Cycle Breaking in 2026: Diagnoses, Grief, and the Reality of Loving a Toxic Parent
In the first episode of You're Not Crazy for 2026, I’m reflecting on the evolution of this work, my own cycle-breaking journey, and the language we use to understand toxic parent dynamics.
You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic Parents
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Show Notes
This episode is about nuance. It’s about why labels like narcissistic personality disorder, borderline traits, or “toxic parent” can feel both clarifying and overwhelming, and why healing does not actually depend on getting a definitive diagnosis.
I talk about:
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Why patterns of behavior matter more than labels
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How gaslighting, emotional volatility, shame, and walking on eggshells shape adult children
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Why many cycle breakers grow up in “two realities” with the same parent
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The grief, relief, anger, and desire for connection that can coexist
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How minimizing what you experienced can quietly train you to tolerate harm in other relationships
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