When family dynamics are painful, confusing, and chronically one-sided, the usual advice ("but it's your parent" / "family is everything" / "just forgive and move on") can make you feel even more trapped.

In the season finale of the WANTcast, Dr. Sherrie Campbell — clinical psychologist, author, and TEDx speaker — breaks down what actually separates everyday conflict from emotionally abusive family systems, why "no contact" is often misunderstood, and how to protect your peace without getting sucked back into the old roles.

We talk about:

• What emotional abuse looks like (and what it's not)
• No contact vs. low contact vs. "cordial contact"
• What actually qualifies someone as a "toxic family member"
• The cost of going no contact (and how to prepare for that reality)
• Boundary-setting tools, plus how to stay present while giving toxic people nothing to hook into
• How smear campaigns work, and why going no contact can mean losing more relationships than you expected
• Parenting with toxic grandparents in the mix
• Rebuilding trust after experiencing family trauma
• and so, so much more.

***CW: Discuss both of physical and emotional abuse, deep trauma, and sensitive subject matter that might hit close to home if you're a survivor of abuse. If you need to bookmark this episode to come back to later, Dr Sherrie and I will be HERE for you when this conversation is something that feels supportive <3

~~~

SHOW NOTES:

Dr. Sherrie Campbell's website: drsherriecampbell.com

Dr. Sherrie's TEDx talk: youtube.com/watch?v=deyHwDkG7oc

Sherapy Sessions: Cutting Toxic Family Ties podcast: drsherriecampbell.com/cutting-toxic-family-ties-podcast/

Instagram: instagram.com/dr.sherrie/

Facebook: facebook.com/SherrieCampbellPhD

TikTok: tiktok.com/@dr.sherrie

~~

Join WANT on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com

Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch

Get WANT YOUR SELF!: http://wantyourself.com

Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com

Learn more about WANT: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com

~

IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO:
Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform!

How do you make friends as an adult — REAL-DEAL friends — and how do you nurture these valued connections?

Today's guest is journalist, MODERN FRIENDSHIP author, and friendship researcher Anna Goldfarb, who has been called the "New York Times Friendship Correspondent." She's here with us to dig into the nuances of the #1 most-asked question throughout all of WANT's 10+ year history: how do I find my people?

IN THIS EPISODE WE TALK ABOUT...

• The main reasons why friendships naturally shift after 30 (why that's more normal than you think, and what you can do to address it)

• Active vs memorial friendships, and how mixing them causes heartache

• How to categorize friends in a way that doesn't feel icky and actually HELPS you nurture friendships sans guilt or obligation

• Using Choice Theory to understand what keeps a friendship thriving

• How to nix the uncertainty in friendships that can cause animosity, guilt, or rifts

• Navigating common friendship challenges: long-distance friendships, introversion vs extroversion, and value differences without defaulting to a "friendship breakup"

• and SO MUCH MORE!

ABOUT ANNA:

Anna Goldfarb is a friendship journalist who has reported for outlets including the New York Times, the Atlantic, Time magazine, Vice, The Cut, Vox, and the Washington Post. Called "the New York Times friendship correspondent" by Tim Herrera, the editor of the New York Times Smarter Living section, she's written hundreds of articles that explore the nuances of friendships, relationships, and pop psychology. She lives in Philadelphia. Her first book, MODERN FRIENDSHIP: How to Nurture Our Most Valued Connections, is out today and available wherever books are sold.

~

SHOW NOTES:

Modern Friendship

Anna's website

Anna on IG

Anna's Substack

Anna in the NYT

~

Subscribe to SELF-TALK SUNDAYS on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com

Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch

Get WANT YOUR SELF!: http://wantyourself.com

Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com

Learn more about WANT: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com

~

IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO:
Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform!

Author, creative consultant, and horticultural therapy practitioner Jessica Murnane (a WANTcast favorite!) joins us today on the WANTcast to talk about discovering horticultural therapy, building an offline-first business, and the very real mental, physical, social, and emotional benefits of getting your hands in the dirt.

In this episode, we dig into (pun intended) community vs. solo practices, rethinking social media for your values (and sanity), how nature rituals can rewire scarcity mindset, and so much more.

WE TALK ABOUT:

• What horticultural therapy actually is — and why it's not pseudoscience
• Starting something new while opting out of the social media hamster wheel (and what to do instead)
• Using nature and horticultural practices as mindset shift metaphors
• Why group nature experiences often light people up more than going it alone
• Simple, accessible practices for anyone to try
• Monetization, meaning, and choosing your "hard" when your work is mission-driven
• and more!!

LINKS:

Jessica's horticultural therapy practice: Basker Gardens

Inside & Outside on Substack

Inside & Outside Podcast

One Part Plant: A Simple Guide to Eating Real, One Meal at a Time

Know Your Endo: An Empowering Guide to Health and Hope with Endometriosis

All four of Jessica's past WANTcast episodes

~

Subscribe to SELF-TALK SUNDAYS on Substack: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.substack.com

Follow Katie on Instagram: http://instagram.com/katiehorwitch

Get WANT YOUR SELF!: http://wantyourself.com

Learn more about Katie: http://katiehorwitch.com

Learn more about WANT: http://womenagainstnegativetalk.com

~

IF YOU LOVED THIS EPISODE, DON'T FORGET TO:
Subscribe, rate, and review on Apple Podcasts and your favorite podcast platform!