Adult Child of Dysfunction

Returning guest Bre Wolta, relationship clarity coach and EFT practitioner, joins us once again for a powerful and deeply relatable conversation about how growing up in dysfunctional families shapes our adult relationships.

In this episode, Bre and I explore how early experiences with addiction, instability, and emotional neglect can impact identity, boundaries, and self-worth. Bre shares how these environments often lead individuals into patterns of codependency, trauma bonding, and repeated attraction to narcissistic or emotionally unavailable partners.

We break down the psychological and biochemical dynamics of trauma bonds, explaining why unhealthy relationships can feel addictive...

In this follow-up episode, Tammy expands on last week’s heartfelt conversation with author Kimberly Conte and explores the missing piece so many adult children of dysfunction run into: awareness isn’t always enough to create real change.

If you’ve ever thought, “I know why I’m like this… so why do I still feel stuck?” this episode is for you. Tammy explains how people-pleasing, indecision, and chronic self-doubt are often not personality flaws at all, but nervous system survival patterns, especially the fawn response.

You’ll learn why self-talk and mindset work can feel impossible...

In this deeply moving and honest episode, I sit down with Kimberly Conte, author of Who Am I Really?, a woman whose life story speaks directly to anyone who has ever felt abandoned, broken, or unsure of their place in the world.

Kimberly shares her journey through a rough and painful life shaped by childhood bullying, family dysfunction, parent loss, and personal heartbreak. She opens up about how these early experiences affected her identity, self-worth, and sense of belonging, and how she slowly learned to rebuild herself from a place of hopelessness into one of empowerment.

Joy isn’t something we wait for once life settles down—it’s something we choose, even in the middle of uncertainty. In this powerful conversation, Alexi Bracey invites listeners to rethink what it truly means to thrive after hardship.

Drawing from her lived experience as a cancer victor and resilience expert, Alexi explores the meaningful distinction between happiness and joy—highlighting joy as a deeper, steadier force that can exist even during life’s most difficult seasons. Rather than framing resilience as sheer endurance, she reframes it as an intentional, transformative journey rooted in gratitude, emotional intelligen...

In this heartfelt episode, poet and community builder Teri Petz joins Adult Child of Dysfunction to explore the profound healing power of words. Through her personal journey, Teri shares how writing and poetry became a lifeline—helping her navigate adversity, reconnect with hope, and shift her focus from heaviness toward beauty, light, and meaningful connection.

Teri has spent years hosting open mic events that create safe, encouraging spaces for people to express themselves authentically. In 2025, she expanded this mission into virtual Zoom open mics with a central theme of encouragement, recognizing how deeply needed supportive spaces are in...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode, I’m joined by Kristen Renee, a three-time author and holistic healing guide, for a deeply meaningful conversation about reclaiming health, wealth, and purpose after years of chronic illness and personal transformation.

Kristen shares her decade-long journey navigating autoimmune challenges—an experience that ultimately led her to create her 12-part foundational framework designed to help individuals reconnect with their bodies, heal from the inside out, and rebuild their lives with intention. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms, Kristen invites us to see the body as a communicator—one that offers wisdom, signal...

What happens when you grow up feeling unwanted — and choose to turn that pain into purpose?

In this powerful and deeply reflective episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, I sit down with Martha Burich to explore healing beyond childhood trauma, reclaiming self-worth, and breaking generational cycles of dysfunction.

Martha courageously shares her journey of growing up in a family impacted by addiction, navigating feelings of worthlessness, and discovering that your past does not get to define your future. Together, we unpack the transformative power of boundaries, forgiveness, community, and personal responsibility — especially for adult children heal...

In this deeply moving and insightful episode, we sit down with Barbra Banner, a certified psychic evidential and trance medium, to explore the healing potential of mediumship for those navigating grief, trauma, and loss.

Barbara shares her personal journey into mediumship—one that unfolded later in life and was profoundly shaped by years of volunteer work in crisis intervention and trauma-related settings. These experiences not only deepened her compassion but also strengthened her understanding of the emotional and spiritual needs of individuals facing profound loss.

Throughout the conversation, Barbara offers a clear and grounded explanation of...

In this powerful and timely episode, we welcome Dr. Kate Lund, a distinguished clinical psychologist, resilience expert, and speaker with over 20 years of experience helping individuals, families, athletes, and organizations thrive under pressure. Affiliated with renowned Harvard Medical School institutions, Dr. Lund brings both clinical expertise and heartfelt personal insight to the conversation.

Dr. Lund reframes resilience as far more than simply “bouncing back” from adversity. Instead, she describes it as a holistic lifestyle—one that integrates mental fortitude, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and supportive connection. Together, we explore the nuanced differences between types of trauma, how individual temper...

In this enlightening episode, Veronica Moya brings much-needed attention to the vital role of emotional intelligence and mindfulness in childhood development. Drawing from her work as a mindfulness and meditation coach for children, Veronica shares how early emotional awareness can shape lifelong self-regulation, confidence, and resilience.

Throughout the conversation, Veronica explains how modern societal conditioning often pulls children away from their natural intuition and emotional wisdom. She emphasizes the importance of helping children stay connected to this inner guidance, rather than unlearning it later in life. By nurturing mindfulness early, children can develop a healthy relationship with...

What happens when science, trauma, and hope collide?

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Hector Rodriguez, a psychiatrist and brain health expert who helps people understand that their pain isn’t a personal failure — it’s a survival story written into the brain and body.

Dr. Rodriguez opens up about his own journey growing up in a culture where strength meant silence and mental health wasn’t discussed, and how recognizing the same patterns in himself — perfectionism, burnout, emotional disconnection — changed the way he practices medicine.

Through his work in trauma, resilience, and emotiona...

In this powerful and deeply validating episode, we sit down with Gretchen Hill — Spiritual Life Coach, Akashic Records practitioner, and creator of the Multi-Generational Money Map™ — to explore what it really means to break inherited patterns and reclaim your emotional and energetic sovereignty.

Gretchen shares her personal story of growing up in a family system where emotions weren’t discussed, intuition wasn’t honored, and being “the responsible one” was expected without question. Like so many adult children of dysfunction, she learned early that staying small, agreeable, and helpful kept the peace — and that pattern shaped her relationship wit...

On this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, we’re joined by Wendy B. Correa — former music industry insider, radio DJ, trauma survivor, and author of the upcoming memoir My Pretty Baby (She Writes Press, Nov. 4, 2025).

With honesty, grit, and a touch of rock ’n’ roll magic, Wendy shares her riveting story of overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) — a form of trauma that impacts nearly 64% of adults in the U.S., per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Wendy’s mission is to destigmatize trauma and help others find happiness, authenticity, and emotional freedom.

Her incredib...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, we welcome Marcia Earhart — author, educator, and cofounder of The Sterling Rose Sanctuary, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit offering grief support and hope to those walking through deep loss.

Marcia is a certified Life, Grief, Trauma, Brain, and Mental Health Coach, a Mediator, and a Heartsync Minister. She brings not only extensive professional training but a profound personal understanding of grief and trauma.

As a mother of five — including three adopted children — Marcia’s family story includes joy, complexity, and some of the deepest heartbreak imaginable. After losing two adul...

On this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, we dive into the deep connection between recovery, performance, and emotional healing with Katie Hardie, Board Certified Holistic Nutritionist and Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P).

Katie helps high-achieving, performance-driven individuals optimize:

🔥 Energy + metabolism

🥗 Nutrition + gut health

🧬 Functional lab testing insights

💪 Body composition + performance

🌱 Recovery and stress resilience

🧠 Mental and emotional well-being

Her mission comes from lived experience. After years of ignoring her body’s needs—perfectionism, people-pleasing, pushing through exhaustion—Katie endured a stillbirth and uterine rupture that cha...

In this deeply heartfelt episode, we sit down with Danielle Zilg—a Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) in the making, motivator, mental health maven, wounded healer, and wholehearted advocate for creating safe spaces where people can truly feel and heal.

Danielle opens up about the personal journey that led her from a career in marketing to the world of therapy, sharing how her own mental health challenges, adoption story, and family dynamics shaped not only who she is, but the powerful, compassionate healer she is becoming. Her lived experiences inform her therapeutic lens in profound ways, allowing he...

🎙 Podcast Episode Summary

In this heartfelt follow-up episode to last week’s powerful conversation with bestselling author and breast cancer survivor Cara Lockwood, we shift the focus to the people standing beside those who are hurting — the friends, family members, and loved ones who want to help but often don’t know what to say.

This episode explores what to say — and what not to say — when someone you love is facing grief, devastating diagnoses, addiction, or emotional loss. With compassion and practical guidance, we share language that comforts instead of harms, presence instead of platitudes, a...

Bestselling author Cara Lockwood has made readers laugh, cry, and swoon through more than 35 books — including the USA Today bestsellers The Takeover and I Do (But I Don’t), which became a Lifetime Original Movie starring Denise Richards.

But in 2023, during a routine mammogram, Cara’s life took a sharp turn when she was diagnosed with Stage 1 HER+ breast cancer. After a double mastectomy, chemotherapy, and reconstruction, she went into remission in 2024 — and turned her journey into something extraordinary.

Her new book, There’s No Good Book for This but I Wrote One Anyway: The Irreverent...

Sue Willoughby is an Equus Coach®, intuitive guide, and reinvention expert who helps women over 40 reconnect with their inner wisdom, release what no longer serves them, and step into a more authentic, aligned life—through the powerful presence of horses.

In this episode, Sue walks us through what actually happens in an Equus Coaching session and explains why working with horses is such a profound tool for stress relief, self-awareness, and emotional regulation. She shares insights on how high-performing women, who are often used to “powering through,” can finally slow down, tune in to their intuition, and honor t...

In this powerful episode, Connie Davis, Co-Founder of Inspire.World Foundation and Chief Post Traumatic Growth Officer, shares her inspiring journey of transforming trauma into wisdom. A widow, ICU survivor, and certified WIDP practitioner, Connie helps Adult Children of Dysfunction and trauma-impacted women recognize survival patterns, rewire their nervous systems, and rediscover their inner light.

From childhood experiences of abuse, abandonment, and parental PTSD to navigating loss and rebuilding purpose, Connie’s story reveals how emotional awareness and post-traumatic growth can turn pain into power. Together, we explore how perfectionism, hypervigilance, and people-pleasing stem from early trauma—and...

In this powerful solo episode, we continue the conversation sparked by my recent interview with grief and loss coach Katy Parker — but this time, we’re taking a closer look at one of the most well-known (and misunderstood) grief models: the Five Stages of Grief.

We’ve all heard them — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance — but what do they really look like in everyday life? And what if you’re not experiencing them “in order”?

In this episode, we’ll explore:

✨ Why grief isn’t linear — and never has been

✨ How the five stages can ap...

In this powerful and heart-centered episode, we sit down with Katy Parker — a trauma-informed well-being writer, grief and loss coach, and mental health mentor who is changing the way the world understands invisible grief.

Katy shares her personal journey as a trauma survivor and chronic pain warrior, and how her lived experience inspired her to support others navigating the emotional wounds that aren’t always seen or acknowledged. Through her Journeyofsmiley blog, PTSD: My Story Project, and Grief Stories series, Katy has created safe spaces where people around the world can share their experiences, feel understood, and find...

In this episode, we sit down with Sarah Stray, founder of Boxless Coaching, an Akashic Record Healer and Soul Recalibration Coach who helps people clear ancestral patterns and reconnect with their inner knowing.

After more than 20 years in the nonprofit strategy world, Sarah followed a quiet inner tug toward something deeper. What began as burnout evolved into a spiritual awakening—guided by energy work, synchronicities, and the loving presence of her grandmother. That path eventually led her to the Akashic Records, where she found profound clarity and a sense of homecoming.

Sarah shares how working wi...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Helen Ngo — speaker, writer, and courageous truth‑teller who is sparking honest conversations about loss, grief, and the messy path toward healing.

After the sudden deaths of her boyfriend, niece, and best friend, Helen didn’t just lose people she loved — she says she “lost her Self (with a capital S).” What followed were twenty years of what she calls “zombie‑ing through life”: surviving the day-to-day through hyper‑independence, workaholism, and perfectionism.

Helen opens up about what she now calls gold‑star syndrome — tying her worth to productivity, achieve...

In this powerful and inspiring conversation, we explore the profound impact of childhood trauma on adult life with special guest Blanca Rodriguez — speaker, educator, best-selling co-author, and CEO of Wounded Healer, LLC. With more than two decades of experience as a licensed massage therapist, Blanca offers deep insight into how trauma isn’t just a memory — it lives in the body.

Blanca shares her personal journey from silence and pain to empowerment and purpose, demonstrating that healing is not a destination — it’s a courageous, ongoing process. She highlights the importance of a holistic approach to recovery, combining...

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Sneider, an experienced therapist dedicated to helping couples cultivate deeper intimacy and stronger emotional bonds. Dan shares insights into why intimacy often wanes over time and explores the common patterns and conflicts that can challenge even the strongest relationships.

We discuss his signature program, The Intimacy Shift, a comprehensive framework designed to guide couples from a state of conflict to one of lasting connection. Dan explains how couples can develop essential skills—like active listening, using “I language,” and regular check-ins—that foster healthier communication, vulnerability, and trust. He also hig...

In this episode, we explore the profound world of intuition with Linda Eastburn—entrepreneur, author, real estate investor, and intuitive guide. Linda shares how intuition serves as a powerful dialogue between the subconscious and conscious mind, offering guidance that can transform both personal and professional decisions.

We dive into practical strategies for cultivating and trusting your intuitive abilities, including tuning into bodily sensations, noticing “gut feelings,” and documenting intuitive impressions over time. Linda shares personal experiences, such as how her intuition guided her to a pivotal real estate opportunity, showing how listening to inner wisdom can create real-w...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode, we explore the transformative power of storytelling as a pathway to healing, connection, and empowerment—especially for women and mom entrepreneurs. Our guest, Naciba Nizamudeen, a passionate mompreneur and podcast strategist, opens up about her personal journey into podcasting and how sharing her story became a lifeline during her struggles with postpartum depression and identity loss.

Naciba beautifully articulates how storytelling bridges the gap between silence and healing, empowering women to reclaim their voices and turn vulnerability into strength. Through the lens of her own experiences, she demonstrates how podcasting can be...

In this illuminating conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Tanya English, widely known as The Soul Chiropractor. With over 35 years of experience in healing arts—including chiropractic care, energy work, and music—Dr. English shares her wisdom on bridging emotional and physical wellness through vibrational healing.

We explore how music serves as a powerful tool for transformation, helping individuals process grief, release emotional blockages, and reconnect with their inner strength. Dr. English discusses the importance of acknowledging, not suppressing, negative emotions as a vital step toward true healing and the restoration of peace within the body.

Draw...

In this episode, we sit down with Alyssa Scarano, Founder and Clinical Director of The Collective Therapy & Wellness, to explore the deep impact of childhood trauma, generational dysfunction, and the transformative power of relational healing. Known for her empathetic and compassionate approach, Alyssa shares how her work helps individuals reconnect with themselves, cultivate self-compassion, and build authentic, meaningful relationships.

We discuss:

In this episode, we dive deep into the powerful and often misunderstood concept of internal resistance — that invisible force that keeps us from taking action on the things we truly want. Joining me is Kam Knight, a distinguished mentor, international speaker, and bestselling author known for his groundbreaking work on mental, emotional, and physical performance.

Kam unpacks the psychological roots of resistance, explaining how our own brains can work against us — manifesting as procrastination, self-sabotage, fear, or overwhelm. He breaks down the science behind why we get stuck and offers practical, research-based strategies to help listeners move from...

In this raw and deeply introspective episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, host Tammy Vincent sits down with Rob Tonkin — musician, author, and survivor — for a powerful conversation about the long shadow of trauma, the art of self-reflection, and the courage it takes to transform pain into purpose.

Rob opens up about his life journey and the inspiration behind his boldly titled memoir, “Asshole,” a candid and thought-provoking exploration of how our wounds can shape our identities — sometimes leading us to repeat the very patterns we long to escape. Through honest reflection, Rob reveals how he confronted his own dy...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with Cheryl Stelte — spiritual coach, healer, and bestselling author — for a deeply moving conversation about transformation, empowerment, and spiritual growth.

Cheryl shares her personal story of being abandoned in the hospital as a newborn and how this early trauma shaped her lifelong quest for healing, self-understanding, and divine connection. Through her 30+ years of experience in spiritual development and energy work, Cheryl has helped countless women clear subconscious blocks, access inner clarity, and step fully into their authentic power.

As the Founder of the...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy sits down with Becky Nieves, a transformational coach and self-proclaimed cycle breaker, to unpack the deeply personal and courageous journey from trauma to empowerment.

Becky opens up about her own experiences with generational trauma and the defining moment when she made the difficult choice to cut ties with her narcissistic father — an act that became the catalyst for her healing and her purpose-driven mission to help other women reclaim their stories.

Together, Tammy and Becky explore:

✨ The emotional complexity of setting boundaries and faci...

A profound exploration of manifestation unfolds as Elizabeth Planson, an esteemed intuitive spiritual mentor and sole purpose activator, delves into the deeper essence of this transformative practice.

Far beyond the surface-level interpretations popularized by “The Secret,” Elizabeth invites listeners to rediscover manifestation as a heart-centered, embodied practice—one that integrates spiritual awareness with daily intentional living. Drawing from her personal journey and early teachings within her spiritual community, Elizabeth illuminates how mentorship and self-discovery shaped her understanding of true manifestation.

Through insightful discussion, she reveals that manifestation is not something we “do” but a state we are alw...

In this episode, we sit down with Amanda Carrasco—“Amanda the Brave One”—a family survivor of homicide and sexual assault who has transformed her unimaginable pain into a mission of hope, healing, and justice.

Amanda is not only a global business owner, speaker, consultant, and in-house legal counsel for a nonprofit—she is a powerful voice for survivors and justice-involved individuals. Through her lived experience and practice of restorative principles, Amanda has learned how to rise above trauma, reclaim her power, and inspire others to no longer see themselves as victims but as resilient, thriving human beings.

Leticia Francis, renowned trauma recovery mentor and author of *Survival Mode Exit Plan*, joins us for a profound discussion on breaking free from the constraints of survival mode. With her unique perspective as The Survival Mode Disruptor, Leticia enlightens us on the transformative journey of high-achieving women who seek to reclaim their lives rooted in authenticity and empowerment. Throughout our conversation, she shares her harrowing yet inspiring personal narrative, which includes overcoming profound trauma and navigating complex relationships. It is through her lived experience that she ignites the critical conversation around healing, identity shifts, and the importance of unapologetic...

Jeff Marconette Jr. is an award-winning international speaker, transformational coach, youth mentor, brain injury advocate, and the host of Make Every Second Count Live on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Spotify, Amazon Music, and iHeartRadio. His life changed forever at just 17 years old when he was struck in a near-fatal car accident that left him in a coma for two and a half months. Doctors told him he would never walk again.

But Jeff’s story didn’t end there—it was only beginning. Through over 20 years of ongoing recovery, Jeff has transformed his pain into purpose. Today, he helps...

In this compelling episode, Dr. Steve Pasin, a thought whisperer deeply versed in mind/body medicine, explores how our deepest mental constructs—formed even before birth—shape our entire being. Drawing on over 60 years of clinical experience and research, he reveals how the fetal sense of control becomes a lifelong tyrant, perpetuating illusions that undermine health and authenticity. His message? True healing springs from embracing absolute truth, not from comforting opinions or cultural narratives.

Dr. Pasin underscores that our thoughts can rewire our entire bodies—not just our brains, an idea rooted in the principles of epigenetics—where be...

In this episode, we sit down with Agatha Peters, founder of Beautiful Sunshine Therapy and author of Trapped in Their Script: Reclaim Your Life from Narcissistic Parents & Cultural Expectations. Agatha shares her personal journey of navigating the challenges of narcissistic parenting and cultural expectations, emphasizing that therapy is more than a profession—it’s a calling shaped by lived experience.

Our conversation delves into the transformative power of therapy, the importance of recognizing harmful familial patterns, and practical strategies for those hesitant to seek help. Agatha offers guidance on self-reflection, building supportive connections, and breaking free from cult...