In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, Whitney shares insights from the Family Cyclebreakers Club group this month: the grief of not having a supportive family the challenges of navigating dysfunctional family dynamics (your in-laws and your own family) the sacrifices individuals make to avoid family conflict 00:00 Introduction to Family Dyna…

In this episode, we explore how children are drawn into adult roles—whether through emotional or logistical parentification. We examine the family conditions that create these dynamics, share real-life examples, and discuss how these experiences impact you as an adult. We’ll also explore how the very skills you developed to survive can both help an…

Whitney discusses her three little epiphanies for the week: therapy lingo continues to be a force for good on reality TV parents are cutting off their adult children Should parents get to control your life if they give you money? She also answers two caller questions. Caller 1 is planning a wedding and doesn't want to invite all of her family membe…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman explores the four attachment styles and their impact on romantic relationships. She discusses the four main attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, explaining how they manifest in relationships and how they are influenced by childhood experiences. She also shows how attachment styles are port…

In this epsiode, Whitney answers two caller questions and gives her three little epiphanies for the week: Sutton's mom on RHOBH A new phrase she's using to push through hard times Being a cyclebreaker sucks sometimes Caller 1 is upset about her parent's horrible marriage. Caller 2 is responding to a smear campaign from her sister in law. Join The F…

In this episode, Whitney shares her 3 Little Epiphanies for the week: Mary Cosby from RHOSLC did an amazing job How RHONY is an example of "therapy speak" entering the mainstream in a good way How Whitney is choosing to handle her news consumption in 2025 She also answers two caller questions. Caller 1 is having a baby and doesn't want the baby to …

This is a two-part series with the hosts of Nuance Needed. In part 1, Whitney, Amanda, and Sam discuss the complexities of parental estrangement, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the impact of social media on family dynamics and estrangement. In Part 2, we reflect on the impact of their work on social media on their personal lives, the challe…

In this Q&A episode, Whitney speaks to 2 callers. Caller 1 has a distant parent who doesn't invest much in their relationship. Should she cut them off, or is this just another estrangement fantasy? Caller 2 is a new parent who is worried about messing up his kid. This is the pep talk you need if you can relate. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: w…

In this conversation, Whitney Goodman and Marc explore the significance of emotions in personal development and relationships. They discuss the lack of emotional education in families and schools, the impact of cultural perspectives on emotional expression, and the importance of having supportive figures in one's life. They also delve into practica…

In this episode of the Calling Home podcast, Whitney answers your questions about emotional immaturity, providing insights into the dynamics of family relationships, the importance of genuine apologies, and the challenges of caring for emotionally immature parents. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join Have a question for Whit…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman explores the complexities of emotional maturity, particularly in the context of adult children dealing with emotionally immature parents. She discusses the common fantasy that parents can change if children learn the right ways to interact with them, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, accountability, and …

In this episode, Whitney addresses two caller questions. The first caller discusses her awakening to the dysfunction within her family and how uncomfortable she feels now. The second caller asks about the confusing behavior of her emotionally immature in-laws, who present a different persona in public compared to their private interactions. Whitney…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman discusses emotional immaturity, its traits, and how to effectively deal with emotionally immature individuals. She emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation and provides practical strategies for managing interactions, drawing from insights in Lindsay C. Gibson's book, 'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature …

In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, Whitney Goodman discusses emotional maturity and the complexities of family relationships, particularly when spirituality and religion create barriers. She addresses a caller's question about navigating relationships with emotionally immature family members who use spiritual beliefs to justify their acti…

In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, Whitney Goodman shares concrete steps you can take to become more emotionally mature. She explores various aspects of emotional maturity, including self-awareness, accountability, emotional regulation, empathy, and vulnerability. Whitney provides practical insights and strategies for listeners to enhance…

In this conversation, Whitney Goodman speaks to two callers and answers their questions. Question 1 addresses the complexities of navigating difficult family relationships, sharing how we feel with our family, and accepting parents. Question 2 is about gifts from estranged grandparents and the nuances of handling gifts. Join The Family Cyclebreaker…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman explores the complexities of gift-giving and receiving during the holiday season. She discusses the emotional weight of gifts, the pressures of navigating family dynamics, and the impact of estrangement on these interactions. Whitney provides actionable tips for setting boundaries and understanding the deeper meanin…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman addresses the complexities of family estrangement during the holiday season. She discusses the emotional challenges faced by individuals who are estranged from their families, particularly during a time that emphasizes togetherness. Whitney provides insights on coping strategies, the importance of setting boundaries…

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Have you ever found yourself dreading the holidays because of family dynamics? In this episode, Whitney discusses dysfunctional family relationships during the holidays, the expectations we carry, and how to approach these situations in healthier ways. You will learn how to accept your family, set boundaries, and actually enjoy your holiday. We rec…

In this episode, Whitney answers two caller questions. Caller 1 is dealing with cultural pressures to care for her gaining parents. Caller 2 has parents who are politicians with beliefs that differ from her own. You can join the Family Cyclebreakers Club at Calling Home here. To learn more about Whitney and her work, visit her website. Learn more a…

Balancing the needs of in-laws, parents, and your new family can be challenging, especially when merging families with different backgrounds and expectations. In this episode, Whitney discusses why open communication, clear boundaries, and empathy are key to maintaining balance. I Takeaways Balancing the needs of in-laws, parents, and your new fami…

In this episode, Whitney speaks with two callers. She explores the complexities of parent-child relationships, emotional neglect, parentification, and the challenges of navigating relationships with disabled parents. She discusses the emotional struggles faced by children of abusive parents, the responsibilities of parents to protect their children…

In the wake of this election, many Americans wonder: Can I continue to have a relationship with family members who disagree with me politically? In this episode, Whitney walks you through her own journey in a large family with different political beliefs and provides you with a series of questions to explore. This episode will help you decide what …

In this episode, Whitney answers two caller questions. One is about enmeshed in-laws and the other is an adult who is trying to re-parent themselves. She discusses the profound effects of critical parenting on self-perception and self-love. She emphasizes that while individuals can work towards healing and self-acceptance, they may never fully repl…

I invited Janelle (@heyjanellemarie) from TikTok to the podcast this week. I have watched every single one of her toxic mother-in-law videos, and I've been dying to speak with her. In this episode, Janelle discusses the challenges of navigating relationships with mothers-in-law and the impact it has on marriages. She shares her personal experiences…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman reflects on the first anniversary of the Calling Home podcast and community. She emphasizes the importance of community and shared experiences in navigating complex family relationships. The episode also addresses listener questions with a daughter who doesn't want her father to attend her wedding and an adult who w…

In this conversation, Whitney Goodman interviews Gabriel, also known as The Indomitable Black Man, about his journey to becoming a content creator who promotes respectful or gentle parenting. They discuss the challenges of being a black man in the gentle parenting space and the misconceptions surrounding discipline and abuse. Gabriel emphasizes tea…

In this episode, Whitney Goodman and Dr. Ramani discuss how narcissism is in the family. This is a great episode for anyone who is wondering: Is my parent a narcissist? How do I deal with a narcissistic parent or family member? How do I set boundaries and disengage? Are narcissistic adult children born or raised to be this way? Should I go to thera…

This is Part 3 of a 3-part series on adult child and parent estrangement. In this episode, Whitney compares the survey results of estranged parents and estranged adult children. She shares her thoughts about the survey results and dives deeper into what this survey has taught us about this issue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoic…

In this episode, Whitney shares the findings from a survey of 2382 estranged adult children. She offers a deep dive into why many distance themselves from their parents. The survey reveals common themes such as unresolved conflict, emotional or physical harm, and the lasting impact of difficult childhood experiences, where self-preservation sometim…

This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series on Adult Child and Parent estrangement. In this episode, Whitney discusses the findings from a survey of 204 estranged parents. You will hear how this group of parents feels about their estrangement from their adult child, what they're willing to do to fix the relationship, and if therapists and social media really…

In this conversation, Whitney Goodman answers two caller questions about the complexities of estrangement and the challenges of communicating with parents. She emphasizes the importance of self-protection, setting boundaries, and understanding the dynamics of parent-child relationships. Goodman also discusses the need for accountability and emotion…

Family estrangement and going no contact are deeply painful and complex experiences that impact both adult children and their parents. Often rooted in unresolved childhood trauma, unmet emotional needs, or longstanding power dynamics, estrangement reflects a significant breakdown in communication and trust within the family. Adult children may choo…

Surviving family holidays can be difficult when you are estranged or have unresolved tensions with your family. Holidays and events can bring deep-seated conflicts to the surface. The pressure to maintain peace can be overwhelming, especially when you're masking feelings of distrust and hurt. Navigating these relationships requires setting firm bou…

Who should be in the delivery room? In today’s episode, you will learn why having that conversation with yourself and other family members is critical, especially if you are an expectant mother. Whitney covers why each generations has a different perception and expectation about being in the delivery rooms. Older women, for example, believe they sh…

Accepting what Is and managing your relationship with parents who may never apologize or change their behavior is not an easy path. It requires a deep level of acceptance, acknowledging that your parents might not become the people you wish they were, and understanding that healing begins with accepting the situation as it is, not as you hope it wo…

Join Whitney Goodman and Vienna Pharaon, LMFT, as they discuss the role of the Golden Child in a dysfunctional family system. You will learn: how someone becomes the golden child why golden children struggle how sibling dynamics play into this role how to step out of the golden child role Let’s Connect Have a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-…

Balancing boundaries and empathy in family relationships means understanding and validating your family's feelings and experiences while also protecting your own emotional and mental well-being. Empathy allows you to connect with your loved ones on a deeper level, but without boundaries, it can lead to neglecting your own needs and compromising you…

Supporting a partner who has issues with their parents requires empathy, patience, and understanding. It's not just understanding their feelings but also actively putting yourself in their shoes and acknowledging their emotional experience. That is listening attentively, validating their feelings, and reassuring them that their emotions are legitim…

Feeling tired of being the parent to your parents is a common struggle, especially when they rely on you for emotional or even physical suapport. It can be overwhelming to manage their needs while trying to prioritize your own life and the family you're building. Setting boundaries is essential, not just for your well-being but also to maintain a h…

This week on Calling Home, Whitney speaks with therapist and author Todd Baratz on how childhood and family dynamics impact romantic relationships. He discusses why the environment we are raised in shapes who we are and how we communicate, which in turn influences the partners we choose. They also chat about "good enough" relationships and why rela…

This week, Whitney answers questions from listeners who are dealing with narcissists in their family and discusses how to set proper boundaries. The first caller’s question deals with a narcissist brother-in-law changing the family dynamic. The second caller recently discovered that her father was a narcissist and her mother the enabler and is ques…

In this episode of Calling Home, Whitney Goodman discusses the trend of mothers being overly attached to their sons, often referred to as "boy moms". This dynamic can be harmful to both the mother and son and lead to emotional incest, where the son is put into a husband-like role. Whitney talks about the reasons behind this phenomenon, including so…

This week our listener questions deal with navigating difficult family dynamics during holidays and events. The first caller struggles with an estranged family and feels isolated during celebrations. The second caller cut off their alcoholic mother for safety reasons, but struggles with her presence at family gatherings. Have a question for Whitney…

This week on Calling Home, Whitney speaks with therapist and author Nedra Tawwab on the concept of enmeshment in family relationships. They talk about what enmeshment is and what makes it different from a close family relationship. Nedra emphasizes the importance of setting healthy boundaries and respecting the autonomy of others, especially as chi…

Whitney is answering more of your questions from the Calling Home voicemail line. The first caller is struggling with her spouse's lack of support for her decision to maintain no contact with her family, even in emergencies. The second caller, identified as the family scapegoat, is torn between cutting off contact with her family or trying to maint…

This week on Calling Home, Whitney discusses the topic of emotional incest, also known as covert incest. This form of emotional abuse occurs when a parent or primary caregiver treats their child like a romantic partner, relying on them for emotional support typically provided by a partner. Whitney will talk about when emotional incest often occurs …

Today on the podcast we’re wrapping up May and our conversations about grandparent relationships by answering some listener questions on the topic. The first caller has concerns about her partner's parents, who may have been involved in or bystanders to childhood sexual abuse in their household. She’s worried how that will affect the relationship t…

In this week’s episode of the Calling Home podcast, Whitney speaks with therapist and author Lindsay C. Gibson discusses the challenges of dealing with emotionally immature parents. They’ll discuss how emotional immaturity exists on a spectrum and can be influenced by various factors such as life stage and external circumstances. Lindsay will expla…