Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: A Podcast on Sibling Estrangement

How to cope with ex-communication in the family? In some families, a few members may hijack the narrative and impose their own perceptions on others through distortions and lies. A skewed narrative may lead to cutting off those who don’t conform to the family identity. This is a devastating outcome, as humans have a fundamental need to belong. Sibling relationships are particularly vulnerable and competitive, as differences in lifestyles, incomes, and personal beliefs can disturb relationships. When a family member is banished, the shunned and the shunner may be flooded with feelings of shame and guilt. This episode explores ways to cope with excommunication in the family and how to find a place to belong.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Now, more than ever, people are opening up about their painful family relationships and how these tenuous connections have led to estrangements. Why are relationships so much more fragile now compared to other times in history? Several new social trends are contributing to fragmented family relationships. A disposable culture, the changing nature of the family, and a rise in individualism are some of the factors that have produced fertile ground for estrangement. In this insightful episode, we explore the many reasons behind the trend.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Emotional detachment and numbness -- when a person dials down feelings and is unable or unwilling to engage with others to avoid feeling pain -- is often experienced in sibling relationships.We may share our deepest emotions with a brother or sister, but he or she doesn't necessarily receive or respond to our vulnerability, leaving us feeling empty and disappointed. Those who are numb struggle to sustain intimate relationships. This episode explores why people are numb, how this affects individuals and relationships, and how to accept or alter this pattern of interaction to achieve more fulfilling connections.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

A member of our community asked us to explore how tragic loss affects those who are estranged from a sibling and how to cope in the absence of love and comfort from a brother or sister. The most devastating losses -- such as compromised mental or physical capacities, the death of a loved one, or even the loss of a job -- typically cause a shift in identity. These moments often heighten expectations of family support. The feelings of grief can be compounded for an estranged sibling when a brother or sister doesn’t meet these needs. To cope with these disturbing events, the estranged can lean on their chosen family for support. Join our conversation to learn more ways to cope.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

People who reflect most deeply on sibling estrangement tend to be women in their 50s, 60s, and 70s. What happens at this time that provokes this exploration? American psychoanalyst Erik Erikson calls this a period, which is filled with feelings of inertia and unproductivity, “stagnation;” it comes in lieu of the “generativity stage” when we work and raise a family to contribute to the future. Many in the stagnation stage feel a sense of incompleteness as primary relationships have broken down. This episode explores this stage when we reflect upon what has shaped our narrative. This evaluation can force introspection and change, as we seek connection, meaning, and a sense of purpose in this season of life. All in the hopes of gaining Integrity, or risk falling into the stage of despair.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Shame and stigma color the topic of estrangement, making it difficult to know how to broach the topic with friends and family members. This enlightening episode explores ways to approach someone who has initiated a cutoff and someone who has been shunned. Here are a few suggestions: Don’t judge. Don’t challenge a sibling’s emotional experience. Actively listen, offer kind support, and don’t assume you can fix the problem. For more, have a listen.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Many people don’t understand sibling estrangement, and some are unfamiliar with the word due to the shame and stigma surrounding the breakdown of a primary family relationship. It can be threatening to consider the possibility of estrangement, and some simply don’t want to hear about it. Others may have some awareness, but they may have misunderstandings about the experience. This episode addresses some of the most common misperceptions, such as “I’m the only person experiencing estrangement;” “It’s your responsibility to fix the problem;” or “There must be something wrong with me if I can’t get along with my sibling.” Listen to the episode to learn of other misperceptions.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

In the Sibling Estrangement – Sharing - Coping - Connecting Facebook group -- which includes both estrangers and estrangees -- a former member claimed the group is anti-family. She posted that estrangement is unhealthy, and it imposes a moral judgement on those who are estranged. In this episode, our hosts challenge this perspective, and point out that when people don’t resolve their conflicts, they often project their perceptions onto others. In sibling relationships, slights and hurts build up over time, and estrangement is not a choice that’s made lightly. This episode explores why estrangement happens and how it's often a protective measure in a toxic relationship.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Many people don’t see what’s right in front of them. In close relationships that provide a sense of identity or belonging, some people may unconsciously wear blinders so they don’t have to address problems that might threaten an important connection that provides security or attachment. Eventually, when these people open their eyes and examine what they’ve overlooked, they are in a state of shock, fear, anger, and pain. In this episode, we explore “betrayal blindness, a freeze response where an individual stays in denial to sustain a crucial bond.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

What are your goals for the new year? Do you want to limit contact with a difficult sibling, find your voice, improve your self-esteem, gain confidence in your decision-making, identify triggers, or break free of maladaptive coping patterns? This is a good time to identify what you want to take with you and what you want to leave behind from last year. This informative episode helps you identify how you to change in the coming year and how you can reach your goals.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Holidays are rough for the estranged. Rumination, which is a challenge in general for those cutoff from family, seems to intensify from October until December as the holidays approach. Some ruminate about what they’re missing. Others ruminate over the dread of having to attend family gatherings with toxic relatives. Those prone to depression may get stuck in “loop” thinking, perpetuating a sense of blame and shame, worsening a negative mental state. It is often an expression of anxiety and depression. This episode explores holiday ruminations and how to manage those plaguing thoughts during this challenging time of year.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Siblings in toxic relationships can get caught in a fog of confusion. A sibling may blame-shift and project their own narcissistic qualities -- self-centeredness, selfishness, and a lack of empathy – onto a brother or sister. This dynamic can become so blurry and muddy that an empathetic sibling may ask themselves, “Am I the narcissist?” In this episode, we unpack who’s who, what to expect of these sibling relationships, and how to manage them.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

The dreaded holidays! This is the most difficult time of the year for those cut off from family. The estranged often feel a sense of emptiness and alienation from October to December every year. In this episode, we take on the challenges. What are the consequences of being excluded from family holiday gatherings? Should you go to the family event when you feel unwelcome, and how much of yourself are you forfeiting to gain a sense of belonging? How do you handle toxic relatives at the holiday table? If you don’t go, how can you avoid the loneliness of long holidays without family? No matter whether you join your family or stay home, anticipating and planning the holidays is key.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

“Can you identify narcissistic traits in children?” asks a member of the Facebook estrangement support group. The answer is yes, with a big caveat. Children's behavior patterns change as they move through various stages of development. It’s important that parents and siblings don’t draw too many conclusions, especially before the child reaches the age of 12. In this episode, we identify 21 traits in childhood that might be red flags for narcissism. We also explore what may cause narcissism in children and what parents can do about it.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

How can we explain family estrangement to children? One in four adults are estranged from a close family member, and children often are the collateral damage as they lose precious relationships with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and even older siblings. Children often personalize these cutoffs, feeling abandoned and unworthy; even worse, they fear others -- like their parents -- might abandon them. This episode explores how to have productive conversations with children of different ages to reduce these fears, and how to salvage some connection with an estranged family member for the sake of the children.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Those bewildered by a cutoff with a sibling will benefit from this episode, Estrangement 101. What does it mean to be estranged? Has a sibling cut you out of his/her life? Is it for the best? Reduced communication, avoidance, emotional distance, conflict or tension, and physical separation are characteristics of estrangement. This episode is a primer to these painful sibling cutoffs. Here, we explore what estrangement is, what it feels like, and what you can do about it.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

The highly sensitive person (HSP) is like a fine-tuned instrument who captures every note and nuance in the symphony of existence. These individuals with this personality trait can be emotionally reactive because of their heightened perception of the physical, emotional, environment, and social worlds. They vividly soak up the feelings and reactions of others. This hyper-sensitivity can lead to personalization, overthinking, and rumination. In this episode, we explore how the highly sensitive person experiences, influences, and reacts to a sibling relationship.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

What is DARVO? This acronym -- Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender – is a form of gaslighting and a manipulative tactic often used by narcissists to gain power and control. Narcissists use this diverting strategy to invalidate, discard, and minimize a sibling and to safeguard their own fragile egos. When engaging in DARVO, narcissists change the facts and twist the narrative to cast themselves as victims and the sibling as the perpetrator. Brothers and sisters who experience DARVO may begin to doubt themselves and question their own reality. In this episode, we make viewers aware of this confusing, cunning pattern of behavior, and we explore ways to respond to these situations.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Anger is a primary emotion which appears when we experience an injustice or our goals are thwarted. Maladaptive anger often feels unwarranted, unmanageable, and unresolved. This type of anger can mask a range of feelings, such as shame, fear, sadness, frustration, and disappointment; it is a secondary reaction to protect from fully feeling hurt. On the other hand, empowered anger fuels assertiveness, challenges self-blame, and helps combat shame. Empowered anger is productive, harnessing these powerful emotions to make changes in a life or even in the world. This episode explores how to transform maladaptive anger into empowered anger, especially when it comes to siblings.Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG

Should I speak up or should I keep silent? This question often plagues brothers and sisters in challenging sibling relationships. There are no hard-and-fast rules about what to do in each situation. Silence, the act of non-communication, is sometimes the best response, particularly when a sibling is presented with superficial or meaningless questions that are not worthy of an answer. Silence also buys peace and de-escalates a potentially volatile family situation. Speaking up, however, gives a sibling the opportunity to be authentic and find one’s own voice, and it may be necessary when a brother or sister becomes unreasonable, demeaning, or antagonizing. This episode offers guidance on the best approach to make room for the personalities of both siblings in these difficult exchanges,Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapyJoin my Private Facebook Group. and get a free gift when you answer 3 questions. https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blogI also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/For more info on my workshops on rumination and navigating the stages of grief with sibling estrangement, please visit: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/Ali-John is starting up the Wellness Rewards Club in January 2026! This will be a chance to be part of a club, through a YouTube membership, where you get some premium strategies for managing sibling estrangement.Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangementTo buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRankTo connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.comOr visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPageYou can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapmanLike what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG