The Reconnection Club Podcast

By Tina Gilbertson

Helping parents heal from estrangement with their adult children. Hosted by psychotherapist Tina Gilbertson, author of "Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child."... more

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How many episodes does The Reconnection Club Podcast have?

The podcast currently has 238 episodes available.

Best of The Reconnection Club Podcast

The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

Number 1: 231. When Difficult Children Become Estranged Adults
What if you did your best with a child who was unusually difficult to raise… and then as an adult, they became estranged? The pain can be especially deep when you remember how hard you worked, the challenges you faced as a parent, and how much you tried to get things right. In this episode, therapist and host Tina Gilbertson explores the possibility that difficult temperaments and mismatches between parents and children aren't anyone's fault. Instead of looking for someone to blame, she invites listeners to consider what compassion might make possible -- compassion for the child you struggled to raise, and compassion for the human parent you were and still are. Tina encourages listeners to look honestly at their reasons for wanting contact with difficult, now-estranged adult children. What are you hoping contact will do? And what might change if you could radically accept yourself, your child, and your history together as reality, and start from there? For evidence-based tools to repair a troubled parent-adult child relationship, read host Tina Gilbertson's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. https://amzn.to/2ZhetMe Reconnection Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. https://reconnectionclub.com Follow Tina Gilbertson on Substack. https://tinagilbertson.substack.com/ EPISODE LINKS: To incorporate the healing light of validation into your relationship with a difficult estranged adult child, listen to the 4-part Validation series: Reconnection Club Podcast Episodes 198 through 201 ( https://reconnectionclub.com/198 )
August 24, 202611min
Number 2: 232. Building Your Reconnection Strategy
What if, instead of wondering what you should do next, you had a thoughtful strategy for reconnecting with your estranged adult child? In this multi-part series (Parts 2 and 3 release on 9/21/26 and 10/5/26 respectively), therapist and host Tina Gilbertson helps parents build a reconnection strategy of their own -- one that fits their unique situation and can guide them not only when making contact, but also during stretches of silence. Tina points out that most parents are already following some kind of strategy. It may be an instinctive response, a pattern they've fallen into, or simply whatever feels right in the moment. But when you're trying to repair an important relationship, hoping you'll know what to do when the next difficult moment arrives isn't much of a plan. A well-formed strategy gives you something to come back to. It employs exactly the right tactics, not behaviors that backfire sending you back to Square One. Don't let "strategy" and "tactics" put you off; they're not about deception or manipulation. They're about being thoughtful and purposeful about inviting reconnection, by repairing the parent-adult relationship. Strategy isn't a way to control your child, but rather a way to guide yourself. You can't control what your adult child will do. But you can decide how you will show up. And having a thoughtful strategy can help you do that, even when the unexpected happens. For evidence-based information and tools to repair your relationship with your estranged adult child(ren), read Tina's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. https://reconnectionclub.com Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum (https://reconnectionclub.com/community/forum/general/) inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. https://reconnectionclub.com Follow Tina Gilbertson on Substack. https://tinagilbertson.substack.com/
September 07, 202612min
Number 3: 230. What Parents Need to Know About No Contact
When your adult child "goes no contact," are you supposed to just stop trying to reach out? How can you find out what's wrong? And what about "less contact" -- what does that mean? Usually, no contact means no contact. But other times it means "no contact unless..." or "no contact until..." and this might not always be obvious. Parents who are fine with honoring a no-contact request may actually need to do more than simply wait for estranged adult children to change their minds. On the other hand, parents who find it nearly impossible not to reach out, may be better off sitting on their hands and letting the relationship breathe. This episode provides food for thought, and greater clarity, for every parent who's received a direct or implied request for no contact from their adult child(ren). For evidence-based information and tools to repair the parent-adult child relationship, read host Tina Gilbertson's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. https://amzn.to/2ZhetMe Reconnection Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. https://reconnectionclub.com Follow Tina Gilbertson on Substack https://tinagilbertson.substack.com/ EPISODE LINKS: Ep. 51: Why Can't They Take 5 Seconds to Text You Back? https://reconnectionclub.com/51 Ep. 155: Good Grief https://reconnectionclub.com/155 PS. For more on no contact, also review Ep. 172: When to Respect a No-Contact Request https://reconnectionclub.com/172
August 10, 202612min
Number 4: 211. Reconciled But Not Happy
In this eye-opening (and ultimately uplifting) episode, psychotherapist Tina Gilbertson unpacks the often-overlooked reality of reconciliation between parents and their estranged adult children. While reconnecting might seem like a joyful resolution, it can leave many parents less than happy. They may still feel unfulfilled, and even heartbroken. Tina reveals how pain from the past -- e.g., unmet needs and emotional injuries -- can resurface during estrangement and reconciliation, making the experience of reconnecting far more complex than anticipated. This episode is essential for any parent navigating the rocky terrain of estrangement and reconciliation, offering insights that can spark healing and understanding in the journey ahead. Tune in for a compassionate exploration of these deep emotional currents. For evidence-based information and tools to repair your relationship with your estranged adult child(ren), read Tina's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. Follow us on Instagram. EPISODE LINKS: Reconnection Club Podcast Ep. 202: A Reconnection Story
November 17, 202510min
Number 5: 210. When You Don't Feel Good Enough
Many parents of estranged adult children find themselves constantly staying busy and never pausing to rest. Others find it impossible to muster any motivation at all. Withdrawing, numbing out, struggling with perfectionism or people-pleasing… These may all be signs of nervous system dysregulation, and the simple need to know we're valuable and lovable. This episode features an audio excerpt from host Tina Gilbertson's interview with Australian author and mindfulness coach Kate James. Kate identifies four hidden ways that not feeling good enough can manifest in behavior. She ties particular patterns to the Fight, Flight, Freeze and Fawn responses of the nervous system. Listen to Kate lay it out and Tina summarize in this interesting and helpful episode. Listeners can find the link to Kate's original article below. For evidence-based information and tools to repair your relationship with your estranged adult child(ren), read Tina's book, Reconnecting With Your Estranged Adult Child. Club members can discuss this and every episode in the General Discussion forum inside the Reconnection Club. Not a member yet? Learn more and join. Follow us on Instagram. EPISODE LINKS: https://insighttimer.com/katejames https://totalbalance.com.au/not-feeling-good-enough/ Tina's interview with Kate in the Reconnection Club
November 03, 202510min