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Speaking down to children and lessons from “Frozen” Dec 24, 2013

Show notes

We interview blogger/editor Ben Martin of The Good Men Project. We discuss his blog which asks the question Why is it socially acceptable to speak down to children when we would rarely (if ever) speak to another adult in the same way? Cathy also shares her thoughts on the lessons from the movie Frozen (the trailer can be found @ the bottom of this blog). This movie is all about self acceptance, shining as brightly as we can, and how to utilize our gifts. Cathy and Todd shares some personal experience with feeling freedom after a personal breakup, miscarriages, and forgiveness. We also preview Friday's Conversations With People We Love with Josh Becker. Ben's blog can be found here. We also discuss smaller items like google calendar, sleeping in movies, & walking out of movies, the poower of empathy (Brene Brown video clip below) Don't forget to: Check out our new website & besure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR Vote for us for the Best Health & Lifestyle podcast @ Stitcher We have arranged for a screening of the documentary "Girl Rising" in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. The trailer is below. Todd's Men Adventure Retreat is February 28th through March 2nd. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbQm5doF_Uc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsvklXhYaE

Santa Clause Visits ZPR Dec 17, 2013

Show notes

Among the topics of todays podcast: We discuss a blog title "Is Disney TV poisoning our kids"? Some people thinks so. Some shows are OK, whereas others are just not good for your kids to be watching. Where's the balance between prohibiting certain shows for your kids and letting them figure out for themselves what is good/bad and then having a discussion about the shows. We contrast the "perfection" of the female actresses of Disney TV vs. what was popular in our day such as the girls on Facts of Life or even current shows such as Modern Family. The blog can be found here The badness of the cartoon "Might Mouse" and the goodness of Captain Caveman. See clips below- Lastly Santa pays a visit to ZPR. What can I say, it's one of the more interesting interviews we have done. Santa shows up @ the 34:37 mark in the show. Don't forget to: Check out our new website & besure to sign up to get all new podcast sent direct to your inbox @ ZPR Vote for us for the Best Health & Lifestyle podcast @ Stitcher We have arranged for a screening of the documentary "Girl Rising" in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. The trailer is below. Todd's Men Adventure Retreat is February 28th through March 2nd. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUHShcWlkE8 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qiw4b0bl8lc&list=PLE63EB85A58406047 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsvklXhYaE

What is Soul to Soul Parenting? Dec 13, 2013

Show notes

We talk with Annie Burnside, author, blogger, and teacher who focuses on spiritual development for individuals and families. In this podcast we discuss the problem with parenting books, why personal growth is the key to parenting, and how to infuse spiritual language and lessons into digestible bites. Annie also talks about raising teenagers and the true definition of success. Towards the end of the show, we talk about the YouTube clip included below. Annie is the author of Soul to Soul Parenting and she offers Soul Circles in the Chicago area. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIsCs9_-LP8 We have arranged for a screening of the documentary "Girl Rising" in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. Todd's men retreat is February 28th through March 2nd. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting

Heroes & Forgiveness Dec 10, 2013

Show notes

The theme for this week is forgiveness (big and small) and heroes. Cathy and Todd talk about a mugger who apologized to his victim on facebook...35 years later. In the spirit of the holiday season they discuss other forms of forgiveness - to ourselves and others. They illustrate this with the story of the two monks. and they also talk a lot about Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. As we age, our heroes evolve - Todd's hero growing up was Walter Payton, but now he is in awe of others such as Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, and a man named Chuck Feeney. The story about their philanthropic efforts can be found here. We also discuss Nelson Mandela and Malala. » Read more about the apologetic mugger here. » Read more about the two monks here. The documentary called The One percent is mentioned in which Jamie Johnson exposes the life of an heir to the Johnson & Johnson fortune. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELodtbfqBCA We also dedicate the show to the life and memory of Nelson Mandela. He is honored in part in this music video from U2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XC3ahd6Di3M We have arranged for a screening of the documentary "Girl Rising" in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. The trailer is below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJsvklXhYaE Todd's men retreat is February 28th through March 2nd. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting

4 Tips to Reduce Holiday Chaos Dec 04, 2013

Show notes

We discuss 4 ways to reduce your holiday stress: Dealing with family, How to cope with a case of the “shoulds”, Setting an intention for the holidays, Register for the 8 days of Holiday Calm Virtual Retreat. Todd features the first of four weekly shout outs to a a holiday movie. This week we feature National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. The Tournament of Bad is in full force as we debate delaying the gratification by listening to holiday music after Thanksgiving – Cathy listens whenever she wants, Todd waits – what do you do? We also play a touching clip that brings Cathy to tears

A support system for LGBT youth Nov 29, 2013

Show notes

We talk with Nancy Mullen, social worker, author, pastry chef, and advocate for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth. Nancy worked for several years in the HIV/AIDS field and shifted to her work with LGBT youth in 1998 as the executive director of a small, grassroots agency. She is a sought after public speaker on topics such as LGBT Youth and Adolescent Development and Current Trends in Working with LGBT Youth. She is a blogger and author of Urban Tidepool, a memoir that Nancy describes as “Reminiscent of Lemony Snicket’s “A Series of Unfortunate Events” with a gay twist, a helping of The Glass Castle and a hint of Erma Bombeck.” Cathy’s virtual Holiday Retreat begins on December 9th. Click the link for more info. We have arranged for a screening of the documentary “Girl Rising” in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. Todd’s men retreat is March 7th thru March 9th. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting Thank you for listening!!!

Let’s save Thursday for the turkeys Nov 26, 2013

Show notes

What is Thanksgiving about? Being with family or finding the best deal? Many retailers moved Black Friday deals up a day and now people are expected to work on Thanksgiving or they feel the need to shop instead of relax. We subscribe to not feeding into the frenzy – will you join us? We also discuss a book titled Triumphs of Experience by George Vaillant. The book is the longest longitudinal study of human development. Among the surprising findings: people who do well in old age did not necessarily do so well in midlife, and vice versa. We discuss more from the book and share a clip from the author. We learn a new idea from the author in which he states that the ability to take love in and metabolize it is the key to a successful life. Other random stuff: The Safety Dance, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Todd’s disdain for shopping and receving clothes as gifts. Cathy’s virtual Holiday Retreat begins on December 9th. Click the link for more info. We have arranged for a screening of the documentary “Girl Rising” in Lombard. Click here to purchase your tickets as there going quickly. Todd’s men retreat is March 7th thru March 9th. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting You can subscribe to Cathy’s blog by going to http://www.chicagonow.com/self-aware-parent/ Thank you for listening!!!

Three documentaries that will change your life! Nov 19, 2013

Show notes

We were inspired by a 60 Minutes segment about a group of billionaires who took “The Giving Pledge”. It’s headed up by Bill/Melinda Gates and Warren Buffet, and the only requirement is to give away at least half of your fortune. Sometimes it’s easy to look at the super rich and say, “Well if I was that rich, I would do the same thing.” The bottom line is that most people in the U.S. are rich compared to other people around the world. We must ask ourselves, are we doing everything we can to help others? The 60 Minutes is below. One of the billionaires is a man named Jeffrey Skoll. He produces documentaries with the hopes to bring about social change. This led to a discussion about our own favorite documentaries with a link to the trailers below: Girl Rising- The movie tells the stories of nine girls from nine countries. Their stories reflect their struggles to overcome societal or cultural barriers. Register to view the “Girl Rising” screening in Lombard IL on January 21st here I Am- In the film, Shadyac conducts interviews with scientists, religious leaders, environmentalists and philosophers including Desmond Tutu, Noam Chomsky, Lynne McTaggart, Elisabet Sahtouris, David Suzuki, Howard Zinn, and Thom Hartmann. The film asks two central questions: What’s Wrong With the World? and What Can We Do About it?. It is about “human connectedness, happiness, and the human spirit”,and explores themes including Darwinism, Western mores, loneliness, the economy, and the drive to war. Get “I Am” here. Miss Representation- The film interweaves stories from teenage girls with provocative interviews from the likes of Condoleezza Rice, Lisa Ling, Nancy Pelosi, Katie Couric, Rachel Maddow, Rosario Dawson, Dr. Jackson Katz, Dr. Jean Kilbourne, and Gloria Steinem to give an inside look at the media and its message. The film’s motto, “You can’t be what you can’t see,” underscores an implicit message that young women need and want positive role models, and that the media has thus far neglected its unique opportunity to provide them. The film includes a social action campaign to address change in policy, education and call for socially responsible business Get “Miss Representation” on Netflix here We only need 66 more people to “tip” this showing of 10×10 – Girl Rising! I think we can make it happen, so click below, reserve your ticket NOW (don’t wait, we need the reservation to green light the showing), and then get excited about a documentary that is SO worth your time. Click here to reserve your seats. http://gathr.us/screening/6453 Resource of the week mykidsadventures.com - My Kids’ Adventures™ is an online magazine designed to make it easy for busy parents to create adventures with their children anywhere Todd’s men retreat is March 7th thru March 9th. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting You can subscribe to Cathy’s blog by going to http://www.chicagonow.com/self-aware-parent/ Thank you for listening!!!

Former bully turned teddy bear Nov 15, 2013

Show notes

Conversations With People We Love- We interview a self admitted former bully. Mark Schultz is a friend and somebody who told Cathy and I that we had to watch the documentary Bullyand then interview him on his experiences as a former bully with the hopes that we can all learn a little bit from his experience. He shares with us how he became a bully and the unlikely person who showed up to change his ways. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUy2ZWoStr0 Todd's men retreat is March 7th thru March 9th. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting You can subscribe to Cathy’s blog by going to http://www.chicagonow.com/self-aware-parent/ Thank you for listening!!!

Bullying: Reaction to the Miami Dolphins situation Nov 12, 2013

Show notes

We are talking about bullying…. again, but this time it’s about the adults (Rich Incognito/Jonathan Martin story). We discuss “man code” and the culture of the NFL, but recognize that many cultures have a “code” that is expected to be kept. It’s easy to direct anger at the an individual, but we are reminded that most bullies were a victims at some point in their lives. We also discuss end of life decisions as a result of a news story from last week. As Todd ages, he further differentiates the difference between one’s physical body, emotions, and heart. Are we our body? This video from Nick Vujicic might help inspire you. Tournament of Bad- Todd takes issue with the new bubble wrap. Finally we answered a question from a listener tring to recapture the closeness with her daughter that is eluding her. Todd’s men retreat is March 7th thru March 9th. Please email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com for details. We would love to hear any comments from the show by sending us an email @ comments@zenparentingradio.com You can be sure to hear more by liking our facebook page @ https://www.facebook.com/ZenParenting You can subscribe to Cathy’s blog by going to http://www.chicagonow.com/self-aware-parent/ Thank you for listening!!!

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