Parents want the best for their children. Children want to feel seen and heard. Somewhere between those two truths, communication often breaks down.
In this episode, therapist Crystal Rodenbaugh and I explore the complicated space between parents and their kids.
I share my own story of struggling to communicate with my father — how my stutter would resurface in his presence, and how unspoken expectations created tension neither of us knew how to name. 
Crystal brings her insight from years of therapy work, offering perspective on why parents often act out of anxiety, why children carry emotions silently, and how both sides can learn to truly listen.
At the center of it all is one theme: the power of feeling understood. Sometimes, being understood matters more than being right. It can be the difference between connection and distance, between repeating old patterns or starting fresh.
We even pull in a little cultural storytelling — like Taylor Swift’s lyrics — as a reminder that families aren’t alone in wrestling with identity, expectation, and love.
This is for every parent, every child, and anyone who’s ever felt lost in translation with the people they love most.
🎧 Listen now on:
Spotify
Apple Podcast
