Bite Your Tongue: The Podcast

Bite Your Tongue
  • 4.9 (123)
  • Parenting

Did you ever expect being the parent of an adult child would be so difficult? Introducing "Bite Your Tongue," a look at exploring that next chapter in parenting: building healthy relationships with adult children. From money and finance to relationships and sibling rivalry, we cover it all. Even when to bite your tongue! Join your host Denise Gorant as she brings together experts, parents and even young adults to discuss this next phase of parenting. We will chat, have some fun and learn about ourselves and our kids along the way! RSSVERIFY

  1. 4d ago

    Want a Better Relationship With Your Adult Kids? Start With Yourself—and Your Friends

    If you've listened to Bite Your Tongue for a while, you may remember this conversation with friendship expert Shasta Nelson. I'm bringing it back because when I listened to it again, I realized just how much is packed into this episode. Yes, we talk about friendship—but we also talk about something at the very heart of this podcast: How do we build a healthier, more adult relationship with our grown children? Shasta introduces us to what she calls the Friendship Triangle: positivity, consistency and vulnerability. And while she developed it around friendship, those same three things can tell us a lot about our relationships with our adult kids. One part really stayed with me. Shasta says vulnerability with our adult children isn't telling them what we think they should do differently. It's having the courage to ask what we might have done differently. Can we ask: How did I impact you in ways I may not even realize? What was hard for you growing up? What do you wish I had done more of—or less of? And then comes the really hard part: Can we listen to the answer without defending ourselves? But there's another piece of this conversation I think is equally important. We need lives and relationships outside our children. I said during this interview that the fuller my own life is, the less I feel I have to depend on my kids. Shasta takes that idea even further. Our adult children can be incredibly important relationships in our lives—but they don't have to be our best friends. We need people our own age who can listen to us, challenge us and help us process our own feelings. Maybe those two ideas are more connected than I realized the first time we recorded this episode. The stronger and fuller we are outside the relationship, the better able we may be to show up inside it—with less need, less judgment, more curiosity and more vulnerability. So whether you heard this episode the first time around or you're discovering it today, I hope you'll listen again. I certainly heard some things differently this time. To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  2. Aug 28

    What to Do When Your Adult Child Doesn't Reach Out

    If you've ever stared at your phone wondering whether to send that text, this episode is for you.  Sometimes the silence lasts longer than you want.  Sometimes you feel them pushing away. That's why this episode of Straight from the Listener Line: Real Questions, Real Answers, tackles one of the most emotionally difficult dilemmas parents face. If your adult child isn't reaching out, should you call? Text? Wait? And how do you stay connected without feeling like you're chasing them? We talk to one of our favorite therapists Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein (Dr. Jeff).   Together we discuss: How often should parents reach out?The difference between inviting connection and expressing frustrationWhy "keeping score" damages relationshipsHow to talk about communication without sounding criticalWhat to do when you're afraid you're doing too much—or not enoughAre you inviting connection or pushing them away. We found Dr. Jeff's advice to be spot on and we hope this listener who posed the question finds help, but also that all of the listeners find a kernel of support or help that they can take with them.  To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  3. Aug 14

    Parenting 2.0: The Work Begins With Us | Dr. Francine Toder

    This is an episode re-run and one that is still so relevant and needs a re-listen. It seems actually that it is even more relevant today.  Parent's are still asking Parents are still asking, "How do I stay close to my adult child without pushing them away?" Francine Toder's answer isn't another communication technique—it's something much harder: look at yourself first. When our children become adults, many of us assume the hardest years are behind us. But for countless parents, the challenges simply change. In this thoughtful conversation, psychologist and author Dr. Francine Toder explains why building healthy relationships with our adult children requires something many of us never expected: changing ourselves. Drawing from her book Your Kids Are Grown: Parenting 2.0, Francine explores why parents often experience anxiety, disappointment, and even physical stress over their adult children's decisions—and why those feelings are often signals that we need to pause before reacting. Together we discuss: Why our expectations often become our biggest obstacleWhat that "knot in your stomach" really meansHow parents unintentionally push adult children awayThe importance of treating adult children as equalsWhy advice—even well-intended advice—can feel like criticism (we've heard this before!)How gifts and financial help sometimes come with hidden stringsThe role of self-awareness in repairing relationshipsWhy our children don't need us to fix everything—they need us to understand themHow to create a meaningful life beyond parentingIf you've ever wondered whether you're helping—or accidentally hurting—your relationship with your adult child, this episode is filled with compassionate insight and practical wisdom. To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  4. Jul 31

    Helping or Enabling? When Adult Children Return Home

    When an adult child moves back home once, many parents see it as temporary. But what happens when it becomes a pattern? In this episode of Straight from the Listener Line: Real Questions, Real Answers, Denise is joined by psychotherapist Joe Nucci to answer a listener's heartfelt question about her adult son, who has returned home five different times. Together they explore the difficult balance between offering support and fostering independence, why curiosity is more helpful than assumptions, and how parents can have honest conversations without losing compassion. We discuss: Why adult children may repeatedly move back homeThe difference between helping and enablingQuestions parents should ask before making decisionsHow curiosity can uncover the real issueWhy temporary discomfort can sometimes lead to long-term growthNavigating guilt while remaining true to your parenting valuesKey Takeaway Sometimes the hardest part of parenting isn't opening the door—it's knowing when it's time to close it. To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  5. Jul 17

    Do We Really Know Our Adult Children? A Shift to Curiosity

    Some conversations are worth revisiting. As we prepared to re-release this conversation with therapist Rachel Haack, I listened to it again for the first time in several years. I thought I knew exactly what Rachel was going to say. After all, I was the one asking the questions. But that's the gift of listening again. Sometimes the conversation hasn't changed at all—you have. This time, Rachel's insights on defensiveness, curiosity, perfection, and the evolving relationship between parents and their adult children landed in a completely different way. I found myself reflecting not only on my parenting, but on how much I've grown since we first recorded this episode. Whether you're hearing this conversation for the first time or listening again alongside me, I hope you'll discover something new, too. In this episode, we discuss: Why defensiveness is one of the biggest barriers to healthy conversations with our adult children.How choosing curiosity over certainty can transform difficult discussions.What it really means to know your adult child as the person they are today—not just the child you raised.Why asking, "I know I have blind spots. Would you help point them out to me?" can deepen trust and connection.The changing role of parents as adult children build lives, relationships, and families of their own.Rachel's compassionate perspective on mothers-in-law, shifting family roles, and the grief that can accompany those transitions. Why perfection is an impossible goal—and why embracing life's complexities leads to healthier family relationships. The wisdom behind Rachel's grandfather's saying: "Those who know the most know to say the least."To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  6. Jul 3

    The Grandparent No-Win Situation -- Real Questions, Real Answers

    This is our first in a series of our new shorter segments called:  Straight from the Listener Line – Real Questions. Real Answers. In this new series, we take one real listener question and bring in an expert to help us think it through honestly, thoughtfully, and with real-life experience behind it. Today’s episode tackles a topic many grandparents quietly struggle with: “What happens when you’re trying your best to help… but it still feels like you can’t do anything right?” A listener shares the emotional challenge of being both a stepmom and mother-in-law while navigating the first year of a new baby’s life.  From formula instructions and changing nap schedules to feelings of criticism, boundaries, and the complicated dynamics between a daughter-in-law’s family and a son’s family, she describes what feels like a “no-win situation.” Joining Denise is grandparent expert Kimberly Bepler, founder of GrandparentDoula.com and a returning guest from Season 5, Episode 95. I thought I had the answer to this one. But I was real off and Kimberly was spot on. She offers a compassionate and eye-opening perspective on what many new parents — especially first-time mothers — are experiencing beneath the surface: • The intense pressure and vulnerability of new motherhood • Why control can feel so important during the first year • How social media and modern parenting expectations affect confidence • Why grandparents often feel criticized even when they mean well • The importance of supporting parents’ goals, even when they seem rigid or constantly changing • How empathy, reassurance, and flexibility can strengthen family relationships This conversation is thoughtful, practical, and deeply validating for grandparents trying to navigate changing family roles with love and grace. If you’ve ever wondered: • “Why does everything feel so sensitive?” • “Why do I feel like I’m always getting it wrong?” • “How do I stay supportive without overstepping?” — this episode is for you. To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  7. Jun 19

    Episode Rerun: The Long Game with Adult Children: A Conversation with Dr. Lindsay Gibson

    This week we're revisiting one of our  most talked-about episodes.  Clinical psychologist and bestselling author of the book Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents,  Dr. Lindsay Gibson joins us discuss emotional maturity, self-awareness, and why we need to play the long game. Many parents struggle with the feeling that they are constantly being asked to listen, validate, and accommodate their adult children while their own feelings go unheard. Dr. Gibson offers a different perspective. She argues that when the goal is preserving and strengthening a relationship, sometimes the most important thing is not proving who is right but understanding the other person's emotional experience. In this conversation, we discuss: What it means to be an emotionally immature parent—and why emotional maturity exists on a continuumWhy every parent, even the most loving parent, has moments they regretHow stress, anxiety, and defensiveness affect our relationships with our adult childrenWhat to do when your adult child remembers an event very differently than you doWhy intentions and impact are not always the same thingThe difference between surface-level family relationships and emotionally intimate relationshipsWhy validation does not mean admitting guilt or agreeing with everything your child saysThe listener question many parents ask: "Why is it always on us?"Dr. Gibson's perspective on estrangement and the role therapy should play in family relationshipsHow parents can develop greater self-awareness and self-knowledge at any ageWhy building a healthy relationship with an adult child often requires playing "the long game"One of the most memorable takeaways from this episode is Dr. Gibson's reminder that relationships are not courtrooms. When an adult child shares something that hurt them, focusing on understanding their experience may be more helpful than debating the facts. Whether your relationship with your adult child is thriving, strained, or somewhere in between, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into connection, communication, and personal growth. About Dr. Lindsay Gibson Dr. Lindsay Gibson is a clinical psychologist and the bestselling author of Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents. Her work has helped millions of readers better understand family dynamics, emotional maturity, and the path toward healthier relationships. To send us your own question for a future episode: Call our Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com We are on SUBSTACK now too - with "Behind the Mic."  We talk about how the episode resonated with us and share some inside scoop that you won't want to miss. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

  8. Jun 5

    Parenting Adult Children: When Anxiety Disguises Itself as Love Learning the difference between loving and chasing

    In our first short form episode --  Straight From the Listener Line episode -- we welcome back psychologist Dr. Jeffrey Bernstein to answer a heartfelt listener question. A mother shares her struggle after watching her once-close relationship with her son change following his marriage. She feels increasingly pushed aside and wonders how to navigate the growing distance, particularly when she believes her daughter-in-law no longer values a relationship with her husband's family. We discusses: Why adult children often experience divided loyalties after marriageThe danger of "chasing" a relationship when fear and anxiety take overHow parents can remain emotionally open without pushing too hardThe grief that often accompanies changing family relationshipsWhy love alone doesn't always tell us what to do nextThis episode offers practical guidance and compassionate reassurance for parents facing difficult changes in their relationships with adult children. Tips you can use right away.  Read more about this episode on our Substack Behind the Mic, where after each episode we share some personal thoughts and discussion.  Link here to read our current one.  Have a question you'd like us to discuss? Call the Listener Line: 📞 719-347-1106 Or email: 📧 BiteYourTonguePodcast@gmail.com Your question could be featured in a future episode of Straight From the Listener Line: Real Questions, Real Answers. Please follow us on social media now.  It helps us so much.  Facebook Instagram Huge thanks to Connie Gorant Fisher, our audio engineer.   Website: biteyourtonguepodcast.com Substack: Behind the Mic Listener Line: 719-347-1106 Email: biteyourtonguepodcast@gmail.com And remember… sometimes you just have to bite your tongue. Support the show     The site and podcast do not contain any medical/health information or advice. The medical/health information is for general information and educational purposes only and is not suitable for professional device. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult with the appropriate professionals. We do not provide any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OF OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THE SITE OR PODCAST IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

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4.9
out of 5
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About

Did you ever expect being the parent of an adult child would be so difficult? Introducing "Bite Your Tongue," a look at exploring that next chapter in parenting: building healthy relationships with adult children. From money and finance to relationships and sibling rivalry, we cover it all. Even when to bite your tongue! Join your host Denise Gorant as she brings together experts, parents and even young adults to discuss this next phase of parenting. We will chat, have some fun and learn about ourselves and our kids along the way! RSSVERIFY

Information

  • Creator
    Bite Your Tongue
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    135
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bite Your Tongue: The Podcast
  • Show Website
    Bite Your Tongue: The Podcast

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