What can estrangers -- the person who chooses to cut off from a sibling -- and estrangees -- the sibling who is cutoff and rejected -- learn from one another? Why include both parties in the Ali-John Chaudhary’s Facebook group, “Sibling Estrangement: Sharing, Coping, Connecting?” This compelling episode explores these questions, which have been raised by some members of the group. Estrangers and estrangees have much in common. Sadly, both experience loss and they often suffer with rumination, personalization, and isolation. All estranged siblings can find common ground in the Facebook group.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 this special video, we reflect on Fern Schumer Chapman’s book Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation one year after its release. Fern shares her experience of estrangement from her brother, the heartbreak that shaped her journey, and what compelled her to write a book on sibling estrangement.

Released during the pandemic, the book faced early marketing challenges but has since reached a growing audience across print/ebook/audio formats. Fern describes how sharing her story encouraged others—many feeling shame and isolation—to acknowledge their own painful sibling cutoffs, and how the book affected her relationships with her brother and mother.

After its release, Psychology Today invited Fern to further explore sibling estrangement through blog posts. Brothers, Sisters, Strangers weaves her personal story with the voices of hundreds of others and current social science, offering a compassionate exploration of fractured family relationships and paths toward healing.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

In this episode, we outline ways to establish goals for sibling estrangement and self-esteem, based upon Nathanial Branden's book, Six Pillars of Self-Esteem. Specifically, we determine how to build upon successes and learn from perceived failures. We identify tools for mindful living, so that we can become more present and prepare for a brighter future in the wake of sibling loss.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 this episode, we explore the third and fourth tenets of Nathaniel Branden’s The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem: practicing self-responsibility and self-assertiveness. We examine how personal happiness comes from within, and how embracing this responsibility—while often frightening—can be deeply empowering. We discuss how this inner strength can be applied when navigating difficult sibling relationships, and how it builds resilience over time. We also explore self-assertiveness, including when to speak openly about who we are and when silence is wiser. To strengthen self-esteem, we reflect on negative thinking and the importance of living by our values rather than reacting to others. As self-esteem grows, so does self-agency and self-protection in sibling relationships.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 this multi-part podcast series, we explore sibling estrangement an self-esteem, drawing on psychologist Nathanial Branden’s The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem.

In this episode, we focus on the first two tenets: living consciously and self-acceptance. We unpack what it means to live consciously—developing awareness of our thoughts, emotions, values, and behaviors, and noticing how powerful feelings like anger can disrupt connection. We also explore how allowing others to define us can lead to self-alienation and choices that don’t serve our well-being. The episode concludes with the second tenet, self-acceptance, highlighting it as the foundation for personal growth and healing. Through a compassionate lens, we examine how individuals are often not solely responsible for strained or estranged sibling relationships.

To buy Fern's boom on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 this informative podcast, we discuss how enabling can serve as the lifeblood to toxic relationships, encouraging, perpetuating, and facilitating a sibling's hurtful and devastating behaviour. We explore how our early life responses -- fight, flight, freeze, or fawn -- may become relationship patterns that have adverse consequences later in life. Some of these negative patterns may sow doubt and ambiguity in who we are, creating low self-esteem, and limiting an individual's sense of identity. In extreme cases, enabling a toxic sibling can lead to more narcissistic abuse; with parents, enabling can create a reversal of the parent-child relationship. We encourage viewers to become aware of their own relationship patterns, and we offer strategies on how to stop enabling toxic relationships to regain a sense of well-being.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 latest episode of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers podcast, we explore how narcissistic parents damage their children, and how the narcissist's toxic behaviors are dangerously normalized in families. These parents, who have arrested emotional maturity, will seek to validate their needs first at the expense of the child. Typically, children in these families cannot develop healthy emotional functioning, and they suffer with adverse effects in adulthood. We explore how growing up with a narcissistic parent taints our view of life and our relationships with others. Children in these homes often develop unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as people-pleasing and enabling, to adapt to the narcissist. We conclude by discussing how to break the cycle, empower ourselves, elevate our sense of self-worth, and achieve a more satisfying life.

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like 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 this informative podcast, we explore guilt -- what it is, how it defines us, and what role it plays in a family's expectations. We discuss how guilt plays upon the psyche of the family fixer. When interacting with a difficult sibling, guilt often drives enabling behavior -- which inevitably leads to an unhealthy, imbalanced relationship. We recommend practical, empowering techniques to help viewers mitigate their own feelings of guilt. Finally, Fern and I engage in a powerful experiential exercise that viewers can do at home when plagued by guilt.

(Note: We apologize for the audio issues in this latest podcast. We're working on figuring out what caused the occasional glitches. Thank you for your patience and understanding. )

To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699

Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank

Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy

Join 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/blog

I 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 and building the next chapter in your life. What's more, viewers can have their questions answered as well as learn new insights Ali-John has into the evolution of sibling estrangement.

Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement

To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com

Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage

You can read Fern's Sibling Estrangement articles on Psychology Today here: https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/contributors/fern-schumer-chapman

Like what you hear? Feel free to donate to help us continue to make quality content: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG