All Things TDS

tcs podcast

Welcome to All Things TDS!  Where curiosity meets clinical wisdom and today’s issues meet honest conversation. Every episode invites you to learn, think deeply, laugh a little, and reflect on the world around you. Hosted by a seasoned mental health clinician and university professor, this podcast dives into the fascinating and challenging issues shaping our world and how they impact the ways we think, feel, relate, and grow. 

  1. 16h ago

    The Real Feeling Beneath the Anger: Understanding Primary and Secondary Emotions

    The Real Feeling Beneath the Anger: Understanding Primary and Secondary Emotions In this episode of the All Things TDS Podcast, we explore a powerful concept that can transform the way we understand ourselves and our relationships: the difference between primary and secondary emotions. While anger is often the emotion we see and express, it is frequently not the emotion driving our behavior. Beneath anger may lie deeper feelings such as betrayed, helpless, insignificant, misunderstood, or not good enough. We discuss how secondary emotions, like anger, can act as protective shields that help us avoid experiencing more vulnerable emotions underneath. When these deeper feelings go unrecognized, they can fuel misunderstandings, conflict, resentment, and even family estrangement. Learning to identify what is really happening emotionally can be an important step toward healing and healthier communication. This episode examines how primary and secondary emotions show up in family relationships, why people often become stuck in cycles of blame and defensiveness, and how greater emotional awareness can lead to more productive conversations. We also explore the role personal responsibility plays in emotional growth and why understanding our own emotional patterns can be just as important as understanding the behavior of others. Join us for an insightful discussion about emotional intelligence, self-awareness, family dynamics, and the real feelings that often exist beneath the surface of anger. Sometimes the path to healing begins when we stop asking, "Why am I so angry?" and start asking, "What am I really feeling?"   Follow us on Facebook & Instagram at All Things TDS Podcast.  Let us know if you would like to be a guest on this podcast and share your estrangement story.

    34 min
  2. Jun 1

    What Nobody Tells You About Estrangement: The Unknown Factors That Matter

    What Nobody Tells You About Estrangement: The Unknown Factors That Matter In this episode of the All Things TDS Podcast, we explore an often-overlooked aspect of family estrangement: the historical and cultural context in which parents raised their children. Before judging past parenting decisions by today's standards, it is worth asking an important question: What did parents actually know at the time, and what resources were available to them? We compare the parenting landscape of the 1970s to that of today, examining how dramatically access to information has changed. Parents in the 1970s did not have the internet, parenting influencers, online support groups, podcasts, or instant access to child development research. Much of what they learned came from their own parents, community norms, books, or limited professional guidance. In contrast, today's parents have an unprecedented amount of information available at their fingertips. This episode challenges listeners to consider how generational differences, evolving psychological knowledge, and changing cultural standards influence the way families view past parenting choices. We discuss whether it is fair to hold parents accountable for information that was not widely available at the time and how hindsight can shape perceptions of family relationships. Join us for a thoughtful conversation about context, compassion, accountability, and the unknown factors that often go unrecognized in discussions about family estrangement. Sometimes the most important question isn't what happened—it's what people knew, and didn't know, when it happened.

    30 min
  3. May 25

    Choosing Connection Part 2: Navigating Pain Without Going No Contact

    In Part 2 of this powerful series, “Choosing Connection: Navigating Pain Without Going No Contact,” we continue the conversation about what it really means to stay connected to a parent through conflict, disappointment, and emotional pain. While estrangement is often presented online as the healthiest or only option, many adult children wrestle with a different path that includes maintaining contact while learning to manage hurt, boundaries, and unresolved emotions. In this episode of the All Things TDS Podcast, we discuss the emotional weight of choosing connection, the criticism that can come from others who don’t understand that choice, and the complicated reality of loving a parent while acknowledging imperfections and past wounds. We also explore how social media narratives, family pressure, and modern ideas about “cutting off toxic people” can sometimes leave little room for reconciliation, grace, or personal nuance. This episode also examines how adult children can begin taking responsibility for their own pain by learning emotional regulation, self-reflection, healthier communication, and realistic expectations within family relationships. Instead of placing all blame on one side, we discuss the importance of understanding personal triggers, processing unresolved emotions, and developing the emotional maturity needed to navigate difficult relationships without immediately resorting to no contact. Join us for an honest discussion about family loyalty, emotional resilience, healing through boundaries, and the difficult balance of navigating pain without going no contact.

    35 min

About

Welcome to All Things TDS!  Where curiosity meets clinical wisdom and today’s issues meet honest conversation. Every episode invites you to learn, think deeply, laugh a little, and reflect on the world around you. Hosted by a seasoned mental health clinician and university professor, this podcast dives into the fascinating and challenging issues shaping our world and how they impact the ways we think, feel, relate, and grow.