Episodes

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 painful estrangement and everything in between. Dr. Rachel Glick, relationship specialist and author of "A Soulful Marriage," joins us to unpack the complex dynamics of parent-adult child relationsh...

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 similar to the ages of Susan's boys when she wrote this article, so she is our perfect co-host. Susan takes us through her journey when she wrote the a...

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 helicopter parenting from preschool through high school, many parents struggle to step back when their children enter college. We've become accustomed to tracking every aspect of our children's lives—fr...

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 unprecedented financial pressures have transformed traditional parent-child dynamics. • Housing costs have risen five times faster than salaries, creating barriers to independence for young adults • Living w...

Send us a text Emotional maturity transforms our relationships with adult children, but what exactly does it look like in practice? In this powerful conversation with Dr. Lindsay Gibson, clinical psychologist and author of The New York Times bestseller "Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents," we discover that emotional maturity exists on a continuum that shifts with our stress levels and resources. When our adult children challenge our memories or share perspectives that differ from...

Send us a text Pride Month gives us the perfect opportunity to expand our understanding of the LGBTQIA+ community, especially for those of us navigating relationships with our adult children. This heartfelt conversation with Emmy-nominated Matthew Rodriguez, host and executive producer of "It's Okay to Ask Questions," offers exactly what many parents need—permission to learn without judgment. Rodriguez creates a safe space for curiosity, admitting that even as a gay man himself, he once stru...

Send us a text Sally Harris shares her emotional journey through a decade of estrangement with her adult daughter, revealing how she transformed her pain into a mission to help other parents facing similar struggles. • Sally became an alcoholic and extremely unhealthy while her daughter's life was spiraling • After eight years of sobriety, she's now reconciled with her daughter who returned to the family four years ago • Sally believes "we are best positioned to serve the person we once were...

Send us a text Dr. Charles Fay, CEO of Love and Logic, delivers a masterclass in parenting adult children with the perfect balance of love and accountability. Drawing from decades of experience and his family legacy in developing the Love and Logic approach, Dr. Fay shares transformative strategies that shift our focus from control to influence. At the heart of his message lies a powerful truth: "We can never consistently work harder on somebody else's life than they are." This principle cha...

Send us a text This was our very first Mother''s Day episode. I interview my two favorite moms -- Doria and Sharon, two mothers of adult daughters and now both have several grandchildren. I watch as they continue to share with their grandchildren their magical parenting skills. They share with us their wisdom on creating joyful, respectful relationships with grown children in this special Mother's Day episode. Their insights reveal how bringing a spirit of fun, maintaining connect...

Send us a text In today's episode, Dr. Gene Beresin, Executive Director of the Clay Center for Young and Healthy Minds, explores the complexities of adult children returning home and maintaining healthy relationships during life transitions. Based on four decades of experience with youth and young adults plus his personal journey as a father of four whose adult children all boomeranged at some point, he offers practical wisdom for navigating these delicate family dynamics. Drawing on revolution...

Send us a text Today we rewind and delve into the much overlooked topic of sibling relationships. We speak with Fern Schumer Chapman author of the book Brothers, Sisters, Strangers. Siblings are the longest relationship we will have in our lives - and our children's. Whether you're navigating your own sibling estrangement or watching it develop between your children, this conversation offers both validation and practical wisdom for one of life's most painful but least discussed family challenge...

Send us a text We are doing an episode rewind today on our most downloaded episode - Mothers and Daughters. This relationship carries a unique intensity that often follows us well into adulthood. When does healthy involvement cross into control? How do we navigate the painful territory when our adult daughters push us away? Certified life coach and mother/daughter expert Pam Tronson joins us to unravel the complicated dynamics of mother-daughter relationships with refreshing honesty. Drawing fr...

Send us a text This is one of our most popular episodes. Join us for an insightful exploration of the evolving dynamics in parent-child relationships and the often-misunderstood in-law dynamics in our latest podcast episode featuring Rachel Haack. Rachel, a seasoned mental health clinician and mother of five, shares her wealth of knowledge on fostering healthy relationships within family systems. We delve into the complexities that arise when adult children forge their own paths, and how parent...

Send us a text This episode is a "must listen" for an parent of an adult child on the brink of welcoming a grandchild. We are thrilled to bring you a special episode with the wise and compassionate Kimberly Beppler, The Grandparent Doula. Kimberly enlightens us with her journey from assisting postpartum families to recognizing the irreplaceable role grandparents can play in this delicate phase. We uncover her innovative approach of crafting a "menu" of support options, ensuring grandparents pr...

Send us a text 🌟 A listener wrote to us about Tina Gilbertson, the guest in today's episode. She told us that Tina "saved her life." The pain and guilt that parents go through when estranged from their adult children is unimaginable. We asked Tina what really is estrangement? Is it a troubled relationship? Is it silence? "No, she said: "It could also be you talk every day. But maybe there's a constant tension, or you're always getting into little conflicts, and sometimes you go apart and have t...

Send us a text This is a very special episode for a couple of reasons. First, we’re thrilled to finally interview Dr. Ellen Braaten, the podcast's original co-host, about her incredible book, Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less. It’s a great conversation. Second keep listening to find out big news about the podcast But the conversation today is about rekindling your child’s motivation, and the tools she shares work wonders for any age group. As parents of adult children, many of us wonder if ou...

Send us a text Today we speak with Karen Denison Clark as she courageously recounts her journey from being a young tennis star victimized by her coach, to becoming a fearless advocate against sexual abuse. Her narrative, shared through powerful media outlets, including The New York Times, serves not only as a beacon of hope for survivors but also as a call to action for creating environments where victims feel safe to voice their experiences. The reluctance to discuss sexual abuse is often roo...

Send us a text Are you missing the signs? Do you really know how your adult child feels and are you ready to begin to mend a fractured relationship? In this episode, we sit down with Sally Harris, to explore the nuances of maintaining strong, healthy relationships with adult children. From navigating differing values to addressing estrangement, Sally shares practical advice and strategies for parents striving to build deeper connections while respecting boundaries. Here are some of the things w...

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the joys and challenges of visits with adult children, whether during the holidays or throughout the year. Our guests, Pamela Heckelman, a certified Empty Nest coach, and Rabbi Schlomo Slotkin a seasoned relationship counselor, share their expertise on building stronger, more fulfilling connections with adult children. How can parents create a welcoming home environment while prioritizing their own emotional well-being? They offer invaluable tips on ba...

Send us a text Today we discuss the circle of life and explore the emotional and delicate balance of caregiving. For most of us we will be caregivers to our spouse, parents or even our children. And at some point, our own children will be our caregivers. We are lucky to have two guests. The first is Dana Eble, who has been involved in Alzheimer’s disease philanthropy for more than a decade, which led her to being one of the first employees at Alzheimer’s Caregivers Network in 2021. Dana works t...

Send us a text Prepare to gain invaluable insights into the intricate dynamics of family relationships as we chat with Rachel Haack, a seasoned mental health clinician, mother, and daughter-in-law. We discuss everything from daughter-in-law issues, being a good mother-in-law, grandparent and we even have a poll our guest is going to share about what bugs young adults the most about us - and vise-versa! Rachel opens up about her early conflicts with her mother-in-law, offering vital lessons on e...

Send us a text How do we transform our parenting roles as our children become young adults? Today we speak with Julie Lythcott-Hames, former Stanford University dean and bestselling author of "How to Raise an Adult" and "Your Turn." Joined by guest co-host Erica Gardner-Gray, we unravel the complexities of modern parenting, addressing societal pressures and the myth of effortless achievement. As a parent herself, Lythcott-Haims acknowledges that parenting young adults is a continuous learning p...

Send us a text Should you be involved in your adult child's dating life? Listen and find out. Discover the art of balancing parental involvement in your adult children's dating lives as we bring you insights from the esteemed matchmaker, Rachel Greenwald. Our conversation takes a deep dive into the ever-evolving dating landscape, where technology and social media have turned dating into a skill that requires finesse and caution. Hear how the priorities of marriage and career are shifting among...

Send us a text Unlock the secrets to fostering resilient and independent adult children with Dr. Charles Fay, co-founder and CEO of Love and Logic. We promise you'll gain actionable insights into shifting your parental role from caretaker to supportive guide, helping your children thrive as self-reliant individuals. Dr. Fay uncovers the pitfalls of parental guilt and codependency, offering practical strategies to empower your adult children to take charge of their own lives. Ever wondered how t...