Estrangement & Free Will

Sym Blanchard and I talk about families and free will.

Sym Blanchard has a 36-year-old daughter and a 38-year-old son. He is estranged from his daughter, but has a close, positive relationship with his son. I ask:

* What is the hardest time to raise children?

* Why does Sym struggle to get along with his daughter and yet gets along great with his son?

* Free Will vs. Environment?

I mention Dr. Isabelle Morsley’s book, They’re Not Gaslighting You.

Timeline

00:00 Estranged daughter

05:15 Francis’s disconnected brother

08:00 We overestimate our free will

21:00 Personality disorders

23:00 Advice to snap out of it

27:00 Dunning–Kruger effect

30:00 Sym’s travel plans

More from Sym

If you enjoy this philosophical episode, listen to the dozen episodes with Sym Blanchard!

In 2025, I catch up with one of the most remarkable 72-year-olds you’ll ever meet, Sym Blanchard!

This page features five episodes starring Sym.

Listen to all the episodes featuring Sym Blanchard since 2018!

* A 66-year-old Adventurer Shows How To Live A Meaningful Life in 2018 (one of the top 5 most popular WanderLearn episodes!)

* Traveling To Find One’s Ancestors in 2019

* Near Death on the CDT + Sym’s 60-Year Love Story in 2020

* Nine Shows Sharing Travel Wisdom Featuring Sym Blanchard in 2022

* Unstoppable 70-year-old Adventurer Sym Blanchard in 2023

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