Episodios
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How do you allow yourself to feel, experience and move past unpleasant emotions?
In this episode, I share how unpleasant emotions like worry, sadness, or even boredom can lead to some behaviours we might want to be more aware of.
If you notice that you often get stuck in unpleasant emotions or that your anger or frustration leads to harder moments with loved ones, then this episode is for you.
Here are today's 3 reflections:
Can I let myself feel an uncomfortable emotion without trying to fix it right away?What happens in my thoughts, feelings, and behavior when Iâm feeling something unpleasant?Can I notice the good moments that may be happening alongside difficult emotions?Hope you are liking this new version of the podcast! You can email me [email protected] to let me know.
In August, I will start focusing on a book of the month. Follow along on our private Facebook page or visit our website below!
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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This was a hard episode for me to record but I needed to honour my grandmother who passed away yesterday.
Today's reflections are:
Does my child feel loved and respected by me?Does my child feel like they belong?Do I help my child build their confidence by letting them fail or giving them opportunities to prove to themselves that they can do itI hope you enjoy this episode and that it helps you reflect on how you are showing up for your child in every day actions. This was a reminder for me as well! (no one is perfect!)
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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This week, we are reflecting on our self-love.
This week's reflections are:
How do I nourish my happiness?Do I see my body and mind as my home?How do you feed your mind and body?As parents I think we need to remember to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what truly nourishes us. This reminds us that we matter and that we do love ourselves. These reflections are inspired by the book How to Love. I hope this week's episode can help you be more intentional with what you consume so you can show up with more calm and connection in your daily lives.
Book: How to love by Thich Nhat Hanh (Amazon.com)
My conversation with Dr.Kristen Neff:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000652462526
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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I'm Back!After five months away from the microphone, I'm finally back.
If you've been wondering where I've been, thank you for checking in. Your emails, messages, and support meant more to me than you know.
I explain what happened in this episode and share how this time away also gave me space to reflect.
In also share what I've been learning about capacity the idea that our ability to cope, connect, parent, and respond changes throughout the day based on what's happening around us and within us.
We often tell ourselves that we don't have time for self-care.
But what if the real question isn't about self-care at all?
What if it's about learning to notice and respond to our needs?
In this episode, we explore:
Why "I don't have time for self-care" may be the wrong questionWhat Capacity Mountain taught me about stress and emotional well-beingThe three categories of needs that most parents overlook: Body, Mind, and ConnectionHow small intentional pauses can help you show up differently for your childWhy many of us have forgotten what our needs even areA simple way to start noticing what is drainingâand replenishingâyour capacityThis episode marks a new chapter for the podcast and for Curious Neuron.
Whether you've been here since the beginning or you're joining for the first time, I'm grateful you're here.
Let's reconnect, reflect, and continue this journey together.
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Family dynamics can feel especially intense around the holidays and one of the most challenging patterns many parents face is the triangle between you, your partner, and your mother-in-law. In todayâs episode, Dr. Tracy Dalgleish returns to the podcast to help us make sense of this dynamic with compassion, clarity, and evidence-based tools.
In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, psychologist and author of You, Your Husband & His Mother, to unpack why the mother-in-law / daughter-in-law dynamic is so emotionally charged and how it quietly strains couples.
We talk about boundaries, guilt, generational differences, cultural expectations, and what couples can do to stop feeling divided and start acting as a solid team.
In this episode, we cover:
Why this family dynamic is uniquely triggeringHow boundaries get misunderstood and what actually worksWhat to do when your partner shuts down or minimizes the issueHow to recover after a difficult family gatheringWhy connection comes before problem-solvingJoin me for a free Webinar on December 17th at 8pm (and get the replay!):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/ce962dd904
You can purchase Tracy's book, You, Your Husband and Your Mother in Law, in the US or in Canada. You can also get her first book (which I also highly recommend called "I didn't Sign up for This" in the US or Canada.
Listen to my previous conversation with Tracy below:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000627417247
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
If youâve ever ended a night thinking, âWhy did I snap again?â â this episode is for you.
Today, weâre diving into whatâs really happening in your brain and body when your child pushes your buttons. Because those intense reactions? They arenât proof that youâre a bad parent. Theyâre signals from a nervous system in overdrive â and once you can recognize those signals, you can change the way you respond.
Weâll talk about:
Why your childâs emotions can feel like a threat to your brainThe science behind emotional flooding (in both you and your child)How stress, exhaustion, and self-expectations reduce your window of toleranceWhat ârepairâ looks like â and why it matters more than getting it perfectYouâll walk away with practical reflection questions and simple shifts that help you move from snapping to connecting â even on the hard days.
Join next week's FREE webinar (or get the replay):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/ce962dd904
Read the full article:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24392687/
Share your thoughts and questions with me:
https://form.typeform.com/to/Dadaa8ns
Read a blog post about this:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/12/03/why-you-still-snap-even-when-youve-done-the-work/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Hi Reflective Parents! This week, we are talking about something I keep hearing from parents which is snapping at our kids even when we are working on ourselves by learning about parenting or even going to therapy.
You are not failing your child. You are still learning many skills that lead to you becoming more aware of your own state before you snap.
In this episode, I walk you through 3 steps that might help you catch yourself the next time you snap (notice I didn't say BEFORE you snap....that isn't always realistic).
I would love to find a way to communicate better with all of you. Share your story that is related to this episode in the link below OR ask a question to help me create a future podcast episode.
https://form.typeform.com/to/Dadaa8ns
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
If you keep snapping, shutting down, or feeling guilty, even though you âknowâ what to do... this episode will finally make it make sense.
After speaking with more than 200 parents, Iâve noticed the same pattern:
We are drowning in parenting advice, but no one is teaching parents the one skill that actually changes everything, how your nervous system works.In this episode, I talk about:
Why you still lose patience even after therapy, courses, and all the scriptsWhatâs really happening in your body during those moments you âflipâWhy youâre not a bad parent â youâre simply depletedHow viewing your child through a leadership lens instantly changes your reactionsThe real first step to building a calmer, more connected homeYou donât need more advice.
You need emotional bandwidth â and today, we talk about how to build it.New! Becoming a Reflective Parent course is now available!!!
Learn the 10 skills that help you rewire patterns, regulate emotions, and understand your nervous system. Get it today!https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Today on the Reflective Parenting Podcast, Iâm sitting down with Dr. Brendan Kwiatkowski-Hartman to talk about something many parents quietly wonder about:
Why do boys sometimes pull away emotionally and how can we support them without pushing too hard?
Brendan is a researcher who has spent years studying boys, masculinity, and emotional expression. What he learned in his PhD work is both reassuring and eye-opening: boys do feel deeply, even when it looks like theyâve shut down. And the reasons they hold back are often more complex and tender than we realize.
This is a grounded, thoughtful conversation, especially meaningful for dads who want to connect more with their sons but arenât always sure where to start.
In this episode, we cover:
The two stages when boys start hiding emotionsWhy boys say âIâm fineâ even when theyâre strugglingHow to become an emotional safe space for your sonWhat makes it hard for dads to be vulnerableGentle ways to start emotional conversations with boysThe RULER model for building emotional intelligenceHow to support boys who feel anxious or withdrawnWhy parentsâ own emotional work mattersPractical scripts and small daily moments that build trustRead our blog post about this topic:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/11/15/boys-emotional-needs-study/
Learn more from Brendan below:
@re.masculine
https://remasculine.com
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36176325/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9513388/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
This episode will change how you see conflict.
Weâre talking about the proven communication patterns that destroy connection and how to replace them with healthier ones.
Youâll learn:
the Four Horsemen (with real examples)how the demandâwithdraw cycle keeps couples stuckthe shocking research: negative conflict literally slows wound healinghow your nervous system shapes your reactions (before your thoughts do)3 simple questions from Jefferson Fisher that can change the next conversationThis is not about fixing the last fight.
This is about changing the next one.
If you shut down, explode, or get stuck repeating the same arguments this episode is for you.
Read our full blog post about this topic (it has all the research I mentioned in this episode):
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/11/09/the-science-of-healthy-conflict-patterns-in-couples/
Get the book The Next Conversation here
Don't miss this podcast episode to help you out with conflict:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000735018841
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
If youâve ever wondered why you become a different version of yourself during conflict⌠this episode is going to change the way you see those moments forever.
Iâm sitting down with psychologists and authors Rachel Samson and Dr. Jessie Stern to unpack the science beneath conflict: your attachment history, your temperament, your nervous system sensitivity, and how all of this shapes the way you argue, withdraw, pursue, or shut down.
This episode is not about âhow to argue better.â
Itâs about understanding why you show up the way you do in the first place.Youâll learn why some of us chase repair desperatelyâŚ
why others shut down to survive the momentâŚ
and why conflict can feel like it happens faster than your ability to think.We also talk about emotional flooding and the moment when your nervous system takes over the conversation before your communication skills even get a chance.
And if you are a parent, you will hear how this shows up not only with your partner but also with your child and what you can do starting today to interrupt the cycle.
You will walk away from this episode with clarity, hope, and self compassion because conflict is not just about skills.
It is about state.Get their new book on Amazon here.
Follow Rachel on Instagram
Follow Dr. Jessie on Instagram
Read our new blog post: The Science Behind How you Show up in Arguments here
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Ever wonder why some moments with your child feel effortless and deeply connected â while others leave you drained, reactive, or misunderstood? In this episode, we break down the science behind why.
Dr. Jessie Stern and psychologist Rachel Samson join Cindy to explore relational savoring â a simple yet powerful way to strengthen your bond by intentionally remembering moments of warmth, safety, and love. Youâll learn how this practice calms your nervous system, reduces stress, and builds emotional security â for both you and your child.
They also unpack the role of temperament and sensitivity in relationships. Why do some people (and kids) feel everything more deeply? What does that mean for how we connect, comfort, and communicate?
If youâve ever said, âI wish I could stay calm when things get hard,â this conversation will give you the science and the self-awareness to start doing exactly that.
Because connection isnât about perfection â itâs about noticing, savoring, and showing up with compassion.
Read their new book: Beyond Difficult: An attachment-based guide to dealing with challenging people
Follow Rachel Samson
Follow Dr. Jessie Stern
Read the science article: Savoring interventions for mothers of young children: Mechanisms linking relational savoring and personal savoring to reflective functioning
Listen to more podcast episodes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000731541535
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000681386669
Read our blog post:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/10/23/blog-relational-savoring-building-emotional-connection-with-your-child/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
In todayâs episode, Devon Kuntzman and I dive deep into whatâs really happening inside your toddlerâs brain when they lose it â and how you can respond without spiralling yourself.
We unpack why your childâs meltdowns arenât your fault, what theyâre trying to tell you through their behavior, and the simple mindset shift that will change how you see tantrums forever.
If youâve ever thought, âWhy is my child doing this to me?â or âI said no⌠why canât they just listen?â then this episode will make you feel seen, supported, and ready for the next tantrum (yes, really).
In this episode, youâll learn:
The real reason toddlers have tantrums (and why itâs developmentally healthyWhy âall behavior is communicationâ â and how to decode what your child is saying through their actionsHow to stay calm and compassionate even when youâre triggeredWhy giving in âjust this onceâ actually leads to more tantrumsWhat to do when your child prefers the other parent â and how to not take it personallyDevonâs 3-ingredient âRecipe for Effective Disciplineâ that works with every tantrumHow to model emotional regulation â even if you never learned it growing upGet Devon's book here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1400252954/?bestFormat=true&k=transforming%20toddlerhood%20devon%20kuntzman&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-pd-bk-d_k1_1_9_de&crid=11L8ZPOO86D3&sprefix=devon%20kun
Follow her on Instagram: @transformingtoddlerhood
Read our blog post:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/10/15/a-yale-study-shows-how-a-parents-calm-and-consistency-literally-shape-a-childs-brain/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Last week, we uncovered how your childâs behaviour is really their nervous system communicating.
Today, weâre going deeper, inside the body, to explore the science of interoception, the hidden sense that helps us feel and understand our emotions.
My guest, Laura Petix, is back to break down how learning to tune into your bodyâs internal signals can transform the way you regulate emotions, set boundaries, and parent with calm.
Weâll explore what the research says including new studies showing that people who strengthen their interoception become more mindful, less reactive, and better at managing stress (Zamariola et al., 2019; Smith et al., 2023).
Youâll learn:
What interoception actually is and why itâs the missing link in emotional regulationHow to recognize your own bodyâs âearly warning signsâ of overwhelmSimple ways to help your child notice what emotions feel like inside their bodyWhat it really means to protect your nervous system (and why thatâs not selfish)How to create routines that support regulation for both you and your childIf youâve ever said, âI know the tools, but I canât seem to use them when Iâm stressed,â this episode will show you whyand exactly how to change that.
Tune in now to learn how body awareness can be your most powerful parenting tool and share this episode with a friend!
Get Laura's book:
A Kid's Book about Neurodiversity
Follow Laura on Instagram: @theotbutterfly
Listen to part 1 of this conversation:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Youâve heard the advice: âTeach your child to name their emotions.â
But what if the real secret to helping your child (and yourself) regulate emotions starts deeper inside the body?
In this episode, I sit down with pediatric occupational therapist Laura Petix (The OT Butterfly) to uncover whatâs really going on when kids have meltdowns, get overstimulated, or shut down. Spoiler alert: itâs not about being âbadâ or âdefiant.â
Laura explains how your childâs behavior is actually a message from their nervous system and why understanding this changes everything about the way you respond.
Youâll learn:
Why meltdowns, shutdowns, and big reactions are signs of nervous-system overloadHow sensory sensitivities (sound, touch, movement) shape your childâs emotions and behaviorThe difference between a tantrum and a meltdown and why that mattersWhy co-regulation starts with your calm nervous systemThe mindset shift that helps you see behavior through compassion instead of controlIf youâve ever wondered âWhy does my child react this way â and why do I lose my cool, too?â this episode will open your eyes to whatâs really happening beneath the surface.
Listen now and get ready to see your childâs behavior through a completely new lens.
Get Laura's Book: A Kids Book About Neurodiversity
Follow Laura on Instagram @theotbutterfly
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Do you ever hear your child say things like, âIâm such a bad kidâ or âIâll never be good at thisâ and your heart sinks because you donât know what to say?
Youâre not alone. And this episode is about to change the way you respond.
Today, Iâm sitting down with award-winning science journalist and author Melinda Wenner Moyer to talk about her latest book Hello, Cruel World, a toolkit for raising confident, resilient kids in todayâs messy, complicated world.
Hereâs the truth:
âĄď¸ Your kids will struggle with self-doubt, negative self-talk, and tough emotions.
âĄď¸ How you respond in those moments can either shut them down or help them build lifelong confidence.
âĄď¸ And the secret isnât telling them âDonât say thatâ itâs something much more powerful (and doable).
In this episode, youâll learn:
The 3-step ârecipeâ for self-compassion (and how practicing it yourself teaches your kids to do the same).How to validate your childâs feelings without agreeing with their negative self-talk.The surprising research on resilience: why letting your kids sit with discomfort (instead of rescuing them every time) builds the skills theyâll need for life.Why helicopter parenting backfires â and how giving kids independence actually boosts confidence and self-esteem.The truth about alcohol and teens (and why letting them drink at home doesnât protect them â it puts them at greater risk).This conversation will give you the practical, science-backed strategies you need to:
âď¸ Stop feeling helpless when your child is hard on themselves
âď¸ Build their confidence in everyday moments
âď¸ Feel more equipped to parent in a world that often feels overwhelming
This is one of those episodes youâll want to save, re-listen to, and share with every parent you know.
Join Melinda's Newsletter, Now What:
https://www.melindawennermoyer.com/
Follow Melinda on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/melindawmoyer/
Parenting Self-compassion: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12671-020-01401-x
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
Parents, this one is big.
Today weâre breaking down punishment vs discipline, what science says, how it impacts your childâs brain, and why so many of us feel stuck in the cycle of punishing even when we donât want to.
If youâve ever thought, âI donât want to yell, spank, or threatenâŚbut it just slips out when Iâm overwhelmed,â you are not alone.
Hereâs what youâll learn today:
What studies reveal about how spanking and harsh discipline change the way your childâs brain processes fear, mistakes, and emotions.
Why your nervous system is the most powerful discipline tool you have.
A simple framework from Dr. Lori Desautelsâ book Connections Over Compliance that helps you âconnect before you correct.â
And if youâre ready to go deeper, join us inside The Reflective Parent Club. Thatâs where we take this science and make it real in our daily lives, with support, tools, and a community of parents walking this same journey.
Because when you regulate, connect, and guide, youâre not just shaping behaviour. Youâre shaping the brain.
Articles:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33835477/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36152947/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34197808/
Read blog post:
https://curiousneuron.com/2025/09/20/science-of-punishment-vs-discipline-how-parenting-shapes-your-childs-brain/
Podcast episode with Dr. Bruce Perry:
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/reflective-parenting-by-curious-neuron/id1440533170?i=1000596000285
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
This episode will change how you see your childâs moods and how you respond to them.
If youâve ever tiptoed around your child in the morning, worried the âwrongâ cereal bowl or shirt will set off a meltdown, this conversation is for you.
Joining me is Dr. Alex Reed, pediatric clinical psychologist and mom of two, who has spent years helping families understand temperament, moodiness, and emotional regulation. Together, we pull back the curtain on whatâs really happening when your child seems unpredictable, reactive, or even says, âI hate you.â
Youâll learn:
Why some kids seem âmoodyâ from the start and what temperament really means.The hidden role of shame in meltdowns (and why your child pushes you away even when youâre trying to help).The front door vs. side door approach and why lecturing, correcting, or over-validating often backfires.The science-backed strategies that actually work: modeling, storytelling, and overhearing.How to set calm, clear boundaries without escalating the conflict.The #1 skill you must practice first is your own regulation.This is not about quick fixes or âtricksâ for behavior. Itâs about raising kids who can handle their big feelings, and parents who can show up with confidence, calm, and connectionâeven in the hardest moments.
By the end of this episode, youâll have a new way to think about your childâs temperament, and practical steps you can use today to stop walking on eggshells.
Join the conversation about this episode on our private Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10172344324640258&set=gm.1942367649950164&idorvanity=677093716477570
Read a science article about this:
Predicting child problem behaviour at school age: The role of maternal sensitivity, child temperament and theory of mind
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
This episode will inspire you to see music as a powerful tool for connection, healing, and everyday parenting.
Itâs an invitation to play, sing, and create moments of joy with your children while learning how music can also soothe anxiety, ease transitions, and strengthen emotional bonds.
And itâs a behind-the-scenes look at the real science of music therapy â far beyond entertainment and how it can transform lives across every age and stage.Joining me is Tanya Lavoie, a certified music therapist who works in pediatric hospitals and specializes in using music to support regulation, pain management, and emotional expression. In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Tanya shares how her work combines neuroscience, creativity, and compassion to help children and families thrive.
Youâll learn:
Why music therapy works, and the brain science behind itHow to use music at home to motivate your child, calm meltdowns, and create playful routinesSimple steps to build meaningful playlists for relaxation or focusThe truth about common music therapy myths (including the âMozart Effectâ)How to find a qualified music therapist in your areaIf youâre ready to bring more connection, calm, and joy into your home and discover the therapeutic power of music this conversation is your starting point.
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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Send us Fan Mail
I am going to be taking a short break.
Meanwhile, enjoy this replay of one of my favourite episodes with Dr. Mona Delahooke. If you have a young child that has tantrums or that acts out in ways you don't know how to support, this episode will help you understand how to support your child in these challenging moments.
Learn more from Dr. Delahooke below:
https://monadelahooke.com/
Support the show
Start your journey to becoming emotionally aware:
Step 1: Join our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast
or visit our website to know which books I will be covering during the next months:
https://curiousneuron.com/podcast/
Step 2: Get your FREE emotional awareness training for parents and kids below (comes with a poster, workbook and video):
https://tremendous-hustler-7333.kit.com/84371dc0b2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4iEbFRZ5QQ&t=12s
Step 3: Join our course for $99, The Emotionally Aware Parent or join the next 8 week group cohort (starting in September 2026)
https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/
Or email me [email protected] to book emotional training sessions for your organization.
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