Dysfunctional

n this episode of Dysfunctional, Josh Connolly is joined by Ian Stringer and Scott Murdoch to talk about Chasing Yesterday Marathons a powerful endurance challenge raising money and awareness for NACOA (National Association for Children of Alcoholics).

We unpack what it’s like growing up with an alcoholic parent, the silence and shame that keeps families stuck, and why children of alcoholics often feel like they’re the problem. Ian shares the devastating story of losing his mum to alcoholism. Scott shares his journey from chaos to purpose, and the urgent need to get support into schools.

We also explain the challenge: running a marathon in Samoa, then flying across the International Date Line to run another marathon “yesterday” in American Samoa all within 24 hours.

👇 Donate / Sponsor / Support NACOA

https://www.justgiving.com/page/chasingyesterdaymarathons?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL

https://nacoa.org.uk

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This week on Dysfunctional I’m joined by Kate King, author of Mend or Move On.

We talk about the question so many people live inside for years: should I stay and try to repair this relationship, or should I move on and finally choose myself?

In this episode we get into:

Why “mending” gets glorified and “moving on” gets shamed

The 3 signs a relationship is genuinely toxic (not just difficult)

Why leaving is rarely the “easy option” and what can escalate after you go

Nervous system truth: you can’t regulate in an unsafe environment

Needs vs “needy”, reciprocity, and reclaiming autonomy

Kate’s book Mend or Move On is out now - 

https://a.co/d/3igvgLz

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In this episode, Josh is joined by Karl Melvin to unpack the recent Beckham estrangement headlines, Oprah’s conversation on family estrangement, and why this topic provokes such strong reactions. Together, they explore abuse, validation, projection, and what actually helps when families break down — especially when children and parenting are part of the picture.

To sign up to the event secure your spot here - https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/parenting-through-estrangement-tickets-1979401930458?aff=oddtdtcreator

Find out about Karl here - https://www.karlmelvin.com

#beckham #estrangement 

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In this solo episode of Dysfunctional, I walk through the six chapters of the Inner You process and share why this work has been so important in my own healing.

We talk about intention, self-compassion, meeting the different versions of yourself, healing relationships, and what inner child work actually looks like in real life.

This is an honest, grounded conversation about integration, emotional safety, and learning to come home to yourself.

If you’ve ever felt disconnected, reactive, or unsure why certain things hit you so hard, this episode is for you.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Elaine Baxter, a breathwork facilitator who’s been through the full arc of modern wellness, from fixing and performing, to actually holding space in a way that’s real.

We talk about ditching the “spiritual costume” and why so much of the healing industry rewards masks over authenticity. Elaine shares how breathwork helped her reconnect with feeling after years of numbness, grief, people-pleasing, and trying to hold everything together.

We explore what trauma-informed actually looks like in practice, the difference between fixing and holding, and why safety, honesty, and grounded language matter more than aesthetics, labels, or vibes.

This conversation is for anyone who wants deep work without the performance, and real healing without having to become someone they’re not.

Elaine is a Breathwork Facilitator who has supported people in processing emotions through the breath since 2020 and is a qualified Inner You Breathwork Facilitator. At the heart of Elaine’s practice is a commitment to creating a safe, compassionate, and non-judgemental space, where people are met without pressure to change and genuine healing can naturally unfold.

https://www.instagram.com/rebalance_with_elaine

https://misneachcentre.ie/allied-health-professionals/

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Leaving an abusive relationship doesn’t always mean the abuse stops.

In this episode, Josh speaks with Miranda Allen, an ambassador for Mums in Need, about post-separation abuse and how control continues through courts, finances, smear campaigns, and children. Miranda shares her lived experience and why believing survivors matters more than ever.

Learn more or support the work of Mums in Need:

👉 https://mumsinneed.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Dysfunctional, I’m joined by relationship recovery coach Jo Westwood for a deep, honest conversation about toxic relationships, codependency, and what real self-worth actually sounds like in practice.

We talk about love bombing and how to spot it early, the moment “the switch” happens after commitment, and why being nice, polite, or endlessly understanding can quietly turn into self-abandonment.

We also unpack why so many people rush to defend power, fame, and parents at all costs, using the viral Anthony Hopkins estrangement clip as a real-world example of how society struggles with accountability, family loyalty myths, and reading the energy behind someone’s words.

This is a conversation about slowing down, trusting your instincts, and learning to say:

“You don’t know me well enough yet.”

And meaning it.

We explore:

The difference between love bombing and genuine connection

Why codependent people can be manipulative without meaning to be

The “special one” fantasy and how it keeps people stuck

Why healthy relationships can handle a slow start

Estrangement, boundaries, and the myth of unconditional family loyalty

Politeness vs kindness, and why people-pleasing pushes people away

Why abusive people don’t cut you off, and why survivors often have to

This episode isn’t about blame, cancel culture, or perfect healing.

It’s about self-reflection, personal responsibility, and building relationships that don’t require you to disappear to keep the peace.

If you’ve ever felt confused, drained, or like you keep ending up in the same painful dynamics, this one’s for you.

Find Jo:

Website: http://jowestwood.com

IG: http://instagram.com/jowestwood

The Anti People Pleasing Podcast link:

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-anti-people-pleasing-podcast/id1576679526

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4av63LLVwYNt8MNMu8Ygar

Audible: https://www.audible.co.uk/podcast/The-Anti-People-Pleasing-Podcast/B08K61YDSF

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Alex Williams was eight years old when his mum was murdered by his stepfather.

In this episode, Alex shares what it’s really like to grow up after extreme trauma, how it shaped his nervous system, identity, and relationships, and why “healing” is often misunderstood.

Alex is an NHS mental health practitioner with over 20 years of experience and a suicide and self-harm prevention trainer. He brings both lived experience and frontline insight into what actually helps people after childhood trauma, and what doesn’t.

We talk about:

Growing up after domestic abuse and parental homicide

Why safety matters more than therapy in the early stages of trauma

The long-term impact of unprocessed grief in childhood

Compassion fatigue in mental health and helping professions

Why forgiveness is not required for healing

How the mental health system labels people instead of holding them

Phone addiction, numbing, and modern forms of escape

Meaning, survival, and choosing a life after trauma

This is a raw, honest conversation about loss, resilience, and what it means to live a good life after something unimaginable.

If you grew up in dysfunction, abuse, or emotional neglect, this episode will likely resonate.

Find Alex here -

https//instagram.com/thealexjwilliams

https//tiktok.com/thealexjwilliams

https//www.linkedin.com/thealexjwilliams

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Trauma doesn’t just live in your head. It can shut down your voice too. Vocal coach Claire Delaney joins me to talk C-PTSD, nervous system survival, toxic industry culture, and finding your voice again.

"Claire is a vocal coach who works with singers and actors whose voices have to hold up under real-world pressure. She’s coached performers across the West End, Broadway, and the National Theatre, and has worked for Italia Conti and ITV’s Mamma Mia: I Have a Dream. 

Her approach is trauma-aware and shaped by the belief that you can’t separate a voice from the person using it. Her work blends science, psychology, and practical technique, with a lens shaped by lived-experience. She helps performers rebuild the physical, emotional, and technical foundations of their voice, aiming for long-term reliability, confidence, and self-trust to make singing actually enjoyable again."

Instagram: @clairedelaney.vocalcoach

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In this episode I’m joined by Jared Shurin, a strategic communications specialist who works in counter extremism, violent radicalisation, misinformation, and social cohesion. We dig into the psychology of people who reach the point of extreme violence, why it often starts with the loss of trust, hope and faith, and how communication can pull people back from the edge.

We talk about:

How people become vulnerable to radicalisation

The link between extremism, suicidality, and hopelessness

Why most people sit in the exhausted moderate middle

The role of belonging, community, and agency in prevention

How governments, NGOs and everyday people can reduce social harm

What actually works when trying to talk someone down from violent thinking

This episode explores the real human drivers behind extremism, how isolation fuels dangerous behaviour, and why rebuilding local community may be our best defence.

Find Jared -

https://extra-fox.com/

newsletter - https://raptorvelocity.beehiiv.com/

https://www.instagram.com/straycarnivore/

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