If you’re the sibling holding the whole system in your head and everyone else is “right behind you”… this episode is your permission slip and your playbook.

Sarah Macdonald and clinical psychologist Jo Lamble unpack sibling dynamics when you’re caring for ageing parents, including why one person becomes the default carer (and why it stays that way).

Ageing parents? You’ve got them. We’ve got you.

JOIN THE CLUB: Visit clubsandwich.community to join the tribe, access resources, and find our private Facebook community.

SEND US YOUR QUESTION: hello@clubsandwich.community

🔧 This Week’s Hack:
Stop the vague “I need help” plea. Use the specific ask script:
“I’m feeling overwhelmed and alone. Can you do [one clear task] on [day/time]?”
Then follow up with: “What can you realistically take on?”

💌 Listener Letter:
“The seating chart that broke me” - a listener plans a dementia-friendly family lunch, a sibling rearranges everything, Dad gets confused, and then she gets blamed. How do you manage family gatherings when some people live the daily reality and others only drop in?

Meet the regular Clubbers:
Melissa Reader - CEO of Vera and expert on Australia’s ageing crisis.
Jo Lamble - Clinical psychologist specialising in guilt and family dynamics.
Dr. Ginni Mansberg - GP and women’s health advocate who tells it straight.
Dr. Stephanie Ward - Geriatrician helping you understand when “old” becomes a crisis.
Kerry Silbury (Gogglebox) - bringing humour and honesty to the sandwich generation.

Topics covered in this episode:
Sibling conflict, finding an ally, delegation that actually works, the “capable one” trap, the critic sibling, the busy sibling, emotional overwhelm, dementia and family gatherings, unpaid labour, money conflict, carer burnout, self-care that isn’t a vanilla candle.

Credits
Club Sandwich is brought to you by Vera, helping families caring for ageing parents navigate this stage of life so you don’t have to do it alone.
Sarah Macdonald: Host + Executive Producer
Melissa Reader: Commissioning Editor, Executive Producer + Clubber
Rachel Fountain: Executive Producer
Audio + video edits by Fountain Media Group
Thanks and kudos to Sean Wayland for our awesome theme music Club Sandwich - hear more from Sean at seanwayland.com