Best Whitney Goodman LMFT Podcasts (2025)

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Oprah’s Estrangement Podcast and the Mel Robbins’ NYT Article 1:03:50

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5d ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Whitney is fired up about Oprah’s recent podcast about going no contact. She also responds to a Mel Robbins/Karl Pillemer article titled "Life is Too Short to Fight With Your Family." She breaks down why these narratives are harmful, who they're really speaking to (and who they're ignoring), and the problematic assumptions embedded in questions lik…

101
How Toxic Positivity Harms Mental Health with Whitney Goodman, LMFT (Encore) 49:02

9d ago49:02

49:02

Mary talks with licensed psychotherapist Whitney Goodman about the harmful effects of toxic positivity on our mental health. We’ve all heard it, seen it, and experienced it — those moments when someone brushes off your pain and tells you to “just think positive!” It’s dismissive, overwhelming, and the opposite of self compassion. Whitney shares wit…

1
The 7 Principles of Self-Love: What Loving Yourself Actually Means 6:37

4d ago6:37

6:37

In this episode, Mary explores seven principles of self love, using her Self-Love Tree framework as a calm and grounding guide for your year-end reflection and renewal. You will learn how to… Understand the roots of self-love: self-esteem, self-compassion, and self-worth Apply the Self-Love Tree framework to your spiritual, emotional, mental, physi…

1
Therapists React to Television’s Most Dysfunctional Holiday Dinner 1:01:56

7d ago1:01:56

1:01:56

Kate Gray (@codependencykate) is back with Whitney to react to one of the most iconic dysfunctional holiday dinners ever depicted on television: “Fishes” from The Bear (S2E06). They break down the infamous episode scene by scene, analyzing how anxiety manifests differently in each of the three siblings, Mikey, Natalie, and Carmy, in reaction to an …

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Q&A: All Her Fault Analysis, Why Therapy Speak Backfires, and Mothers Who Compete with Daughters 33:07

12d ago33:07

33:07

Whitney addresses one of her recent viral posts about why using therapy speak with family often causes more problems than is useful. She also breaks down a scene from the Peacock show "All Her Fault" about parentified sibling dynamics. Then she answers to listener’s questions about different sibling reactions to a narcissistic family and a mother’s…

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Choosing Your Own Life and Letting Go of Guilt 31:08

14d ago31:08

31:08

Feeling guilty is one of the most common struggles for people stepping away from a dysfunctional family. Whitney explores how guilt is a learned response, not necessarily an evidence of wrongdoing, and why you were trained to believe that meeting your own needs harms others. She discusses the difference between guilt and grief, how family members u…

1
A Holiday Pep Talk 14:20

12d ago14:20

14:20

Whether you're skipping the family gathering, still debating about whether to show up, locked in for a chair-arm-gripping dinner, or spending the day alone, Whitney has a few tips for getting through the next 24 hours. Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that hel…

1
7 Steps to Stop Overthinking and Make Decisions From a Place of Self-Love 32:07

18d ago32:07

32:07

If decision fatigue has you spiraling, this episode will help you reconnect with your needs, wants, desires, and values. Mary shares 7 steps for soothing anxiety, finding clarity, and making choices with confidence and from a place of self-love. You will learn how to... - Stop outsourcing your life to other people’s opinions - Regulate your nervous…

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Reacting to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives with Samantha Dalton 1:07:14

18d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

Whitney teams up with Samantha Dalton, group facilitator at Calling Home and host of the Nuance Needed podcast, to unpack season three of The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives. As someone who grew up in the Mormon church and is still actively deconstructing, Samantha provides invaluable cultural context for understanding the relational patterns, power d…

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How to Handle Relationship Conflicts with Confidence with Baya Voce 58:26

25d ago58:26

58:26

Relationship conflict doesn’t have to feel like walking on eggshells. With the right tools and a sense of confidence and self trust, even the messiest moments can become turning points for deeper intimacy. This conversation with relationship expert Baya Voce is packed with research-backed relationship advice that helps you understand why you fight …

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Q&A: Sister Wives' Kody Brown, The Necessary Conversation Podcast, In-Laws Rejecting Adopted Child 39:04

26d ago39:04

39:04

Whitney answers two listener questions that explore complex family dynamics and different responses to dysfunction. The first question comes from someone navigating estrangement from in-laws who rejected their adopted teenager. The second is about what happens when siblings respond differently to the same dysfunctional family system. Whitney also d…

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Unfollowing Mom with Harriet Shearsmith 54:21

25d ago54:21

54:21

Whitney shares an interview with Harriet Shearsmith, author of "Unfollowing Mum: Break Unhealthy Patterns and be the Parent You Wish You’d Had" and host of the Unfollowing Mum podcast. Harriet opens up about her journey from being completely enmeshed with her mother who lived with Harriet, her husband and three children to eventually becoming estra…

1
An Intuitive Eating Tip That Will Help At Holiday Parties 15:08

1M ago15:08

15:08

If intuitive eating feels harder during the holidays, you’re not alone. Between buffet tables, endless trigger foods, family comments, and social anxiety, it’s easy to slip into old, disordered eating habits. In this solo episode, Mary shares a simple but powerful intuitive eating tip that can help you feel less crazy around food. This mindset shif…

1
The Truth About IFS: Analyzing the New York Magazine Article "The Therapy That Can Break You" 47:27

1M ago47:27

47:27

Whitney unpacks a recent article from New York Magazine: “The Therapy That Can Break You” about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and what can go wrong when trauma treatment crosses ethical lines. She discusses the dangers of working with fragile populations without proper training, and what to watch for when working with different therapeutic modaliti…

1
Analyzing Family Dysfunction in the Netflix Series "Nobody Wants This" 56:22

1M ago56:22

56:22

Whitney launches a new series exploring family dynamics in pop culture, starting with Netflix's "Nobody Wants This." Joined by Meg Josephson, author of the New York Times bestseller "Are You Mad at Me?", she breaks down the clash between Noah's enmeshed, guilt-driven Jewish family led by his controlling mother Bina, and Joanne's emotionally distant…

1
Why Self Worth Starts in Your Body with Beatriz Victoria Albina 42:25

1M ago42:25

42:25

People mistakenly believe that self worth lives in the mind. Like if you just think confident thoughts or repeat affirmations like “I’m a worthy woman,” it’ll magically click. But if you’ve ever tried to think your way into feeling like you are enough, you’ve probably noticed… it doesn’t last. That’s because true self worth doesn’t start in your he…

1
Q&A: Reconnecting After No Contact 21:39

1M ago21:39

21:39

Whitney answers two listener questions that share a theme: how do you protect your peace while staying connected to difficult family relationships? The first question explores reconnecting with in-laws after a year and a half of no contact—when is it safe to reopen that door, and how do you move forward without reopening old wounds? The second addr…

1
For Everyone Who Had to Grow Up Too Fast 32:09

1M ago32:09

32:09

Whitney explores parentification—what happens when children become caregivers, mediators, and "responsible ones" long before they're ready. Whitney shares research on how early caregiving shapes us, when it becomes harmful versus adaptive, and how to transform childhood survival skills into adult strengths without carrying the weight of obligation.…

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Self Love Reminders for Women Who Are Ready for Healing | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:54:19

2M ago1:54:19

1:54:19

Self love isn’t a one-time epiphany; it’s a lifelong practice of coming home to yourself. True self-love is rooted in deep self-awareness — because you can’t fully love yourself without first knowing yourself. This Best Of Mary’s Cup of Tea episode brings together some of my favorite clips about healing through self-love. My hope is that these remi…

1
Are Therapists Encouraging Estrangement? 49:29

1M ago49:29

49:29

Whitney tackles an increasingly persistent narrative about family estrangement: therapists are encouraging people to cut ties from their families. Drawing from hundreds of responses from her audience—including adult children and estranged parents—she examines what actually happens in therapy rooms and whether the notion of a "secret underground mov…

1
Love the Teen You Have with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart 47:13

2M ago47:13

47:13

Whitney sits down with Dr. Ann-Louise Lockhart, a pediatric psychologist and author of the new book "Love the Teen You Have," to discuss practical strategies for parenting teens and pre-teens. They explore why the teenage years can be so challenging for parents, how to navigate individuation and identity development, and actionable tools for transf…

1
Parenting Doesn't End 36:04

2M ago36:04

36:04

Whitney responds to a question from a recent controversial TikTok post: Are you a parent forever? What does it mean to be a parent across the entire lifespan? Should parenting meaningful shift at age 18 or at some point beyond? Do parent-child relationships become equal peer relationships in adulthood? Then Whitney answers a question from a parent …

1
You, Your Husband, and His Mother with Dr. Tracy Dalgleish 38:22

2M ago38:22

38:22

Whitney interviews Dr. Tracy Dalgleish, author of the new book "You, Your Husband, and His Mother” about navigating mother-in-law and daughter-in-law relationships. They discuss why this dynamic is so challenging, the scapegoating of daughters-in-law, triangulation of husbands/partners, the difference between setting boundaries and being controllin…

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Confidence Practices for Women Who Want to Trust Themselves Again | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:53:13

2M ago1:53:13

1:53:13

Confidence isn’t something you either have or you don’t — it’s something you practice, lose, question, rebuild, and redefine a hundred times over. This “Best Of Mary’s Cup of Tea” episode brings together some of the most powerful confidence advice. Whether you’re rebuilding your self confidence after a setback, learning to trust yourself again, or …

1
The Real Housewives Scene That Should Be Shown in Graduate School 46:10

2M ago46:10

46:10

Whitney analyzes scenes from Real Housewives of Salt Lake City and Love Is Blind to explore mother-daughter estrangement, purity culture shame, and how parents either repair or double down decades after causing harm. She breaks down Whitney Rose's advice to an at-risk mother, Bronwyn's devastating conversation with her mom about pregnancy shame, an…

1
Hallmarks of a Functional Family 16:22

2M ago16:22

16:22

Build a more functional family today. In this episode, Whitney breaks down the hallmarks of functional families, how these skills can be learned regardless of how you grew up, and practical steps to get started. Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and the founder of Calling Home, a membership community that helps peop…

1
Mental Health & Mindset Shifts for Women Who Feel Stuck | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:24:39

2M ago1:24:39

1:24:39

Taking care of your mental health is never one-size-fits-all, especially for women who experience self-criticism, overwhelm, and constant comparison. This is part of our “Best Of Mary’s Cup of Tea” series, where I gathered some of the most powerful conversations we’ve had across 250+ episodes. Today’s episode focuses on mental health and positive m…

1
Parentification and the Price of Being the Problem Solver 32:45

2M ago32:45

32:45

Whitney shares three life-changing practices that reduced her anxiety—meditation with red light therapy, using Brick to limit social media, and consuming news only in written form. She then answers a caller's question about being the parentified golden child expected to solve all family problems while maintaining surface-level relationships with a …

1
How to Parent Differently Without Overcorrecting with Dr. Juli Fraga 36:18

2M ago36:18

36:18

By Calling Home

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Q&A: Becoming Like Your Parent 22:47

2M ago22:47

22:47

Whitney explores patterns around adult children who mimic their parents' harmful behaviors, the complexities of maintaining boundaries when a parent struggles with addiction, and how illness can be weaponized in estranged families. In the Q&A, she answers a caller's question about navigating grandparent illness during estrangement. 00:00 Introducti…

1
Analyzing Prime Video's The Girlfriend | Mother-Son Enmeshment and Emotional Incest 37:09

3M ago37:09

37:09

Whitney analyzes the Amazon Prime show "The Girlfriend" to explore mother-son enmeshment and emotional incest. She analyzes how the show illustrates blurred boundaries, guilt and manipulation, marital dysfunction, and the devastating long-term impacts on sons' ability to form healthy romantic relationships, connecting the fictional dynamics to real…

1
Healthy Relationship Advice for Women Who Value Love That Lasts | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:46:28

3M ago1:46:28

1:46:28

Healthy relationships are such a big part of self-love. But love, dating, and long-term partnership can feel complicated — especially when it comes to intimacy, communication, and navigating conflict. In this self-love podcast episode, we’re diving into relationship advice for women who value love that lasts. This is part of our “Best Of Mary’s Cup…

1
Break Up with the Rage Economy 21:36

3M ago21:36

21:36

Whitney reflects on how the "rage economy" of social media and news is destroying our mental health and capacity to connect with others. She explores how algorithms reward inflammatory content that keeps us trapped in cycles of anger and isolation. Later in the episode she highlights a positive example from Real Housewives of Orange County where a …

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Therapists Analyze the Viral Estranged Parents Video 1:13:19

3M ago1:13:19

1:13:19

Whitney Goodman teams up with therapist Kate Gray (@codependencykate) to analyze a viral YouTube video from an estranged parent with over 1.2 million views. They break down common patterns of defensiveness, emotional neglect, and deflection that prevent reconciliation, offering insights for both estranged adult children and estranged parents on how…

1
Female Friendships Advice for Women Who Crave Deeper Connection | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:18:56

3M ago1:18:56

1:18:56

This self love podcast is ALL about women empowerment, and friendships are such a key part of that. But female friendships in particular can feel complicated, especially as women navigate a world that often undervalues their emotional needs and social bonds. In this self-love podcast episode, we’re diving into friendship, connection, and how women …

1
The Enabling Parent Dilemma 26:18

3M ago26:18

26:18

Whitney breaks down dysfunctional family dynamics in Real Housewives of Miami and The Summer I Turned Pretty, then answers a caller's question about healing from the pain of having an enabling parent who failed to protect them from an abusive narcissistic parent. Enabling parents are often harder to process than overtly abusive ones and Whitney det…

1
How the Fawn Response Outsmarts Danger with Dr. Ingrid Clayton 36:56

3M ago36:56

36:56

Whitney Goodman interviews Dr. Ingrid Clayton about her new book "Fawning: Why the Need to Please Makes Us Lose Ourselves and How to Find Our Way Back." They explore fawning as the fourth trauma response, how it differs from people-pleasing and codependency, why children and marginalized people develop this survival strategy, and how it can masquer…

1
The Psychology Behind Netflix's Documentary: Unknown Number 35:37

3M ago35:37

35:37

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains major spoilers for the Netflix documentary "Unknown Number: The High School Catfish" Whitney analyzes the Netflix documentary by exploring the psychology behind extreme parental abuse and manipulation. She examines the case through the lens of child psychology, trauma bonding, and the devastating impact when a…

1
The Divorce Myth: What Actually Harms Children vs. What Helps Them Heal with Michelle Dempsey-Multack 47:22

3M ago47:22

47:22

Whitney interviews Michelle Dempsey-Multack about how to protect children during divorce and co-parenting. They debunk the myth that divorce inherently harms children, exploring how the quality of the divorce experience—not the divorce itself—determines the impact on kids. The conversation includes practical strategies for healthy co-parenting, int…

1
Body Love & Self Worth for Women Who Hate Beauty Standards | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 1:20:50

3M ago1:20:50

1:20:50

Body love can feel impossible in a world obsessed with beauty standards, especially for women. In this self love podcast episode, we’re diving into body love, self worth, and how women can navigate a world that often undervalues them. This is part of our “Best Of Mary’s Cup of Tea” series where you’ll hear a compilation of clips from our self love …

1
How to Grow Up 24:10

3M ago24:10

24:10

Too often the phrase “grow up” is code for ignoring your past and repressing your childhood trauma. This dismissive “get over it” mentality fails to ever reach a healthy emotional maturity. Join Whitney as she explores what it actually means to acknowledge your past, set boundaries, and embrace your adult power. Whitney Goodman is a Licensed Marria…

1
Eating Disorder Recovery Tools for Women Who Are DONE with Diet Culture | Best of Mary’s Cup of Tea 48:14

4M ago48:14

48:14

Eating disorder recovery is possible, even if it feels difficult at times. So many women struggle in silence with disordered eating and the constant pressure of diet culture, even if they’re not formally diagnosed with an eating disorder. In this special “Best Of” episode, I’m sharing some of the most powerful moments from our self-love podcast. An…

1
The Guilt of Calling Out Your Parents 26:23

4M ago26:23

26:23

In this Q&A episode, Whitney responds to a thoughtful listener question about self-reflection in family relationships - specifically when calling out parents' hurtful behavior makes them withdraw and feel bad about themselves leading to guilt about whether you're part of the problem. She also discusses Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's engagement the…

1
Can Estranged Families Reconcile? 42:40

4M ago42:40

42:40

Can estranged family relationships actually be repaired? Drawing from research on reconciliation, Whitney outlines the five core ingredients necessary for genuine repair - active empathetic listening, accountability, behavioral change, mutual willingness, and safety. Whitney distinguishes between genuine repair efforts and surface-level compliance,…

1
How to Love Yourself Through Bad Body Image Days 10:47

4M ago10:47

10:47

Many women phase bad body image days, especially in a world that equates beauty with self worth. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and struggled to feel comfortable in your skin, then this episode is for you. The relationship between body image and self-love is complex, but I’m here to remind you that body love is possible. By shifting our focus …

1
Q&A: Always the Scapegoat, Never the Golden Child 25:57

4M ago25:57

25:57

In this Q&A episode, Whitney reflects on the polarizing response to her recent "Dear Estranged Parents" episode and shares her feelings about being misunderstood while trying to help families. Later, she discusses reality TV dynamics from Real Housewives of Miami about family sacrifice and entitlement, then addresses a caller's question about why d…

1
Dear Estranged Parents 37:42

4M ago37:42

37:42

Whitney speaks directly to estranged parents from her experience working with hundreds of adult children who have cut contact with their families. She addresses common arguments from parents like "I have no idea why this happened," "I did the best I could," and "my children are remembering it wrong." She explains why these arguments often do more h…

1
How Diet Culture Hijacks Women’s Wellness w/ Christy Harrison, MPH (Encore) 1:25:03

4M ago1:25:03

1:25:03

Diet culture has a sneaky way of showing up everywhere. From weightloss plans disguised as “lifestyle changes” to wellness trends promising to heal everything from your skin to your soul. In this encore episode, I’m joined by Christy Harrison, MPH, RD—author of The Wellness Trap and Anti-Diet—to unpack how diet culture infiltrates the wellness worl…

1
Q&A: When Your Family Wants You as Their Human Shield 16:50

4M ago16:50

16:50

In this Q&A episode, Whitney addresses a caller whose siblings want them to attend their parents' 50th anniversary trip not out of love, but to serve as a buffer against their abusive parents' dysfunction - and how to handle the pressure when "no" isn't being accepted as an answer. She also discusses sibling dynamics from the Apple TV show "Smoke" …

1
Can Emotionally Mature Parents Raise Immature Kids? 29:36

4M ago29:36

29:36

In this solo episode, Whitney responds to the question: can emotionally mature parents still raise emotionally immature adult children? She breaks down the research on emotional transmission from parent to child, examining the roles of modeling, contingency responses, and coaching. Whitney discusses how temperament, bidirectional influence, and dev…