Adult Child of Dysfunction

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with attorney, licensed mental health clinician, child advocate, and author Paula Yost to explore the complex intersection of trauma, foster care, mental health, and advocacy. Paula shares her unique perspective as both a legal professional and trauma-informed clinician, bringing deep compassion and real-world insight into what children in foster care truly need to heal.

Together, Tammy and Paula unpack the realities of childhood trauma, the lasting impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and why many foster children struggle with trust, regulation, and connection. Paula...

Why do you keep repeating the same patterns… even when you know exactly where they come from?

In this powerful Tammy’s Take, Tammy Vincent breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of healing: awareness.

Because awareness is not just understanding your childhood or knowing why you react the way you do. Real healing begins when you can catch the pattern while it’s happening.

If you’ve ever thought:

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with trauma-informed therapist Scott Stolarick to explore the true complexity of trauma—and how it impacts both victims and those who cause harm.

With over 30 years of clinical experience, Scott brings a rare and powerful perspective, having worked on both sides of trauma in the correctional system and private practice. Together, Tammy and Scott unpack how trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by how it is experienced and processed—and how unresolved trauma can quietly shape behaviors, relationships, and patterns throughout life.

What if the patterns you struggle with today… aren’t who you are?

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy builds on her powerful conversation with David Latour to explore how growing up in dysfunction shapes your behaviors, beliefs, and identity—but doesn’t have to define your future.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying, “this is just who I am,” whether it’s anxiety, reactivity, overthinking, or difficulty trusting others, this episode will help you understand where those patterns come from—and how to start changing them.

Tammy breaks down the difference betwe...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with David La Torre, author of the upcoming memoir Soda, to explore what it was really like growing up in a household shaped by addiction, secrecy, and survival.

David shares raw and deeply personal stories from his childhood in suburban America, where cocaine use and chaos hid behind what looked like a “normal” life. From being a parentified child to navigating fear, shame, and isolation, his experiences highlight the emotional toll addiction takes on families—especially children.

Together, Tammy and David unpack the lo...

In this Tammy’s Takes follow-up to her conversation with relationship coach Karen Spetz, Tammy Vincent dives deeper into one of the most confusing emotional spaces in relationships — feeling “not unhappy… but not happy either.”

This episode explores why so many women find themselves stuck in relationships that feel calm but disconnected, and how nervous system patterns from childhood can keep us choosing safety over true alignment. Tammy breaks down the difference between the absence of conflict and the presence of connection, and why simply “not fighting” doesn’t always mean a relationship is healthy or fulfilling.

Building on...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with relationship coach Karen Spetz to explore one of the most emotionally complex questions many women face: “Should I stay or should I go?”

Karen specializes in helping women navigate this crossroads, especially during seasons of personal growth, identity shifts, and midlife transitions. Together, Tammy and Karen unpack why this question is coming up more than ever, and how evolving self-awareness, changing societal norms, and emotional needs can create a disconnect in long-term relationships.

They discuss the difference between simply coexisting and experiencing true...

What if the reason you keep falling back into the same patterns… isn’t a lack of discipline?

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in personal growth—and why trying to “just be more disciplined” is actually keeping you stuck.

Building off her conversation with therapist Jennifer Schrappe, Tammy explains how behaviors like emotional eating, overthinking, avoidance, and procrastination aren’t failures—they’re attempts to meet an unmet need.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still can’t seem to change certain hab...

What if success isn’t the answer… but part of what’s keeping you stuck?

In this powerful episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction Podcast, I sit down with therapist and Chrysalis Enterprises founder Jennifer Schrappe to explore the hidden connection between external success, food addiction, and unresolved emotional pain.

From the outside, Jennifer had everything together—but behind the scenes, she was struggling with compulsive overeating, shame, and the weight of unprocessed trauma. In this conversation, she shares her personal journey of recovery and what it really takes to break free from addictive patterns...

What if you’re not actually self-sabotaging?

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, we break down one of the most misunderstood patterns in personal growth—and it might completely change the way you see yourself.

Building off this week’s conversation with hypnotherapist Peter McLaughlin, Tammy dives into the truth about self-sabotage and why it’s not a sign that something is wrong with you… but a sign that your subconscious mind is trying to protect you.

If you’ve ever found yourself pulling back right when things are going well, overthinking, procrastinatin...

What if your biggest struggles aren’t something to “fix”… but something to understand?

In this powerful episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction Podcast, I sit down with certified hypnotherapist and life coach Peter McLaughlin to explore the deep connection between trauma, the subconscious mind, and the patterns that quietly run your life.

After being diagnosed with both Lyme disease and leukemia in the same day, Peter’s life took a dramatic turn—one that led him into a profound journey of healing, self-discovery, and understanding the mind-body-spirit connection.

Together, we break down how pas...

What if your anxiety, overthinking, and emotional patterns aren’t the problem… but the result of a nervous system that learned to survive?

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy builds on her powerful conversation with Dr. Tracy Hutchinson to break down 5 key signs your nervous system may still be stuck in survival mode due to childhood trauma, emotional invalidation, or high-conflict environments.

If you constantly feel on edge, overanalyze people’s behavior, struggle to trust calm, or question yourself, this episode will help you understand why—and more importantly, what to do about it.

...

In this episode Tammy sits down with Dr. Tracy Hutchinson—author, professor, and psychotherapist specializing in narcissistic abuse and family trauma recovery—to explore the lasting impact of high-conflict parenting.

If you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, emotional regulation, or feeling unseen in your relationships, this conversation will help you understand why.

Dr. Hutchinson breaks down what it really means to grow up with a high-conflict parent—highlighting the difference between occasional dysfunction and chronic emotional instability—and how these patterns shape the way you think, feel, and relate to others as an adult.

In this...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in personal growth:

👉 you don’t have a motivation problem… you have a belief problem.

Following her conversation with Mo Choice, Tammy dives into the deeper reason so many people feel stuck, inconsistent, or unable to follow through—even when they know exactly what they “should” be doing.

Because the truth is…

👉 you will always act in alignment with what you believe is true.

And many of those beliefs were formed years ago as survival strategies—...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with Mo Choice, ICF certified coach and NLP master, to explore what it really takes to move from burnout to freedom.

If you’ve ever felt exhausted, stuck, or like you’re constantly working but not truly living—this conversation will challenge how you think about success, sustainability, and the life you’re building.

Mo shares his personal journey through depression, multiple life resets, and rebuilding from the ground up—offering powerful insights into what it means to live with intention, self-trust, and true align...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy Vincent breaks down one of the most misunderstood aspects of healing:

👉 the connection between trauma, the nervous system, and chronic physical symptoms.

Following her conversation with Faith Ashenden, Tammy explores a powerful reframe—your body isn’t broken… it’s communicating.

If you’ve experienced fatigue, anxiety, gut issues, brain fog, or unexplained symptoms, this episode will help you understand what your body may actually be trying to tell you.

Because as Faith shared:

👉 “your body speaks before it screams”

And when those early...

What if your chronic illness isn’t just physical… but deeply connected to your nervous system and past experiences?

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, I sit down with Faith Ashenden to explore the connection between childhood trauma, nervous system dysregulation, and chronic illness.

Faith shares her personal journey from multiple autoimmune diagnoses, including Graves’ disease, to full-body healing by addressing the mind-body connection and subconscious patterns. We break down how growing up in dysfunction wires the nervous system for survival instead of safety, and how that chronic stress can manifest as fatigu...

Why do you keep repeating the same patterns… even when you know they’re not good for you?

In this powerful Tammy’s Takes episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent breaks down a key insight from her conversation with Dr. Tiff Thompson—how your nervous system is wired to choose what’s familiar, not what’s healthy.

If you grew up in dysfunction, chaos, or emotional instability, your brain created a “default mode” based on survival. That means anxiety, overthinking, people-pleasing, and hypervigilance can feel normal… even safe.

So when you experience calm, h...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with Dr. Tiff Thompson, clinical neuroscientist, licensed therapist, and co-founder of the School of Neurotherapy, to explore how developmental trauma shapes the brain, nervous system, and emotional patterns long after childhood.

Dr. Thompson breaks down how adverse childhood experiences, especially those that happen early in life, can impact brain development, emotional regulation, and even physical health. She explains why trauma is not just psychological, but biological, and why healing often requires working with both the mind and the body.

You’ll also learn ho...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy Vincent breaks down one of the most common struggles people face when it comes to health, weight, and self-control:

👉 cravings

Following her conversation with Christine Trimp, Tammy reframes the issue in a powerful way—this isn’t about food… it’s about patterns.

If you’ve ever felt like you “know what to do” but still find yourself reaching for the same foods, stuck in the same habits, or battling the same cycle, this episode will help you understand why.

Tammy explains how cravings are often...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with Christine Trimpe, certified health coach and founder of the Sugar Freed Method, to explore the deeper layers of sugar addiction, metabolic dysfunction, and emotional healing.

After losing over 100 pounds, Christine shares her powerful journey from struggling with sugar dependency to helping professional women reclaim their energy, clarity, and confidence. She explains how sugar addiction is not just about willpower, but is deeply connected to emotional patterns, insulin regulation, and the body’s internal balance.

This conversation goes beyond food and weight loss. It...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy Vincent breaks down one of the most misunderstood parts of healing:

👉 forgiveness

Following her conversation with Paul Drugan, Tammy reframes forgiveness in a way that moves beyond surface-level advice and into something you can actually apply in your everyday life.

If you’ve ever been told to “just forgive and move on”… but still feel triggered, stuck, or emotionally connected to the past—this episode will help you understand why.

Tammy introduces the concept of “the hook”—the emotional and energetic charge that keeps you tied to pas...

In this powerful and deeply personal episode, we sit down with Chicago-based memoirist and men’s mental health advocate Paul Drugan, author of Forgiving Dr. Jekyll: From Hyde to Healing. Through raw storytelling and thoughtful insight, Paul explores childhood trauma, addiction, recovery, and the transformative power of forgiveness.

Raised in a silent, controlled Irish Catholic family rooted in stoicism, Paul endured physical and emotional abuse from his father — a respected physician and community leader — as he struggled with his developing sexual identity. The shame, silence, and anger followed him into adulthood, shaping years of addiction, lost love, and in...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy Vincent dives into one of the most powerful concepts in healing and personal growth:

👉 the stories you tell yourself—and how they’re shaping your reality.

Following her conversation with Dr. Karen Parker, Tammy breaks down the idea that you don’t just have a story… you are living inside of it. These internal narratives—what she calls “tape loops”—can keep you stuck in repeating patterns, even when you’re doing the work.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re growing, learning, and trying… but still experienc...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, I sit down with Dr. Karen Parker, founder of Quantum Human Design, to talk about something that impacts all of us more than we realize… the stories we carry.

So many of the patterns we struggle with today, whether it’s burnout, feeling stuck, or constantly falling into the same cycles, are rooted in the narratives we formed earlier in life. And the powerful part is… those stories are not fixed.

Dr. Karen shares how her work blends science and spirituality, bringing together concepts like human design, epigen...

In this Tammy’s Take, we build on my conversation with Angie Hawkins and break down one of the biggest misconceptions around boundaries: it’s not that you don’t know how to set them, it’s that your body doesn’t feel safe enough to hold them.

If you’ve ever found yourself saying yes when you meant no, over-explaining, or giving in after trying to set a boundary, this episode will help you understand why. What looks like a boundary issue is often a nervous system response rooted in early patterns of survival.

In this epis...

In this deeply empowering episode, we sit down with Angie Hawkins, known as The Inner Glow Coach, to explore what it truly takes for women to move from chasing external validation to embodying self-acceptance, confidence, and inner peace.

Angie works with high-achieving women who have “done the work” — therapy, personal development, self-help — yet still feel stuck, unfulfilled, or disconnected from their worth. Through both professional insight and personal vulnerability, Angie shares how lasting transformation requires deep inner work and identity-level change, not just surface-level coping strategies.

Drawing from her own journey of resilience and healing, Angie di...

In this episode of Tammy’s Takes, Tammy Vincent breaks down a powerful insight from her recent conversation with Doris Angel and turns it into a practical strategy you can use immediately.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve done the work—talked about your past, understood your triggers, and still feel stuck—this episode will help you understand why.

Tammy explains the missing piece in many healing journeys: the body.

While many approaches focus on thinking, analyzing, and understanding, true healing requires reconnecting with what the body is holding. When emotions and experi...

What if healing wasn’t something you had to search for… but something already inside of you?

In this episode, Tammy sits down with Doris Angel—musician, spiritual guide, and creator of Divine Flow workshops—to explore how breath, sound, and movement can help release emotional pain, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect you to your heart.

Doris shares her journey through adversity, insomnia, and emotional overwhelm, and how she returned to her natural gifts of music, breathwork, and spiritual connection to heal. Together, Tammy and Doris dive into the power of intention, the importance of integ...

In this Tammy’s Takes episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent unpacks a powerful insight from her conversation with Kelly Kinney:

👉 You don’t need to find yourself—you need to remember yourself.

This episode dives deep into how trauma, conditioning, and life experiences can disconnect us from who we truly are. Tammy explains that many people feel “lost,” not because they’ve lost themselves, but because they’ve become disconnected from their authentic identity.

Through Kelly’s story, we explore how self-trust is built—not through one big breakthrough—but through small, aligned...

What happens when childhood trauma shapes the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and the world?

In this powerful conversation, Tammy Vincent sits down with mystic healer Fairy Kelly, founder of the Wild Way Apothecary, to explore the journey from childhood dysfunction to deep personal healing. Kelly shares her story of abandonment, addiction, motherhood, and ultimately discovering a path of healing through nature, ritual, and reconnecting with the body.

Together, Tammy and Kelly dive into nervous system healing, breaking subconscious patterns, the mother wound, and the importance of looking inward rather than searching for external...

In this Tammy’s Takes episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction podcast, Tammy Vincent explores why emotional triggers can feel so powerful and where those reactions really come from. Building on her recent conversation with Josie Gibson, Tammy explains how the nervous system stores past experiences and trauma patterns, which can influence our emotional reactions in the present.

Many people believe they are simply overreacting, but in reality their body may be responding to learned survival patterns from childhood or past experiences. Tammy discusses how recognizing these trauma triggers and nervous system responses can help people be...

In this episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction podcast, Tammy Vincent sits down with Josie Gibson to explore the ideas behind Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health and how understanding the mind can help people navigate trauma, emotional triggers, and personal growth.

Josie shares how discovering Dianetics as a teenager helped her make sense of intrusive thoughts, emotional reactions, and the patterns that often develop from past experiences. Central to the conversation is the concept of the reactive mind—the part of the subconscious that stores painful memories and emotional responses that can influence our be...

In this Tammy’s Takes episode of the Adult Child of Dysfunction podcast, Tammy Vincent reflects on her recent conversation with marriage coach Dr. Lee Balcom and expands on an important topic: how childhood dysfunction often shows up in our adult relationships.

Many people assume relationship struggles start within the relationship itself, but the truth is that our early environments shape the way we communicate, handle conflict, trust others, and connect emotionally.

In this episode, Tammy shares five common ways growing up in dysfunction can affect adult relationships, including conflict avoidance, hyper-independence, emotional shutdown, over-giving, an...

In this insightful episode, Dr. Lee Baucom — renowned marriage coach, speaker, and author — joins the conversation to unpack one of the most common yet overlooked challenges in marriage: disconnection.

Dr. Baucom explains how many couples enter marriage with deep love and good intentions, only to unintentionally place their relationship on pause as careers, parenting, stress, and daily responsibilities take center stage. Over time, this lack of intentional connection can quietly erode the bond between partners, leading to frustration, conflict, and emotional distance.

Throughout the episode, Dr. Baucom emphasizes that love alone is not enough to sust...

In this Tammy’s Take follow-up episode, Tammy Vincent expands on the powerful conversation from Episode 277 with resilience coach Tom Lenoble about what he calls “terrible gifts.”

Tom shared the idea that some of life’s hardest experiences can eventually lead to unexpected growth. While that perspective can be incredibly empowering, Tammy dives deeper into an important truth many people who grew up in dysfunction understand: resilience doesn’t always feel like strength. Sometimes it simply feels like survival.

In this teaching episode, Tammy explains how resilience is not just a personality trait — it is deeply conne...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent sits down with executive leader, resilience coach, and international speaker Tom LeNoble to explore the transformative power of resilience and how life’s most difficult experiences can shape us into stronger, more compassionate human beings.

Tom shares insights from his remarkable journey through business leadership, life-threatening illness, and personal adversity. His perspective reframes hardship as what he calls “terrible gifts” — moments that may feel devastating in the moment but ultimately offer profound opportunities for growth, purpose, and self-discovery.

Throughout the conversation, Tom explains why resilien...

In this follow-up solo episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction, Tammy Vincent expands on a powerful moment from her recent conversation with Carly Alyssa Thorne about forgiveness and trauma recovery.

Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood concepts in healing. Many trauma survivors hear the word “forgive” and assume it means excusing abuse, forgetting what happened, or allowing harmful people back into their lives.

But true forgiveness is something entirely different.

In this teaching episode, Tammy explains how forgiveness is actually a nervous system process. It is not about condoning the past — it is abo...

In this deeply powerful episode, I sit down with Carly Alyssa Thorne, trauma-informed coach, advocate, and transformational guide, to talk about what it truly means to heal from survival mode and reclaim your life after trauma.

Carly shares her lived experience navigating adversity, chronic stress, and the long-term impact of unresolved trauma — and how those experiences shaped her mission to help others regulate their nervous systems, rebuild emotional resilience, and rediscover their voice.

We explore how trauma doesn’t just live in our memories — it lives in our bodies. It shows up as anxiety, burnout, chroni...

In this powerful and hope-filled episode, we sit down with Eileen Kopsaftis, founder of Lifelong Well-Being and co-founder of Cameo Ministries, to explore the deep connection between chronic pain and unresolved emotional trauma.

For more than 26 years, Eileen has dedicated her life to supporting women who have endured various forms of abuse. As a chronic pain specialist and nutrition educator, she brings both professional expertise and lived compassion to the conversation — illuminating how emotional wounds often manifest as physical symptoms in the body.

We dive into the mind-body connection, unpacking how trauma can be stored in...