You're Not Crazy: A Podcast for Cycle Breakers with Toxic Parents · Torie Wiksell
When Dysfunction Is “Normal”: Subtle Emotional Abuse in Toxic Families and Why It’s So Damaging
February 10, 2026·19 min·1 clip
Tori Wixel affirms that feeling shame or devastation in response to a toxic parent's behavior is a normal reaction.
As heard by us
A clear map of how normalized family behavior can still do real damage.
The episode takes a hard look at family habits that get normalized and makes a strong case for why they can stay damaging well into adulthood.
Why you'd press play
If your family normalized dysfunction, this episode helps you name why those patterns are not normal.
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