Harriet Shearsmith

In this episode of Just Like Nana, host Amie (Elizabeth) Penny Sayler is joined by Harriet Shearsmith to discuss the balance between honoring our ancestors and drawing firm boundaries around destructive behavior. Together, they explore how ancestral trauma is unintentionally passed down through generations, share stories of personal family estrangements, and dive deep into what it truly means to be a cycle breaker. About HarrietHarriet Shearsmith is an accredited empowerment and life coach, trainee therapist, best-selling author, and content creator of over 10 years. She specialises in working with clients who have experienced childhood trauma and are navigating estrangement or toxic family relationships. Harriet is an award-winning blogger and writer of Unfollowing Mum (2024) and Mummin’ It (2021), and has written for and been featured in publications like Happiful Mag, Guardian, Telegraph, BBC, Daily Express, Metro, Internet Matters and more. Harriet is also an award-winning blogger, content creator behind @unfollowing_mum and @harrietshearsmith, and podcaster with over 250,000 social media followers and 100,000 downloads. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Generational trauma often moves through sneaky messages that evolve with each generation but maintain the same underlying thread of "you aren't good enough".Estrangement is rarely a whim; it is often the result of one party repeatedly asking for changed behavior and being met with gaslighting or a lack of accountability.Becoming a parent often gives you what you need to recognize unhealthy patterns, as we realize we would never want our own children to experience what we endured.Being a cycle breaker doesn't mean never making mistakes; it means having the courage to apologize to your children, own your "stuff," and engage in the repair process that builds secure relationships.ResourcesDr. Emma Svanberg: https://dremmasvanberg.com/  Connect with HarrietWebsite: https://harrietshearsmith.com/ @harrietshearsmith on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harrietshearsmith/?hl=en Unfollowing Mum Podcast: https://harrietshearsmith.com/podcast/ @unfollowing_mum on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unfollowing_mum/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsharrietshearsmith Harriet’s Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Harriet-Shearsmith/author/B08N6LV3ND?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1738847828&sr=1-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true Connect with the ShowDo you have a story about your family? We want to hear from you!Website: justlikenana.comShare Your Story: If you have a family story or trauma you’re exploring, reach out via our website for a chance to be interviewed.Connect with Just Like Nana's Website.A proud member of the Feminist Podcasters Collective.Theme music by Carter Penny.