Unfollowing Mum
Harriet Shearsmith
Unfollowing Mum : Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had is available for preorder NOW!A therapist recommended podcast for cycle breakers by someone who has lived the experience. Host Harriet Shearsmith knows first hand how challenging it can be to navigate estrangement, toxic family and dysfunctional dynamics in a digital age where setting boundaries and protecting your peace is harder than ever. In 2023 we’re unfollowing mum. We’re breaking the cycle, unsubscribing from the drama by healing generational trauma and putting ourselves and our mental health first. Each week I will answer your anonymous questions, discuss experiences and tackle the issues surrounding estrangement, generational trauma and navigating toxic families. Sometimes I’ll speak to experts, people with lived experience and other cycle breakers to share their point of view.You’re not alone, there is a community of people navigating parenthood without solid role models, learning to love themselves after emotional abuse whilst breaking the cycle for the future generations 💜 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2024 • 40min
EP69 Coming out, lack of acceptance and moving on with life
A poignant exploration of growing up in a Mormon home as a member of the LGBTQIA community reveals the complexities of identity and acceptance. The conversation dives into the emotional challenges of coming out and the impact of family dynamics on self-worth. It emphasizes the importance of supportive networks in the healing process and the struggles of navigating parental relationships marked by neglect. Listeners hear about the journey of self-acceptance while seeking empowerment and the transformative power of storytelling in overcoming generational trauma.
8 snips
Oct 30, 2024 • 49min
Ep68 Breaking the cycle when you're not a parent with Angèle Cristina
Angèle Cristina, a life coach dedicated to mental well-being, discusses breaking harmful familial cycles. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and reassessing relationships that affect mental health. The conversation explores the pressure of societal expectations regarding parenthood and the emotional burden of childhood dynamics. Angèle shares her personal journey towards setting boundaries and fostering autonomy. She also highlights the value of self-acceptance and offers insights on navigating family traumas for personal empowerment.
Oct 23, 2024 • 35min
Ep67 Jealousy and shame from narcissistic mothers
In this insightful discussion, an anonymous guest shares her experiences of growing up with a narcissistic mother in the 1980s. She explores the emotional turmoil of estrangement and the complex dynamics of toxic family relationships. The impact of jealousy and shame on personal development and parenting is profoundly examined. Listeners will resonate with her reflections on breaking the cycle of toxic motherhood and the challenges of forging nurturing bonds while confronting past traumas. This candid conversation is both enlightening and healing.
9 snips
Oct 16, 2024 • 41min
EP66 Emotionally unavailable and abandoning fathers
Emma, who shares her poignant experiences of estrangement from her father, dives deep into the complexities of emotional unavailability and abandonment. She discusses how these strained family dynamics impacted her sense of identity and future relationships. The conversation highlights the necessity of community support for those facing similar challenges and the importance of nurturing authentic connections in parenting. Emma also reflects on the emotional echoes that come from a neglected childhood, emphasizing the need for open dialogue in parent-child relationships.
Oct 9, 2024 • 1h 12min
Ep65 PMDD & weaponised mental health conditions
On this episode, host and coach Harriet Shearsmith talks with integrative psychotherapist and PMDD advocate Josie about her experiences with PMDD and how easily mental health conditions can be weaponised in toxic family dynamics. If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 2, 2024 • 44min
EP64 Generational trauma, hispanic cultural norms & living with a toxic parent
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith talks with Cristina about her lived experience growing up in a Hispanic family where it's commonplace to live in a multigenerational home and what that has meant for her difficult relationship with her mother.If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 25, 2024 • 1h 20min
EP63 Discussing different sibling perspectives with Louise & Frankie
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith talks with siblings Frankie & Louise about their lived experiences with a toxic father. They discuss how different their relationships with dad have looked through the years and share their views on their childhoods. You can listen to Louise's podcast Mums Work and Chaos episode featuring Harriet here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6pyjVmIlBG7h1AmBhMDXHH?si=AtUtqk4KSF6uUZ0cryAY7AIf you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 18, 2024 • 48min
EP62 How can therapy help with Lucy Hills-Gale
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith chats with therapist Lucy Hills-Gale about how therapy can help you to move through your lived experiences and heal. Lucy shares her exercises and advice during this episode, and you can also find her at Space to Talk Counselling, which you can find here: https://www.spacetotalk.co.uk/ and on her instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/spacetotalk_counselling and facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/Spacetotalkcounselling/If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sep 11, 2024 • 33min
EP61 I've got news! (and why we feel lazy when resting)
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith shares some exciting news and talks about why she feels 'lazy' taking the summer off podcasting to spend with her kids.If you have found Unfollowing Mum pod useful, consider pre-ordering Harriet's new book Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy habits and be the parent you wish you'd had, available on 7th November 2024. You can preorder here: https://bio.to/UnfollowingMum Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 10, 2024 • 39min
EP60 What comes after the confrontation? (TW: Covert SA)
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith speaks with an anonymous guest about their experiences of covert sexual abuse at the hands of their mother and step father, what happens AFTER you confront the enabling parent and how you maintain a relationship IF you choose to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
