Sibling estrangement can create grief like no other, especially when addiction is part of the equation. In this episode, Fern Schumer Chapman, journalist and author of Brothers, Sisters, Strangers and The Sibling Estrangement Journal, opens up about her 40-year estrangement from her brother and the profound emotional toll it took on her.

Fern’s story offers a raw look at the pain and complexities of sibling relationships affected by addiction. She shares how setting boundaries, in the face of addiction, sometimes means cutting ties—and the unique grief that comes with that decision. Whether you’re navigating your own estrangement or just seeking to understand the dynamics at play, Fern provides practical advice for coping with the heartache, finding healing, and ultimately, reclaiming peace.

If you’ve ever struggled with family dynamics shaped by addiction or the loss of a sibling relationship, this episode is for you.

This episode may help you:

• Gain practical tips for understanding and coping with the grief and emotional toll of sibling estrangement, particularly when addiction is a factor
• Learn how to set healthy boundaries in difficult family dynamics while prioritizing your own emotional well-being.
• Discover ways to find acceptance, healing and from estrangement
• Identify if reconnecting is an option, and how to do so in a way that works for you

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About our guest: Fern Schumer Chapman, author and journalist

Buy Fern’s books here:

• The Sibling Estrangement Journal
• Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: SIbling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation