Episode 47: Toxic Parents with Josh Connolly

2025-03-28

Many people raised by toxic parents or caregivers don’t always recognize the abuse present in their upbringing. It’s often not until their adult relationships begin to break apart that they become aware of the abusive behavior patterns repeating from their childhood. In this episode, I’m joined by mental health advocate and best-selling author Josh Connolly for a powerful and honest conversation about what toxic parenting really looks like and its lasting impact. We talk about parents’ refusal to take accountability, how dysfunction gets pass...

In this episode, I’m joined by mental health advocate and best-selling author Josh Connolly for a powerful and honest conversation about what toxic parenting really looks like and its lasting impact. We talk about parents’ refusal to take accountability, how dysfunction gets passed off as the family “norm,” and why adult children carry guilt and shame about something they were once powerless to change.

Josh discusses his use of the word “toxic,” and how emotional abuse often flies under the radar. Josh also explains his “body first” approach to recovery, including how reconnecting with your body—and using tools like breathwork—can help regulate your nervous system and make space for emotional clarity.

We tackle the popular notion of having to forgive in order to move forward, offering our explanation as to why this is not always the case, and discuss the difference between forgiveness and acceptance .

If you’ve experienced an upbringing within the context of toxic parenting, and as a result, have difficulty trusting your own internal experiences, or feel guilty for setting boundaries, you’ll find this episode incredibly validating.

Episode Breakdown:

00:00 Introduction

03:06 Breathwork and Nervous System Regulation

05:23 Understanding Empathy and Boundaries

07:55 Defining Toxic Parents

09:00 Emotional Abuse and Power Dynamics

12:00 Misdiagnosis and Appropriate Reactions

17:10 Appropriate Reactions to Dysfunctional Environments

19:27 The Issue of Forgiveness

24:01 The Dangers of Pushing Forgiveness

27:06 Realizing the Truth About Toxic Upbringings

32:05 The Importance of Being Held and Supported