Sib as a Human Podcast

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

Episode 1: Who Is a Sib — and Why Does It Matter?Welcome to the very first episode of Sib as a Human, the podcast dedicated to siblings of people with disabilities — not just as caregivers or advocates, but as whole, complex human beings.In this premiere episode, host Sheena Brevig shares her own journey of growing up as a sib to her younger brother, who has cerebral palsy — and how she slowly uncovered the ways that experience shaped her self-worth, emotional regulation, physical health, and sense of self. From IBS to CPTSD, from people-pleasing to hyper-independence, Sheena opens up about what it took to start truly understanding herself.She's joined by Kaitlin McNamara, Executive Director of the Sibling Leadership Network (SLN) and a sib herself, who shares her own story as the eldest of four sisters — two of whom identify as women with disabilities — and reflects on parentification, the shock of leaving home, and the long journey toward having honest conversations about caregiving, identity, and resentment.Together, they also share results from a sibling survey completed by over 100 sibs, revealing just how profoundly this identity shapes people's lives — and how little space has existed to talk about it.🔑 Key Topics CoveredWhat it means to be a "sib" — and why that term matters more than "glass child"Parentification: what it is, how it happens (often without anyone asking), and how it follows sibs into adulthoodThe mind-body connection of emotional suppression — from gut issues to TMJ to chronic stressCPTSD and complex trauma in the sib experienceIntersectionality: how race, culture, gender identity, and other marginalized identities layer onto the sib experienceSurvey highlights: 90% of sibs said their identity was profoundly impacted by being a sib; over 90% feel caregiving pressure — and most said that pressure is self-imposedThe "Pandora's box" metaphor — why opening it is scary, and why it's necessaryWhat it looks like to start celebrating yourself as a sib📊 Survey Data Highlights90% of respondents rated their sib identity's impact on their wellbeing as a 4 or 5 out of 574.3% selected the highest rating — "profoundly impacted"Over 90% reported feeling the pressure of caregivingAlmost 90% deal with challenges around emotional expressionOver 80% reported feeling alone or isolated at timesOver 90% said the pressure they feel is internal, not externally imposedOver 50% find it difficult to ask for helpTop topics sibs want to discuss: resentment, grief and loss, guilt and shame, burnout, future planning anxiety, codependency, family dynamics, and boundaries👥 GuestKaitlin McNamara — Executive Director, Sibling Leadership Network Kaitlin is herself a sib — the eldest of four sisters, two of whom identify as women with disabilities. She has spent years building community and evidence-based support for siblings through the SLN, and brings both personal and professional depth to this conversation.🔗 Resources & LinksSibling Leadership Network (SLN): siblingleadership.orgFind local chapters, online communities, and free events for siblingsFollow us on Instagram: @sibAsAHumanSubscribe on Substack for episodes, articles, and resourcesSupport this podcast: Donation linkContact us: [email protected] 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

Sib as a Human - Episode 1 COMING TO YOU APRIL 9th, 2026!Welcome to Sib as a Human! A new podcast where we explore the messy, beautiful and complex experience of what it’s like being a sibling to someone with disabilities or significant emotional, physical, or behavioral needs.Brought to you by Sheena Brevig & Sibling Leadership NetworkCONNECT WITH USSubstack: https://substack.com/@sibasahumanInstagram @sibasahuman @sheenamidori @siblingleadershipnetworkhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4MQsZdN_uw 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