Hey, Sisters. Most of us know there's no time like the holidays to highlight all the good (and not-so-good) parts of being in a family.

Although Hallmark (and its minions) would like us to believe that all of our close family relationships are intact, this is indeed not the case.

Author Fern Schumer Chapman (Brothers, Sisters, Strangers: Sibling Estrangement and the Road to Reconciliation) is on Sisters Cracking Up talking about her amazing book and her own road to reconciliation and healing with her brother.

Family rifts are beyond painful for everyone involved and more common than you think. You are not alone if you have a sibling relationship that causes you strife, stress, and anxiety.

The good news is this book can help. The better news is you can listen to this episode right now to jumpstart managing and healing from your own estranged relationships.

Critically acclaimed Chicago-based writer Fern Schumer Chapman has written several award-winning books. She writes a blog on psychologytoday.com called "Brothers, Sisters, Strangers," and she co-hosts a podcast by the same name. Some of her blog posts are compiled in her most recent work, The Sibling Estrangement Journal: A Guided Exploration of Your Experience through Writing.

Abby and Julie also discuss their journey through and after their mom's passing (yes, they're still processing it). Also, Abby suggests a new name for their podcast which Julie wholly and immediately rejects.