Send us a textIn this special 200th episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, we chat with renowned professor from the University of Calgary Dr. Nicole Letourneau. Her research focuses on enhancing parental reflective functioning (RF), the ability to understand and interpret one's own and a child's mental and emotional states. Through the development of the ATTACH™ program, a 10-week intervention, she has demonstrated that improving RF leads to stronger parent-child interactions, secure attachme...
Send us a textGrief is a complex journey, especially when it involves the devastating loss of a loved one by suicide. Join us as we sit down with Reshma, a mother of three, who shares her heartfelt story of healing following her husband's tragic death. Through her lens, we explore how mindfulness has been a beacon of hope for her family, providing essential tools for emotional regulation and coping with stress. Reshma's experience serves as a poignant reminder of the power of community and mi...
Send us a textDiscover how to navigate the stress of the holiday season while prioritizing your mental well-being and fostering a joyful atmosphere for yourself and your family. This episode promises to equip parents with actionable strategies and insights, offering three essential tips to manage the challenges of family gatherings, financial pressures, and past negative experiences. But that's not all—the episode also sheds light on the art of boundary-setting, ensuring you maintain holiday ...
Send us a textIn this conversation, Cindy Hovington chats with Tammy Schamuhn, Registered Psychologist, Best-Selling Author, Co-Founder of the Institute of Child Psychology and the Executive Director of Family Counselling Centres discuss the importance of parental involvement in child development, the challenges parents face, and the need for setting boundaries. They explore the emotional struggles parents encounter, especially in the wake of COVID-19, and emphasize the significance of unders...
Send us a textA parent from our membership asked me "How can I manage the mental load" and in today's episode, I break down the advice I gave this parent. We all have a mental load and sometimes it seems like nothing can make it disappear. However, there are ways that we can manage this better and feel less of this burden on our minds. I share tips from the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown and one study that I found on productivity. I summarize these 4 changes you can make at the end of the ...
Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Pierre Azzam discusses the intersection of mental health and professional coaching, particularly focusing on the experiences of fathers. He highlights the stigma surrounding mental health for men and the importance of understanding postpartum depression in fathers. The conversation emphasizes the need for compassionate communication and support for men experiencing mental health challenges, especially during the transition to fatherhood. We tackle the s...
Send us a textIn this conversation, Cindy and Lauren discuss the multifaceted role of a fertility coach, emphasizing a holistic approach that integrates emotional and physical well-being. They explore the significant stress associated with fertility journeys, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of community support. Lauren shares insights on emotional processing, the necessity of allowing oneself to feel pain, and the value of listening and holding space for those experien...
Send us a textDoes your child struggle with letting go of toys they love?Saying goodbye and having closure is something we need to support our kids with. I hope this week's episode helps not only your child with closure, but helps you the next time you need to say goodbye to a loved one or something major.Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitJoin our membership, The Reflective Parent Club to learn how to manage your e...
Send us a textIn this conversation, Dr. Jessi Gold, Author of "How do you Feel?" discusses her book on mental health and burnout, particularly in the healthcare sector. She shares her personal experiences and insights on the subtlety of burnout, the cultural perceptions surrounding mental health, and the importance of self-care and compassion. The discussion emphasizes the need for individuals to recognize their own emotional states and the societal pressures that often prevent them from taki...
Send us a textIn this episode of the Curious Neuron Podcast, Cindy Hovington speaks with Dr. Erin O'Connor, Ph.D., about the complexities of the mother-child relationship, the importance of attachment theory, and the impact of parental stress on parenting styles. We discuss the significance of sensitivity and responsiveness in parenting, the challenges of separation anxiety, and the role of community support for parents. The conversation also touches on the teacher-child relationship, the imp...
Send us a textWhat if you could turn fleeting happiness into lasting joy and protect yourself from worry and self-doubt? In the latest Curious Neuron podcast, join me, Cindy, as we explore the connection between joy and emotional regulation. We’ll dive into neuroscience and the insights of Brené Brown to tackle the fears and anxieties that often block joy.Let’s rethink joy—not as material things, but as simple pleasures and meaningful moments. Learn how savoring these moments can boost your r...
Send us a textIn this episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, host Cindy Hovington engages in a heartfelt conversation with Miranda, a mom of 3, about the complexities of parenting. They explore the evolution of parenting styles, particularly the shift towards more conscious and respectful approaches. Miranda shares her personal journey of navigating discipline, understanding developmental appropriateness, and the importance of emotional intelligence in parenting. The discussion high...
Send us a textWhat if your automatic "no" responses are stealing precious moments of joy with your children? This week, I share an eye-opening personal story about how a spontaneous water gun fight with my kids became a treasured memory and a lesson in the power of saying "yes." We dive into the roots of our instinctual refusals and explore practical strategies to be more present and connected with our children. Discover how tools like emotional intelligence, effective communication, and stre...
Send us a textIn this conversation, I chat with Connie about the critical aspects of preschool education, emphasizing the importance of play in child development. We explore the challenges children face in adapting to open-ended play, the significance of emotional regulation, and the need for realistic expectations from parents. The discussion highlights the role of curiosity in learning, the nurturing of compassion and empathy, and practical tips for parents to support their children's devel...
Send us a textIn this episode, Kirsten Cobabe, a teen coach, discusses how parents can navigate the challenges of raising teenagers. She emphasizes the importance of building a strong connection with teens and understanding their perspective. Kirsten suggests that parents should shift their mindset and approach the teenage years with openness and curiosity. She encourages parents to set boundaries while also holding space for their teens' emotions and experiences. Kirsten also highlights the ...
Send us a textIn this episode, I discuss the importance of parental stress and its impact on parenting. I introduce the Reflective Parent Club (IT'S FINALLY OPEN!!), a membership program aimed at helping parents pause, reflect, and regulate their emotions. I emphasize the need for parents to respect their time and create meaningful connections with their children. I also encourage parents to evaluate their schedules, set boundaries, and prioritize quality time with their families. The episode...
Send us a textCurious about finding real happiness even in life's chaos? In this episode of the Curious Neuron podcast, we explore what happiness truly means, with insights from Stephanie Harrison, author of New Happy. She shares simple ways to bring joy into your life through small, meaningful actions.We also challenge the idea that you have to go it alone and talk about the importance of community and support systems. Learn how gratitude and kindness can improve your relationships and well-...
Send us a textHave you ever wondered why children's natural curiosity seems to fade as they grow older? This episode takes you on a reflective journey from the inception of Curious Neuron, inspired by a transformative comment from a Harvard professor. I share the pivotal moments from my academic path, including my PhD in neuroscience and postdoctoral studies, that led to the creation of Curious Neuron.From the spark of an idea to a full-fledged business, I recount the challenges and triumphs ...
Send us a textLast week inside the Reflective Parent Club, we assessed our core values with our special guest expert Christina. Today, I walk you through this and help you identify your 2 core values. We chat about what this means in your life, what to do if you partner's values don't align with yours, and reflect on if your core values are similar to how you were raised.Assess your values:https://jamesclear.com/core-values You might want to listen to these podcast episodes:Dr. Tracy Dalgleis...
Send us a textI had an interesting conversation with a parent that felt frustrated because parenting felt like a struggle for her while it seemed so easy for her partner. Can you relate?I thought it would be interesting to break this down and think of a way we could reflect on this.If you can relate to this, don't miss this quick episode! Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitJoin our membership, The Reflective Parent ...
Evelyn Rivas
Curious Neuron is a great podcast for parents with science backing the advice given.
Cecily Van Horn
Awesome podcast. I had a few daycare kidlets heading off to kindergarten last week. on the last day for them it seemed that with the overload of excitement they forgot the basic rules of the daycare... clean up time, no running around, quiet at nap. It was frustrating for me... but after listening to the podcast, I had a sigh of "ah-ha! yes!"
Cecily Van Horn
Yes...Yes...Play is primordial for kids! 😍 I love watching and participating in the role playing with my daycare kidlets. They're so imaginative!!
Cecily Van Horn
YES!!!! Children learn from play and it always makes me laugh and smile when I observe my daycare 4-5 yr olds role playing. Their creativity is amazing!!
Cecily Van Horn
I really enjoyed this podcast. As an ECE, I think that positive reinforcement is important to develop confidence in the child and helps them to be able to slowly develop their autonomy when you progressively move away from constantly affirming each good behavior. I also agree that empty praise can confuse a child...saying simply "good job!" is ambiguous and doesn't provide a connection to the specific thing that you're reinforcing.