Dysfunction Junkies
Two high school besties reconnect and commiserate their stories as they navigate the dysfunctions of life from marriage, families, illness, death of childhood families, and creating healthy boundaries. Join them each week as Chrisy and Kerry share their stories and life lessons all with a zest of wit, humor, and love. They may not have seen it all, but they have seen enough!
Episodes
54 episodes
Dysfunction in Cartoon Land
Remember those Saturday mornings when you'd wake up early, grab a bowl of sugary cereal, and lose yourself in cartoons for hours? What seemed like innocent childhood entertainment might actually explain some of our adult quirks and perspectives...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 55
•
36:56
Junkies Care: Supporting Canine Companions
Ever wondered about the extraordinary work of service dogs and the organizations behind them? We're kicking off our second month of Junkies Care by spotlighting Canine Companions, a remarkable nonprofit transforming lives through expertly train...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 54
•
9:59
Seasons Change: The Bittersweet Transition from Summer to School
The transition from summer to fall brings with it a wave of nostalgia, especially for those of us who remember the distinct rituals that marked the back-to-school season of decades past. In the latest episode of Dysfunction Junkies podcast, hos...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 53
•
32:26
Trauma Talks Back: Your Parents' Baggage in 10 Phrases
Words have power, especially those spoken by parents to their children. Have you ever considered how the phrases your parents used might actually reveal their own unhealed trauma? In this illuminating episode, Chrisy and Kerry unpack ten common...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 52
•
29:28
Flashback Friday: Dysfunctional Diets-Parsnips, Ice Cream and Hot Dogs!
Remember the days of Deal-A-Meal cards, Thigh Masters, and Susan Power screaming "Stop the Insanity"? That's exactly where this week's Flashback Friday episode takes us—straight into the heart of 80s and 90s diet culture.Hosts Chrisy an...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 51
•
40:13
The Graceful Art of Getting Older
The way we age reveals our true character in ways we rarely consider until faced with our own mortality or witnessing the final chapters of those we love. Kerry and Chrissy dive into a profoundly human conversation about the stark difference be...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 50
•
23:28
When Education Leaves Scars: The Movies and Books That Shaped Our Young Minds
When did classroom education cross the line into psychological trauma? Chrisy and Kerry take us on a journey through their Catholic high school experiences that left lasting scars decades later. What's most striking is how these educational tra...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 49
•
33:56
Thankful Sunday: Gratitude, Growth, and Global Reach
Gratitude transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories. Join Chrisy and Kerry as they celebrate growth, connection, and the humor found in life's unexpected moments during their monthly Thankful Sunday episode.
•
Season 1
•
Episode 48
•
18:10
Giving Back: The Launch of Junkies C.A.R.E.
Meet Junkies CARE—our heartfelt initiative spotlighting organizations making real differences in communities everywhere. Standing for Community Awareness, Recognition, and Engagement, this monthly special celebrates the people and groups whose ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 47
•
14:48
Addictions, Family Secrets, and Finding Our Way Through
Addiction's grip extends far beyond the individual, creating ripple effects that reshape entire family systems. Whether hidden behind closed doors or normalized as "just what they do," these patterns leave lasting impressions on everyone involv...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 46
•
28:02
The Art of Being Done: When "I'm Done" Becomes Your Superpower
The struggle to set healthy boundaries often comes loaded with guilt, second-guessing, and that nagging voice suggesting you should just "be the better person." But what if that guilt is actually evidence of how deeply you were trained to aband...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 45
•
33:42
Flash Back Friday: Return the Coat, Keep the Daddy
In this special Flashback Friday episode, we revisit our popular "Return the Coat, Keep the Daddy" conversation that perfectly captures the complicated relationship we all have with Christmas traditions. From the evolution of shopping habits (h...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 44
•
30:18
Lost and Found: How Genealogy Reconnected a Family
Have you ever wondered what secrets your DNA might reveal? From long-lost siblings to unexpected ethnic origins, the world of genealogy research is full of surprises—both heartwarming and potentially unsettling. In this candid exploration of an...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 43
•
24:10
When Your Italian Heritage Turns Out to Be Only 2% of Your DNA
The hosts dive deep into the world of consumer DNA testing with contrasting perspectives. Kerry shares her journey of identity recalibration after discovering she's only 2% Northern Italian despite growing up with strong Italian cultural influe...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 42
•
24:34
Thankful Sunday: Celebrating Milestones and Meme Therapy
The Dysfunction Junkies podcast has hit a remarkable milestone this month, reaching over 2,000 downloads across 9 countries, spanning numerous states and 152 cities worldwide. Hosts Kerry and Chrisy couldn't contain their excitement during thei...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 41
•
10:14
When Family Gatherings Go Up in Flames: Surviving Summer Dysfunction
Why are summer family gatherings sometimes easier to handle than winter ones? As we discover in this raw and revealing episode, it might simply be because you can escape to the backyard when things get tense. But even with more exit strategies,...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 40
•
25:44
Birthday Hangover Recap
Birthday celebrations should be joyful occasions, but for many, they're complex emotional experiences filled with expectations, memories, and sometimes disappointments. Kerry opens up about her deeply complicated relationship with her birthday,...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 39
•
25:39
Our Spooky Dysfunction: Is That Your Dead Relative or Just a Random Spirit Passing Through?
Our Spooky Dysfunction: Is That Your Dead Relative or Just a Random Spirit Passing Through? What happens when a steadfast believer in the paranormal sits down with a committed skeptic? In this thought-provoking episode, Chrissy and Kerry naviga...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 38
•
31:04
Flashback Friday: The Elephant or the Zoo
In this Flashback Friday episode, the ladies revisit Episode 3: The Elephant or the Zoo. Silence isn't always golden. Join us as Kerry and Chrisy explore what happens when families either ignore or normalize dysfunction. In other words, do they...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 37
•
29:05
When the Bride Dances with Everyone but the Groom: Red Flags at Receptions
Wedding cakes on chandeliers, fondant masterpieces smuggled from Las Vegas hotels, brides dirty dancing with everyone except the groom—these are just a few highlights from our laugh-out-loud part two exploration of wedding dysfunctions.W...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 36
•
30:18
Your Wedding Day Is Not The Hokey Pokey
Weddings bring out both the best and worst in people, creating unique dysfunction as couples navigate traditions, family expectations, and changing technology.The podcast hosts reflect on how their perspectives on weddings have changed w...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 35
•
28:45
Thankful Sunday: From Grief to Gratitude
Loss and celebration dance together in this heartfelt episode as Kerry shares the peaceful passing of her mother. "Mom not only taught us how to live, but she taught us how to die," she reflects, finding beauty in farewell while honoring her mo...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 34
•
12:15
When Dad Got Hooked: Summer Vacation Disasters We Still Laugh About
Summer memories have a way of revealing our deepest family dynamics, don't they? Kerry and Chrisy peel back the layers of their childhood summer traditions to expose the complex family relationships underneath. Their stories—from pool opening r...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 33
•
27:30
The Dysfunction of Prom Culture: From Formal Dances to Promposals
Remember the dramatic entrance, the nerve-wracking search for the perfect dress, and the unspoken pressure of needing a date? Prom season sparks a fascinating conversation between hosts Chrisy and Kerry about how this quintessential high school...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 32
•
28:03
The Dysfunction of Healthcare: When Your Body Speaks But Doctors Don't Listen
Have you ever had a nagging feeling something wasn't right with your body, only to have healthcare professionals dismiss your concerns as "normal aging" or "just stress"? In this deeply personal episode, Chrisy and Kerry pull back the curtain o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 31
•
28:07