The Beckhams know about it. Hilary Duff's been through it. Harry and Meghan could write a handbook. Family estrangement is brutal, but when there's a rift, can it be repaired?
Beyond the celebrity headlines, the "no contact" movement has been gaining traction online as children cut themselves off from their parents, parents find themselves out in the cold and rigid boundaries strain what's left of family bonds.
In this episode, Yumi Stynes talks to women who've been through the pain of family estrangement. She finds out what led to the rift and how letting go can be a form of healing.
You'll also hear from clinical psychologist Dr Kayla Steele with tips on navigating family break ups – from learning how to move on or figuring out how to mend a broken relationship.
This episode will answer questions like:
- Why does estrangement happen?
- What should I do if I've been cut off?
- Is it ok to go "no contact" with a family member?
- How can I talk to a family member who's estranged?
- How can I move forward?
What to listen to next:
Where's my village? Esther Perel on how to build community
Emotional labour with Rose Hackman — ABC listen
Embracing imperfection was the key to Astrid's success — ABC listen
The price of perfectionism — ABC listen
You can binge more episodes of Ladies, We Need to Talk on the ABC listen app (in Australia) or wherever you get your podcasts.
What to read next:
Building a village means showing up even when it feels hard, says Esther Perel
Why these women took marriage sabbaticals — and how it went — ABC News
What loving someone with an addiction or dependence can look like
The dark side of being a perfectionist
This episode contains references to estrangement, grief, dishonesty, loss, illness, family, depression, anxiety, relationships, arguments, confrontation, isolation, alienation
