On Navigating the Abyss – Details, episodes & analysis

Struggling with a partner who parents differently than you do? You're not alone. In this vulnerable conversation, Teri and Catherine dive deep into one of the most challenging aspects of raising children: navigating different parenting approaches with a spouse or co-parent.

Drawing from their personal experiences as trauma-informed mothers and Conscious Parenting Coaches, they explore the profound tensions that arise when one parent feels they've done more inner work than the other. Both share raw accounts of their own family dynamics – from feeling like a "solo parent" despite having a partner physically present, to the frustration of wanting a spouse to take accountability for past parenting missteps.

The conversation takes a transformative turn when they discuss the concept of sovereignty – not just for our children, but for our partners as well. Can we truly accept that our co-parents have their own journey and timeline for growth? What happens when we stop trying to control how they parent and focus instead on our own conscious presence?

Teri and Catherine offer practical wisdom for communicating with partners without triggering defensiveness, including a "magic phrase" that creates space for honest sharing without implicit demands for change. They also tackle the delicate balance between allowing children to develop resilience through navigating different parenting styles versus recognizing when situations become genuinely harmful.

Whether you're feeling alone in your conscious parenting journey or simply searching for ways to bring more harmony to your family system, this episode provides both validation and practical tools to navigate one of parenting's most complex challenges. Listen, reflect, and remember: it only takes one conscious parent to make a profound difference in a child's life.

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

Every parent knows that moment—standing at your teenager's bedroom door, desperately trying to get them moving while being met with pure teenage disdain. What seems like a simple morning routine quickly reveals the complex emotional landscape we navigate as parents.

In this deeply relatable episode, Teri opens up about a recent morning struggle with her 16-year-old that triggered familiar questions: Am I doing too much? Too little? Am I enabling poor behavior or showing my child they have worth? These aren't just questions for mundane moments—they're the same ones we face during more serious situations, just without the raw urgency of crisis.

The conscious pause emerges as a powerful tool in these triggering moments. That brief space between stimulus and response creates room for choice rather than reaction. While a part of us may feel extreme anxiety, we are not that anxiety. This distinction allows our wiser self to emerge and guide our actions from connection rather than reactivity.

Catherine and Teri explore how "connection before correction" transforms these daily struggles, and why acknowledging that our children's journeys needn't follow the "myth of normal" frees both parent and child. Through self-awareness, witnessing our emotions without becoming them, and staying present with difficult feelings rather than rushing past them, we transform everyday parenting challenges into opportunities for growth.

Rate and review us wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us next week as we continue navigating the beautiful mess of conscious parenting together.

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

Radical Acceptance: Letting Go and Trusting the Journey

In this episode of Navigating the Abyss, hosts Teri and Catherine, both Trauma-Informed Conscious Parenting coaches, delve into the concept of Radical Acceptance. They explore the critical differences between regular acceptance and radical acceptance, sharing personal experiences and parenting challenges to illustrate the transformative power of truly letting go and trusting the process. They discuss the importance of self-awareness, grounding techniques, and the impact of radical acceptance on both their children’s development and their own well-being. The episode emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, the power of the present moment, and the wisdom found in ancient traditions.

00:00 Introduction to Navigating the Abyss
00:31 Understanding Radical Acceptance
01:06 Personal Experiences with Radical Acceptance
07:01 Daily Challenges and Radical Acceptance
13:24 Practical Steps for Radical Acceptance
24:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
24:59 Legal Disclaimer

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

In this episode of Navigating the Abyss, Teri and Catherine explore the challenges parents face when their children experience intense emotions. They share personal stories and insights on how to manage these situations, emphasizing the importance of emotional regulation, connection, and validation. The conversation highlights the necessity of understanding one's own emotions as a parent and the impact this has on children. The hosts provide practical tools for creating safe spaces for children to express their feelings and discuss the significance of authenticity in parenting.

Key Takeaways:

• It's essential to acknowledge and manage your own emotions as a parent.
• Creating a safe space for children to express their feelings is crucial.
• Validating a child's emotions does not mean validating their behavior.
• The pause before responding can lead to more thoughtful interactions.
• Children need to feel connected and understood during emotional crises.
• Parents should not feel responsible for fixing their child's emotions.
• Authenticity in expressing one's own feelings teaches children it's okay to feel.
• Recognizing the energy you bring into a situation affects your child's emotional state.
• It's important to allow children to have agency in their emotional experiences.
• Understanding your child's feelings often requires recalling your own experiences at that age.

Resources Mentioned:

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

In this episode, hosts Teri and Catherine share their personal journeys as trauma-informed parents navigating the challenges of raising teens in crisis. They discuss the importance of connection, understanding mental health issues, and the tools they have learned to support their children. Catherine shares her profound experiences with her daughter, highlighting the need for acceptance and the shift from fear-based parenting to love-based interactions. The conversation emphasizes the significance of seeing the essence of children beyond their behaviors and the ongoing journey of healing and growth for both parents and children.

Key takeaways:

The Power of Connection: Catherine discusses the critical importance of connection before correction, emphasizing that true healing comes from a place of unconditional love and acceptance, not from trying to "fix" behaviors.
 
The Fear-Based Parenting Trap: Catherine and Teri explore how fear-based parenting can often worsen the situation, leading to more control and less connection. They share tools and insights on how to parent from a place of love and trust, not fear.

The Essence of Our Children: One of the most powerful realizations shared is the importance of seeing beyond a child’s challenging behaviors to the essence of who they are. Catherine emphasizes that a child's value is never diminished by their struggles.

Tools for Parents in Crisis: From using the pause to allowing space for both parent and child to regulate, to asking "What would love do?" instead of reacting from fear, Catherine and Teri offer practical tools for navigating the emotional intensity of parenting through crisis.

The Journey to Healing: Through all the ups and downs, Catherine ultimately learned that true healing comes from trust, connection, and allowing space for her daughter to find her own path, without the weight of unrealistic expectations.
 
As always, Teri and Catherine emphasize the importance of doing your own work as a parent. By nurturing your own growth, you bring wisdom, presence, and possibility to your relationship with your child.

The importance of emotional regulation and self-care for parents
Whether you’re currently navigating a crisis with your own teen or seeking to understand how to create a more connected and compassionate environment at home, this episode offers invaluable insights and hope. You

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.

Teri and Catherine share their experiences and discuss challenges faced by parents, the importance of emotional support, and the journey of self-awareness that can help both parents and children navigate difficult times. Teri shares her personal story about her daughter's struggles and the lessons learned about being present and supportive without trying to fix the situation.

Navigating the Crisis: Teri talks about the early warning signs and the year-long crisis before her daughter’s situation escalated. She describes the emotional toll it took on her and how the whole family was impacted. One of the first steps in her journey was realizing that the real crisis for her wasn't just the external problems, but her own emotional and mental state.
   
The Importance of Sitting with Big Feelings:
Teri highlights a key realization: her daughter needed her to sit beside her without trying to fix her emotions. Learning to allow space for big feelings, without judgment or interference, was a transformative moment for both of them. Teri discusses how this shift in mindset ultimately helped strengthen their connection.
 
Self-Awareness and Emotional Separation: One of the most profound lessons Teri shares is the importance of separating her own emotions from her daughter’s experience. She describes the process of reflecting on her own fears, expectations, and past trauma to avoid projecting them onto her child. Teri’s journey involved learning to step back and allow her daughter the space to express herself without feeling responsible for fixing everything.

The Illusion of Control and Letting Go of Expectations: Teri talks about the societal pressures and parental expectations to mold children into a specific version of success. She shares her daughter’s choice to change her name and identity at age 12, symbolizing her desire for autonomy. For Teri, it was a wake-up call to let go of the idea that her child was a reflection of her own unfulfilled dreams.

Finding Peace Through the Present Moment: Teri and Catherine reflect on how difficult it can be to be present with our children when they're going through extreme emotional turmoil. Teri talks about how understanding the "is-ness" of a situation—seeing it for what it truly is, not through the lens of fear or projections—was pivotal in finding peace in the moment.
 
Being the Answer: Both hosts agree that parents are in a uni

TERI
Website: https://teripotter.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teripottercoach/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/teripottercoach

teri@teripotter.com

CATHERINE
Website: https://www.collaborative-insights.com/conscious-coaching
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/collaborative_insights_coach/

catherine@collaborative-insights.com

Resources:

- Conscious Parenting (Dr. Shefali Tsabary)
- Compassionate Inquiry (Dr. Gabor Maté, Sat Dharam Kaur)

Here are a few international resources:

• United States: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) or text HOME to 741741
• United Kingdom: Samaritans: 116 123
• Canada: Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645
• Australia: Lifeline Australia: 13 11 14
• International Helplines: Please visit www.suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html for a full list of helplines worldwide.
• https://www.helpguide.org/find-help

Please remember, there is always support available, and reaching out can be the first step in finding help. You are not alone, and support is there for you and your family.