But They Did Their Best episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 13, 2026 · 34 MIN

But They Did Their Best

from Traumatically Speaking · host Sloan and Lex

In this episode of Traumatically Speaking, we talk about one of the most invalidating responses you can hear after sharing that you are no contact with your parents. “But they did their best.”We unpack why that phrase minimizes real harm, shuts down honest conversation, and places the responsibility for healing back onto the child instead of where it belongs.Through our own stories, we validate listeners who are tired of being told to forgive, understand, or minimize their experiences for the comfort of others.We also offer very non professional advice from two traumatized twin sisters with microphones on how to remind yourself that someone’s “best” can still be harmful, and that it is okay to be angry about it.This episode is for anyone learning that acknowledging what happened is not cruelty. It is clarity.Want a chance to have your story shared on the pod? Email us: [email protected] Remember: Write it in a story format, bullet points don't flow, and send it in a .pdf if ya nasty. ok love you bye, Lex & Sloan** We support and encourage therapy. If you are looking for a licensed therapist visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists We are not here to heal you, just to keep you company between sessions.

In this episode of Traumatically Speaking, we talk about one of the most invalidating responses you can hear after sharing that you are no contact with your parents. “But they did their best.”We unpack why that phrase minimizes real harm, shuts down honest conversation, and places the responsibility for healing back onto the child instead of where it belongs.Through our own stories, we validate listeners who are tired of being told to forgive, understand, or minimize their experiences for the comfort of others.We also offer very non professional advice from two traumatized twin sisters with microphones on how to remind yourself that someone’s “best” can still be harmful, and that it is okay to be angry about it.This episode is for anyone learning that acknowledging what happened is not cruelty. It is clarity.Want a chance to have your story shared on the pod? Email us: [email protected] Remember: Write it in a story format, bullet points don't flow, and send it in a .pdf if ya nasty. ok love you bye, Lex & Sloan** We support and encourage therapy. If you are looking for a licensed therapist visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists We are not here to heal you, just to keep you company between sessions.

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But They Did Their Best

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This episode was published on January 13, 2026.

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In this episode of Traumatically Speaking, we talk about one of the most invalidating responses you can hear after sharing that you are no contact with your parents. “But they did their best.”We unpack why that phrase minimizes real harm, shuts down...

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