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Curious Neuron

Author: Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.

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Curious Neuron takes a balanced & mindful approach to parenting that is grounded in science. Parenting is much more than knowing how to handle our kids's behaviour. It requires us to know how to manage our own emotions and behaviours which takes lots of practice, learning and unlearning. We take a more holistic approach to parenting and not only help you understand your child's development but also support your parenting journey by helping you nurture your well-being and personal growth. 

Every Monday we chat with an expert or summarize a research article in a relatable and applicable way. Our host, Cindy Hovington, mom of 3 and neuroscientist has chatted with leading experts in health, behavioural psychology, leadership and social sciences including Dr. Bruce Perry, Dr. Marc Brackett, Dr. Ramani Durvasula, Dr. Kristen Neff or authors like Justin Baldoni, Amy Morin and Stephanie Harrison. 

Parents say that "listening to Curious Neuron is like receiving a warm hug from Cindy every week" because parents feel seen, validated, more knowledgable and less alone in their journey. Listen now!

Join our community by visiting our website, following us on Instagram or Facebook, or get personalized supporting in your parenting journey by joining our membership called The Reflective Parent Club. 


195 Episodes
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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 ...
Send us a textI read this fascinating article that looked at parental well-being of parent with teens. This article reminded me of a few things that I think you should know as well. There are lots of things we should be working on today that can have an influence on our well-being when our kids become teens. Life's purpose, our relationship and conflict resolution skills are talked about and I give you a few reflection prompts. Here is the article I talk about:Predictors of Psychological Well...
Send us a textIn this episode, Cindy discusses the topic of psychological well-being and the importance of nurturing different domains of well-being. She introduces the six domains of psychological well-being according to Dr. Carol Ryff: self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth. Cindy emphasizes the significance of these domains for parents and encourages listeners to reflect on their own well-being and identify areas that ...
Send us a textRegardless of being a child or an adult, it is much easier to express anger than sadness. Something happened the other day with one of my kids that helped me realize I had missed this in my own child. There "easily upset" behaviour was actually them feeling sad about something. This episode outlines the conversation I had with my child, gives you tips to teach your child emotion regulation skills and a reflection prompt to understand your own anger if you get upset very easily. ...
Send us a textIn this episode, Cindy reflects on her conversations with parents and the importance of feeling connected and supported. She introduces the concept of parental self-efficacy and encourages listeners to reflect on their own confidence as parents. Cindy provides a brief self-efficacy scale for parents to assess their level of confidence and offers guidance on how to improve it. She also discusses the impact of setting high standards for oneself and the importance of self-awareness...
Send us a textIn this episode, Cindy discusses the challenges parents face when setting boundaries with their children. She shares a personal experience of setting a strong boundary with one of her kids and feeling conflicted about it. Cindy emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and provides reflection prompts for parents to work through their struggles with boundary-setting. She highlights the empowering nature of boundaries and the positive impact they have on building respect and...
Send us a textIn this conversation, Cindy Hovington interviews Victoria Talwar about the topic of lying in children. They discuss the development of lying in children, the different types of lies, and the role of parents in teaching honesty. They also touch on the importance of modeling honesty and the impact of lies on trust. The conversation provides guidance for parents on how to handle lies and teach honesty to children of different ages. In this conversation, Victoria Talwar discusses th...
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Comments (4)

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!"

Aug 29th
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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!!

Feb 20th
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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!!

Feb 10th
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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.

Jan 31st
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