Todd and Cathy talked with Dr. Dan Peters, psychologist, author, and host of the Parent Footprint Podcast. They discussed the difference between anxiety, fear, and worry, how to identify “paper” tigers, and how to talk to our kids about real world threats and safety.

Cathy and Todd discuss the truth about suffering (or life is suffering) which is #1 of The Four Noble Truths. They discuss how this truth is so easily misinterpreted and how it actually offers deep wisdom and relief. They use several analogies and metaphors to make their point (some better than others…) and recognize the resilience and hope that lives at the heart of our experiences.

Todd and Cathy discuss focusing on the little things to find joy, especially finding a sense of community and paying attention to nature. They discuss how to “do hard better”, how to take care of ourselves during difficult times, and the genuine and warm nature of Jeff Bridges

Todd and Cathy discuss how to get in touch with our essential humanity to navigate difficult times. They talk about getting up again and again, specifically how to pay attention, make a difference, and focus on what matters most. They also discuss Tom Cruise movies, Stranger Things, Mythology, and finding joy in what inspires us.

Cathy and Todd discuss the impact of the overturn of Roe V Wade, finding joy through the sadness, and how we can show up during difficult times.  We also mention this blog by Adam Grant titled How to Argue about Abortion

Cathy & Todd discuss how paradoxical emotions are common and normal, and how we can accept rather than avoid our emotional experiences. They discuss why experiencing uncomfortable emotions are not a failure or an inability to keep our inner impulses in check, but rather the way we experience the normal ups and downs of life. They also debate whether the person grilling has the most power and how Chicago baseball is going.

Todd & Cathy are joined by two of their daughters (Camryn, 17 & Skylar, 14) to discuss Season 4, Volume 1 of Stranger Things. They discuss how the season was influenced by horror movies from the 80’s (Carrie, The Amityville Horror, A Nightmare on Elm Street to name a few….) plus other fan favorites from Generation X (Star Wars, War Games, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, etc). They each choose a song to help them run away from Vecna, process the show’s best characters, and share their hottest takes from this season and what comes next.

Cathy and Todd talk with actor, comedian, and author Michael Ian Black (The State, Wet Hot American Summer, Inside Amy Schumer, The Baxter) about his  book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son. They discuss healthy masculinity, why language keeps us from understanding each other, and how communication and empathy can keep us connected to ourselves and our kids.

Todd and Cathy discuss common sense gun laws that can make a difference, and discuss the work that Moms Demand Action and Founder Shannon Watts have done and are doing. They discuss how optimism is the recognition that something can be done, and also how taking care of yourself and taking breaks from the news are part of the process. They also discuss Cathy’s latest Zen Parenting Moment about Stranger Things and Kate Bush, and her recent interview with Lewis Howes on The School of Greatness Podcast.

Todd and Cathy talk with Ben Feller, former AP White House reporter under George W Bush and Barack Obama, and now author of Big Problems, Little Problems, a story of how a dad teaches his son to solve the daily challenges of life. They discuss priorities, lessons from our children, what it’s like to work in the White House, the state of journalism, and also debate their favorite journalism movies (Michael Keaton happens to be in two of them….)