The Five Invitations- Podcast #406

Cathy and Todd discuss The Five Invitations, a book that shows us how to wake up fully to our lives. As a compassionate teacher and cofounder of the Zen Hospice Project, author Frank Ostaseski supports the dying. His five invitations dive into the suffering, joy, and inevitability of death, and why embracing this wisdom will lead to a more mindful and compassionate life. Cathy and Todd use clips from Dead Poets Society and Star Wars to highlight his points, and discuss why this book empowered them to live with greater intention and meaning.

Time Stamps

1:40 Introduction to The Five Invitations

10:44 Invitation #1 Don’t Wait

16:22 Dead Poets Society Clip

24:06 Invitation #2 Welcome Everything and Push Away Nothing

34:15 Canvas People– Enter “zen” for your free 11″ X 14″ Canvas

35:29 Star Wars Clip (Obi-Won and Darth Vader) regarding death

41:33 Invitation #3 Bring Your Whole Self To The experience

47:05 Invitation #4 Find A Place Of Rest In The Middle Of Things

53:49 Invitation # 5 Cultivate A Don’t Know Mind

57:15 Our amazing partner for the ZPR Conference Trinity Family Law

Resources/Videos used on today’s show

JOIN US TEAM ZEN- VIRTUAL COMMUNITY WITH TODD+CATHY

Upcoming Events

2018 Zen Parenting Conference

Turning mundane into inspiring!

SanDiegoMomJen, USA

Zen Parenting Radio has changed my day to day life. The mundane and sometimes frustrating tasks of the day have become productive and thought-provoking. Now I look forward to folding laundry or my commute so I can listen to Todd and Cathy. They are authentic, funny and a wealth of information and resources. As I am encouraged through Zen Parenting to become a more self-aware person, I already see the positive impacts in my parenting, marriage, and relationships. I never thought I would wish my commute was longer.

Game Changer

Rose, USA

Todd and Cathy’s approach to mindfulness and conscious parenting is both refreshing and humble. They help parents gain insightful information through self-discovery, humility, and without judgment. You leave a podcast feeling inspired and positive, versus shamed and less than. Their genuine love for another, their children, and the community at large is a welcome change. This podcast is a must. A true game changer.

Hands down my favorite podcast!

Lily S., USA

Todd and Cathy are right that listening to Zen Parenting Radio will make you feel outstanding! I just love Todd and Cathy and listening to Zen Parenting Radio always brings a smile to my face. The way they parent and live life is so in alignment with my own values and listening to Zen Parenting Radio this past year has made me a better mother, wife, school psychologist, and human being. Listening also helps restore my views on humanity when life gets me down. It also makes me feel less alone and recommitted to my desire/intention of being an aware parent. As an aside, I love Cathys books and have read all 3 and they are amazing. I have turned friends on and one even began listening before she got pregnant and it is a joy to get to share our love for Todd and Cathy and Zen Parenting Radio.

Enlightening podcast

Grateful parent in Colorado

Cathy and Todd, First I would like to thank you for your work. I found ZPR a year ago at just the right time. I am sorting through what I want to keep in my parenting and what I want to move away from. Your show has opened a whole new approach to living and parenting that feels like “moving toward the light”. For this, I am forever grateful. Thank you for the light you bring to the world.

The Five Invitations- Podcast #406

Time Stamps

Resources/Videos used on today’s show

Upcoming Events

Recent Episodes

Do Your Teens Wait Until Night To Open Up- Episode #793

Teens Helping Teens Navigate Mental Health- A Conversation with the Founders of Chase Light- Episode #792

Adapt- Parenting Through The Lens Of Spiral Dynamics- Episode #791

Helping our Kids Feel Less Alone- Episode # 790

Zen Parenting Radio

Vision

MISSION STATEMENT

GROUNDING FORCES

Self-Awareness

Mindfulness

Compassion

Connection

Zen Parenting 2025

January 24-25, Chicago / Hilton Oakbrook Hills