Cathy Cassani Adams — clinical social worker, parent coach, and co-host of the newly rebranded Zen Pop Parenting podcast — explores why parent self-understanding is the foundation for raising resilient kids, how somatic practice (stomach hits for yes/no) guides transitions, and why mortality experiences removed her fear of change. She shares how success has been redefined from traditional ambition in her 30s to contentment in her 50s (wake up, sit outside, watch birds), why doing what's fun became her compass, and how the pivot from 15 years of Zen Parenting Radio to Zen Pop Parenting allowed her and Todd to blend their love of pop culture with parenting wisdom. Cathy unpacks anti-perfectionism, leadership as presence in micro-moments, and the Carlos Castaneda quote that guides her: "The aim is to balance the terror of being alive with the wonder of being alive."
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
Why parent's self-understanding is the best predictor of child's well-being — kids cycled back at Children's Memorial without family work
How somatic practice guides transitions — stomach hits for yes/no; trusting your body's dashboard over your head
Why mortality experiences remove fear of change — Todd's mom, dad sick 17 years, mom with dementia; life is limited, don't waste time
The shift from ambition to contentment — success in 30s vs 50s; wake up, sit outside, watch birds, feed rabbits vs traditional metrics
Why doing what's fun became the compass — if something feels like chore, time to pivot; trusting the ebb and flow
How Zen Parenting Radio evolved to Zen Pop Parenting — 15 years, 824 episodes, 4.5M+ downloads; pop culture lens (MTV, Outsiders, Revenge of Nerds)
Anti-perfectionism as authentic leadership — no editing, no image to maintain; being real on the show and in life
Leadership as presence in micro-moments — holding door, remembering birthday, showing up for friend; not just CEOs and keynote speakers
Balancing terror and wonder of being alive — Carlos Castaneda quote; wake up terrified every day but play your guitar anyway
LEARN MORE
Get new episodes every Thursday
June 26, 2025
Cathy Cassani Adams
Time to Pivot: Redefining Leadership, Success, and Family
"The best predictor of a child's well-being is a parent's self-understanding."
TIMESTAMPS
00:04:35 – Best predictor of child's well-being is parent's self-understanding: Foundation for raising resilient, connected kids; how can you know what kids need if you don't know what you need
00:05:28 – Children's Memorial Hospital experience: Kids good at taking tools but cycled back without family work; has to be family issue, not just fix the kid
00:20:22 – Somatic practice and body wisdom: Stomach hits for yes/no; tuning into yourself through anxiety and depression; trusting your body's dashboard
00:22:13 – Doing what's fun as compass: Social work limitless possibility; cautious not to sound simple but following what feels fun and aligned
00:23:42 – Mortality experiences and embracing change: Todd's mom sudden death, dad sick 17 years, mom dementia; not going to do anything don't want to do anymore; not afraid of change
00:27:20 – Success redefined from ambition to contentment: 30s super ambitious following mainstream metrics vs 50s wake up, sit outside, watch birds, feed rabbits; less concerned about what others think
00:35:36 – Pivot from Zen Parenting Radio to Zen Pop Parenting: 15 years, 824 episodes, 4.5M+ downloads; pop culture lens (MTV, Outsiders, Revenge of Nerds); doing what they naturally love
00:39:36 – Anti-perfectionism and authenticity: No editing show; how they talk on show is how they talk in real life; being genuine means sometimes taking step too far and apologizing
00:44:35 – Leadership as presence in micro-moments: Not just CEOs; holding door, remembering birthday, showing up for friend; being committee of your own life
00:57:39 – Balancing terror and wonder of being alive: Carlos Castaneda quote; wake up terrified every day but play guitar, play drums, develop new podcast; existential crisis we all have
SHOW NOTES
In this heartfelt and deeply reflective episode of Make It a Great One, Dr. Dan reconnects with long-time friend and renowned parenting expert Cathy Cassani Adams. Cathy —author, social worker, co-host of the Zen Pop Parenting podcast, and founder of the Zen Parenting Conference—joins Dr. Dan for a rich conversation about self-awareness, change, leadership, and the evolving journey of parenting.
Together, they explore:
LINKS & RESOURCES
Cathy Cassani Adams & Zen Pop Parenting
Zen Pop Parenting website — ZenPopParenting.com
Zen Parenting Radio (original show, 15+ years, 824 episodes, 4.5M+ downloads)
Books — Restoring Our Girls (International Book Award winner), Zen Parenting, Living What You Want Your Kids to Learn
Substack — Cathy Cassani Adams (free Friday posts, paid Wednesday parenting-focused content)
Zen Parenting Conference — Annual conference in Chicago
Community & Organizations
Team Zen — Virtual parent community (7+ years); safe space app, monthly Q&A with Cathy and Todd, women's group, classes
Men Living — Todd's international organization (daily meetings for men; connection, networking, loneliness, divorce, separation)
GUEST BIO
Cathy Cassani Adams is a clinical social worker, certified parent coach, former elementary school teacher, professor, and yoga instructor. She is the co-host of the long-running Zen Parenting Radio (now Zen Pop Parenting podcast, 15+ years, 824 episodes, 4.5M+ downloads) and founder of the annual Zen Parenting Conference in Chicago. Cathy is the author of Zen Parenting, Living What You Want Your Kids to Learn, and Restoring Our Girls (International Book Award winner for parenting), which guides building meaningful conversations that support girls' critical thinking, sense of self, and genuine connection. She lives outside Chicago with her husband, Todd, and their three daughters.
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