About Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: A Podcast on Sibling Estrangement
This podcast is all about understanding and navigating through the harsh reality of sibling estrangement. Grieving a living person can be difficult. It can force us to reshape how we think of family, and what can be done to make our lives easier after a series of disappointments that led to disillusionment. Whether your sibling has strong ego defense mechanisms, or exhibits narcissistic traits, we dive deep into the underpinnings of sibling estrangement, in order to empower ourselves all the more, and better understand this reality that we are forced to walk.
Listeners will be given some strategies and insights into how best to keep on empowering themselves in an uplifting and pro-active type of way.
Hosts: Ali-John Chaudhary, Registered Psychotherapist, and Fern Schumer Chapman, Author.
To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699 (https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699)
Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank)
Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy (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/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/)
For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blog (http://www.siblingestrangement.com)
I also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/ (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/ (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 (https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement)
To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com (https://www.fernschumerchapman.com)
Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage (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 (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 (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG)
Publisher
Ali-John Chaudhary, Psychotherapist and Fern Schumer Chapman, Author
How to Bridge the Divide with Sibling Estrangement
When healing a sibling divide, emotional safety and connection are more important than winning an argument. Instead of proving who is right, siblings need to listen face to face, ask open-ended questions, and acknowledge each other’s hurt without interrupting or defending. This episode explores the Emotion-Focused Bridge Model, which emphasizes empathy, curiosity, accountability, amends, acceptance, and acquired understanding to repair a relationship. Reconciliation begins by recognizing the vulnerable feelings beneath anger, withdrawal, blame, or silence. After a cutoff, a bridge is built through listening. Rebuilding trust requires repeated moments of presence, validation, and restraint. Both parties must have some humility, and make an emotional investment.
Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy (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/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/)
For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blog (http://www.siblingestrangement.com)
I also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/ (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/ (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 (https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement)
To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699 (https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699)
Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank)
To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com (https://www.fernschumerchapman.com)
Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage (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 (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 (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG)
26 Sept 2026
Inverted Narcissism/Echoism and Sibling Estrangement
While narcissism often involves taking up too much space, echoism or inverted narcissism, can look like taking up almost no space. The inverted narcissist constantly pleases, rescues, apologizes, or ignores their own needs. In some sibling relationships, one person becomes responsible for keeping the peace, often at the expense of their own feelings. This episode explains how guilt, over-empathy, and fear of disapproval maintain this one-sided, unhealthy pattern of relating. In time, this imbalanced dynamic can even result in sibling estrangement. Healing starts with noticing uncomfortable feelings, pausing before reacting, speaking the truth, and tolerating disappointment.
Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy (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/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/)
For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blog (http://www.siblingestrangement.com)
I also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/ (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/ (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 (https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement)
To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699 (https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699)
Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank)
To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com (https://www.fernschumerchapman.com)
Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage (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 (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 (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG)
26 Jun 2026
Verbal Abuse and Sibling Estrangement Part 2 of 2: What Psychology Says and What to do
In this episode, we explore why sibling verbal abuse is far more than ordinary conflict. Through the lenses of power and control, attachment theory, trauma, cognitive distortions, and family systems, we explore how chronic ridicule, invalidation, and emotional intimidation can erode self-worth and create lasting psychological harm. We also examine why estrangement may be an act of self-preservation rather than punishment. Finally, we offer grounded strategies for healing: naming the experience clearly, tracking your nervous system, setting behavior-based boundaries, and rebuilding internal safety. This conversation brings language, validation, and hope to an often misunderstood kind of family pain.
Ali-John's Public Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/5minutetherapy (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/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/688926101896419/)
For informative articles on sibling estrangement, please visit http://www.siblingestrangement.com/blog (http://www.siblingestrangement.com)
I also host a Sibling Estrangement Support Group on Zoom: https://siblingestrangement.com/groups/ (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/ (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 (https://www.youtube.com/@SiblingEstrangement)
To buy Fern's book on Sibling Estrangement: https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699 (https://www.lakeforestbookstore.com/book/9780525561699)
Link to the workbook Sibling Estrangement Journal on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLLTT6SJ#SalesRank)
To connect with Author Fern Schumer Chapman, please visit her website at: https://www.fernschumerchapman.com (https://www.fernschumerchapman.com)
Or visit her Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FernSchumerChapmanAuthorPage (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 (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 (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=X9VW7VYD864TG)
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Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.8 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
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