Episode 2: Sib as the One Who Never Needed Anything

Episode 2: Sib as the One Who Never Needed AnythingSo many of us who grew up as sibs picked up on the same invisible rule: this family doesn't have room for your needs too. So we got so good at not having them, that we stopped knowing they were there.In this episode, Sheena sits down with Carly Larkin and together, they explore:-Why the helping never stops — and how the thing that earned you the most praise might be the thing quietly running you into the ground- What burnout looks like when the cup has been empty for decades- How our bodies carry what we were never allowed to say out loud. This one will make you feel less alone in the things you've been quietly carrying.About Carly Larkin: Carly’s younger sister, Hannah, was born with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, Arnold–Chiari malformation, and a complex combination of developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. Since birth, Hannah has undergone more than 45 surgeries, including 30 on her brain.Because of this, Carly has been navigating the U.S. healthcare system since she was two years old. Now in her 30s, she channels that lived experience—and her big, bleeding heart—into her professional life. Carly is a public relations and marketing professional in the medical research industry, where she translates complex scientific advancements into clear and practical information for patients, families, and policymakers. Carly is scrappy, genuine, and increasingly uninterested in being “little miss perfect.” In this episode, she keeps it real, sharing an honest look at how being a Sib has shaped her life—the good, the complicated, and everything in between.Content Warning: This episode includes brief mention of eating disorders (binge eating and anorexia), chronic mental health struggles (anxiety, depression, OCD), burnout, and the emotional weight of growing up as a caregiver. If any of these topics are sensitive for you, please take care of yourself as you listen. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, the National Alliance for Eating Disorders helpline is available at 1-866-662-1235 (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm ET). You can also visit allianceforeatingdisorders.comSib as a Human is brought to you by Sheena Brevig & Sibling Leadership NetworkCONNECT WITH USSubstack: https://sibasahuman.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sibasahuman/Donate: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/sponsor-a-sib-as-a-human-podcast-episode Sibling Leadership Network: https://siblingleadership.org/#siblings #sibs #caregivingsupport #sibasahuman #siblinglife #caregiverburnout #mentalhealthsupport This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sibasahuman.substack.com