Send us a text We sit down with "therapist to the millennials" Tess Brigham to unpack why the 20s feel overwhelming, how parents can ease anxiety without enabling, and what healthy support looks like in a world of constant comparison and blurred work boundaries. We also share a step‑by‑step plan for tapering financial help and end with three clear takeaways to guide tough conversations. • why questions beat lectures when adult kids call in crisis • social media’s role in comparis...

Send us a text Please follow us on social media - FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM -- we are building our brand and need your support! On to today's episode: The first hug goes to your adult child. That simple shift sets the tone for everything that follows—and it’s the heartbeat of our conversation with Donne Davis, founder of the Gaga Sisterhood, who’s spent two decades helping grandparents build steady, loving connections without overstepping. We dive into the messy, modern realities of grand...

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...

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 of Healthy Relationships : Shasta introduces a powerful framework for understanding relationships, which consists of three essential components: positivity, consistency, and vul...

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 Glik, relationship specialist and author of "A Soulful Marriage," joins us to unpack the complex dynamics of parent-adult child relationshi...

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—fro...

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 revolut...

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 discu...

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. D...

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,...

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 g...

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 an...

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 wonde...