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