
Unfollowing Mum
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.
Latest episodes

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.

Jun 26, 2024 • 53min
EP59 Breaking cycles, boundaries & repair with Natasha Nyeke
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith chats with therapist and coach Natasha Nyeke about breaking the cycle, repairing the relationship with your emotionally immature parent and feeling your feelings.You can find Natasha here:https://www.instagram.com/theimperfect.therapisthttps://www.natashanyeke.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 19, 2024 • 33min
Ep58 Father's day - the aftermath.
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith talks about Father's day and what that might have looked like for different people. Remember: you're not alone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 12, 2024 • 43min
EP57 Religious abuse & estrangement
On this episode, host Harriet Shearsmith talks to author Lyn Smith Gregory about religious trauma, abuse and the resulting estrangement from stepping out of the church. You can find more about Lyn here: https://lynsmithgregory.com/about/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jun 5, 2024 • 34min
EP56 Bi cultural straddling & the unhealthy family dynamic with Sahaj Kohli
On this episode host Harriet Shearsmith speaks with Sahaj Kohli, therapist, author of But what will people say? and founder of @browngirltherapy. Sahaj shares her wisdom about setting boundaries and navigating dysfunctional family dynamics as a bi-cultural child of immigrants and breaking generational trauma cycles within collectivist, multicultural families. You can find Sahaj's book here:https://amzn.to/3Vawj0NAnd follow @browngirltherapy on instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.