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

Those cutoff from siblings feel their losses acutely from October to December, when their hurts reach an emotional crescendo. Some may even re-evaluate their choice to maintain distance from toxic relatives. In this "holiday" video, we explore how joyful and cheery holiday messages can be hurtful and how painful it is to think about the family reuniting without you. How do those estranged from siblings navigate these feelings, tolerate awkward get-togethers, or manage the long days alone? Here, we propose pro-active and empowering strategies to cope with this difficult time of year.

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 communication strategies grounded in assertiveness and empathy when interacting with a narcissistic sibling, informed by neuroscience and how the narcissistic brain functions. This empathic approach is not about enabling or excusing harmful behavior, but about creating opportunities for emotion-focused dialogue that may access suppressed empathy. We offer examples of how these conversations might unfold and conclude with reflective questions to help you decide whether this approach is right for you.

Note to listeners: Some strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone. If maintaining boundaries or distance is necessary for your well-being, please honor that. If applying these strategies with a sibling feels too difficult, seeking support from a qualified therapist is encouraged.

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 our latest podcast, we explore the interactions of agreeable and disagreeable siblings. Often, empathetic people discover the risks and traps of being congenial and amenable when involved with competitive, distrustful siblings. The compassionate may find that their natural inclination to allay a tense situation with their savvy communication skills may only heighten hostilities with a disagreeable sibling. These ruptures may undermine confidence and self-esteem for the agreeable sibling, creating a terrible sense of imbalance. We discuss how to negotiate a relationship with a disagreeable sibling and, at the same time, how to avoid becoming disagreeable ourselves.

+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

Narcissism comes in all shapes and sizes. Here, we explore the different types of narcissists and unpack how a narcissist's behavior plays out in interactions with our siblings. Often, we feel unfulfilled in a sibling relationship when conversations are one-sided, demeaning, deceitful, and even threatening, and these interactions can cause acute stress and even post-traumatic symptoms. Our goal is not to diagnose, but to map out the territory so that siblings can identify some of the characteristics of a narcissistic sibling. Ranging in severity -- from superficial to harmful -- relationships with a narcissist typically are plagued with an underlying sense of insecurity. In this episode, we examine how narcissism can make sibling relationships especially challenging.

+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 first episode of this new series on how narcissism can drive sibling estrangement, we explore what this personality style is and how it defines relationships. This informative episode will help viewers identify narcissistic traits such as lack of empathy, contingent self-esteem, exploitativeness, self-enhancement, hiding the self, grandiose fantasizing, devaluing, and entitlement rage that can contribute to sibling estrangement. In addition, we offer suggestions on how to manage these difficult relationships. Towards the goal of empowering viewers about sibling estrangement, this series will offer insights about narcissism and provide understanding and realistic expectations so viewers can choose an appropriate level of involvement with a narcissistic sibling.

+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 insightful podcast, we explore how important personality traits can play out in sibling relationships. Based upon Jung's description, we explore how introverts and extroverts express themselves. Fern describes how she and her brother have different personality traits and styles of communication that may have contributed to their estrangement. She describes how the two were able to find a shared communication style as they reconciled. Furthermore, we discuss healthy and unhealthy expressions of introversion and extroversion, and how to adapt communication strategies to various interactions. We conclude by discussing the greatest risk factors for extroverts and introverts.

+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