CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman speaks with Darshita Raval, founder of Mindhappy, a wellness platform dedicated to bringing fulfillment back into everyday life. Darshita shares her journey of moving from India to America, climbing the corporate ladder, and then quitting to move back in with her parents and pursue her dream of building Mindhappy. She discusses the challenges she faced in navigating cultural expectations and maintaining a respectful relationship with her parents despite differing views on her career. Darshita also talks about the importance of self-belief and trust in oneself when making significant life decisions. Visit Mindhappy.com and use HOME15 for 15% off first monthly subscription!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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the challenges of blending families, particularly when the children are adults. Common issues in these situations include changes in family dynamics, financial disputes, and the addition of new family members. She’ll talk about the importance of patience, understanding, and clear communication during the blending process. Plus, why it is important to avoid putting adult children in the middle of disagreements or forcing them to choose sides. 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney Goodman is answering more calls from the Calling Home voicemail. Today’s first call involves a listener who is struggling with undiagnosed ADHD and her mother's refusal to acknowledge it. The second caller is looking for advice on how to tell her estranged parents about her pregnancy. 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the Calling Home podcast, Whitney interviews therapist Morgan Pommells about emotionally immature parents. They’ll discuss how these parents can have good intentions but become defensive when their adult children bring up past issues, leading to feelings of being unheard and causing relationship problems. Repair is possible at any age and they’ll talk about how parents can acknowledge and validate their child's experiences, even if they differ from their own memories. Follow Morgan on Instagram at @morganpommells 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 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney Goodman is back answering more questions from listeners. The first caller is a grandmother co-parenting with her grandchild's dysfunctional parents and wondering how to successfully navigate that relationship and raise the child in a happy and healthy way. Then, our second call comes from a listener dealing with a parent who likely has an undiagnosed narcissistic personality disorder. 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 or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Whitney Goodman will discuss the topic of going "no contact" with family members, a decision often made due to abusive or toxic relationships. Prior to this episode, Whitney took some polls on Instagram and found the majority of those that have gone no contact with a family member did so primarily due to feeling unsafe in communication with them. This week on the podcast, she’ll talk about why going no contact is often a last resort after attempts to set boundaries and communicate have failed. Whitney will also discuss the process of going no contact, including setting internal boundaries, deciding on the level of access the person will have, and dealing with mutual contacts. 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 or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today on the podcast, Whitney Goodman dives into your questions left on the Calling Home voicemail. The first caller discusses her strained relationship with her brother after their parents' divorce and their mother's subsequent struggles with addiction and mental health. Then, the second caller asks about the responsibility of caring for aging parents, particularly when the relationship has been difficult or abusive. Finally, our final voicemail comes from a listener asking how to support a friend whose sister has cut off contact with the family. 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 or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week is a very special solo podcast to introduce new episodes that will be on the feed every Thursday. Whitney receives so many great questions from listeners, that each week she will be dedicating an entire episode to answering those voicemails. This introductory episode starts with a listener that shares her struggle with her mother's abusive behavior towards her daughter, leading her to cut off contact. The second caller discusses a strained relationship with their brother-in-law and sister-in-law, seeking advice on how to reconcile. Our final caller shares a successful reconciliation story with her mother, highlighting the importance of open communication and the potential for change over time. 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 or TikTok. Follow Whitney Goodman on Instagram or TikTok. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the topic of managing family chaos and walking on eggshells. Many people grow up in families where they are taught to manage the emotions of others, often to avoid conflict or keep the peace. This can lead to a pattern of behavior where individuals constantly monitor the moods and reactions of others, often at the expense of their own emotional well-being. This week, Whitney will talk about why this behavior can be harmful in healthy relationships and give you tips on how to break this cycle. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on Calling Home, Whitney Goodman will speak with author, speaker, therapist, and mental health educator Minaa B. They’ll discuss the complexities of parent-child relationships, particularly when the child becomes an adult. They highlight the importance of parents seeing their children as autonomous individuals, and the need for both parties to understand and respect each other's perspectives. Plus, Whitney and Minaa touch on the societal and systemic influences that can shape these relationships, and the importance of empathy, compassion, and acceptance in navigating these dynamics. Learn more about Minaa B. and get her book “Owning Our Struggles: A Path to Healing and Finding Community in a Broken World” at MinnaB.com 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the topic of "missing, missing reasons" in estranged parent-child relationships. She explains that these are the reasons for estrangement that parents claim they don't know, despite their children having communicated them. Whitney will talk about how this could be due to parents not wanting their children's words to reflect poorly on them, parents genuinely not remembering the reasons due to emotional amnesia, or parents recounting stories with minimal detail. Plus, advice on why adult children should try to safely share their reasons for estrangement when possible, and parents should listen and understand without being defensive. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the challenges faced by parents of adult children, particularly in the context of the changing societal norms and expectations. Dr. Laurence Steinberg, author of “You and Your Adult Child” & Professor of Psychology at Temple University, explains that his book was inspired by the need for guidance among parents of adult children, particularly in navigating the extended period of adolescence that is becoming increasingly common. He highlights the importance of understanding that brain maturation continues into the early twenties, and that experiences during this period can significantly impact future development. They also discuss the impact of financial dependence on the emotional independence of young adults, and the need for parents to adjust their expectations and avoid comparing their children's progress to their own at the same age. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of The Calling Home podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the concept of ambiguous loss, a term coined by researcher Pauline Boss in the 1970s. This type of loss refers to grief that has no definitive boundary or closure, such as the loss of a loved one who is physically absent but still present in thoughts, or a loved one who is physically present but emotionally absent. Goodman provides advice on how to grieve this type of loss, including giving oneself permission to grieve, finding people who understand the situation, and being open to having a different type of relationship with the person. 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the topic of adult sibling Relationships with Dr. Geoffrey Greif, a professor at the university of Maryland and author of “Adult Sibling Relationships”, co-authored by Michael E. Whoolley. Whitney and Geoffrey dive into the fascinating research behind the categories of sibling relationships as well as what can factor into creating these bonds as they evolve throughout the different stages of life. Join her 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Calling Home Podcast, host Whitney Goodman discusses the topic of estrangement between adult children and their parents. She shares insights from hundreds of stories she received from her followers, highlighting common themes such as emotional immaturity, boundary violations, addiction, and denial of problems within the family. Goodman also shares results from polls she conducted on Instagram, revealing that most respondents took one to five years to decide to become estranged, and the main causes were a history of abuse and emotionally immature parents. She emphasizes that most respondents indicated that an apology and changed behavior could help mend the relationship. Join her 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first episode of the second season of Calling Home, Whitney discusses adult sibling estrangement with guest Fern Schumer Chapman, author of Brother Sister Strangers. They discuss the complexities of sibling estrangement, including the feelings of rejection, self-blame, and the impact on family dynamics. Fern shares her personal experience of a 40-year estrangement from her brother, which was followed by a 10-year reconciliation. They discuss the factors that can lead to estrangement: family trauma, parental favoritism, poor communication skills, and differing family values. Fern advises that estrangement is not always permanent and maintaining even a limited relationship can be beneficial for all family members. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of The Calling Home podcast's first season, Whitney discusses the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. She emphasizes that love and protection are not the same thing, and a mother can love her child but still put them in dangerous situations. We'll talk about why mothers might criticize their daughters, such as projecting their own standards or seeing their daughters as competition. And a reminder to identify patterns they want to break in their own relationships and consider the systemic factors that might impact these relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney is joined by Leslie Priscilla, founder of Latinx Parenting, about the intersection of culture, parenting, and childhood.They discuss the harmful parenting behaviors that are often excused as part of culture, the impact of colonization on parenting styles, and the importance of treating children with respect. They also talk about the challenges faced by Latinx families, such as the expectation to take care of parents in old age and the normalization of violence against children.Leslie emphasizes the importance of breaking generational cycles, being gentle with oneself, and finding a supportive community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reconciliation is a process that requires both parties to take responsibility, acknowledge their roles, apologize, and work towards a new relationship.Reconciliation should move slowly, especially in cases of long-standing estrangement or rifts. Setting boundaries, managing expectations, and accepting family members as they are now are all important as a family works toward making things better. Celebrate small victories along the way, and remember that reconciliation is not a final destination but a process that may involve steps forward and backward.A holiday related question from a Calling Home listener about why families often cater to the most toxic individual during celebrations and holidays ends todays episode.Today's episode is sponsored by Hello Fresh. Use code homefree for FREE breakfast for life - get one breakfast item per box while your subscription is active. HeloFresh is America’s #1 Meal Kit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Whitney talks with Elizabeth Earnshaw, a marriage and family therapist, about navigating relationships with in-laws.They explore the importance of finding common ground with your partner's family and setting boundaries. They also discuss a Reddit post about a conflict over a child's last name, highlighting the importance of communication and understanding in such situations.Elizabeth also emphasizes the importance of the couple acting as a team and understanding each other's perspectives, and they also discuss the potential harm of criticizing in-laws and the benefits of having in-laws involved in one's life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some tips to help you survive Thanksgiving with your family!Expect your family to be the same as they are every other day, complete with their flaws and positive traits. Remember that you are an adult and have the power to decide how you spend your day. Get clear on your limits and plan for when those limits are reached. Identify what is important to you on this day and align your actions with those values. Avoid picking battles or starting a healing journey with your family on this day. If anything goes wrong, remember that a holiday is just a day and it will end. HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney talks about the impact of emotionally immature parents on their children. She explains that emotionally immature parents often lack empathy, struggle to apologize or admit fault, and are often well-liked in their communities due to their ability to maintain surface-level relationships. They also tend to provide for their children in practical ways, but fail to meet their emotional needs.We also have Calling Home listener questions about this same topic, including coping with 'the silent treatment' and the fear of becoming like them.Awareness of one's own trauma can prevent the repetition of harmful patterns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney is talking with Holly Whitaker, author and founder of Tempest, about the impact of alcohol on family dynamics. Holly believes that society's positive messaging around drinking often overlooks the negative impact it can have on relationships. She believes that the question should not be whether one is an alcoholic, but rather if alcohol negatively impacts one's life and if steps should be taken to address the relationship with it. She also discusses the lack of informed consent around alcohol consumption, as many people are not fully aware of the potential consequences. She suggests that if alcohol feels uncomfortable or difficult, it's an invitation to interrogate one's relationship with it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney talks how to navigate events and celebrations with a highly dysfunctional family, offering tips on how to deal with difficult family dynamics, such as setting boundaries and preparing for situations that may arise.Introducing The Calling Home community, a platform offering support groups, exclusive content, and Q&A sessions with experts.Listener questions: Dealing with family issues during significant life events, such as weddings and funerals.This week's sponsors are:Alzheimer's Association - join the Walk to End Alzheimer's and help us make a brighter future for all those affected by Alzheimers's. Make a difference todayHello Fresh — use code 50home to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney talks with Brady Nathan, a mother who shares the story of her late son Jack. Jack started the Happy Jack World Project to help other kids struggling with mental health issues before his untimely death due to a fentanyl-laced Percocet. Brady discusses the importance of listening to children when they express unhappiness, even if their lives seem perfect from an outside perspective. She also emphasizes the need for parents to allow their children to lead their own lives, rather than imposing their own expectations. Brady continues to run the Happy Jack World Project, which has donated over $100,000 to various foundations, and advocates for greater awareness of the dangers of fentanyl and recreational drug use.This week's sponsors are:Hello Fresh — use code 50home to save 50% and get free shipping Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, let's get into the complexities of family dynamics, particularly when two families merge through a relationship or marriage. Understanding and accepting differences in family systems, communication styles, and cultural backgrounds are all key for success ... but not always easy. A good reminder to distinguish between differences that are merely annoying and those that are problematic or dangerous.Listener questions this episode include navigating relationships with religious family members after losing faith, and another about reconciling with the idea that parents did their best with the tools they had, even when it feels like they could have done more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney discusses the issue of 'sharenting' or oversharing children's lives on social media with guest Sarah Adams. Sarah is a mother of two, and she argues that this practice can be a form of child exploitation, as it often involves sharing children's experiences with a large and potentially dangerous audience for entertainment purposes. She wants parents to reconsider the impact this could have on their children's future and their right to privacy.Sarah also discusses the different categories of parents who overshare, including new parents, 'medical mamas' who share their children's medical information, and those who seek online popularity. She advises parents to reflect on their sharing practices and to treat their children as autonomous human beings rather than props for content.Qeepsake – use code CALLINGHOME to get 20% off your annual subscription. We text you questions and you text us the memories you want to hold tight.Alzheimer's Association - join the Walk to End Alzheimer's and help us make a brighter future for all those affected by Alzheimers's. Make a difference today Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Calling Home, Whitney discusses the impact of parent-child relationships in the context of substance abuse. She shares a story about a young man who was introduced to drugs by his mother at the age of 12, highlighting the long-term effects of such experiences. Whitney emphasizes the importance of understanding the needs that children are trying to communicate through their actions and decisions.She also answers listener questions about feeling abandoned by a parent and how to reconnect with estranged adult children. Whitney advises patience, understanding, and willingness to hear and respect the perspectives of the children in these situations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Psychologist and author Josh Coleman joins Whitney to talk through navigating difficult relationships between parents and their adult children. Dr. Coleman emphasizes the importance of parents being willing to engage in open, non-defensive conversations with their adult children to rebuild connections. He also discusses the cultural shift in family dynamics over the past half-century, with younger generations placing more emphasis on mental health, happiness, and personal growth.Whitney and Dr. Coleman agree that both parents and adult children have a role to play in repairing relationships, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with the parents. They also discuss the impact of high expectations on parent-child relationships, with Dr. Coleman suggesting that parenting only plays a small part in how individuals turn out, with genetics, social class, and other factors playing a larger role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney talks with Eve Rodsky, creator of a system designed to balance the domestic workload in homes. Eve's system, Fair Play, is based on the idea of treating homes as important organizations, with clearly defined expectations and roles for each member. The system is built on three key principles: boundaries, systems, and communication. Eve emphasizes the importance of each person owning their tasks, from conception to execution, to ensure efficiency and accountability. She also highlights the need for women to value their time as much as men do, and for men to be active participants in domestic life. She believes that for women to fully step into their power outside the home, men must be invited into their full power within the home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Whitney talks about accountability in parent-child relationships:children should not be held accountable for their actions in the same way as adultsthere is a power differential between parents and children which continues into adulthoodparents need to to consider how their actions would have felt to their child at the timeAnd Whitney's first questions from her voicemail (866-CALL HOME):dealing with anxiety over running into estranged family memberssupporting a spouse who is hesitant to reconcile with their parents Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The CALLING HOME podcast is LIVE. What you can expect, who Whitney's guests will be, and how YOU can get involved. (Hint: 866-CALL-HOME)THANK YOU for being here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm Whitney Goodman. I'm a licensed marriage and family therapist, and you may know me from the Instagram account, SitWithWhit. I help adults have better family relationships.Season one of this podcast is going to be a combination of Q & A episodes, where I talk about what I'm noticing in my sessions, what I'm seeing online, and expanding on some of my most popular social media content. I'll also take questions from you at 866-225-5466.My goal is to help you feel less alone.I'm also doing a series of interviews with experts, authors, people in the field, and 'regular' people that I've seen on TikTok who are sharing valuable information in the space of family relationships. My first guests include Eve Rodsky, Elizabeth Earnshaw, and Leslie Priscilla.I am so excited to dive into this season with you. Welcome to The Calling Home podcast. I'm glad you're here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.