What causes estrangement between parents and adult children—and is reconciliation truly possible? In this powerful and nuanced conversation, psychologist and author Dr. Joshua Coleman unpacks the changing landscape of the modern family. We explore how cultural shifts and even well-meaning therapy can unintentionally contribute to family cutoffs, and what parents can do—now—to prevent or repair disconnection.

Dr. Coleman shares:

*The most common (and often surprising) reasons adult children walk away

*What the research actually says about parenting—and why the answer isn’t “gentle” parenting

*How estrangement ripples through generations

*What to say—and not say—in an amends letter

*Why reconciliation is a phase, not a moment

*How to move forward even if your child chooses not to

He also opens up about his own estrangement and reconciliation with his daughter, offering a deeply human look at what repair really takes. This episode isn’t about being perfect. It’s about what happens after the hurt—when you’re ready to listen, take accountability, and rebuild. Whether you’re a parent hoping for reconnection or someone trying to understand the roots of family rupture, this conversation will stay with you.

Dr. Coleman is a psychologist in private practice in the San Francisco Bay Area and a Senior Fellow with the Council on Contemporary Families, a non-partisan organization of leading sociologists, historians, psychologists, and demographers dedicated to providing the press and public with the latest research and best practice findings about American families. Website/Instagram

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Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land sits down with psychotherapist Carly Ann to unpack practical, compassionate strategies from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) that help us shift negative thought patterns and calm anxious minds. From spirals of self-doubt and perfectionism to managing unmet needs and breaking free from judgment, this conversation is full of real-life tools you can start using today.

Whether you're struggling with anxiety, depression, or simply want more peace in your day, this episode will help you understand how your thoughts shape your feelings—and your behaviors. Carly shares her framework for working with common automatic thoughts like “I’m not good enough” or “I should be doing more,” and offers insights on how to respond with self-awareness instead of reactivity.

We explore:

• How to stop feeding unhelpful thoughts—even if you can't stop having them
• When affirmations help and when they actually backfire
• Why the first 30 minutes of your day matter more than you think
• How to recognize if your requests of others are truly “reasonable”
• CBT approaches for clinicians working with depressive clients
• How to interrupt thought-feeling-behavior loops and find more ease

Plus: our mutual love of Eat That Frog by Brian Tracy, and how we use it to beat procrastination and reset our mindset.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Why do I keep thinking like this?" or "How can I stop getting stuck in my head?"—this is the episode for you.

Follow Carly Ann on Instagram for more tips!

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Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful.

Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube

Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik

In this heartfelt episode of Beyond Trauma, Lara Land welcomes renowned sex therapist Wendy Maltz to explore how couples can reconnect and reclaim their bond—especially after stress, trauma, or disconnection. Wendy offers compassionate insights and trauma-informed practices that help deepen connection, improve communication, and heal sexual wounds.

Whether you're partnered or on a journey of personal healing, this conversation is for anyone looking to build a more conscious and connected relationship—with themselves or with someone they love.

Learn how to:

• Navigate common stressors that quietly erode intimacy
• Talk about sex in ways that foster safety, clarity, and desire
• Create a shared “sex mission statement” with your partner
• Balance emotional closeness with autonomy in long-term relationships

Wendy also unpacks why foreplay starts long before the bedroom—and how the smallest shifts in how we greet, part, and show up for each other during the day can dramatically shift the energy between us. Plus, we explore the role of creativity in healing trauma, the myth of media-driven sexuality, and why reclaiming agency in sex is one of the most empowering things a survivor can do.

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Moonbrew a natural sleep aid that uses magnesium and superfoods so you can wind down. Get 30% off your first order with code "LARA30".

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Wendy Maltz, LCSW, DST, is an internationally recognized sex therapist, author, and speaker, with more than thirty-five years of experience treating sex and intimacy concerns. She authored many highly acclaimed sexuality books, including the recovery classic, The Sexual Healing Journey: A Guide for Survivors of Sexual Abuse, as well as Private Thoughts: Exploring the Power of Women’s Sexual Fantasies, and The Porn Trap: The Essential Guide to Overcoming Problems Caused by Pornography. Wendy’s popular educational website, www.HealthySex.com, provides free articles, videos, and other resources to help people overcome sexual problems and develop skills for love-based sexual intimacy.

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Your support keeps this podcast going! Please consider donating if you found this episode helpful.

Follow Lara at Website | Instagram | YouTube

Intro & Outro Music by Daniel Zaitchik