Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: A Podcast on Sibling Estrangement

Hi everyone! In this exciting new video, the second of three parts, Fern and I continue our discussion on rumination. Here, we touch upon how society's perception of the ideal family -- often portrayed on social media -- can exacerbate self-questioning and rumination. We delve deeper into strategies to counter rumination, such as the Third Eye/Documentary mode, specific innovative techniques and b...

Fern and I are back with an exciting, much-needed video on rumination and sibling estrangement! Many viewers have asked us to address this issue; they feel they are held hostage to these repeating thoughts. In this video, we examine the workings of the brain that ruminates, and we explore mind and body strategies to break the cycle of these nagging, negative thoughts. What’s more, we discuss the i...

In this next exciting video, we discuss the devastating effects of sibling estrangement on the body and the psyche. What's more, we share personal stories about cutoffs with our own siblings. We further discuss the effects of deprivation of nurturance and lack of empathy in childhood and how those forces play out in relationships later in life. We conclude our talk by offering suggestions to the e...

In this exciting new video, Fern and I talk about how self-esteem is affected and Sibling Estrangement is enabled by growing up in a family of origin where a lack of proper communication tools can spark the feeling of being "not good enough". Furthermore, we explore how emotional deprivation can contribute to post-traumatic stress symptoms, and may necessitate psychotherapeutic treatment. The dang...

In this third video on Sibling Estrangement, Fern and I discuss aspects related to Estrangement and concepts connected to dehumanization and communication breakdowns. We talk about the inability to resolve conflicts as a risk factor that can start within families, and pour into our societal interactions with others, and ultimately spark movements such as Black Lives Matter. We briefly explore the...

In this second video on Sibling Estrangement, Fern and I discuss aspects related to Estrangement amidst the Coronavirus pandemic and elaborate further on aspects relating to Superficial/Limited conversations one can have, mourning the living, the benefit of rituals, and a personal experience I share with what helped me to move forward in my own situation. +To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangemen...

Join us as I have an in-depth conversation with award-winning Chicagoland area Author Fern Schumer Chapman!! In this first of a series of talks on Sibling Estrangement, we get into the topics of emotional avoidance, ghosting, shared living experiences, the need for a beginning, middle and an end in the narration we give to our sibling relationship, and the effects of alcoholism on a relationship....