The Impact of ‘No Contact’ on Families 

You kid just went “no contact.” It’s any parent’s nightmare. 

This week on the I Wish You Could Hear This podcast, we unpack the “no contact” phenomenon, taking an honest look at both sides of this intensely painful equation. 

If you’re the parents of an adult child who has severed contact, you’re likely blindsided and hurting. If you’re the adult child who cut off contact, you may not be trying to punish as much as you’re trying to protect—and distance seems the way to do that. 

How do both sides move forward?  

What hope is there for healing? 

Actually, there’s a lot of hope. In this week’s conversation, our friend and clinical psychologist Dr. James Sells, brings years of individual and family therapy experience to the table with fresh insights that will equip each side. 

For example, before parents work on solving the problem there’s a bigger thing they must focus on first. And from the adult child’s view, Jim shares a story of a young man who changed from “cutoff” to “culture change”—choosing to interact with his parents and family, but in a different context than the one that brought frequent pain. 

If you are a parent or adult child—or know a parent or adult child—who is in a no-contact season, this podcast is a must-listen episode. Please forward to anyone in your circle who might be helped. 

• Jim shares the most important aspect of any family restoration.  

• Shaunti shares statistics on how often parent-child relationships that are estranged become reconciled. 

• If you’re in this tender, confusing season, you’ll emerge knowing you are not alone. 

Episode 10 details:     

 Episode 10 Release Date: May 20, 2025    

 Duration: Episode10: 43 minutes    

Summary: In this conversation, Shaunti and Jeff Feldhahn, along with clinical psychologist Dr. James Sells, explore the phenomenon of young adults going “no contact” with their parents. They discuss the emotional turmoil this causes for both parents and children, the factors contributing to this phenomenon, and the importance of family therapy in addressing these issues. The conversation highlights the need for understanding, communication, and the potential for healing within family dynamics.  

Link Mentioned:      

Parent–adult child estrangement in the United States by gender, race/ethnicity, and sexuality. 

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Practical help for Real Life     

Our new podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This  is live now with episode 10! Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.     

On I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.      

You’ll take away specific steps that help you today.     

You’ll hear not only from us but from fellow authors and friends (so you hear the good behind-the-scenes stuff!), marriage and relationship experts, everyday people, ministry leaders, and other researchers. (We promise to keep that last one fun and fascinating, not boring!)      

If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].

If you are interested in having Shaunti bring research-based strategies, practical wisdom and biblical principles to your next event, please contact Nicole Owens at [email protected].

On our podcast, I Wish You Could Hear This, Jeff and I offer proven steps to help you thrive in your life, faith and relationships. In other words, we’ll offer the practical help you’ve grown accustomed to right here in this blog space.  You’ll take away specific steps that help you today. Listen, follow, and share with your friends on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other platforms.

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