Forget Them Kids — Challenging the One-Sided Narrative of Family Estrangement

This is a controversial episode — and we want to hear from you.📞 Bite Your Tongue Phone Line: (719) 347-1106Call and share your thoughts, questions, or experiences.🎁 FREE BOOK GIVEAWAY:The first caller will receive a free copy of FCK Them Kids*. Leave your name and email.Family estrangement has gone mainstream — from Oprah to headlines about celebrity families — and the narrative is almost always the same: parents are to blame.But what if that story isn’t complete?In this emotionally charged and controversial episode, Denise is joined by psychologist and author Vivian King, PhD, whose book F* Them Kids* challenges what she calls the one-sided narrative of the estrangement epidemic. Vivian speaks candidly about her own experience with estrangement, the role of social media and therapy culture, and why many loving, non-abusive parents are being dehumanized and silenced.This conversation is not about dismissing adult children’s pain — it’s about expanding the dialogue, questioning cultural assumptions, and asking hard questions about accountability, boundaries, and dignity on both sides.Whether you agree or disagree, this episode invites you to listen with curiosity, courage, and an open mind.  We will talk about:The rise of “no contact” culture and the language of blameHow social media and online echo chambers reinforce estrangementWhen therapy helps — and when it harmsWhy many estranged parents are not abusive or neglectfulThe emotional toll of estrangement on parentsShould parents apologize “no matter what”?How to hold on to dignity, self-worth, and joy when a child cuts contactWhy this conversation makes so many people uncomfortable — and why it mattersPlease follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much. Facebook InstagramHuge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.  Support the showSupport the show  The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.