Smile for the photo. Even when it hurts.
For some children, that's not a moment. It's their whole child and adulthood.
Today we're talking about toxic parenting, and what happens when parenting becomes a performance.
The happy family. The loving parent. The perfect home. Some parents don't just demand obedience. They demand that their children play along with the image. Smile. Stay quiet. Fall in line. Never break character.
So what happens when you stop performing? When you tell the truth, set a boundary, or refuse the role you were given?
This is a raw and very real conversation. Because silence enables abusers. They count on the toxic family system they worked so hard to create staying silent, because silence is how they keep control. So today, we're not whispering. We're talking about it openly, without limits and without fear.
Today's guest is Cari Fund, author of Autopsy of a Good Girl, host of Surviving Roots, and an advocate for children and adult children navigating toxic family systems. Together we're talking about breaking the performance, and what it takes to finally become your own person.
You can follow Why Are We Whispering? on:
Instagram: @whywhisperpodcast and @whywhisperthewholestory
You can find creator and host Jennie on:
Instagram: @jennieg_premierdivorcecoach
Website: Jg Premier Divorce & Breakup Coaching & Advisory | Step Parenting | UK
You can follow Cari Fund on:
Instagram: @cari.fund
Website: Cari Fund: Author, Essayist, Host of Surviving Roots
Book: Available on Amazon October 2026 (Coming Soon)
","author_name":"Jennie Guay"}