This episode is dedicated to Christopher North Sr. (Josh's stepdad and Akeem's biological dad), who passed away earlier this year. We send our love and support to Josh and his family.

In this episode, Charlene and Josh discuss family dynamics, providing a sense of normalcy for your sibling, and what it's like to move away from family.

Episode highlights:

• The patience sibs develop can benefit them in other areas of their life, such as work

• How to create a sense of normalcy for your sibling

• Needing space and moving away from family

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Want to contact Charlene? Fill out this online form.

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

• https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

• https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay

• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production

• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Charlene and Abbey cover an array of topics, including navigating friendships as a sib and responding to people’s perceptions of your family.

Episode highlights:

• Building authentic friendships
• Leaving unwelcoming communities
• Responding to people’s reactions to your family in public spaces
• Prioritizing quality time with parents

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Want to contact Charlene? Fill out this online form.

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

• https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast
• https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Charlene and Alicia reflect on lessons they have learned as sibs. Alicia shares her journey as a sib caregiver, and provides advice for others following in her footsteps.

Episode highlights:

• The importance of choice as a sib caregiver
• Experiencing financial struggles as a caregiver
• Building your own life during and after being a caregiver
• Holding onto your dreams and goals as a sib

Resources from the episode:

• HappyDowns – Helping Caregivers Live Their Best Lives
• Shadeeza Buckley – Art, Fashion & Self-Acceptance
• Alicia Buckley’s Books for Family Caregivers

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

• https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast
• https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Want to contact Charlene? Fill out this ⁠contact form⁠.

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Charlene and Nikki discuss the "parentification" of sibs, living life in survival mode, and learning to accept your identity as a sib. Nikki also shares about her experience on the board for the Sibling Leadership Network, as well as her work with the California and Oregon chapters of SLN.

Episode highlights:

• The value of being in a sib network
• The need for mental health professionals who understand sibs
• Living in survival mode and a state of hypervigilance
• The process of growing up and learning about yourself

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• • Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
  • Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
  • Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Charlene and Suyapa discuss how the sib experience bleeds into all aspects of your life. From people-pleasing to caretaking to a high tolerance for chaos, Charlene and Suyapa share how their childhoods shaped who they are as adults.

Episode highlights:

• Being the oldest child in an immigrant family
• How people pleasing and caretaking can affect your work life
• Having a high tolerance level for chaos
• The strengths of being a sib
• Barriers to accessing healthcare
• Finding community with other sibs

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

• https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast
• https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay

Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production

Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Charlene and Gina DeMillo Wagner discuss the painful complexities of sacrificing yourself for your family, grieving the loss of a complicated relationship, and learning to speak up for yourself. Gina is an award-winning author and journalist. Her book, Forces of Nature, is available at Amazon, Bookshop.org, or anywhere books are sold.

The New York Times essay about siblings mentioned in this episode can be found here:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/well/mourning-the-loss-of-a-sibling-rival.html

Episode highlights:

• Setting boundaries with your family
• Gaining permission to express the hurt/grief you’ve grown up with
• The process of writing a book through grief
• The importance of voicing your needs and receiving validation

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast
• Follow Gina on Instagram at @ginadwagner

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Kelsey and Charlene discuss the healing process, experiences with therapy, and self-compassion. Kelsey shares about watching her sister deal with seizures, witnessing substance abuse as a child, and her decision to become a therapist.

Episode highlights:

• Childhood trauma and neglect
• The impact of the book, Being The Other One: Growing Up with a Brother or Sister Who Has Special Needs by Kate Strohm
• Substance abuse in families
• The importance of therapy and putting language to your experience as a sib
• Ending the cycle of hurt
• Vulnerability with friends

Find us on Instagram:

• Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason

In this episode, Sunita and Charlene discuss the importance of building community and staying connected with other sibs. Sunita shares a glimpse into her journey of being a sib, raising her own kids, and finding others to lean on in the process.

Episode highlights:

• Feeling isolated as a sib
• Growing up too quickly and being a “sister mom” to your sibling(s)
• Processing your emotions and taking care of yourself
• Raising empathetic and mature kids
• Developing a network of people who get you

Follow the podcast at @thespecialneedssiblingpodcast

Your financial support will help keep episodes releasing every other week! Without your support, episodes will be released once a month instead. Donate today at the following links:

• https://ko-fi.com/thespecialneedssiblingpodcast
• https://www.thespecialneedssiblingpodcast.com/support

Credits:

• Music by AlexGrohl and QubeSounds from Pixabay
• Audio Edited by bReel Podcast Production
• Show Notes & Social Media by Caroline Mason