Todd and Cathy share the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen POP Parenting starting June 1st! Cathy and Todd discuss what brings you both peace and fire and why your somatic experience (what you feel in your body) is a more authentic guide than overthinking. They unpack what the word miracle really means, challenge narrow ideas of productivity, and share a single word that can help you enjoy life instead of staying stuck.

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Time Stamp

0:00 What adds peace and fire?

28:22 A Word for When It’s All Too Much

30:42- Boundaries *

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AI Summary

Pop Culture Meets Mindful Parenting
Todd announced a shift in the focus of Zen Parenting Radio, emphasizing a new direction that integrates pop culture as a primary lens to explore themes of mindfulness, parenting, compassion, and self-awareness. He explained that the show will delve into how pop culture reflects societal values, connects families, and offers insights into personal growth. Starting June 1st, the show will feature updated content, a new title, and a renewed enthusiasm while maintaining its core message about the importance of a parent’s self-understanding for a child’s well-being.

Somatic Awareness and Peaceful Choices
Todd and Sweet discussed two pieces of writing, focusing on the concept of “what adds peace and fire” and the somatic experience of feeling versus thinking. They explored how somatic awareness can guide personal choices, bypassing intellectual considerations to connect with bodily sensations. Todd shared personal examples of peace-inducing activities, including rabbits, walks, and reading, while emphasizing the importance of balancing thinking and feeling in decision-making.

Finding Peace and Productivity
Todd and his partner discuss various ways they find peace and relaxation. Todd mentions driving his Jeep with the top down and a good sound system, which he also uses to help regulate his daughters’ moods. They talk about enjoying nature, such as lilac trees in their backyard and a cardinal that sings daily. The couple also discusses different perspectives on productivity, with Todd’s partner encouraging a broader definition that includes activities like reading or yard work. They reflect on how their different approaches to relaxation and productivity affect each other.

Music’s Personal and Social Impact
The group discussed personal connections to songs, with Todd sharing how “Sweet Baby James” by James Taylor evokes memories of his father, while Tracy highlighted the significance of Tracy Chapman’s music in her life, particularly regarding social justice issues. The conversation then centered on Milt Hold’s song “Quiet,” which was written after experiencing sexual assault and became widely known during the 2016 Women’s March. The song’s powerful performance at a conference left a lasting impact on the group, with its message resonating deeply with themes of personal empowerment and social awareness.

Active Listening and Personal Boundaries
Todd discussed the importance of active listening, emphasizing the need to balance empathy with personal boundaries. He shared his personal journey of developing “full body listening” and the challenges of maintaining boundaries while being present for others. Todd also introduced the concept of “liberosis,” a term from John Koenig’s Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows, which describes the desire to care a little less and loosen one’s grip on concerns.

Embracing Freedom in Life’s Flow
Todd discussed the concept of liberosis, which he described as allowing oneself to move freely from one thing to the next with less expectation and more freedom of expression. He explained that this way of being is connected to liberation and can help people enjoy life more by trusting that what comes next might be useful or helpful. Todd also noted that while goals are not inherently bad, they can become a source of heaviness if one believes that life’s enjoyment or success depends solely on achieving planned outcomes.

Transforming Perception for Fulfillment
Todd discussed the concept of shifting perceptions and how changing one’s understanding of words like “miracle” or “productivity” can lead to a transformed experience of the world. He referenced Marianne Williamson’s book “Return to Love,” which defines a miracle as a shift in perception, and shared insights from Wayne Dyer’s book “When You Change the Way You Look at Things, the Things You Look at Change.” Todd emphasized that altering one’s perspective on concepts like beauty or productivity can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life, highlighting the importance of aligning personal values with these perceptions.

Human Connection Over AI
Todd discussed the fundamental human need for connection, contrasting survival with the deeper purpose of being interconnected in various aspects of life. He emphasized the value of human interaction over AI, highlighting that while AI can be a useful tool, especially for those who cannot afford therapy, real change often requires human connection. Todd also announced the upcoming launch of “Zen Pop Parenting” and encouraged listeners to join Team Zen for parenting support, subscribe to his Substack for articles, and follow Men Living for resources and events aimed at personal growth and connection for men.

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Julian E. Zelizer, "Abraham Joshua Heschel: A Life of Radical Amazement" (Yale UP, 2021)

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