In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo explore practical ways to enhance communication and strengthen relationships among adult siblings. They discuss common challenges such as dealing with aging parents, inheritance conflicts, feeling left out, and more. The hosts emphasize the importance of employing softer startups, repair attempts, and collaborative efforts. They reveal strategies to break old patterns and foster healthier interactions, focusing on curiosity, clear communication, and setting boundaries. Tune in for valuable tips on navigating complex sibling dynamics in your adult life.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Dr. Karl Pillemer, Stockner et al., Dr. John Gottman, Jeffrey Kluger

Resources :

Journal of Family Psychology Article by Stockner, et al.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012710/

Dr. Karl Pillemer’s Book - Fault Lines

https://www.karlpillemer.com/

Dr. John Gottman

https://www.gottman.com/

Jeffrey Kluger from his TED Talk on the Sibling Bond

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/jLvoMSWT

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo dive deep into the complexities of adult sibling relationships. This episode responds to previous discussions about relationships with aging parents and transitions into exploring the significance of sibling relationships in adulthood. Topics include the causes of strain, communication patterns, and the importance of these non-voluntary relationships. The hosts also share personal stories and research insights, setting the stage for the next episode, which will provide practical tools for managing and improving sibling dynamics. Tune in for real, honest, and practical advice to better your relationships!

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Dr. Karl Pillemer, Stockner et al., Dr. John Gottman, Jeffrey Kluger

Resources :

Journal of Family Psychology Article by Stockner, et al.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7012710/

Dr. Karl Pillemer’s Book - Fault Lines

https://www.karlpillemer.com/

Dr. John Gottman

https://www.gottman.com/

Jeffrey Kluger from his TED Talk on the Sibling Bond

“Our parents leave us too early, our spouses and children come along too late. Our siblings are the only ones who are with us for the entire ride". (Kluger)

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo are joined by Jason Harper, a professional mediator specializing in employment and special education. Jason shares his journey into mediation, the challenges of being a special education mediator, and the strategies he employs to manage difficult conversations involving parents and schools. The discussion also delves into how parents can model healthy conflict resolution for their children, manage their own emotions during conflicts, and foster better communication skills in their kids through role-playing and guided interventions. Dr. Pamela Kreiser and her co-hosts provide additional insights on remaining a safe space for children to discuss conflicts and emphasize the importance of staying engaged in conversations about their interests.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Resources :

Mediator Jason Harper

https://www.hcrservices.com

Links to Episode #30: AFAF with Jason Harper on How to Resolve Conflict

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/YWZhZnBvZGNhc3QucG9kYmVhbi5jb20vOTYxMWNiZDQtNzJiNC0zODYwLWEzNjQtNGUxMjczOWZmZTAw

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo explore the challenges of adulting as both you and your parents age. The hosts explore practical strategies for setting boundaries, handling unsolicited advice, and maintaining healthy communication with older parents. Through humor and insightful discussions, they address common scenarios like unannounced visits and over-involvement, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and evolving relationships. Tune in for a light-hearted yet informative quiz, expert advice, and real-life examples to improve your relationship dynamics as an adult child.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Dr. John Gottman

Resource :

Gottman Institute https://www.gottman.com/

Links :

#020: Myths of Boundaries

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/c6b431c4b18335a1759db7588986fd0d

#021: Boundaries 101 - How to Say No!

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/8dc8625be3a918b62f8c9d16a1f888f9

#022: Managing Boundaries: How to Manage Difficult People

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/04a05256443fa4baabf2b3dcbfcc32d9

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo discuss the impact of assumptions on relationships and provide practical tools to replace these assumptions with clarity. Through real-life examples, they explore how silent assumptions can fuel misunderstandings and share strategies for fostering open communication and trust. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls like judging intentions, predicting behavior based on past actions, and failing to communicate expectations. Discover the importance of asking clarifying questions and using Brene Brown's technique,”the story I'm telling myself,” to improve your relationships.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Dr. Brene Brown, Esther Perel

Resources :

Dare to Lead by Dr. Brene Brown

https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/

Esther Perel https://www.estherperel.com

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo explore the art of giving feedback. Reflecting on the discomfort of receiving harsh feedback, they present two effective strategies for providing constructive criticism without triggering defensive reactions— the Positive Feedback Sandwich and the Situation-Behavior-Impact (SBI) technique. Alongside discussing research insights from Gottman and the Harvard Business Review, the hosts offer practical examples and scenarios to illustrate these strategies in action, aiming to improve communication and relationships.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Dr. John Gottman

Resources : Harvard Business Review

Tools :

Positive Feedback Sandwich (Mary Kay Ash)

3-part formula:

1. Positive comment
2. Constructive feedback
3. Positive/supportive closing

SBI Tool - Situation, Behavior, Impact (Center for Creative Leadership)

• Situation – When/where the behavior happened.
• Behavior – What the person did (specific & observable).
• Impact – How it affected you or others.

In this episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo discuss the “Avoid Criticize Loop,” a destructive conflict pattern in relationships. They explain how indirect communication, passive-aggressive comments, and involving third parties escalate conflicts instead of resolving them. Through relatable examples, the hosts emphasize the importance of direct and vulnerable communication, recognizing and addressing one's role in the cycle, and setting boundaries to promote healthier interactions. Tune in for practical insights on improving your communication and relationship strategies.

Music by epidemic sound.

In this Father's Day special episode of Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc, co-hosts Dr. Pamela Kreiser, Meredith Edwards Nagel, and Teighlor Polendo step aside and give the microphones over to their spouses, Pete, Tom, and Ralph. In this episode, they dive into personal stories, tips for self-care, managing work-from-home life, and the joys and struggles of parenting. Tune in for an insightful conversation peppered with heartfelt moments and practical advice that every dad (and mom) can relate to. Plus, a fun Father's Day quiz to keep things lively!

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Father’s Everywhere!

Resources : Previous Father’s Day Episodes

AFAF Episode #54 Father Knows Best! How to Foster Curiosity and Build Self-Confidence in Your Child

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/25a4c29ea0c9724f21a6e527329d0a46

AFAF Episode #079 AFAF on the First Year of Fatherhood

https://pod.link/afafwithtalkdoc/episode/af7ed8332bcbdd686df18d1e09a7af0c