Nisreen's Art World

S2: Ep14 – What a “Toxic Mother” Looks Like in Fiction

Nisreen Season 2 Episode 14

Hello, this is Nisreen. Welcome to the 14th episode of Season Two of my podcast—it’s lovely to speak with you again!

The other day, I came across a Psychology Today article titled "8 Things That Toxic Mothers Do” by Peg Streep. The word “toxic” feels worn out on social media nowadays, but what it really means is behaviour that threatens others' well-being in some way—emotionally, or psychologically. As I read the eight alarming signs listed in this article, I started thinking about incredibly accurate depictions of such mother-child relationships in stories.

In this episode, I am going to introduce two excellent films and two manga that capture the essence of toxic motherhood, and explore some potential ways of healing. I hope you enjoy it!


  • Presence
  • Qala
  • Boy's Abyss
  • Iguana Girl


Please find the script and related links on my blog.
https://rakssharqui.blogspot.com/2025/02/bilingual-post-podcast-s2-ep14-what.html
Please let me know your thoughts from the contact form below:
https://luxsharqui.wixsite.com/nisreenvisualart/location