The Adult Chair Podcast with Michelle Chalfant

Latest Episodes:

535: Gaslighting, Trauma Bonds, and the Pain of Family Estrangement | Tracy Malone Nov 05, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

In this episode, I'm joined by narcissistic abuse expert Tracy Malone for a powerful conversation about narcissism, gaslighting, trauma bonds, and the devastating impact these dynamics can have on relationships and families. Tracy shares her personal experiences with narcissistic abuse and explains how manipulation, control, and emotional abuse can slowly break down our self-worth, confidence, and ability to trust ourselves.

We explore why people can feel trapped in unhealthy relationships, how childhood wounds and abandonment fears can make it harder to recognize red flags, and why healing requires rebuilding our relationship with ourselves. Tracy also explains the cycle of love bombing, gaslighting, and trauma bonding, and how these patterns can keep someone connected to a person who is hurting them.

We also dive into the heartbreaking topic of family estrangement, particularly when a controlling partner isolates someone from their parents, siblings, or other loved ones. Tracy shares her perspective on how manipulation can contribute to family division and what parents can do when they're struggling with limited or no contact with their adult children. This conversation is a reminder of the importance of self-worth, awareness, healthy boundaries, and finding support when navigating painful relationship dynamics.

Key Takeaways

Narcissistic traits exist on a spectrum, and recognizing harmful behaviors is more important than labeling someone a narcissist.
Gaslighting is a form of manipulation that can cause you to question your reality, lose confidence, and stop trusting yourself.
Love bombing can be part of a repeating cycle of affection, manipulation, and emotional abuse.
Childhood wounds, abandonment fears, and codependency can make it harder to recognize or leave unhealthy relationships.
Trauma bonds can create a powerful emotional attachment to someone who is causing harm.
Narcissistic abuse and controlling behavior can contribute to isolation and family estrangement.
Rebuilding self-worth, strengthening boundaries, and finding trusted support are important parts of healing.

Resources from this Episode:

Connect with Tracy Malone: https://narcissistabusesupport.com/

Tracy's Book: Estranged by Lies

Michelle's Free Unshakable Self-Worth Course: https://theadultchair.com/selfworth

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

534: What Astrology Reveals About Your Purpose and Patterns | Debra Silverman Oct 29, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Have you ever wondered why you keep repeating certain patterns, why some relationships feel easier than others, or what you are really here to do? In this episode, I'm joined by psychotherapist and astrologer Debra Silverman for a fascinating conversation about astrology, psychology, and self-discovery. Debra explains how your birth chart can offer insight into your personality, emotional patterns, relationships, and life lessons. And as she reminds us, we are so much more than our sun signs!

We explore the deeper layers of astrology, including the sun, moon, rising sign, Saturn return, and the four elements. Debra even takes a look at my personal birth chart, helping me understand certain traits and patterns that have shown up throughout my life. We also talk about childhood wounds, relationship compatibility, soul contracts, and how understanding ourselves through a different lens can help us embrace who we really are.

This conversation is a beautiful reminder that self-awareness can open the door to greater self-acceptance, compassion, and personal growth. When we begin understanding our natural tendencies instead of fighting against them, we give ourselves permission to live more authentically.

Key Takeaways

Your birth chart includes much more than your sun sign and can be explored as a tool for self-discovery.
Debra blends astrology and psychology to help people understand emotional patterns, personality traits, and life lessons.
Saturn return is associated in astrology with major periods of change, growth, and transformation.
The four elements, water, air, earth, and fire, represent different personality traits and emotional needs.
Understanding your natural tendencies can help you build greater self-acceptance and healthier relationships.
Self-awareness gives us an opportunity to recognize old patterns and make more conscious choices.

Resources from this Episode:

Debra Silverman Astrology

I Don't Believe in Astrology by Debra Silverman

The Missing Element by Debra Silverman

Applied Astrology School

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

533: Are They A Narcissist or Just Emotionally Immature? How to Tell the Difference Oct 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Today, I'm breaking down narcissism, narcissistic traits, and how to understand this topic through the lens of The Adult Chair. I talk about the difference between narcissistic personality disorder and narcissistic tendencies, why narcissism exists on a spectrum, and why awareness is the key factor in whether someone can heal or change.

I also walk through some of the most common signs of narcissistic behavior, including needing the spotlight, lack of empathy, love bombing, control, abuse, and gaslighting. I explain why confusion can be a major red flag, why self-worth is the kryptonite to narcissistic dynamics, and why it is so important to have zero tolerance for emotional, psychological, or physical abuse.

We also explore where narcissistic patterns can come from, including childhood experiences where the true self is either put on a pedestal or ignored, causing a false self to develop over the true self. I share how shame lives beneath that false self, how healing requires reconnecting with emotions and the true self, and how tools like self-worth, boundaries, owning reality, and healthy apologies can help create more empowered relationships.

Key Takeaways

Narcissism exists on a spectrum, from narcissistic traits to narcissistic personality disorder.
A person with extreme narcissism will often lack the awareness or willingness to own their behavior.
Common signs include needing the spotlight, excessive self-focus, lack of empathy, love bombing, control, abuse, and gaslighting.
Confusion is one of the biggest red flags of gaslighting.
Narcissistic dynamics can slowly chip away at self-worth.
Self-worth is the kryptonite to narcissistic relationships.
Children can develop narcissistic patterns when they are put on a pedestal or emotionally neglected.
A false self can form when a child abandons their true self to stay loved, accepted, or seen.
The Adult Chair question "Is this 100% fact and truth?" can help you come back to clarity when you feel confused.

Resources from this Episode:

Free Self-Worth Course: https://theadultchair.com/self-worth

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

532: How Energy Blocks Affect the Mind, Body, and Spirit | Dr. Sue Morter Oct 15, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

In this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Sue Morter for a powerful conversation about bioenergetics, self-healing, embodiment, and the connection between the mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Sue teaches at the crossroads of bioenergetics, quantum science, spirituality, human potential, self-healing, awakening, and embodiment. She explains how everything is energy, including our thoughts, emotions, and physical body, and how energy blocks can affect the way we think, feel, heal, digest, and move through life.

We also talk about the body as an instruction manual, how symptoms can be signals from the body, and how practices like breathwork, presence, self-love, and bringing our attention back to ourselves can help restore the natural flow of energy and reconnect us with who we really are.

Key Takeaways

Everything is energy, including the body, thoughts, emotions, and physical symptoms.
Bioenergetics is the study of energy as it relates to the body.
When energy is blocked, distorted, or suppressed, it can affect healing, digestion, emotions, and overall well-being.
Physical symptoms can be signals inviting us to look deeper.
The body can act as an instruction manual when we learn how to listen to it.
Our thoughts, beliefs, patterns, and early programming can influence the body.
Bringing our attention back to ourselves can help regulate the nervous system and restore a sense of inner safety.
Self-love is not just a feeling. Dr. Sue describes it as presence.
Breathwork, embodiment, and focused awareness can help energy move through the body.
Chakra work, central channel breathing, and Mula Bandha are discussed as ways to support energetic flow.
Healing is not just about fixing one symptom, but allowing the whole system to come back online.

Resources from this Episode:

Dr. Sue Morter's Website: https://drsuemorter.com

Morter Institute: https://drsuemorter.com/morter-institute/

The Energy Codes by Dr. Sue Morter

The Anatomy of Awakening by Dr. Sue Morter

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

531: Find Your Passion and Feel Like You Matter | John Miles Oct 08, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Today, I'm joined by John R. Miles, host of Passion Struck and author of Passion Struck and You Matter, Luma!, for a powerful conversation about passion, purpose, burnout, and what it means to truly feel like we matter.

John shares his journey from being a high-achieving business executive to realizing that external success was not enough. Through his own healing work, he realized that the people he felt called to serve were the very people he had become: the burned out, broken, lonely, bored, and helpless.

We also talk about John's childhood trauma, including a traumatic brain injury at age five that led to a speech impediment, sensory challenges, and a deep desire to become invisible. Over time, he began to see how that early wound shaped his need to perform, achieve, and prove that he mattered. His healing journey became the foundation for his work around becoming "Passion Struck," taking action on your purpose, and rebuilding a sense of mattering from the inside out.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that passion does not always have to come from your career. It can come from service, relationships, creativity, healing, parenting, or using your gifts in a way that lights you up. When we begin to heal the parts of us that feel unseen, unworthy, or invisible, we can reconnect with purpose, take intentional action, and build a life that feels meaningful from the inside out.

Key Takeaways

External success does not always create inner fulfillment
Burnout can be a sign that something deeper is asking for our attention
Many people feel rewarded for their usefulness, but not seen in their humanness
Childhood wounds can shape how we seek approval, achievement, and validation as adults
Feeling invisible or like we do not matter can affect our relationships, work, family life, and sense of purpose
Passion is not only about work or career. It can come through relationships, service, creativity, parenting, or healing
Looking back at what lit you up as a child can help you reconnect with your gifts
Mattering starts within. Before we can fully help others feel like they matter, we must begin to feel that we matter too
Acts of kindness can help others feel seen while also strengthening our own sense of mattering
Helping children understand that they matter can support emotional wellbeing, self-worth, and connection

Resources from this Episode:

John Miles' Website

Purchase Passion Struck

Get You Matter, Luma! here

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

530: Conscious Parenting, Triggers, and Emotional Health | Chris Magryta Oct 01, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

In this episode, I'm sharing a conversation from Dr. Chris Magryta's podcast, Dr. M's Women and Children First Podcast, where he interviewed me about parenting, triggers, emotions, childhood wounds, and The Adult Chair model.

We talk about what it means to become an emotionally healthy adult, why our children model what we do more than what we say, and how triggers can show us the unconscious beliefs and younger parts of ourselves that are ready to be healed.

Chris and I also explore conscious parenting, co-regulation, self-worth, holding space, feeling emotions in the body, and why these emotional life skills belong not only in our homes, but in our schools and communities.

Key Takeaways:

The Adult Chair model helps us understand the parts of ourselves that react, feel, protect, and respond.
Many adults are walking around in adult bodies while reacting from younger versions of themselves.
Triggers are a gift because they reveal unconscious beliefs we may not otherwise see.
Co-regulation begins when we are able to stay grounded while someone else is having an emotion.
Parents do not need to fix every feeling their child has. They need to learn how to sit with them, listen, breathe, and hold space.
Conscious parenting means trusting your child's path while giving them structure, guidance, space, and support.
Self-worth is built by validating children for who they are, not only for what they do or how they perform.
Social media can make comparison and self-worth struggles even harder for kids and adults.
Emotions move through the body when we allow ourselves to feel them without building a story around them.
Curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we can use with ourselves, our children, and our triggers.

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair Coaching Certification: https://theadultchair.com/certification

The Adult Chair Trigger Kit: https://theadultchair.com/triggerkit

Free Inner Child Resources: https://theadultchair.com/innerchild

Free Self-Worth Masterclass: https://theadultchair.com/selfworth

Chris Magryta's Podcast: Dr. M's Women and Children First Podcast

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

529: Letting Go of the "I've Got This" Mask | Laura Dionisio Sep 24, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary:

In this episode, I'm joined by Laura Dionisio, one of our Certified Adult Chair® Master Coaches, for a powerful and vulnerable conversation about what happens when we stop living from our protective masks and begin listening to what our body is trying to tell us.

Laura shares her journey from an engineering, high-achieving mindset into a more heart-open life led from within. She talks about the "badass" or "I've got this" mask she wore for years, how it protected her inner child, and what it looked like to finally begin letting that mask go.

We also talk about shame, inner child healing, and why so many of us keep running around the very feelings that are asking to be felt, metabolized, and released. Laura shares how The Adult Chair® framework helped her work with her adolescent parts instead of fighting them, and how she learned to reconnect with her body after years of living mostly from her head.

This episode is such a beautiful reminder that healing is not about becoming someone new. It is about softening the masks, turning toward the parts of us that feel afraid or ashamed, and learning how to live from the truth of who we really are.

Key Takeaways:

Protective masks often form when parts of us feel afraid, unsafe, ashamed, or unsupported
Laura's "tough" persona helped her feel protected, but eventually became something she was ready to release
Shame, unworthiness, and fear do not transform when we avoid them. We have to turn toward them with compassion
Feeling emotions in the body can feel confusing at first, especially if you have spent years living in your head
A body scan is a simple practice that helps you notice physical sensations without trying to change them
"Reverse bedtime procrastination" can be a sign that your needs, joy, or truth are being ignored during the day
Creating space between a realization and an action can help you own your truth without panicking
Fear and doubt do not always mean you are making the wrong decision. Sometimes they are protective parts trying to keep you safe

Resources from this Episode:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laura.m.dionisio

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-dionisio/

The Pivot Point Podcast

FREE Heart-Aligned Career Transition Starter: https://www.leadintact.com/freebies/heart-aligned-career

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

BONUS: Inside Our Coaching Program Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

In this bonus episode, I'm answering the most common questions I receive about The Adult Chair® Coaching Certification Program and what makes this six-month experience so powerful.

I'll walk you through who the program is for, what you'll learn, why you don't need prior coaching experience, and how the certification supports both personal and professional transformation. This is not just about learning how to coach. It's about becoming the kind of person who can hold grounded, compassionate space for others while doing your own deep inner work.

I'll also share what's included in the program, from the four-day in-person training to monthly live teachings, personal coaching sessions, practicum hours, coach feedback, and business support.

Key Takeaways

You do not need previous coaching experience to join
This program includes both personal transformation and coach training
You'll learn The Adult Chair Coaching methodology, parts work, triggers, unconscious beliefs, nervous system awareness, intuition, and masterful listening
The program begins with a four-day in-person training in Phoenix
You'll receive live teaching, mentoring, coaching, feedback, and support throughout the six months
You'll also receive business training to help you begin building a coaching practice

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair® Coaching Certification: Enroll Now!

Have more questions? Email Michelle at michelle@michellechalfant.com

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

528: How Inner Child Work Can Transform Relationships | Tracy Brown Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Have you ever wanted to change a relationship with someone you love, but had no idea where to begin?

In this episode, I'm joined by Tracy Brown, one of my Adult Chair coaches, for a vulnerable conversation about how inner child work, parts work, and speaking from the heart helped her transform her relationship with her father.

Tracy shares how she moved through old hurt, resentment, and the story that her dad did not really want to be with her. After working with the younger parts of herself that felt forgotten and not special, she was able to speak her truth without blame, open her heart, and create a completely different outcome than her ego could have imagined.

Key Takeaways

The ego creates stories when we feel hurt, rejected, forgotten, or not prioritized
Stories can make us believe there is only one way someone can prove they love us
Parts work helps us identify the younger parts that are carrying old pain
Tracy discovered a three-year-old part of herself that felt lonely, sad, forgotten, and not special
Emotional release can create more space, softness, and compassion in the body
Speaking from the heart is different than speaking from the head or ego
Vulnerability invites a different kind of response from the other person
When we speak our truth without blame, we create space for deeper connection
The ego bases the future on what has happened in the past
Staying present allows the outcome to be better than we could have imagined
Journaling after inner work helps with integration and deeper understanding
Inner child work is ongoing, and younger parts may still need love and attention after a breakthrough

Resources from this Episode:

The Adult Chair® Coaching Certification: https://theadultchair.com/certification

Connect with Tracy Brown: https://coachingwithtracybrown.com

Connect with Tracy on IG @reidybrown

MORE MICHELLE CHALFANT

Website: https://www.michellechalfant.com

Membership: The Adult Chair® Collective https://www.michellechalfant.com/collective

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themichellechalfant

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheMichelleChalfant

The Adult Chair® Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/theadultchair

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Michellechalfant

527: Self-Worth is an Inside Job Sep 10, 2026

Show notes

Episode Summary

Self-worth is an inside job, but so many of us were taught to look outside of ourselves to feel valuable. In this episode, I'm talking about what self-worth really is, where it comes from, and how appearance, performance, perfectionism, people-pleasing, codependency, and outside validation can shape the way we see ourselves.

I also share part of my own story of growing up with my worth tied to beauty and appearance, and how that eventually led me on a deeper journey of building real self-worth from within.

You'll learn how to come back to fact and truth when comparison or self-judgment starts to spiral, how to practice self-validation in small everyday moments, and how to help children build healthy self-worth by validating who they are, not just what they do.

Key Takeaways

Self-worth is not something you have to earn
Looking outside of yourself for your worth leads to unhealthy patterns and relationships
Appearance, performance, helping, perfectionism, and people-pleasing can all become ways we try to feel worthy
Codependency can make our identity and self-worth feel tied to helping others
Children build self-worth through what is modeled and reflected back to them
Validating children for who they are is more powerful than only praising what they do
Comparison is not always the problem. The problem is when comparison turns into self-judgment
Stories are not fact and truth, and they can send us into anxiety, overwhelm, and awfulizing
You have the power to choose which thoughts you latch onto
Changing your physical state can help interrupt a negative emotional spiral
Small daily validations matter, even if no one else sees them
Healthy self-worth is built from the inside out