The goop Podcast Untangling the Adult Mother-Daughter Relationship
Aug 19, 2025
Kelly McDaniel, a licensed counselor and author of Mother Hunger, dives into the complexities of adult mother-daughter relationships. She explores 'mother hunger,' the deep yearning for maternal love, and how it shapes our emotional well-being. McDaniel shares insights on healing from unresolved attachment issues, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing these core wounds. Listeners learn practical methods to break detrimental patterns and foster healthier, fulfilling connections in their lives.
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Author's Personal Boundary
- Kelly avoids detailing her own childhood to keep the focus on the wider issue and because her mother is still alive.
- She believes most mothers tried their best within cultural misguidance and resources they had.
Naming The Core Longing
- Kelly McDaniel noticed many adult women's relationship problems trace back to wanting their mother.
- Naming this pattern 'mother hunger' helped patients and grew her clinical practice.
Three Primitive Maternal Needs
- Mother hunger is a primitive desire for nurturance, protection, and guidance rooted in infancy.
- These biological needs are nonnegotiable and shape attachment if unmet.
