Bite Your Tongue: The Podcast
Bite Your Tongue: The Podcast
Latest Episode

When Love Feels Like Judgment: Navigating Connection with our Adult Children

Send us a text What if the words you use to show love are the very ones your adult child hears as judgment? That tension—care that lands as critique—drives so many family conflicts, and Deborah Tannen gives us the language map to change it. We sit down with the Georgetown linguist and bestselling author to explore conversational style, meta-messages, and the subtle ways timing, tone, and turn‑taking shape intimacy at home. Tannen shares vivid stories—from “Do you like your hair that lo...

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Recent Episodes

Oct. 3, 2025

When Love Feels Like Judgment: Navigating Connection with our Adult C…

Send us a text What if the words you use to show love are the very ones your adult child hears as judgment? That tension—care that lands as critique—drives so many family conflicts, and Deborah Tannen gives us the language map to change it. We sit down with the Georgetown linguist and bestselling a…

Listen to the Episode
Sept. 19, 2025

Vulnerability Without Judgment: Shifting Parent-Adult Child Dynamics

Send us a text Relationship and Friendship expert Shasta Nelson shares powerful insights on transforming parent-adult child relationships and building meaningful connections throughout life. Emphasizing her Friendship Triangle framework of positivity, consistency, and vulnerability. 1. The Triangle…

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Sept. 5, 2025

Your Adult Child's Boundaries are not a Rejection of You

Send us a text Have you ever sent an impulsive text when feeling rejected by your adult child? That desperate "What did I do wrong?" message that you later regretted? You're not alone. The relationship between parents and their adult children exists on a delicate continuum—from deep connection to p…

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Aug. 22, 2025

When They are Little, They Sit on your Lap: When They are Big, they S…

Send us a text This is one funny episode. Today we interview Susan Engel, a professor of psychology at Williams College and the author of the New York Times Article: When They're Grown, The Real Pain Begins. Joining Denise as co-host is a dear friend Val Haller. Val is the mother of four boys, very…

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Aug. 8, 2025

From Helicopter to Helper: Navigating Your Child's College Transition…

Send us a text Growing up doesn't end at 18—it's just beginning. Dr. Sara Klein, Vice President for Student Affairs at Stevens Institute of Technology, delivers a powerful message about the college transition that resonates far beyond freshman year: parents need to back off. After decades of helico…

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July 18, 2025

When To Speak Up, When To Bite Your Tongue: Dr. Lawrence Steinberg on…

Send us a text Dr. Lawrence Steinberg sheds light on the evolving relationship between parents and their adult children in today's challenging economic landscape, offering practical advice on when to speak up and when to bite your tongue. He explains how the elongation of adolescence and unpreceden…

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Reviews

There’s always something to learn

"I love this podcast. Even having little ones there are pieces that help now and I know will prepare me for later. Such an amazing podcast! Thank you"

RiaZ421 | March 8, 2023

Engaging

"Just listened to the Failure to Launch Episode. Great topic. Great format. Great content. Great host. I will be listening to more episodes."

PivotPointsMD | Aug. 30, 2023

Amazing Podcast!

"I love love love your podcast! Every episode is packed with wonderful info. The hosts are so relatable and open about their own experiences…Just what I needed in this season of my life as a Mom and …"

Dianataylor11 | May 9, 2025

The best episode yet

"I thought this episode was so good that I’ve listened to it twice now. I thought Shasta Nelson, talking about the importance of consistency, vulnerability, and positivity in every friendship. I thoug…"

CINDY GORDON | Sept. 20, 2025