I See Glass Children

About I See Glass Children

Advocating for Glass Children Around the World

Publisher

Alicia Meneses Maples

Category

education · health & fitness · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

9 Sept 2025

Latest episode

17 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

17 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   17 Sept 2026

   Do I Have to Forgive to Heal? Childhood Trauma and Christine Gautreaux, MSW

   What if forgiving the people who caused your childhood trauma feels like betraying the child who survived it? For many adult glass children, forgiveness can feel dangerous. When you grew up minimizing your pain, suppressing your emotions, or putting the needs of a high-needs sibling and your family ahead of your own, forgiveness can sound less like freedom and more like being asked to disappear all over again. In this episode of I See Glass Children, Alicia Meneses Maples sits down with social worker, somatic coach, author, artist, and facilitator Christine Gautreaux, MSW, for a candid conversation about forgiveness, childhood trauma, emotional neglect, anger, grief, boundaries, and healing. Together, they challenge some of the most damaging misconceptions about forgiveness. Forgiveness does not mean what happened was okay. It does not require reconciliation. It does not require restoring a relationship with someone who hurt you. And you are not a bad person if you are not ready to forgive. Christine explains why forgiveness may be less about absolving another person and more about releasing the hold that an old wound continues to have on your life. She also explores the role of the body in trauma recovery and why healing may require more than intellectually understanding what happened. Alicia also shares a deeply personal experience with forgiveness and the unexpected freedom she experienced when she finally confronted anger she had carried for years. For adult glass children, survivors of childhood emotional neglect, and anyone trying to understand how family trauma continues into adulthood, this conversation offers a different way to think about forgiveness: not as something you owe the person who hurt you, but as a deeply personal process that you get to approach in your own time. The question isn’t simply, “Should I forgive?” It may be: “What would I need in order to finally feel free?” Christine Gautreaux (https://linktr.ee/christinegautreauxmsw), MSW, Consulting & Women Connected In Wisdom Podcast & Community @womenconnectedinwisdompodcast Christine (she/her) is dedicated to the pursuit of play, joy, art & social justice. Christine’s superpowers include connecting people, helping folks manifest their dreams, standing up against injustice and using art to make a difference in the world. Christine Gautreaux (pronounced gō trō) , MSW holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Social Work and is a professional speaker, coach, author and entrepreneur. Christine is the co-author of Stillpoint: A Caregivers Playbook to find ease and to take a deep breath and reclaim joy and Women Connected in Wisdom stories and resources rooted in the 8 dimensions of wellness volumes I & II. She believes in the power of body wisdom and somatic play to help heal trauma and live our best lives. Christine coaches professional caregivers, activists and artists to maintain balance and self-care during these intense times we find ourselves living. Christine is the Co-Host of the Women Connected in Wisdom Podcast (ranked in the top 5% globally) and the Co-Founder of the Women Connected in Wisdom Community. She is currently serving as the Integrity & Innovation coordinator of InterPlay. You can connect with her at www.womenconnectedinwisdom.com (https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.womenconnectedinwisdom.com&sa=D&source=calendar&usd=2&usg=AOvVaw2tEtjRG1XSaom9-lGPqKBX) or christine@womenconnectedinwisdom.com (mailto:christine@womenconnectedinwisdom.com) What You Will Hear In This Episode: Why forgiveness does not mean forgetting, excusing, or approving what happened Why some survivors of childhood trauma experience forgiveness as threatening Whether forgiveness is actually necessary in order to heal Why anger, grief, and painful memories can return even after you thought you had dealt with them How childhood trauma and emotional neglect can disconnect adult glass children from their emotions and bodies Why healing is often a process rather than a one-time breakthrough How somatic practices can help people notice what they are carrying Why forgiveness may require witnessing, validation, and a sacred space How to begin healing when therapy or professional support is not accessible Using writing, movement, music, nature, and art as tools for processing difficult experiences Why forgiving someone does not require reconciliation Why boundaries may still be necessary after forgiveness The danger of confronting a parent or family member expecting acknowledgment or an apology Why telling someone “I forgive you” can sometimes lead to further hurt How childhood trauma can affect our ability to choose emotionally healthy relationships Why you are not a bad person if you cannot forgive or are not ready to forgive Alicia’s personal story of confronting anger, forgiveness, faith, and God Why healing may begin with one very small question: “May I?” — Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: 1. Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts 2. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” 3. Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZteHFGbDladFRsMmJ1ZE1nd0xoUjhCU1dPd3xBQ3Jtc0tuR2RwX2YyMjZnc3k4OFNtak9nSnpod1M1RHh0aHgzcTBsZVZuUWFqbmNqc25TRTNPN25IY3o4ejZPczBqNHVlbWhnelY3ZDVYSzZfRUJEdXJsQkdhdW10NjhZZ2ExT2E0SHVYR0VSMWhTbE1ISHhPRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fiseeglasschildren.com%2F&v=WKWkqzGmvQA) and subscribe to “Behind the Glass” for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children Spread the Word Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples and I see you. — Produced by: Brewing.Media (https://brewing.media) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Do I Have to Forgive to Heal? Childhood Trauma and Christine Gautreaux, MSW (https://iseeglasschildren.com/do-i-have-to-forgive-to-heal-childhood-trauma-and-christine-gautreaux-msw/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

2. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Growing Up Beside Schizophrenia: Todd’s Story

   What happens when you are a teenager, your sibling starts to psychologically unravel, and no one explains what’s happening to you? In this shocking episode of the I See Glass Children podcast, Alicia sits down with Todd Richardson, an adult Glass Child whose older brother developed schizoaffective disorder during adolescence. What followed were years of psychosis, violence, chaos, fear, and isolation that shaped Todd’s understanding of safety, relationships, emotions, and himself. While his parents focused on his brother’s illness, Todd was left trying to make sense of a world that no longer felt safe. He learned to monitor everyone’s emotions. He learned to make himself smaller. He learned to anticipate disaster before it happened. And like so many Glass Children, he learned that survival came before everything else. Today, Todd gives us an unfiltered, raw peek into what it was like growing up beside severe mental illness, the hidden impact of sibling trauma, the complicated role of rage in healing, and why many Glass Children spend decades searching for the safety they never had as children. Content Note: Violence, emotional neglect, substance use disorder (drugs and alcohol) This is Todd’s story. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Growing up with an older brother who developed schizoaffective disorder Early warning signs of severe mental illness What psychosis looked like inside a family home Living with violence, unpredictability, and fear Sharing a bedroom with a sibling experiencing psychotic symptoms Why Glass Children often become experts at reading emotions The connection between childhood chaos and adult hypervigilance How trauma changes your definition of danger Why many Glass Children struggle to identify their own feelings The role of alexithymia in high-needs families Rage as both a survival tool and a healing obstacle The lifelong search for safety after an unsafe childhood Parentification and the burden of managing everyone else’s emotions Why surviving childhood is not the same thing as learning how to live How writing, therapy, EMDR, and community helped Todd begin healing Why fun, joy, and play are often missing pieces in recovery Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Growing Up Beside Schizophrenia: Todd’s Story (https://iseeglasschildren.com/growing-up-beside-schizophrenia-todds-story/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

3. 

   7 Jun 2026

   The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Hidden Adult Dysfunction – Rebekah’s Story

   What happens to a child when severe mental illness consumes their family—but no one notices the healthy child is disappearing too? In this deeply moving international episode of the I See Glass Children podcast, Alicia speaks with Rebekah, a 39-year-old adult glass child from Ireland who grew up alongside an older sister who experienced a severe psychotic break in her early teens and never fully recovered. Rebekah’s story is emblematic of the glass child experience and her sister’s illness became the center of family life. Doctors, hospitalizations, medications, psychiatric units, and crisis management consumed the household. Meanwhile, Rebekah became “the healthy child”—the one who was expected to cope, perform, succeed, and never need anything herself. But beneath the appearance of being okay was a child carrying grief, loneliness, emotional neglect, and the crushing belief that her needs didn’t matter. This conversation explores the hidden impact of growing up with a sibling who has severe mental illness, the long-term effects of emotional neglect, and why so many adult glass children spend decades believing they are the lucky ones when they are anything but. What You’ll Hear in This Episode Growing up with a sibling who developed schizophrenia during adolescence What a psychotic break looked like through the eyes of a younger sister The fear, confusion, and grief that accompany severe mental illness in a family Why many glass children become invisible when a sibling enters psychiatric care The emotional impact of being labeled “the healthy child” How children learn to suppress their own needs when family crises dominate the household The connection between childhood emotional neglect and adult low self-esteem Why so many adult glass children become hyper-independent and struggle to ask for help The hidden relationship between childhood trauma and adult burnout How Rebekah experiences contributed to depression, perfectionism, and chronic self-sacrifice The challenge of healing when family members are unwilling or unable to discuss the past Why finding support outside the family can become essential for recovery The importance of chosen family, therapy, and community for adult glass children Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-see-glass-children/id1839239738) | Spotify  (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro?si=2f9248f997904e67)| or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post The Link Between Childhood Trauma and Hidden Adult Dysfunction – Rebekah’s Story (https://iseeglasschildren.com/the-link-between-childhood-trauma-and-hidden-adult-dysfunction-rebekahs-story/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

4. 

   15 Apr 2026

   When Guilt & Shame Becomes Your Super Power with Ada Undis

   What if the very emotions you’ve spent your life trying to escape… are actually trying to help you? In this powerful and surprisingly freeing conversation, Alicia sits down with confidence coach Ada Undis—a woman who boldly says something most people have never heard before: “I love guilt and shame.” Ada UnDis Ada Undis is a certified Mastery Method Coach as well as a certified nutrition coach with expertise in emotional mastery, somatic work, breaking subconscious patterns and becoming unapologetically confident. You can reach Ada at: Website: www.fyhappy.com (https://www.fyhappy.com/) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aundis/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/aundis/) Instagram:  http://instagram.com/adaundis (http://instagram.com/adaundis) For adult glass children, guilt and shame are not abstract concepts. They are lived realities—shaping decisions, relationships, identity, and self-worth. But what if they are not signs that something is wrong with you? What if they are signals… invitations… even protectors? This episode offers a completely different framework—one that does not shame your shame or fight your guilt, but instead teaches you how to understand, work with, and ultimately transform them. If you have ever felt: Responsible for everyone else Guilty for having needs Ashamed for wanting a different life Afraid to set boundaries This conversation will meet you right where you are—and softly challenge everything you thought you knew about healing. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear Why guilt and shame are not your enemies—and never were The difference between guilt (I did something bad) and shame (I am bad) How childhood trauma wires adult glass children to feel guilty for having needs The hidden ways guilt and shame show up in adulthood: Hyper-independence Fear of asking for help Burnout and emotional exhaustion Why saying “yes” to yourself can feel selfish—and how to change that How guilt and shame influence your decisions without you realizing it The connection between unresolved guilt/shame and unhealthy relationships A simple but profound reframing: guilt and shame as protectors, not punishers Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post When Guilt & Shame Becomes Your Super Power with Ada Undis (https://iseeglasschildren.com/when-guilt-shame-becomes-your-super-power-with-ada-undis/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

5. 

   29 Mar 2026

   Special Needs Sibling Domestic Violence – Abby’s True Story

   In today’s episode, you are going to hear from Abby, a 26-year-old adult glass child from the United States who has chosen to remain anonymous so she can share her story honestly and without restriction. And this conversation is different. It is DIFFICULT. We are taking an unflinching look at special needs sibling domestic violence. This is a topic most choose to avoid. We are presenting Abby’s story without filters because it is representative of what has happened and is happening in some high-needs families around the globe. Abby grew up in a home where her younger brother struggled with bipolar disorder and intermittent explosive disorder. From a very young age, her childhood was marked not just by emotional neglect—but by ongoing, unpredictable violence. And like so many glass children, what was happening inside her home was normalized. Minimized. Unspoken. An important content note: This episode contains discussions of childhood trauma, emotional neglect, emotional abuse, physical violence, and family instability. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. What makes Abby’s story so powerful is not just what happened—but how she learned to survive it, which brace yourself, can feel almost as awful to the listener as hearing what she endured. She survived by: Staying quiet. Making herself small. Walking on eggshells. Believing that her needs, her pain, and even her safety were… irrelevant. Now, as an adult, she is just beginning to untangle what this kind of childhood does to a person. This is Abby’s story. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear What early childhood exposure to violence actually looked like inside Abby’s high-needs home The long-term psychological impact of growing up without protection from her special needs brother’s domestic violence How Abby’s mother blamed her while she was beaten How Abby normalized her childhood trauma in order to survive it How emotional neglect teaches children that their needs are irrelevant The connection between glass children and loss of self-compassion Why many adult glass children struggle with boundaries and people-pleasing The confusion, anger, and grief that surfaced in Abby’s early adulthood Why validation from a safe relationship can feel both healing and uncomfortable at the same time Abby’s message to parents about intentionally seeing and supporting all of their children Abby’s advice to teenage glass children who feel trapped and unheard Abby’s insightful retroactive perspective about the involvement of Child Protective Service in her family Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Special Needs Sibling Domestic Violence – Abby’s True Story (https://iseeglasschildren.com/special-needs-sibling-domestic-violence-abbys-true-story/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

6. 

   7 Mar 2026

   Hypervigilance, Guilt, and Childhood Trauma: Constanza Speaks

   In today’s episode, we travel to Santiago, Chile to meet Constanza Varas Kahler, a 24-year-old adult glass child who is not only living this reality, but also researching it for her university thesis. Children’s mental health is the focal point of Constanza’s story. Constanza grew up as the youngest of three, with a middle sister who has Down syndrome and later developed epilepsy. From the outside, Constanza was the quiet, well-behaved, responsible one. On the inside, the weight of childhood trauma and parentification triggered exhaustion, hypervigilance, and caused her to slowly disappear under the weight of everyone else’s needs. By age six, she was her sister’s translator. By ten, she was her mother’s emotional support, her sister’s comforter, and the family’s peacemaker—while her father’s yelling, her brother’s coldness, and her mother’s emotional absence left her with nowhere to put her own fear and grief. Constanza describes learning to read danger from footsteps in the hallway, feeling guilty any time she tried to rest, and believing her worth depended on productivity and caretaking. She shares bravely about depression, suicidal thoughts, and the moment she chose therapy—and chose life—for herself, even when her father dismissed therapy as “a waste of time” for “crazy people.” This episode is a raw, global snapshot of what it means to be the invisible child in a high-needs family—and what it looks like to slowly claim your right to exist as your own person. A gentle trigger warning: This conversation includes references to childhood emotional neglect, parentification, verbal/emotional intensity in the home, depression and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. This is Constanza’s story. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear Parentification: How Constanza became her sister’s translator at age six because no one else could understand her speech At ten years old she comforted  her sister during their grandparents’ deaths, she held her mother’s emotions, and tried  to keep peace with a short-tempered, angry, yelling father A vivid description of hypervigilance: learning to read everyone’s mood from the sound of their footsteps and never being able to truly relax What it’s like to study, sleep, and live in constant proximity to a high-needs sibling—through surgeries, epilepsy, fainting spells, broken bones, and hospital visits Unrecognized childhood trauma How years of being “the calm one” and “no trouble” created: chronic exhaustion deep resentment she feels guilty for intense guilt any time she does something just for herself How Constanza’s perfectionism and overachievement rose up as a trauma response: needing to be productive to feel worthy feeling lost and empty when life finally asks, “What do you want?” The moment she considered ending her life—and what she chose instead The battle to seek help when her own father called therapy a waste of money and “for crazy people” What she’s learning in therapy now: A powerful explanation of parentification Constanza’s message to parents of high-needs children – how to properly address mental health in children. Constanza’s message to adult glass children around the world: Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Hypervigilance, Guilt, and Childhood Trauma: Constanza Speaks (https://iseeglasschildren.com/hypervigilance-guilt-and-childhood-trauma-constanza-speaks/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

7. 

   14 Feb 2026

   Healing Childhood Trauma Through Self-Compassion with Cynthia L. Phelps, PhD

   How does Self-Compassion impact mental health? Especially in Glass Children? Today I am interviewing Dr. Cynthia Phelps, one of the world’s leading experts in self-compassion. Dr. Phelps is a Stanford Ambassador of Compassion, International Speaker, Certified Mindfulness Instructor, and Founder of InnerAlly, a trauma-Informed company building tools, courses, and mobile apps to improve mental wellness rooted in the science of self-compassion. She has extensive experience in learning and behavior change and has been developing mental health technologies since 2009. Her expertise is in helping people to use their inner voice to be kind and support to transform their life. Her background in pharmacology and neuroscience helps her create programs for effective health behavior change. You may reach Dr. Phelps at https://cynthiaphelps.com (https://cynthiaphelps.com/) Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear Why glass children often grow into adults with a harsh inner critic The connection between childhood trauma and perfectionism How low self-compassion is linked to anxiety, depression, and burnout Why being compassionate toward others is not the same as being compassionate toward yourself What mindfulness actually means and why it is not “woo-woo” How trauma lives in the body Why self-compassion feels uncomfortable at first How to begin rewiring your brain through practice The role of “inner allies” and core emotional needs What to say to yourself when the inner critic gets loud Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-see-glass-children/id1839239738) | Spotify  (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro?si=2f9248f997904e67)| or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Healing Childhood Trauma Through Self-Compassion with Cynthia L. Phelps, PhD (https://iseeglasschildren.com/healing-childhood-trauma-through-self-compassion-with-cynthia-l-phelps-phd/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

8. 

   11 Jan 2026

   Alicia: Real & Raw

   What happens to creators when they decide to dive into the dark and tell the hard stories about childhood trauma and mental health? In today’s episode, Alicia shares the deeply personal impact of creating this podcast and the ramifications it has had on her emotional well being, relationships, and mindset. She reveals the surprising feedback she has received, both positive and controversial, and gives us a glimpse of what is still to come in upcoming episodes. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-see-glass-children/id1839239738) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro?si=2f9248f997904e67)| or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Alicia: Real & Raw (https://iseeglasschildren.com/alicia-real-raw/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

9. 

   20 Dec 2025

   What Every Parent of a Special Needs Child Needs to Hear

   In this episode, we do something different and very important. This conversation is for parents. Three adult glass children come together in-studio to read and reflect on a list of do’s and don’ts for parents of children with special needs and disabilities. Their answers and reactions are not theories. These are lived experiences from adults who grew up alongside siblings with serious mental illness, cancer, intellectual disabilities. This episode is not about blaming parents. It is not about shaming families. It is about helping parents understand long term impact of growing up in a high needs household and what can be done differently. If you are a parent of a child with disabilities, a mom of a special needs child, or a caregiver navigating constant medical, behavioral, or emotional demands, this episode offers honest guidance from the people who lived it. Many parents have never heard the term: glass children. Glass children are siblings who often appear capable, responsible, and fine while quietly carrying fear, responsibility, and emotional neglect. This episode introduces that concept gently and translates it into practical advice parents can use right now. Content note: This episode includes discussion of sibling violence, safety concerns, emotional neglect, parentification, trauma, and long term caregiving fears. Please listen with care. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear Advice for parents of children with disabilities from adult siblings who grew up in high needs homes Why there is no such thing as normal and how unrealistic expectations harm siblings The impact of safety not being prioritized in high needs households Why separating living arrangements can sometimes protect everyone involved How chaos and sibling violence affect a child well into adulthood How family dynamics shape whether siblings choose to have children later in life Why all children need support, not only the child with the most visible needs Why children who look fine are often not fine The role of therapy in childhood vs. time with parents How emotional parentification happens and why it is damaging Why parents need to address THEIR trauma How infantilizing and enabling prevent growth and create resentment Why forcing siblings to always get along causes long term relational harm What adult glass children wish parents understood while there is still time to change course Connect & Engage Ready to learn more about supporting all children in high needs families? Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with another parent, caregiver, therapist, teacher, or medical professional Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post What Every Parent of a Special Needs Child Needs to Hear (https://iseeglasschildren.com/what-every-parent-of-a-special-needs-child-needs-to-hear/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

10. 

    15 Nov 2025

    The Hidden Cost of Childhood Emotional Neglect with Emily Wyler

    Our interview with Emily Wyler, a 30-something adult glass child from the United States marks a turning point in Season 1. Emily gets raw and real about the cost of being the “good one.” At 4 years old her teachers turned against her instead of understanding the trauma or nearly losing her baby sister to multiple surgeries and how her parents punished her. As a teen you’ll hear how she finally found a safe haven, only to have it ripped from her by her parents. You’ll hear how her childhood trauma followed her into adulthood: perfectionism, dating people who mirrored chaos, a crushing fear of becoming a parent and the lifelong grief of never having been asked, “Emily, how are you?” A gentle trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of medical trauma, childhood emotional neglect, physical punishment, bullying, perfectionism, grief, complex family loyalty, and fear about lifelong caregiving responsibility. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. This is Emily’s story—and it’s a mirror for every glass child who was expected to be grateful, responsible, and fine while silently falling apart. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear Emily’s early childhood as a “waiting room child” while her sister endured multiple surgeries and hospitalizations How her anger and acting out in preschool were punished instead of understood as trauma The pain of being known only as “the sick kid’s sister” and never as her own person How constant praise for being “fine,” “mature,” and “self-sufficient” trained her to become a perfectionist caregiver instead of a cared-for child The camp story: the one place Emily felt free, and how a single decision tied to her sister cost her the dream she’d held since childhood How this “training” shaped her adult life: gravitating toward unhealthy relationships struggling to receive care fear of having children of her own terror about what happens when her parents die and her sister still needs full-time care Why she still wrestles with guilt—feeling she “could have been a better sister”—and Alicia’s on-air truth-telling: “You were a child.” A clear message to parents of high-needs kids: See your other children Ask how they are Protect their dreams, not just their sibling’s survival Make intentional 1:1 time and listen when they’re brave enough to say what they need A message to adult glass children: You are not selfish for having limits You are not obligated to destroy your life to prove your love Healing begins when you start taking care of yourself on purpose Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post The Hidden Cost of Childhood Emotional Neglect with Emily Wyler (https://iseeglasschildren.com/the-hidden-cost-of-childhood-emotional-neglect-with-emily-wyler/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

11. 

    2 Nov 2025

    Glass Child Relationships Explained: Attachment After Childhood Trauma — with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC

    Part 2: In today’s episode, we welcome back Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC — Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Path to Joy Counseling in Corpus Christi, Texas — to go one level deeper. In Part 1 (https://iseeglasschildren.com/how-emotional-invalidation-shapes-who-we-become-with-megan-rodriguez-ms-lpc-ncc/), Megan helped us understand emotional invalidation and how it can lead to Complex PTSD. In this episode, we talk about what happens next: how those early experiences shape the way we attach, love, trust, and set boundaries in adulthood. If you’ve ever wondered, “Why do I always pick people who don’t choose me back?” or “Why do I work so hard in relationships?” or “Why do I freak out when someone is mad at me?” — this conversation will make so much sense. Megan explains attachment in simple language, then walks us through secure, anxious, avoidant, and disorganized attachment styles — and how glass children often end up stuck in people-pleasing, over-functioning, and emotional hypervigilance because that’s what kept them safe growing up. A gentle trigger warning: This episode contains discussions of childhood emotional neglect, boundary violations, people-pleasing, and relational trauma. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. This is for every adult glass child who learned to manage everyone else’s emotions to stay safe — and is now ready to learn how to choose themselves. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear How childhood emotional neglect and chronic trauma lead to insecure attachment in adulthood The two survival patterns glass children often adopt: “it’s all about me” vs. “it’s all about you” Why people-pleasing, overachieving, and “being the easy kid” are actually attachment strategies What a parent’s real role is: to teach worth, safety, and that love doesn’t have to be earned The 4 attachment styles (secure, anxious, avoidant, disorganized) described in plain language How hyper-vigilance shows up in glass children — constantly scanning the room to manage everyone’s emotions Alicia’s “I minimized my husband’s emotions just like mine were minimized” story — and how awareness changed her marriage A simple 3-step roadmap to start healing: Identify your feelings (feelings wheel, journaling, apps) Identify your needs Set and hold boundaries — even as a Christian Why it’s biblical and healthy to say “no” Practical tips for finding a trauma-informed or attachment-based therapist Connect with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC Path to Joy Counseling, Corpus Christi, TX 361-500-3465 meganrodriguez@pathtojoycounseling.onmicrosoft.com Headway Profile (https://care.headway.co/providers/megan-rodriguez?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=141924) Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-see-glass-children/id1839239738) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro?si=6b51db67c74d4c9a)| or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Glass Child Relationships Explained: Attachment After Childhood Trauma — with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC (https://iseeglasschildren.com/glass-child-relationships-explained-attachment-after-childhood-trauma-with-megan-rodriguez-ms-lpc-ncc/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

12. 

    25 Oct 2025

    How Emotional Invalidation Shapes Who We Become – with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC

    Part 1 – Today’s episode is all about the glass child’s mental health; understanding how and why the glass child experience is so deeply impactful. We sit down with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC, a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Path to Joy Counseling in Corpus Christi, Texas. Megan specializes in helping children, adults, and families heal from trauma and rediscover their sense of self-worth. Together, in Part 1 of this 2-part interview, we explore the unseen impact of emotional invalidation and unpack what Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) really is—how it develops, how it manifests, and how it affects the relationships and identities of those who experienced chronic emotional neglect in childhood. This episode lays the foundation for Part 2, where Megan returns to discuss attachment and how early relational wounds shape the way glass children connect in adulthood. A gentle trigger warning: This conversation includes discussions of emotional neglect, invalidation, family trauma, and the long-term effects of chronic stress. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. This is the beginning of understanding why so many adult glass children struggle with identity, trust, and belonging, and it’s the start of learning how to heal. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear • What Complex PTSD really means—and why it isn’t officially recognized in the U.S. DSM • The difference between PTSD and C-PTSD, and three key symptoms • How repeated emotional invalidation cracks a child’s trust in their caregivers • Why neglecting a child’s emotions can be just as damaging as overt abuse • Two common maladaptive coping patterns glass children develop: “It’s all about me” vs “It’s not at all about me” • How these childhood adaptations shape identity, empathy, and relationships in adulthood • Why emotional expression—crying, naming, and processing feelings—is a vital part of healing Connect with Megan Rodriguez Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC Path to Joy Counseling, Corpus Christi, TX 361-500-3465 meganrodriguez@pathtojoycounseling.onmicrosoft.com Headway Profile (https://care.headway.co/providers/megan-rodriguez?utm_source=pem&utm_medium=direct_link&utm_campaign=141924) Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube | Apple Podcasts | Spotify | or wherever you get your podcasts. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com/) and subscribe to Behind the Glass for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring—and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental-health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples, and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (http://brewing.media/) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post How Emotional Invalidation Shapes Who We Become – with Megan Rodriguez, MS, LPC, NCC (https://iseeglasschildren.com/how-emotional-invalidation-shapes-who-we-become-with-megan-rodriguez-ms-lpc-ncc/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

13. 

    11 Oct 2025

    Breaking The Glass Child Cycle

    Meet Abigail Williams, a 43-year-old woman who grew up as the younger sibling to a brother with Down syndrome. From a young age, Abigail learned to make herself small. To not be a problem. To take care of everyone around her (especially her brother). To be perfect. She learned to tamp down her emotions. But what her family didn’t see…what no one saw, was that beneath the surface of the “good little girl,” Abigail was navigating a silent crisis: trying to figure out who she was as a person and what her worth was in the world. A gentle trigger warning: In this conversation, Abigail shares a challenging time in her life where she contemplated the value of her life.  This episode and podcast series contains discussions of childhood trauma, emotional invalidation, and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care and seek support if needed. This is Abigail’s story of survival, transformation, and the profound moment when she recognized the same danger signs in her own 18-year-old daughter and refused to accept “I’m fine” as an answer. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. What You’ll Hear A pivotal moment when Abigail first realized she needed to protect her brother when neighborhood kids made fun of him The silent teenage crisis no one knew about How emotional invalidation taught her that her feelings weren’t important enough to share The gift of recognizing the glass child cycle in her own daughter and how she refused to accept ‘I’m fine’ Abigail’s advice to parents: give your glass children permission to be fallible, messy, imperfect human beings who are loved no matter what Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: 1. Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iseeglasschildren-com/id1839239738) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro)| or wherever you get your podcasts 2. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” 3. Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com  (https://iseeglasschildren.com/contact/)and subscribe to “Behind the Glass” for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children. 4. Spread the Word: Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (https://brewing.media) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Breaking The Glass Child Cycle (https://iseeglasschildren.com/breaking-the-glass-child-cycle/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

14. 

    4 Oct 2025

    Feeling Seen: Mae’s Journey From Invisible to Validated

    In today’s episode, you are going to hear the young voice of a 20-year old twin named Mae. (NOTE: She requested anonymity. Her name and her voice have been changed to protect her privacy.) Mae grew up in the Philippines and her story is one of emotional erosion—how her older sister’s illness and the way she was raised slowly chipped away at her sense of self, her safety, and her ability to cope. She was not only invisible to her family, but she started to become invisible to herself. Why? A gentle trigger warning: In this conversation, Mae shares about the unnamed pain that led her to suicidal ideation and the beginning of her healing journey. This is Mae’s story. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. (Content Note: This episode and podcast series contains discussions of childhood trauma, neglect, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Please listen with care and seek support if needed) What You’ll Hear • The pain of growing up without the ability to play outside or celebrate scholastic accomplishments • How Mae’s older sister told her she was suicidal when Mae was 9 • Mae’s determination to help her sister feel like she was not a burden • The surprising real story behind why Mae sought help Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: 1. Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iseeglasschildren-com/id1839239738) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro)| or wherever you get your podcasts 2. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” 3. Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXZHdDBwakd6cnBVWm9TQUp4UFpJT0VTV0pUUXxBQ3Jtc0ttMUt5aE9tSUtRSnB0SGtNUDc1QmI2SGp0U1dLS2NSN0tIWDBXemUxNHhpTHJuanVROTN0TzdxY3lNMGxlNF9UckJodjg4S0hoeDRQeEx0N29sT2hSMGdQUVhpdEFvcWt0dy04RUphLUhhalVYMTYzZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fiseeglasschildren.com%2F&v=VEi_9mO0UVw) and subscribe to “Behind the Glass” for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children Spread the Word Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (https://brewing.media) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post Feeling Seen: Mae’s Journey From Invisible to Validated (https://iseeglasschildren.com/feeling-seen-maes-journey-from-invisible-to-validated/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

15. 

    24 Sept 2025

    The Quiet Force: ‘Nope’ and the World’s Largest Online Glass Child Community

    In today’s episode, we meet someone who’s become a quiet force in the movement to recognize and support glass children. She goes by the name Nope—not her real name, but the one she uses online to protect her privacy. And under that name, she created something remarkable. Nope is an adult glass child—and she’s the founder of the Glass Children SubReddit, the largest online community in the world dedicated to the glass child experience. https://www.reddit.com/r/GlassChildren (https://www.reddit.com/r/GlassChildren) Nope grew up in Belgium, is highly educated, and by all outward appearances, she’s successful. But behind that success is a childhood marked by silence, emotional invisibility, and trauma. A gentle trigger warning: In this conversation, Nope shares deeply personal truths—about the pain that led her to self-harm, her battle with Complex PTSD, and the long road she’s walked toward healing. But you’ll also hear about the strength and compassion that led her to build a safe space for others who grew up unseen. This is her story. And this is the legacy she’s building—one post, one comment, one glass child at a time. Welcome to the I See Glass Children podcast. (Content Note: This episode and podcast series contains discussions of childhood trauma, neglect, self-harm,, suicidal ideation, and family violence. Please listen with care and seek support if needed) What You’ll Hear • The pain of growing up with a sister who didn’t sleep and constantly screamed, hidden behind a calm, matter of fact voice • Nope’s first crisis with dissociation • What led Nope to seek professional help • The things have helped Nope cope with childhood trauma and neglect • Why Nope decided to create a the Glass Children SubReddit Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: 1. Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iseeglasschildren-com/id1839239738) | Spotify  (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro)| or wherever you get your podcasts 2. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it and tell them, “You have to hear this.” 3. Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXZHdDBwakd6cnBVWm9TQUp4UFpJT0VTV0pUUXxBQ3Jtc0ttMUt5aE9tSUtRSnB0SGtNUDc1QmI2SGp0U1dLS2NSN0tIWDBXemUxNHhpTHJuanVROTN0TzdxY3lNMGxlNF9UckJodjg4S0hoeDRQeEx0N29sT2hSMGdQUVhpdEFvcWt0dy04RUphLUhhalVYMTYzZw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fiseeglasschildren.com%2F&v=VEi_9mO0UVw) and subscribe to “Behind the Glass” for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children Spread the Word Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, friends. Sharing is caring and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples and I see you. Produced by: Brewing.Media (https://brewing.media) Dedicated to: My Daddy. I love you with all my heart forevers. Special thanks to: BlueHair The post The Quiet Force: ‘Nope’ and the World’s Largest Online Glass Child Community (https://iseeglasschildren.com/the-quiet-force-nope-and-the-worlds-largest-online-glass-child-community/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

16. 

    16 Sept 2025

    The Glass Child Experience – Breaking The Silence

    “They call us glass children. We look fine on the outside. We perform, we excel, we behave. We look like we have no problems, but inside we’re cracking. We’re carrying trauma that no one ever thought to measure.” – Alicia Meneses Maples, Glass Child Advocate & Host Welcome to the I See Glass Children Podcast, where we illuminate the invisible siblings who grew up in high-needs families. Hosted by Alicia Meneses Maples, glass child advocate, speaker, and educator. This groundbreaking series gives voice to a hidden population that has been overlooked by families, professionals, and society for far too long. In this inaugural episode, Alicia courageously shares her personal story and introduces listeners to the concept of glass children: Siblings who grew up “invisible” while their families focused on a brother or sister with high-needs. You’ll discover what it truly means to be a glass child, why this experience is so universal across cultures and generations, and how a 2010 TEDx talk became a viral sensation 13 years later, sparking global conversations about this overlooked population. (Content Note: This episode and podcast series contains discussions of childhood trauma, neglect, depression, suicidal ideation, and family violence. Please listen with care and seek support if needed) What You’ll Hear The raw, honest accounts of growing up unseen in a high-needs family Teaser clips from upcoming interviews with adult glass children revealing eerily similar experiences A compassionate message for parents navigating a complex and difficult situation Encouragement for mental health professionals to learn more and serve this overlooked population An overview of what listeners can expect to hear in the first season of the podcast Connect & Engage Ready to join the movement? Here’s how you can help break the silence around glass children: Subscribe to the I See Glass Children Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it Visit https://iseeglasschildren.com and subscribe to “Behind the Glass” for exclusive updates, behind-the-scenes content, and a special PDF with tips for helping glass children Spread the Word Share this episode with your bestie, your therapist, your teachers, your minister, your parents. Sharing is caring and hearing is healing. REMEMBER: If you’re struggling, reach out to a mental health professional. You do not have to do this alone. Thank you for listening to the I See Glass Children podcast. I’m Alicia Meneses Maples and I see you. The post The Glass Child Experience – Breaking The Silence (https://iseeglasschildren.com/the-glass-child-experience-breaking-the-silence/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

17. 

    9 Sept 2025

    I See Glass Children Podcast Trailer

    The I See Glass Children podcast illuminates the glass child experience so the world will see them, understand their story, and give them the life-changing help they need. Meet the Glass Children Founder and I See Glass Children Podcast Host Alicia Meneses Maples – Glass Child Advocate, Speaker, and Educator Alicia is an adult glass child who grew up in a high-needs family. Her TEDx talk (https://youtu.be/MSwqo-g2Tbk?si=IguV6fIZ8Q9rmzrR) set a global viral trend about glass children and brought worldwide attention to what has been called “the most devastating, unmet mental health crisis of our time.” You’ve seen Alicia on NBC, CNN, and in countless online articles. She is an empowered advocate helping other glass children heal and claim their value. Who This Podcast Is For Adult glass children seeking validation and healing Mental health professionals working with high-needs families will find resources and connections Families, communities, and churches supporting children and families in crisis What You’ll Discover On this podcast, we tell the truth with boldness, own our stories without shame, pursue healing, and claim our value independent of others’ thoughts, feelings, or expectations. Whether you’re a glass child, a professional working with high-needs families, or someone who wants to understand this hidden crisis and make a real difference in a glass child’s life, this podcast is for you. “Glass children, your story matters. Your healing matters. You Matter. I see you!” – Alicia Meneses Maples, Connect and Subscribe to Know More Don’t miss a single episode. Subscribe and follow I See Glass Children on your favorite podcast platform: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@iseeglasschildren) | Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/iseeglasschildren-com/id1839239738) | Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6wsZioGUoM0gHIpiXVpdro)| or wherever you get your podcasts Website: www.ISeeGlassChildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com) The post I See Glass Children Podcast Trailer (https://iseeglasschildren.com/i-see-glass-children-podcast-trailer/) appeared first on iseeglasschildren.com (https://iseeglasschildren.com).

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

10 ratings

Contact I See Glass Children

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.