Why Are Podcasts So Important?
If you’ve found your way to this blog, chances are, you have toxic parents. If your parents were addicts, alcoholics, or otherwise toxic, you may not have received the love and support necessary to thrive in adulthood like many of your peers. As I mentioned in this post about five awesome TED Talks, finding commonalities is an essential part of healing. Like TED Talks, podcasts foster a sense of community. They not only provide a creative outlet for those who may have grown up in toxicity, but they also give voices to the voiceless through interviews with victims and professionals. Podcasts help to enhance the conversation that validates the negative experiences that so many young people face. They can also be used to promote healing and offer their audiences some ways to move forward–even if that means forgiving their toxic parents.
What is the Purpose of Podcasts?
A major element of podcasts that makes the best ones successful is storytelling. In his article published on Forbes.com, Chris Giliberti writes, “I believe podcasting will become the most important storytelling medium.” With podcasts in so many niches available and more streaming platforms offering this medium, many people are taking their talents on the air. They are telling their own stories, telling the stories of others, and making connections that are imperative for human relationships. Nowadays, you can find people from similar backgrounds who are speaking directly to you.
When I was first introduced to podcasts, I quickly became addicted. I wanted to hear from everybody who shared my life experiences. I wanted to hear from working moms, writers, readers. And most of all, I wanted to hear from those whose parents were like mine. I wanted to listen to people who had somehow healed from the effects of toxic parenting. Through a lot of what I listened to, I gained strategies that I continue to utilize to this day.
The following five podcasts episodes will not only give you some great listening material for a day or two; but they will also help you to recognize your own experiences. You weren’t alone in your upbringing. With more recognition we can help to end the cycle of toxic parents.
1. The Hardcore Self Help Podcast with Duff the Psych: “Dealing with a Toxic Mother”
Wow! In just a few short minutes, Robert Duff explores some great ways to deal with a mother who is toxic. While he acknowledges the difficulty in growing up under these circumstances, he also states that it doesn’t always have to be this way. Once adults, we have the abilities to set boundaries, take care of ourselves, and love our parents from a distance if need be. While it sucks to have to cut people off, it can be absolutely necessary for our own mental health.
2. Mind Love: “Toxic Parents and Relationships with Dr. Sherrie Campbell”
Host Melissa Monte gives a brilliant interview of Dr. Sherrie Campbell who is not only an expert on toxic relationships, but grew up in a household with toxic parents. As Dr. Campbell shares her own story, you will be able to identify with the pain she experienced growing up. There is the emphasis that, while adults can walk away from toxicity in any form, children don’t generally have that choice. And even after one has walked away, there are still lasting effects that govern our future relationships which may leave us partnering with toxic individuals. The good news is that, though the road is difficult, you can learn to recognize what toxic behavior is and set necessary boundaries.
3. Navigating No Contact with Toxic Parents: “Giving Up the Fantasy that Your Toxic Parent Will Change”
Host Tracy Principi is working to foster a community of people who grew up with toxic parents. As you may be able to tell from the title of her podcast, she is extremely honest in her delivery. She lets her audience know that fantasizing about their toxic parents changing will lead to a “trauma loop” that only serves to keep replaying the hurt of the past. This ultimately creates an inability to move forward. A major step to healing is letting the fantasy go and focusing on self. As Principi says: “People don’t change on their own.” That goes for your parents and you!
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4. Black Girl Tea: “Toxic Parents”
Naii and Shariah of Black Girl Tea provide such relatable insight to their own experiences with their parents. Their conversation about their own parents demonstrates the complexities of parental relationships. Both women acknowledge that their mothers have toxic traits. However, they also acknowledge the fact that their mothers have gone through life altering incidents that have contributed to those traits. This is a refreshing reminder that our parents are human. It is never fair to have to grow up in toxicity, but it is imperative to recognize the fact that becoming toxic can be the result of trauma that a person has experienced in their past.
5. The Shift Show: “Toxic Parents: Dealing with the Fallout”
If you are a nerd like me, you will love how The Shift Show hosts break down child development. They explore the significance of the relationship between parents and children at a scientific level. Our parents provide the soundtracks of how we view ourselves. Because, from infancy, we understand that these people are meant to love and protect us, we believe what they tell us. As you probably know, having toxic parents who may point out our flaws frequently can set us up for low self-esteem and poor self-image as we grow into adulthood. The hosts discuss the varying types of parental toxicity that can contribute to issues we may have long after the raising is through.
Your Toxic Parent Doesn’t Have to Define You
If you have an addicted, abusive, or otherwise toxic parent, these podcasts should help you to understand that you are not alone. The information provided in each of these episodes demonstrates that you can heal. The words of experts and non-experts alike will tell you that working on yourself is so important. Though the circumstances of your upbringing may have been traumatizing, the simple acknowledgment that your parents were toxic has the power to help you recover. If you are a parent yourself, or plan to become one, it is a great idea to educate yourself about toxic parenting so you can learn what not to do.
Did you grow up with toxic parents? If so, tell us one thing you’re doing in your adult life to avoid repeating their mistakes.
Megan says
All of these sound like amazing podcasts. Adding them to me “To Listen” list now! Thanks!
Michelle says
Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy!