The Mother–Daughter Tangle: Why This Relationship Is So Hard… and So Worth Healing

In this episode, Kristin and therapist/author Eli Harwood unpack why mother–daughter relationships are uniquely tender, triggering, and complicated. Eli explains how daughters reflect parts of ourselves we haven’t healed, fear, envy, expectations, and old wounds we wish we’d outrun. They dive into the generational dynamics that shape us, from mothers who sacrificed everything to mothers who tried to control in the name of “protection.” Eli shares her own childhood story: growing up with a mom battling depression and a dad struggling with alcoholism , and how it shaped her codependency, perfectionism, and “put together” persona today. The conversation is raw and hopeful as they explore how healing ourselves creates the future relationship we want with our daughters. This episode will make you rethink everything you thought you knew about mother–daughter dynamics.

This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.

This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FEELINGS and get on your way to being your best self. Get 10% off your first month!

Head to ritual.com/FEELINGS for 25% off your first month.

Go to HIYAHEALTH.COM/BLF for 50% off of your first order of Hiya Health children's multivitamin!

Visit perelelhealth.com. New customers can enjoy 20% off their first order with the code BEDTIME.

If you're looking for gifts that are guaranteed to surprise and delight, head to Neiman Marcus

Visit kendrascott.com/gifts and use code BLF20 at checkout for 20% off ONE full-priced jewelry item. Expires December 31, 2025.

Try ZipRecruiter for FREE at ziprecruiter.com/FEELINGS

 Produced by Dear Media

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.