CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

Who should be in the delivery room?In today’s episode, you will learn why having that conversation with yourself and other family members is critical, especially if you are an expectant mother. Whitney covers why each generations has a different perception and expectation about being in the delivery rooms. Older women, for example, believe they should be allowed in the room while their grandchild is being born while Gen Z mothers feel that they are 100% responsible for choosing who should be let in. What do you think? Let me know after listening to this episode of Calling Home.Tune in!What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show  [00:31] Who should be in the delivery room? [00:59] What do women of older generations feel about it vs Gen Z mothers? [02:32] Stories from several women  [03:41] The different family dynamics and preferences [04:26] Factors to consider when making this decision [04:50] #Understand that birth is not a spectator sport [06:14] #Embrace open communication and set clear boundaries [07:27] # Consider cultural norms and personal beliefs [10:12] Questions to ask yourself before you get anyone to the delivery room [13:12] Wrap up and end of the show Standout Quotes: “Millenials and young Gen Z mothers believe that the person giving birth should 100% decide who gets in the delivery room.” [01:38] “The debate of who can be allowed in the delivery room should be a personal decision that should depend on a person’s preferences and family dynamics.” [04:08] “Birth is not a spectator sport. It is a medical procedure that is vulnerable, and you need someone close to you to offer support, care and guidance.” [04:50] Let’s ConnectHave a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram.Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Mixing, editing, and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Accepting what Is and managing your relationship with parents who may never apologize or change their behavior is not an easy path. It requires a deep level of acceptance, acknowledging that your parents might not become the people you wish they were, and understanding that healing begins with accepting the situation as it is, not as you hope it would be. The path also involves setting boundaries that protect your emotional well-being while allowing space for the relationship to evolve. Whether you choose to continue contact or distance yourself, the focus should be on what serves your growth and peace. Accepting what is doesn't mean giving up; it means recognizing the limits of what your parents can offer and deciding how to move forward in a way that honors your own needs.In this Q&A episode, Whitney answers real questions from callers about how to respond to parents who initiate contact, particularly when past behaviors have caused emotional pain with self-compassion, acceptance, and choosing a path that aligns with personal healing.Tune in!What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show  [00:29] How to respond when a parent initiates contact without apologizing [05:41] Accepting your parents: What they did, who they are, and what they can offer [09:06] Accepting your parent resources  [09:23] Walking the path of what was and is with acceptance  [11:57] Wrap up and end of the show Standout Quotes: “You are allowed to feel the way you are feeling about it; you are allowed to give yourself time to process those feelings and decide what change you need to make from there.” [05:19] “There is no right path, but the path to healing starts with accepting what is, what your parent did, and what they can do.” [08:39] “There is no guarantee that maintaining a relationship with a parent is going to fulfill you or going no contact with a parent is going to make your life better or easier; just walk the path that makes sense for you.” [13:22]                                           “It's so important to expect people to be who they have been and be pleasantly surprised when they are not, don't expect them to be different than they always have been, because that's where you're going to get hurt and disappointed.” [10:59] Let’s ConnectHave a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram.Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Mixing, editing, and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Join Whitney Goodman and Vienna Pharaon, LMFT, as they discuss the role of the Golden Child in a dysfunctional family system. You will learn: how someone becomes the golden child why golden children struggle how sibling dynamics play into this role how to step out of the golden child role Let’s ConnectHave a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram.Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Mixing, editing and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Balancing boundaries and empathy in family relationships means understanding and validating your family's feelings and experiences while also protecting your own emotional and mental well-being. Empathy allows you to connect with your loved ones on a deeper level, but without boundaries, it can lead to neglecting your own needs and compromising your personal space. Setting boundaries doesn't mean you care any less. Instead, it enables you to nurture healthy, respectful, and sustainable relationships without sacrificing your well-being.In this Q&A episode, Whitney answers real caller questions on issues they are having with their family. Listen and get valuable insights on how to set and maintain healthy boundaries, practice empathy, and heal past wounds within family dynamics. Tune in!What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show  [00:29] How to practice empathy for your parent without breaking your boundaries  [07:22] How to navigate parent-sibling dynamics and adult healing  [13:00] Parent-sibling relationship healing and resources  [13:54] Wrap up and end of the show Standout Quotes: “You can have empathy and understanding for your parents without totally letting it derail and destroy any boundaries or personal space that you have in your life.” [07:08] “You have to start working on resolving and healing feelings around how you were treated in comparison to your siblings when you were younger so that it doesn't impact your life in a negative way.” [13:01] Let’s ConnectHave a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram.Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Mixing, editing and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Supporting a partner who has issues with their parents requires empathy, patience, and understanding. It's not just understanding their feelings but also actively putting yourself in their shoes and acknowledging their emotional experience. That is listening attentively, validating their feelings, and reassuring them that their emotions are legitimate. It's not about offering solutions or fixing the problem but showing that you care and are there to support them through their struggles. By creating a safe and non-judgmental space and encouraging them to express their needs and boundaries, you are helping them feel less alone on their journey, prepare to uphold their boundaries, and build a stronger connection between you both.In this episode, we discuss strategies and insights for supporting a partner facing challenges with their parents. Listen and learn how to be a supportive partner, maintain healthy boundaries, and build a fulfilling and joyous relationship. Tune in!What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show  [00:59] How to support a partner who has a difficult relationship with parents [01:37] Be supportive, not judgemental  [02:57] Seek understanding and clarity of the situation  [03:39] Support your partner in a way that is helpful to them  [04:28] Set boundaries with your in-laws  [05:11] Keep your wounds in check [06:34] Listen and validate your partner's experience  [08:23] Respect your partner's boundaries [09:28] Practice patience and understanding  [10:21] Celebrate your partner's progress  [10:59] Create a safe space for continuous sharing  [11:20] Wrap up and end of the show Standout Quotes: “It is way easier for an outsider to recognize what is happening and label the problem; try to put yourself in your partner's shoes and understand their perspective.” [01:44] “Sometimes we get so caught up in supporting people how we think they should be supported rather than listening to them.” [03:44] “Ask your partner how they would like to be supported, listen to their suggestions, and allow them to be experts on their experience.” [04:01] “Sometimes we respond in a certain way to our partner's issues because we're being triggered; make sure you're working through your own stuff so you don't over or under react.”[29:59] Let’s ConnectHave a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram.Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok.The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice, or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Mixing, editing and show notes provided by Next Day Podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling burdened by parental responsibilities? You're not alone. The discussions dive into compassionate boundary-setting while navigating emotional turmoil and past traumas. Discover ways to heal relationships with parents who have caused pain, and learn how to prioritize your mental health. Tips for ensuring child safety amidst complex family dynamics are also shared, alongside strategies for handling relationships without apologies. This episode is a blend of empathy and practical advice for those seeking balance in their familial bonds.

This week on Calling Home, Whitney speaks with therapist and author Todd Baratz on how childhood and family dynamics impact romantic relationships. He discusses why the environment we are raised in shapes who we are and how we communicate, which in turn influences the partners we choose. They also chat about "good enough" relationships and why relationships don't have to be perfect to be fulfilling. For more information on Todd Baratz’s book “How To Love Someone Without Losing Your Mind” visit toddsbaratz.com. Follow Todd on Instagram @yourdiagnonsense. Have a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This discussion dives into the complexities of dealing with narcissistic family members. Listeners share heart-wrenching stories about a toxic brother-in-law and a father who exemplifies narcissism, leaving a lasting impact. The host emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries for emotional safety and navigating difficult family dynamics. Strategies for communicating effectively with emotionally immature parents are explored, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to reclaim their peace.

In this episode of Calling Home, Whitney Goodman discusses the trend of mothers being overly attached to their sons, often referred to as "boy moms". This dynamic can be harmful to both the mother and son and lead to emotional incest, where the son is put into a husband-like role. Whitney talks about the reasons behind this phenomenon, including societal norms, lack of community support, and unfulfilled dreams of the mother. She also discusses ways to address this issue, such as practicing small separations, developing more support, setting boundaries, and encouraging independence.Have a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week our listener questions deal with navigating difficult family dynamics during holidays and events. The first caller struggles with an estranged family and feels isolated during celebrations. The second caller cut off their alcoholic mother for safety reasons, but struggles with her presence at family gatherings. Have a question for Whitney? Call Home at 866-225-5466. Click here to get “Toxic Positivity” on paperback. Join Whitney’s Family Cycle Breakers Club for further support and discussion on family dynamics at CallingHome.co. Follow the Calling Home community on Instagram or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. The Calling Home podcast is not engaged in providing therapy services, mental health advice or other medical advice or services, is not a substitute for advice from a qualified healthcare provider, and does not create any therapist-patient or other treatment relationship between you and Calling Home or Whitney Goodman. For more information on this, please see Calling Home’s Terms of Service. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices