss the distinction between weaponized incompetence and regular incompetence, exploring how gender norms and societal expectations shape these ideas. They engage in real-time reflection on how they navigate these dynamics within their partnership and parenting, and they stress the need for communication and flexibility depending on the situation. This is a good episode to listen to with your partner or friends! Lots of issues to discuss and process.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

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Join Team Zen

Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:29:15) Join Team Zen

(00:39:25) Cathy “I’m good at this” *

(00:50:44) Seeing vs needing *

(01:03:48) Weaponized incompetence ? through the lens of making the bed *

(00:59:26) Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Todd and Cathy discuss two factors that make parenting feel more self-directed and understandable. While it will still be messy, unpredictable, and tiring, at least you will feel more in your integrity while doing it! They also talk about listening skills, anxiety, NCAA basketball, and Beyoncé’s new album.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

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Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:03:34) Tournament of Bad

(00:10:24) 5 regrets of dying

(00:15:30) The differences in the way we watch sports

(00:29:06) The first secret to parenting

(00:37:30) The second secret to parenting

(00:38:05) Todd’s Starbuck’s story

(00:40:11) Cathy’s late bus story

(00:52:00) The 1 rule of parenting

(00:59:26) Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Todd and Cathy discuss about how genuine curiosity helps our kids really hear us and value what we’re saying. The same goes for understanding each other in a partnership or empathizing with someone from a different gender perspective. When we’re open about not having all the answers, it paves the way for learning and staying connected.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

Resources

Donate to MenLiving

Join Team Zen

MenLiving Eastern Advance

Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:19:31) Team Zen

(00:21:27) Can’t throw water at a closed door

(00:26:24) Having a conversation with your kids about Sephora *

(00:40:42) The greatness of Caitlin Clark- the difference ways of greatness *

(00:48:41) Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

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Cathy and Todd discuss the importance of emotional conversations with our kids and why we need to pay attention to how we experience and perceive what our children are telling us. They discuss what kids really need from us when they are emotional and how we can support them without absolving or absorbing their pain. They also discuss Friday Night Videos and commercials from the 80’s.

For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.

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Jeremy Kraft from Avid Painting and Remodeling 630-956-1800

Time Stamps

(00:00:00) Intro

(00:12:54)  The Do’s & Don’ts of Emotional Conversations

(00:20:40) Cathy’s experience of parents at school presentations

(00:30:08) Team Zen

(00:35:03) The two phrases that can help

(00:40:08) What to do when they dump all of their day right before you go to bed

(00:42:00) How to prep for the emotional conversations

(00:58:48) Todd’s vs Cathy’s default

(01:03:23) Jeremy Kraft  Avid Co- Jeremy Kraft the bald-headed beauty from Avid Co – Painting and remodeling for the western suburbs 630-956-1800

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