"You aren't just an 'old soul', you had a toxic parent"

Have you ever thought to yourself, 'This is just the way I am'? That could be a result of childhood trauma. In this revealing episode of 'A Millennial Mind,' I sit down with Harriet Shearsmith, an award-winning content creator and parenting advocate, to discuss the often hidden conversations surrounding family toxicity and breaking generational cycles.

Harriet shares her insights on addressing difficult family dynamics, establishing healthy boundaries, and improving relationships with in-laws. We delve into the realities of family dysfunction, the impacts of parentification, and provide practical advice on overcoming guilt and obligation in familial relationships.

This week's episode includes a paid advertisement for Better Help. You can get your exclusive discount as a Millennial Mind listener using the link www.betterhelp.com/millennialmind to start your therapy journey and become your best self.

In this episode, we will cover:

00:00 Introduction: The Unspoken Conversation
00:14 The Impact of In-Laws on Relationships
00:33 Personal Growth Through Family Dynamics
00:52 Sponsor Message: Lovable AI Platform
01:47 Introducing Today's Guest: Harriet Shearsmith
02:20 Breaking Generational Cycles
04:10 Understanding Cycle Breaking
04:44 Common Patterns in Family Dynamics
05:56 The Role of Early Childhood in Shaping Behaviour
06:35 Navigating Family Dysfunction
13:27 The Challenge of Confronting Parents
23:31 The Concept of Parentification
35:21 Estrangement and Reconciliation
38:01 Avoiding Confrontation: The Pain of Acceptance
38:58 Healing from Family Estrangement
40:31 The Power of Community Healing
41:19 Practical Tools for Emotional Release
43:41 Navigating In-Law Relationships
52:46 Setting Boundaries with In-Laws
55:57 Understanding Toxic vs. Healthy Family Dynamics
57:57 Choosing Between Partner and Parents
01:01:21 The Importance of Boundaries and Cycle Breaking
01:08:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
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