Dysfunction Junkies

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered about the extraordinary work of service dogs and the organizations behind them? We're kicking off our second month of Junkies Care by spotlighting Canine Companions, a remarkable nonprofit transforming lives through expertly trained service dogs provided completely free to people with disabilities. 

#caninecompanions #servicedogs #junkiescare #dysfunctionjunkiespodcast #ursulinehighschool #youngstownohio #woosterohio #newalbanyohio #labradorretrievers #goldenretrievers #dogfest2025

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

The transition from summer to fall brings with it a wave of nostalgia, especially for those of us who remember the distinct rituals that marked the back-to-school season of decades past. In the latest episode of Dysfunction Junkies podcast, hosts Chrisy and Kerry take listeners on a journey through their memories of this bittersweet seasonal shift, revealing both universal experiences and uniquely personal moments that defined their school years.

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

Words have power, especially those spoken by parents to their children. Have you ever considered how the phrases your parents used might actually reveal their own unhealed trauma? In this illuminating episode, Chrisy and Kerry unpack ten common expressions that signal generational pain being passed down through families.

What makes this conversation particularly powerful is the compassion both hosts bring to their analysis. Rather than condemning parents who use these phrases, they explore the underlying trauma that leads adults to repeat harmful patterns. They acknowledge their own struggles as parents to break these cycles, noting how easy it is to fall back on learned behaviors even when we consciously want to do better.

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

Remember the days of Deal-A-Meal cards, Thigh Masters, and Susan Power screaming "Stop the Insanity"? That's exactly where this week's Flashback Friday episode takes us—straight into the heart of 80s and 90s diet culture.

Hosts Chrisy and Kerry revisit their 14th episode about the wildly dysfunctional diets that shaped their relationships with food and their bodies. Whether you've personally experienced the diet culture rollercoaster or just want to understand its impact, this episode offers both nostalgic humor and profound insight into how we might build healthier relationships with food and our bodies. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

The way we age reveals our true character in ways we rarely consider until faced with our own mortality or witnessing the final chapters of those we love. Kerry and Chrissy dive into a profoundly human conversation about the stark difference between facing our advancing years with dignity versus resentment. What makes this conversation so powerful is the revelation that how we approach aging doesn't just affect us—it profoundly shapes how our loved ones will remember our entire lives. A parent who faces death with grace can actually strengthen positive memories and heal past wounds, while bitterness in final years risks overshadowing decades of good relationships. 

Whether you're witnessing parents age, caring for elderly loved ones, or contemplating your own approach to life's final chapters, this episode offers profound insight into one of life's most universal yet rarely discussed challenges. How will you choose to age? And what final impression will you leave with those who love you most?

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

When did classroom education cross the line into psychological trauma? Chrisy and Kerry take us on a journey through their Catholic high school experiences that left lasting scars decades later. What's most striking is how these educational traumas continue to resurface decades later. As parents themselves now, Chrisy and Kerry wonder: has education evolved? Are today's students still being exposed to similarly disturbing content, or have we developed more thoughtful approaches to challenging material?

Join us for this thought-provoking episode that will have you reflecting on your own educational experiences and questioning how they shaped your worldview. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

Gratitude transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Join Chrisy and Kerry as they celebrate growth, connection, and the humor found in life's unexpected moments during their monthly Thankful Sunday episode.

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

Meet Junkies CARE—our heartfelt initiative spotlighting organizations making real differences in communities everywhere. Standing for Community Awareness, Recognition, and Engagement, this monthly special celebrates the people and groups whose missions deserve your attention.

Our journey begins exactly where we did—at Ursuline High School in Youngstown, Ohio, where Chrisy and Kerry first met as sophomores. Supporting the Donald E. Foley Senior Alumni Golf Classic feels like coming full circle, paying homage to the institution that sparked their friendship and eventually led to this podcast. The event raises critical funds for student tuition assistance, maintaining Ursuline's legacy of excellence in Catholic education.

The spotlight then shifts to Canine Companions, a national organization celebrating 50 extraordinary years of providing expertly trained service dogs—completely free of charge—to people with disabilities nationwide. This cause resonates deeply with Kerry, having raised 12 puppies for them over two decades. These remarkable dogs transform lives daily, helping recipients with mobility challenges, hearing impairments, PTSD, and countless other conditions. We're proud sponsors of their upcoming DogFest on September 21st at the North Central Training Center in New Albany, Ohio—a celebration of the incredible human-canine bond that changes lives.

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

Addiction's grip extends far beyond the individual, creating ripple effects that reshape entire family systems. Whether hidden behind closed doors or normalized as "just what they do," these patterns leave lasting impressions on everyone involved.

In this deeply personal episode, Chrisy and Kerry explore their contrasting childhood experiences with family addiction. The conversation takes an unexpected turn when they address controversy around their podcast name. After being told that "Dysfunction Junkies" might offend people with substance use disorders, they consulted individuals in recovery who actually appreciated their approach. This opens a fascinating discussion about language, intention, and reclaiming terms to make sense of difficult experiences.

Their message resonates clearly: whether you're struggling personally or supporting someone who is, breaking the cycle of silence and normalization creates space for healing. Don't wait—reach out for help today.

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.

Send us Fan Mail

The struggle to set healthy boundaries often comes loaded with guilt, second-guessing, and that nagging voice suggesting you should just "be the better person." But what if that guilt is actually evidence of how deeply you were trained to abandon yourself for others?

In this raw, validating conversation, Chrisy and Kerry explore the challenging terrain of boundary-setting with toxic people, introducing the surprisingly effective concept of "meme therapy" - finding healing through relatable content that perfectly captures our complicated feelings. We share personal stories about reaching the powerful state of being "done" rather than angry or hurt, and how this subtle shift completely changes the dynamic with manipulative individuals who prefer to keep you emotionally entangled.

Whether you're struggling with setting boundaries, recognizing toxic behavior, or simply seeking validation that it's okay to prioritize yourself, this episode offers practical wisdom and the comforting reminder that you're not alone. 

Support the show

Thank you for listening.  Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for additional content. We often post polls and other questions for your feedback.  We would love to hear from you, and if you like our show please take a moment to give us a Five Star Review! 

Love our show and want to support us?  Click on this link to submit a one time or reoccurring donation.  https://www.buzzsprout.com/2398402/support
 
www.facebook.com/DysfunctionJunkies
https://www.instagram.com/dysfunctionjunkies
https://www.youtube.com/@DysfunctionJunkies
https://dysfunctionjunkiespodcast.com

Dysfunction Junkies has all rights to the songs "Hit the Ground Running"   created by Ryan Prewett and "Happy Hour" created by Evert Z.