Therapist Explains: Why Kids Are Cutting Off Their Parents

If you've ever wondered how a family goes from talking every week to not talking at all, this conversation is for you. Matthias Barker and I unpack why estrangement rarely happens because of one big moment—it usually comes after years of small moments that were never addressed. We talk about what parents often miss, what adult children wish their parents understood, and why the fastest way to push someone further away is to defend your intentions instead of trying to understand their experience. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter Thank you to our Sponsors: LMNT. Head to https://drinkLMNT.com/jefferson to try risk free. ZocDoc. https://zocdoc.com/jefferson to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Square. Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/JEFFERSON BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Order my new book, The Next Conversation, today! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/topic Join my School of Communication. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/membership Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher Follow me on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson?lang=en Follow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/

Jefferson FisherhostMatthias Barkerguest

Aug 7, 20261h 21mWatch on YouTube ↗

EPISODE INFO

Released: August 7, 2026
Duration: 1h 21m
Channel: The Jefferson Fisher Podcast
Watch on YouTube: ▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

If you've ever wondered how a family goes from talking every week to not talking at all, this conversation is for you. Matthias Barker and I unpack why estrangement rarely happens because of one big moment—it usually comes after years of small moments that were never addressed. We talk about what parents often miss, what adult children wish their parents understood, and why the fastest way to push someone further away is to defend your intentions instead of trying to understand their experience. Order The Next Conversation Workbook: https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/workbook Want a FREE communication tip each week? Click here to join my newsletter. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/newsletter Thank you to our Sponsors: LMNT. Head to https://drinkLMNT.com/jefferson to try risk free. ZocDoc. https://zocdoc.com/jefferson to find and instantly book a doctor you love today. Square. Get up to $200 off Square hardware when you sign up at https://square.com/go/JEFFERSON BetterHelp. Click https://betterhelp.com/jeffersonfisher for a discount on your first month of therapy. Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a 5-star review! Order my new book, The Next Conversation, today! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/book Suggest a topic or ask a question for me to answer on the show! https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/topic Join my School of Communication. https://www.jeffersonfisher.com/membership Follow me on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jefferson_fisher Follow me on TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@justaskjefferson?lang=en Follow me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffersonfisher/

SPEAKERS

Jefferson Fisher
host
Host of The Jefferson Fisher Podcast and interviewer guiding the discussion.
Matthias Barker
guest
Therapist specializing in parent–adult child estrangement and affiliated with estrangement.com.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of The Jefferson Fisher Podcast, featuring Jefferson Fisher and Matthias Barker, Therapist Explains: Why Kids Are Cutting Off Their Parents explores therapist breaks down adult-child estrangement and how parents repair trust A 2023 study is cited suggesting family cutoffs are common (about one in four people have cut contact at some point), with estrangement ranging from emotional distance to full no-contact.

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