Family Disappeared

Can early childhood emotional experiences dictate the quality of our adult relationships? Join us on Family Disappeared as we welcome Noah Rothschild, a somatic therapist dedicated to uncovering the hidden impacts of our formative years. We take a deep dive into how childhood emotional injuries carve out our need for external validation, and introduce the weighty concept of emotional incest—where...

Have you ever wondered how reconnecting with your body could heal emotional wounds? Join us as we share a transformative journey through somatic therapy, guided by the expertise of integrative body psychotherapist Noah Rothschild. This episode promises to shed light on how moving beyond traditional talk therapy to somatic approaches can help address deep-seated traumas and foster healthier relatio...

Can a family graduation ceremony serve as a catalyst for healing? Join me, Lawrence Joss, on the Family Disappeared Podcast, as we uncover the emotional layers of estrangement and reconciliation during pivotal life moments. In this episode, I recount the turbulent journey of co-parenting and the profound impact of witnessing my daughter's graduation. We unpack the feelings of pride, exclusion...

Ever wondered why the current family law system feels so inadequate? Join us for an enlightening conversation as we tackle the urgent need for family law reform, prioritizing the well-being of children over contentious litigation. We sit down with Cathy Himlin, an expert in both the foster care system and family law, to explore how channeling resources into counseling and support can significantly...

Ever wonder how to support children caught in the turmoil of high-conflict divorce and custody battles? Join us as we host Cathy Himlin, a seasoned licensed marriage and family therapist, who shares her profound insights into family therapy within the court system. Through her child-centric approach, Cathy reveals the intricacies of helping children reconnect with rejected parents, offering listen...

Could you be the key to unlocking your child’s heart once again? In our heartwarming episode with Dr. Amy Baker, we explore the multifaceted journey of healing through parental alienation. Discover the essential strategies to become an A++ parent, even in the face of hurtful statements from your estranged child. Dr. Baker sheds light on the transformative power of writing amends letters, fostering...

Discover the hidden dynamics of parental relationships with Dr. Amy Baker, a leading developmental psychologist, in our latest episode of the Family Disappeared Podcast. We'll unpack the critical differences between parental alienation and estrangement, offering parents invaluable insights on handling these emotionally charged situations. Learn how to recognize the signs of unjustified reject...

What if unconditional love could be the key to transforming your most challenging relationships? Join us in part 2 of our conversation around love,  as we uncover the profound impact of practicing unconditional love, especially when dealing with alienation. Through personal stories and insights from the 12-step program, we explore the emotional, spiritual, and physical well-being that stems from t...

When love comes with strings attached, it can entangle our hearts and minds in ways that are hard to unravel. This episode shines a light on entanglements with transactional love, revealing the profound shifts in mindset afforded by the unconditional love experienced through a 12-step recovery program.   In this episode, we have a group discussion, sharing the raw and transformative journey from s...

When the heartache of a fractured family finds a path to healing, the story resonates with a profound truth about the human spirit. Renee's narrative of reuniting with her sons after an agonizing 30-year separation is a testament to the resilience we all harbor. In our latest episode, we traverse the emotional valleys and peaks of her journey, revealing how personal growth can light the way t...

The echoes of estrangement can resonate deeply, reverberating through the hollows of a parent's heart. Join us as we welcome back Renee, whose narrative of reconciliation after a 30-year rift with her children, offers a poignant testament to the resilience of familial bonds. Her experiences, layered with moments of hope and heartache, provide a compass for those navigating the murky waters of...

As the sun set on a day marked by my daughter's distant wedding vows, I found comfort not in my solitude, but in the shared resilience and ingenuity that Anna and I bring to the table as we host another episode of Family Disappeared. Together, we peel back the layers of parenting in the absence of traditional contact, revealing the strength found in creative expression and the commitment to m...

Imagine the piercing silence of a father's heart as he misses his daughter's wedding, or the hidden tears when a grandchild's first cry echoes, and he's not there to share the joy. Lawrence Joss, in a stirring narrative, unveils the emotional landscape of parenting in absentia—sharing not just the pain but the triumph in creating bonds that transcend physical barriers. With Ann...

Have you ever felt the weight of family dysfunction heavy on your heart? Together with Allison Garner and two passionately committed parental alienation advocates, we traverse the emotional minefield that so many face but few dare to discuss. Our conversation is more than just an exchange of stories; it's a treasure trove of insights and strategies, with each of us pulling from the depths of...

Embarking on a heartfelt exploration,  with myself, Geo, as guest host this week, we grapple with the heavy shadows of shame and guilt, those unwelcome companions that have trailed many of us from childhood to the labyrinth of parenthood. With the sagacious Allison Garner, an executive coaching connoisseur, our roundtable pulses with the shared beat of parent's hearts, including tales from An...

As an alienated father, I've walked the rocky path of connecting with my daughters through the thinnest of threads, and that's where I discovered the healing balm of Nonviolent Communication (NVC). With my guest, Mary Mackenzie, we unravel my journey, and offer you the tools to mend and deepen the bonds within your family, even when the waters of communication seem unnavigable. My story...

Have you ever found yourself in the midst of a heated argument, desperately wishing for a lifeline to navigate the emotional chaos? That's where my encounter with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) revolutionized not just how I speak, but how I live. Alongside the wisdom of Mary Mackenzie, a seasoned NVC trainer, we venture into the transformative realm of compassionate connection. This episode i...

Ever struggled with the delicate dance of blending families and navigating the shadows of parental alienation? I know I have. This week on Family Disappeared, join me, Lawrence Joss, alongside Steve and Alain—both fellow alienated parents—for a candid discussion on these intricate dynamics. We peel back the layers of introducing new partners to our children, the art of cultivating self-awareness,...

Have you ever wondered how the threads of a new family are woven together amidst the remnants of the past? On this heartfelt episode of Family Disappeared, we traverse the intricate path of remarriage and step-parenting. As your host, Lawrence Joss, I share a slice of my own life, revealing the profound impact of these transitions on children, and the power of inclusivity and understanding. Our pa...

As I unraveled my own knots of estrangement and marital upheaval, I discovered the unexpected gifts hidden in life's trials. Our latest podcast episode invites you into this personal journey, alongside insights from Dr. Paul, who illuminates the indispensable role of energy management in navigating the turbulent waters of family dynamics and child custody battles. In the throes of adversity,...

When hope flickers in the darkness of life's toughest moments, transformation awaits.  Dr. Paul Jenkins, a psychologist specializing in positivity psychology,  joins the conversation today, illuminating the path to emotional wholeness. The conversation includes Dr. Paul's response to the heart-stopping diagnosis of his son's cancer, and champions the resilience that springs from hop...

As I laid bare the raw edges of my heart, recounting the times my children seemed like distant stars in a sky I could no longer reach, our community conversation took a turn toward the cathartic. We navigated the difficult terrain of parental alienation, a path I've walked with heavy steps, and emerged with a deeper understanding of the healing process that is possible when one embraces accou...

The pain of family estrangement cuts deep, and in our latest episode, we grapple with this silent struggle alongside guests from the PAA community.  We share not only our own heart-wrenching experiences of alienation from our children but also the journeys of others who are navigating these turbulent waters. Embark on a conversation that is both a map and a compass for those seeking to mend the fr...

Embarking on a profound odyssey through emotional landscapes, I found that healing personal wounds and transforming relationships starts with the language we use and the understanding of our own neural pathways. Our guest, Sarah, with her expertise in relational neuroscience and self-compassion, joins me to share insights that can turn the brain into a sanctuary of warmth and empathy. Throughout t...

Embarking on a healing journey often feels deeply personal, yet it's a path that can resonate with many. My own voyage through the valleys of disconnection to the peaks of joy, love, and community has been marked with profound interactions and insights. In our conversation, Sarah Peyton, an expert in nonviolent communication and family constellation therapy, joins me to unravel these transfor...