Explore every episode of the podcast Family Troubles with Dr. Joshua Coleman
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||
| 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: | |||