CALLING HOME with Whitney Goodman, LMFT

Calling Home

Family Dynamics

Estrangement

Mental Health

Family Relationships

Boundaries

Emotional Immaturity

Parenting

Childhood Trauma

Parent-Child Relationships

Therapy

Family Estrangement

Grief

Emotional Abuse

Parentification

Emotional Neglect

Emotional Maturity

Sibling Relationships

Generational Trauma

Narcissistic Family Systems

Boundary Setting

Whitney Goodman is a licensed marriage and family therapist and author on a mission to help adult family members have better relationships. Each week, Whitney has conversations with influential guests and real people to help listeners find new ways of looking at old family problems.Calling Home is available every Tuesday and Thursday wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/... more

773 ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	239	Founded	3 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	RelationshipsEducationSelf-ImprovementSociety & Culture

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Guests Host Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

When No Contact Doesn't Stop the Contact

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of emotional abuse, ongoing harassment, and a mention of suicidal ideation.

In this Q&A episode, Whitney answers a woman whose parents keep sending guilt-laden texts and showing up uninvited. In th... more

17 Sep 2026 • 28 min • Most popular

Abuse and Estrangement in Christian Fundamentalism with Stephanie Warren

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse and corporal punishment.

Stephanie Warren was taught that her parents beating her was proof of their love, because in the fundamentalist Christian world she grew up in, that was wha... more

15 Sep 2026 • 1 hr • Popular

I Asked For Space and They Sued Me

Content warning: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse and domestic violence.

In this Q&A episode, answers a question from a woman whose parents responded to her request for space by suing her for access to her children. In the second qu... more

10 Sep 2026 • 25 min

Why Can't I Be Me When I'm With You?

People don't walk into a therapist's office and say they're having a differentiation problem. They say they feel like a different person around their family, or that they have a whole life their parents know nothing about. Whitney walks through what ... more

8 Sep 2026 • 41 min

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Recent Guests

Stephanie Jo

Author, writer for The Strong-Willed Child sub-stack; grew up in a modern-day cult within evangelical Christian fundamentalism

The Strong-Willed Child (Substack)

Episode: Abuse and Estrangement in Christian Fundamentalism with Stephanie Warren

Creed Revere

Formerly estranged mother and estranged daughter, host of the Estranged Heart Podcast

Episode: What it’s Like On Both Sides of Estrangment With Kreed Revere

Rin Reczek

Professor of Sociology at Ohio State, family demographer, author of Families We Lose

Ohio State University

Episode: Are We in an Estrangement Epidemic?

Jon Lefrandt

Guest on Leave Then Cleave platform, part of the couple Lefrandt

Leave Then Cleave

Episode: We Tried to Set One Boundary and Lost 40 Family Members with Jon and Ashley Lefrandt

Ashley Lefrandt

Guest on Leave Then Cleave platform, part of the couple Lefrandt

Leave Then Cleave

Episode: We Tried to Set One Boundary and Lost 40 Family Members with Jon and Ashley Lefrandt

Emma Mahony

Therapist focused on family patterns, parentification, and conscious relationships

Self-employed / Therapy practice

Episode: Therapists React to Shameless and What the Show Gets Right About Parentification

Stephanie Lindeman

Group facilitator at CALLING HOME; runs the family estrangement group; dual-license therapist in Florida

Episode: Therapists React to Succession and What the Show Gets Right About Narcissistic Parents

Patrick Teahan

Therapist guest providing analysis of the show's dynamics

Episode: Toxic Mothers with Patrick Teahan | Therapists React to Animal Kingdom

Amanda White

Therapist and co-host of the podcast Nuance Needed

Therapy for Women Center

Episode: Therapists React to Gilmore Girls: Mother-in-Laws, Enmeshment, and Money

Host

Whitney Goodman

Licensed marriage and family therapist; host of CALLING HOME; focuses on estrangement, family dynamics, boundaries, and therapy-informed guidance.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 773 ratings

Love it! So validating
My therapist recommended this podcast to me and it’s been so helpful. I’ve been low contact/no contact with my family for over a decade and always felt so wrong about it, despite being much happier in other ways. It’s the only therapy podcast I like (and I’ve tried many). One thing I do notice is that is very heteronormative. It doesn’t ruin it for me but I notice it a lot.
Apple Podcasts
4
Cleopatra333
Canada2 months ago
Beautiful and extremely helpful podcast
I discovered this podcast in the last month and wow- it is like a warm soft blanket. As an adult that has been estranged from my mother for over 10 years, I always felt like “is it just me?” It is such a life saver to not feel alone.
Apple Podcasts
5
cwbean22
United States8 months ago
So helpful and informative
Thank you for sharing your work and expertise. The profound impact it has on my quality of life is beyond any grateful words I can write in a review. I never miss an episode, and revisit them when needed. Thank you
Apple Podcasts
5
jihanburger
United States8 months ago
I feel seen by this podcast
I’ve been struggling with estrangement for 30 years. In this podcast, Whitney and her guests say all the things I’ve thought but was afraid to truly feel. Their completely non-judgmental thoughtfulness and insights have helped me so much - highly recommended.
Apple Podcasts
5
NinaWrites
United Kingdom10 months ago
Must Listen for Anyone Navigating Difficult Family Relationships
Listening to this show has made a significant positive impact on my life. It has helped me better understand and navigate my relationship with both my family of origin and my in-laws. It has also helped me process my feelings around these complex and at times difficult relationships. Whitney provides thoughtful comments to listener questions and I really enjoy the pop culture commentary as a way to unpack family dysfunction.
Apple Podcasts
5
Koko Z.
United States10 months ago

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Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

High-quality guest selection and relatable discussions about family dynamics.

Thoughtful, well-researched episodes with actionable takeaways.

Sincere, validating guidance that helps people feel less alone in tough family situations.

Calming host with practical advice that combines therapy concepts with real-world scenarios.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#79	United States/Society & Culture/Relationships
Apple Podcasts	#120	United Kingdom/Society & Culture/Relationships
Apple Podcasts	#133	Canada/Society & Culture/Relationships
Apple Podcasts	#184	Australia/Society & Culture/Relationships
Apple Podcasts	#24	Netherlands/Society & Culture/Relationships
Apple Podcasts	#46	Finland/Society & Culture/Relationships

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

When No Contact Doesn't Stop the Contact

Q: How should I navigate therapy when my therapist questions the possibility of a relationship with undiagnosed parents who deny wrongdoing?

Whitney advises selecting a therapist who understands complex family trauma and emotional immaturity, and who can validate your experiences. She notes that therapy may involve clarifying goals (e.g., what kind of relationship is possible) and addressing patterns like over-explaining, while building self-trust and acknowledging past harms before attempting to repair the relationship.

When No Contact Doesn't Stop the Contact

Q: How can I stop contact from my abusive parents when boundary violations continue after I have no contact?

Whitney suggests you may need to block communication entirely and, if necessary, pursue legal avenues or restraining orders. She emphasizes documenting harassment and creating a safety plan, while recognizing the emotional difficulty of enforcing boundaries with parents and considering gradual steps like telling a family member to limit contact, but ultimately prioritizing personal safety and peace.

I Asked For Space and They Sued Me

Q: How can someone cope with a parent who chooses an abusive partner over their child and how should they think about future contact?

The host emphasizes recognizing that safety comes first, validating the child's lifelong harm, and considering boundaries that protect the child's well-being. She suggests focusing on your own safety and healing, understanding that repair may be possible if the parent acknowledges harm and changes, but ending or redefining contact is appropriate when safety cannot be ensured.

I Asked For Space and They Sued Me

Q: What is ambiguous loss, and how should people respond when their family situation doesn't fit normal scripts of grief?

Ambiguous loss is when a loved one is physically present but emotionally or mentally absent, creating a form of grief without closure. The host advises surrounding yourself with people who understand this type of loss, joining supportive groups, and not forcing forgiveness or reconciliation before you're ready, while also seeking a therapist who can validate nontraditional grief.

My Estrangement is Giving Me Migraines and Stomachaches

Q: I've been estranged from my parents, I've started to low-contact, but my body reacts with migraines and stomach aches every time they reach out. How do I move forward when my body says no?

Acknowledge body signals as valid data, use gradual exposure to rebuild safety, and treat contact as an experiment rather than a fixed state. Start with small, manageable interactions and increase as you feel safe, ensuring you do not accept abuse or manipulation. Balance detachment with intentional engagement to test whether you can tolerate contact while maintaining boundaries that protect your well-being.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About CALLING HOME

What is CALLING HOME about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on adult family dynamics, boundaries, estrangement, and practical strategies for navigating complex relationships with compassion and clarity. Hosted by a licensed therapist, it features conversations with guests and real listeners to unpack tough family issues, from boundary-setting and reconciliation to boundary maintenance and safety, often weaving in therapy-informed frameworks like radical acceptance and family systems concepts. Noteworthy are its actionable scripts, emphasis on caregiver teamwork, and a supportive community for ongoing growth, making it useful for listeners seeking healthier family interactions or guidance through painful family situations.

Where can I find podcast stats for CALLING HOME?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for CALLING HOME. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to CALLING HOME and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does CALLING HOME get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for CALLING HOME, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for CALLING HOME?

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How many subscribers and views does CALLING HOME have?

To see how many followers or subscribers CALLING HOME has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to CALLING HOME?

These podcasts share a similar audience with CALLING HOME:

1. Adult Child
2. Dear Dr. Tracy
3. We Can Do Hard Things
4. Therapy Chat
5. Mother Mayhem: For Daughters of Narcissistic or Emotionally Limited Mothers

How many episodes of CALLING HOME are there?

CALLING HOME launched 3 years ago and published 239 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact CALLING HOME?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for CALLING HOME?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for CALLING HOME from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for CALLING HOME?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of CALLING HOME. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on CALLING HOME?

Recent guests on CALLING HOME include:

1. Stephanie Jo
2. Creed Revere
3. Rin Reczek
4. Jon Lefrandt
5. Ashley Lefrandt
6. Emma Mahony
7. Stephanie Lindeman
8. Patrick Teahan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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