Featured Resources
Random Acts of Kindness for the Family
We’ve assembled a bingo sheet for you and your family to inspire random acts of kindness in your household. Acts of kindness cause a ripple effect – starting them in the home can cause others in your household to pass them along to others. Work individually or as a family to complete the bingo sheet.
Making Time for Family Fun
Often the fun activities in life get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. When this happens, I encourage caregivers to take a few minutes to complete the following activity adapted from the “Together Facing the Challenge” curriculum.
Fixed or Growth Mindset – Which Type of Family Are You?
A fixed mindset often focuses solely on the end result. A growth mindset focuses on the journey and the effort put in, and not on the end result itself. Neither of these are wrong nor bad, as encouraging your child is always a great thing to do. However, by parenting from a growth mindset, you instill the idea of resilience and learning to achieve goals. So, how can you move your family from a fixed to a growth mindset?Additional Resources
Kris Jamieson Was Unclear On Her Own Identity But Very Clear On Her Mom's
Growing up as the only person of color in her adoptive family, Kris Jamieson always knew she was different, but understanding her identity proved far more complicated. From reconnecting with her birth mother to navigating painful family estrangement, Kris shares how race, belonging, and loss have shaped her mental health journey. It’s a powerful conversation about complicated families, clarity around who “Mom” is, and learning to live with depression and anxiety while holding onto your sense of self.
Ka Vang on War in Southeast Asia, ICE in Minnesota, and Mental Health Echoes
Newspaper columnist and community leader Ka Vang reflects on surviving war and displacement as a Hmong refugee and the lasting mental health impacts on her family. She shares how generational trauma continues to echo today, as immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota trigger fear and flashbacks within the Hmong community.
When a Friendship Ends: Understanding, Grieving, and Moving Forward
Friendship breakups can be just as painful as romantic ones, yet they’re often overlooked. When a close friendship ends, whether it fades or breaks abruptly, it can bring deep grief, including sadness, anger, and loneliness. If a relationship feels one-sided, draining, or no longer aligned with your values, it may be time to let go. Give yourself permission to grieve, seek support, and focus on healing.
Tracey Yokas on Helping Your Child While Making Sense of Your Own Childhood
After the loss of both her parents, author and artist Tracey Yokas found herself supporting her daughter through grief that developed into an eating disorder and self-harm, all while navigating her own mental health challenges. In this episode, Tracey reflects on parenting through crisis, examining how her own childhood experiences shaped her family dynamics, and the long, complex path toward healing and understanding across generations.
Generational Trauma, Hypervigilance, and Moving Forward with Ophira Eisenberg
Comedian, writer, and podcast host Ophira Eisenberg joins us to explore generational trauma, hypervigilance, and resilience. Reflecting on her upbringing in a family shaped by unaddressed war-related trauma, she shares how anxiety and anger carried into her own life and parenting — and how she’s learning to face difficult emotions with honesty, humor, and a commitment to keep moving forward.
Jason Tougaw on Finding Your Own Mental Stability When Your Family Didn’t Provide it
Acclaimed writer and university professor Jason Tougaw finds time to reflect on a chaotic childhood marked by instability, inherited family myths, and the search for identity in a time when being gay felt unsafe. In conversation, he shares how paying close attention to the patterns he didn’t want to repeat—and finding unexpected sources of healing—helped him build a calmer, more intentional life as an adult.
NPR’s Peter Sagal On Breaking Cycles and Learning From His Past
NPR’s Peter Sagal joins Dr. Michelle K. Murray for a candid conversation about mental health, family history, and personal growth. Known for his humor on Wait Wait... Don’t Tell Me, Peter shares his experience with undiagnosed ADHD, anxiety, and depression, and how reflection and therapy helped him break unhealthy patterns and build stronger family connections.
Best of "In This Family" Episodes
Nexus Family Healing’s "In This Family" podcast brings together powerful voices who share how mental health, addiction, and recovery have shaped their lives and families. This best-of roundup highlights four impactful episodes that spark honest conversations, reduce stigma, and remind us that healing begins when stories are shared.