Adult Child of Dysfunction

In this episode, we’re joined by Robyn McTague, a seasoned coach, speaker, and expert in emotional wellness. Robyn shares her secrets for staying grounded and balanced, even in the midst of chaos. Designed for entrepreneurs feeling stressed and overwhelmed by the demands of their personal and professional lives, this conversation dives deep into how to create harmony, build better relationships, a...

In this powerful episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction: Thriving After Chaos, Tammy Vincent welcomes Suzy Wraines, a business foundation and trauma energetics coach, and the host of the Starting a Business Simplified podcast. Suzy shares her inspiring journey of healing from a dysfunctional family background, including growing up with an alcoholic father and a mother facing medical and mental heal...

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Tiffani Barton, an inspiring author, speaker, and advocate for high-achieving women ready to step into their full potential. Tiffani shares her transformative journey of overcoming a debilitating illness and reclaiming her life, health, and purpose. She opens up about how this pivotal experience led her to write her groundbreaking book, SHED: The Secret t...

In this episode, we’re joined by Annette Evans Wilson, an inspiring English teacher-turned-authenticity coach and founder of the YOU Life Skills and Leadership Educational Foundation. After overcoming personal and societal challenges, Annette dedicated her career to helping teens and young adults embrace their true selves, recognize their unique value, and step into their potential as future leade...

In this episode, we uncover the toxic manipulation tactic known as gaslighting—what it is, why it happens, and how to protect yourself from it. Gaslighting can make you doubt your reality, question your worth, and feel trapped in confusion. But here’s the truth: you’re not imagining things, and you’re not powerless. We’ll explore five clear signs that you might be experiencing gaslighting, includi...

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Jill Rosenthal, an award-winning physician, best-selling author, and certified mindset coach with an inspiring journey of transformation. After a 35+ year career as a Harvard- and Stanford-educated physician, Jill retired and reinvented herself as a coach, helping women break free from stress, overwhelm, and burnout to love their lives again. Drawing from her p...

In this solo episode, we’re diving deep into the experience of overwhelm—what it really is, where it comes from, and how to begin transforming it. Overwhelm isn’t just about having too much on your plate; it’s often your body’s protective response to unresolved fears or past experiences. It’s a part of you signaling that it feels unsafe. I’ll explore how childhood experiences can shape your nervou...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction: Thriving After Chaos , Tammy Vincent sits down with Kathi Sohn, a former U.S. Defense Department professional turned speaker, coach, and advocate for healing generational trauma. After retiring from her 36-year career in 2020 and being widowed in 2019, Kathi devoted her life to sharing the transformative work of her late husband, the creator of the Bo...

Growing up in a dysfunctional household can shape a child's coping mechanisms, creating habits that once helped them survive but later become obstacles in adulthood. These learned behaviors, while crucial for navigating chaotic environments, can hinder emotional growth, self-acceptance, and healthy relationships. In this episode, we explore the common coping mechanisms adult children of dysfunctio...

In this powerful episode, we welcome Beverly Armento, an inspiring author, motivational speaker, and advocate for children, teachers, and the power of resilience. Beverly's life story is one of profound hardship, courage, and eventual healing. From an early age, she was thrust into the role of caretaker for her blind, artistic, and mentally ill mother. Though Beverly excelled in school and in the...

In this episode of Adult Child of Dysfunction: Thriving After Chaos , we’re exploring the overlapping behaviors of ADHD, bipolar disorder, and the experiences of children raised in dysfunctional or alcoholic families. These conditions and circumstances can often look similar, making it challenging to pinpoint the root cause of certain struggles. By comparing them side by side, we shed light on how...

Jody Lamb, a personal growth author and advocate for adult children of alcoholics, shares her transformative journey of healing from the impact of her mother's alcoholism. Through her experiences and insights, Jody emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care, which allowed her to reclaim her life and find happiness. She recounts her pivotal moment at the age of 26 wh...

In this heartfelt episode, we welcome Sarah Shields, a Master Life Coach, communications consultant, and fervent learner, who shares her deeply personal journey of navigating a challenging family dynamic while learning to set boundaries and re-parent her inner child. Sarah opens up about the struggles of balancing her innate people-pleasing tendencies with the needs of her younger self, who desper...

In this episode, we sit down with Jim Hight, journalist-turned-author, whose debut novel Moon Over Humboldt weaves a powerful tale of addiction, recovery, and unlikely friendships. Drawing from his own 24-year journey of sobriety, Jim shares the inspiration behind his book, which explores the lives of an old-school logger and a young environmentalist in Humboldt County as they navigate the challen...

In this episode, we dive deep into the ways each of us can better understand and support those facing mental health challenges. From breaking down common myths about conditions like addiction, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, to offering practical tips for fostering empathy and reducing stigma, this conversation equips listeners with tools to create a more compassionate and informed world. We explor...

In this transformative episode of Thriving After Chaos , I’m joined by the incredible Katie Hunt , also known as The Peace Activator . Katie is a Reiki Master, Spiritual Life Coach, and Manifestation Guide dedicated to helping women break free from the internal barriers holding them back from living their ideal lives. Katie shares her expertise on using energy healing to release resentment, anger,...

The holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, but for those with toxic family dynamics, they can feel overwhelming, triggering, or downright exhausting. In this episode, I’m sharing my top 10 tips for navigating toxic families during the holidays so you can prioritize your peace, protect your mental health, and even find moments of joy amidst the chaos. From setting clear boundaries and limiting...

In this episode, Tammy Vincent welcomes back Elizabeth Kipp for another insightful conversation on the stigma surrounding mental illness and addiction in dysfunctional families. Elizabeth shares her powerful story of growing up with two alcoholic parents, highlighting the silence and denial that defined her childhood. Together, they explore how societal attitudes and fear perpetuate stigma, making...

In this episode, we dive into a sensitive but essential topic: understanding your relationship with alcohol. Whether you're curious about your habits, noticing patterns, or wondering if drinking has a larger impact on your life, this episode offers a compassionate space to reflect. We discuss how alcohol can sometimes become a coping mechanism, why it’s important to notice patterns in your behavio...

In this insightful episode, we’re joined by Sherry McClurkin, a seasoned trauma coach and expert in helping Christian women heal the emotional roots of guilt, shame, anxiety, insecurity, and the pressures of living up to unrealistic expectations. Sherry is passionate about empowering women to reclaim their time, energy, and mental well-being, and she believes that setting boundaries is one of the...

This episode explores emotional numbness, a common protective mechanism for those who grew up in dysfunction and chaos. Emotional numbness—the inability to feel or express emotions—often develops as a survival strategy in response to fear, shame, and overwhelming stress. While it may have served a purpose in childhood, it can create challenges in adulthood, such as difficulty with relationships, s...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with the inspiring Michael Morgan, who shares his journey of self-discovery, healing, and finding purpose. Michael’s message is clear: “No one’s coming to save you. You have to take the first step.” Drawing from personal experience, Michael emphasizes the importance of breaking free from negativity and embracing the abundance of support and healing methods avai...

In this episode, we dive deep into a question that plagues many adult children of alcoholics and dysfunctional families: Why do we attract the wrong people into our lives? Drawing from my personal experience and years of coaching, I explore the hidden patterns and subconscious forces that lead us to replicate unhealthy dynamics in our adult relationships. Understanding the Impact of Dysfunctional...

Stress—it’s something we all face, but for adult children of dysfunction, it can feel even heavier. Growing up in chaos often leaves us more reactive to life’s challenges. But stress doesn’t have to control you. Today, I’m sharing quick tools you can use to calm down in the moment." What Stress Is: Stress is your body’s natural reaction to challenges, triggering a fight-or-flight response. While t...

Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s powerful, simple, and yet sometimes challenging to get into—meditation! Now, I know meditation can feel intimidating, especially if you’re just starting out, but I’m here to guide you through ten easy tips to kickstart your practice. These tips are designed to help you build a meditation habit that feels natural and achievable, so you can experience all the...