This week, we're diving headfirst into the thing parents worry about more than anything else: teen mental health. Are our kids more anxious than ever, or are we just using different language now? What's the difference between being nervous, shy, anxious, sentimental, or depressed? And how much of it is connected to phones, social media, and the digital world our kids are growing up in? We talk about the realities of parenting in a world where our kids' entire social lives live on a device—and why conversations matter more than simply taking the phone away.

Keywords

teen mental health, social media, anxiety, parenting, phones, digital age, teenagers, mental health awareness, summer series

Key topics

• Teen mental health and social media
• Impact of phones on anxiety and self-esteem
• Parenting strategies for digital age
• Understanding mental health terminology and misconceptions

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Heated Rivalry and Off Campus to Shoresy and the wave of new hockey-inspired shows hitting our screens, it feels like hockey has officially entered its pop culture era. But why now? We sat down with branding, media, and pop culture expert Max Valiquette to unpack why these shows have become such massive cultural moments, why audiences are completely obsessed, and what hockey has that other sports don't. Whether you're a hockey parent, a Heated Rivalry superfan, or someone who's wondering why everyone on your feed suddenly can't stop talking about hockey, episode three in our Wide World of Hockey series breaks down the cultural moment everyone seems to be living through.

Keywords

hockey culture, pop culture, sports shows, media influence, identity, entertainment trends

Key topics

• Hockey's influence in pop culture
• The appeal of hockey-related shows
• The role of gender and identity in sports media

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're talking about that weird phase of parenting where there's somehow less hands-on work, but way more mental load. We used to feel like teachers. Now we feel like principals. Every child develops on their own timeline, and parenting advice starts to feel less helpful the older they get. We talk about respect, boundaries, letting go of control, and why our kids are learning far more from watching us than from anything we actually say. And because our brains never stay on one topic for long, we somehow end up designing our dream Cat & Nat game show—complete with audience participation, dance-offs, giant prizes, confetti, and enough chaos to make us immediately want to go back on tour!

Keywords

parenting, life phases, parenting advice, childhood milestones, authenticity, parenting humor, family life, parenting tips, parenting journey, parenting challenges

Key topics

Parenting through life phases

Balancing discipline and fun

The impact of modeling behavior

Parenting individuality and uniqueness

Creating meaningful family moments

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're talking about one of the hardest parts of parenting right now: screens. This episode explores the complexities of managing our children's screen time, the importance of setting boundaries, and how parents can navigate the digital world to foster healthier habits. Are our kids addicted to their phones? Are we? How do you teach healthy habits when technology is changing faster than any of us can keep up? From screen time meltdowns and endless notifications to AI, deepfakes, Snapchat, online misinformation, and the importance of boredom, we're unpacking what it actually means to parent in a digital world.

We also talk about why boundaries aren't punishment, why kids often become more connected when their phones are put away, and how helping them build healthy digital habits today can set them up for success tomorrow.

Keywords

screen time, parenting, digital habits, children's devices, parental controls, screen sense guide, digital literacy, family tech management

Key topics

Screen time management strategies

Parental controls and settings

Teaching kids digital responsibility

Takeaways

Setting clear boundaries helps children develop independence and healthy habits.

Using parental controls and screen time reports can prevent overuse and addiction.

Teaching children about their feelings and reactions to screens fosters self-awareness.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re talking postpartum bodies, aging, bagels, body image, more bagels, mammograms, colonoscopies, and why trying to get your “old body back” is basically impossible. We spiral through bathing suits vs. bikinis, breakfast debates, HRT, colonoscopies, movement vs. weight, and the insane pressure women feel to constantly “fix” themselves at every age. Here's a quick PSA, staying strong matters way more than chasing your 20-year-old body!

Keywords

body image, postpartum, health, aging, self-acceptance, women, body changes, mental health, self-love, aging gracefully

Key topics

• Postpartum body changes and acceptance
• Societal pressures on women's bodies
• Aging and body evolution

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re talking about the pressure kids feel to follow the “right” path — good grades, university, dream job — and why real life rarely works that way. We get into how differently kids learn, why effort matters more than straight A’s, and why creative problem-solving might matter more than memorization in an AI world.

We also dive into neurodivergent thinking, cheat-sheet debates, getting kicked out of Girl Guides, and the weird freedom of growing up in the ’80s roaming neighborhoods unsupervised.

Plus: the teachers who make kids love school, why every version of our kids is only “for now,” and the endless cycle of appointments, sports injuries, and growing pains that comes with raising teens in Toronto.

Keywords

education, parenting, creativity, school system, learning styles, neurodivergent, shortcuts, cheating, future of education, parenting tips

Key topics

• Traditional vs. modern education approaches
• Neurodivergent learning styles and creativity
• The role of shortcuts and support in learning
• Parenting tips for fostering independence and effort
• The impact of school environment on kids' happiness

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to the wild world of hockey with Cat & Nat Unfiltered - a special 8-part series airing every Friday over the next 8 weeks, where no topic is off limits. From the chaos, pressure, politics, and unforgettable moments inside youth hockey to the rise of hockey culture taking over Hollywood and social media, this podcast dives into the good, the bad, and the seriously entertaining side of the game. Featuring players, insiders, parents, coaches, and brand builders, each episode pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to survive high-level youth sports and build a name in the game today. And even if hockey isn't your child's sport, you'll be surprised by how much parents of competitive young athletes have in common. As hockey moms, Cat & Nat aren't here to protect the dirty secrets - they're here to talk about them. Because at the end of the day, we all just want the best for our kids who love the game. It's a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of competitive sports parenting.

We are diving headfirst into the wild world of being sports moms. From NHL dreams and dance politics to super teams, burnout, and the pressure cooker of youth sports culture. The obsession, identity, competition, and chaos that comes with raising kids in hockey, dance, soccer and...insert sport here. Parents chasing scholarships and drafts, the kids who secretly hate competing, the ones who live to win, and the impossible balance between pushing your child and protecting them. And why some kids walk away while others can’t imagine life without the grind. This is part one of a very real, very unfiltered series.

Keywords

youth sports, hockey, baseball, dance, parental influence, competition, youth development, sports culture, Canadian sports, athlete mindset

Key topics

• The culture of youth sports in Canada and beyond
• Parental influence and pressure in youth sports
• The mental and physical toll of competitive sports on kids

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.