Dysfunctional

In the very first guest episode of Dysfunctional, I’m joined by writer and embodiment coach Leona Waller — and we go all in on the toxic side of self-improvement culture.We explore how the wellness and personal development world can subtly (and not-so-subtly) feed the same control, shame and conformity that many of us grew up with. We talk about embodiment as an antidote — not the trendy version, but the real, messy, human kind. The kind that gets you out of your head, back into your body, and into a life that actually feels like yours.We also dig into:— Why gratitude lists can actually make things worse— How capitalism hijacked healing— Why being “zen” isn’t always the answer— The problem with trying to meditate your trauma away— And how embodiment can help you feel less crazy and more youLeona Waller is a writer and facilitator helping people trust their own bodies and emotions more than Instagram wellness influencers. She’s the co-creator of The Body Knows, a newsletter and community using somatics and embodiment to help people stop optimizing life and start living it. With a background in neuroscience and emotional psychology, she creates spaces where people shed the shoulds and come home — to the power and joy that are their birthright.Follow Leona’s work here:🔗 The Body Knows on Substack—Subscribe to Dysfunctional for raw, unfiltered conversations about healing, systems, and seeing clearly — because if you grew up in dysfunction, chances are, you’re still surrounded by it.

Back from the bank holiday chaos with a so-called “bite-sized” episode (spoiler: it’s not). I’m checking in after a couple of messy, kid-mode weeks—reflecting on how quickly I spiral into my childlike state and how the lows still hit me hard, even after all these years.Then I’m answering some of your deep, messy, crunchy questions. Everything from “Is it ever okay to yell at a toxic parent?” to “Do narcissists know what they’re doing?” to “Why does the wellness industry feel so f*cking toxic?”I also share where this podcast is going: we’re pulling the curtain back on toxic and dysfunctional systems, family, society, politics, wellness culture, the lot. If you’ve got guest ideas, I want them.This one’s raw, honest, a bit sweary, and definitely dysfunctional.

You can’t co-parent with a toxic person and it’s time we said that out loud.In this episode, I’m naming what so many people live through in silence: post-separation abuse, control through communication, smear campaigns, financial manipulation, and the emotional destruction caused by toxic exes who weaponise the system.I start by reading a real-life UK court case where a mother was forced to promote contact with her abusive ex, despite proven findings of sexual and domestic abuse. From there, I dive deep into what it actually looks like to parent alongside someone who uses your child as a pawn to keep control of your life.If you're in it you’re not crazy. You're not alone. And no, it’s not “just a difficult co-parenting situation.” It’s abuse.I’ll talk you through the signs, the tactics they use, and most importantly: what you can do about it. From the myth of co-parenting to parallel parenting and grey rocking this one is for every parent still trying to find peace in the chaos.Parenting communication tool mentioned in the episode - https://www.neutrily.com/

Alright, here we go... In this episode, I’m diving into what I believe might just be the most important conversation we need to be having right now...how do we actually change the system?I talk about how we’re all living in a society that mirrors the same abusive dynamics so many of us grew up with in our families. We’re divided, disconnected, and constantly fighting each other which just helps those in power stay exactly where they are.This one’s about community. Real community. Not the online echo chambers where everyone has to agree to belong , I’m talking about old school, village-style connection, where we come together because we’re different, not in spite of it.I unpack how we ended up so fragmented, why disagreement shouldn’t mean disconnection, and why true change will never happen if we keep shouting sideways instead of looking up.It’s not a polished TED Talk but it's me, raw and thinking out loud. Crunchy in places. Sweary in others. But hopefully, real enough to get us thinking.Let’s start a revolution. Together.00:00 Introduction and Episode Theme00:45 The Family System and Society02:08 Community as a Solution05:37 The Evolution of Community12:50 Challenges in Modern Communities22:16 The Power Imbalance in Society31:16 Call to Action: Rebuilding Community36:48 Conclusion and Future Plans

In this 20th episode of Dysfunctional, I’m going in on everything that’s wrong with modern-day spirituality.This isn’t an anti-spiritual rant — I have a deep spiritual life myself — but I’m calling out what I see far too often: bypassing disguised as healing, whitewashed practices stripped of their roots, and a new wave of spiritual dogma that looks more like performance than truth.We’ll talk about the misuse of words like “Aho” and “Namaste,” the pressure to forgive even when it’s harmful, and how healing spaces are starting to feel more like exclusive clubs than grounded communities.And most importantly, I’ll share what I believe true spirituality actually is — messy, embodied, honest, and deeply human.If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in modern spiritual spaces, this episode might explain why.Let’s pull it apart together.00:00 Introduction and Future Plans01:03 Diving into New Age Spirituality05:08 Spiritual Bypassing and Emotional Complexity13:41 Cultural Appropriation in Spiritual Practices26:56 Toxic Positivity and Dogma in Spirituality31:01 Defining True Spirituality34:29 Final Reflections and Call to Action

Not my longest podcast ever but boy do I go in! I am passionate about this and challenging the abusive system is my main passion from now onTackling Systemic Issues: Conversations on Economic Inequality and Mental HealthIn this episode, Josh Connolly dives deep into systemic issues, focusing on economic inequality, mental health, and societal structures. He reflects on Gary Stevenson's insights from the 'Steven Bartlett Podcast,' discussing how the system is rigged against the working class and the role of socioeconomic factors in mental health challenges. Josh also critiques the notion that individual effort alone can overcome systemic barriers and emphasizes the need for collective action and structural change. He underscores the importance of community, political awareness, and collective healing in challenging and potentially transforming the system.00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast00:26 Gary Stevenson and Economic Inequality02:15 Mental Health and Systemic Issues05:59 The Role of Power and Systemic Gaslighting09:36 Critique of Individualistic Solutions15:17 Simon Squibb's Reaction and Systemic Abuse19:39 Economic Inequality and Hard Work20:33 Challenging the Broken System22:04 Historical Examples of Overcoming Oppression26:25 The Role of Community in Healing30:08 Systemic Gaslighting and Its Impact32:24 Using Platforms for Change35:38 Final Thoughts on Rebellion and Change

Diving into your questions on toxic parents and dysfunctional relationships. Here is what AI thought - In this bite-sized episode of Dysfunctional, Josh Connolly tackles listener questions about dealing with toxic parents, finding emotional independence, and navigating complex family dynamics. Josh offers practical advice on embracing one's true self, handling smear campaigns, and the challenges of caring for abusive parents. He also touches upon the difficulties of gratitude and finding personal worth. Tune in for an insightful discussion on healing from a dysfunctional childhood while maintaining personal boundaries and integrity.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:39 Upcoming Busy Week01:52 Answering Listener Questions02:20 Emotional Independence from Toxic Parents05:10 Compassion vs. Consequence08:20 Suppressing True Self in Relationships14:31 Unconditional Love and Self-Worth16:38 Caring for Abusive Parents19:00 Struggles with Gratitude21:18 Exposing Abusive Parents24:09 Being the Only One Who Sees the Truth27:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

I am highly sensitive person so this subject is definitely a passion one for me. I get into in this episode and y passion clearly shines through. Here is what ai thought - The Strength and Struggle of Highly Sensitive People | Episode 17In this episode, Josh Connolly dives deeply into the topic of highly sensitive people (HSPs) and the unique traits and challenges they face. He shares his personal experiences and beliefs about the genetic and environmental factors that contribute to high sensitivity. Josh also talks about the distinction between sensitivity and being labeled 'disordered' by society. With reflections on the strengths of HSPs, like deep empathy and heightened intuition, and the cons, such as overstimulation and emotional exhaustion, this episode provides valuable insights. Additionally, Josh touches on how learning breathwork and setting boundaries can help HSPs manage their sensitivity. He addresses listener questions about complex feelings towards toxic family members and gives advice on trusting one's own emotions.00:00 Introduction and Recording Setup00:42 Discussing Highly Sensitive People01:45 Deep Breathing Exercise03:35 The Importance of Community03:56 Exploring Sensitivity and Trauma09:07 Personal Experiences with Sensitivity16:57 Understanding Sensory Processing Sensitivity26:40 Taking Responsibility for Your Emotions26:53 Biological Basis of Sensitivity27:23 Sensitivity in Animals and Evolution28:58 Modern Society and Sensitivity31:02 Pros and Cons of High Sensitivity34:56 Understanding Empaths and Boundaries38:20 Breathwork and Somatic Practices44:05 Summary and Personal Reflections45:49 Addressing Audience Questions