Ever wondered why you’ve always been “the black sheep,” “the golden child,” or the one who disappears into the wallpaper? In this powerful episode of The Family Dropouts, Dorcy Pruter and Madi break down the family roles we never consciously chose—how they’re formed, why they stick, and the lasting impact they have on our self-worth, relationships, and identity.

We dive into:

The unspoken rules of unhealthy family systems

Scapegoats, golden children, shapeshifters, and the invisible ones

How birth order and personality traits interact with assigned roles

Why roles can switch suddenly, and the emotional fallout that follows

The deep confusion of conditional love and mixed messages

How do these patterns shape your attachment style and adult relationships?

Steps to begin reclaiming your authentic self beyond the family narrative

Whether you’ve walked away from your family system or are just beginning to recognize the patterns, this episode will help you see that you are not the role you were given; you are the soul underneath.

💬 Journaling Prompts from this Episode:

What role did you unconsciously play in your family system?

How did that role shape your beliefs about who you are?

What grief or guilt have you carried about your place in the family?

How can you love others without betraying yourself?

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