When the Bough Breaks

In This Episode, We Cover: What PTSD nightmares really are (and what they are not) Why nightmares are repetitive, immersive, and fully sensory How the nervous system uses dreams as survival drills The physical and cognitive toll of years of disrupted sleep Why nightmares don’t fade—they end when danger ends How going no-contact and leaving abusive systems changes the brain What happens to dreams o...

CPTSD: The Ultimate Time Loop (and the Starship That Keeps Exploding) Living with complex trauma can feel like being trapped in a time loop. Not a memory—but many of them. All active. All urgent. All happening now. In this solo episode, Alexis explores CPTSD through an unexpected but painfully accurate lens: a classic Star Trek: The Next Generation episode where the Enterprise keeps exploding—over...

Forgiveness is one of the most misunderstood—and most weaponized—concepts trauma survivors are taught to accept without question. In this solo episode of When the Bough Breaks , Alexis dismantles forgiveness from every angle: the dictionary definition, the religious mandate, the mainstream self-help narrative, and what forgiveness actually looks like when you’ve survived abuse, neglect, estrangeme...

 Some families don’t just keep secrets—they assign children the responsibility of protecting them. In this episode of our series Healing for the Holidays, Alexis explores the often-unnamed role of the dark secret keeper in narcissistic households: the child who is expected to know what happened, never speak about it, never grieve it, and carry it quietly into adulthood.     Through personal storyt...

When Grief Becomes a Weapon Chances are, you’ve probably lived this every holiday—just never had a name for it. In this cheeky solo episode, Alexis breaks down annual family trauma rituals, how to spot them in real time, and how to cope. Stay tuned. Part of our Healing for the Holidays series #grief #depression #healing #mentalhealth #mentalwellness #familyestrangement #trauma #ptsd #estrangement...

Grief and depression are often treated as the same thing—but they’re not. And confusing the two can leave people feeling broken, misdiagnosed, or deeply misunderstood. In this special Christmas Eve “Healing for the Holidays” episode of When the Bough Breaks, Alexis explores the nuanced differences between grief and depression, where they overlap, and why so many people struggle to name what they’r...

On this episode of When the Bough Breaks Podcast, we get a very special visit from the doc himself, Dr. Robb Kelly (As seen on TV!)  But he didn't get his double PHD until after struggling with his own addiction which led to his estrangement.   If you or someone you love is struggling with substance abuse ,you don't want to miss this episode.  Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Special guest Eli Honeycutt of OdysseyLifeAdventures shares his experience growing up Jehovah's Witness while coming to terms with his sexuality and the estrangement following his separation from the cult. Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Coach, author and speaker Janice Selbie shares her experience of divorcing her religion and the family estrangement that soon followed.  https://www.divorcing-religion.com/ https://www.shamelesssexuality.org/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGhyTXTIM9kdTJ1jW-Ckb5g   People can write to Janice at Janice@divorcing-religion.com   Her book entitled Divorcing Religion: A Memoir and Survival Handbook h...

Though our guest Alexander Desmerais suffered the most vile of childhood traumas, and continues to be estranged from any meaningful family bonds, he has developed a productive approach to life that should serve as an example to all of us. He reminds us that no matter how terrible an experience, it is temporary. He goes on to teach us that trauma is as impermanent as we’re willing to do the work to...

Sometimes the caterpillar blossoms into a butterfly, only for circumstances to remind her that her wings came too late. Kreed Revere shares the story of how estrangement from her daughters forced her to embark on a courageous journey of transformation. Sadly, she’s learning that some damage can’t be undone by doing everything differently. Still, she remains hopeful that the sincerity of her approa...

When the Bough Breaks Podcast welcomes the one and only Seth Andrews When Seth isn't busy being just a normal good looking guy with great voice, beautiful family and cute dogs, Seth is a podcaster, author and host of The Thinking Atheist Podcast. Seth guests on WTBB to open up about his estrangement experience surrounding his family's faith and offers encouraging words to our hosts and l...

Although AC is no longer on the show, you can still listen to Turn up the AC's "Christmas Gifts" episode www.acfisherpod.com Grow Your Own Candy Canes Pin https://www.pinterest.com/aarralynn/wtbb-holiday/ Watch our LIVE Hot Cocoa Video edition on our youtube channel and subscribe!  https://youtu.be/o5MJ_KvoPrs?feature=shared https://buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support...

People organizer and podcaster Starr Mallory guests this episode. Listen as she shares with guest-host AC Bergen how a tragic accident shaped and molded the person she is today. Starr also shares her experience with family estrangement and personal growth.  Echoes of Resilience Podcast https://anchor.fm/starr-mallory https://buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Special guest Dave Warnock of “Dying out Loud” shares his story of de-conversion, estrangement and his fatal  ALS diagnosis. Dave shares with us the importance of living our best life even while estranged and living with a debilitating and fatal disease.  You can learn more about Dave by clicking the link below.  www.daveoutloud.com Other resources https://clergyproject.org https://www.recoveringf...

 After her father unjustifiably called CPS on her... THREE TIMES,  Briar shares with us how to cope as well as thrive after estrangement. Briar also shares her view on forgiveness and how it had led to a thriving life helping others cope with similar trauma and loss. If you would like more information about this guest, please click the link below or send us and email at wtbbpodcast@gmail.com http:...

 AC joins Alexis to bring everyone up to date on his estrangement story.  Remember to like, follow, and share on social media! To support the show, please leave a positive review wherever you listen to this podcast. Thank you for listening! https://buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Are 3 weddings and a funeral too much for one family? Is it possible to have a healthy relationship with a narcissistic parent? Can the family be mended in time before Curtis makes Becca his wife? Guest Curtis Blackthorne makes an urgent and time-sensitive call to the show. https://buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Refill your box of tissues as Lexi continues the series of events preceding her initial estrangement. Part 2 continues. www.buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show

In this episode, Lexi, the show's regular host, opens up about her story of estrangement. Part 1 focuses on her childhood trauma, and the effects of having one or more family members diagnosed with mental illness. www.buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod.com Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Brian Cardoza's message is one of responsibility and hope. As a survivor, he works diligently raising awareness and money to fight against sexual assault and physical abuse. He believes in the potential to change your circumstances by changing your thinking. Brian's motto, "Don't let this moment dictate the next moment" is shared by the many he inspires. https://buymeacoff...

Kerouac Smith, Host of Kerouac to the Future , shares his unique story of multiple parental estrangement and how the famous chain Wendy's Hamburgers helped him through a tough time in an unlikely way. www.buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show

Ac shares the story of how a complicated family history led to estrangement from his mother and sister. www.buymeacoffee.com/wtbbpod Send us Fan Mail Support the show