In this episode, we explore how children are drawn into adult roles—whether through emotional or logistical parentification. We examine the family conditions that create these dynamics, share real-life examples, and discuss how these experiences impact you as an adult. We’ll also explore how the very skills you developed to survive can both help and hinder you later in life, and provide actionable strategies for reclaiming your inner child and healing generational patterns. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Whitney discusses her three little epiphanies for the week: therapy lingo continues to be a force for good on reality TV parents are cutting off their adult children Should parents get to control your life if they give you money? She also answers two caller questions. Caller 1 is planning a wedding and doesn't want to invite all of her family members. Caller 2 is trying to find a way to navigate one of the most challenging issues you can face within a family - child grooming and potential child s*xual abuse. *Please keep in mind this episode discussed themes of child ab*se in caller 2.* 00:00 Introduction and Epiphanies 09:37 Navigating Wedding Guest Lists 18:42 Addressing Child Safety and Family Dynamics Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Whitney Goodman explores the four attachment styles and their impact on romantic relationships. She discusses the four main attachment styles: secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized, explaining how they manifest in relationships and how they are influenced by childhood experiences. She also shows how attachment styles are portrayed in Netflix's new season of Love Is Blind. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction to Attachment Styles and Family Dynamics 03:21 Understanding Secure Attachment 06:19 Exploring Anxious Attachment 08:38 Diving into Avoidant Attachment 09:37 Understanding Disorganized Attachment 11:25 The Impact of Childhood on Attachment Styles 13:43 Triggers and Responses in Relationships 19:21 Navigating Partner Behaviors and Attachment Styles 27:36 The Role of Self-Awareness in Relationships Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this epsiode, Whitney answers two caller questions and gives her three little epiphanies for the week: Sutton's mom on RHOBH A new phrase she's using to push through hard times Being a cyclebreaker sucks sometimes Caller 1 is upset about her parent's horrible marriage. Caller 2 is responding to a smear campaign from her sister in law. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Whitney shares her 3 Little Epiphanies for the week: Mary Cosby from RHOSLC did an amazing job How RHONY is an example of "therapy speak" entering the mainstream in a good way How Whitney is choosing to handle her news consumption in 2025 She also answers two caller questions. Caller 1 is having a baby and doesn't want the baby to meet her father. Caller 2 recently lost her grandmother and is trying to navigate Grandpa having a new girlfriend. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This is a two-part series with the hosts of Nuance Needed. In part 1, Whitney, Amanda, and Sam discuss the complexities of parental estrangement, the misconceptions surrounding it, and the impact of social media on family dynamics and estrangement. In Part 2, we reflect on the impact of their work on social media on their personal lives, the challenges of parenting, and tips to avoid estrangement. You can listen to part two on Nuance Needed. For online therapy in 42 states, visit Amanda's practice, Therapy for Women: https://therapyforwomencenter.com/ Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this Q&A episode, Whitney speaks to 2 callers. Caller 1 has a distant parent who doesn't invest much in their relationship. Should she cut them off, or is this just another estrangement fantasy? Caller 2 is a new parent who is worried about messing up his kid. This is the pep talk you need if you can relate. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this conversation, Whitney Goodman and Marc explore the significance of emotions in personal development and relationships. They discuss the lack of emotional education in families and schools, the impact of cultural perspectives on emotional expression, and the importance of having supportive figures in one's life. They also delve into practical strategies for emotional regulation and the connection between emotional well-being and success. In this conversation, Marc and Whitney explore the profound impact of emotional intelligence on creativity, relationships, and personal growth. Marc's Book, Permission To Feel: https://www.amazon.com/Permission-Feel-Unlocking-Emotions-Ourselves/dp/1250212847 Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of the Calling Home podcast, Whitney answers your questions about emotional immaturity, providing insights into the dynamics of family relationships, the importance of genuine apologies, and the challenges of caring for emotionally immature parents. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Whitney Goodman explores the complexities of emotional maturity, particularly in the context of adult children dealing with emotionally immature parents. She discusses the common fantasy that parents can change if children learn the right ways to interact with them, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, accountability, and setting boundaries. Whitney also highlights cultural influences on emotional immaturity and provides insights into recognizing signs of potential growth in parents. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club at Calling Home: www.callinghome.co/join Join my free webinar on January 21, 2025: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j2TGSXofQMqQt-BhJLcFSA Estranged Adult Child Group: https://callinghome.co/estranged-adult-child-group Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Whitney addresses two caller questions. The first caller discusses her awakening to the dysfunction within her family and how uncomfortable she feels now. The second caller asks about the confusing behavior of her emotionally immature in-laws, who present a different persona in public compared to their private interactions. Whitney provides insights on navigating these difficult relationships and emphasizes the importance of acceptance, self-care, and personal boundaries. Timeline: 00:00 Introduction and Updates on Calling Home 02:33 Caller 1: Awakening to Family Dysfunction 16:51 Caller 2: The Dichotomy of Family Behavior Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join 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/sitwithwhit Subscribe to Whitney's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@whitneygoodmanlmft Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode, Whitney Goodman discusses emotional immaturity, its traits, and how to effectively deal with emotionally immature individuals. She emphasizes the importance of emotional regulation and provides practical strategies for managing interactions, drawing from insights in Lindsay C. Gibson's book, 'Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents.' Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, Whitney Goodman discusses emotional maturity and the complexities of family relationships, particularly when spirituality and religion create barriers. She addresses a caller's question about navigating relationships with emotionally immature family members who use spiritual beliefs to justify their actions. Whitney emphasizes the importance of empathy, acceptance, and support in these situations while highlighting the pain of rejection that can arise from such conflicts. The second caller is a twin who has had to set boundaries with their twin sibling. Whitney discusses why adult sibling relationships can be so challenging and how to help someone in a dysfunctional or abusive relationship. Join The Family Cyclebreakers Club: www.callinghome.co/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, Whitney Goodman shares concrete steps you can take to become more emotionally mature. She explores various aspects of emotional maturity, including self-awareness, accountability, emotional regulation, empathy, and vulnerability. Whitney provides practical insights and strategies for listeners to enhance their emotional maturity and navigate relationships with emotionally immature individuals. Chapters: 11:03 The Importance of Accountability 16:20 Emotional Regulation Techniques 25:29 Empathy and Understanding Others 31:24 Vulnerability in Emotional Maturity Join The family Cyclebreakers Club at Calling Home: www.callinghome.co/join Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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 Connect Have 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 Connect Have 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 Connect Have 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
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 Connect Have 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 tired of being the parent to your parents is a common struggle, especially when they rely on you for emotional or even physical suapport. It can be overwhelming to manage their needs while trying to prioritize your own life and the family you're building. Setting boundaries is essential, not just for your well-being but also to maintain a healthy relationship with them. Healing from past hurts and learning how to rebuild relationships with parents who may have caused pain is crucial. It's important to protect yourself emotionally while still offering compassion and understanding, but also recognize when you need to step back to preserve your mental health. In this Q&A episode, Whitney answers real questions from callers about relationship struggles with their parents. Listen and learn how to set boundaries and protect your emotional well-being and the family you are building while maintaining respect for your parents. Tune in! What You Will Learn: [00:01] Intro and what in for you in today’s show [00:26] How to set boundaries with parents in a compassionate way [06:08] Healing from physical and emotional abuse from parents [10:43] How to build a relationship with parents who have hurt you [15:54] When your parent wants to apologize resources [16:23] Wrap up and end of the show Standout Quotes: “If you are a parent, set boundaries and make sure parenting your parents doesn't take away from your ability to parent your own child because there will be consequences.” [05:38] “You can’t have a real relationship without safety.” [10:34] “Healthy relationships are healthy and important for children; Unhealthy, abusive, or dangerous relationships are unhealthy for children.” [13:22] Let’s Connect Have 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
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