Dysfunctional

Lauren Smallcomb grew up the “golden child” at home and in church. When compassion widened and questions came, the role cracked. We get into:Golden child vs scapegoat dynamics and why families swap those seatsConditional love, estrangement, and the pressure to “get back in line”High control religion, missions in Thailand, and leaving the systemThe body keeping the score: hives, chronic symptoms, and slow repairRebuilding through mind body work, movement, breath, and safe loveHer new book and who it’s forWork with Lauren and Luke: Flourish Therapy (mind body practice, global)Instagram & Facebook: @flourishtherapyWebsite: flourishtherapy.co Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Theresa and her son Cody for one of the rawest and most hopeful conversations yet.Cody shares what it was like to grow up with an alcoholic mother, the emotional estrangement that followed, and how he once decided, “I don’t have a mom anymore.” Theresa opens up about her alcoholism, early recovery, the shame of realizing she had become the toxic parent she swore she wouldn’t be, and the painful accountability required to begin repairing.Together, they talk honestly about the darkest years of their relationship, the role of recovery and IFS (Internal Family Systems) in healing, and how they slowly rebuilt trust—not through excuses, but through deep accountability, boundaries, and a willingness to really listen.What emerges is a story of hope: proof that repair is possible, even after estrangement and years of hurt.Whether you’re an adult child of a toxic parent or a parent carrying shame for the harm you’ve caused, this conversation offers both validation and possibility.Teresa is now a a Somatic Wellness Practitioner who uses the Triad of Healing which is Parts Work, Breathwork, and Somatic Release to gain the full spectrum of emotional healing. Teresa says she does this as a profession because of the healing it brought her in her life. She works with anyone overcoming any kind of trauma. Teresa can be found here - www.energiesinmotion.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if everything you’ve been told about mental illness… isn’t true?In this raw and uncompromising episode of Dysfunctional, I sit down with psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Jessica Taylor to tear apart the myths and corruption within psychiatry and the wider mental health industry.We talk about:👉Why so many psychiatric “truths” are based on weak science (or none at all)👉How labels and diagnoses can keep people trapped instead of free👉The profit-driven systems that benefit from keeping people sick👉 true healing might look like outside of psychiatry👉Why being human has been pathologised — and how we can reclaim itThis conversation is not comfortable, and it’s not supposed to be. Some of you will feel liberated. Some of you might feel defensive or upset. Wherever you land, I invite you to sit with it, question it, and decide for yourself.🔗 Connect with Dr. Jessica Taylor:Website: https://www.drjessicataylor.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dysfunctional, Josh sits down with Debra Paynter — business manager, single parent, and advocate — for a raw conversation about raising her son, Teddy, who is autistic and has a learning disability.They explore:Why SEND families are so often failed by schools, local authorities, and societyThe difference between a tantrum and a meltdown, and what public judgement really feels likeHow lockdown became a turning point in Teddy’s developmentThe exhausting fight to secure the right school place and legal protectionsWhat society could do — right now — to better support SEND parentsThe unexpected joy, connection, and resilience Debra has found in her journeyThis is a conversation about courage, love, and truth-telling — and it will make you think differently about SEND parenting.Follow Debra:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debs.does.asana/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and unfiltered conversation, Josh sits down with Dr. Sherrie Campbell — psychologist, author, and unapologetic disruptor in the toxic family space — ahead of their joint Come Home to Yourself event in Los Angeles on October 4th.What starts as an excited chat about the event quickly dives deep into some of the most taboo and misunderstood truths about healing from family abuse:Why forgiveness can become a weapon that keeps you trapped.How anger is an emotion of justice — and why you need it to set real boundaries.The myth that boundaries can “fix” toxic people.How bypassing, “love and light” culture, and the obsession with being nice can actually harm survivors.The danger of therapists colluding with abusers (often unintentionally).The reality of parental sadism and why you may never get a satisfying “why.”Dr. Sherrie shares the most vulnerable moment of her healing journey — the day she realised her mother had no respect for her because she kept forgiving her — and how that moment became a turning point toward freedom.This is not a conversation for those looking for sugar-coated healing. It’s for those ready to face the truth, drop the audition for love, and come home to themselves.🎟 Come Home to Yourself — Los Angeles, October 4thA full-day interactive experience with Josh & Dr. Sherrie featuring deep teaching, inner child work, live Q&A, and a powerful breathwork session for emotional release.Spaces are limited: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/come-home-to-you-tickets-1461867257319?aff=oddtdtcreator Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dysfunctional, I’m joined by therapist and childhood trauma expert Patrick Teahan for a raw and powerful conversation about healing from toxic family systems.We explore:Why estrangement can be necessary for healing — and the grief that followsHow toxic parents keep control through subtle emotional tacticsThe long-term impact of growing up in dysfunctional family systemsThe limits of 12-step recovery when it comes to childhood traumaWhy grieving the parent you never had is a turning point in recoveryHow society mirrors toxic family dynamics — and what it takes to break the cyclePatrick also shares insights from his group therapy model, the Relationship Recovery Process, and reflects on his journey from early therapy to becoming a leading voice in the trauma recovery space.If you're healing from family dysfunction, this one will land deeply.Find Patrick here - https://linktr.ee/patrickteahan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if the same coercive control you grew up with in your family is playing out on a societal scale—and no one’s supposed to name it?In this unapologetically raw episode, I’m joined by political punk artist Hyphen to call out the hidden systems most people are too afraid to touch. We unpack classism, manufactured consent, and how we’ve all been programmed to blame individuals instead of broken structures.Hyphen shares how losing a close friend, burning out in finance, and growing up as the child of Indian immigrants shaped his activism—and how political punk gave him a voice loud enough to be heard.We get into:Why being angry is the only sane response to injusticeThe truth about “freedom” under capitalismHow systems mirror abusive family dynamicsWhy 3.5% of people are all it takes to ignite changeAnd how slogans like “Hate Yachts, Not Dinghies” can become rallying cries for a generationThis one is for the misfits, the scapegoats, the question-askers.This is Dysfunctional. And we’re not here to behave. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and emotional episode, I sit down with Lulu and Georgina—two sisters who grew up in the chaos of having a father in prison. What starts as a conversation about parental imprisonment unfolds into a powerful exploration of shame, silence, systemic failure, and the unbreakable bond between siblings who carried each other through the storm.We talk about what it’s really like for the children left behind:The raids.The media frenzy.Being judged by teachers, friends, and strangers.And the complete absence of support.Georgina was arrested at 17—just for being related to the man who committed the crime. Lulu was a child being searched at prison visits, isolated by her peers, and silently carrying the burden of a family under siege.Together, they’ve turned pain into purpose—becoming advocates for Children Heard and Seen, a charity supporting children affected by parental imprisonment.This conversation is a call to action. It’s about seeing the invisible victims of crime, breaking the cycle of silence, and reminding every child out there who’s been impacted: It’s not your fault.Key Topics Covered:Living with media stigma when a parent goes to prisonThe trauma of police raids and prison visits as a childThe emotional toll of secrecy, shame, and being judgedAttachment wounds and survival responsesHow families hold each other together in chaosThe desperate need for better support and resources for children of prisonersWhy advocacy matters and what needs to changeTrigger Warning: This episode contains emotional conversations around childhood trauma, imprisonment, police raids, and systemic neglect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this bold and unfiltered episode, I’m joined by Christian John — a truth-teller who walked away from a toxic family system and now uses his platform to speak the things most people are too afraid to say out loud.Together we explore:What estrangement really means — and why it’s often an act of survivalHow narcissistic abuse in families mirrors the dysfunction of societyThe performative trap of modern healing spacesRage, grief, identity, and the reclaiming of personal truthHow capitalism gaslights the nervous system and commodifies healingAnd why consciousness without community is just another echo chamberThis conversation is real, raw, and deeply validating for anyone who’s been scapegoated, silenced, or made to feel like they’re the problem.🔗 Follow Christian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hype.r.vigilance?igsh=MXUwbnJ6NzNiemlndA== Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood sexual abuse, religious trauma, suicide attempts, and domestic violence. Please listen with care.In this powerful episode of Dysfunctional, Karinne shares her story of surviving a childhood shaped by the Jehovah’s Witnesses — a group she now calls a cult — and parents who were both abusive and narcissistic.Kicked out at 16 after being groomed and blamed for it, Karinne found herself completely alone in the world, trauma-bonded to the very people who harmed her, and struggling to make sense of a reality she was never prepared for.What follows is a conversation about real healing — not the Instagram version with matcha and mantras, but the messy, angry, beautiful kind that happens when you start telling the truth.Together we explore:What it’s like growing up in a high-control religious cultThe impact of narcissistic parenting and spiritual abusePurity culture, fear-based control, and enforced submissionThe trauma bond and why it’s so hard to breakWhat healing actually looks like — day-to-day, years onKarinne is funny, fierce, and real. She’s not here to sugarcoat anything. This is what healing sounds like in real life.📲 Connect with Karinne on insta - @girl_inshambles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most people think they’re broken. Most people think dysregulation is a problem. Most people think the answer is to regulate, reframe, or reset.But what if all of that is just another distraction?Another way to bypass what actually needs to be felt?This episode is a full-bodied dismantling of the healing and wellness world as we know it — with the brilliant Sam Miller, who teaches Mind-Body Recovery through a trauma-informed, Jungian, and deeply embodied lens.We talk about:Why your symptoms might actually be your body healingHow emotional repression creates chaos in the systemWhy "cognitive reframing" is like shouting to the basement from the atticThe cult of regulation and fake safety in the healing spacePerformative masculinity, football fights, and the grief men won't feelAnd how real emotional healing often looks more like screaming, shaking, and collapsing into a ball in a sauna than it does cold plunges or coaching frameworksWe also dig into the absolute state of the wellness industry — the bypassing, the ego-led facilitators, and why a lot of what’s branded as “healing” is just a new costume for the same old disconnection.This one goes deep. It’s raw. It’s real.It’s Dysfunctional.Best place to find Sam is here - https://youtube.com/@the_mindful_gardener?si=WasM11Ci0DIGsXCg Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m joined by the brilliant Dr. Genevieve von Lob – clinical psychologist, conscious parenting coach, and author of Five Deep Breaths: The Power of Mindful Parenting. Genevieve is a powerful voice for highly sensitive people (HSPs), and she's on a mission to create healing spaces for parents and children who’ve never felt like they fit the mould.In this raw and deeply validating conversation, we explore what it really means to be highly sensitive in a world that often gets it wrong. We talk about the link between sensitivity and misdiagnosis, the emotional toll of being pathologized, and the damaging impact of growing up misunderstood.Genevieve shares why many sensitive children end up labelled, punished, or shamed – and how their intense emotional world can actually be their greatest gift. We discuss addiction, bullying, co-regulation, parenting struggles, empowered sensitivity, narcissistic abuse, and why true healing happens in community, not isolation.This is one of those conversations that might just change how you see yourself – or your child – forever.Find out more about Dr Genevieve von Lob here - www.drgenevieve.com@drgenevievevonlob (instagram) https://www.linkedin.com/in/drgenevieve/ (linkedin)01:00 Introduction to Dr. Genevieve Von Lobb02:59 Discovering High Sensitivity in Children06:19 Personal Journey and Understanding Sensitivity09:28 Challenges of Highly Sensitive Children13:21 Recognizing and Supporting Sensitive Children25:04 The Western Medical Model and Sensitivity34:19 Bullying and Sensitivity40:30 Understanding Trauma and Its Impact41:59 The Dilemma of Highly Sensitive People42:35 Ignoring Red Flags and Gut Instincts45:38 Energetic Entanglement and Boundaries47:12 The Reality of Bullying and Narcissism50:03 The Journey to Empowerment01:03:30 The Importance of Community Healing01:04:57 Final Thoughts and Future Plans Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Josh is joined by IFS coach Kevin O’Neill — the man who guided him through 10 transformational sessions of Internal Family Systems work. Together, they explore what it really means to stop fighting your inner world and start leading from your Self. Josh shares the breakthrough that changed everything: realizing he was still judging himself through the lens of who he was at 22. They dive into shame, identity, addiction, inner protectors, and why even the messiest parts of us are just trying to help. This episode is a raw and moving deep-dive into parts work, masculinity, and what happens when you realise… there are no bad parts.Working with Kevin was life changing for me and you can find out more about him and how to work with him yourself here - www.nobadparts.coachOn instagram here - https://www.instagram.com/no_badparts/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this raw and powerful conversation, I’m joined by writer and survivor Stéphanie St-Jean, whose viral piece “I Hope This Finds You Unwell” marked the moment she stopped hiding and started healing.Stéphanie shares the quiet devastation of emotional and financial abuse, the trauma of post-separation control, and how writing became the tool that helped her reclaim her truth, her worth, and her voice.We talk about:The subtle patterns of narcissistic abuse that often go unseenHow trauma survivors are misdiagnosed instead of supportedSpeaking out, smear campaigns, and the cost of telling the truthCreating a children’s book to help others feel worthy from the startThis episode is about what happens when you stop apologizing for your truth and finally say what needs to be said.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of narcissistic abuse, miscarriage, emotional manipulation, and post-separation abuse.Find Stephaine here - https://lessonsindiscernment.substack.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if your burnout, your self-doubt, your struggle to belong weren’t personal problems, but symptoms of a system that was never built for you?In this raw and powerful conversation, Josh is joined by master intuitive psychology coach Helen to dismantle the myth of individual healing in a broken society. Together, they explore how patriarchy, capitalism, and outdated leadership models disconnect us from our true selves and how coming home to our intuition is an act of resistance.This isn’t just another coaching chat. It’s a call to break free from the systems that broke you. Expect uncomfortable truths, gut-punch insights, and a reminder that real change starts within but never ends there.Find Helen here -www.helendudzinska.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-dudzinska-b75087184Insta - @helendudzinska Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’ve ever dealt with a toxic person online or in real life, this episode is for you.Josh breaks down a recent Facebook interaction that perfectly illustrates the exhausting tactics toxic people use to wear you down — from word salads to projection, reactive abuse, triangulation, moral superiority, and weaponised vulnerability.You’ll learn:Why you’ll never “win” against a toxic personHow they twist your words, deny reality, and drag you into chaosThe difference between true vulnerability and manipulative victimhoodHow these same toxic tactics show up in cult-like communities and spiritual spacesWhy gray rocking might be the only sane responseIt’s raw, honest, a bit messy — and definitely dysfunctional.Whether you’re healing from family dysfunction, dealing with online trolls, or navigating toxic dynamics in your life, this one will help you feel a little less crazy.00:00 Introduction to Toxic Relationships00:57 Personal Anecdote: The Persistent Commenter04:32 The Facebook Confrontation07:59 Understanding Reactive Abuse17:17 The DAVO Tactic Explained20:01 Confrontation and Gaslighting22:22 Understanding Word Salad23:45 Triangulation in Toxic Relationships25:22 Weaponized Vulnerability29:26 Moral Superiority and Cult-like Behavior36:45 Personal Reflections and Community Building40:55 Final Thoughts and Podcast Wrap-up Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What really happens when you cut ties with your own family?In this episode, I’m joined by psychologist and author Karl Melvin, whose book Navigating Family Estrangement has been a lifeline for people trying to break free from toxic family systems. Together, we dive into the misunderstood world of family estrangement — exploring the deep grief, the guilt, the gaslighting, and the complex layers of going no contact.We talk about:Why estrangement is sometimes the healthiest choiceHow society often sides with the abuserThe pressure to forgive, reconcile, and “just move on”What healing can actually look like on the other sideWhether you’ve cut contact, are considering it, or are struggling to stay away, this conversation will help you feel seen, validated, and a little less alone.Karl Melvin is an IACP (Irish Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists) accredited psychotherapist with an MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy. He has spent 14 years working with estranged adults of different perspectives, including adult sons and daughters, siblings and parents. He has spent several years training professionals on his own approach to understanding the complex reality of family estrangement in contemporary society and how to support clients through the various psychological, relational, and social challenges they face. He has published one paper in the Family Journal, entitled The Changing Impact and Challenges of Familial Estrangement, and his first book, Navigating Family Estrangement, published by Routledge, is a practical guide for professionals and estranged adults and is available from all book sellers now. Link to Book (There's sale on at the mo):https://www.routledge.com/Navigating-Family-Estrangement-Helping-Adults-Understand-and-Manage-the-Challenges-of-Family-Estrangement/Melvin/p/book/9781032423067Link to Workshop on Jun 5th (8 things everyone needs to know about family estrangement):https://www.therapyacademy.ie/details/webinar/1673Socials:https://www.linkedin.com/in/karl-melvin-psychotherapist-ma-miacp-2a29679/https://www.instagram.com/karl.melvin/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this deeply personal and vulnerable episode, Josh Connolly shares his journey to 13 years of sobriety. But this isn’t just a story about putting down the drink. It’s a story of survival, chaos, pain, and ultimately transformation.Josh opens up about his early experiences with cannabis at age 12, the spiral into alcohol and hard drugs, and the chaos that followed — from blackouts and self-destruction to brushes with death. He recounts traumatic events, addiction-fueled madness, and his darkest moments, where the idea of escape felt like the only way out.But this episode is more than just a retelling of a troubled past. It’s about healing. Josh reflects on how sobriety didn’t fix everything overnight, how emotional wounds ran deeper than the addiction itself, and how he learned to live with — and eventually love — himself.Whether you’re struggling with addiction, supporting someone who is, or just curious about the raw reality of sobriety beyond the social media highlight reel, this episode is a must-listen.🔹 Topics Covered:The raw reality of addiction — beyond the social media facade.The love affair with substances and the chaos that followed.The turning point — from suicidal despair to a life of service.The truth about sobriety — why it’s more than just quitting.Josh’s ongoing journey — the challenges and the gifts of 13 years sober.Listen now to hear the story behind the resilience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the very first guest episode of Dysfunctional, I’m joined by writer and embodiment coach Leona Waller — and we go all in on the toxic side of self-improvement culture.We explore how the wellness and personal development world can subtly (and not-so-subtly) feed the same control, shame and conformity that many of us grew up with. We talk about embodiment as an antidote — not the trendy version, but the real, messy, human kind. The kind that gets you out of your head, back into your body, and into a life that actually feels like yours.We also dig into:— Why gratitude lists can actually make things worse— How capitalism hijacked healing— Why being “zen” isn’t always the answer— The problem with trying to meditate your trauma away— And how embodiment can help you feel less crazy and more youLeona Waller is a writer and facilitator helping people trust their own bodies and emotions more than Instagram wellness influencers. She’s the co-creator of The Body Knows, a newsletter and community using somatics and embodiment to help people stop optimizing life and start living it. With a background in neuroscience and emotional psychology, she creates spaces where people shed the shoulds and come home — to the power and joy that are their birthright.Follow Leona’s work here:🔗 The Body Knows on Substack—Subscribe to Dysfunctional for raw, unfiltered conversations about healing, systems, and seeing clearly — because if you grew up in dysfunction, chances are, you’re still surrounded by it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Back from the bank holiday chaos with a so-called “bite-sized” episode (spoiler: it’s not). I’m checking in after a couple of messy, kid-mode weeks—reflecting on how quickly I spiral into my childlike state and how the lows still hit me hard, even after all these years.Then I’m answering some of your deep, messy, crunchy questions. Everything from “Is it ever okay to yell at a toxic parent?” to “Do narcissists know what they’re doing?” to “Why does the wellness industry feel so f*cking toxic?”I also share where this podcast is going: we’re pulling the curtain back on toxic and dysfunctional systems, family, society, politics, wellness culture, the lot. If you’ve got guest ideas, I want them.This one’s raw, honest, a bit sweary, and definitely dysfunctional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.