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    Kids & Family

    Reflective Parenting Podcast by Curious Neuron

    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/

    Follow us on Instagram @drcindyhovington or Facebook @curiousneuronparenting

    Advertise

    Copyright: © 2024 Curious Neuron | Science of Parental Well-Being

    • Apple Podcasts
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    • Spotify

    Latest Episodes:
    Exploring Perimenopause with Dr. Kristina Calder Mar 31, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    Dr's Cindy Hovington and Kristina Calder explore perimenopause, the hormonal transition that begins in women's 40s and significantly impacts mental health, energy, and body composition.
    • Perimenopause often starts in your 40s but can begin as early as late 30s
    • Symptoms include irregular periods, insomnia, anxiety, joint pain, mood swings, and diminished stress resilience
    • Declining estrogen affects the GABA-ergic system in the brain, explaining increased anxiety and mood changes
    • Strength training becomes crucial during perimenopause to maintain muscle mass and metabolic health
    • Most women need significantly more protein than they consume (aim for your ideal body weight in grams)
    • Practical supplements include magnesium for sleep, omega-3s for inflammation, creatine for muscle and brain health
    • Heart health requires special attention as declining estrogen increases cardiovascular risks
    Visit curiousneuron.com for more resources or join the Reflective Parent Club if you need more personalized support with emotional regulation.

    Follow Dr. Calder on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/drkristinacalder/

    Sources mentioned by Kristina:

    https://www.drstacysims.com/nextlevel

    https://www.lisamosconi.com/the-menopause-brain

    https://peterattiamd.com/outlive/?_gl=1*1bp6al5*_up*MQ..*_ga*MTEzODc2NTAxNi4xNzM5OTg0Mzk5*_ga_1CG74LFGNE*MTczOTk4NDM5OS4xLjAuMTczOTk4NDM5OS4wLjAuMA..

    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39077777/

    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
    1. 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/

    How to have emotionally intelligent arguments with your partner Mar 24, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    Ever caught yourself rattling off an endless list of reminders to your partner before they take the kids somewhere? "Don't forget snacks, water bottles, jackets..." Sound familiar? In this illuminating episode, I share a personal revelation that transformed my understanding of parenting partnerships.
    The awakening came when my mother called with a simple request—take my grandmother to her hair appointment—but followed with an exhaustive list of instructions. As frustration mounted within me ("Does she think I'm incompetent?"), I suddenly recognized this same pattern in my own behavior toward my husband. This moment of clarity prompted an immediate apology and deeper reflection on how our well-intentioned reminders can actually undermine our partners.
    The episode explores practical approaches to healthier communication: setting clear goals before difficult conversations, being mindful about how we begin discussions (as this predicts how they'll end), and creating safe spaces for honest dialogue. By shifting from "do this, don't forget that" to "do you have any questions?" we honor our partners' competence while still addressing needs.
    This isn't just about smoother partnerships—it's about modelling healthy relationship skills for our children. When they witness parents communicating with respect and allowing space for mistakes and learning, they absorb these patterns for their own relationships.

    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
    1. 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/

    What the Dying Can Teach Us About Living More Fully with Dr. Kathy Zhang Mar 17, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    What can the dying teach us about living? In this transformative conversation, Dr. Kathy Zhang, a palliative care physician, shares profound insights from her work with patients at the end of life that can revolutionize our approach to parenting and emotional wellbeing.
    Dr. Zhang reveals how witnessing death daily has paradoxically enhanced her appreciation for life's simple joys. Rather than creating fear, regular exposure to mortality has normalized it, allowing her to find deep gratitude in mundane moments like "just waking up." This perspective shift offers parents a powerful lens through which to view their daily interactions with their children.
    The conversation takes an unexpected turn as Dr. Zhang introduces her "bathtub metaphor" to explain the crucial difference between rest and restoration. Many parents mistakenly believe that "doing nothing" on weekends will recharge them, then wonder why they feel just as depleted on Monday. She explains that rest merely "plugs the drain" to prevent further energy loss, while true restoration actively "adds water to the bathtub" through meaningful connection with yourself or others.

    About Dr. Zhang:

    Dr. Luyi Kathy Zhang is a hospice & palliative care physician, TEDx speaker & hypnotist. She has comforted thousands of dying patients and held space for their deepest secrets, biggest regrets and final wishes. She’s made it her mission to share these life-changing insights so people can benefit from deathbed wisdom while they’re still young and healthy.

    Follow Dr. Zhang on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/dr.luyikathyzhang/

    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
    1. 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/

    Stop searching for parenting advice and try this instead Mar 10, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    Have you ever felt crushed by the pressure to follow a specific parenting style perfectly? The weight of trying to fit into boxes labeled "positive parenting" or "conscious parenting" leaves many of us feeling inadequate and constantly seeking more information. What if there's a more sustainable approach?
    The newly renamed Reflective Parenting Podcast launches with a powerful message: building emotional intelligence skills matters more than following perfect parenting scripts. After speaking with hundreds of parents, I've discovered a common pattern – parents frantically searching for specific advice for each developmental stage, yet never feeling competent or confident in their abilities.
    Research shows that parents who struggle with emotional regulation tend to default to authoritarian parenting styles, creating chronically stressed homes and eventually teens who can't regulate their own emotions. This cycle continues unless we intentionally develop four critical domains of emotional intelligence: self-awareness, emotion regulation, parental awareness, and healthy relationship skills.
    The reflective parenting approach isn't about memorizing what to say during tantrums or following rigid schedules. It's about developing your ability to pause, notice your emotional patterns, understand your child's unique needs, and respond from a place of genuine presence rather than reactivity. When we build these foundational skills, we gain the confidence to parent our specific children, not generic ones from parenting books.
    Ready to break free from parenting labels and build genuine confidence? Join our Reflective Parent Club, where we focus on developing these essential skills together. Visit the link in the show notes to start with a 7-day free trial, or schedule a conversation about your specific parenting challenges. Let's become reflective parents 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
    1. 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/

    How the connection recession is impacting parents with Rich Woo Mar 03, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    Discover the importance of forging meaningful connections and the healing power of friendships, especially after periods of isolation. In today's episode, I chatted with author of The Connection Recession, Rich Woo.

    We discuss the following key points:

    • Emphasizing connection as essential for mental well-being
    • Personal anecdotes highlighting the necessity of nurturing relationships
    • Strategies to combat loneliness, especially for new parents
    • The value of intentional community engagement in maintaining friendships
    • Addressing barriers like fear of rejection and time management
    • The need for proactive communication in sustaining bonds


    Get his book here:

    In Canada or in the US.

    Follow him Rich on Instagram here.

    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
    1. 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/

    How to build resilience in children by allowing them to fail with Jessica Lahey Feb 24, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    We discuss the essential balance of parenting, focusing on how allowing children to fail fosters resilience and independence. Jessica Leahy shares insights from her book, The Gift of Failure, highlighting the dangers of over-parenting and the need to embrace failure as a part of learning.
    • The significance of letting children experience failure
    • Over-parenting and its effects on children's autonomy
    • Emphasizing the process of learning rather than the end result
    • Strategies for fostering independence in children
    • The role of parental expectations and societal pressures
    • Practical tips for promoting resilience and problem-solving skills
    • Real-life examples demonstrating the advantages of allowing mistakes
    • Resources for parents to further explore these concepts

    Research on overparenting:

    https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s43076-024-00407-x.pdf

    Watch this on YouTube:

    https://youtu.be/btVcqD9AQU8

    Get The Gift of Failure:

    Canada or the US

    Follow Jessica on Instagram:

    https://www.instagram.com/teacherlahey/

    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
    1. 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/

    Am I escalating this situation with my child? Feb 17, 2025
    Show notes

    Send us Fan Mail

    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

    • Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club
    1. 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/

    Supporting emotional development through play with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson Feb 10, 2025
    Show notes

    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

    • Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club
    1. 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/

    The power of connection in addiction treatment with Travis Goodman Feb 03, 2025
    Show notes

    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

    • Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club
    1. 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/

    How to parent yourself first and break unhealthy cycles with Bryana Kappadakunnel Jan 27, 2025
    Show notes

    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

    • Join the Reflective Parent Book Club for only $9.99 for the year: https://reflectiveparentclub.circle.so/checkout/reflective-parenting-book-club
    1. 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/

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