CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

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 themselves.  Caller 1 feels like a rest stop to her father and never his actual destination. Caller 2 is asking about personality changes for elderly adults.Take the Estranged Adult Child survey before June 30, 2025: https://cmnyyv4kpyt.typeform.com/to/qQRbFnc3 Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 members need to treat us like friends If you are an adult who is estranged from one or both of your parents, please complete my Estranged Adult Survey before June 30, 2025.Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club at Calling Home: www.callinghome.co/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 have them because of your own childhood wounds. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 reimagining how we approach grief, not just as individuals but as communities, especially in a culture that often rushes us to move on or only makes space for certain kinds of grief. We discuss young grievers, toxic positivity, what people get wrong about grieving, and losing someone you don't exactly "miss."Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this enlightening discussion, Amanda White, author of *Fence Sitter*, explores the intricate decision of motherhood and the emotional rollercoaster of parenthood. She delves into the societal pressures influencing family choices and the ambivalence many feel about having children. With candid reflections on joy, exhaustion, and potential regrets, Amanda encourages open conversations around parenting. This talk is a must-listen for anyone grappling with their own family dynamics and the evolving nature of these decisions.

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 an "ask family" or a "guess family," and it's fascinating.  I also answer two caller questions. Caller 1 is estranged from her parents but wants to support her sister who has cancer. Caller 2 still feels really anxious around her family but wants to maintain a connection. This is a great episode about boundaries, difficult choices, and deciding if we can tolerate surface-level relationships.Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/joinWhitney's Book Toxic Positivity.Have a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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 estrangement is "bad" isn't going to solve anything what we actually need to do to prevent estrangement in families Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/joinHave a question for Whitney? Call in and leave a voicemail for the show at 866-225-5466.Follow Whitney on Instagram: www.instagram.com/sitwithwhitSubscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices