You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic Parents

• How Cycle Breakers Can Survive the Holidays With a Toxic Family Without Burning Out

  In this short, grounding episode of the You’re Not Crazy Podcast, we’re talking about how cycle breakers can take care of themselves during the holidays when family dynamics are toxic, overwhelming, or emotionally unsafe. This is not about pushing through. It’s not about pretending everything is fine. And it’s not about forcing yourself into situations that cost you your nervous system. You’ll hear practical, compassionate ways to support yourself right now if you’re spiraling, avoiding family, or counting down the days until the holidays are over, including: How to help your body feel safe when holiday stress activates old trauma responses Why creating traditions that have nothing to do with your family matters more than you think Simple self check-ins to protect your energy and emotional capacity Permission to change your mind about plans as you learn what you can actually handle How to notice real progress, even if it feels small or imperfect You deserve tools that help you get through this season without abandoning yourself. And, if you want more support beyond this episode, here are a few things that can help: You’re Not Crazy: The Private FeedGet access to all archived episodes plus two bonus episodes every month, ad free.Join here for $5/month:https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private Confident Boundaries with Toxic ParentsThis self guided online course is the foundation for learning how to set boundaries that protect your nervous system while handling manipulation like guilt-tripping and gaslighting.Enroll here:https://www.confidentboundaries.com/course Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Why Changing Your Mind Feels “Wrong” When You Grow Up With Toxic Parents

  In today’s episode, Torie breaks down why cycle breakers panic-agree to things they don’t want to do, why your body goes into survival mode when you try to set limits, and why allowing yourself to change your mind is a crucial part of healing. Listen to learn: Why your nervous system floods when you’re put on the spot Why saying yes too quickly is a trauma response, not a personality flaw How to recognize when an impulsive commitment no longer aligns with your capacity Why changing your mind is a healthy, adult skill even if your parent “freaks out” How to start giving yourself permission to choose what’s right for you If the holidays are already feeling heavy, this episode will help you understand your reactions and move toward decisions that honor your time, energy, and wellbeing. • • • If you’re ready for step-by-step support in breaking these patterns, start with my foundational course Confident Boundaries with Toxic Parents. This is the first place to begin if you want to learn how to set limits without spiraling and stop abandoning yourself to keep the peace.https://www.confidentboundaries.com/course Want bonus episodes and an ad-free listening experience? Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed:https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private If this episode resonated, please leave a five-star review to help more cycle breakers find our show. Thank you! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Holiday Stress and Cycle Breaker Shame: What No One Talks About

  In this episode, we talk openly about cycle breaker shame, why it hits so hard after the holidays, and why these moments don’t define your growth. Listen to learn how to reconnect with the emotionally mature adult you’re working so hard to become. If the holidays brought up guilt, boundary struggles, or old wounds with a toxic parent, the next step is getting grounded support. Start with the Confident Boundaries with Toxic Parents course. It’s your clear, structured roadmap for learning to set limits without collapsing into guilt or fear:https://www.confidentboundaries.com/course For bonus episodes, archived episodes, and an ad-free experience, join the You’re Not Crazy Private Feed:https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Why You Feel So Triggered at the Holidays: Perfectionism, Toxic Parents, and What You Can Control

  This week’s episode breaks down why the holidays bring up so much dread, why perfectionism shows up so strongly for cycle breakers, and how to stay grounded when your family triggers you. Torie Wiksell, therapist and boundaries coach, shares: • Why “not being triggered” is not the goal • How perfectionism shows up for cycle breakers • What’s actually in your control this week • How to prepare for emotional flooding, guilt, and old survival mode • A realistic definition of “success” for adult children of toxic parents • How to navigate the holiday without dissociating or blaming yourself This episode is your reminder that complicated emotions don’t mean you’re failing. They mean you’re human. Want ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to the full archive of You’re Not Crazy? Join the Private Feed for $5/month. It’s the easiest way to support the show and get more cycle-breaker support in your week. Join here: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private And if you need more support with your own toxic parent, check out Confident Boundaries with Toxic Parents, Torie’s self-guided course that walks you step-by-step through setting boundaries, navigating guilt, and creating realistic strategies for dealing with toxic family dynamics. When you enroll this week, you’ll also get her Holiday Survival Guide for free: a practical, trauma-informed roadmap for navigating the season with clarity and confidence. Get immediate access at ConfidentBoundaries.com/course Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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• Why Your Boundaries With a Toxic Parent Keep Failing

  In today’s episode, Torie breaks down the 5 most common reasons boundaries with narcissistic, emotionally immature, and otherwise toxic parents fail, and the practical shifts that actually help them stick. Want ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, and access to the full archive of You’re Not Crazy? Join the Private Feed for $5/month. It’s the easiest way to support the show and get more cycle-breaker support in your week. Join here: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private And if you need more support with your own toxic parent, check out Confident Boundaries with Toxic Parents, Torie’s self-guided course that walks you step-by-step through setting boundaries, navigating guilt, and creating realistic strategies for dealing with toxic family dynamics. When you enroll this week, you’ll also get her Holiday Survival Guide for free: a practical, trauma-informed roadmap for navigating the season with clarity and confidence. Get immediate access at ConfidentBoundaries.com/course You deserve a peaceful holiday season, and you don’t have to wing it this year. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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