Curious Neuron

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-being. Plus, we introduce the Reflective Parent Club, where you can join weekly sessions to connect with guests like Stephanie for practical tips on personal growth and parenting.This episode offers personal stories and practical advice to help you find happiness by embracing the present moment with love and compassion, both for yourself and your children. Don’t miss this chance to redefine happiness and build a more connected, compassionate life.Purchase the New Happy book:In Canada: https://amzn.to/47hmvYEIn the US:  hereFollow the New Happy:https://www.instagram.com/newhappyco/LEARN MORE:Science article "Helping and Happiness: A Review and Guide for Public Policy" REFLECTION PROMPT:What is one small change I can make this week to boost my feeling of happiness?Download our FREE 40-page parental well-being workbookJoin the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 of starting Curious Neuron. Listen as I navigate the hurdles of balancing work with motherhood, making the emotional decision to leave my postdoctoral journey, and forgoing a position at Harvard to be with my terminally ill grandfather. These experiences shaped the direction of Curious Neuron, focusing solely on supporting parents and children through innovative educational strategies.Balancing work, homeschooling, and household responsibilities has been a constant struggle, particularly during the pandemic. I open up about the emotional toll of early parenthood and the importance of self-compassion. Through the Reflective Parent Club, we aim to provide a supportive space for parents to nurture their own well-being. As we gear up for season seven, I’m excited to share conversations with inspiring guests like Stephanie Harrison, founder of The New Happy, offering insights into personal growth and effective parenting. Join us as we wrap up season six, reminding parents that it's okay to struggle and emphasizing the importance of nurturing both their children’s curiosity and their own emotional health.Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 Dalgleish: How to maintain a healthy relationship after having kids5 regrets I don't want to have when I am 90: lessons from my grandmotherMastering Parent-Child Conversations with Negotiation SkillsAsk Cindy Anything (I will answer in next week's episode!)https://forms.gle/bqL5y5RQC3YtBA7z8Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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! Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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-Being of Adolescents' ParentsRead a FULL SUMMARY of this article on the Curious Neuron website:Join the waitlist for The Reflective Parent Club (launching in September):https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/5ab8a76664 Chat with me:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-about-parenting-with-cindyJoin this week's FREE webinar:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/9cf4e76674Thank you for being here my dear friend! See you next week!Cindy xxJoin the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 may need attention. She also shares her vision for the Reflective Parent Club membership and upcoming webinars on values and mindfulness.TakeawaysPsychological well-being encompasses different domains, including self-acceptance, positive relationships, autonomy, environmental mastery, purpose in life, and personal growth.Parents should reflect on their own well-being and identify areas that may need attention and nurturing.Nurturing psychological well-being is important for parents to show up for their children and maintain healthy relationships.Cindy introduces the Reflective Parent Club membership and upcoming webinars on values and mindfulness.Resources and Links:Schedule a call with me and help me reach 100 conversations with parents:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-about-parenting-with-cindyGet your free "Assess my psychological well-being" workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/553fa4ceadJoin the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club (launching in September):https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/5ab8a76664Join our FREE webinar called Redefining your purpose and discovering your values:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/9cf4e76674Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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. This week in the Reflective Parent Club, we are talking about triggers. We are testing this membership all summer, but don't miss out on the September launch. Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club below:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/5ab8a76664Jump on a Zoom call with me (I am on a mission to speak with 100 parents):https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-about-parenting-with-cindySource:https://curiousneuron.com/2024/07/20/understanding-and-supporting-your-childs-emotion-regulation/Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 in parenting. TakeawaysFeeling connected and supported as a parent is crucial for personal growth and well-being.Parental self-efficacy, or the belief in one's ability to effectively manage and positively influence their child's behavior, is influenced by confidence.Reflecting on one's level of confidence and identifying areas for improvement can lead to more effective parenting.Setting high standards for oneself as a parent can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt.Self-awareness is key in recognizing and addressing areas of improvement in parenting.Sources:Factors associated with parenting self-efficacy: A systematic reviewDOI: 10.1111/jan.14767Book a call with me to talk about your parenting journey:https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-about-parenting-with-cindyJoin the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 trust in relationships.TakeawaysSetting boundaries is an essential part of parenting and helps build respect and trust in relationships.Parents may feel conflicted and even guilty when setting boundaries, but it is important to prioritize the well-being and growth of their children.Reflection prompts can help parents navigate the challenges of setting boundaries and prepare for potential resistance from their children.Boundaries should be set with love and firmness, demonstrating strength and leadership without being authoritarian.Setting boundaries is a continuous process that requires self-reflection and adaptability.My favourite quote from the episode: "A boundary is saying to the other person in front of you, I matter, my needs matter and I need to set this boundary for myself."Book a chat with me! Help me meet my goal of chatting with 100 parents this summer: https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-about-parenting-with-cindyJoin the waitlist of the Reflective Parent Club:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/5ab8a76664Learn more about the club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...

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 the topic of children lying and provides insights on how parents can effectively address and understand this behavior. She emphasizes the importance of focusing on honesty rather than just discouraging lying. Talwar suggests using stories and examples to teach children about honesty and its positive consequences. She also advises parents to create a warm and supportive environment that encourages open communication and trust. Additionally, she highlights the significance of understanding the motivation behind a child's lie and seeking professional help if lying becomes persistent or problematic.TakeawaysChildren's ability to lie is a sign of cognitive development and understanding of different perspectives.Young children's lies may not always be intentional and can be a result of wish fulfillment or acquiescence.Parents play a crucial role in modeling honesty and should reflect on their own honesty habits.Lies can impact trust, and it is important for parents to consider the consequences of their own lies.Teaching honesty involves having conversations with children, setting clear expectations, and addressing both the lie and the transgression.White lies can be a complex topic, and parents should consider the values they want to teach their children about honesty and kindness. Focus on teaching children about honesty rather than just discouraging lying.Use stories and examples to illustrate the importance of honesty and its positive consequences.Create a warm and supportive environment that encourages open communication and trust.Understand the motivation behind a child's lie and address it accordingly.Seek professional help if lying becomes persistent or problematic.Join the waitlist for The Reflective Parent Club:https:Join the waitlist for the Reflective Parent Club:https://curiousneuron.com/join-our-club/Get your FREE 40-page well-being workbook:https://tremendous-hustler-7333.ck.page/reflectiveparentstarterkitPlease leave a rating for our podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! Email me at [email protected]:https://www.instagram.com/curious_neuron/Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/theemotionallyawareparent/THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS! Get some discounts using the links belowThank you to our main supporters the Tanenbaum Open Science Institute at The Neuro and the McConnell Foundation. Discounts for our community! Pok Pok app. Click on the link below to get 50% off an entire year of this amazing open-ended play app for kids! https://playpokpok.com/redeem/?code=50CURIOUSNEURON BetterHelp is the world’s largest therapy service, and it’s 100% online. Click the link below to get 15% off the first month of therapy htt...