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.

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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/

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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 Theme

00:45 The Family System and Society

02:08 Community as a Solution

05:37 The Evolution of Community

12:50 Challenges in Modern Communities

22:16 The Power Imbalance in Society

31:16 Call to Action: Rebuilding Community

36:48 Conclusion and Future Plans

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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 Plans

01:03 Diving into New Age Spirituality

05:08 Spiritual Bypassing and Emotional Complexity

13:41 Cultural Appropriation in Spiritual Practices

26:56 Toxic Positivity and Dogma in Spirituality

31:01 Defining True Spirituality

34:29 Final Reflections and Call to Action

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

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 on

Tackling Systemic Issues: Conversations on Economic Inequality and Mental Health

In 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 Podcast

00:26 Gary Stevenson and Economic Inequality

02:15 Mental Health and Systemic Issues

05:59 The Role of Power and Systemic Gaslighting

09:36 Critique of Individualistic Solutions

15:17 Simon Squibb's Reaction and Systemic Abuse

19:39 Economic Inequality and Hard Work

20:33 Challenging the Broken System

22:04 Historical Examples of Overcoming Oppression

26:25 The Role of Community in Healing

30:08 Systemic Gaslighting and Its Impact

32:24 Using Platforms for Change

35:38 Final Thoughts on Rebellion and Change

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

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 Overview

00:39 Upcoming Busy Week

01:52 Answering Listener Questions

02:20 Emotional Independence from Toxic Parents

05:10 Compassion vs. Consequence

08:20 Suppressing True Self in Relationships

14:31 Unconditional Love and Self-Worth

16:38 Caring for Abusive Parents

19:00 Struggles with Gratitude

21:18 Exposing Abusive Parents

24:09 Being the Only One Who Sees the Truth

27:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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

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 17

In 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 Setup

00:42 Discussing Highly Sensitive People

01:45 Deep Breathing Exercise

03:35 The Importance of Community

03:56 Exploring Sensitivity and Trauma

09:07 Personal Experiences with Sensitivity

16:57 Understanding Sensory Processing Sensitivity

26:40 Taking Responsibility for Your Emotions

26:53 Biological Basis of Sensitivity

27:23 Sensitivity in Animals and Evolution

28:58 Modern Society and Sensitivity

31:02 Pros and Cons of High Sensitivity

34:56 Understanding Empaths and Boundaries

38:20 Breathwork and Somatic Practices

44:05 Summary and Personal Reflections

45:49 Addressing Audience Questions

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After a post online about enabling therapists sparked some really powerful conversations, I had to take the opportunity to do a deep dive into therapy as we know it. Hold onto your hats because this one gets crunchy.

Here is what AI made of it all -

The Complex World of Therapy: Pros, Cons, and My Personal Journey

In this episode, Josh Connolly explores the intricate topic of therapy, inspired by a recent post he shared on social media. Josh discusses his own experiences with therapy, including both positive breakthroughs and negative encounters. He delves into the different types of therapy, such as IFS and CBT, and offers a brief history of one-on-one therapy, citing figures like Freud and Carl Rogers. He also tackles the notion that some therapists may be unhealed, abusive, or driven by inappropriate incentives like money. Josh emphasizes the need for open conversations about the complex dynamics of therapy, regulation challenges, and the importance of finding the right therapist for each individual. Ultimately, he urges viewers to be careful, thoughtful, and empowered in their approach to seeking and participating in therapy.

00:00 Introduction and Recording Assurance

01:04 Today's Topic: Therapy

02:02 Personal Experiences with Therapy

07:05 History and Evolution of Therapy

09:33 Concerns and Criticisms of Therapy

18:25 Therapist Misconduct and Abuse

25:29 Regulation and Credentialism in Therapy

39:27 Final Thoughts and Summary

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