You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders Thu, 14 May 2026 11:31:07 -0700 https://bleav.com/shows/youre-not-crazy-a-podcast-for-cycle-breakers-with-toxic-parents/ en-us © 2026 You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders yes Support this Podcast 4ac3a3d2-4ce9-546d-91e8-e9ef152aec11 Torie Wiksell episodic true Torie Wiksell, is no stranger to talking about toxic parents and dysfunctional family dynamics. As a therapist Torie focuses on supporting the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic personality disorders. She also grew up with a mother who had an unmanaged personality disorder and understands the uniquely complicated aspects of these relationships. Torie brings a refreshingly relatable perspective to navigating a complicated relationship with a parent who has BPD or narcissistic traits while instilling hope that things can get better and ensuring her listeners they are not alone. Follow Torie on TikTok: tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist Follow Torie on Instagram: instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist Learn more about navigating complicated parent relationships and find resources that can help at www.confidentboundaries.com Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy, nor is it a substitute for therapy. If you are in a mental health crisis, please contact the Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988. You're Not Crazy is a podcast owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) borderline personality disorder, toxic parents, narcissistic personality disorder, dysfunctional family, toxic parents, bpd mom, boundaries with parents, borderline mom, narcissist mother, narcissist father, narcissist parent, emotionally immature parents Torie Wiksell https://storage.buzzsprout.com/cq420hymn61qeds7omax9ptddelx?.jpg You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders https://bleav.com/shows/youre-not-crazy-a-podcast-for-cycle-breakers-with-toxic-parents/ Torie Wiksell How to Cope With Mother's Day Hangover When You Have a Mom with Borderline or Narcissistic Traits How to Cope With Mother's Day Hangover When You Have a Mom with Borderline or Narcissistic Traits That heavy, drained, slightly nauseous feeling you've been carrying around since Sunday? You're not alone.

If you grew up with a narcissistic mom or a mom with borderline personality disorder, Mother's Day doesn't simply end when the day ends. The emotional hangover that follows can be just as heavy as the lead-up, and it can leave you replaying every interaction, every word, every moment you wish you'd handled differently.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • Why the days after Mother's Day are so hard for so many cycle breakers
  • Common ways cycle breakers spiral after a difficult interaction (and why shame and guilt are part of the package)
  • A reminder of what your actual job is when you're emotionally depleted (hint: it's not deep self-reflection)
  • Why meeting your basic needs is the most productive thing you can do this week
  • How to gently reflect on what worked, if your weekend went better than expected

If you're being really hard on yourself this week, let this episode be the gentle reframe that you need.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie's self-guided course for adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself. Get it at confidentboundaries.com.

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> That heavy, drained, slightly nauseous feeling you've been carrying around since Sunday? You're not alone.

If you grew up with a narcissistic mom or a mom with borderline personality disorder, Mother's Day doesn't simply end when the day ends. The emotional hangover that follows can be just as heavy as the lead-up, and it can leave you replaying every interaction, every word, every moment you wish you'd handled differently.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • Why the days after Mother's Day are so hard for so many cycle breakers
  • Common ways cycle breakers spiral after a difficult interaction (and why shame and guilt are part of the package)
  • A reminder of what your actual job is when you're emotionally depleted (hint: it's not deep self-reflection)
  • Why meeting your basic needs is the most productive thing you can do this week
  • How to gently reflect on what worked, if your weekend went better than expected

If you're being really hard on yourself this week, let this episode be the gentle reframe that you need.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie's self-guided course for adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself. Get it at confidentboundaries.com.

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Torie Wiksell Buzzsprout-19167700 Tue, 12 May 2026 16:00:00 -0700 768 bpd parents, narcisstic parents, narcissist mom full true Why "I'll Never Lose My Temper Again" Backfires When You're a Cycle Breaker Raised by a Parent with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder Why "I'll Never Lose My Temper Again" Backfires When You're a Cycle Breaker Raised by a Parent with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder If you grew up with a parent who has borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, you know what it's like to have a crystal clear picture of what patterns you don’t want to repeat. 

The problem is that picture doesn't come with instructions for what it actually requires to do things differently, and that gap is where so many cycle breakers get stuck in a painful loop of tolerating too much, hitting a wall, and drowning in shame.

Whether you're a parent yourself, navigating your relationships, or just trying to figure out why you keep ending up in the same place, this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • The well-intentioned mistake almost every cycle breaker makes when they catch themselves acting like the parent they swore they'd never become
  • The exact moment the "I'll never do that again" promise gets made, and why it sets you up to feel more shame the next time you slip
  • The difference between white knuckling your way through and actually building a skill set that holds up when you're stressed and overwhelmed
  • How to swap self-judgment for curiosity when you notice yourself stuck in a familiar cycle
  • A reframe that takes these patterns out of "personal failure" territory and puts them where they actually belong: a skill deficit you can work on
If you've been holding it together with sheer willpower and bracing for the next time you slip, this one is a deep breath for you.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie's self-guided course for the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself.

Get it at confidentboundaries.com.

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> If you grew up with a parent who has borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, you know what it's like to have a crystal clear picture of what patterns you don’t want to repeat. 

The problem is that picture doesn't come with instructions for what it actually requires to do things differently, and that gap is where so many cycle breakers get stuck in a painful loop of tolerating too much, hitting a wall, and drowning in shame.

Whether you're a parent yourself, navigating your relationships, or just trying to figure out why you keep ending up in the same place, this episode is for you.

In this episode you'll learn:

  • The well-intentioned mistake almost every cycle breaker makes when they catch themselves acting like the parent they swore they'd never become
  • The exact moment the "I'll never do that again" promise gets made, and why it sets you up to feel more shame the next time you slip
  • The difference between white knuckling your way through and actually building a skill set that holds up when you're stressed and overwhelmed
  • How to swap self-judgment for curiosity when you notice yourself stuck in a familiar cycle
  • A reframe that takes these patterns out of "personal failure" territory and puts them where they actually belong: a skill deficit you can work on
If you've been holding it together with sheer willpower and bracing for the next time you slip, this one is a deep breath for you.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie's self-guided course for the adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself.

Get it at confidentboundaries.com.

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 25b2c445-0372-4af1-9d23-ad416e5e7a71 Tue, 05 May 2026 09:47:00 -0700 945 true How to Survive Mother's Day When You Have a Mom with Borderline or Narcissistic Traits How to Survive Mother's Day When You Have a Mom with Borderline or Narcissistic Traits When you grow up with a narcissistic mom or a mom with borderline personality disorder, Mother's Day hits different. The whole holiday is built on a story that doesn't match your reality, and it can feel like there’s no space for the reality you actually lived. 

Whether you're still in contact, low contact, no contact, or your mom has passed away, this day can bring up a complicated mix of feelings for adults who grew up with a mom who had borderline or narcissistic traits.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Why Mother's Day is uniquely painful for adult children of narcissistic and BPD parents
  • The different challenges of navigating Mother’s Day when you are in-contact, no-contact, or your mom has passed
  • A simple exercise for making hard decisions (like whether to go to brunch, send a gift, or call)
  • How to be intentional about social media exposure on Mother's Day instead of doomscrolling into a spiral
  • What it actually looks like to cycle break on a hard day, not perfection, just kinder choices
If you're heading into Mother's Day bracing yourself, this one is for you.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie’s self-guided course for adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself. 

Get it at https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> When you grow up with a narcissistic mom or a mom with borderline personality disorder, Mother's Day hits different. The whole holiday is built on a story that doesn't match your reality, and it can feel like there’s no space for the reality you actually lived. 

Whether you're still in contact, low contact, no contact, or your mom has passed away, this day can bring up a complicated mix of feelings for adults who grew up with a mom who had borderline or narcissistic traits.

In this episode you’ll learn:

  • Why Mother's Day is uniquely painful for adult children of narcissistic and BPD parents
  • The different challenges of navigating Mother’s Day when you are in-contact, no-contact, or your mom has passed
  • A simple exercise for making hard decisions (like whether to go to brunch, send a gift, or call)
  • How to be intentional about social media exposure on Mother's Day instead of doomscrolling into a spiral
  • What it actually looks like to cycle break on a hard day, not perfection, just kinder choices
If you're heading into Mother's Day bracing yourself, this one is for you.

The Cycle Breaker's Vault is Torie’s self-guided course for adult children of parents with borderline and narcissistic traits covering dysfunctional family dynamics, boundaries, manipulation, grief, and reconnecting with yourself. 

Get it at https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Follow Torie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 

Follow Torie on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) b37e0bed-f21f-4f96-8dad-d932a3a6a206 Tue, 28 Apr 2026 12:06:00 -0700 1355 true It's Not Just Your Parent. It's Your Whole Family System. It's Not Just Your Parent. It's Your Whole Family System. In this episode, Torie breaks down why dysfunctional families are so resistant to change, what actually happens when you bring new boundaries and skills back into your family, and why the pushback you're experiencing is not a sign you’re doing things wrong.

Listen to learn:

  • What sets a healthy-ish family apart from a dysfunctional one
  • Why your family's behavior can get worse when you start growing
  • Why pushback is not a sign you're doing something wrong
  • How to stop letting resistance talk you out of your boundaries
  • How to start making decisions based on who your family actually is today
If you've ever felt like the black sheep for simply trying to be an emotionally healthier version of yourself, this one is for you.

Go deeper on boundaries, radical acceptance, and understanding your family system inside The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
 https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, Torie breaks down why dysfunctional families are so resistant to change, what actually happens when you bring new boundaries and skills back into your family, and why the pushback you're experiencing is not a sign you’re doing things wrong.

Listen to learn:

  • What sets a healthy-ish family apart from a dysfunctional one
  • Why your family's behavior can get worse when you start growing
  • Why pushback is not a sign you're doing something wrong
  • How to stop letting resistance talk you out of your boundaries
  • How to start making decisions based on who your family actually is today
If you've ever felt like the black sheep for simply trying to be an emotionally healthier version of yourself, this one is for you.

Go deeper on boundaries, radical acceptance, and understanding your family system inside The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
 https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 4c82fbdd-1a9c-48a1-9604-53a15cad1dfe Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:54:00 -0700 1289 true What It’s Like to Have a Parent with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder What It’s Like to Have a Parent with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder In this episode, I walk you through:

  • What patterns are common in narcissistic vs. borderline personality disorder
  • Why the diagnosis itself isn’t what matters most
  • What it feels like to grow up as a child dealing with a parent with these dynamics
  • The key differences in behavior, motivation, and emotional impact
  • Why these relationships feel so confusing, intense, and destabilizing
We also talk about emotional volatility, lack of empathy, and why being emotionally vulnerable with these parents isn’t a good idea.

Show Notes:

Get started with The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
 https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, I walk you through:

  • What patterns are common in narcissistic vs. borderline personality disorder
  • Why the diagnosis itself isn’t what matters most
  • What it feels like to grow up as a child dealing with a parent with these dynamics
  • The key differences in behavior, motivation, and emotional impact
  • Why these relationships feel so confusing, intense, and destabilizing
We also talk about emotional volatility, lack of empathy, and why being emotionally vulnerable with these parents isn’t a good idea.

Show Notes:

Get started with The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
 https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 8a4deefe-3f38-490c-ad4a-5d53269c8967 Tue, 14 Apr 2026 12:03:00 -0700 1975 true Breaking the Cycle Is Complicated: Here’s a Roadmap Breaking the Cycle Is Complicated: Here’s a Roadmap If you grew up with a parent who had narcissistic or borderline traits, chances are no one ever showed you what being an emotionally healthy adult actually looks like.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why healing feels so confusing, messy, and unclear and what you actually need in order to move forward.

We’re talking about:

  • Why “I don’t want to be like them” isn’t enough to create healthy change
  • The skills cycle breakers were never taught growing up
  • How dysfunctional family systems create blind spots
  • What it actually takes to break the cycle
I’m also walking you through the exact framework I use inside The Cycle Breaker’s Vault so you can see what a real, practical roadmap looks like.

Show Notes:

Get started with The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> If you grew up with a parent who had narcissistic or borderline traits, chances are no one ever showed you what being an emotionally healthy adult actually looks like.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why healing feels so confusing, messy, and unclear and what you actually need in order to move forward.

We’re talking about:

  • Why “I don’t want to be like them” isn’t enough to create healthy change
  • The skills cycle breakers were never taught growing up
  • How dysfunctional family systems create blind spots
  • What it actually takes to break the cycle
I’m also walking you through the exact framework I use inside The Cycle Breaker’s Vault so you can see what a real, practical roadmap looks like.

Show Notes:

Get started with The Cycle Breaker's Vault: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/goeNciz9/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist
https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 94602b15-280b-450a-8d06-68ff8f789c52 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 12:31:00 -0700 1024 true Does Your Parent Mean to Hurt You? Why Intent Doesn’t Matter (and What Actually Does) Does Your Parent Mean to Hurt You? Why Intent Doesn’t Matter (and What Actually Does) When you grow up with an emotionally unpredictable or narcissistic parent, it’s easy to get stuck trying to figure out their intent especially when there were both good and painful moments.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why that question keeps you stuck and what actually matters when it comes to healing and setting boundaries.

Because the truth is, it’s not about whether they mean to hurt you. It’s about what they continue to do and how it impacts you.

Show Notes:

Get a free sneak peak into The Cycle Breaker's Vault (use code VAULT50 until 4/9 to get $50 off the entire course): https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/dWG3vaJd/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 
https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> When you grow up with an emotionally unpredictable or narcissistic parent, it’s easy to get stuck trying to figure out their intent especially when there were both good and painful moments.

In this episode, we’re breaking down why that question keeps you stuck and what actually matters when it comes to healing and setting boundaries.

Because the truth is, it’s not about whether they mean to hurt you. It’s about what they continue to do and how it impacts you.

Show Notes:

Get a free sneak peak into The Cycle Breaker's Vault (use code VAULT50 until 4/9 to get $50 off the entire course): https://www.confidentboundaries.com/offers/dWG3vaJd/checkout

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private 

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/ 

Follow Torie on Social:
https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist 
https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) abf1502b-0547-43c2-845d-00f1fe2081bb Tue, 31 Mar 2026 17:18:00 -0700 880 true Why You Intellectualize Your Feelings (and Why It’s So Hard to Stop) Why You Intellectualize Your Feelings (and Why It’s So Hard to Stop) In this episode, I’m talking about why that happens and why “just feel your feelings” isn’t actually helpful for most people who grew up in chaotic or emotionally unpredictable family environments.

When you grow up with a parent who lacks emotional regulation skills, you learn to analyze, anticipate, and problem-solve. Not because something is wrong with you, but because it helped you function in an environment that didn’t feel safe.

In this episode, we’ll get into:

-Why intellectualizing your emotions is a learned survival response
-Why feeling your emotions can feel unsafe or inaccessible
-The role safety plays in being able to process emotions
-Why you might feel stuck even if you want to heal

Healing isn’t about forcing yourself to feel more. It’s about creating enough safety to feel brave enough to feel.

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, I’m talking about why that happens and why “just feel your feelings” isn’t actually helpful for most people who grew up in chaotic or emotionally unpredictable family environments.

When you grow up with a parent who lacks emotional regulation skills, you learn to analyze, anticipate, and problem-solve. Not because something is wrong with you, but because it helped you function in an environment that didn’t feel safe.

In this episode, we’ll get into:

-Why intellectualizing your emotions is a learned survival response
-Why feeling your emotions can feel unsafe or inaccessible
-The role safety plays in being able to process emotions
-Why you might feel stuck even if you want to heal

Healing isn’t about forcing yourself to feel more. It’s about creating enough safety to feel brave enough to feel.

Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Learn more about therapy with Torie:
https://toriewikselltherapy.com/

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) de064569-8f3e-4ea2-a7fe-138c9e29b161 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 11:32:00 -0700 971 true Forgiveness Is Overrated: What Actually Helps You Heal from a Toxic Parent Forgiveness Is Overrated: What Actually Helps You Heal from a Toxic Parent In this episode, we’re talking about:

  • Why forgiveness is often misunderstood
  • Why you don’t need to forgive your parent to heal
  • How focusing on forgiveness can actually keep you stuck
  • The difference between forgiveness and healing
  • Why acceptance is what actually helps you move forward
  • What “radical acceptance” looks like in real life
Listen to learn more about the fallacy of forgiveness and what it actually takes to heal from growing up within a dysfunctional family system.

Interested in therapy with Torie?
If you’re an adult living in California, Oregon, or Washington and are interested in working together in therapy, you can learn more and schedule a free phone consultation here:

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

Support the show and get more episodes
Join the private podcast feed for access to bonus episodes, archived episodes, and ad-free versions of all new episodes:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/youre-not-crazy-podcast

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, we’re talking about:

  • Why forgiveness is often misunderstood
  • Why you don’t need to forgive your parent to heal
  • How focusing on forgiveness can actually keep you stuck
  • The difference between forgiveness and healing
  • Why acceptance is what actually helps you move forward
  • What “radical acceptance” looks like in real life
Listen to learn more about the fallacy of forgiveness and what it actually takes to heal from growing up within a dysfunctional family system.

Interested in therapy with Torie?
If you’re an adult living in California, Oregon, or Washington and are interested in working together in therapy, you can learn more and schedule a free phone consultation here:

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

Support the show and get more episodes
Join the private podcast feed for access to bonus episodes, archived episodes, and ad-free versions of all new episodes:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/youre-not-crazy-podcast

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) c6dc4d85-0dd1-4bb6-a5e6-54a8c91aa6a2 Tue, 17 Mar 2026 12:52:00 -0700 1392 false The Basic Needs Cycle Breakers Often Ignore (And How This Wrecks Your Mental Health) The Basic Needs Cycle Breakers Often Ignore (And How This Wrecks Your Mental Health) In this episode, we’re going back to the basics and talking about why things like staying hydrated, eating enough, sleeping, and moving your body matter far more for your mental health than most people realize.

We cover:

• Why cycle breakers often disconnect from their own needs
• How dysfunctional family dynamics train you to ignore your basic needs
• The mental health impact of dehydration, hunger, and exhaustion
• Why boundaries are often required just to take care of yourself
• Simple ways to start prioritizing your basic needs again

Sometimes prioritizing your healing means something as simple as drinking enough water.

Interested in therapy with Torie?
If you’re an adult living in California, Oregon, or Washington and are interested in working together in therapy, you can learn more and schedule a free phone consultation here:

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

Support the show and get more episodes
Join the private podcast feed for access to bonus episodes, archived episodes, and ad-free versions of all new episodes:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/youre-not-crazy-podcast

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, we’re going back to the basics and talking about why things like staying hydrated, eating enough, sleeping, and moving your body matter far more for your mental health than most people realize.

We cover:

• Why cycle breakers often disconnect from their own needs
• How dysfunctional family dynamics train you to ignore your basic needs
• The mental health impact of dehydration, hunger, and exhaustion
• Why boundaries are often required just to take care of yourself
• Simple ways to start prioritizing your basic needs again

Sometimes prioritizing your healing means something as simple as drinking enough water.

Interested in therapy with Torie?
If you’re an adult living in California, Oregon, or Washington and are interested in working together in therapy, you can learn more and schedule a free phone consultation here:

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

Support the show and get more episodes
Join the private podcast feed for access to bonus episodes, archived episodes, and ad-free versions of all new episodes:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/youre-not-crazy-podcast

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 65f7cfee-1023-4bc3-8d89-b4f6c5fe83ce Tue, 10 Mar 2026 10:58:00 -0700 1073 true I Could Win a Gold Medal in Overexplaining Myself: Growing Up With a Narcissistic Parent I Could Win a Gold Medal in Overexplaining Myself: Growing Up With a Narcissistic Parent When you spend your childhood being misunderstood, projected onto, or told who you are instead of being seen for who you actually are, it makes sense that you carry that fear of being misunderstood into adulthood.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why adult children of narcissistic parents often overexplain themselves
• What it feels like to grow up being constantly misunderstood
• Why this pattern tends to show up more when you’re overwhelmed or depleted
• What real healing actually looks like when these habits still pop up

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the podcast + get access to bonus, archived, and ad-free episodes: Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the growth of the show and get access to bonus episodes, the entire archive, and ad-free new episodes each week! Join here:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> When you spend your childhood being misunderstood, projected onto, or told who you are instead of being seen for who you actually are, it makes sense that you carry that fear of being misunderstood into adulthood.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why adult children of narcissistic parents often overexplain themselves
• What it feels like to grow up being constantly misunderstood
• Why this pattern tends to show up more when you’re overwhelmed or depleted
• What real healing actually looks like when these habits still pop up

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the podcast + get access to bonus, archived, and ad-free episodes: Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the growth of the show and get access to bonus episodes, the entire archive, and ad-free new episodes each week! Join here:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 15894830-853e-4b2f-b0a1-2070cb3b195e Tue, 03 Mar 2026 15:15:00 -0800 1257 true The Guilt Trap: How This Tricky Emotion Keeps Cycle Breakers Stuck The Guilt Trap: How This Tricky Emotion Keeps Cycle Breakers Stuck In this episode, we explore:

  • Why guilt feels so overwhelming for adult children of emotionally immature and narcissistic parents
  • How dysfunctional family systems train you to equate guilt with being a bad person
  • The difference between healthy guilt and manipulative guilt
  • Why avoiding guilt keeps you stuck in the toxic cycle
  • How to approach difficult decisions without avoiding or agreeing to things beyond your capacity
Learning to sit with guilt instead of immediately jumping into avoidance or problem-solving mode is a skill that many of us cycle breakers were never taught. Listen to this episode to learn more about building the healthy skills necessary to confidently navigate guilt as a cycle breaker.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the podcast + get bonus episodes: Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the growth of the show and get access to bonus episodes, the entire archive, and ad-free new episodes each week! Join here:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode, we explore:

  • Why guilt feels so overwhelming for adult children of emotionally immature and narcissistic parents
  • How dysfunctional family systems train you to equate guilt with being a bad person
  • The difference between healthy guilt and manipulative guilt
  • Why avoiding guilt keeps you stuck in the toxic cycle
  • How to approach difficult decisions without avoiding or agreeing to things beyond your capacity
Learning to sit with guilt instead of immediately jumping into avoidance or problem-solving mode is a skill that many of us cycle breakers were never taught. Listen to this episode to learn more about building the healthy skills necessary to confidently navigate guilt as a cycle breaker.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the podcast + get bonus episodes: Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the growth of the show and get access to bonus episodes, the entire archive, and ad-free new episodes each week! Join here:

https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 2c655732-9bd7-4f45-b37f-c5c2dce38972 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 10:10:00 -0800 1235 true When Parents Say They’re “Walking on Eggshells” Around You: The Truth About Power, Boundaries, and Gaslighting When Parents Say They’re “Walking on Eggshells” Around You: The Truth About Power, Boundaries, and Gaslighting If you grew up with a parent who had narcissistic or borderline traits, you may have heard this when you started setting boundaries, going to therapy, or naming the dysfunction in your family.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we unpack:

  • Why “walking on eggshells” is not the same thing in a parent-child relationship
  • The lifelong power imbalance that doesn’t magically disappear when you turn 18
  • Why toxic parents often say this when you stop being compliant
  • How this narrative twists reality and creates a false “both sides” story
  • The subtle gaslighting behind “I have to walk on eggshells around you, too”

When a parent says this, it often isn’t about your behavior. It’s about their discomfort with accountability. It’s about losing control of a dynamic where you were expected to stay small, agreeable, and emotionally accommodating.

If you’ve started therapy, begun setting boundaries with a toxic parent, or noticed pushback when you stop playing your assigned role in the family, this episode will help you understand what’s actually happening.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the growth of the show and get access to bonus content by joining You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed. 

Plus, you'll get ad-free versions of all new episodes when you join:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> If you grew up with a parent who had narcissistic or borderline traits, you may have heard this when you started setting boundaries, going to therapy, or naming the dysfunction in your family.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we unpack:

  • Why “walking on eggshells” is not the same thing in a parent-child relationship
  • The lifelong power imbalance that doesn’t magically disappear when you turn 18
  • Why toxic parents often say this when you stop being compliant
  • How this narrative twists reality and creates a false “both sides” story
  • The subtle gaslighting behind “I have to walk on eggshells around you, too”

When a parent says this, it often isn’t about your behavior. It’s about their discomfort with accountability. It’s about losing control of a dynamic where you were expected to stay small, agreeable, and emotionally accommodating.

If you’ve started therapy, begun setting boundaries with a toxic parent, or noticed pushback when you stop playing your assigned role in the family, this episode will help you understand what’s actually happening.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Support the growth of the show and get access to bonus content by joining You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed. 

Plus, you'll get ad-free versions of all new episodes when you join:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 4664dcc8-2fea-4fcc-a7b6-db1518e30584 Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:39:00 -0800 998 true When Dysfunction Is “Normal”: Subtle Emotional Abuse in Toxic Families and Why It’s So Damaging When Dysfunction Is “Normal”: Subtle Emotional Abuse in Toxic Families and Why It’s So Damaging In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, therapist and boundaries coach Torie Wiksell breaks down common behaviors that toxic families often label as “normal,” but that are actually deeply damaging and abusive. We talk about why these dynamics are so confusing, why they impact you as deeply as they do, and why your reactions are not a personal flaw.

You’ll learn:

  • Why emotional and psychological abuse in families is often minimized or dismissed
  • How power and control shape parent-child dynamics, even in adulthood
  • Why stonewalling, silent treatment, shaming, and gaslighting are not “just family stuff”
  • How abuse creates confusion, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion over time
  • How naming abuse accurately can be a powerful step toward clarity and healing
If you’ve ever questioned whether it was “really that bad,” struggled to trust your own emotional reactions, or felt drawn to content about toxic parents while doubting your experience, this episode offers grounding, validation, and context.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Love the podcast? Support the show (and get access to bonus content)

Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and access to archived episodes by joining You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Schedule a Therapy Phone Consultation

If you’re interested in talking about working with Torie in therapy, use the following link to schedule a free phone consultation. Must be located in CA, OR, or WA.

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

If this episode was helpful, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, therapist and boundaries coach Torie Wiksell breaks down common behaviors that toxic families often label as “normal,” but that are actually deeply damaging and abusive. We talk about why these dynamics are so confusing, why they impact you as deeply as they do, and why your reactions are not a personal flaw.

You’ll learn:

  • Why emotional and psychological abuse in families is often minimized or dismissed
  • How power and control shape parent-child dynamics, even in adulthood
  • Why stonewalling, silent treatment, shaming, and gaslighting are not “just family stuff”
  • How abuse creates confusion, self-doubt, and emotional exhaustion over time
  • How naming abuse accurately can be a powerful step toward clarity and healing
If you’ve ever questioned whether it was “really that bad,” struggled to trust your own emotional reactions, or felt drawn to content about toxic parents while doubting your experience, this episode offers grounding, validation, and context.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

Love the podcast? Support the show (and get access to bonus content)

Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and access to archived episodes by joining You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Schedule a Therapy Phone Consultation

If you’re interested in talking about working with Torie in therapy, use the following link to schedule a free phone consultation. Must be located in CA, OR, or WA.

https://toriewikselltherapy.com/schedule

If this episode was helpful, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 6fe6c99a-cd5b-4a5f-a254-73cdbd8d9306 Tue, 10 Feb 2026 03:37:00 -0800 1136 true Why Setting Boundaries With Toxic Parents Is So Hard (And What Most People Get Wrong) Why Setting Boundaries With Toxic Parents Is So Hard (And What Most People Get Wrong) In this episode of You're Not Crazy, I walk through the most common reasons boundaries fail with narcissistic, emotionally immature, and toxic parents. Not because you did it wrong, but because most people are taught a version of boundaries that doesn’t account for manipulation, emotional dysregulation, guilt, or the survival responses cycle breakers carry into adulthood.

We talk about:

-Why using the word “boundary” often backfires with toxic parents

-What a boundary actually is (and why it’s about your behavior, not controlling theirs)

-How toxic parents escalate when they feel dysregulated or lose access to you

-Why guilt, panic, and urgency show up after you set limits

-How not enforcing a boundary teaches your parent to push harder

-Why boundaries without an enforcement plan almost always collapse

This episode is especially for adults who intellectually understand boundaries but still find themselves caving when their parent panics, guilt-trips, or emotionally escalates. If you’ve ever thought, “I know what I should do, but I can’t seem to follow through,” this conversation will give you clarity and language for what’s really happening.

This is also why boundary work with toxic parents requires more than scripts or one-off advice. It requires understanding the family system, the manipulation tactics, and your own nervous system responses so you can follow through without self-abandoning.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

And if you want access to more episodes of the podcast, sign up for You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed. You'll be supporting the growth of the show while getting access to archived, bonus, and ad-free episodes of You're Not Crazy:
confidentboundaries.com/private 

If this episode helped put words to something you’ve been struggling with, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show and feel less alone.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode of You're Not Crazy, I walk through the most common reasons boundaries fail with narcissistic, emotionally immature, and toxic parents. Not because you did it wrong, but because most people are taught a version of boundaries that doesn’t account for manipulation, emotional dysregulation, guilt, or the survival responses cycle breakers carry into adulthood.

We talk about:

-Why using the word “boundary” often backfires with toxic parents

-What a boundary actually is (and why it’s about your behavior, not controlling theirs)

-How toxic parents escalate when they feel dysregulated or lose access to you

-Why guilt, panic, and urgency show up after you set limits

-How not enforcing a boundary teaches your parent to push harder

-Why boundaries without an enforcement plan almost always collapse

This episode is especially for adults who intellectually understand boundaries but still find themselves caving when their parent panics, guilt-trips, or emotionally escalates. If you’ve ever thought, “I know what I should do, but I can’t seem to follow through,” this conversation will give you clarity and language for what’s really happening.

This is also why boundary work with toxic parents requires more than scripts or one-off advice. It requires understanding the family system, the manipulation tactics, and your own nervous system responses so you can follow through without self-abandoning.

Follow Torie on Social:

https://www.instagram.com/cyclebreakertherapist

https://www.tiktok.com/@cyclebreakertherapist

And if you want access to more episodes of the podcast, sign up for You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed. You'll be supporting the growth of the show while getting access to archived, bonus, and ad-free episodes of You're Not Crazy:
confidentboundaries.com/private 

If this episode helped put words to something you’ve been struggling with, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show and feel less alone.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) db7eee76-bbeb-4b36-8bfd-1746e2febbe2 Tue, 03 Feb 2026 10:11:00 -0800 986 true Why This Feels So Familiar: Toxic Parents, Abuse, and What’s Happening in the U.S. Why This Feels So Familiar: Toxic Parents, Abuse, and What’s Happening in the U.S. The gaslighting, denial, deflection, and rewriting of reality mirror the dynamics many adults grew up with in toxic or narcissistic family systems. Torie explains how ongoing trauma impacts emotional capacity, why trauma that is still happening cannot be healed (only coped with), and how the pressure to respond perfectly often leads to paralysis.

For listeners who feel overwhelmed, stuck, and at a loss for how to move forward right now, this episode provides context, validation, and grounded perspective.

Support the podcast and listen ad-free
Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for bonus and archived episodes plus ad-free listening:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> The gaslighting, denial, deflection, and rewriting of reality mirror the dynamics many adults grew up with in toxic or narcissistic family systems. Torie explains how ongoing trauma impacts emotional capacity, why trauma that is still happening cannot be healed (only coped with), and how the pressure to respond perfectly often leads to paralysis.

For listeners who feel overwhelmed, stuck, and at a loss for how to move forward right now, this episode provides context, validation, and grounded perspective.

Support the podcast and listen ad-free
Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for bonus and archived episodes plus ad-free listening:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 6fabe20d-5414-4a35-aa37-2b501ad3d62b Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:54:00 -0800 1142 true Breaking the Cycle Is Messy: Learning How to Be an Emotionally Healthy Adult Breaking the Cycle Is Messy: Learning How to Be an Emotionally Healthy Adult Most cycle breakers know exactly what they don’t want to repeat. But knowing what not to do is very different from knowing how to be an emotionally healthy adult, especially when emotional regulation, boundaries, and healthy relationships were never modeled for you.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we talk about why learning emotional health as a cycle breaker is often messy, uncomfortable, and filled with shame. We explore the fear of “becoming your parent,” the pressure to get it right immediately, and the black-and-white thinking that makes normal struggles feel like personal failures.

This episode covers:

-Why most cycle breakers start adulthood without the skills they need

-How growing up with explosive, punishing, or emotionally unavailable parents shapes your relationship with emotions

-Why suppressing feelings, intellectualizing, or trying to be “easy” creates problems as an adult

-The difference between struggling emotionally and being emotionally unsafe

-Why emotional health is built through skill-building, accountability, and repair, not perfection

-How shame keeps cycle breakers stuck and what helps loosen its grip

If you’re deeply invested in becoming an emotionally healthy adult but feel discouraged by your imperfections, this episode is for you.

Support the podcast:
Subscribe to You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for bonus episodes, archived content, and ad-free listening for $5/month. Your support helps grow the podcast while giving you access to additional content. Thank you!
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

If this episode resonated, please consider leaving a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find our show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Most cycle breakers know exactly what they don’t want to repeat. But knowing what not to do is very different from knowing how to be an emotionally healthy adult, especially when emotional regulation, boundaries, and healthy relationships were never modeled for you.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we talk about why learning emotional health as a cycle breaker is often messy, uncomfortable, and filled with shame. We explore the fear of “becoming your parent,” the pressure to get it right immediately, and the black-and-white thinking that makes normal struggles feel like personal failures.

This episode covers:

-Why most cycle breakers start adulthood without the skills they need

-How growing up with explosive, punishing, or emotionally unavailable parents shapes your relationship with emotions

-Why suppressing feelings, intellectualizing, or trying to be “easy” creates problems as an adult

-The difference between struggling emotionally and being emotionally unsafe

-Why emotional health is built through skill-building, accountability, and repair, not perfection

-How shame keeps cycle breakers stuck and what helps loosen its grip

If you’re deeply invested in becoming an emotionally healthy adult but feel discouraged by your imperfections, this episode is for you.

Support the podcast:
Subscribe to You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for bonus episodes, archived content, and ad-free listening for $5/month. Your support helps grow the podcast while giving you access to additional content. Thank you!
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

If this episode resonated, please consider leaving a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find our show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 3dd357c2-20b1-44ea-a421-3579be958dae Tue, 20 Jan 2026 10:49:00 -0800 1243 true Self-Doubt After Growing Up With a Toxic Parent: Why You Gaslight Yourself and How to Move Forward Self-Doubt After Growing Up With a Toxic Parent: Why You Gaslight Yourself and How to Move Forward Self-doubt is one of the most common and paralyzing struggles for cycle breakers. In this episode of the You’re Not Crazy Podcast, Torie explains why chronic self-doubt is not a personality flaw, but a trauma response rooted in long-term gaslighting and emotional invalidation.

You’ll learn how growing up in a toxic family system trains you to distrust your own memories, emotions, and decisions, and why self-doubt often shows up most intensely when you start setting boundaries, becoming more assertive, or trying to live differently than your family expects. Torie breaks down how “self-gaslighting” develops, why it makes adult decision-making feel overwhelming, and how awareness can help you stop treating this voice as truth.

This episode is especially relevant if you:

Were told you were too sensitive, dramatic, or wrong about your experiences

Second-guess your boundaries and feel tempted to backtrack

Freeze when making decisions because you are afraid of choosing wrong

Feel stuck even though you are trying to heal and break the cycle

Most importantly, this conversation reframes self-doubt as a normal byproduct of growing up in a dysfunctional family, not evidence that you are incapable, broken, or failing at healing.

You’re Not Crazy: The Private Podcast Feed
Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and full access to archived episodes.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

If this episode resonated, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Self-doubt is one of the most common and paralyzing struggles for cycle breakers. In this episode of the You’re Not Crazy Podcast, Torie explains why chronic self-doubt is not a personality flaw, but a trauma response rooted in long-term gaslighting and emotional invalidation.

You’ll learn how growing up in a toxic family system trains you to distrust your own memories, emotions, and decisions, and why self-doubt often shows up most intensely when you start setting boundaries, becoming more assertive, or trying to live differently than your family expects. Torie breaks down how “self-gaslighting” develops, why it makes adult decision-making feel overwhelming, and how awareness can help you stop treating this voice as truth.

This episode is especially relevant if you:

Were told you were too sensitive, dramatic, or wrong about your experiences

Second-guess your boundaries and feel tempted to backtrack

Freeze when making decisions because you are afraid of choosing wrong

Feel stuck even though you are trying to heal and break the cycle

Most importantly, this conversation reframes self-doubt as a normal byproduct of growing up in a dysfunctional family, not evidence that you are incapable, broken, or failing at healing.

You’re Not Crazy: The Private Podcast Feed
Get ad-free episodes, bonus content, and full access to archived episodes.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

If this episode resonated, please leave a five-star review to help other cycle breakers find the show.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 26e0cf6e-f920-4ffb-8e1f-9cd6fe0928d4 Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:47:00 -0800 1131 true Cycle Breaking in 2026: Diagnoses, Grief, and the Reality of Loving a Toxic Parent Cycle Breaking in 2026: Diagnoses, Grief, and the Reality of Loving a Toxic Parent This episode is about nuance. It’s about why labels like narcissistic personality disorder, borderline traits, or “toxic parent” can feel both clarifying and overwhelming, and why healing does not actually depend on getting a definitive diagnosis.

I talk about:

  • Why patterns of behavior matter more than labels

  • How gaslighting, emotional volatility, shame, and walking on eggshells shape adult children

  • Why many cycle breakers grow up in “two realities” with the same parent

  • The grief, relief, anger, and desire for connection that can coexist

  • How minimizing what you experienced can quietly train you to tolerate harm in other relationships

Want access to ad-free and archived episodes of You're Not Crazy?
Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for archived episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> This episode is about nuance. It’s about why labels like narcissistic personality disorder, borderline traits, or “toxic parent” can feel both clarifying and overwhelming, and why healing does not actually depend on getting a definitive diagnosis.

I talk about:

  • Why patterns of behavior matter more than labels

  • How gaslighting, emotional volatility, shame, and walking on eggshells shape adult children

  • Why many cycle breakers grow up in “two realities” with the same parent

  • The grief, relief, anger, and desire for connection that can coexist

  • How minimizing what you experienced can quietly train you to tolerate harm in other relationships

Want access to ad-free and archived episodes of You're Not Crazy?
Join You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed for archived episodes, bonus content, and ad-free listening.
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) a792224f-8d67-4be9-b135-103c3b2ebbc6 Tue, 06 Jan 2026 14:27:00 -0800 1561 true A Year of Reflection: Boundaries, Burnout, and What I’m Taking Into 2026 A Year of Reflection: Boundaries, Burnout, and What I’m Taking Into 2026 From navigating visibility as a therapist talking openly about toxic family systems, to setting boundaries around social media, content creation, and emotional labor, this episode is a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes to do this work sustainably as a cycle breaker.

Torie shares why she’s recommitting to the podcast, simplifying where her energy goes, and being more intentional about how and where she shows up. She also talks candidly about burnout, backlash, self doubt, and what it means to keep choosing growth when you were conditioned to stay small.

This episode covers:

-Personal reflections from a year of growth, visibility, and boundary setting

-The emotional cost of talking publicly about narcissistic and toxic parents

-Why simplifying is a form of healing, not quitting

-Reprioritizing the podcast and stepping back from what no longer fits

-Looking ahead to 2026 with more clarity, intention, and self trust

Are you loving the podcast?

Join You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the show and get access to bonus and archived episodes, plus ad-free versions of all new episodes:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> From navigating visibility as a therapist talking openly about toxic family systems, to setting boundaries around social media, content creation, and emotional labor, this episode is a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes to do this work sustainably as a cycle breaker.

Torie shares why she’s recommitting to the podcast, simplifying where her energy goes, and being more intentional about how and where she shows up. She also talks candidly about burnout, backlash, self doubt, and what it means to keep choosing growth when you were conditioned to stay small.

This episode covers:

-Personal reflections from a year of growth, visibility, and boundary setting

-The emotional cost of talking publicly about narcissistic and toxic parents

-Why simplifying is a form of healing, not quitting

-Reprioritizing the podcast and stepping back from what no longer fits

-Looking ahead to 2026 with more clarity, intention, and self trust

Are you loving the podcast?

Join You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed to support the show and get access to bonus and archived episodes, plus ad-free versions of all new episodes:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 9a6e66fb-a546-413d-a6a1-86fe924b3385 Tue, 30 Dec 2025 16:07:00 -0800 2258 true The Holidays Are Hard for Cycle Breakers (and Why You Don’t Need to Do Them Perfectly) The Holidays Are Hard for Cycle Breakers (and Why You Don’t Need to Do Them Perfectly) In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we talk about why the holidays feel so heavy when you grew up with a narcissistic, emotionally immature, or unpredictable parent. We explore why perfection is not possible, why black-and-white thinking keeps cycle breakers stuck, and why self-compassion is one of the most regulating tools you can practice during this time of year.

You’ll hear:

  • Why the holidays are uniquely triggering for adult children of toxic parents

  • How dissociation and “go go go” mode show up as survival responses

  • Why there is no perfect decision when family dynamics are complicated

  • How to notice when you are being harsh with yourself and interrupt that pattern

  • A personal story about navigating imperfect holidays as a cycle-breaking parent

This is a reminder that breaking the cycle does not require perfection. It requires flexibility, self-compassion, and learning to live in the gray.

If you’re looking for more support over the holidays, the You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed includes bonus episodes, archived content, and ad-free listening.
Join the private feed here: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we talk about why the holidays feel so heavy when you grew up with a narcissistic, emotionally immature, or unpredictable parent. We explore why perfection is not possible, why black-and-white thinking keeps cycle breakers stuck, and why self-compassion is one of the most regulating tools you can practice during this time of year.

You’ll hear:

  • Why the holidays are uniquely triggering for adult children of toxic parents

  • How dissociation and “go go go” mode show up as survival responses

  • Why there is no perfect decision when family dynamics are complicated

  • How to notice when you are being harsh with yourself and interrupt that pattern

  • A personal story about navigating imperfect holidays as a cycle-breaking parent

This is a reminder that breaking the cycle does not require perfection. It requires flexibility, self-compassion, and learning to live in the gray.

If you’re looking for more support over the holidays, the You’re Not Crazy: The Private Feed includes bonus episodes, archived content, and ad-free listening.
Join the private feed here: https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 219a29b4-d5eb-47de-9109-6eba19241fdd Tue, 23 Dec 2025 15:14:00 -0800 800 true How Cycle Breakers Can Survive the Holidays With a Toxic Family Without Burning Out 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 Feed
Get access to all archived episodes plus two bonus episodes every month, ad free.
Join here for $5/month:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> 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 Feed
Get access to all archived episodes plus two bonus episodes every month, ad free.
Join here for $5/month:
https://www.confidentboundaries.com/private

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) 7dbb37d7-665e-4fe9-9bae-5e889e948081 Mon, 15 Dec 2025 15:44:00 -0800 829 true The Loneliness of Being the Cycle Breaker The Loneliness of Being the Cycle Breaker If you’re breaking toxic cycles in a family marked by emotional immaturity, narcissism, or borderline traits, there’s something we don’t talk about enough: the profound loneliness that can come with healing.

You’re not just setting boundaries—you’re stepping out of the role your family expected you to play. Maybe you were the peacekeeper, the fixer, the golden child, or the scapegoat. But once you stop playing by the unspoken rules, the system fights to pull you back in.

What hurts the most is realizing your family often wants access to the old version of you—not the healthier, more boundaried version you’ve worked so hard to become. That rejection can feel like losing your family all over again.

This episode is for the cycle breakers—the ones doing the heavy lifting, often in silence, wondering if anyone else truly gets it.

You’ll learn:

  • Why healing often feels lonelier before it feels better
  • How to reframe your isolation as a sign of growth
  • Where to find real, mutual support outside of dysfunctional systems
Ready to connect with other cycle breakers? Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership: confidentboundaries.com/membership

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> If you’re breaking toxic cycles in a family marked by emotional immaturity, narcissism, or borderline traits, there’s something we don’t talk about enough: the profound loneliness that can come with healing.

You’re not just setting boundaries—you’re stepping out of the role your family expected you to play. Maybe you were the peacekeeper, the fixer, the golden child, or the scapegoat. But once you stop playing by the unspoken rules, the system fights to pull you back in.

What hurts the most is realizing your family often wants access to the old version of you—not the healthier, more boundaried version you’ve worked so hard to become. That rejection can feel like losing your family all over again.

This episode is for the cycle breakers—the ones doing the heavy lifting, often in silence, wondering if anyone else truly gets it.

You’ll learn:

  • Why healing often feels lonelier before it feels better
  • How to reframe your isolation as a sign of growth
  • Where to find real, mutual support outside of dysfunctional systems
Ready to connect with other cycle breakers? Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership: confidentboundaries.com/membership

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-17387356 Mon, 23 Jun 2025 23:00:00 -0700 946 false Breaking Cycles Without Breaking Yourself Breaking Cycles Without Breaking Yourself Healing isn’t linear—especially when you’re the cycle breaker. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, I’m pulling back the curtain on what real, sustainable healing looks like when you grew up with emotionally immature, narcissistic, or borderline parents.

I share how becoming a therapist over a decade ago didn’t free me from my dysfunctional patterns—it magnified them. I was the classic parentified child turned overwhelmed helper: running myself into the ground trying to "fix" everything and help everyone.

I talk about how I'm working on breaking toxic cycles right now and all the feelings and thoughts I have around my own healing journey.

Jess Gleim
Marketing Strategist and Meta Ads Expert. Smart, data-backed strategy that actually makes you money.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Healing isn’t linear—especially when you’re the cycle breaker. In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, I’m pulling back the curtain on what real, sustainable healing looks like when you grew up with emotionally immature, narcissistic, or borderline parents.

I share how becoming a therapist over a decade ago didn’t free me from my dysfunctional patterns—it magnified them. I was the classic parentified child turned overwhelmed helper: running myself into the ground trying to "fix" everything and help everyone.

I talk about how I'm working on breaking toxic cycles right now and all the feelings and thoughts I have around my own healing journey.

Jess Gleim
Marketing Strategist and Meta Ads Expert. Smart, data-backed strategy that actually makes you money.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-17348585 Mon, 16 Jun 2025 20:00:00 -0700 2315 false What If Protecting Yourself Is the Honest Thing to Do? What If Protecting Yourself Is the Honest Thing to Do? Cycle breakers are often raised to believe that honesty = full disclosure and transparency… even when the other person has a history of weaponizing that honesty against them.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we’re digging into the messy middle between brutal honesty and self-abandonment—especially when it comes to dealing with parents who have borderline personality disorder (BPD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

So many of us value being open and real because we didn’t get that growing up. But when it comes to setting boundaries with toxic parents, that same desire to be transparent can backfire—leaving us feeling overexposed, manipulated, and unsafe.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

  • The difference between honesty and over-disclosure
  • How I decide what to share (and not share) on this podcast and in my own life
  • Why you don’t owe anyone—not even your parent—access to your most vulnerable truths
  • And the underrated boundary no one talks about: walking away when you're being mistreated
→Ready to learn why your boundaries haven’t been working—and what to do instead? Grab my free mini-course at confidentboundaries.com/course

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Cycle breakers are often raised to believe that honesty = full disclosure and transparency… even when the other person has a history of weaponizing that honesty against them.

In this episode of You’re Not Crazy, we’re digging into the messy middle between brutal honesty and self-abandonment—especially when it comes to dealing with parents who have borderline personality disorder (BPD) or narcissistic personality disorder (NPD).

So many of us value being open and real because we didn’t get that growing up. But when it comes to setting boundaries with toxic parents, that same desire to be transparent can backfire—leaving us feeling overexposed, manipulated, and unsafe.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

  • The difference between honesty and over-disclosure
  • How I decide what to share (and not share) on this podcast and in my own life
  • Why you don’t owe anyone—not even your parent—access to your most vulnerable truths
  • And the underrated boundary no one talks about: walking away when you're being mistreated
→Ready to learn why your boundaries haven’t been working—and what to do instead? Grab my free mini-course at confidentboundaries.com/course

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-17309208 Mon, 09 Jun 2025 21:00:00 -0700 914 false Are You Putting Out Fires or Breaking the Cycle? Are You Putting Out Fires or Breaking the Cycle? Let’s talk about the real work of breaking dysfunctional family cycles.

If you're the adult child of a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, you probably know the drill: chaos explodes, you search frantically for tools to survive it… and then once things settle down, you convince yourself it's “not that bad.” Sound familiar?

This episode is your reminder that healing isn’t just something you do in a crisis. In fact, the most transformative progress happens between the chaos—when things are calm, quiet, and deceptively “fine.”

In this episode, I break down why that in-between time is exactly when you need to be doing the deeper work. Because this is your chance to reclaim your life without being stuck in reaction mode. We’ll talk about what real healing looks like, how to stop falling for the illusion of “it’s better now,” and why the work you do when things are calm is what actually sets you free.

Whether you’ve been the scapegoat, the peacekeeper, or the fixer—this is your sign to stop waiting for another meltdown to reach out for support. Let’s normalize choosing to heal—not just when you have to, but when you can.

Take my free boundaries course: confidentboundaries.com/workshop

Jess Gleim
Marketing Strategist and Meta Ads Expert. Smart, data-backed strategy that actually makes you money.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Let’s talk about the real work of breaking dysfunctional family cycles.

If you're the adult child of a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder, you probably know the drill: chaos explodes, you search frantically for tools to survive it… and then once things settle down, you convince yourself it's “not that bad.” Sound familiar?

This episode is your reminder that healing isn’t just something you do in a crisis. In fact, the most transformative progress happens between the chaos—when things are calm, quiet, and deceptively “fine.”

In this episode, I break down why that in-between time is exactly when you need to be doing the deeper work. Because this is your chance to reclaim your life without being stuck in reaction mode. We’ll talk about what real healing looks like, how to stop falling for the illusion of “it’s better now,” and why the work you do when things are calm is what actually sets you free.

Whether you’ve been the scapegoat, the peacekeeper, or the fixer—this is your sign to stop waiting for another meltdown to reach out for support. Let’s normalize choosing to heal—not just when you have to, but when you can.

Take my free boundaries course: confidentboundaries.com/workshop

Jess Gleim
Marketing Strategist and Meta Ads Expert. Smart, data-backed strategy that actually makes you money.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-17229355 Mon, 26 May 2025 18:00:00 -0700 1494 false "But They're Your Parent": Toxic Things People Say to Cycle Breakers "But They're Your Parent": Toxic Things People Say to Cycle Breakers Surviving (not thriving) Mother's Day weekend is what we're celebrating this week. Breaking cycles isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Your commitment to healing, despite few healthy examples, is powerful. Be gentle with yourself; your journey of growth deserves compassion, not criticism.

Next we’re calling out the toxic phrases that gaslight, invalidate, and harm adult children of parents with BPD or NPD. You've probably heard, "But they're your parents, you should forgive them," or "When they die, you'll miss them." Unsurprisingly, I share how much I hate these comments and try to give you a chuckle along the way.

One week left to join the Confident Boundaries Membership before prices go up!
Click here to join for $69/month
Click here to join for $189/quarter

My FREE Boundaries Workshop: confidentboundaries.com/workshop

Learn more about the Confident Boundaries Membership: confidentboundaries.com/membership

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Surviving (not thriving) Mother's Day weekend is what we're celebrating this week. Breaking cycles isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Your commitment to healing, despite few healthy examples, is powerful. Be gentle with yourself; your journey of growth deserves compassion, not criticism.

Next we’re calling out the toxic phrases that gaslight, invalidate, and harm adult children of parents with BPD or NPD. You've probably heard, "But they're your parents, you should forgive them," or "When they die, you'll miss them." Unsurprisingly, I share how much I hate these comments and try to give you a chuckle along the way.

One week left to join the Confident Boundaries Membership before prices go up!
Click here to join for $69/month
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Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-17148810 Mon, 12 May 2025 23:00:00 -0700 1119 false Welcome to You're Not Crazy! Welcome to You're Not Crazy! Welcome to You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. Hosted by therapist and coach Torie Wiksell, this podcast is dedicated to those who have grown up trying to navigate the complicated and challenging realities of having a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder. In this first episode, Torie introduces herself, share a bit about her background and experience, and tells you what you can expect from this podcast. Listen every Tuesday for support, encouragement, and practical advice to help you on your journey towards peace and healing—and to remind yourself that you're definitely not crazy.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

🎧 Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

📱 Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> Welcome to You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for the Adult Children of Parents with Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders. Hosted by therapist and coach Torie Wiksell, this podcast is dedicated to those who have grown up trying to navigate the complicated and challenging realities of having a parent with borderline or narcissistic personality disorder. In this first episode, Torie introduces herself, share a bit about her background and experience, and tells you what you can expect from this podcast. Listen every Tuesday for support, encouragement, and practical advice to help you on your journey towards peace and healing—and to remind yourself that you're definitely not crazy.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

🎧 Ready for More?
➔Subscribe to You're Not Crazy: The Private Feed for ad-free episodes, bonus content, and archived episodes no longer available in the public feed: confidentboundaries.com/private

➔Join me in the Confident Boundaries Membership ($39/month and the first 24 hours are free!)

📱 Download the Confident Boundaries App
iOS and Android

Let's be friends:
tiktok.com/@theboundariescoach
instagram.com/torieatconfidentboundaries

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

Support the show

A huge thank you to our podcast sponsors!

Disclaimer: This podcast is not therapy. If you’re in crisis, please call the 988 Crisis Lifeline.

You're Not Crazy is owned and produced by Torie Wiksell and Confident Boundaries, LLC.

]]> admin@bleav.com (Torie Wiksell) Buzzsprout-15485537 Sat, 27 Jul 2024 13:00:00 -0700 96 false