Estranged: Understanding Female Friendships and When to Let Go with Susan Shapiro Barash

Have you ever felt the sting of a friendship that faded or blew up entirely and wondered what really happened? In this episode of Beyond the Bestseller, Kelly sits down with Susan Shapiro Barash, author of Estranged, to talk about the complexities of female friendship. With more than 200 interviews and decades of research, Susan explores why women hold friendships so dear, why some fall apart, and how to know when it’s time to mend or end a relationship.

We dive into:
• Why estrangement among women is more common and more complicated than we think
• The emotional impact of friendship breakups and how they mirror romantic relationships
• How COVID, Me Too, and cultural shifts have changed the way women approach friendships
• The difference between being the one who walks away versus the one left behind
• How Susan’s research and storytelling reveal patterns, healing, and hard truths about connection

Links & Resources Mentioned:
• Get Susan’s book, Estranged on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3Jfpadv
• Visit her website - https://susanshapirobarash.com/
• Connect with Susan on Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/SusanShapiroBarashasSusannahMarren
• Explore the Author Power Circle - https://kellyschuknecht.com/author-power-circle

If this episode resonated with you or someone you know, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with those who might need to hear Susan’s story. For more resources to help you write and market your book, visit kellyschuknecht.com.