Family estrangement is one of the most misunderstood experiences someone can go through. Society tells us that family is everything, that forgiveness is always the answer, and that blood should come before boundaries. But what happens when the relationship itself is causing harm?
In this deeply honest conversation, I sit down with author and cycle breaker Cari Fund to talk about the reality of family estrangement, grieving people who are still alive, breaking generational patterns, and learning to choose yourself without carrying a lifetime of guilt.
We also explore my own experience of family estrangement from a different perspective. I was separated from my biological father by a family secret that wasn't mine to choose. Together, we unpack how silence, secrets and unresolved pain shape generations—and what healing can look like on the other side.
In this episode we discuss:
• Why family estrangement is often misunderstood
• The grief of losing someone who's still alive
• Breaking cycles of guilt, shame and people-pleasing
• Whether reconciliation is always the goal
• Navigating Mother's Day, birthdays and family milestones
• Why "blood is thicker than water" isn't always helpful
• When walking away becomes an act of self-respect
Whether you're estranged from a parent, sibling or another family member—or you're supporting someone who is—this conversation is a reminder that choosing peace isn't selfish.
Connect with Cari Fund
Instagram: @cari.fund
Website: www.cari.fund.com
Connect with Katie Delimon
🌐 Website: https://www.katiedelimon.com
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiedelimon
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiedelimon
🎙️ Listen to the Inner Self-Confidence Podcast: https://www.katiedelimon.com/podcast
📖 Order my bestselling memoir, Trust the Flames: https://www.katiedelimon.com/book
🎁 Download my FREE guide: 10 Hidden Traumas That Keep Smart, Capable Women Stuck in Survival Mode
https://www.katiedelimon.com/10-hidden-traumas
💛 Work with me 1:1: https://www.katiedelimon.com/coaching
