Todd and Cathy share the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen POP Parenting starting June 1st! They also discuss the normal shifts in kids’ friendships, highlighting the importance of loyalty, boundaries, and the reality that friendships evolve. As parents, we can feel more overwhelmed than our kids when these changes happen, but it’s important to normalize the ups and downs of friendships and offer support without letting our own fear or discomfort take over.
Some Ways to Support Us
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- Sign up for Cathy’s Substack
- Order Restoring our Girls
- Join Team Zen
- Fatherhood Full House
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Links shared in this episode:
For the full show notes, visit zenpopparenting.com.
This week’s sponsor(s):
- Avid Co DuPage County Area Decorating, Painting, Remodeling by Avid Co includes kitchens, basements, bathrooms, flooring, tiling, fire and flood restoration.
- David Serrano- Certified Financial Planner- 815-370-3780
- MenLiving – A virtual and in-person community of guys connecting deeply and living fully. No requirements, no creeds, no gurus, no judgements
- Todd Adams Life & Leadership Coaching for Guys
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AI Summary
Renaming Podcast to Zen Pop Parenting
In the meeting, Todd and Cathy discussed the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen Pop Parenting. The new format will focus on pop culture and its influence on parenting, with a more humorous and light-hearted approach. The podcast will continue to be available on the same platform, and existing subscribers will not need to take any action. The first episode under the new format is scheduled for June 3rd.
Friendships and Self-Identification in Children
Todd and Kathy discussed the normalcy of changing friendships among children. They highlighted that friendships are not meant to last forever and that it’s a natural part of growing up for children to explore different social circles. They also touched on the importance of self-identification and the need for children to experience different social situations to understand what they truly want. The conversation also emphasized the need for parents to be aware of their own biases and not assume that their children are always being excluded or left out.
Fictional Friendships: Longevity and Speculation
Todd discussed the longevity of fictional friendships in movies, questioning whether they would still be friends in a generation. He used examples from movies like Shawshank, Thelma and Louise, Forrest and Bubba, Harry Ron and Hermione, Buzz and Woody, Wayne and Garth, Bonnie and Clyde, and others. Todd also humorously speculated on the potential outcomes of these friendships if the characters had made different choices or lived in different times.
Meaningful Conversations With Children
Todd discussed the importance of having meaningful conversations with children, emphasizing the need to start with basic topics and gradually move to more intimate subjects. He used the example of discussing baseball to illustrate how non-intense topics can lead to deeper conversations. Todd also highlighted the significance of sharing personal experiences and being curious about others’ lives to foster connections and understanding.
Fire Alarm Incident and Leadership
Todd discussed an incident at his club where a fire alarm went off, and while the women were outside following the rules, the men continued weightlifting. Todd and his partner had a conversation about entitlement, gender, and leadership, connecting the dots between the incident and the political landscape. They also discussed the importance of adhering to protocols and considering the safety of others.
Todd’s Reflections on Friendship and Loyalty
Todd discussed the importance of loyalty and boundaries in friendships, using Aristotle’s quote “a friend to all is a friend to none” as an example. He shared his personal experience of being a people pleaser and losing his sense of self in the process. Todd also mentioned a song by Taylor Swift, “Cardigan,” which he believes is about loyalty and the challenges of maintaining friendships. He ended the discussion by reminiscing about his high school days and the mixtape his pledge mom made for him, which included the song “Hello, Goodbye” by Phil Collins.
Friendships: Challenges and Prioritization
In the meeting, Todd discussed the challenges of maintaining friendships, particularly those that require effort and choice. He shared his personal experiences with friendships that have shifted or ended, and emphasized the importance of choosing which friendships to prioritize. Todd also highlighted the difficulty of discussing these issues openly, and the need to recognize that friendships can change over time. The conversation ended with a discussion on the complexities of school dynamics and the potential consequences of ending friendships in a school setting.
Todd Discusses Breakup Songs and Events
Todd discussed the relevance of breakup songs in relationships, rating songs like “Back to December” and “Silver Springs” for their commentary. He also introduced a game called “The Music Game” where participants choose songs representing a topic. Todd mentioned upcoming events on their parenting community, including a talk with John Duffy about restoring girls and rescuing sons, and a discussion on college. He encouraged listeners to subscribe to their podcast and join their parenting community.
