Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Family Troubles with Dr. Joshua Coleman
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Galit Atlas: Understanding Childhood Wounds | 28 Sep 2026 | 00:52:04 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with internationally renowned psychoanalyst and author Dr. Galit Atlas to talk about her new book, Come Closer: Childhood Wounds, Adult Love, and the Secrets of Emotional Intimacy. Dr. Atlas explores how the survival strategies we developed as children can become patterns we unconsciously repeat in our adult relationships and why understanding those patterns can help us create deeper, healthier connections. We talk about the six childhood wounds Dr. Atlas identifies in her book, including the frightened, melancholic, ashamed, invisible, guilty, and chosen child. We explore why guilt can give us an illusion of control, why we’re often drawn back to familiar, even painful, relationship dynamics, and how parents and adult children can become caught in cycles of responsibility, guilt, and difficulty separating. Most importantly, we discuss how healing requires moving beyond blame, mourning what we cannot change, and recognizing the agency we have as adults to build more fulfilling relationships. Listen for more on: Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a hopeful and illuminating conversation with Dr. Atlas about childhood wounds, guilt, family estrangement, emotional inheritance, and adult love and how understanding the child we once were can help us take responsibility for the relationships we want to create today. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Noelle Mering: Understanding the 'Going No Contact' Movement | 01 Sep 2026 | 01:05:32 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with author Noelle Mering to talk about her new book No Contact, and the cultural forces shaping the rise of family estrangement. Noelle explores how changing ideas about identity, autonomy, obligation, mental health, and personal fulfillment can influence the way we understand conflict with the people closest to us. We talk about the difference between healthy separation and cutting someone off, why some estrangements are necessary while others may grow out of conflict avoidance or low differentiation, and how parents can respond when an adult child asks for no contact. We also explore the power of gratitude over grievance, why love requires both freedom and responsibility, and how curiosity can help families move away from defensiveness and toward understanding. Listen for more on: • Why healthy differentiation allows connection without losing yourself Tune into this episode for a thought-provoking and ultimately hopeful conversation with Noelle Mering about family estrangement, identity, obligation, forgiveness, and how we can protect our autonomy without losing sight of the relationships, responsibilities, and love that give our lives meaning. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Billy Eichner: Before Becoming "Billy on the Street" | 18 Aug 2026 | 00:31:18 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Emmy-nominated comedian, actor, writer, and Billy on the Street creator Billy Eichner to talk about his parents, coming out, grief, creativity, resilience, and the lasting power of unconditional love. His new audio memoir, Billy on Billy, reflects on his childhood, his long road to success, and the parents he credits with helping him become fully himself. Billy shares how his parents gave him the freedom to pursue his dreams without shame, even when they had fears and struggles of their own. We also talk about his coming-out story, the small moments of acceptance he still remembers decades later, and why a parent’s encouragement can become an emotional safety net that lasts a lifetime. Listen for more on: • Why Billy believes his success came because of, rather than in spite of, his parents • How raising a child without shame can build confidence, self-respect, and resilience • Billy’s moving and funny story about coming out to his parents at age 20 • Why the small things parents say and do can stay with children for decades • How his parents chose encouragement over projecting their own fears or disappointments • The childhood storytelling contest that became an unforgettable example of his father’s support • Why believing in who your child is can shape the person they become Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a warm, funny, and moving conversation with Billy Eichner about parenting, identity, grief, acceptance, and the extraordinary impact of letting a child know they are loved for exactly who they are. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Does Wealth Make It Harder for Parents of Adult Children? Managing Director and Head of the Merrill Center for Family Wealth, Valerie Galinskaya | 11 Aug 2026 | 00:59:48 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Valerie Galinskaya, Managing Director and Head of the Merrill Center for Family Wealth, to talk about wealth, inheritance, adult children, family communication, and the emotional complexity that can come with financial planning. Valerie and her team work with families navigating some of life’s most important financial decisions, but as she explains in this conversation, wealth is rarely just about money. It can amplify trust, uncertainty, resentment, gratitude, guilt, entitlement, and family conflict. And for parents of adult children, conversations about inheritance, gifting, fairness, and future planning can quickly become emotionally charged. We talk about why so many parents avoid discussing money with their adult children, what happens when expectations are unclear, and why disclosure does not have to be all or nothing. Valerie offers a helpful way to think about financial conversations as a “dimmer switch” rather than a light switch, where families can begin with purpose and structure before jumping straight into numbers. Listen for more on: • Why wealth can amplify existing family dynamics Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a thoughtful conversation about wealth, adult children, inheritance, communication, and how families can make clearer, more compassionate decisions around money. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Why Modern Marriage and Family Feels So Hard: Historian Stephanie Coontz Explains | 04 Aug 2026 | 00:46:30 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Stephanie Coontz, Director of Research and Public Education for the Council on Contemporary Families and emeritus faculty of History and Family Studies at The Evergreen State College. Stephanie is one of the most influential historians of marriage, gender, and family life, and her work has helped reshape how we understand the myths and realities of family across history. Stephanie and I talk about her latest book, For Better and Worse: The Complicated Past and Challenging Future of Marriage, and why modern relationships can feel so difficult despite the fact that many people now have higher hopes for love, equality, and emotional connection than ever before. We discuss nostalgia, the myth of the “traditional family,” the pressures facing modern marriages, and why so much of today’s family conflict may be tied to larger social and economic forces. Stephanie offers a powerful way of thinking about family estrangement as a kind of “referred pain,” where people may blame parents, partners, or family members for distress that is also being shaped by broader cultural and economic instability. Listen for more on: • Why nostalgia for the past can be both comforting and misleading Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a fascinating conversation about marriage, family history, gender roles, economic pressure, and why the challenges facing today’s families are rarely as simple as personal failure. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| What's It Like for the Child Who Isn't Estranged When the Other Is? With Celia Flinn | 28 Jul 2026 | 00:40:42 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Celia Flinn, a school-based therapist in the Bay Area who brings both clinical insight and lived experience to the topic of sibling estrangement. Celia shares what happened when her sibling became estranged from her parents, how that changed her role in the family, and what it felt like to become the child who stayed. We talk about the often overlooked impact of estrangement on siblings. When one child cuts off contact, the sibling who remains can become the middleman, the emotional support, the “good child,” or the person expected to hold the family together. Celia describes the loneliness of that position, the pressure it can create, and the complicated grief of loving both the parents who are in pain and the sibling who has pulled away. Celia also shares the concept of the “glass child,” a term often used for siblings of children with serious medical or developmental needs, but one that can also apply in estrangement. It is the feeling of being present, but looked through, while the family’s emotional attention is focused on the person who is absent. Listen for more on: • How sibling estrangement affects the child who remains connected to the family Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a thoughtful conversation about sibling estrangement, family roles, communication, and the quiet pain carried by the child who stays. Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Turning Pain into Purpose: A Conversation with Alphonso James | 21 Jul 2026 | 00:48:41 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Alphonso James, a speaker, advocate, author, and exoneree who spent 32 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. At 17 years old, Alphonso was wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison, but his story is not only about injustice. It is also about resilience, forgiveness, faith, and the difficult inner work of becoming free long before he was physically released. Alphonso shares what it was like to enter prison as a teenager, how he survived solitary confinement, and the moment that began to change the course of his life. We talk about the power of being believed, the role of forgiveness, and how pain, trauma, and rage can either imprison us further or become part of a larger path toward healing. We also discuss what Alphonso’s experience can teach families about estrangement, bitterness, listening, and the possibility of reconciliation. His perspective is deeply moving, especially when he talks about forgiving the people who wrongfully imprisoned him, the cost of holding onto anger, and why sometimes the most healing thing we can offer another person is simply to listen. Listen for more on: • What it was like for Alphonso to be wrongfully convicted at 17 years old Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a powerful conversation about wrongful conviction, forgiveness, family, trauma, and what it means to turn pain into purpose. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Gender Identity, Therapists and Culture as Paths to Estrangement with Sasha Ayad | 14 Jul 2026 | 00:49:30 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Sasha Ayad, M.Ed., LPC, a Licensed Professional Counselor who has worked with adolescents for over 19 years and focuses on teens and young adults struggling with gender dysphoria and gender identity. Sasha and I discuss the complicated intersection of gender identity, therapy, adolescence, culture, and family estrangement. We explore why some parents feel shut out of conversations around their child’s identity, how therapists and cultural messages can shape family dynamics, and why curiosity, caution, and emotional nuance matter when families are navigating deeply personal and often polarizing issues. Sasha shares what she has observed through her clinical work with gender-questioning adolescents, as well as her consultations with families and parents. We talk about the importance of psychological exploration, the influence of online communities and cultural narratives, and how families can become divided when disagreement is treated as rejection or harm. Listen for more on: • Why adolescence can be such a complex time for identity development Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a thoughtful conversation about gender identity, therapy, culture, and the challenges families face when love, fear, disagreement, and identity collide. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Lindsey and Leslie Glass: How an Estranged Mother and Daughter Reconciled | 07 Jul 2026 | 00:57:42 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Lindsey and Leslie Glass, a mother-daughter author and advocacy duo, co-founders of Reach Out Recovery, and authors of The Mother-Daughter Relationship Makeover, to talk about addiction, recovery, estrangement, and what it can take for mothers and daughters to find their way back to one another. Lindsey and Leslie bring both personal experience and professional advocacy to this conversation. Through their own story of addiction, separation, repair, and reconciliation, they offer a deeply honest look at how family relationships can go off track, and how healing can still be possible even after years of pain, conflict, or distance. We talk about the complicated emotional terrain between mothers and daughters, the impact of addiction and recovery on family life, and why reconciliation often requires more than love alone. It also takes accountability, boundaries, honesty, and a willingness to see the other person in a new way. Listen for more on: • How addiction and recovery can shape mother-daughter relationships Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a moving conversation about addiction, estrangement, recovery, and the possibility of finding your way back to friendship, understanding, and love. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Dating While Estranged: Revealing Personal Details in Early Romantic Involvement with E! Relationship Expert Dr. Darcy Sterling | 30 Jun 2026 | 00:50:26 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Dr. Darcy Sterling, a NYC-based Licensed Clinical Social Worker, relationship expert, and host of E! Network’s Famously Single, to talk about what it means to date while estranged from a parent, adult child, sibling, or other family member. Estrangement can be painful enough on its own. But when you’re beginning a new romantic relationship, it can raise a whole new set of questions: When do you share it? How much do you say? Will the other person judge you? And how do you talk about something deeply personal without making it the whole story? Dr. Darcy and I discuss the challenges of revealing personal details early in dating, especially when those details involve family conflict, shame, grief, or unresolved relationships. We also talk about vulnerability, emotional pacing, and how to build intimacy without feeling pressured to disclose everything at once. Listen for more on:
Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a thoughtful conversation about dating, disclosure, and how to navigate new relationships when part of your family story feels difficult to explain. Guest links: Website: https://www.askdrdarcy.com/ Podcast: https://www.askdrdarcy.com/podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdarcysterling/ Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| What Does Research Tell Us About Estranged Parents, Siblings and More with Lucy Blake | 09 Jun 2026 | 00:54:20 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with developmental psychologist and family relationship researcher Professor Lucy Blake, whose work has helped shape our understanding of family estrangement, sibling relationships, and family dynamics across the lifespan. We explore why family relationships are often more complicated than the idealized versions we see in culture and social media, and how those expectations can impact both parents and adult children. Lucy shares insights from her groundbreaking research on estrangement, reconciliation, therapy, and sibling relationships. We discuss the importance of context, compassion, and understanding the many factors that shape family experiences over time. Listen for more on: • Why unrealistic family expectations can create pressure and disappointment • What research reveals about the cycles of estrangement and reconciliation • The impact of loneliness, friendship, and community on family relationships • How therapy can help people navigate estrangement without judgment • What sibling estrangement teaches us about family dynamics and perceived favoritism • Why family conflict is rarely as simple as right versus wrong Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for an empowering conversation about family relationships, resilience, and finding a more compassionate way to understand ourselves and the people we love. Guest links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Breaking the Cycle: What History Teaches Us About Today's Family Crisis with Professor Steven Mintz | 02 Jun 2026 | 00:59:22 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Historian and University of Texas Professor, Steven Mintz to explore the challenges of modern parenting, family dynamics, and building resilience in children and adults alike. Steven shares his expertise on how family relationships evolve, the pressures parents face today, and strategies to create healthier, more connected households. We dive into the impact of generational patterns, the role of emotional awareness, and practical communication tools that help families navigate conflict without losing connection. Steven provides insights on fostering empathy, setting boundaries, and guiding children toward independence while maintaining strong family bonds. Listen for more on: Tune into this episode of Family Troubles to hear an empowering conversation about family, parenting, and the strategies that help create stronger, more resilient relationships. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| What Does It Take to Reconcile? Why Cutoff Culture Is Growing and What Families Can Do Instead with Tania Khazaal | 26 May 2026 | 00:55:46 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Tania Khazaal for a thoughtful and candid conversation about family estrangement, emotional healing, and what it really means to move forward without losing ourselves or the people we love. Tania shares her personal story of cutting off contact with her mother, what brought her back, and how changing the way she understood her mother’s story changed the way she understood herself. We talk about the rise of what Tania calls “cutoff culture,” the growing tendency to frame distance as healing, and why both parents and adult children may need to build more resilience, compassion, and stronger communication skills to repair relationships. We also explore the role of social media, emotional language, accountability, and what reconciliation can actually look like in practice. Listen for more on: Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for an honest conversation about family, forgiveness, resilience, and the possibility of creating stronger relationships without losing yourself in the process. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| How Mothers Cope with Difficult Adult Children and Chronic Sorrow with Judith R. Smith | 12 May 2026 | 00:38:50 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Professor Judith R. Smith to discuss her book, Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children Through Conflict and Change. Drawing from years of research and interviews, Judith explores what it means to parent an adult child struggling with mental illness, addiction, unemployment, estrangement, and ongoing instability. We talk about the emotional reality many mothers quietly carry, the chronic fear, guilt, exhaustion, ambivalence, and grief that can come with loving a child you cannot “fix.” Judith also challenges common ideas like “tough love” and highlights the larger social systems that leave families carrying impossible burdens alone. Listen for more on:
Tune into this episode of Family Troubles for a thoughtful conversation about difficult parenting, resilience, and finding support in the middle of uncertainty. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| How Divorce Increases Estrangement Risk with Michelle Weiner-Davis | 28 Apr 2026 | 00:47:51 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Michelle Weiner-Davis to unpack something I see far too often, how divorce can quietly evolve into long-term family estrangement. We explore how these fractures don’t just impact couples, but ripple through entire families, sometimes for decades. We also get into the role of therapy, communication, and personal narratives in shaping these outcomes. I share insights from my own work (and life), and we talk about what actually helps families stay connected or find their way back to each other. Listen for more on:
If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with someone who needs a more hopeful path forward in their family relationships. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| What Are Recovered Memories? How Memory Distortion Leads to Family Estrangement with Mark Pendergrast | 21 Apr 2026 | 00:33:28 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with journalist and author Mark Pendergrast to unpack one of the most complex and sensitive issues I see in my work: memory. We explore how memories are formed, how they can shift over time, and how certain therapeutic approaches have contributed to deeply painful family estrangements. Mark shares both his research and his personal story of losing contact with his daughters, offering a perspective that is both informed and deeply human. We talk about the rise of recovered memory claims, why they became so widespread, and what science actually says about how memory works. I also share what I’m seeing in my practice today, from the influence of therapy culture and social media to the many different pathways that can lead to estrangement. This is a nuanced conversation about truth, perception, and the real-world consequences when those lines get blurred. Listen for more on:
If this conversation gave you something to think about, tune into the full episode and share it with someone who could benefit from a deeper understanding of family relationships. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| What Is Ambiguous Loss? Understanding Estrangement and Grief for Parents with Pauline Boss | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:36:47 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with renowned family therapist and sociologist Pauline Boss to explore her groundbreaking concept of ambiguous loss and its powerful relevance to family estrangement. We discuss why some of the most painful losses are the hardest to define and how learning to live with that uncertainty can open the door to healing. We also challenge the cultural myth of closure, offering a more compassionate and empowering way to understand grief, disconnection, and the complexity of family relationships. Listen for more on:
If this episode speaks to you, give it a listen and don’t forget to subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help more families find support. Guest Links: Website: https://www.ambiguousloss.com/ Book: The Myth Of Closure Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Changing Relations Between Parents and Adult Children with Frank Furstenberg | 07 Apr 2026 | 00:51:38 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Frank Furstenberg, one of the most influential sociologists of family life, to unpack how modern families are evolving and why parenting today feels harder than ever. We explore how rising inequality, shifting expectations, and longer paths to adulthood are reshaping the bond between parents and children in ways that are both deeply meaningful and, at times, incredibly challenging. We also get into the “good news, bad news” of modern family life: while many relationships are closer and more emotionally connected than ever before, the pressure, expectations, and stakes have never been higher, sometimes leading to distance, conflict, or even estrangement. Listen for more on:
If this episode speaks to you, give it a listen and don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help more families find support. Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Why Do Adult Children Estrange? A Rutgers Researcher Explains with Kristina Scharp | 31 Mar 2026 | 01:01:36 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Kristina Scharp, an associate professor at Rutgers University and director of the Family Communication and Relationships Lab. Kristina is one of the leading researchers on family estrangement, and we get into what really drives family distance and how people cope with it. We talk about how estrangement and alienation are often misunderstood, and how both are part of a bigger picture of family distancing. We also explore how perception shapes conflict, why expectations around family relationships are changing, and what actually helps create the possibility for repair. Listen for more on: Give this episode a listen, and if it resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help more families find support. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Anxious Parenting, Estrangement, and Raising Boys vs Girls with Ruth Whippman | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:55:27 | |
In this episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Ruth Whippman, author of BoyMom and America the Anxious, to talk about the pressure modern parents face and how it’s shaping our kids. Ruth brings a cultural lens to parenting and shares how the drive to optimize our children can quietly strain the parent-child relationship. We get into how this pressure shows up in real life, from constant monitoring to the belief that parents are responsible for their child’s happiness and outcomes. We also explore what it means to raise boys today, the mixed messages they’re receiving about masculinity, and how more care and connection, not control, can lead to healthier development. Listen for more on: Give this episode a listen, and if it resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who might need it, and leave a review to help more families find support. Guest Links: Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||
| Nedra Glover Tawwab On If Boundaries Are Helping or Hurting Us Today? | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:52:15 | |
On this first episode of Family Troubles, I sit down with Nedra Glover Tawwab, a licensed therapist, relationship expert, and bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace. Nedra has helped millions through her books, social media, and clinical work, and is widely known for making boundaries practical and accessible in everyday life. We talk about family estrangement, setting boundaries with parents, and what it really takes to build healthier relationships. Nedra shares how growing up in a family with few boundaries shaped her work, and why learning to set limits can change the course of your life. We explore the difference between boundaries and cutoffs, how enmeshment and overinvolvement can lead to distance, and why both parents and adult children have a role in repairing relationships. This conversation brings clarity and balance to a topic that is often framed as all or nothing. Listen for more on: If this episode resonates, make sure you’re subscribed to the podcast and leave a review to help more families find support. Check out the other resources and socials below. Guest Links Dr. Joshua Coleman’s Links: | |||