Whitney Goodman is a licensed marriage and family therapist and author on a mission to help adult family members have better relationships. Each week, Whitney has conversations with influential guests and real people to help listeners find new ways of looking at old family problems. Calling Home is available every Tuesday wherever you get your podcasts.
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Happily Ever After Is Just The Beginning! - Lesli Doares, LMFT
Happily Ever After Is Just The Beginning! - Lesli Doares, LMFT
Happily Ever After is not just a mythical place somewhere over the rainbow. With attention and love you can bring that feeling to your relationship. Learning to communicate your real needs and desires as well as understanding your partners’ will help you foster the feeling of acceptance and contentment you’ve always dreamed of. It’s not just magic and chemistry but a way of thinking and behaving that lets you develop as equal partners. Join us on Happily Ever After for practical tips you can ...
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Q&A: A Family Secret Revealed & Boundaries with Mom
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34:01
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34:01In this Q&A episode, I’m discussing the discovery of sexual abuse in the family and providing practical advice for someone struggling with boundary violations from their mother. We explore the concept of true boundaries and concrete strategies when nice requests aren’t working. Have a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show…
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How to Talk to Your Parents About Money with Etinosa Agbonlahor
32:51
32:51
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32:51Whitney speaks with Etinosa Agbonlahor about navigating difficult financial conversations with parents. They discuss strategies for approaching retirement planning, setting financial boundaries with financially irresponsible parents, and handling the emotional complexity of money conversations that often involve mortality and family dynamics. Have …
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Is There a Link Between Therapy Culture and Childlessness?
29:27
29:27
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29:27In this solo episode, Whitney critiques a New York Times opinion piece claiming therapy culture is linked to declining birth rates. Drawing from her work with populations of estranged adults and research for her upcoming book on parent-child estrangement, Whitney addresses harmful misconceptions about why adults choose to limit contact with parents…
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The Necessary Conversation: How To Talk To Family With Different Political Beliefs
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51:02
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51:02This week, I sat down with siblings Haley and Chad from the Necessary Conversation Podcast. Each week, they sit down with their parents to talk about politics and they invite us to listen (to say their political beliefs differ would be quite the understatement). They discuss their temporary estrangement due to politics and why they continue to sit …
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Q&A: I Told My Sister The Truth About Our Abusive Parents
36:26
36:26
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36:26Hi! I'm answering two caller questions today. Caller 1 was abused by her father, and now he's getting remarried to someone with young children. Caller 2 told her sister about their parents' abusive behavior, and it didn't go as planned. In the first ten minutes of the show, I recap some dysfunctional TV family dynamics in Sirens and Nine Perfect St…
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Is This Why Young People Are Cutting Off Their Parents?
29:58
29:58
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29:58In this episode, I discuss one reason young people end relationships with their parents: their desire for differentiation. You will learn why differentiation is crucial for healthy family dynamics, why adults may need to establish strict boundaries with their parents, and how relationships are formed based on role vs. relationship quality. May at C…
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Q&A: Our Abusive Dad Died. My Sister Only Has Positive Memories.
22:56
22:56
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22:56I'm back with two caller questions this week. Caller 1 has been waiting for her siblings to see her perspective, but now that they have, she's having some conflicting emotions. Caller 2 is trying to make sense of her sister's apparent amnesia of their father's abuse. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join Have a question for Wh…
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Grieving The Childhood You Never Had: How To Let Go And Grow Up
16:58
16:58
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16:58You were the responsible one. The quiet one. The one who didn’t need much. And now, as an adult, you feel stuck—like you never got the chance to just be a kid, and it’s holding you back. Grieving a childhood that was chaotic, neglectful, abusive, devoid of emotional connection, or overly parentified can be challenging. You may feel like you’re stuc…
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Q&A: Should My Homophobic Parents Be Grandparents?
25:38
25:38
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25:38Imagine your parents disapprove of your partner, and they're outwardly hateful about the life you've chosen to live. You had to end your relationship with them because of this. But now you're thinking about having a baby, and you want your baby to have grandparents. What would you do in this situation? That's one of the issues we're navigating in t…
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Grieving a Parent Who Wasn’t Really There: How to Mourn the Relationship You Never Got
22:33
22:33
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22:33Episode #116 of the Calling Home Podcast with Whitney Goodman, LMFT In this solo episode, Whitney Goodman explores the complex grief that comes with mourning a parent who wasn't emotionally or physically present. Whether the parent is still alive but unwilling to change or has passed away, Whitney explores the confusing emotions that can arise and …
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Q&A: I Answer Your Mother's Day Questions
29:12
29:12
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29:12Mother's Day is this weekend, and I know that is hard for many of you. In this episode, I discuss who should be "celebrated" on Mother's Day and answer several of your questions about how to grieve and estrangement. Here are those resources I mentioned in the episode: Mother-Daughter Relationship worksheets, videos, scripts, and articles The Adult …
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Trauma From A Survivor's POV with Nate Postlethwait
1:00:26
1:00:26
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1:00:26This is an episode that every trauma survivor—and the people who love them—should listen to. Nate is an amazing speaker who discusses childhood trauma from a survivor's perspective, and I have no doubt this episode will deeply impact you. You can learn more about Nate and his work here. May at Calling Home - Grieving Complicated Relationships: htt…
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Q&A: My Twin Brother Must Hate Me (UPDATED!)
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27:05
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27:05Wow, so sorry for that mixup. My advice for Caller 1 has completely changed after I heard the entire voicemail, not just half of it. If you've already listened, this is an updated version of that episode. May at Calling Home - Grieving Complicated Relationships: https://callinghome.co/grieving-complicated-relationships Have a question for Whitne…
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The Power of Apologizing: How to Repair When You React
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20:38
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20:38This episode is about repair, not perfection. You will learn: Why we react in ways we don't want to Why self-compassion is crucial for repair How to repair (with exact steps) May at Calling Home - Grieving Complicated Relationships: https://callinghome.co/grieving-complicated-relationships Have a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail …
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Hi! We have two caller questions this week + my three little epiphanies: Some families are “role” families and some families are “relationship families.” Sometimes the most adult thing you can do is stand up for yourself. There is a special pain in families where people know exactly how to act around others, but give you the worst version of themse…
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The Power of Parting With Eamon Dolan
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43:22
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43:22This episode is for anyone who is navigating estrangement. I sat down with Eamon Dolan, the author of the new book, The Power of Parting. We discuss: The hidden epidemic of child abuse at the hands of their family members Why estrangement is so taboo and challenging Eamon's steps for navigating estrangement and how to approach it Why our family mem…
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Q&A: My Sibling Keeps Sharing Info With My Estranged Parent
26:46
26:46
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26:46Today, we have two caller questions. I also talk about my three little epiphanies for the week: The most ineffective way to resume contact with someone after estrangement is by demanding a relationship with them. For some adults, their parents are their biggest haters. There’s a big difference between not wanting kids and feeling like you can’t hav…
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Parenting Without a Map: Raising Kids Without Role Models
28:19
28:19
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28:19I recorded this solo episode of @thecallinghomepodcast for anyone who is parenting without role models or someone who is fearful of having children because they don't have a roadmap from their own childhood. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join Have a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225…
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Q&A:Does My Dad Have Autism Or Is He A Narcissist?
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33:57
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33:57Today, we have a Q&A episode. I answer two caller questions: 1. Caller 1 wants to know if her dad has autism or narcissistic traits. I break down the difference. 2. Caller 2 is struggling to have a surface-level relationship with her family. I also dive into my three little epiphanies for the week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho…
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How To Grieve: Young Grievers, Ambiguous Loss, and Support After The Door Dash Gift Card Phase with Carla Fernandez.
41:04
41:04
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41:04Hey everyone, and welcome back! I am so excited to have Carla Fernandez on the podcast today. She's a grief guide, community builder, the author of Renegade Grief, and co-founder of The Dinner Party, an organization that creates spaces where people who have experienced loss can gather around a table and share their stories. Carla's work centers on …
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Q&A: My MIL Is Passive Aggressive And No One Else Notices
28:11
28:11
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28:11Hi! We're back with two caller questions this week. Caller one is a passive-aggressive MIL and caller 2 is concerned about having her family at her wedding. I also share my three little epiphanies for the week about giving grace, the most googled question about estrangement, and Chappell Roan. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/…
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Will You Regret Having Children? with Amanda White
49:22
49:22
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49:22With that Chappell Roan clip on Call Her Daddy going viral, this episode couldn't be more timely. I sat down with Amanda White, the author of Fence Sitter and we talk about motherhood, deciding to have children, regret, and the paradox of joy and pain in parenthood. This episode is great for anyone considering having a child or struggling with earl…
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Q&A: I'm Estranged From My Parents and My Sister Has Cancer
27:14
27:14
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27:14This week, I'm sharing my three little epiphanies: The show Long Bright River is a great representation of what it's like to love a family member in active addiction and the different paths we can take in a family. (More on that below) Why I'm so tired of quotes like, "It's your parent's first time living too." I saw this video about growing up in …
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You Don't Stop Estrangement Just By Saying It's Bad: How To Actually Prevent Family Estrangement
25:56
25:56
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25:56Ok, I go on a little rant in this one because I am so tired of people trying to remain totally neutral about family estrangement. Obviously estrangement is bad. It's not an ideal outcome. No one wants to experience it. And, sometimes it is the only choice. In this episode I cover: how abuse is actually quite common in families why saying estrangeme…
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Q&A: My MIL Crosses Every Boundary
24:50
24:50
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24:50Hi! Today I am sharing my three little epiphanies for the week about love is blind, estranged family members having mental health issues, and why some people will never get help when they're struggling. We also have 2 caller questions. #1 is deciding what kind of relationship she can have with her mother, #2 has a MIL who screams at her and crosses…
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Over 22,000 of you answered my poll questions about abandonment and estrangement. In this episode, I review your responses and discuss what "abandonment" means in the context of adult-child and parent relationships. As always, thank you so much for contributing to this episode. I love it when we collaborate like this. Let me know your thoughts! Joi…
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Q&A: The Pain of Parental Rejection. Why Can They Show Up for Others and Not Me?
27:17
27:17
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27:17I'm answering a caller's question today. This caller has a very distant relationship with her father, and she's trying to figure out what to do. He's super invested with his step-kids and those grandchildren, but he can't seem to show up for her and her children. I try to help this caller understand why she has resentment for her father's ambivalen…
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I Can't Fix This with Kirstina Kuzmič
53:52
53:52
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53:52I read the book I Can Fix This by Kristina Kuzmič and immediately knew I needed to get her on the show. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have a teenager with a mental health diagnosis, surrendering to the fact that we cannot control it, and how to help them and yourself. This is the perfect episode for anyone who has felt clueless, …
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Q&A: My Dad Kicked Me Out At 16, Now He Wants To Have Lunch
22:31
22:31
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22:31Hi! In this Q&A episode, I am talking about my three little epiphanies this week: why it's good to be a little bit delusional, a new podcast from NPR about conspiracy theories, and accepting imperfection in our family relationships. We also have two caller questions: Caller 1 is trying to set boundaries with her in-laws and does not want them to dr…
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All Women Lie, All Men Cheat?: Gender and The Family
38:29
38:29
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38:29Over 2,000 people responded to my Instagram polls about gender and family. Thank you again for participating! In this episode, I review the results of those polls and explore how gender stereotypes can harm family relationships: How hearing your parent speak negatively about the opposite gender impacts you What happens when your parents talk negati…
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No One Wants To Be The One From A Dysfunctional Family
19:27
19:27
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19:27In 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…
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Parentification: There Are No Mini Adults
24:49
24:49
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24:49In 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…
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Q&A: I Don't Want To Invite My Family To My Wedding
34:27
34:27
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34:27Whitney 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…
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Love Is Blind and Attachment Styles
34:47
34:47
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34:47In 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…
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Q&A: My Parents Have A Horrible Marriage, What Do I Do?
30:04
30:04
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30:04In 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…
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Q&A: Grandpa is Dating Someone New
31:18
31:18
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31:18In 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 …
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Part 1: Nuance Needed About Adult Child and Parent Estrangement
1:00:28
1:00:28
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1:00:28This 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…
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Q&A: My Parent Is Distant. Should I Cut Them Off?
32:42
32:42
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32:42In 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…
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Do You Have An Uncle Marvin? With Marc Brackett
55:15
55:15
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55:15In 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…
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Q&A: Ask Me Anything About Emotional Immaturity
22:11
22:11
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22:11In 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…
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Can My Parent Become More Emotionally Mature?
44:32
44:32
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44:32In 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 …
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Q&A: His Parents Are Totally Different In Public
33:32
33:32
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33:32In 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…
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How To Deal With Emotionally Immature People
24:07
24:07
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24:07In 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 …
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Q&A: God Told His Parents Not To Speak To Us
26:38
26:38
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26:38In 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…
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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…
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Q&A: My Estranged Parent Keeps Buying My Kids Gifts. What Do I Do?
34:53
34:53
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34:53In 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…
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No Thanks, Santa: How to Handle Unwanted Gifts and Set Boundaries
42:47
42:47
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42:47In 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…
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Q&A: Estrangement During The Holidays and Accepting Your Parents
28:23
28:23
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28:23In 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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Reparenting Yourself While Parenting Your Children
36:51
36:51
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36:51Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesAf Calling Home
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Listen To This Before Thanksgiving
26:26
26:26
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26:26Have 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…
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