Cat & Nat Unfiltered

As moms raising boys, how do we talk to our kids about sexual assault, consent, peer pressure and the bystander effect without making them feel ashamed of being boys? We brought in Registered Clinical Psychologist and Co-Founder of Toronto Psychology Wellness Group, Dr. Nina Mafrici to help us unpack what is happening when a group of young people knows something is wrong but nobody speaks up. We get into pack mentality, group chats, alcohol and drugs, consent, the freeze response, and why “just speak up” can be much harder for a teenager than it sounds. What we can actually do as parents? How do we prepare our kids for situations before they happen? How do we teach them to trust their gut, look out for their friends, stand up when something feels wrong and choose people who share their values?Sometimes the bravest thing you can do is be the one who says, “Guys, this is not okay.”Keywordsparenting, consent, sexual violence, peer pressure, adolescent development, mental health, values, safety, communication, teenage boys and girlsKey TopicsThe impact of high-profile sexual violence cases on youthHow to talk to children about consent and boundariesThe role of peer pressure and group dynamics in risky behaviorsStrategies for fostering values of respect and integrity in boys and girlsThe importance of early and ongoing conversations about safety and moralityHow to empower boys to be responsible and respectfulThe influence of social media and group chats on behaviorThe neurobiology of trauma and dissociation in assault casesNatural consequences and learning from mistakesBuilding a home environment of trust and open communication

*Trigger Warning: This episode discuss The Cornell 7The Cornell 7 case has us asking some difficult questions as moms raising boys. How do we teach our sons about consent, respect and accountability without making them feel like they're being blamed for the actions of other men? And what happens when boys witness something wrong but stay silent?We discuss the importance of male friendships, peer pressure and the responsibility of being a good friend, including having the courage to call out bad behaviour. We also explore what we might be missing as parents, why boys need more opportunities for honest conversations and how we can help our sons navigate difficult situations without simply telling them what not to do.Keywordsfriendship, social dynamics, respect, accountability, relationships, parenting, teenage behavior, social media, consent, educationKey Topics • The concept of 'insignificant' friends and social inclusion • The importance of mutual respect and understanding in friendships • How societal and media influences shape perceptions of relationships • Teaching children and teens about consent and accountability • The role of open dialogue in fostering healthy social behaviours • Differences in friendship dynamics between genders • The impact of social media on social interactions and accountability • Strategies for parents to teach respect and responsibility • The importance of standing up against peer pressure and misconduct • The challenges of navigating social hierarchies and peer influence

How far would you go to help your kid make it to the big leagues? After watching Team Moms, we’re questioning the world of ultra-competitive youth sports, where kids are spending their childhood training for the MLB, parents are dissecting every practice, and sometimes an entire family seems to revolve around one athlete. We get into the pressure and whether all of it is worth it. We also get into Cat's latest hockey rink obsession, the crock pot!Keywordsyouth sports, parenting, early specialization, athlete development, sports culture, jersey customization, social dynamics, youth athleticsKey Topics• The intense dedication of parents to youth sports• Average retirement age of professional athletes and its implications• The culture of early specialization and its impact on childhood• The social dynamics and peer relationships among young athletes• The quirks of youth sports culture, including jersey customization and nicknames• The physical and emotional toll of early sports specialization• The role of social media in following young athletes' careers• The importance of balance and mental health for young athletes

We couldn't wait to bring you part two of our conversation with Dr. Jeremy Alland! In part two we ask the question, is your kid actually loving their sport, or have we turned it into a full-time job? We’re talking youth sports, burnout, the pressure to go “elite,” endless tournaments and the growing expectation that more training always means better athletes. Dr. Jeremy Alland talks about how much is too much, why kids need real downtime, and how parents can support their kids without making their sport their entire identity. Plus, the simple thing he says every parent should tell their kid after a game. If you haven't watched part 1 go back and check it out! And for more on Dr. Jeremy find him @jeremyallandmd.Keywordsyouth sports, parenting, athlete development, sports system, burnout, competition, fun in sports, youth athlete health, sports parenting, sports system reformKey Topics • The impact of year-round sports on children's health and happiness • Balancing competition and fun in youth sports • The influence of social media and marketing on youth sports • Strategies for parents to support their children's sports journey • Understanding the real chances of making it professionally in sports • The importance of communication and setting expectations • The role of systemic change in youth sports reform

Youth sports have officially gotten out of control. We’re talking year-round training, travel teams, rankings, social media, parents spending a small fortune and the pressure to figure out your kid’s “next level” before they’ve even hit puberty.We sit down with Dr. Jeremy Alland, a sports medicine physician in Chicago where he serves as a team physician for the Chicago Bulls and Chicago White Sox. He’s also the voice behind Play the Long Game, a youth sports platform built on the belief that every kid deserves the chance to play sports, stay in sports, and develop a lifelong love of the game. Now a dad of young athletes himself, he gets both the medical side and the very real parent side of trying to keep your kids healthy, happy, and actually enjoying the game.We get into what’s really happening in youth sports and whether we’re pushing our kids too hard. When does encouraging them become pressure? When is quitting actually quitting, and when does a kid just need a break? And do they really need to be playing their sport 10 months a year to keep up? We also get into the ridiculous idea that if your eight-year-old isn’t already on an elite team, they’re somehow falling behind. Are we actually listening to what our kids want from sports, or are we projecting what we think they should want?We loved this conversation so much we had to break it up into two parts! Tune in for part two tomorrow and follow Dr. Jeremy Alland @jeremyallandmd.Keywordsyouth sports, parenting, athlete development, sports system, burnout, competition, fun in sports, youth athlete health, sports parenting, sports system reformKey Topics• The impact of year-round sports on children's health and happiness• Balancing competition and fun in youth sports• The influence of social media and marketing on youth sports• Strategies for parents to support their children's sports journey• Understanding the real chances of making it professionally in sports• The importance of communication and setting expectations• The role of systemic change in youth sports reform

We’re talking college athletes making millions, kids becoming “famous” on Instagram, parents turning into sports managers, and somehow… Taylor Swift sitting beside Tom Cruise at a football game. Just your average day with ADHD.College sports have changed, and athletes can now make money from their name, image and likeness, which naturally leads us down the rabbit hole of whether parents should help a kid who’s training to be an athlete build a following. Is Instagram part of the job if you’re a young athlete?Key wordscelebrity gossip, social media influence, AI in fame, youth sports, college scholarships, social media for kids, digital identity, sports marketing, celebrity relationships, online trollingKey topicsCelebrity gossip and behind-the-scenes storiesThe role of social media in shaping youth sports and fameThe impact of AI on online reputation and trollingThe economics of college sports and athlete compensationCelebrity relationships and privacy issues

Natalie sent her daughter off to university and, surprisingly, she’s… fine? We’re talking about the reality of sending your kid away, why the transition can sometimes be easier than you expect, and how university forces kids to figure things out for themselves. Then, of course, we get into Taylor's Pottery Barn dorm room makeover which sparked plenty of opinions. Some loved it and saw it as a fun opportunity, while others felt it was unrealistic and questioned the expectations we’re setting for kids heading off to university. Plus, we share all the dorm hacks we learned along the way.Keywordsuniversity, dorm room, parenting, independence, student life, college prep, room decor, transition, parenting tipsKey topicsDorm room decor tips and tricksParenting and managing expectations during college transitionThe importance of independence and self-reliance for studentsPractical advice for creating inspiring and functional dorm spacesInsights into university housing and student life

We’re feeling a little overwhelmed by the world right now. AI is moving faster than we can keep up, and somehow we’re supposed to teach our kids how to navigate all of this when we’re still trying to figure it out ourselves. We’re talking about schools going back to pen and paper, kids using AI, algorithms deciding what we see, and whether we’re actually losing some of our ability to think, focus and trust our own instincts. We also get into AI scams, voice cloning and why every family might need a secret code word. And somewhere along the way, we decide that maybe the only reasonable solution is to move to a farm, raise baby chickens and completely opt out of modern life.KeywordsAI, education, parenting, online betting, NFTs, digital assets, technology, AI safety, social media, internet cultureKey topicsAI safety and escape from sandboxImpact of technology on education and note-takingParenting challenges with digital and social mediaThe rise and fall of NFTs and online assetsOnline betting and gambling risks for teensAI literacy and education policiesThe speed of technological change and societal adaptationParental strategies for digital safety and awareness

Youth sports can start out so innocently: your kid loves the game, you sign them up, and suddenly you’re spending your weekends at rinks, tournaments and fields, rearranging vacations and wondering how one sport became a full-time job. We get into the reality of competitive youth sports, from the time, money and commitment to the bigger question: How do you know when your kid really wants it, and when you’re the one who wants it for them?We talk about kids who love the sport but hate the grind, knowing when to let them quit, giving kids room to change their minds, and the importance of making sure their entire identity doesn’t become their team, their level or their performance. It’s a very real conversation about letting our kids find their own version of success, while trying not to lose our minds getting them there.Keywordsyouth sports, parenting, life balance, sports psychology, family life, sports commitment, youth activities, sports expenses, parenting tipsKey topicsThe emotional and financial commitment of youth sportsHow sports influence family dynamics and parent-child relationshipsRecognizing when to support or step back from a child's sports ambitionsThe importance of allowing children to explore and choose their passionsManaging expectations and avoiding over-scheduling childrenThe role of sports in identity formation and social developmentBalancing competitiveness with enjoyment in youth sportsThe impact of sports on mental health and well-being