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.
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 ...
This 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…
Today, 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…
I 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…
Today, 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…
Hey 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 …
Hi! 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/…
With 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…
This 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 …
Ok, 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…
Hi! 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…
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…
I'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…
I 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, …
Hi! 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…
Over 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…
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…
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…