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Reflective Parenting by Curious NeuronAuthor: Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.
Parenting shouldnt be defined by stress, guilt, and self-doubt. Yet for 94% of parents, thats what our days feel like. As a neuroscientist and mom of three, I know firsthand how easy it is to end the day overwhelmed, wishing youd been calmer, more present, or more patient with your child. Thats why I created The Reflective Parenting Podcasta place where we pause, reflect, and discover a new way forward.Join me every Monday as we explore science-backed skills that replace guilt with confidence and stress with calm so that you, and your child, can thrive. Some weeks, Ill share my own reflections as a parent whos still learning, just like you. Other weeks, Ill bring in experts from psychology, neuroscience, and beyond to dive into the research and uncover practical ways we can make parenting feel lighter, less overwhelming, and more connected.Parents dont need more advice or another education-heavy podcast. What they truly need is a space to pause, reflect, and grow. Reflective parenting isnt about being perfectits about noticing what drives our reactions and choosing to show up with intention. This podcast is about building resilience, trust, and connection, and joining a movement to reimagine what parenting can feel likefor us, and for our kids.Subscribe today not to miss next week's episode! Join the private group on Facebook:www.facebook.com/groups/reflectiveparentingpodcast/Record your story or question:https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcastJoin the Reflective Parenting Program today!Start our science-backed course, join our weekly calls or get 1:1 support with Cindy below:https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/Follow us on Instagram @curious_neuron or Facebook @curiousneuron Language: en Genres: Education, Kids & Family, Parenting, Self-Improvement Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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What all dads need to hear about emotions and their son's future mental health
Episode 36
Monday, 17 November, 2025
Send us a textToday on the Reflective Parenting Podcast, I’m 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 they’ve 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 aren’t always sure where to start.In this episode, we cover:The two stages when boys start hiding emotionsWhy boys say “I’m fine” even when they’re 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 parents’ 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.masculinehttps://remasculine.comhttps://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36176325/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9513388/Support the showJoin our Reflective Parenting Program to learn the science-based skills parents (and their kids) need to thrive: https://curiousneuron.com/reflective-parent-club/ Record your question, or share a parenting insight in a 1 min audio we will share on the podcast https://www.speakpipe.com/ReflectiveParentingPodcast Book a spot in my calendar to chat about your challenges: https://calendly.com/curious_neuron/chat-with-cindy-reflective-parent-club-clone Grab a Free Resource: FREE Workbook: Staying Calm When Your Child Isn’t: A Parent’s Guide to Triggers and Emotions Email: info@curiousneuron.com 📸 Instagram | 🧠 Reflective Parenting Facebook Group 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube
