Cat & Nat Unfiltered

Latest Episodes:

The Summer Series: If They're Not Online, Are They Left Out? Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

Everyone wants a simple answer: When should I give my kid a phone? The problem is, there isn’t one. It's one of the biggest parenting debates out there—phones, Snapchat, social media, and whether keeping our kids offline is protecting them or leaving them out. From flip phones and family tracking apps to group chats, Snap Maps, and the reality of how kids actually communicate today, we're unpacking the pressure many of us feel and the balancing act of keeping our kids safe while helping them stay connected. We talk about the fear of exclusion, the risks that come with social media, why one-size-fits-all rules rarely work, and why every child's readiness looks different. The question isn't always, "Is my child ready for a phone?" Sometimes it's, "Am I ready to parent one?"

If you're navigating the digital world with tweens or teens, this episode is for you!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild World of Hockey Episode 4: Hockey Rink Icks Jun 12, 2026

Show notes

We are bringing you episode 4 of the wild world of youth hockey—from tournament weekends and rink life to hockey dads behaving badly, it all continues! We've got viral parent fights in the stands, glass-banging enthusiasts (one who aggressive cheerer/glass clapper who may surprise you!), sideline coaching, team group chats, and all the things that give them the ultimate rink ick. It's all part of the strange, entertaining, and occasionally unhinged culture of youth sports. Whether you're a hockey parent, a sports parent, or just someone who loves hearing about real-life chaos, this episode is packed with plenty of rink-side drama. Leave us your biggest rink icks, your wildest sports-parent stories, and tell us what's the craziest thing you've ever seen at a game?

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hospitals Are Better Than Reality TV Jun 09, 2026

Show notes

We covered everything from mammograms and mysterious ultrasound follow-ups to hormones and perimenopause. We also talk about the anxiety of waiting for health test results, the surprisingly entertaining world of hospital waiting rooms, and whether hormones might be responsible for our shrinking patience. And because no conversation stays on track for long, we somehow end up pitching a whole new business venture involving spray tans, laser hair removal, and the realization that women could probably build an entire economy just by trading the skills they already have.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Summer Series: Phones, Anxiety & Teens Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

This week, we're diving headfirst into the thing parents worry about more than anything else: teen mental health. Are our kids more anxious than ever, or are we just using different language now? What's the difference between being nervous, shy, anxious, sentimental, or depressed? And how much of it is connected to phones, social media, and the digital world our kids are growing up in? We talk about the realities of parenting in a world where our kids' entire social lives live on a device—and why conversations matter more than simply taking the phone away.

Keywords

teen mental health, social media, anxiety, parenting, phones, digital age, teenagers, mental health awareness, summer series

Key topics

Teen mental health and social media
Impact of phones on anxiety and self-esteem
Parenting strategies for digital age
Understanding mental health terminology and misconceptions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild World of Hockey Episode 3: How Hockey Became Hot Jun 05, 2026

Show notes

From Heated Rivalry and Off Campus to Shoresy and the wave of new hockey-inspired shows hitting our screens, it feels like hockey has officially entered its pop culture era. But why now? We sat down with branding, media, and pop culture expert Max Valiquette to unpack why these shows have become such massive cultural moments, why audiences are completely obsessed, and what hockey has that other sports don't. Whether you're a hockey parent, a Heated Rivalry superfan, or someone who's wondering why everyone on your feed suddenly can't stop talking about hockey, episode three in our Wide World of Hockey series breaks down the cultural moment everyone seems to be living through.

Keywords

hockey culture, pop culture, sports shows, media influence, identity, entertainment trends

Key topics

Hockey's influence in pop culture
The appeal of hockey-related shows
The role of gender and identity in sports media

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You Can’t Control The Next Phase Jun 02, 2026

Show notes

This week we're talking about that weird phase of parenting where there's somehow less hands-on work, but way more mental load. We used to feel like teachers. Now we feel like principals. Every child develops on their own timeline, and parenting advice starts to feel less helpful the older they get. We talk about respect, boundaries, letting go of control, and why our kids are learning far more from watching us than from anything we actually say. And because our brains never stay on one topic for long, we somehow end up designing our dream Cat & Nat game show—complete with audience participation, dance-offs, giant prizes, confetti, and enough chaos to make us immediately want to go back on tour!

Keywords

parenting, life phases, parenting advice, childhood milestones, authenticity, parenting humor, family life, parenting tips, parenting journey, parenting challenges

Key topics

Parenting through life phases

Balancing discipline and fun

The impact of modeling behavior

Parenting individuality and uniqueness

Creating meaningful family moments

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Screen Time: The Parenting Battle Nobody Warns You About Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

We're talking about one of the hardest parts of parenting right now: screens. This episode explores the complexities of managing our children's screen time, the importance of setting boundaries, and how parents can navigate the digital world to foster healthier habits. Are our kids addicted to their phones? Are we? How do you teach healthy habits when technology is changing faster than any of us can keep up? From screen time meltdowns and endless notifications to AI, deepfakes, Snapchat, online misinformation, and the importance of boredom, we're unpacking what it actually means to parent in a digital world.

We also talk about why boundaries aren't punishment, why kids often become more connected when their phones are put away, and how helping them build healthy digital habits today can set them up for success tomorrow.

Keywords

screen time, parenting, digital habits, children's devices, parental controls, screen sense guide, digital literacy, family tech management

Key topics

Screen time management strategies

Parental controls and settings

Teaching kids digital responsibility

Takeaways

Setting clear boundaries helps children develop independence and healthy habits.

Using parental controls and screen time reports can prevent overuse and addiction.

Teaching children about their feelings and reactions to screens fosters self-awareness.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Wild World of Hockey Episode 2: We're In Our Hockey Era May 29, 2026

Show notes

Welcome to the second episode in our series on the wild world of hockey - a special 8-part series airing every Friday, where no topic is off limits. This week, we dive headfirst into the world of hockey dramas, hockey romance, and the sudden cultural takeover of soft hockey boys everywhere. From Off Campus to Heated Rivalry, we unpack why these shows are exploding, how hockey players became the ultimate romantic lead, and why everyone is craving tension, chemistry, and “yearning” again. We get into puck bunnies, hookup culture, and the era of athletes being just as famous off the ice as they are on it. Why is hockey officially the hottest sport on TV? Let us know your thoughts!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stop Chasing What You Were May 26, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking postpartum bodies, aging, bagels, body image, more bagels, mammograms, colonoscopies, and why trying to get your “old body back” is basically impossible. We spiral through bathing suits vs. bikinis, breakfast debates, HRT, colonoscopies, movement vs. weight, and the insane pressure women feel to constantly “fix” themselves at every age. Here's a quick PSA, staying strong matters way more than chasing your 20-year-old body!

Keywords

body image, postpartum, health, aging, self-acceptance, women, body changes, mental health, self-love, aging gracefully

Key topics

Postpartum body changes and acceptance
Societal pressures on women's bodies
Aging and body evolution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Straight A’s Don’t Guarantee Straight Paths May 25, 2026

Show notes

We’re talking about the pressure kids feel to follow the “right” path — good grades, university, dream job — and why real life rarely works that way. We get into how differently kids learn, why effort matters more than straight A’s, and why creative problem-solving might matter more than memorization in an AI world.

We also dive into neurodivergent thinking, cheat-sheet debates, getting kicked out of Girl Guides, and the weird freedom of growing up in the ’80s roaming neighborhoods unsupervised.

Plus: the teachers who make kids love school, why every version of our kids is only “for now,” and the endless cycle of appointments, sports injuries, and growing pains that comes with raising teens in Toronto.

Keywords

education, parenting, creativity, school system, learning styles, neurodivergent, shortcuts, cheating, future of education, parenting tips

Key topics

Traditional vs. modern education approaches
Neurodivergent learning styles and creativity
The role of shortcuts and support in learning
Parenting tips for fostering independence and effort
The impact of school environment on kids' happiness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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