2 l What Is Family Scapegoating?

In this episode of The Family Scapegoat Chronicles, Elle Boone breaks down what family scapegoating really is, not just the buzzword, but the hidden family system behind it.

She explains how one person becomes the “identified patient,” why families assign blame to a single member, and how that dynamic keeps deeper issues safely buried. This conversation brings language, insight, and validation to the experience of being unfairly cast as “the problem.”

Whether you’ve lived this dynamic or are trying to understand it for the first time, this episode gives you clarity and compassion in equal measure.

💬 What You’ll Hear

• A clear definition of family scapegoating

• The meaning of the “identified patient” in family systems therapy

• Common ways scapegoating shows up in daily life

• Why this pattern isn’t about you — it’s about avoidance and projection

• How naming it is the first step toward stepping out of it

💡 Quote

“Every family tells a story — but you don’t have to keep playing the role they wrote for you.”

🤝 Perfect For

Anyone who suspects they’ve been scapegoated by their family, or who wants to understand the hidden rules that kept them stuck in a role that was never theirs.

🔗 Connect

🌐 thefamilyscapegoatchronicles.com 📩 [e-mail] ☕ Support the show

⚠️ Content Notice

Discussions include abuse and trauma.  If anything you hear feels activating, please reach out to a qualified mental-health professional. You’re not alone, and help is always available.

❗ Disclaimer: This podcast is for storytelling and educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional mental-health care or diagnosis.

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🎵 Episode theme music created by Elle Boone with the assistance of AI music technology.  Produced by Dave Franey.