Reflective Parenting Podcast by Curious Neuron

Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.

You don’t snap at your kids because you’re a bad parent. You snap because your stress builds faster than your awareness, and no one ever taught you how to handle that.

I’m Dr. Cindy Hovington, a mom of three with a doctorate in neuroscience and founder of Curious Neuron. I created The Reflective Parenting Podcast for parents who care deeply, know a lot, and still find themselves overwhelmed in the real moments.

This is not a podcast where I tell you how to be a perfect parent. I’m in it with you.

Each week, I invite you into my own reflections:

what I’m learning from scientific articles and books,
what I’m noticing in my nervous system and emotions,
and what real parents and experts teach me in conversation.

Together, we get curious about why we snap, shut down, or over-function in conflict, and what’s actually happening in our brain and body when we do. We talk about stress, shame, repair, boundaries, playfulness, and the quiet moments no one sees—so you can start to recognize your patterns and gently shift them.

By listening, you’ll learn to:

notice your stress and body signals earlier,
understand the lenses and stories that intensify hard moments,
regulate your nervous system when parenting feels like “too much”,
and handle conflict with more calm, clarity, and repair.
But more than that, you’ll have a companion in the work.

I’ll share where I struggle, what I’m practicing, and how I’m trying to grow, so you don’t feel like the only parent who finds this hard.

If you’re ready to move away from “perfect” parenting and toward reflective parenting—where every tough moment becomes data, not failure—pull up a chair.

Let’s learn, feel, and grow together.

Find out which book I will be covering next month:

https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/

Join the private group on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast/

Start training your emotional awareness for FREE:

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

Purchase my course The Emotionally Aware Parent.

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

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S9 · E18
Yesterday · 31 min
How do we teach kids to think critically in a world full of misinformation?
Send us Fan Mail As parents, many of us want our children to do well in school, but what if one of the most important skills they need is not memorizing information, but learning how to question it? In this episode, you and I reflect on what it means to raise critical thinkers in a world filled with headlines, social media experts, AI-generated information, and endless opinions. Together, we explore how curiosity, thoughtful questions, and open conversations at home can help our children learn not just what to think, but how to think. Drawing from Julie Bogart’s book Raising Critical Thinkers (the book I will discuss inside the book club this week) and the research of Dr. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang, in today's podcast episode, we will reflect on: • Why curiosity may be one of the most important skills we can protect in our children • How emotions, beliefs, and experiences shape the way we understand information • Simple questions parents can ask to help children think more deeply • How family conversations and respectful debates strengthen reasoning skills • Why education is not only about learning facts, but about helping children become thoughtful, reflective human beings • How we can model curiosity and critical thinking in our own everyday lives You do not need to know all the answers to help your child become a critical thinker. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause, get curious together, and ask: Who says this? How do we know? What else could be true? I hope this episode gives you a moment to reflect, learn, and continue growing alongside your child. Listen to my conversation with Julie here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-podcast-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000561516016 Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E17
September 22 · 31 min
Am I Disciplining or Threatening My Child? What Science Says About Verbal Abuse
Send us Fan Mail I'm back with part two of the conversation sparked by my episode with Georgiana but this time digging into one of the most misunderstood words in parenting: discipline. Pulling from Dan Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson's No-Drama Discipline, I challenge how most of us were taught to think about the word — punishment, stopping a behavior that's annoying us — versus what actually works: discipline as teaching. I share a moment from my son's soccer practice that stopped me in my tracks: a dad switching to Italian mid-practice to threaten his seven-year-old with "wait until we get home." It's the kind of moment most of us have been in, on one side or the other and I use it to ask a harder question: is that discipline, or something else? I also walk through a study most parents haven't heard of, showing that verbal abuse — yelling, threats, name-calling, belittling — can impact a child's development as significantly as physical discipline. Lastly, I introduce a simple framework — the aggressive tiger, the passive mouse, and the assertive owl — to help you recognize your own voice in the heat of the moment. This episode isn't about guilt. It's an invitation to notice, reflect, and start showing your kids what accountability looks like... starting with yourself. The 3 Reflections I Share Does my child still feel loved when I'm disciplining them (or when I'm angry)? Do I hold myself accountable for my own behavior in moments of discipline? What could my child have said or done differently? — the accountability question, turned outward, once everyone's calm. Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E16
September 15 · 54 min
What's the Difference Between Discipline and Punishment?
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Georgianna Karamitos — a lawyer, educator, trauma-informed conflict resolution practitioner, and children's book author — to unpack the real difference between discipline and punishment. We dig into why repeating yourself doesn't work until a child feels heard, how power struggles hijack parent-child relationships, why "relational safety" is the missing piece in most conflict, and what the neuroscience actually says about spanking and harsh discipline. If you are a parent stuck in the loop of "I've said this ten times and nothing changes" then this episode is for you! Resources: Book: No Drama Discipline by Dan Siegal Study: Spanking and Child Outcomes: Old Controversies and New Meta-Analyses Guest Links: https://margueritebooks.ca/ Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E15
September 8 · 22 min
What if conflict were actually an invitation for intimacy?
Send us Fan Mail Hi Reflective Parents, Ever feel stuck arguing about the same thing over and over with your partner? In this episode, I break down a key concept from the Gottmans' book Fight Right: that perpetual conflict often hides a deeper "dream" underneath it, and naming that dream can turn conflict into a chance for real intimacy. I also reflect on what this means for parenting from bedtime battles to unrealistic expectations and how getting curious with your child, the same way you would with a partner, can change everything. Come reflect with me! Learn more from the Gottman Institute: https://www.gottman.com/ Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E14
September 1 · 30 min
Reflecting About the New School Year: Expectations, Slowing Down & Sparking Curiosity
Send us Fan Mail Hi Reflective Parents! As we jump into a new school year, I wanted to take some time to pause with you and reflect on how we can make this year feel a little less stressful and a lot more connected. This episode was inspired by a question from a mom that emailed me and I'm bringing in some unexpected inspiration — including a quote from a romance novel (Yours Truly) that changed the way I think about how we relate to our kids. I'm sharing three things I believe can make a real difference this year: Watch the expectations we place on our kids. It's okay to want your child to grow and push themselves but there's a difference between healthy goals and making them feel like they're constantly disappointing you. We'll talk about how to hold both. Slow down. Between homework, activities, and weekend plans, it's easy to feel like we're always reacting instead of connecting. I'll share small, doable ways to carve out real time with your family this year. Bring curiosity and learning into your home. Learning doesn't stop at the school doors. I'll walk you through how we use a "curiosity box" at home to keep that spark alive no matter how you school your kids. If you're feeling the back-to-school hustle already, I hope this episode gives you a moment to breathe, reflect, and reconnect with what really matters this year. Happy reflections, my friends! See you inside our new book club! Interested in joining our 8-week cohort? Apply below! Classes start October 12th. https://form.typeform.com/to/F9qIbzPT?typeform-source=curiousneuron.com Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E13
August 25 · 25 min
Reflecting on how mental heath care is failing us all
Send us Fan Mail Hi Reflective Parents, In today's episode, I share my honest thoughts about mental health care and honestly, they are not that positive. It's been feeling a little heavy these days with the Lindsay Clancy trial, a father that reached out who is struggle with depression and my own mental health from not having been in our home since January. I share my thought and as always, I share what I am doing to work through this hard season. Come reflect with me and if you want more of this, don't forget to join our Reflective Parenting Book Club below to join the conversation and reflections with other parents. Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E12
August 18 · 17 min
Reflections on what we need to teach our kids about conflict (which also applies to adults)
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I reflect on what it really means to teach children how to handle conflict. Drawing from my own experience coaching my seven- and nine-year-old sons through months of sibling conflict, I share practical ways to help children slow down, communicate their needs, listen to one another, and take responsibility for their part. Here are the 3 reflections you can discuss with your kids after they had conflict: What could I have said or done differently to de-escalate this argument? Did I give the other person space to talk and explain themselves? What part of this conflict do I need to own? (ways I escalated the argument) Don't miss my Tedx Talk! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E11
August 11 · 30 min
Reflections on Conflict: What If Conflict Is Actually Healthy?
Send us Fan Mail What if conflict isn't something we need to avoid—but something we need to learn how to do? In this episode, I reflect on Brené Brown's idea of “rumbling” from Dare to Lead and what it can teach us about conflict at home. Instead of trying to win an argument, what if the goal was to unravel—to get curious, understand each other's perspectives, own our part, and work through the messy middle together? I share personal reflections on how my own experiences shaped the way I used to show up in conflict, why taking a timeout can actually be an act of love, and how we can teach our children that conflict doesn't have to mean disconnection. Because our kids don't need to see a home without conflict. They need to see what healthy conflict can look like. A rumble is a discussion, conversation or a meeting defined by a commitment to lean into vulnerability, to stay curious and generous, to stick with the messy middle of problem identification and solving, to take a break and circle back when necessary, to be fearless and own your own parts and to listen with the same passion which we want to be heard. Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E10
August 4 · 25 min
Reflections on Daring to Lead as a Parent
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I reflect on Brené Brown’s Dare to Lead and what it means to bring the principles of daring leadership into parenting. I explore how courage, vulnerability, self-awareness, and connection show up in our homes and in the way we lead our children. In this episode we reflect on: What it means to be a leader for our children and how parenting and leadership work overlap. The heart of daring leadership: courage, vulnerability, and “rumbling” with difficult conversations at home. How fear, self-awareness, and self-love shape the way we show up with our kids. Courage as contagious: modelling repair, honesty, and emotional growth so our children feel safe to do the same. Ready to join our new book club? Come reflect with me (even if you don't have time to read, I will do it for you) https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E9
July 28 · 23 min
Reflections on resilience, freedom & identity from the book In Order to Live
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I reflect on In Order to Live by Yeonmi Park and the deep questions it raised for me about freedom, identity, resilience, and what it means to think for ourselves. The book prompted powerful reflections on how we understand our own stories, how we support our children’s sense of self, and how freedom can feel both expansive and exhausting. I also connect the book’s themes to parenting, especially around giving children room to explore who they are, make mistakes, ask questions, and develop their own identity. For parents, this episode is an invitation to pause and reflect on the mental load we carry, the freedoms we have, and the space we create for our children to become themselves. Reflections for this week: What parts of your story have you kept private, and what might change if you shared them with the right person or community? In what ways are you helping your child build an identity that feels like their own? Are you giving your child enough freedom to make mistakes, get curious, and think for themselves? If someone asked you, “Who are you?” beyond your roles and titles, how would you answer? See you inside our Book Club (it is only $10 for the entire year!) Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E8
July 21 · 18 min
Reflections on loving more deeply and being present
Send us Fan Mail This week, I'm sharing six simple mantras from the book How to Love that made me stop, reflect, and think differently about the way I show up as a parent, partner, and person. Together, we'll explore what it really means to be present, to recognize when someone we love is struggling, to ask for help when we're suffering, to notice the happy moments that are easy to overlook, and to remember that in conflict, two people can both be partly right. These aren't parenting tips or book summaries. They're invitations to pause, reflect, and become more intentional in the way we connect with the people we love. The six mantras we'll reflect on: I am here for you. I know you are there, and I am happy. I know you are suffering. I am suffering. This is a happy moment. You are partly right. I hope this conversation gives you something to carry with you throughout the week. Join our book club this week to discuss other books or to dig deeper on that last mantra "you are partly right". Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E7
July 14 · 31 min
Reflections on the Hidden Risks Inside Kids' Group Chats
Send us Fan Mail What does Toy Story 5 have to do with raising emotionally healthy kids? Trigger warning: masturbation is mentioned in this episode. Much more than I expected. After watching the movie with my children, I found myself reflecting on something far bigger than screen time: the conversations we're not having about friendship, group chats, and cyberbullying. In this episode, I share the true story of a Grade 6 classroom that left me speechless, explore what research tells us about the long-term impact of cyberbullying, and offer three simple reflection questions you can use to start meaningful conversations with your own child. If we're going to hand our children devices, we also need to help them build the emotional skills to navigate the digital world. Join our book club for only $9.99 for an entire year! https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-podcast-book-club Read my blog post about cyberbullying: https://curiousneuron.com/2026/07/12/research-finds-that-cyberbullying-harms-kids-mental-health-over-time/ Read the scientific article I shared with you here: Traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the digital age and its associated mental health problems in children and adolescents: a meta‐analysis Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E6
July 7 · 23 min
3 reflections about how we take care of ourselves as parents
Send us Fan Mail Why do so many parents feel like they don't have time to take care of themselves? The answer isn't as simple as being busy. This week, we're reflecting on a passage from the book How to Love by Thich Nhat Hanh and exploring why our own needs slowly disappear after becoming parents. I'll also share a simple reflection exercise that helped me reconnect with the things that brought me joy before having children—and why gratitude may be more powerful than we think. In this episode, we reflect on: What brought me joy before I had children? How can I bring a small part of that back into my life? What moments of joy have I been overlooking? Sometimes the goal isn't finding more time. It's learning to notice what already helps us feel more like ourselves. Don't forget to join our NEW BOOK CLUB! https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ This week's resources: This month's book: How to Love Article: The impact of gratitude on depression and anxiety: the mediating role of criticizing, attacking, and reassuring the self Article: The efficacy of seven gratitude interventions for promoting subjective well-being Related podcast episodes you might have missed: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-podcast/id1440533170?i=1000771848174 https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-podcast/id1440533170?i=1000720552759 Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/npYxwq3MT0Q Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E5
June 30 · 38 min
Reflections on Radicalization: Could It Happen to My Child?
Send us Fan Mail When we hear the word radicalization, we often think, "That could never happen to my family." But what if radicalization begins with something much more human—a need to belong, to feel understood, or to make sense of emotional pain? In this episode, I sit down with men's coach and former counterterrorism professional James Stamatelos to explore why some young people become vulnerable to extremist ideas, how social media can amplify that vulnerability, and what parents can do to build stronger protective relationships with their children. In this episode, we discuss: What radicalization really is. Why belonging and emotional pain matter. How social media can influence young people. Why curiosity is often more powerful than confrontation. How connection can help protect our children. Reflection Question: If my child encountered harmful ideas online, would they feel safe enough to talk to me about them? Book James mentioned: How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion (Amazon Canada) Resources: Violence Prevention Network Diverting Hate Life After Hate Connect with James or learn more from him: James J. Stamatelos is a professional coach and Certified Level 3 Internal Family Systems (IFS) practitioner who specializes in helping men overcome what he calls “anxious insecurity”—the persistent feeling of being chronically “not enough” despite external success. Before transitioning into coaching, James worked in high-pressure environments as an intelligence analyst for the Region 13 Counter-Terrorism Task Force Fusion Center and as a specialist for the City of Pittsburgh Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security. His background gives him a unique perspective on stress, identity, and psychological resilience. The Radicalization of Men (The Psychology of Feeling ‘Not Enough’) on the EZ Conversations Podcast Book a coaching with James Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E4
June 23 · 23 min
3 reflections on how you experience unpleasant emotions
Send us Fan Mail How do you allow yourself to feel, experience and move past unpleasant emotions? In this episode, I share how unpleasant emotions like worry, sadness, or even boredom can lead to some behaviours we might want to be more aware of. If you notice that you often get stuck in unpleasant emotions or that your anger or frustration leads to harder moments with loved ones, then this episode is for you. Here are today's 3 reflections: Can I let myself feel an uncomfortable emotion without trying to fix it right away? What happens in my thoughts, feelings, and behavior when I’m feeling something unpleasant? Can I notice the good moments that may be happening alongside difficult emotions? Hope you are liking this new version of the podcast! You can email me info@curiousneuron.com to let me know. In August, I will start focusing on a book of the month. Follow along on our private Facebook page or visit our website below! Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E3
June 16 · 26 min
3 reflections on what my grandma taught me about parenting
Send us Fan Mail This was a hard episode for me to record but I needed to honour my grandmother who passed away yesterday. Today's reflections are: Does my child feel loved and respected by me? Does my child feel like they belong? Do I help my child build their confidence by letting them fail or giving them opportunities to prove to themselves that they can do it I hope you enjoy this episode and that it helps you reflect on how you are showing up for your child in every day actions. This was a reminder for me as well! (no one is perfect!) Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E2
June 9 · 22 min
3 reflections on self-love (and how this will nourish your happiness)
Send us Fan Mail This week, we are reflecting on our self-love. This week's reflections are: How do I nourish my happiness? Do I see my body and mind as my home? How do you feed your mind and body? As parents I think we need to remember to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly nourishes us. This reminds us that we matter and that we do love ourselves. These reflections are inspired by the book How to Love. I hope this week's episode can help you be more intentional with what you consume so you can show up with more calm and connection in your daily lives. Book: How to love by Thich Nhat Hanh (Amazon.com) My conversation with Dr.Kristen Neff: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000652462526 Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S9 · E1
June 2 · 25 min
Why self-care isn't working for you
Send us Fan Mail I'm Back! After five months away from the microphone, I'm finally back. If you've been wondering where I've been, thank you for checking in. Your emails, messages, and support meant more to me than you know. I explain what happened in this episode and share how this time away also gave me space to reflect. In also share what I've been learning about capacity the idea that our ability to cope, connect, parent, and respond changes throughout the day based on what's happening around us and within us. We often tell ourselves that we don't have time for self-care. But what if the real question isn't about self-care at all? What if it's about learning to notice and respond to our needs? In this episode, we explore: Why "I don't have time for self-care" may be the wrong question What Capacity Mountain taught me about stress and emotional well-being The three categories of needs that most parents overlook: Body, Mind, and Connection How small intentional pauses can help you show up differently for your child Why many of us have forgotten what our needs even are A simple way to start noticing what is draining—and replenishing—your capacity This episode marks a new chapter for the podcast and for Curious Neuron. Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're joining for the first time, I'm grateful you're here. Let's reconnect, reflect, and continue this journey together. Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S8 · E40
Dec 16, 2025 · 50 min
You, Your Husband, and His Mother: Untangling a Tricky Family Dynamic with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish
Send us Fan Mail Family dynamics can feel especially intense around the holidays and one of the most challenging patterns many parents face is the triangle between you, your partner, and your mother-in-law. In today’s episode, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish returns to the podcast to help us make sense of this dynamic with compassion, clarity, and evidence-based tools. In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, psychologist and author of You, Your Husband & His Mother, to unpack why the mother-in-law / daughter-in-law dynamic is so emotionally charged and how it quietly strains couples. We talk about boundaries, guilt, generational differences, cultural expectations, and what couples can do to stop feeling divided and start acting as a solid team. In this episode, we cover: Why this family dynamic is uniquely triggering How boundaries get misunderstood and what actually works What to do when your partner shuts down or minimizes the issue How to recover after a difficult family gathering Why connection comes before problem-solving Join me for a free Webinar on December 17th at 8pm (and get the replay!): https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/ce962dd904 You can purchase Tracy's book, You, Your Husband and Your Mother in Law, in the US or in Canada. You can also get her first book (which I also highly recommend called "I didn't Sign up for This" in the US or Canada. Listen to my previous conversation with Tracy below: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000627417247 Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
S8 · E39
Dec 8, 2025 · 27 min
Your Triggers Aren’t a Parenting Failure — They’re a Signal
Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever ended a night thinking, “Why did I snap again?” — this episode is for you. Today, we’re diving into what’s really happening in your brain and body when your child pushes your buttons. Because those intense reactions? They aren’t proof that you’re a bad parent. They’re signals from a nervous system in overdrive — and once you can recognize those signals, you can change the way you respond. We’ll talk about: Why your child’s emotions can feel like a threat to your brain The science behind emotional flooding (in both you and your child) How stress, exhaustion, and self-expectations reduce your window of tolerance What “repair” looks like — and why it matters more than getting it perfect You’ll walk away with practical reflection questions and simple shifts that help you move from snapping to connecting — even on the hard days. Join next week's FREE webinar (or get the replay): https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/ce962dd904 Read the full article: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24392687/ Share your thoughts and questions with me: https://form.typeform.com/to/Dadaa8ns Read a blog post about this: https://curiousneuron.com/2025/12/03/why-you-still-snap-even-when-youve-done-the-work/ Support the show Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club Watch my Tedx Talk on YouTube called The Over-Educated, Emotionally Underprepared Parent: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDYJFY_9K9E&t=19s Grab my course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Doors open to join the next 8-week training (Starts Oct 12th) here https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/

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