Zen Habits Podcast

Parenting often feels like a whirlwind of challenges, leaving us searching for quick fixes and one-size-fits-all solutions. But the truth is, focusing solely on our children’s behavior can leave us disconnected from the deeper work required for real transformation.
This week, I’m excited to welcome Eran Katz, a clinical psychologist, father, and creator of the Parenting MAP framework and the Apparently Parent podcast. Eran’s mission is to guide parents out of stress and confusion into confidence and harmony, fostering enduring, meaningful relationships with their children.
In this episode, we explore Eran’s journey of helping parents embrace self-awareness and self-regulation as the foundations for intentional parenting. We also delve into his personal challenges as a creator, confronting fears and reconnecting with his essence to share his wisdom with the world.
Tune in to discover how cultivating playfulness, peace, and connection can transform both parenting and our creative pursuits, bringing profound change to our lives and the lives of our children.
Topics Covered
The importance of self-awareness and regulation in parenting
Eran’s journey from child psychology to parent-focused work
How The Parenting MAP framework helps parents lead with confidence
The role of playfulness and connection in parenting
Overcoming fears and self-doubt to pursue meaningful work
The challenge of balancing professional and personal growth
How Eran’s personal experiences as a father shaped his work
Using a beta approach to create and test parenting resources
The impact of bringing peace and play into creative processes
Tools and books Eran recommends for parents on their journey

Transcript
You can find the transcript on the episode's web page by clicking here.
Eran's Bio & Resources
Eran is a clinical psychologist, a father of two, and a husband. Based in Tel Aviv, Israel, he runs a private practice and is passionate about helping parents transition from feeling confused and stressed to embracing a more confident and guiding role in their families. To further this mission, he created the Parenting MAP and the Apparently Parent podcast. His ultimate goal is to help as many parents as possible move from chaos to harmony and build lasting, meaningful relationships with their children.
Podcast: Apparently Parent
Resources: Books for parents and practitioners

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The conventional approach to productivity focuses on output and discipline—often at the expense of joy and fulfillment. We push through tasks, trying to be more efficient, only to find ourselves feeling disconnected from the work we’re doing. This mindset can turn each day into a grind, leaving us drained and unfulfilled.
In this episode, we explore how shifting our mindset towards gratitude and wonder can not only boost productivity but also make our daily tasks more meaningful. I discuss how practices rooted in Zen can help us fully appreciate each moment, from mundane chores to major projects, bringing a sense of freshness and joy into all we do.
Join me to learn how cultivating gratitude, wonder, and joy can transform your approach to productivity, turning everyday moments into opportunities for connection and delight.
Topics Covered
How traditional productivity often overlooks joy and fulfillment
The role of gratitude in transforming mundane tasks
Embracing a beginner’s mind to rediscover everyday wonder
How appreciation can reduce avoidance and overwhelm
Finding joy in the process, not just in the results
Practical ways to incorporate gratitude into daily productivity
The link between gratitude and increased motivation
Zen-inspired techniques to stay present in each task

Transcript
You can find the transcript on the episode's web page by clicking here.
Explore Zen Habits
Zen Habits Blog
Fearless Living Academy
Fearless Mastery
Coaching with Leo
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Email: [email protected]
Credits
Music: Salem Belladonna & Robrecht Dumarey
Editor: Justin Cruz
Post-production: Diana C. Guzmán Caro

In our work, there’s often pressure to focus on getting results, closing deals, or following scripts that can feel transactional or impersonal. But for those of us who value genuine connection, this approach often feels misaligned, leaving us questioning how we can serve others in a way that’s true to our values and leads to more meaningful impact.
This week, I’m thrilled to welcome Toku McCree, a close friend, coach, and someone who has redefined the way we think about client relationships. Toku’s background as a Zen practitioner and coach led him to develop a unique approach to building connections with clients—one that centers around authenticity, respect, and integrity. His upcoming book, Coaching Beyond Yes and No, dives into the power of a values-driven approach in fostering lasting client relationships.
In this episode, Toku shares his philosophy on creating client relationships that go beyond “yes” or “no.” Instead of relying on tactics or pressure, he shows us how to use openness and sincerity to build trust and deepen connections. Toku’s insights reveal how shifting our perspective can transform the way we interact with clients, leading to more fulfilling and enduring relationships.
Tune in as we explore how to bring our true selves into our work and create client relationships that reflect our deepest values.
Topics Covered
The concept of values-driven client relationships
Moving beyond transactional sales to create genuine connections
Toku’s journey from Zen student to transformative coach
Building trust and authenticity in client interactions
How to approach client relationships with integrity and respect
Shifting from sales tactics to values-based conversations
Overcoming the fear of selling by focusing on service
Techniques for fostering deeper, lasting client relationships
Toku’s philosophy on collaborative, life-changing conversations
Creating meaningful impact through authenticity in coaching

Transcript
You can find the transcript on the episode's web page by clicking here.
Toku's Bio & Resources
Toku McCree is a distinguished executive coach, speaker, and writer, celebrated for his one-of-a-kind combination of ancient wisdom and modern psychology. His life journey weaves an extraordinary tapestry of diverse experiences, contributing to a profound understanding of human nature and personal growth.
With a degree in philosophy from George Washington University, to eight years working in the entertainment business alongside record labels and award-winning artists, to over two years dedicated to training as a Zen monk, Toku's multifaceted expertise fuels his approach to coaching. Today, he leverages this unique blend of academic, spiritual, and professional experiences to empower others on their paths of self-discovery and personal growth, making him a leading figure in the field.
Coaching: ceo.unexecutive.com
Coaching MBA: coachingmba.co/mastermind

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When we aim for perfection in our work, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of anxiety and procrastination. We hesitate to start, or we push ourselves until we’re burned out, afraid that anything less than flawless won’t be good enough.
In this episode, I invite you to reconsider the value of imperfection. I discuss why flaws can make our work more unique and valuable, how imperfection is an inevitable part of challenging projects, and ways to shift from striving for the ideal to embracing the messy process of growth. I also dive into the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, which finds beauty in imperfection, and explore how this mindset can help us work more joyfully and authentically.
Tune in to learn how embracing imperfection can transform the way we approach our work, fostering more flow, joy, and authenticity in every step.
Topics Covered
How perfectionism acts as a protective mechanism
The impact of fear of failure on motivation and creativity
Techniques for embracing mistakes and seeing them as growth opportunities
Understanding the beauty of flaws through the concept of wabi-sabi
Meditation practices to confront the discomfort of failure
Shifting from a "right way" mindset to playful exploration in work
The role of imperfection in learning and creative processes
Embracing setbacks in long-term habits and projects
How to cultivate playfulness and heart-centered productivity
Reframing failure as a natural part of any meaningful journey

Transcript
You can find the transcript on the episode's web page by clicking here.
Explore Zen Habits
Zen Habits Blog
Fearless Living Academy
Fearless Mastery
Coaching with Leo
Connect with Leo
YouTube channel
Instagram
X (Twitter)
LinkedIn
Facebook
Email: [email protected]
Credits
Music: Salem Belladonna & Robrecht Dumarey
Editor: Justin Cruz
Post-production: Diana C. Guzmán Caro