Adult Child of Dysfunction

Dr. George Grant, the esteemed founder of the Academy of Wellness, elucidates the paramount significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle as a means to extend longevity beyond the century mark. He emphasizes that the human body possesses an inherent capacity for self-healing, contingent upon proper hydration, nutrition, and breathing techniques. Throughout the discussion, Dr. Grant shares compelling anecdotes, including the transformative journey of a client who abandoned a life of multiple medications in favor of holistic health practices, ultimately leading to remarkable improvements in his well-being. The conversation further delves into the alarming prevalence of "diabesity," a condition combining...

On this episode, I’m joined by Lori Reese Spivey, whose healing journey began after a traumatic brain injury from a head-on collision with a drunk driver. After a year and a half of medications, specialists, and endless appointments, Lori found herself still searching for answers—until she met with an energy practitioner. It was through that experience that her brain functionality began to return, opening the door to full recovery and a new path forward.

Inspired by her own transformation, Lori immersed herself in the study of energy healing, exploring how it works on a cellular leve...

In this follow-up to my conversation with Deborah Higgins, I’m stepping behind the mic solo to share the tools and strategies that have personally helped me in the midst of an anxiety or panic attack. While Deborah’s story offered hope and healing through her journey, this episode dives into the practical steps that can make a difference in the middle of the storm.

I’ll talk about how to calm the amygdala when it feels like it’s hijacking your body, why practicing these tools outside of crisis moments is so important, and how building “muscle mem...

On this episode, I’m joined by Deborah Higgins—life coach, social worker, and author of A Cure for Anxiety: Biblical Truths and Metaphysical Practices to Overcome Anxiety, Panic, Social Anxiety, and Agoraphobia. Through this deeply personal and spiritual work, Deborah shares her path from childhood trauma—including her mother’s attempted suicide and decades of agoraphobia—to academic and emotional triumph. Her journey includes overcoming abusive relationships, two failed marriages, breast cancer, and 40 years of living in the grip of fear—yet she persisted. At age 62, she earned her Master’s in Social Work, focusing on mental health, and now empowe...

What happens when the belief system you were raised in not only strips away your identity but also leaves you vulnerable to dangerous relationships? In this raw and powerful episode, Brigette Gildemaster — 2x best-selling author, speaker, and trauma-informed breathwork facilitator — shares her journey of escaping a high-control marriage with a husband who was a pedophile, and the courageous fight to protect her children within a church system that often silenced her truth.

Brigette opens up about the hidden aftermath of leaving: the anxiety, the people-pleasing, and the constant fear of “doing something wrong” that no one warns you abou...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, I speak with Matt Melvin, author of Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison. Matt courageously shares his story of growing up misunderstood as an undiagnosed autistic child, navigating faith and identity as a gay Christian Trump supporter, and how a stolen car led to a prison sentence that changed his life forever.

Inside prison, Matt faced relentless bullying, sexual assault, and deep isolation. But through the pain, a near-death experience, and his relationship with God, he discovered resilience, accountability, and healing. His story reveals...

In this episode, Jason Munson, CEO of Neuro Linkers and consultant for Neuro Change Solutions, shares his journey of transformation and resilience. Jason discusses how a childhood head trauma shaped his social skills and led to lifelong challenges with insomnia, and how he is gradually mastering his sleep and overall well-being. He also opens up about his experiences as the adoptive father of a child with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and possible autism, navigating the complexities of trauma, development, and creating a nurturing environment tailored to his son’s unique needs. Beyond his personal story, Jason dives into his work in...

Juanita Ellingson is a Forgiveness and Self-Care Empowerment Coach, Podcast Host, and Angel Oracle Card Reader who knows firsthand that forgiveness is not about others—it’s about YOU.

For years, Juanita stuffed her feelings and carried anger, resentment, shame, and guilt while staying busy as a mom, worker, and caretaker. Everything changed when she discovered the true meaning of forgiveness. By letting go of what no longer served her, she experienced freedom, lightness, fearlessness, and the return of love—especially self-love and acceptance.

Now she helps others do the same. Through real conversations, practical tools...

In this powerful episode, Cleoni Crawford opens up about her late bipolar disorder diagnosis at 25 and how it transformed her life. She shares her experiences navigating mental illness, trauma, and loss—and the resilience she’s built through faith, humor, music, and community.

Now a bestselling author and host of Resilient Minds 365, Cleoni empowers others to thrive despite their diagnosis. Tune in for practical tools, spiritual insight, and uplifting encouragement.

🧠 Top Takeaways

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Denise Ann Willis—life coach, author, speaker, and a fierce advocate for women healing from toxic relationships.

Denise opens up about her deeply personal journey from years of physical and emotional abuse to becoming a confident, empowered woman helping others reclaim their lives. Raised to be a people-pleaser, she became a magnet for controlling relationships—until one coach changed the course of her life forever. Now, with over 30 years of lived experience and her book "The Book on Loving Yourself", Denise offers women real tools to rebuild with confidence and...

In this deeply moving episode, we welcome Heidi Yewman—author, filmmaker, and survivor—to share her powerful story of transformation. Growing up in a chaotic and abusive home, Heidi spent years in silence, navigating the emotional fallout of generational trauma. Her memoir, Dumb Girl, traces the journey from internalized shame to radical truth-telling, offering a compelling reflection on the cost of silence and the healing power of speaking out.

A former student of Columbine High School, Heidi was profoundly impacted by the 1999 shooting—an event that not only triggered her own unresolved trauma but also launched her decade...

In this episode, we talk with Jean Kelly Widner, adoptee and author of The Adoption Paradox: Putting Adoption in Perspective. Jean shares her personal journey growing up as a domestic adoptee in Washington State in the 1960s, while also navigating the impact of addiction and alcoholism in her adoptive family.

We dive into the hidden emotional challenges of adoption, including preverbal trauma, identity struggles, and attachment issues that many adoptees face. Jean explains why adoption isn’t always the “win-win” the public assumes and how the combined effects of adoption trauma and addiction in families can impact mental...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Reesa Morala, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, parenting ally, and founder of Embrace Renewal Therapy & Wellness Collective. Reesa shares her deeply personal journey from surviving a childhood marked by abuse and chaos to becoming a conscious, connected parent and therapist helping others heal.

Reesa opens up about the transformative moment in college when she met a therapist who helped her begin the work of reparenting herself and healing the wounds of her past. That journey took on new meaning when she became a mother to a...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Debbie Simmons—trauma-informed parenting coach, nonprofit CEO, and best-selling author of The Heart of Legacy. Debbie shares her deeply moving story of personal loss, adoption, and how faith became the foundation for healing both her family and her purpose.

After losing her quadruplets and enduring years of infertility, Debbie and her husband adopted nine children from the foster care system—each carrying stories of trauma, disruption, and unmet needs. Through chaos, prayer, and relentless love, Debbie discovered that traditional parenting wasn’t enough. Instead, she embraced trauma-informed care and became...

In this powerful and deeply honest episode, we’re joined by Amber Tolbert, LCSW—a trauma therapist, supervisor, and founder of Healers in Practice™, a soulful community supporting clinicians in staying aligned with their values without burning out. With over a decade of experience in systems-based healing, embodied supervision, and nervous system-informed care, Amber shares how she helps therapists lead from a place of recovery, not performance, creating trauma-informed, ethical, and sustainable practices.

We also dive into generational trauma, addiction recovery, and the emotional work of healing as a parent. I open up about my journey as an adu...

In this powerful and deeply resonant episode, we explore the lifelong impact of generational trauma and the difficult — but often necessary — choice to go no contact with a toxic parent. Our guest, Emma Lyons, is a trauma-informed healer and subconscious reprogramming guide who bravely shares her personal journey of reclaiming identity and self-worth after growing up in a deeply dysfunctional family system.

Emma describes what it means to dismantle the roles we’re cast into — especially the role of the scapegoat — and how covert narcissism in a parent can distort reality, erode self-trust, and perpetuate pain through generation...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Sonya Achara—a 14-year Marine Corps veteran, keynote speaker, podcast host, and author of the memoir "Remember Who You Are: My Journey to Higher Consciousness." Sonya shares her deeply personal story of overcoming childhood emotional neglect, abuse, and the impact of growing up in a home where intuition and feelings were dismissed.

Raised in a turbulent environment with a verbally, physically, and emotionally abusive mother and an emotionally absent father, Sonya describes the profound impact this had on her sense of self and her early relationships. She vulnerably explores ho...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, psychotherapist and author Shavaun Scott opens up about her extraordinary journey of healing after enduring an abusive marriage and the devastating revenge suicide of her husband on the very day she asked for a divorce. With over 35 years of clinical experience specializing in trauma recovery, Shavaun brings a unique blend of professional insight and personal experience to the conversation.

She shares how the trauma from her past continued to impact her mind, body, and spirit — and how she navigated the complex grief, shock, and emotional upheaval that followed. Shavaun discusses the vi...

In this powerful episode, Tena Cacic — teacher, writer, scientist, and transformational guide — shares her deeply personal journey of breaking free from the victim mentality. After years of emotional chaos in her relationships and reaching a breaking point, Tena realized that staying in victimhood was a choice she no longer wanted to make.

She dives into the emotional and energetic patterns that keep people stuck in trauma, how to release the intensity of those feelings through the body, and the role of self-directed compassion in healing. Tena introduces the concept of the “victim game” — with its roles of victim, re...

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., overthinking everything from your to-do list to childhood trauma—you are not alone. In this episode, we dive into how sleep is impacted by stress, dysregulated nervous systems, and healing journeys—especially for adult children of dysfunction.

But instead of chasing perfect sleep, what if you could rebuild a healthy relationship with rest? No pressure. No pills. Just small, powerful shifts.

In this episode, I share 10 natural and science-backed ways to improve your sleep, even if your patterns have changed over the years...

In this episode, we’re diving into one of the most frustrating and common challenges for women over 50—sleep struggles. Our guest, Dr. Lucinda Sykes, is a retired Canadian physician and seasoned mindfulness teacher who specializes in helping women reclaim deep, natural sleep.

Dr. Sykes shares why sleep changes so dramatically with age, how stress and hormonal shifts disrupt our natural rhythms, and most importantly—what we can do to finally get the rest we deserve. From practical sleep hygiene tips to the role of mindfulness and breath, this conversation is packed with compassionate, science-backed strategies for better...

From debilitating CPTSD to becoming the trusted coach for 6-figure entrepreneurs, Jillian Holly has walked the healing path—and now helps others do the same with powerful, soul-aligned tools that speak directly to the subconscious.

In this powerful episode, Jillian shares how her journey from trauma to transformation led her to become a coach, healer, and intuitive guide for highly sensitive leaders, creatives, and heart-led entrepreneurs.

We explore:

How CPTSD shaped Jillian’s journey—and how she healed

What it means to communicate with the subconscious mind

The most common...

What happens to a child’s nervous system when they grow up in a household filled with chaos, addiction, and emotional unpredictability? For Wendy Johnston, the answer was anxiety, hypervigilance, and a deep disconnection from her own body.

In this episode, I’m joined by Wendy Johnston—certified NLP Practitioner, Life Coach, aromatherapist, yoga and meditation teacher, sound bath facilitator, and founder of BREATHE + CALM in Nashville. Wendy is also an Adult Child of an Alcoholic (ACOA) and the firstborn of four children raised in a home where both parents battled addiction. Her early life was shaped by sur...

What happens when the unimaginable becomes your reality—twice?

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, I sit down with KD Wagner, a Gold Star Mother, speaker, author, and survivor of unthinkable tragedy. KD lost both of her sons—one to murder at just 18 years old, and the other while serving in the U.S. Navy during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Her story is one of devastating loss, relentless grief, addiction, and ultimately, extraordinary resilience.

But KD's journey didn’t end in darkness—it transformed into a mission of purpose and healing. She shares how she moved through...

In this powerful and insightful episode, we're joined by Shannyn Schroeder, teacher, writer, mom of three neurodivergent kids, and the founder of EF Bomb Coach. After navigating the challenges of raising her children, Shannyn became an executive function coach—but not just for kids. She created EF Bomb Coach specifically to support neurodivergent women—especially those diagnosed later in life—who suddenly find themselves wondering: Now what?

Shannyn breaks down how executive dysfunction shows up in real life (hint: it’s not laziness), why traditional productivity systems often fail neurodivergent brains, and how to create systems that actually...

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, we sit down with Babs Walters—a domestic violence and sexual abuse survivor who has spent over 30 years raising awareness about the long-term effects of generational trauma and the importance of breaking the cycle.

Babs shares candidly about her courageous journey—from holding the weight of a devastating secret for nearly 70 years to finally reclaiming her voice and truth. With a Master's in Counseling Human Relations, decades of experience conducting women's empowerment and sexual harassment trainings, and a role on a Harassment Investigation Committee for thirteen years, Babs brings both prof...

In this heartfelt follow-up to my conversation with Kyle Goodknight, I want to take a moment to address something important.

After that episode aired, I realized that for some listeners—especially those who’ve walked a hard road—hearing about trauma, dysfunction, and long-term health risks may have stirred up some fear, heaviness, or even hopelessness. And if that was you, I want to say this clearly: I never meant to leave you feeling that way—and I’m so sorry if I did.

So today, I’m here to set the record strai...

In this episode, Tammy welcomes Kyle Goodknight, a powerhouse with nearly 30 years of experience as a first responder turned podcast strategist, speaker, and host of The Ignition Path and E11evate Podcasts. Kyle is a jack of all trades — and a master at helping business owners turn their voice into a vehicle for growth, authority, and deep connection.

Together, Tammy and Kyle unpack the transformative power of storytelling, the therapeutic benefits of podcasting, and how those raised in dysfunction can channel their lived experience into purpose-driven success. Kyle shares how he helps entrepreneurs launch high-impact podcasts that at...

What if your struggles with money, success, or self-worth weren’t your fault—but the result of inherited patterns from a dysfunctional upbringing? In this powerful episode, I’m joined by Morgan Hamer, founder of Morgan Manifests, who shares her personal journey of healing after growing up in emotional chaos, abandonment, and generational dysfunction.

Morgan reveals how her early experiences—being raised by three different sets of unstable “parents,” dealing with addiction, narcissism, and grief—created deep subconscious blocks that showed up later in her adult life as scarcity, burnout, and emotional misalignment.

But her story doesn’t...

In this powerful episode, Pauline Raphaela—master healer, ascension guide, and founder of Living Limitless Courses for Evolution—shares her profound journey of transformation after deep personal loss and spiritual awakening. She reveals how the death of her father and a second divorce led her to connect directly with divine guidance, awakening her authentic Self and Soul purpose. Pauline discusses sacred sexuality, miraculous healing, and humanity’s shift during the Great Awakening. Discover how embracing your true self is the key to abundance, joy, and higher consciousness.

Learn more: www.paulineraphaela.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/aw...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Marianne Hedges Hennigar, a trailblazer in trauma-informed somatic work and the creator of the Insight Healing Method. With over 30 years of experience in client care, Marianne brings a powerful blend of science, intuition, and innovation to emotional healing.

Starting her journey as a clinical sports massage therapist (CMT), Marianne quickly recognized the deep connection between physical pain and unprocessed emotional trauma. This led to the development of Psycho-emotive Anatomy™, a groundbreaking theory that decodes the emotional messages behind body pain.

Marianne is also trained in Somatic Experiencing, Brainspotting, hy...

At just 18 years old, Maria Baumgardner is carrying a weight most adults would struggle to bear—but you wouldn’t know it by her spirit. In this deeply moving episode, Maria shares her powerful story of stepping in to raise her siblings when her parents could not. She opens up about the mindset shifts that keep her grounded, how she refuses to be defined by her circumstances, and why she chooses hope every single day.

With wisdom well beyond her years and a heart full of courage, Maria is living proof that resilience isn’t just about surviv...

In this follow-up to my powerful conversation with Sheila Andres, I’m taking a solo moment with you to go even deeper into something that resonated with so many of you: that stuck feeling.

In this follow-up to my heartfelt conversation with Sheila Andres, I’m flying solo to dig deeper into something that hit home for many of you: feeling stuck as an Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACOA).

Even if you’re functioning, checking the boxes, or showing up for others, you might still feel frozen inside—emotionally numb, overwhelmed, or like you’re running in...

What happens when you follow all the rules, check all the boxes, and still feel stuck?

In this powerful episode, Tammy sits down with Sheila Andres — owner of Realize Your Vision and creator of the StuckSucks Movement — to explore the surprising and emotional side of entrepreneurship that no one talks about. Sheila shares how her 20-year journey as the right-hand to a successful entrepreneur led her to burnout, self-neglect, and a sense of lost identity.

After leaving the company she helped build, Sheila expected that launching her own business would be the freedom she longed for...

In this inspiring episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, we sit down with Dr. Ali Lankerani, affectionately known as "Dr. L," founder of Role Model Maker International. With a passion for creating resilient families and vibrant communities, Dr. L shares how his work aligns with the mission of building a healthier and more peaceful world—starting at the family level.

We discuss how protective networks and grassroots initiatives can strengthen families economically, emotionally, and socially. Dr. L highlights the importance of youth empowerment, sustainable development, and entrepreneurship—especially for marginalized populations. His vision ties closely to the Unit...

In this follow-up to my powerful conversation with Ana Felice, we dive deeper into the varied ways people respond to hypnosis—especially those of us who grew up in chaotic or dysfunctional environments. If you listened to Ana’s brief hypnosis session and found yourself feeling deeply relaxed, a little unsure, or even resistant, you're not alone—and there's a reason for it.

In this episode, I explain how our nervous systems—shaped by early life experiences—can influence how we respond to practices like hypnosis, meditation, or breathwork. For adult children of alcoholics or those who experience...

In this transformative episode, we sit down with Ana Felice, a professional hypnotist with over 12 years of experience and the visionary founder of Pacifica Hypnosis. Ana offers both online hypnosis sessions worldwide and in-person services in central Miami, helping clients overcome subconscious blocks that keep them stuck—whether it’s limiting beliefs, emotional trauma, fears, or fixed mindsets.

Ana shares her deeply personal story, rooted in a childhood shaped by emotional struggles and complex family dynamics. These early experiences fueled her passion for personal development, emotional healing, and understanding the inner workings of the mind. After exploring nume...

In this powerful and soul-stirring episode, we sit down with Rebecca Engle—an award-winning author, disability advocate, and education policy expert—whose journey from invisibility to impact is both inspiring and transformational. With four global literary awards to her name and a fierce dedication to systemic change, Rebecca shares her personal story of resilience, identity, and what it means to stop hiding and start thriving.

Once a young woman who wore a jacket every day to shrink into the background, Rebecca now stands tall as the founder of Stitches and Stanzas, a platform designed to amplify disabled voic...

In this enlightening episode, we welcome Shillpi, a modern-day spiritual alchemist, clairvoyant, and psychic guide with over 22 years of experience in the healing arts. Shillpi has spent over two decades helping others transmute life’s challenges into wisdom, unlock soul-level transformation, and awaken their true spiritual potential.

Her mission is to guide seekers on a journey of self-discovery, using ancient wisdom and intuitive insight to help them embrace the alchemy of the soul. Shillpi's work is deeply rooted in mindfulness, spiritual growth, inner empowerment, and the belief that everyone holds the light within—waiting to be discovered and...

In this raw and deeply honest conversation, G. Mykal Olson shares his powerful story of falling from a successful international business career to sitting alone in prison—brought down by addiction. Mykal doesn't hold anything back as he opens up about how addiction destroyed his life and family, and what it took to begin rebuilding from rock bottom.

Now, through The Life Forge, Mykal is on a mission to help other fathers break free from the grip of addiction, reconnect with their families, and stop the generational cycle before it begins. His work is saving lives, healing fa...