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.Timeline00:00 Estranged daughter05:15 Francis’s disconnected brother08:00 We overestimate our free will21:00 Personality disorders23:00 Advice to snap out of it27:00 Dunning–Kruger effect30:00 Sym’s travel plansMore from SymIf 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 2023ConnectSend me an anonymous voicemail at SpeakPipe.com/FTaponYou can post comments, ask questions, and sign up for my newsletter at https://wanderlearn.comIf you like this podcast, subscribe and share!On social media, my username is always FTapon. Connect with me on:* Facebook* Twitter* YouTube* Instagram* TikTok* LinkedIn* Pinterest* TumblrSponsors1. My Patrons sponsored this show! Claim your monthly reward by becoming a patron for as little as $2/month at https://Patreon.com/FTapon2. For the best travel credit card, get one of the Chase Sapphire cards and get 75-100k bonus miles!3. Get $5 when you sign up for Roamless, my favorite global eSIM! Use code LR32K4. Get 25% off when you sign up for Trusted Housesitters, a site that helps you find sitters or homes to sit in.5. Start your podcast with my company, Podbean, and get one month free!6. In the United States, I recommend trading cryptocurrency with Kraken.7. Outside the USA, trade crypto with Binance and get 5% off your trading fees!8. For backpacking gear, buy from Gossamer Gear. Get full access to Francis Tapon at ftapon.substack.com/subscribe