Best Bpd Mom Podcasts (2025)

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Toxic Parents: Why Their ‘Good Intentions’ Don’t Matter—Focus on Behavior Instead 15:11

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3d ago15:11

15:11

In today’s episode, I’m sharing one of the most important mindset shifts for healing from narcissistic parents or emotionally immature parents: stop asking if they’re a “good person” and start focusing on their repeated behaviors. So many cycle breakers get stuck in the what ifs: What if they don’t mean to hurt me? What if they’re doing their best?…

1
I’ve Been Self-Gaslighting a Lot Lately: Why It’s Happening, What I’m Doing, and Why I’m Not Freaked Out 18:43

10d ago18:43

18:43

Lately, I’ve caught myself spiraling into self-gaslighting quite a bit—wondering if I’m exaggerating my childhood trauma, if maybe my mom wasn’t really a narcissist, or if I’m just “too sensitive.” If you’ve ever doubted your own reality, you’re definitely not alone. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, I share: Why self-gaslighting shows up (espec…

1
No Contact Isn’t Trendy: The Truth About How Hard Cycle Breakers Fight for Toxic Parent Relationships 15:43

17d ago15:43

15:43

In this episode, therapist and boundaries coach Torie Wiksell (and fellow cycle breaker) exposes the myth of “no contact as a fad” and validates the years—sometimes decades—of exhausting effort cycle breakers pour into maintaining relationships with narcissistic or emotionally immature parents before making the heartbreaking decision to step back. …

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Can Boundaries Work With Narcissistic Parents? The Nuanced Truth 13:08

22d ago13:08

13:08

Can boundaries actually work with a toxic parent? In this week’s episode of You’re Not Crazy, host Torie Wiksell, therapist, boundaries coach, and fellow cycle breaker, unpacks one of the most common (and confusing) questions adult children of narcissistic, borderline, or emotionally immature parents ask: “Is it even possible to set boundaries with…

1
You’re Allowed to Change Your Mind: Here's Your Permission to Pivot 9:07

1M ago9:07

9:07

In today’s episode, we’re talking about a powerful and underrated concept that every cycle breaker needs: “for now.” When you're navigating toxic family dynamics, it’s easy to get paralyzed by the pressure to make the “perfect” decision—whether it’s going no contact, setting a new boundary, or reaching out for support. But healing isn’t linear, and…

1
Stop Setting Yourself on Fire to Keep Others Warm 13:19

1M ago13:19

13:19

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, boundaries coach and licensed therapist Torie Wiksell unpacks one of the most damaging cycles cycle breakers face: being scapegoated by toxic parents. Here’s how the pattern works: your boundaries are violated again and again until you finally react—crying, yelling, or shutting down. That’s when your family poin…

1
Why Perfect Healing Doesn’t Exist (and What to Aim for Instead) 12:44

2M ago12:44

12:44

Feeling like you’re “not healed enough” from your toxic family patterns? You’re not broken—and you’re not alone. In this powerful episode of You’re Not Crazy, therapist and boundaries coach Torie Wiksell dismantles the harmful myth of perfect healing that keeps so many cycle breakers stuck in shame and self-judgment. You’ll learn why healing from n…

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I Went Viral On TikTok: Here's What it Taught Me About Healing 14:46

2M ago14:46

14:46

This week, I’m sharing a personal story I never expected to be telling: what it’s been like to go viral on TikTok as a boundaries coach for adult children of toxic parents. Spoiler alert—if you’ve ever wondered whether your healing work is actually paying off, I promise this episode will help you see your own progress more clearly. I talk about the…

1
You Deserve Support: Overcoming Mental Blocks to Healing 14:52

2M ago14:52

14:52

You’re not stuck because you’re lazy—you’re stuck because you were trained to put everyone else first. In this episode, I walk you through the mental blocks that keep cycle breakers paralyzed—especially the guilt that makes boundary-setting feel impossible. Plus, I’m sharing a one-time offer to get everything you need to finally break through—insid…

1
The Hidden Codependency Behind Your Need to Over-Explain 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

Do you catch yourself writing paragraph-long texts just to say “no”? Do you feel the urge to explain every decision, anticipate every reaction, or soften your truth with a long-winded disclaimer? That’s not overthinking. That’s overexplaining—and it’s a trauma response. In this episode, we’re talking about the exhausting cycle of overexplaining you…

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Are They Really Sorry? The Empty Apology Trap 12:45

2M ago12:45

12:45

Is your toxic parent’s “I’m sorry” leaving you more confused than comforted? In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we unpack why apologies from narcissistic or otherwise toxic parents rarely feel like closure—and often reopen old wounds. You’ll learn: The signs of a real apology (and what performative regret looks like) How to stop spiraling when th…

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Grieving the Life You Deserved: Healing From a Toxic Parent 16:50

3M ago16:50

16:50

In this episode, I talk about the complicated grief that surfaces once we begin setting boundaries and creating distance from toxic, narcissistic, or emotionally immature parents. I share what it looked like in my own life— the emotional toll of being a parentified child, and why our healing journey often involves mourning the milestones we missed …

1
You're Not Doomed: Escaping a Pattern of Dysfunctional Relationships 16:39

3M ago16:39

16:39

Big news! The Confident Boundaries App is officially live—now available for free on iPhone and Android. Inside, you’ll get instant access to a curated starter bundle of some of my favorite episodes and articles to support your healing from family dysfunction. In today’s episode, we’re digging into a question I hear often from adult children of narc…

1
The Loneliness of Being the Cycle Breaker 15:46

3M ago15:46

15:46

If you’re breaking toxic cycles in a family marked by emotional immaturity, narcissism, or borderline traits, there’s something we don’t talk about enough: the profound loneliness that can come with healing. You’re not just setting boundaries—you’re stepping out of the role your family expected you to play. Maybe you were the peacekeeper, the fixer…

1
Breaking Cycles Without Breaking Yourself 38:35

3M ago38:35

38:35

Healing isn’t linear—especially when you’re the cycle breaker. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, I’m pulling back the curtain on what real, sustainable healing looks like when you grew up with emotionally immature, narcissistic, or borderline parents. I share how becoming a therapist over a decade ago didn’t free me from my dysfunctional pattern…

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What If Protecting Yourself Is the Honest Thing to Do? 15:14

4M ago15:14

15:14

Cycle breakers are often raised to believe that honesty = full disclosure and transparency… even when the other person has a history of weaponizing that honesty against them. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we’re digging into the messy middle between brutal honesty and self-abandonment—especially when it comes to dealing with parents who have …

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Are You Putting Out Fires or Breaking the Cycle? 24:54

4M ago24:54

24:54

Let’s talk about the real work of breaking dysfunctional family cycles. If you're the adult child of a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, you probably know the drill: chaos explodes, you search frantically for tools to survive it… and then once things settle down, you convince yourself it's “not that bad.” Sound familiar? …

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"But They're Your Parent": Toxic Things People Say to Cycle Breakers 18:39

5M ago18:39

18:39

Surviving (not thriving) Mother's Day weekend is what we're celebrating this week. Breaking cycles isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Your commitment to healing, despite few healthy examples, is powerful. Be gentle with yourself; your journey of growth deserves compassion, not criticism. Next we’re calling out the toxic phrases that gaslig…

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Welcome to You're Not Crazy! 1:36

1y ago1:36

1:36

Welcome to You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. Hosted by therapist and coach Torie Wiksell, this podcast is dedicated to those who have grown up trying to navigate the complicated and challenging realities of having a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality…

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Imogen / ED Recovery 1:06:21

4+ y ago1:06:21

1:06:21

Imogen our favorite ED Warrior joins us this week to talk eating disorders, eating disorder recovery (including how it's not always a straight line) and the eating disorder community on social media. Find Imogen on instagram @im_powering

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Leslie McBain from Moms Stop the Harm / Losing a Son to Drug Harms and Advocacy 52:47

4+ y ago52:47

52:47

Leslie McBain, cofounder of Moms Stop the Harm and tireless advocate for drug policy change joins Kendra this week. She shares how the loss of her son Jordan over 7 years ago led to cofounding this constantly growing support network of Canadian families that also advocate for change in the hopes that others won't have to experience the grief of los…

1
Alexis / Trauma and Coming out 48:00

4+ y ago48:00

48:00

Alexis joins us this week to discuss her childhood trauma including losing her father to a drug overdose as a teenager. She also shares her coming out journey and how finding safety and love that feels right has helped her feel ready to confront her past.

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Kendall / Postpartum Depression and Anxiety 48:37

4+ y ago48:37

48:37

1 out of 3 new mothers will experience some degree of post partum depression or anxiety but it remains one of the most difficult experiences for women to talk about. Kendall joins us this week as we engage in a raw, honest and very emotional discussion about this issue. We discuss our own journeys and also address the unnecessary shame that is atta…

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Lore / Host of The Wellness of Madness Podcast 1:03:36

4+ y ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Join us this week as we are joined by Lore Rey, Host of The Wellness of Madness Podcast. Lore takes us on her fascinating journey of migrating from Mexico to the US and back again. She describes her lifelong struggle with OCD, Tourette Syndrome and Borderline Personality Disorder as they joined her on her travels across borders. She also opens up a…

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Kendra Fisher / Still Scoring Goals 59:20

4+ y ago59:20

59:20

Elite hockey player Kendra Fisher joins us this week to discuss her difficult decision to walk away from Team Canada due to mental illness, the dark years post diagnosis, and how she has found a regimen today that allows for her to have more good days than bad. She also discusses her advocacy work as well as Mentally Fit, the community action plan …

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Sherry & Lisa / Losing a Sister to Suicide 51:08

4+ y ago51:08

51:08

In this very emotional episode Sherry shares about her sister Lisa's struggle with both the mental and physical pain that ultimately led her to make the decision to take her own life 5 years ago as well as her own subsequent mental health journey. This episode touches on several topics such as schizoaffective disorder, PTSD, caring for a family mem…

1
Kirsten / Cutting 43:30

4+ y ago43:30

43:30

Kirsten shares how she used self-harm (in her case cutting) as a coping mechanism as a teenager and into young adulthood, how this served her at the time as a tool to help control negative emotions when she lacked healthier tools and the shame and stigma surrounding this issue. She also discusses the physical scars that remain and the way these sca…

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Skye / Sex Work, Making Porn & Mental Health 46:46

4+ y ago46:46

46:46

Our guest and good friend Skye shares her journey into the world of online sex work and how the stigma of the profession has affected her mental health. She discusses how she has moved from a place of shame and self-doubt to a place of acceptance but also how sometimes the choices we make aren't black or white and there needs to be space for contin…

1
Sarah / Helping Others While Helping Yourself 50:00

4+ y ago50:00

50:00

Our guest this week is Sarah, a social worker in the field of mental health and addiction. I guarantee you won't be able to hold back the laughter as she shares her story of OCD, phobia and anxiety and be inspired by how she has used her afflictions as valuable tools of growth, and connections in her job. We discuss the the fear of judgement from c…

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Kendra / AUD (AA Isn't the Only Way) 43:57

4+ y ago43:57

43:57

Co-founder and co-host of the Crazy Bitches podcast Kendra shares her experience with an alcohol use disorder (AUD) and her experience with relapse and changing views and opinions of addiction. The hosts and guest host Alisha discuss the general nature of addiction and treatment of AUD and compare Alcoholics Anonymous and 12-step based treatment wi…

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Aly / Trauma & Grieving with PTSD 40:11

4+ y ago40:11

40:11

Our guest this week is Aly who discusses her diagnosis of PTSD and panic disorder after a sudden unexpected tragic event changed the course of her life as a young wife and mother forever. She describes her journey from darkness back to what she describes as contentment but not quite yet happiness, with honesty, humor and fearlessness.…

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Tamara / Growing Up With a Mentally Ill Parent 42:43

4+ y ago42:43

42:43

Our guest this week is Tamara who discusses the effects a parent's mental health condition can have on their children as they grow up, her experiences with the healthcare system advocating for better care for her mother, and the emotions that accompany situations where it can seem like you are fighting everyone and everything to help a person who d…

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Emily / The Silent World of Eating Disorders 49:51

4+ y ago49:51

49:51

Our guest this week is Emily who bravely gives listeners a raw and honest look at how she navigates each day living with an eating disorder as well as rare insight into the complex nature of this disease she has been battling for over half of her lifetime.By Kendra and Amy

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Crazy Bitch Intro Episode 13:46

4+ y ago13:46

13:46

Meet your Crazy Bitch hosts Amy and Kendra! A quick introduction to the podcast, the basic who, what, where and why. Find out what you can look forward to this season and the philosophy behind the name. Similar to speed dating or a job interview we're trying to make a lasting impression in a short period of time so sit back and listen as we woo you…

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Crazy Bitches Preview 3:25

4+ y ago3:25

3:25

Crazy Bitches officially goes live on Friday, January 15th at 7pm PST! Please subscribe here and listen to the preview for clips from upcoming episodes. You can find us at www.crazybitchespodcast.com for more information.By Kendra