Zen Pop
Zen POP is a podcast about understanding ourselves through the music, movies, and moments that shaped us. With a distinctly Gen X sensibility, it uses pop culture as a mirror for our emotional patterns, relationships, blind spots, and personal growth. Each episode starts with a familiar cultural reference, then uses humor and memory to explore what it reveals about us and how those stories shape our relationships and sense of self. The show organizes conversations into categories, themes, and 'best of' lists, and also offers a premium companion podcast, Zen Parenting LIVE!, focused on parenting and self-awareness.
Episodes
Poltergeist Episode #891
We celebrate Halloween month on Zen Pop with the original Poltergeist from 1982. Cathy and Todd revisit the movie that made us afraid of television static, bedroom closets, and that terrifying clown doll, along with the behind-the-scenes stories that fueled its “curse” reputation. JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson play Diane and Steve Freeling, whose suburban family life turns upside down when t
The Dark Knight Episode #890
Cops and Robbers month continues with The Dark Knight. We rewatched Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight and know for sure that Heath Ledger earned that posthumous Best Supporting Actor Oscar, and that we got to see a lot of Chicago. Christian Bale plays Bruce Wayne/Batman, who teams up with Gary Oldman's Lt. Jim Gordon and Aaron Eckhart’s DA Harvey Dent to take down the mob, only to find that ever
Heat Episode #889
It's Cops and Robbers month, and we rewatched Michael Mann's Heat and know for sure that it set the standard and that the Academy blew it by giving it zero Oscar nominations. Robert De Niro plays Neil McCauley, a professional thief who lives by one rule: never get attached to anything you can't walk away from in 30 seconds flat (emotional unavailability as a lifestyle!). Meanwhile, Al Pacino's LAP
The Town -Episode #888
Cops & Robbers Month- The Town
We rewatched Ben Affleck's The Town and know for sure that Jeremy Renner earned that Best Supporting Actor nomination and that we got to see a lot of Boston. Affleck plays Doug MacRay, who runs a crew of bank and armored car robbers in a one-square-mile neighborhood where the family business isn't optional, it's inherited (generational trauma!). After a job goes side
Point Break -Episode #887
Cops & Robbers Month
We rewatched and overanalyzed Point Break, and realized Bodhi was doing self-help before self-help was a thing, just with more bank robberies and extreme sports thrown in. An FBI agent goes undercover with a crew of surfers who rob banks in president masks to fund a life of chasing the perfect wave. But it's also a movie about a generation looking for meaning outside the usual
Summer School- Episode #886
Cathy and Todd close out their "Movies We Love (But Love to Make Fun Of)" series with 1987's Summer School, the comedy where Mark Harmon's laid-back gym teacher gets stuck teaching English after the assigned teacher wins the lottery and bails. It's full of '80s pop culture, and underneath all of it there's a genuinely sweet message about meeting struggling kids where they are.
Teen Wolf- Episode #885
Cathy and Todd discuss Teen Wolf for Movies We Love and Love to Make Fun Of month, the 1985 werewolf-basketball classic that turned a barely-known Michael J. Fox into a star just months after Back to the Future changed his life. They discuss the movie's best and strangest moments from Stiles's party-hosting mastery to Boof simply refusing to take no for an answer, and get into what the wolf actual
St. Elmo’s Fire- Episode #884
Cathy and Todd discuss St. Elmo's Fire for Movies We LOVE and LOVE to Make Fun Of month, the 1985 classic that made $37.8 million on a $10 million budget despite critics disliking it. They get into the David Blum "Hollywood's Brat Pack" article that changed everyone's careers overnight, Andrew McCarthy's book and documentary about being labeled a Brat, and then go over the movie's genuinely alarmi
Cocktail – Episode #883
Cathy and Todd discuss Cocktail for Movies We Love and Love to Make Fun of Month. They revisit the 1988 Tom Cruise classic with its flair bartending, strange plot turns, and very serious ideas about money, masculinity, friendship, and success. They share their memories of seeing it when they were younger, explore the darker story hidden beneath the story, unpack Doug’s Coughlin’s Laws an
Top Gun Maverick- Episode #882
Cathy and Todd discuss Top Gun: Maverick to complete their summer blockbuster series, the 2022 legacy sequel that brought Tom Cruise back to the role that made him famous, three decades (and a pandemic delay) later. They talk about Val Kilmer’s real battle with throat cancer and how it shaped his return as Iceman, discuss the film’s themes of grief, legacy, and mentorship, debate why J
Wedding Crashers- Episode #881
Cathy and Todd continue their summer blockbuster series and discuss Wedding Crashers, the 2005 comedy starring Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson that grossed $288.5 million on a $40 million budget. They cover the cast including Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher, Christopher Walken, Bradley Cooper, and Jane Seymour, plus behind-the-scenes trivia like the almost-cast Justin Long, the scrapped Daniel Craig sequ
The Odyssey- Episode #880
Cathy and Todd discuss the most recent summer blockbuster, The Odyssey, Christopher Nolan's take on Homer's epic and why a 2,700-year-old story about identity, home, and longing still hits just as hard today. From the Cyclops to the Sirens to Circe, they trace the myths and monsters and what those stories still reveal about who we are, and why the humanities matter to a thriving culture. It's also
Animal House- Episode #879
Cathy and Todd continue their summer blockbusters series with National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), John Landis's frat-house classic that launched the college-comedy genre. They discuss the cast, behind-the-scenes trivia, the film's most WTF scenes, and their own experiences in the Greek system. They also list the top 15 fraternity party songs of the early '90s, plus the top ten things Animal Ho
Back to the Future- Episode #878
Cathy and Todd discuss Back to the Future for their summer blockbuster series, Robert Zemeckis's 1985 time-travel classic that took nearly 40 rejections to get made before Steven Spielberg got involved. They discuss how Eric Stoltz was originally cast as Marty McFly and shot for five weeks before being replaced by Michael J. Fox, who then secretly filmed the movie at night while shooting Family Ti
Widows Bay Episode #877
Cathy and Todd discuss Apple TV's Widow's Bay, the 10-episode horror-comedy that has a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and an early season two renewal. They discuss its "Parks and Rec meets Stephen King" premise and its numerous horror movie homages including Carrie, The Wicker Man, The Shining, Jaws, Halloween, and more. It's small-town bureaucracy, ancient sea-gods, a resurrected Boogeyman, and sunset co
Family Movie Draft Part 2- Episode #876
Cathy, Todd, Jacey, Camryn, and Skylar draft their way through 10 movie categories: horror/thriller, rom-com, animated, 80s, since 2020, based on a book, sports, most rewatched, holiday, and honorable mention. Snake draft order, 10 rounds, everyone answers every category exactly once.
Family Movie Draft Part 1- Episode #875
Cathy, Todd, Jacey, Camryn, and Skylar draft their way through 10 movie categories: horror/thriller, rom-com, animated, 80s, since 2020, based on a book, sports, most rewatched, holiday, and honorable mention. Snake draft order, 10 rounds, everyone answers every category exactly once.
Terminator 2- Episode #874
Cathy and Todd continue their summer blockbusters series with Terminator 2: Judgment Day, James Cameron's 1991 sci-fi action landmark that grossed $519 million on a then-record $102 million budget and won four Academy Awards. They cover the best behind-the-scenes stories, including how Billy Idol was originally cast as the T-1000 before a motorcycle accident took him out, how Edward Furlong was di
Gladiator Episode #873
Cathy and Todd discuss Gladiator, released in 2000 and directed by Ridley Scott, it stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, a Roman general betrayed by the Emperor's son Commodus, who murders his own father Marcus Aurelius to seize power, then orders the execution of Maximus and his entire family. Sold into slavery and forced into the arena, Maximus fights his way back to Rome for one purpose: vengeance.
Raiders of the Lost Ark- Episode # 872
Cathy and Todd continue their summer blockbusters series with Raiders of the Lost Ark, the George Lucas and Steven Spielberg collaboration born from a beach conversation in Hawaii, diving into the film's origins, iconic casting (Tom Selleck almost got the role), and the chaotic Tunisia shoot where nearly the entire cast and crew got food poisoning. They rank history's oddest movie titles, wrestle
Top Gun- Episode #871
Cathy and Todd kick off their summer blockbuster series with Top Gun (1986), directed by Tony Scott and produced by Simpson and Bruckheimer, which turned a $15 million budget into $357 million worldwide and made Tom Cruise a superstar. The episode covers the Scott brothers' contrasting Hollywood legacies, the Navy's behind-the-scenes script approval that reshaped the story, plus fun trivia like Cr
Spaceballs Episode #870
Cathy and Todd discuss Mel Brooks' Spaceballs for Zen Pop’s space month, a 1987 Star Wars parody following Lone Starr and his half-man half-dog sidekick Barf as they rescue Princess Vespa from Dark Helmet and the incompetent President Skroob (whose name is literally an anagram of Brooks). The cast includes Bill Pullman, John Candy, Rick Moranis, Daphne Zuniga, Joan Rivers, and Dom DeLuise as Pizza
Interstellar Episode #869
Cathy and Todd discuss Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar for Space Month - the dying Earth, the wormhole near Saturn, the black hole that swallows decades of a man's life while his daughter grows old without him. They get into Matt Damon showing up two-thirds through as a villain nobody knew was in the movie, why Anne Hathaway's love speech is the whole point of the film, the fact that Nolan grew 5
Apollo 13 Episode #868
Cathy and Todd discuss Apollo 13 (1995) for Space Month, Ron Howard’s docudrama starring Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton, Gary Sinise, and Ed Harris, based on the true story of NASA's near-disastrous 1970 lunar mission. The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards and grossed over $355 million worldwide, cementing its place as one of the great survival stories ever put on screen. They discus
ET- the Extra Terrestrial- Episode #867
It's Space Month on Zen Pop, and Cathy and Todd are talking about E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, the Steven Spielberg film he called the first movie he ever made for himself. They discuss why it dominated 1982 and held the all-time worldwide box office record for eleven years, the Reese's Pieces deal that made Mars look very foolish, the Atari game so bad they buried it in the desert, and why at its
Rocky IV- Episode #866
Cathy and Todd discuss Rocky IV, the 1985 film that Sylvester Stallone wrote, directed, and starred in, grossing $300 million on a $31 million budget and spending six weeks at number one over Christmas. They break down Apollo Creed's shocking death at the hands of Ivan Drago and the real story of Brigitte Nielsen sliding a photo under Stallone's hotel room door and landing a role he wrote specific
Rocky III- Episode #865
Cathy and Todd discuss Rocky III (1982), the Sylvester Stallone-written and directed sequel that introduced Mr. T’s iconic Clubber Lang and took the franchise in a bold new direction, grossing over $270 million worldwide. They dive into behind-the-scenes stories and standout moments, unpack the evolution of Rocky from hungry underdog to complacent champion, and explore how the film deepens Apollo
Rocky II- Episode #864
Cathy and Todd discuss Rocky II (1979), the Sylvester Stallone-written and directed sequel that earned $200 million worldwide and briefly became the highest-grossing sequel ever made. They break down the film's best behind-the-scenes stories and hidden details, make the case that Apollo Creed is actually the more compelling character in the film, and explore how Rocky II quietly lays the emotional
Rocky- Episode #863
Cathy and Todd discuss Rocky (1976), a film that feels more like a documentary than a traditional sports movie, set in the working-class neighborhoods of Philadelphia and made on a shoestring budget by writer and star Sylvester Stallone and director John G. Avildsen. The story follows Rocky Balboa, a small-time boxer and part-time debt collector living an almost invisible life, who unexpectedly ge
Major League- Episode #862
To celebrate spring and baseball season, Cathy and Todd discuss Major League, the 1989 baseball comedy that wasn’t supposed to be a huge hit but ended up sticking around for decades. They get into the cast including Tom Berenger, Charlie Sheen, Wesley Snipes, and Rene Russo and the behind-the-scenes details, like filming in Milwaukee instead of Cleveland and Sheen having legit pitching skills. The
Dirty Dancing- Episode #861
Cathy and Todd discuss Dirty Dancing and how a low-budget film about a summer romance became a cultural phenomenon and why it still resonates. They explore how it’s not just a love story between Johnny and Baby, but also a deeper look at class tension, autonomy, and a girl finding her voice. They dig into behind-the-scenes tension, surprising casting what-ifs, and the film’s groundbreaking abortio
Billy Elliot- Episode #860
Cathy and Todd discuss Billy Elliot (2000), the British film set during the 1984–85 miners’ strike about a working-class boy who secretly pursues ballet while his community expects him to box and follow the rigid rules of masculinity. Using the film as a lens, they also discuss the documentaryLouis Theroux: Inside the Manosphere, exploring how ideas about what boys “should” be, tough, unemotional,
Flashdance Episode #859
In this episode of Zen Pop Parenting, Cathy and Todd dive into the iconic 1983 film Flashdance and explore why its story still resonates decades later. Beyond the unforgettable soundtrack and legendary dance scenes, Flashdance captures something deeper about ambition, identity, and the courage it takes to pursue a dream. Cathy and Todd reflect on how Alex Owens’ journey speaks to the universal des
Footloose- Episode #858
In this episode of Zen Pop Parenting, Cathy and Todd revisit the iconic 80s classic Footloose and explore why its themes still resonate today. Beyond the dancing and unforgettable soundtrack, they dive into the deeper layers of rebellion, control, grief, and the universal need for self-expression. They reflect on how music becomes a lifeline for young people, how communities respond to fear, and w
The Wedding Singer- Episode #857
Cathy and Todd discuss The Wedding Singer and why this Adam Sandler–Drew Barrymore rom-com lived fully inside the 80’s, the music, the clothes, and all that emotional earnestness. They talk about the chemistry that made it work and the unexpectedly sharp stuff underneath, and what happens when genuinely open-hearted people fall in love with each other. They get into Steve Buscemi’s awesome chaotic
Misery- Episode #856
What happens when admiration turns into ownership? In Episode #856, Cathy and Todd explore how Misery exposes the psychology of obsession, the need for control, and the terrifying cost of losing autonomy.
Best Movie and TV Romances Episode #855
In this episode of Zen Parenting Radio, Cathy and Todd explore their favorite movie and TV romances across the decades—from beloved 80s and 90s love stories to romantic comedies, dramatic pairings, forbidden love, and the best and worst relationships on television. With humor and heart, they reflect on what makes on-screen chemistry feel real, why certain stories stay with us, and how the relation
Best in Show- Episode #854
Cathy and Todd discuss Best in Show to honor Catherine O’Hara and dive into America’s Mayflower Kennel Club Dog Show in Philadelphia, where nothing “big” happens and that is exactly the joke. They examine Christopher Guest’s mockumentary style, made without a traditional script, in which an ensemble performs identity inside a highly rule-bound world. They move through their typical categories and
The Sure Thing- Episode #853
Todd and Cathy discuss The Sure Thing (1985), Rob Reiner’s early, quietly subversive road-trip rom-com starring John Cusack as Gib Lloyd, a smart, restless college guy chasing a guaranteed hookup that slowly reveals itself to be hollow, alongside Daphne Zuniga’s Alison Bradbury, a sharp, principled counterpoint who refuses to play the “cool girl.” Set in a pre-internet, pre-cell-phone America, the
Why Heated Rivalry Matters- Episode #852
Cathy and Todd discuss Why Heated Rivalry Matters, digging into why this hockey romance has become such a cultural lightning rod and emotional touchstone. They talk about Rachel Reid’s novel and the TV adaptation, but mostly they focus on what’s really happening alongside the sex scenes: two very different expressions of masculinity learning how to coexist without hierarchy, punishment, or perform
A Few Good Men Episode #851
In this episode, Todd and Cathy explore the emotional legacy of 90s music, the rise of grunge, and the mental health struggles behind some of the era’s most iconic artists. They reflect on authenticity, cultural shifts, and why conversations around pain, support, and healing matter more than ever today.
Stranger Things Finale #850
In this episode, Todd and Cathy break down the Stranger Things finale — the big moments, the character arcs that landed (and the ones that didn’t), and why the show’s themes of friendship, grief, and growing up hit so hard. They reflect on stand-out scenes, fan theories, and what the ending suggests about where these characters go from here, while connecting it all back to parenting, resilience, a
When Harry Met Sally Episode #849
When Harry Met Sally… is a 1989 American romantic comedy film written by Nora Ephron and directed by Rob Reiner. It stars Billy Crystal as Harry and Meg Ryan as Sally. The story follows the title characters from the time they meet in Chicago just before sharing a cross-country drive, through twelve years of chance encounters in New York City. The film raises the question “Can men and women ever ju
Love Actually – Messy Love Stories About Decent, Interconnected People Episode# 848
Cathy and Todd discuss Love Actually as part of their “Christmas movies that might not actually be Christmas movies” month. Released in November 2003 and written and directed by Richard Curtis, the film uses its London-at-Christmas setting, stacked ensemble cast, and interwoven stories of romantic, familial, awkward, and heartbreaking love to reflect a long-held worldview: messy humans and basic d
The Family Stone: A Movie About Change, Loss, and Letting People In Episode# 847
Cathy and Todd talk about The Family Stone and why it works so well as “a Christmas movie that isn’t really a Christmas movie”. They explore how it’s a story about family systems, grief, belonging, and what happens when someone new steps into a familiar and often fragile emotional ecosystem. They get into the best family movies, the most uncomfortable scenes, each character’s role, birth order pat
Trading Places Episode# 846
Cathy and Todd discuss Trading Places for “Christmas movies that might not be Christmas movies” month. John Landis’ 1983 comedy-satire dropped the same year as Return of the Jedi, Flashdance, WarGames, and Risky Business, yet still became one of the biggest hits of the year. With Dan Aykroyd, a very young Eddie Murphy (only 21!), Jamie Lee Curtis, and a plot that dives deep into class and privileg
Die Hard: The Great Christmas-Movie Debate- Episode #845
Cathy and Todd discuss Die Hard, the 1988 action classic that redefined the genre, covering everything from its Christmas Eve plot and iconic Nakatomi Plaza setting to the film’s surprisingly heartfelt themes of family, reconciliation, and love. They discuss why so many (including Cathy) consider it a Christmas movie, break down the characters and casting surprises, highlight the film’s legacy and
Toy Story — The Psychology and Nostalgia That Made It a Classic- Episode #844
Todd and Cathy dive into the themes of toy story, exploring friendship changes, emotional growth, and what kids really need from us as they navigate shifting relationships. they also share upcoming updates about the transition to zen pop parenting.
Forrest Gump: A Paradoxical Parable- Episode #843
Cathy and Todd discuss Forrest Gump, a movie they’ve loved for years, one they even saw together when it first came out. They explore how this emotional epic serves as both parable and modern American myth, following Forrest’s innocence through some of the country’s most turbulent moments while Jenny’s life reflects a very different America marked by trauma, rebellion, and survival. They dig into
Cast Away: A Movie About Time, Control, and Surrender- Episode #842
Cathy and Todd continue Tom Hanks Month with Cast Away, the 2000 classic that came out just as the world was speeding up with email, cell phones, and the dot-com boom. They talk about how this quiet, lonely movie made such an impact and why it hit so differently in an era obsessed with productivity and control. They go through their categories and favorite scenes to share what makes the movie so m
BIG and the Wisdom of Staying Young & Playful- Episode #840
To kick off Tom Hanks month, Cathy and Todd revisit Big, the 1988 classic that made him a star and reminded us what it means to grow up too fast. The movie blends humor, heart, and magic (and a somewhat inappropriate romance), letting us laugh at the absurdity of adult life while remembering what it felt like to be young. They talk about why Big still matters, why friendship is at the core of the
Se7en: The Movie That Made Us Ask What’s in the Box- Episode #839
Cathy and Todd discuss Se7en, David Fincher’s dark and unforgettable thriller. They talk about how the movie came together from the casting of Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman to the decision to keep Kevin Spacey’s role a secret, and how Fincher’s style changed what crime movies could be. They also dig into the story’s moral questions, the infamous ending, and why Se7en still hits just as hard today a
The Haunting of Hill House: A Gen X Ghost Story About Grief & Family Secrets- Episode #838
Cathy and Todd discuss The Haunting of Hill House and how Mike Flanagan turned a classic ghost story into an emotional story of family trauma, grief, and repair. From the houses we grew up in to the ghosts we still carry, they talk about the energy that lingers and the monsters we end up sympathizing with. They discuss why Hill House hit Gen X so deeply, how it flipped horror into therapy, made th
Twilight, Vampires, and Werewolves- Episode #837
Released in 2008, Twilight dropped into a perfect cultural storm with Obama’s election, iPhones taking off, emo Tumblr in full swing, and the YA craze exploding after Harry Potter. Catherine Hardwicke’s film felt raw and indie with blue-grey filters, handheld cameras, and the emotional awkwardness of being seventeen. It wasn’t polished Hollywood fantasy; it was sincere and strange, which made it r
Scream: The Gen X Horror Movie About Gen X Horror Movies- Episode #836
When Scream hit theaters in 1996, horror was stuck in a loop of sequels and fading scares. What made Scream different was its sharp, self-aware, and deeply Gen X voice. It mocked the rules of slashers while playing by them, spoke the language of VHS rentals and MTV, and turned Ghostface into an instant icon. In this episode, we look at how Scream captured a generation’s worldview, why Millennials
Halloween: Gen X Suburban Fear and the Final Girl- Episode #835
Cathy and Todd revisit John Carpenter’s Halloween, the 1978 film that cost just over $300,000 to make and went on to shape the slasher genre. For Gen X kids, it was more than a scary movie, it was a cultural milestone. They talk about why the suburban setting felt so close to home, how a cheap William Shatner mask turned into Michael Myers, and why Laurie Strode became the blueprint for the “final
Airplane! The Film That Defined Gen X Humor- Episode #834
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 norma
The Summer I Turned Pretty, Shaped by Gen X Pop Culture- Episode #833
Jenny Han’s The Summer I Turned Pretty is rooted in Gen X pop culture, taking inspiration from 80s movies to the soundtrack choices that set the mood. In this episode, we connect Belly’s summer at Cousins Beach to the stories that shaped us, from Jane Austen to John Hughes, from Dirty Dancing to Taylor Swift. We’ll talk about the love triangles that defined movies, books, and TV, count down the be
Unknown Number- The High School Catfish- Episode #832
Cathy and Todd discuss Netflix’s documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish and how texts and constant accessibility blur the line between connection and chaos. What started as “stranger danger” in Gen X childhood has become “tech danger” in our kids’ phones—cyberbullying, rumors, and anonymous numbers lighting up at all hours. The documentary shows how quickly trust can unravel and how p
The Wishful Politics of Gen X: The American President and Dave- Episode #831
Cathy and Todd talk about two 90s political favorites, Dave and The American President, and how they captured Gen X’s wishful politics. From an ordinary guy running the White House with kindness to a widowed president balancing romance and leadership, both films imagined a world where decency could still win in Washington. They explore what these stories meant in the Clinton era, why they still fe
Boybands and Performative Masculinity- Episode #830
Cathy and Todd look at how groups like Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, Boyz II Men, and One Direction shaped pop culture and redefined what young men were allowed to sing about. They created space for emotion, love, and vulnerability on stage, but always within a carefully controlled, marketable image. From Lou Pearlman’s factory-style boyband empire to Simon Cowell’s reality TV machine, they explore the
Hairbands and Performative Masculinity- Episode #829
Cathy and Todd explore how 1980s glam metal, later dubbed “hairbands” in the ’90s, fused hypersexual, alpha-male posturing with makeup, teased hair, and flamboyant style, creating a theatrical masculinity that rose with MTV and collapsed with the arrival of grunge. From Def Leppard to Poison, these bands borrowed from femininity while reinforcing traditional masculinity, leading to a theatrical ve
Gen X Feminism in “9 to 5” and “Working Girl” Episode #828
Cathy and Todd discuss 9 to 5 and Working Girl, two movies Gen X women grew up on that shaped how we think about work, power, and what it means to succeed. We watched women push through, keep their heads down, and prove themselves in systems that were never really made for them, and we learned to do the same. We’ve told our daughters they can be anything, but we also passed down burnout, perfectio
What The Hunger Games Teaches Us About Dehumanization with Jacey, Camryn and Skylar Adams Episode #827
Our daughters Jacey, Camryn, and Skylar join us as we explore the themes behind The Hunger Games books and movies and what they say about power, survival, and the cost of being human in an inhumane system. We talk about the Capitol’s need for control, how hope threatens oppression, and what happens when kids are forced to grow up too soon. Plus, we connect it all to parenting—what it means to show
Ferris & The Dude: The Art of Doing Nothing- Episode #826
Cathy and Todd discuss Ferris Bueller’s Day Off and The Big Lebowski, two films that ask the same question in totally different ways: what if we just stopped playing the game? They set the scene with the cultural vibes of the '80s and '90s including achievement culture, Reaganomics, slacker disillusionment and reflect on how Ferris and The Dude each push back against pressure and performance. From
Stranger Things Season 1: What the Upside Down Teaches Us About Our Shadow Selves, Trauma, and Grief- Episode #825
Cathy and Todd discuss Stranger Things Season 1 through a cultural, emotional, and psychological lens. They explore how the show’s 80s nostalgia, supernatural mystery, and strong character dynamics reflect deeper themes of trauma, shadow work, friendship, and resilience. Set against the backdrop of 2016 (Cubs World Series Win, presidential election, and personal turning points), they unpack why th
Pulling a Milli Vanilli: How Pop’s Biggest Scandal Became a Metaphor for Imposter Syndrome Episode #824
Cathy & Todd revisit the rise and fall of Milli Vanilli, one of pop music’s most infamous scandals, and discuss how their story became a powerful metaphor for imposter syndrome. In the late ’80s, image was everything—style often mattered more than substance. They take a look at what happens when performance is rewarded over honesty, and how that same pressure to “fake it” still shows up today: in
Revenge of the Nerds & Weird Science -The Nerds Grew Up and took over- Episode #823
Cathy and Todd discuss what 80s nerd movies like Weird Science and Revenge of the Nerds taught Gen X and what those messages look like in hindsight. They break down how these films centered male fantasies, ignored consent, and portrayed women as tools for male transformation, all while positioning the “nerd” as a misunderstood hero. They discuss the cultural backdrop: Reagan-era ideals, latchkey i
What the Brady Bunch & Modern Family Teach Us About Blending Families- Episode #822
Cathy and Todd discuss how two iconic shows—The Brady Bunch and Modern Family—reflect changing ideas about family across generations. They look at what made The Brady Bunch groundbreaking in the late ’60s and how Modern Family pushed those boundaries further by exploring race, sexuality, parenting, and identity. They compare how each show handles conflict, humor, and the realities of blending fami
Fell on Black Days: The Deaths of 90s Lead Singers and What It Teaches Us About Mental Health and Addiction- Episode #821
Cathy and Todd explore the rise of 90s grunge and the tragic stories of its most iconic frontmen — Kurt Cobain, Chris Cornell, Layne Staley, Scott Weiland, and others — whose music reshaped rock while exposing the industry's deep neglect of mental health and addiction. From the breakthroughs of Nevermind and Ten to the cultural shift away from glam and pop, this show shares how Gen X’s disillusion
The Bully of Our Generation: What William Zabka Taught Us (yes, the OG Johnny from The Karate Kid) Episode # 820
Cathy and Todd dive into how 80s pop culture—especially the roles played by William Zabka—shaped Gen X’s early ideas about bullying, power, and masculinity. From The Karate Kid’s Johnny Lawrence to Just One of the Guys’ Greg Tolan, Zabka’s characters weren’t just villains—they were cultural blueprints. In this episode, they explore how these archetypes trained us to recognize bullying as loud, obv
How The Outsiders Changed Youth Culture and Created Our Biggest Stars- Episode # 819
Cathy and Todd explore how The Outsiders became a defining moment for Gen X identity—and launched a generation of future stars who dominated Teen & Tiger Beat. They break down how the movie came together, what it taught us, and why its themes still resonate today, for us and our kids. Plus, all the WTF moments, random facts, unforgettable quotes, and cringe-classic scenes that make it both iconic
How MTV and ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ Shaped Our Generation—and Our Parenting- Episode # 818
Welcome to the very first episode of Zen POP Parenting with Cathy and Todd! We’re kicking things off with a deep dive into MTV and the iconic song Video Killed the Radio Star. We’ll explore how MTV shaped our culture, influenced our parenting, and impacted our sense of self.
As Gen Xers who grew up with the rise of music videos and 24-hour cable TV, we’re revisiting the pop culture that shaped us
Gen X Pop Culture Meets Real-Life Reflection- Episode #817
Todd and Cathy share the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen POP Parenting starting June 1st! Cathy and Todd share the story behind Zen Parenting Radio’s evolution into Zen Pop Parenting—a podcast where mindful living, emotional awareness, and Gen X pop culture come together. From the music, movies, and moments that shaped them to the real-life experie
What Brings You Peace & Fire? Episode # 816
Todd and Cathy share the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen POP Parenting starting June 1st! Cathy and Todd discuss what brings you both peace and fire and why your somatic experience (what you feel in your body) is a more authentic guide than overthinking. They unpack what the word miracle really means, challenge narrow ideas of productivity, and sh
Why Empathy Matters- Episode # 815
Todd and Cathy share the upcoming changes to their podcast, Zen Parenting Radio, which will be renamed Zen POP Parenting starting June 1st! Empathy drives connection, but some claim it’s dangerous because it disrupts the status quo they want to maintain. We explore why empathy is being framed as a flaw, and how history, research, and pop culture remind us that caring about others isn’t weakness—i
Talking About Friendships # 814
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 norma
What Do You Think About When You Wake Up? Episode # 813
We dig into the gender differences in why we show up the way we do, how we’re conditioned, why women so often carry the weight of everyone’s well-being, and why emotional presence is still seen as optional for a lot of men. We talk about why these conversations are essential in our own homes, and what sometimes keeps us from having them. We also explore how all of this shows up not just in familie
Leave Things Better Than We Found Them- Episode # 812
We talk about our oddly soothing obsession with rug-cleaning and lawn care TikToks—and what they reveal about care, restoration, and using your energy to make things better. We also get into the difference between seeking positive vs. negative attention, and why people sometimes act out when what they really want is to be seen and to belong. From ASMR satisfaction to deeper reflections on generosi
Choose Your Three Words- Episode # 811
Cathy and Todd talk about the collective anxiety so many of us are carrying right now, whether it’s our daily responsibilities or the heaviness of what we’re witnessing on a national or global scale. They discuss Cathy’s three personal guideposts—integrity, humility, and compassion—how these words help her navigate parenting, conflict, relationships, and the uncertainty of this moment, along with
