Our mission is to help parents manage their emotions and stress while supporting their overall well-being.
Our Mission
Curious Neuron translates the science of emotional health and well-being into bite-sized, actionable strategies that help parents manage stress and emotions effectively
Our Vision
To create a more holistic approach to child healthcare by integrating parental well-being.
Our Values
Curiosity
Explore your emotions with curiosity.
Compassion
It takes compassion to recognize why we cope and behave as we do.
Connection
Connection heals, nurtures, and strengthens relationships.
“If we truly want to support a child’s future mental health, we need to include parental well-being in our child’s health care system.”
Meet our Founder
Dr. Cindy Hovington, Ph.D.
Founder of Curious Neuron
Host of Curious Neuron Podcast
- Doctorate degree in Neuroscience (McGill)
- Postdoctoral training in education
- International speaker on emotional health
- Emotional health consultant
Why Curious Neuron Was Founded
by Cindy Hovington
Over 11 Years of Expertise
in Emotional Health and Well-Being
Global Reach:
Connecting with parents in over 70 countries
Proven Impact:
Delivered more than 300 talks worldwide
Scientific Authority:
Authored 15 scientific publications on emotional health
Looking to Improve Your Organization's Well-Being Initiatives?
Keynotes
As the founder of Curious Neuron, Dr. Cindy Hovington delivers neuroscience-based keynotes on parental emotional well-being, providing actionable insights for parents.
Workshops
We offer customized workshops and consulting services designed to integrate well-being practices into your corporate environment, fostering a healthier workplace culture.
Partnerships
We’re looking for partners who share our mission. If you’re a pediatric clinic, psychologist, organization, or non-profit, join us in providing evidence-based mental health support to parents.
Our Recent Collaborations and Engagements
Meet Our Team
Our team bridges neuroscience and practical parenting strategies, driven by a passion for supporting parents.
Cindy is a mom of 3 from Montreal, Canada and holds a doctorate degree in neuroscience (specializing in mental health and emotional well-being). Cindy is the host of the Curious Neuron podcast which has over 200 episodes with leading experts in emotional health.
She is a board member of the non-profit research institute Nested. Cindy is an advocate for parental well-being as she believes it is the cornerstone of emotional and behavioral health in children.
As an international keynote speaker, she shares her knowledge and work focused on parental well-being and its impact on a child's emotional development.
Dr. Hovington’s research has been published in prestigious psychological and educational journals, including Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair, BMC Psychiatry, Schizophrenia and Science, and Children.
You can read Dr. Hovington's Research here: https://scholar.google.ca/citations?hl=en&oi=ao&user=bdNAFYkAAAAJ
Sadie Niochet is a creative strategist with a passion for social media, video editing, and building meaningful connections. She believes in the power of what people can achieve and is dedicated to helping others reach their full potential through impactful content. A mother of two and lifelong learner, she values authenticity, growth, and the power of digital media to inspire and connect.
Claudia holds a PhD in Neuroscience from McGill University and is passionate about making science accessible to all. During her PhD, she founded a scientific consulting company to bridge the gap between science and the public. Alongside her consulting work, she runs a popular Instagram platform (@c.belliveau.science) with over 80,000 followers, where she shares tips, resources, and relatable content for students and researchers. Claudia now works full-time as a freelance scientific consultant and content creator while navigating the transition from academia to the pharmaceutical industry.
Roberto is the marketing lead for Curious Neuron, based in Montreal. His first startup experience led to a major acquisition by AccuWeather just one year after its launch. Since then, he has worked with brands such as GardaWorld, Groupe Dynamite, WSP in Canada, Ralph Lauren (via OMsignal), and LCI Education.
With 13 years of experience as a global marketing expert, Roberto now teaches at LCI Education and has coached over 20 entrepreneurs at District 3, Concordia University.
Rachel is the science communication lead at Curious Neuron and a PhD candidate in neuroscience at McGill University. Her work focuses on child development and family well-being, with a passion for translating complex scientific research into practical tools that support parents, educators, and communities.
Committed to advancing mental health, Rachel emphasizes the importance of open science and collaboration, striving to make neuroscience insights accessible and impactful. Her goal is to help families foster emotional regulation and build stronger connections through evidence-based practices.
Our Clinical Advisory Team
We collaborate with leading clinicians and researchers in neuroscience, behavioral psychology, and social psychology
Dr. Soles is a Montreal-based child psychologist and parenting coach, as well as a mother of twins, is dedicated to supporting families through challenging moments in their parenting journey. She recognizes the courage it takes for parents to be open and vulnerable and approaches each family with acceptance and empathy, helping them find a path to greater harmony and connection. Dr. Soles is also the founder and director of The Secure Child. She is a psychologist and member of the Ordre des Psychologues du Québec.
Dr. Rivera-Caudill (aka Dr. Beet) is Board Certified in Pediatrics with over 30 years of experience and a Diplomate in Lifestyle Medicine. She is passionate about teaching children and their families the pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: healthy nutrition, physical activity, sleep, relaxation, social connection and avoiding substances. She recognizes the power that instilling these early on has in the prevention of chronic disease during childhood and into adulthood.
Dr. Richa Agnihotri is a Consultant Community Paediatrician in Niagara, dedicated to child and youth well-being. Trained in the UK with a pediatrics residency at Western University, she is an Assistant Clinical Professor (Adjunct) at McMaster University and leads multiple pediatric organizations. Her expertise spans child development, mental health, ADHD, autism, and trauma, with specialized training in CBT. Passionate about early intervention, she integrates lifestyle medicine and plant-based nutrition into her practice, empowering families with holistic, evidence-based care.
Dr. Deborah Da Costa, an Associate Professor at McGill University and Scientist at the RI-MUHC, researches the mental health and well-being of parents during the transition to parenthood, focusing on both mothers and fathers.
Her work explores risk factors for postpartum depression, including sleep quality, financial stress, and couple adjustment, highlighting the need for early screening and intervention, especially for fathers. She also develops and evaluates e-health interventions to support mental health and optimize well-being.
Beyond parenting, her research examines how psychosocial and behavioral factors, such as exercise, influence chronic illness management.
I am a tenured Associate Professor in the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Regina - Saskatoon campus. I am a Research Chair at the Child Trauma Research Centre in Approaches Supporting Child and Youth Health and Well-Being.
My research and teaching are informed by 15 years of child welfare practice in Montreal and Winnipeg, as well as a decade of research work at the McGill Centre for Research on Children and Families. My current research relates to resilience- and trauma-informed practices in child-serving organizations, perinatal prevention programming for trauma-impacted caregivers, the neurobiological impacts of trauma, practice and policy responses to intimate partner violence, and knowledge mobilization (see our Connections Hub website replete with resources: childtraumaresearch.ca).
These projects have been supported by my Research Chair position and 17 research grants since 2018 (totalling over $7M) from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, Canadian Institutes for Health Research, Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation, and others. I have also engaged in child welfare data work with the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Hi, I’m Travis Goodman—a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Mind+Body Coach, husband, and proud dad to my sons and daughter. My work is rooted in helping men, women, and couples move from feeling stuck, disconnected, or unsure, to living with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
With over a decade of experience, I bring a unique blend of therapeutic and coaching tools, including Attachment-Focused EMDR, Polyvagal Theory, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and more. My approach is grounded in empathy, practicality, and a deep respect for each person’s story.
When I’m not working, you’ll likely find me adventuring with my family, reflecting on life’s big questions, listening and playing music, or enjoying quiet moments outdoors.
I believe transformation is possible when we approach it with intention, courage, and curiosity. I believe in a holistic approach that integrates the mind, body, and soul.
If you’re ready to explore what’s holding you back and take the next step, I’d love to collaborate with you.
Partnering for a Healthier Future: Strategic Partnerships
Join us in transforming emotional health
We’re looking for partners who share our mission.
If you are:
- A pediatric clinic
- A psychologist
- An organization
- A non-profit
Join us in helping provide evidence-based support to parents globally.
By collaborating with Curious Neuron, you contribute to a proactive approach to mental health, making a lasting impact on future generations.
For more information on partnership opportunities, please contact us at [email protected].
