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Todd+Cathy

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AI Summary

Quick recap

In this meeting led by Todd Adams, host of Zen Parenting Radio, the group discussed various topics including self-care, thought terminating cliches, and storytelling styles. Todd shared personal experiences and insights on parenting, gender stereotypes, and the importance of recognizing and challenging conversation-controlling phrases. The meeting also covered plans for a future group event and concluded with expressions of gratitude from Todd to the participants.

Summary

Self-Care and Honesty in Conversations
Todd Adams, the host of Zen Parenting Radio, led a discussion with his family and friends. Todd was not feeling well but managed to host the meeting. The group discussed the concept of self-care and the importance of being honest in conversations. Todd also shared his experience of having to cancel a book signing due to personal commitments. The conversation ended early due to Todd’s health and the group’s busy schedules. The family also discussed the upcoming awards ceremony that their daughter, Skyler, was participating in.

Cultivating Thought Terminating Cliches in Conversations
In the meeting, Todd discussed the concept of thought terminating cliches, which are phrases or comments that stop a conversation or prevent critical thinking. He gave examples of such phrases and how they can be used in personal conversations, parenting, and work settings, often to avoid accountability or deeper discussion. Todd also mentioned the book “Cultish” by Amanda Montell, which further explores this concept. The team discussed how these cliches can be used to control conversations and limit the exchange of ideas.

Todd’s Daughter’s Storytelling and Parenting
Todd discussed his daughter Skylar’s tendency to share detailed stories about her day, which he found both endearing and occasionally overwhelming. He compared this to his friend Manisha’s storytelling style, which he described as verbose. Todd also shared a story about his friend Charlie, an author, and his preference for concise storytelling. The conversation then shifted to parenting and the importance of not enforcing gender stereotypes, with Todd recalling a story from Tina Fey’s book, Bossy Pants, about Amy Poehler’s refusal to be polite and her insistence on being as crass as the male comedians she worked with.

Thought Terminating Cliches and Event Planning
Todd discussed the concept of thought terminating cliches, which are phrases used to control conversations and discourage critical thinking. He shared examples from various sources, including parenting and cults, and emphasized the importance of recognizing and challenging these phrases. Todd also mentioned his plans to organize a group event at 1440 in California, possibly in November or early 2026, and encouraged others to provide their preferences for the event date. The conversation ended with Todd expressing gratitude to the participants and the topic of thought terminating cliches.