Dysfunctional

I sat down and shared my experience of the a historic moment for children of alcoholics everywhere! Here’s what AI makes of it - Walking for Change: A 92-Mile Journey to Downing StreetJoin Josh Connolly as he recounts his incredible three-day journey, walking 92 miles with over 215,000 steps to raise awareness for children affected by parental alcoholism. Starting from his home and culminating at 10 Downing Street, Josh shares the physical and emotional challenges he faced, the inspiration behind the walk, and the overwhelming support he received. He also highlights the pivotal moments, such as meeting policy advisors and gaining media attention, that made this more than just a walk. This episode isn't just about the steps taken, but the strides made towards real change and supporting those who need it most.00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Walk01:05 Returning Home and Recovery03:15 The Idea and Planning Phase08:24 The Start of the Journey13:46 Challenges and Realizations22:30 Struggling Through the Pain22:56 Reaching Windsor and the Nacoa Social24:44 The Final Day: Pushing to Parliament26:54 Entering Downing Street30:30 Meeting the Policy Advisors34:23 Reflecting on the Journey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It is coaweek - a week to raise awareness for children of alcoholics and as a proud ambassador for Nacoa I am shouting about it all week. This episode I dive into 21 traits of a child of an alcoholic. You can find Nacoa here - Nacoa.org.ukTo Sponser me go here - https://www.justgiving.com/page/josh-connolly-2And for deeper you it is here - https://www.joshconnolly.co.uk/deeper-youHere is what AI makes of it all - Back from Illness: Raising Awareness for Children of AlcoholicsIn this episode, Josh Connolly returns after recovering from a week-and-a-half-long illness. He begins with an apology for missing last week's podcast and announces changes to the podcast cover picture for future episodes. Josh also talks about the upcoming American release of his book 'It's Them, Not You: How to Break Free from Toxic Parents and Reclaim Your Story' and his online program DeeperU, aimed at fostering joy and reconnecting with one's inner child. He dedicates this week's podcast to Children of Alcoholics Week, sharing his long-standing involvement with NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics) and raising awareness about the lack of specific governmental support for these children. Josh discusses his planned 93-mile walk from Wiltshire to London, delivering a letter to 10 Downing Street, and attending a Parliamentary meeting to advocate for change. Highlighting 21 traits common among children with alcoholic parents, Josh emphasizes the need for specialized support and recounts personal experiences and emotional challenges faced throughout his life. He concludes with a call to action for better resources and support for children affected by parental drinking.00:00 Introduction and Apology01:18 Podcast Picture Change02:37 Book Release Announcement03:01 DeeperU Program Launch03:19 Children of Alcoholics Week03:40 Walking to Raise Awareness04:00 Government's Lack of Support06:30 Traits of Children of Alcoholics12:08 Hypervigilance and Trust Issues15:12 People Pleasing and Fear of Abandonment19:40 Perfectionism and Intimacy Issues34:41 Control Issues and Hyper Independence36:27 Caretaking and Emotional Challenges39:07 Conclusion and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My daughter is off school sick, so we are coming from my living room with little planning time so I used it to answer a bunch of your questions and there was some deep ones! There's also a bit of insight into my scattered mind and even stop to take some breaths at some point. Here is what AI made of it all - In this episode of 'Dysfunctional,' Josh Connolly addresses common questions about growing up with toxic parents, the impacts of emotional abuse, and the complexities of estrangement. Filmed from his living room due to personal circumstances, Josh offers insights into dealing with self-hatred, the need to earn love, being the family scapegoat, and the concept of living grief. He also discusses practical steps to avoid becoming like a toxic parent by focusing on accountability. Join Josh as he candidly shares his thoughts and provides heartfelt advice for those navigating their own dysfunctional family dynamics.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup01:22 Answering Listener Questions on Toxic Parents03:02 Understanding Toxic Parental Behavior07:00 Dealing with Conditional Love and Manipulation09:56 Coping with Emotional Abuse and Self-Doubt19:53 Living Grief and Going No Contact30:38 Final Thoughts and Conclusion#toxicparents Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This one was a tricky one to tackle and I could feel my anxiety throughout the episode which means it was a needed conversation. Buckle up for this one, because you might not agree with a lot of my points! Here is what AI thought about it - Are We Talking About Mental Health Too Much? - Exploring the Overwhelm and Societal ImpactIn Episode 11, host Josh Connolly delves into the controversial question: Are we discussing mental health too excessively? Josh shares his personal experiences with overwhelm, anxiety, and hypervigilance. He also highlights the rise in self-diagnosis and the potential pitfalls of over-medicalizing everyday emotional struggles. The discussion touches on societal factors, the influence of pharmaceutical companies, and the importance of resilience. Josh emphasizes the need to balance emotional awareness with practical life strategies while questioning how current systems handle mental health and children's needs.00:00 Introduction and Episode Kickoff00:41 Personal Overwhelm and Anxiety02:13 Hyperawareness and Internal Reflection05:52 Critique of Social Media and Generational Bullying11:01 Tony Blair's View on Mental Health31:41 The Rise of Self-Diagnosis35:17 Arguments For and Against Pathologizing Mental Health46:46 Final Thoughts and Call to Action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I hit the 10th episode, I have decided to go out of mine and your comfort zone even more. No more playing safe. I look at what's happening culturally with DEI and peoples hysteria around misinformation before a deeeeep chat on scapegoats. Here is what AI thought of it all - Embracing Uncomfortable Conversations: In the milestone 10th episode of the 'Dysfunctional' podcast, host Josh Connolly reflects on his journey so far, revealing his desire to tackle more challenging and controversial topics. He discusses his views on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) initiatives scaling back in major corporations, the role of hysteria in society, and the importance of allowing open dialogue about diverse opinions. Josh underscores the significance of scapegoats in fostering societal change and delves deeply into the dynamics of power structures, both in family and societal contexts. The episode aims to encourage critical thinking and honest conversations around complex issues, urging listeners to continuously seek the truth, even when it means stepping out of their comfort zones.00:00 Celebrating Episode 10: A New Direction02:28 Diving into DE&I: What's Happening?07:35 The Problem with Censorship and Misinformation22:26 The Role of Scapegoats in Society24:36 Understanding Power Dynamics and Abuse44:19 Historical Scapegoats: Lessons from the Past48:04 Final Thoughts and Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I have wanted to do a bit of a deep dive into forgiveness for a long time and so I am glad to be able to get to do it today. I have some strong opinions on this and having done a little bit of research, my opinions have only got stronger. If you feel like forgiveness is unfairly pushed on you, this one is for you. Here is what AI thinks about it all. Navigating Forgiveness: Exploring Accountability, Family Dynamics, and Toxic RelationshipsIn this episode, Josh Connolly dives deep into the complexities of navigating forgiveness, particularly within the context of toxic and abusive relationships. He discusses the unavoidable level of performance in content creation, the influence of social media, and the impact of negative comments on mental health. Josh also engages in a heated exchange with a commenter, exploring the generational differences in attitudes towards family dynamics. He stresses the importance of self-forgiveness, the historical roots and evolution of forgiveness, and highlights the need for accountability over forced forgiveness, especially in the context of parental abuse.00:00 Introduction and Setting the Mood01:22 Navigating Online Interactions and Trolls03:05 Engaging with Toxic Comments14:37 The Concept of Forgiveness18:19 Historical Perspectives on Forgiveness20:43 Forgiveness in Religious Contexts30:46 The Complexity of Forgiveness in Abuse36:32 Final Thoughts on Forgiveness and Accountability Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode I list the 5 things I would change if I could wave a magic wand as we head into 2025. I also answer a couple of questions on toxic parents. Here's what AI thinks about it - In the final podcast of 2024, Josh Connolly begins with a calming breathwork exercise to address technical difficulties and set the tone. He reflects on the significance of community, especially how it has deteriorated over the years due to the loss of key social structures like pubs, community centers, and religious gatherings. Josh underscores the crucial role that emotionally available adults play in the healthy development of children. He delves into the over pathologization of mental health struggles, emphasizing the need to address social and systemic issues rather than just individualizing problems. Curiosity is championed over absolutes, advocating for open-mindedness and discussion in today's polarized world. Josh also stresses the importance of prioritizing children in societal decisions and highlights how accountability is essential for individual and communal healing. The episode concludes with Josh answering listener questions about handling contact with toxic parents and the use of terms like 'toxic' and 'narcissist.'00:00 Introduction and Breathing Exercise01:25 Understanding the Nervous System and Thoughts06:10 The Importance of Community18:32 Over-Pathologization of Struggles24:34 Promoting Curiosity Over Absolutes30:21 Prioritizing Children in Society32:34 Promoting Accountability and Addressing Dysfunction36:17 Q&A: Navigating Toxic Relationships42:17 Conclusion and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There wasn’t going to be an episode this week but I was inspired by a conversation around difficult relationships with food and so here we are. Here is what ai makes of it all - Combating Food Addiction: My Journey from Alcohol to Sugar and Finding BalanceIn this special Christmas podcast episode, I open up about my struggles with food addiction and binge eating, particularly during the holiday season. Inspired by a conversation in my online community, I discuss how my difficult relationship with food began when I quit drinking 12.5 years ago, and how it replaced alcohol as a comfort mechanism. I delve into the cycles of binge eating and calorie counting, and how both have affected my body image and self-esteem. I also share how I found a way to manage my food addiction through abstinence from refined sugar, resulting in significant positive changes in my life. Join me as I speak from the heart about overcoming addiction and striving for a healthier relationship with food.00:00 Introduction and Christmas Day Reflections01:22 Struggles with Motivation and Food Addiction01:52 Personal Journey with Food Addiction03:28 Binge Eating and Shame Cycles09:17 Calorie Counting and Control Issues16:42 Quitting Refined Sugar23:28 Reflections and Advice26:15 Conclusion and Holiday Wishes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As promised I chat about the reality of Christmas for a lot of people but not before talking about debating on LinkedIn and the impact it had on me and why. Also dive into to some toxic parent questions you sent in. And now here's what AI made of it all - In this episode of The Dysfunctional Podcast, the host dives into various topics just before the Christmas holidays. He starts by discussing the controversial feedback on his podcast's picture, explaining his reasons for keeping it despite mixed opinions. Transitioning to a more serious topic, he reflects on holiday struggles, especially for those with difficult family dynamics. The host also shares his recent experience debating on LinkedIn about misinformation in podcasts, highlighting the importance of skepticism and personal research. Emphasizing self-awareness, he talks about personal triggers from his past and the need for open, respectful debates. Finally, he tackles listener questions about parental enmeshment, childhood dysfunction, attracting toxic partners, and maintaining self-worth as an adult. This episode offers a mix of personal reflections, practical advice, and thoughtful insights into navigating emotional and social challenges during the festive season.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview03:36 Debate on LinkedIn and Misinformation06:33 Personal Reflections and Childhood Experiences18:26 Navigating Christmas and Family Dynamics30:39 Q&A Session: Addressing Listener Questions41:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I have fully reignited my passion for supporting the plight of children of alcoholics and I dive into why in this episode. But this not before talking about spiritual bypassing and the problems it causes! If you are impacted by parental drinking you can find support at Nacoa.org.uk Here is what AI made of it all - Understanding Children of Alcoholics | Toxic Relationships & RecoveryIn this episode, Josh Connolly discusses the impacts of growing up with alcoholic parents, the dynamics of emotional abuse, and the journey towards healing. Josh shares personal insights on the challenges children of alcoholics face, the complexities of forgiveness, and the importance of addressing the truth of one's experiences. He critiques certain spiritual and therapeutic approaches while emphasizing the need for comprehensive support for those affected by a parent's addiction. Join Josh as he navigates through addiction awareness, the stigma surrounding it, and the ongoing need for better conversations about recovery and healing.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Setup00:31 AI Picture Controversy01:47 Reposting the Toxic Parents Reel02:44 Understanding Toxic Parents05:30 Children of Alcoholics07:06 Personal Reflections on Addiction07:34 Critique of Online Gurus09:10 The Struggle of Forgiveness10:38 Spiritual Bypassing and Abuse17:50 Challenges of Children of Alcoholics28:27 The Need for Children’s Recovery37:28 Conclusion and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.