Relational Savoring: The Neuroscience of Calm and Connection

Relational Savoring: The Neuroscience of Calm and Connection

Author: Cindy Hovington, Ph.D. October 27, 2025 Duration: 28:37
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder why some moments with your child feel effortless and deeply connected — 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 — a simple yet powerful way to strengthen your bond by intentionally remembering moments of warmth, safety, and love. You’ll learn how this practice calms your nervous system, reduces stress,...

Parenting is often described as a series of reactions, but what if the real work happens in the quiet moments before the reaction? Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron moves beyond simple tips to examine the internal landscape of a parent's mind. Hosted by Dr. Cindy Hovington, a neuroscientist and mother of three, this podcast digs into the core idea that overwhelm isn't about one bad moment, but the gradual accumulation of unchecked stress. Each episode is a journey into understanding the 'why' behind our feelings-why a child's behavior can trigger such intensity, and why that flash of insight often comes too late. Dr. Hovington uses her scientific background not to offer rigid prescriptions, but to provide a framework for self-awareness. You'll hear her personal reflections alongside conversations with clinicians and other experts, making complex neuroscience accessible and immediately relevant to daily family life. The goal is to build a space for curiosity about your own triggers and patterns. This isn't about achieving perfect calm, but about recognizing your own emotional signals sooner, creating a buffer between feeling stressed and reacting from that place. Tune into this podcast for a thoughtful, evidence-informed companion on the path to becoming a more present and regulated parent, one reflective moment at a time. It’s a resource for anyone who wants to parent from a place of understanding, rather than from sheer exhaustion.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Reflective Parenting by Curious Neuron
Podcast Episodes
Is the state of my relationship damaging my attachment with my child? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:07
Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder how your earliest experiences of love and connection with caregivers are playing out in your adult relationships? Join me, along with couples therapist Vanessa Morgan, as we uncover how attac…
Empowering Dads to Express and Manage Emotions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:14
Send us Fan Mail As a mom of three with a neuroscience background, I've come to understand that the emotional health of fathers is a critical but often overlooked topic. That's why I invited Dr. Matt Englar-Carlson, an e…
These 3 leadership skills are important for parents [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:09
Send us Fan Mail As I dive into leadership and business books, I can't help make the link with parenting. I think leadership books are the best parenting books! I gave a workshop this week to a leadership team and realiz…
How my grandpa Roger taught be to be resilient [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:50
Send us Fan Mail My grandfather Roger always said that the true measure of character is found not in comfort, but in the face of challenge. In this episode, I share my story of a day I called my grandpa pretending to be…
Loneliness in early parenthood: What can we learn from research? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:19
Send us Fan Mail Being a new parent can make you feel really alone. But don't worry, I talked to Dr. Kelly Elliott and Dr. Tracy Vozar, and we had a chat that might make you feel better. Today, we talk about the differen…
How to become a mentally strong couple with Amy Morin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:23
Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered how to keep the spark alive in your relationship and fend off the threat of monotony that might edge you toward divorce? Join me, Cindy Hovington, along with Amy Morin, author of "…

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