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Cat & Nat Unfiltered
What to Know About Sex Trafficking with Julie Neubauer
Julie Neubauer is the Manager of Anti-Trafficking Services for Covenant House - the largest agency in Canada serving youth who are homeless, trafficked or at risk. This week we sit down with Julie to talk to her about sex trafficking and what we as parents must be aware of. Julie offers her insight and knowledge in a straightforward, friendly way that helps ease any discomfort about the topic and breaks it all down to help us understand more about this largely hidden crime, and help us protect our kids against sex trafficking. For the full interview check out www.thecommonparent.com and for help on this topic contact https://covenanthousetoronto.ca/ or https://kidshelpphone.ca/.
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57. Straight A’s Don’t Guarantee Straight Paths
34:41||Season 15, Ep. 57We’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.Keywordseducation, parenting, creativity, school system, learning styles, neurodivergent, shortcuts, cheating, future of education, parenting tipsKey topicsTraditional vs. modern education approachesNeurodivergent learning styles and creativityThe role of shortcuts and support in learningParenting tips for fostering independence and effortThe impact of school environment on kids' happiness56. We Are Sports Moms
34:10||Season 15, Ep. 56We 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.Keywordsyouth sports, hockey, baseball, dance, parental influence, competition, youth development, sports culture, Canadian sports, athlete mindsetKey topicsThe culture of youth sports in Canada and beyondParental influence and pressure in youth sportsThe mental and physical toll of competitive sports on kids55. Spontaneity Is Our Love Language
24:49||Season 15, Ep. 55This week we’re talking about getting older and realizing we don’t have to stay attached to the people we used to be. From losing interest in things we once loved — dinner parties, cooking, fashion, entertaining — to craving spontaneity over stuff, this conversation turns into a surprisingly honest chat about changing priorities as we age.We get into birthday expectations, why opportunities and experiences now feel more exciting than material things, and how freeing it can be to stop following the script of what life is “supposed” to look like. Plus, the compliment Cat got at the vet that absolutely took her out, why we don’t want your heirlooms, and the unexpected joy of finally embracing exactly who we are right now.Key topicsMinimalism and personal styleSpontaneous opportunities and experiencesChanging preferences and self-awarenessTakeawaysYou don't have to follow the script; you can change what you like.Material possessions are not what bring happiness.Spontaneous opportunities create memorable experiences.54. It's Prom + Draft Season
29:18||Season 15, Ep. 54May parenting is absolute chaos: graduations, dance competitions, prom pressure, and the realization that summer is somehow six minutes away and we have zero plans for our children. Should they all have jobs? Should they be at camp? Should they just roam free? What are teenagers even supposed to do all summer anymore?We also debate whether promposals have officially gone too far and revisit Nat’s very complicated Grade 13 prom situation — because apparently teenage drama never really ends.Key topicsEnd of school season chaosSocial media trends among youthParenting stories about prom and hockey53. Nat Got Her Eyelids Done: Story Time!
34:30||Season 15, Ep. 53Story time! Nat got her eyelids done and we are here to talk all about it! Somehow it turned into a full-blown conversation about aging, confidence, Botox, body image, moms who never judge us, husbands who don’t ask questions, and whether cosmetic procedures are self-care, boredom, or just something fun to do. From “your eyelids are the texture of a testicle” to scheduling surgery during the busiest mom hour possible, this is a must listen!We talk:- upper blephs and what actually happens- why women feel weird admitting they want to change something- confidence vs. self-acceptance- the pressure of aging naturally- wanting to feel good in your own skin- why some people get highlights and some get surgeryAlso: Mark’s reaction, Grandma driving post-surgery, TJ wanting to watch the stitches come out, and why Cat thinks Nat just needed a hobby.52. What’s Wrong With Being Average?
35:02||Season 15, Ep. 52Whatever happened to being average? From dance competitions and puberty to inflated grades, elite sports, university pressure, and kids growing into 6’4” strangers overnight — this episode is all over the place in the best way possible. We dive into the exhausting culture of overachievement and why it feels like every kid is suddenly expected to be exceptional at everything. The pressure kids feel around sports, academics, and getting into university, why “average” has somehow become a dirty word, and why more kids (and parents) might actually be happier just playing for fun. Plus: boys are basically mystery bags during puberty, why everyone suddenly seems giant, and the reality of raising kids who simply want balance instead of burnout.51. The Challenges of Empty Nesting
35:03||Season 15, Ep. 51Ever feel like your identity disappears when the kids leave? As a mom, it’s easy to get lost in the roles we play. If you’ve poured everything into being a mom, what happens when the kids are gone? Many women find themselves feeling empty, as they realize they’ve outsourced their identity to motherhood. You’re not just losing kids; you’re losing a part of yourself. Let us know where you are in this phase of life!50. Are You Born Lucky?
31:40||Season 15, Ep. 50We are talking about the nature versus nurture debate on optimism. Are we predisposed to see the glass half full, or can we train ourselves to embrace a more positive outlook? Research shows that optimism isn’t just a personality trait; it’s influenced by our upbringing and experiences. Kids absorb how parents interpret setbacks, shaping their worldview. If you grow up with a lens of pessimism, it can feel like a heavy weight to break free from. But it’s never too late to shift your mindset!49. Reimagining Education for the Digital Age
29:03||Season 15, Ep. 49In this episode, we’re talking about authenticity vs perfectionism and why so many of us feel like we need to have everything figured out before we make a move. We also get into what’s happening in education right now—especially with AI changing how kids learn—plus parenting teens and whether school systems are actually keeping up with the real world. We share stories from a recent women’s conference where the big takeaway was simple: most of us are waiting to feel “ready,” but the truth is, we never really do. We just have to start. Nothing is perfect—and growth usually begins the moment you stop waiting for it to be.