The Glass Child
The Glass Child dives into the often overlooked perspectives of those who grew up with a brother or sister with a disability. They're called glass children, not because they're fragile, but because people often look through them. For many, it was a childhood filled with complicated feelings of guilt, anger, neglect and social isolation as their family navigated extraordinary circumstances.
On this podcast, we will give voice to these seldom-heard narratives. We'll talk openly and honestly about the siblings’ personal struggles to find their own identity. Most of these stories will be heavy, and some difficult to hear. But all will be treated with the utmost empathy, care and respect.
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Rachel
2015
“Will you be in my documentary?” I asked a Glass Child. I had interviewed 20+siblings for a documentary about growing up with a disabled sibling, and no one had said yes to that question.
“When my mom dies I will.” She answered.
2024
“Will you be on my podcast?” I asked Susana, a Glass Child, former creative colleague, and seasoned podcaster.
“Sure. Send me the questions.”
Two days later…
“That’s a hard no.” She replied.
I could have taken all those no’s personally, but what I knew from interviewing almost thirty Glass Children over ten years - and raising one myself - is that convincing them to talk deeply and candidly about their childhoods is a very difficult feat. And to ask them to speak publicly? An almost impossible one.
Almost.
Susana
"You know you're not studied, right?" is what Rachel said to me one day.
"Why would I be studied?" I asked her.
"Because of how you grew up." she replied.
I was dumbfounded.
"There is barely any research on how to help the non disabled sibling," She continued.
I grew up with 3 siblings with challenges. That's my preferred word. "challenges". It may not be correct. Intellectual disability may actually be the current correct term. ANYWAY- I worked with Rachel on a film and in between takes, we shared our family stories.
"Why would I need help? I am fine." I replied. Like any typical Glass Child.
Episodes
Tuesday Jan 06, 2026
Tuesday Jan 06, 2026
Glass children grew up taking care of their disabled sibling. They took on roles and responsibilities years ahead of their chronological age and maturity. It left them with a deep sense of duty to others. But it also left some feeling empty, confused, and invisible.
What happens when you spend decades caring for everyone else—and then finally turn that care toward yourself?
Paula Wiese is a former teacher, a current trauma-informed life coach, and a Glass Child who began learning to take care of herself at the age of 55. She's brave, she's honest, and now she helps other siblings heal from the trauma so many Glass Children experienced.
Today, Paula shares her journey—and what she's learned about finally putting yourself in the frame.
For more about Paula and how she can help you: https://www.siblingcoach.com/
And for more information about The Glass Child: www.theglasschild.com
Help us help you by joining the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/17WvZCrTNQ/
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
How do you navigate the space between being both a sibling and a caregiver?
Many Glass Children struggle with this 'both/and'—and it's something we talk a lot about on our podcast. But how do you actually live it? How do you nurture a relationship of caregiving while also nurturing a relationship of sibling-hood?
Today's guest is shaking things up! Dr. Zara Waldman, PhD, CCC-SLP, is a Glass Child who's learning to navigate exactly this space with her sister. And she's here to explore what it really feels like to hold both roles at once.
Dr Zara Waldman is a sib as well as an associate professor, speech-language therapist, and sibling advocate/researcher. She shares her experiences, research, and supports on Instagram as @heysibsister. Zara is the founder/facilitator of the Southern Connecticut Sibshop, co-lead of the CT Sibs (an adult sibling group), and the Connecticut state representative for the Sibling Leadership Network.
www.theglasschild.com
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Today on The Glass Child, we're zooming out.
Whether you were the helper, the peacemaker, or the kid who stayed small so others could shine—your relationship with your mother shaped you before you had words for it. And those patterns don't disappear.
Join us as we explore the mother-daughter life cycle with Khara Croswaite Brindle, MA, LPC, ACS, CFT™. Khara has her own counseling practice, is a TEDx speaker, and an Amazon #1 best-selling author, including, Understanding Ruptured Mother-Daughter Relationships. Khara discusses: how to help young girls develop a sense of their own agency; three things adult daughters have told her they need to begin repairing the relationship: whether moms owe their daughters an apology; and tools and checklists she's developed for Mothers and Daughters and Clinicians seeking help for their relationship and clients. For further information, please visit https://www.estrangementenergycycle.com/
Episode note: this episode contains profanity.
Watch Khara's TEDx talk: https://youtu.be/DWtabphQeC4?si=dReRAaQVoeyyl3lC
Instagram: @kharacroswaite
And here is a list of books to help Adult Daughters navigate their relationship with their mothers (in addition to the ones mentioned on the podcast): https://croswaitecounselingpllc.com/blog/2023/7/21/seven-books-to-specialize-in-mother-daughter-relationships
www.theglasschild.com
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Thursday Nov 06, 2025
Diane has no memory of life before David. She was only four years old when her brother was born, but quickly became his near-constant companion, helper, interpreter, and "little Mom." She speaks candidly about her experiences growing up with a disabled sibling, including one particularly painful day following her mom's death.
Find Diane's book at her blog:
https://www.tulsakids.com/author/diane-morrow-kondos/
www.theglasschild.com
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
Tuesday Oct 28, 2025
In today's episode, we talk with Samantha about a topic that affects so many Glass Children: parentification. Parentification happens when a child ends up acting like the parent—taking on adult responsibilities they shouldn't have to handle. This might mean doing household chores, managing bills, or providing emotional support like mediating family fights or being a parent's therapist. It usually happens when families are under a lot of stress, and it can really mess with a kid's mental health, both now and down the road. Sam talks to us about what it looked like in her family; how it disrupted her childhood and led to deep anxiety in her adulthood. And the moments in her life that as helped her begin the process of healing.
Samantha wrote a book about her experience, Finding Life's Blessings: A Journey of Hardship, Healing and Hope. Signed copies are available on her website www.findinglifesblessings.com or on Amazon. Info about Kennedy Krieger Institute https://www.kennedykrieger.org/
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Caregiving: the activity or profession of regularly looking after a child or a sick, elderly, or disabled person. That's a fairly straightforward definition. But what happens in families where regularly looking after a child falls on another child? When the care needs of one or more siblings overwhelm the adults in the family? Today we are talking to Terrence Ho. Terrence's brother had Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a progressive, inherited genetic disorder that eventually leads to complete loss of mobility and a very shortened life span. Terrence discusses his lifetime role as caregiver and how it impacted his career choices; how he and his mom were able to connect towards the end of her life; and the legacy project he started to honor his brother's, mom's, and his own life. He also offers -gentle- advice to parents.
Find out more about the incredible Terrence Ho here: www.terrenceho.com
And for more information about Glass Children visit www.theglasschild.com
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Why do our siblings matter so much to us—for better or worse? What makes these relationships so special? How do they shift as we grow up, and how do things like personality, care needs, and family dynamics shape them? Our guest today, Dr. Avidan Milevsky, breaks down how siblings influence each other—both directly, through day-to-day interactions and role modeling, and indirectly, by changing the whole family dynamic. Dr. Milevsky also talks about how parents can support the Glass Child when someone in the family is disabled or has complex care needs.
www.theglasschild.com
For more about Dr Milevsky's work: www.avidanmilevsky.com
What is the point of talking about something that just causes pain?
Because we have to. Talking about it is how we move through it. Staying silent leads to isolation and loneliness—but when we share, we connect. We find understanding. We find community.
No two journeys are the same, and your story is as unique—and as important—as anyone else’s.
We hear you. We got you. Welcome. We’re so glad you’re here.