Jeff Friedman
Jeff Friedman
Estranged- A new book by Susan Shapiro Barash
Estranged- A new book by Susan Shapiro Barash
Estranged- A new book by Susan Shapiro Barash
Wednesday 4th June 2025
Susan Shapiro Barash discusses her book 'Estranged' and the challenges of female friendships in the Trauma Informed Podcast.
Explicit
42 minutes
Informative
Honest
Engaging
Supportive
Eye-opening
About this podcast
Author:
Jeff Friedman
Overview:
Categories:
Recovery from Trauma
Healing from Sexual Trauma
Innovative Treatments & Recovery Paths
Healing Relationships
Creative Recovery Journeys
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Episodes:
61 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Exploring Female Friendship Dynamics with Susan Shapiro Barash
Episode Overview
- Female friendships can be harder to end than romantic relationships.
- Ghosting is common in friendships to avoid confrontation.
- Cultural norms create competition and betrayal among women.
- Friendships often serve as an escape from familial trauma.
- Ending toxic friendships can be essential for personal growth.
"Sometimes when I have insomnia, I count the close friends I've made and lost along the way."
This episode of the Trauma Informed Podcast takes a fascinating look into the complexities of female friendships through the lens of Susan Shapiro Barash's new book, 'Estranged'. Hosted by Jeff Friedman, the discussion dives into the emotional terrain of why women often find it more challenging to end friendships than romantic relationships. Susan, an experienced author and researcher, shares her insights from interviewing over 150 women across diverse backgrounds, revealing that many feel lonelier leaving a friend than a partner.
The conversation touches on the cultural expectations placed on women, the 'girl code', and how betrayal in friendships can be as devastating as in love. Susan elaborates on the idea of friendships as a form of fictive family, providing an escape from familial trauma and societal pressures. You'll hear about how ghosting—a slow fade away—is common in these relationships due to a desire to avoid confrontation.
The episode is a thought-provoking exploration of the power dynamics in female friendships and how societal norms shape them. Susan's work sheds light on the hidden struggles women face when navigating these bonds and offers a compelling narrative on why sometimes ending a friendship is necessary for personal growth. If you've ever pondered the complexity of your own friendships or wondered why they sometimes falter, this episode is a must-listen for gaining perspective and understanding.