Toxic Parents
Exploring Childhood’s Unfinished Pages — Still Writing Themselves Into Today
BREAKING FREE FROM TOXIC PARENTS
A School of Human Relations series exploring how early family dynamics shape adult attachment, emotional regulation, and relationship patterns.Â
Watch the YouTube series as Dr. Joshi unpacks the #1 New York Times bestseller Toxic Parents by Dr. Susan Forward with a live Book Club audience — guided chapter by chapter through the lens of a Vedic Psychologist. If you grew up with narcissistic, controlling, critical, emotionally neglectful, or alcoholic parents, this series will help you understand why boundaries feel hard, guilt feels automatic, and relationships often repeat familiar pain.
Dr. Joshi (Jessica Richmond, PhD) approaches each chapter as a living case study — revealing how childhood wounds echo into adult anxiety, codependency, self-doubt, and attachment struggles. Drawing from both clinical psychology and ancient Vedic principles, she shows how insight becomes integration.
Together, we explore: → Why you still seek approval from people who hurt you → The guilt, shame, and obligation patterns that keep you stuck → How to set boundaries without collapsing into self-blame → How to break generational cycles instead of passing them forward
 Books unlock wisdom. Conversation integrates it.
ABOUT THE BOOK
Toxic Parents, by Dr. Susan Forward is a groundbreaking and compassionate guide for anyone ready to break free from the lingering grip of a painful childhood. With deep insight and practical tools, Forward exposes the hidden patterns of manipulation, guilt, and emotional wounding that many adult children carry — often without realizing. She gently invites readers to confront the silent legacies left by critical, controlling, alcoholic, or neglectful parents, and offers a clear path toward reclaiming one’s voice, boundaries, and inner worth. This book is not just about the past — it’s about healing in the present, and finally living the life you were meant to lead.
Missed the live readings? Â
We completed reading this book live on Thurs, March 26 , 2026— but you can still listen anytime and share your thoughts on our online discussion board. Scroll down to register to become a Book Club member and get the conversation going. Or watch the recordings with a click of this button!
Watch Book Club recordingsThe Sacred Conch of Clarity
Awaken InsightÂ
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In Hindu tradition, the conch is a sacred symbol that signifies purity, clarity, and the cosmic sound of Om—calling us toward higher truths and divine wisdom. Lord Vishnu holds a conch in one of His hands, signifying His blessing in the form of knowledge.Â
Like the conch, the Vedic Psychology Book Club inspires mental clarity and deeper reflection. Through applying ancient Vedic teachings to the modern day mind, thoughtful dialogue ensues, and doubts get removed.Â
HOW IT WORKS
 Read. Reflect. Transform.
Books transform when their wisdom is lived. Â
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Dr. Joshi (Jessica Richmond) reads aloud from the book, Toxic Parents, sharing insights from her work as a psychologist. Through real-world stories, humor, and discussion, these teachings come alive—helping participants to understand themself, their parents and how their childhood might be affecting them still today.Â
Listen to Dr. Joshi teach and facilitate discussions for a community of like-minded seekers. Embrace the beauty of listening to a live reading that brings Vedic Psychology to life. Each session is more than just a book discussion—it's a journey into self-awareness, healing, and deep wisdom.
Live Readings & Heartfelt Discussions
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Dr. Joshi brings the pages from the Toxic Parents book to life. Through warm, engaging readings, she weaves profound Vedic wisdom into real-life lessons—sometimes humorous, sometimes humbling, but always eye-opening. Expect insights that touch the parts of yourself you’d rather ignore (but secretly need to hear). Listen, reflect, ask questions, and connect with a community of kindred spirits on this path of growth.
Slow, Deep Learning
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Here, wisdom isn’t rushed—it’s absorbed, reflected upon, and truly lived. Listen to the group discussions that allow space for doubts, insights, and deep personal integration. Connect these teachings to your own life, making the wisdom real and tangible. Continue the conversation on our online discussion board, where there is an open invitation for all Book Club community members to share reflections, questions, and support.
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Beyond the Page
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These readings aren’t just words—they’re lived experiences of people who were raised by toxic parents, so they really pack a punch, delivering real-world insights. Dr. Joshi brings ancient wisdom to life, by applying Vedic concepts to modern-day toxic parents—exploring how they affect our adult relationships, emotions, and personal growth. Through the stories in this book, you may see yourself reflected, gaining inspiration to transform not just your understanding, but your daily life—from the way you relate to others to the hidden patterns within your own mind.Â
Join The Book Club
Start Your Journey Today
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Every chapter is a new door. Open it with us.
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Vedic Psychology wisdom is meant to be experienced, not just studied. Join us for deep, meaningful discussions on the online discussion board that will shift how you see yourself, your relationships, and the world.
A Heartfelt Invitation—No Fee, its a Freebie!
 BECOME A BOOK CLUB MEMBERÂ
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From the Archives: Past Reads
Listen back to the recordings of our first completed book.
Listen to RecordingsLessons Learned From My Guru The Hard Way.Â
Vedic Psychologist, Dr. Joshi (Jessica Richmond, PhD), shares her personal stories from life on the road traveling and teaching with her guru, a man of Vedic wisdom, Sri Satyanarayana Dasa Babaji. Her stories are riddled with humor as she navigates the mysterious ways in which Babaji teaches her these lessons. The topics of Jessica’s stories have a way of relating to everyone, such as how to navigate a jealous boss, her own jealousy, caffeine addiction, death and loss, love, phobias, the silent treatment.
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Want to have your copy to read along with as you are listening to the Book Club recordings?
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Get your copy here:
Reader Reflections
Book: Lessons Learned From My Guru The Hard Way
"This is a gem of a book. Extremely well-written, beautifully presented, engrossing testimony of one person's spiritual journey from ignorance to enlightenment, from confusion to self-awareness, from self-loathing to love. And a real account of taking shelter of a genuine spiritual teacher, a rare fortune in a world infested with bogus gurus. It is quite an achievement to write a book which combines a light-hearted biographical storyline with such deep insights into the ancient wisdom tradition of Vedic spiritual knowledge and psychology. Warmly recommended for spiritual seekers and love seekers alike."
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- Dauji Dayal Das, author, editor and publisher of Bhakti Books
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The Vedic Psychology Learning Hub
ENGAGE. LEARN. CONNECT.
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Join the Vedic Psychology Book Club for thought-provoking discussions and deeper engagement with Vedic wisdom. You might also enjoy our self-paced e-courses on the mysteries of the mind, or join us live in the Vedic Psychology Study Group.
