Conversations with Annalisa Barbieri

Siblings with Catherine Carr

Sep 15, 2025
Catherine Carr, an award-winning radio presenter and producer known for her work on BBC Radio 4, chats about her upcoming book on siblings. The conversation covers the intriguing dynamics of sibling relationships, including favoritism and the unique labels assigned to each child. Catherine shares her personal experiences of a split upbringing and highlights the surprising lack of sibling research. The duo also explores how childhood roles influence adult identities and the value of diverse sibling perspectives in shaping family narratives.
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INSIGHT

Sibling Relationships Are Deeply Compelling

  • Sibling relationships are often the longest relationship of your life and provoke intense storytelling when examined.
  • Catherine Carr realised this impulse drove her podcast and book about siblings.
ANECDOTE

Split-Up Childhood Requiring Intentional Reconnection

  • Catherine described being split from sisters after an overseas divorce and having to intentionally rebuild relationships.
  • That experience predisposed her to study diverse sibling stories.
INSIGHT

Family Labels Shape Lifelong Identity

  • Sibling roles form relative identities inside the family that stick into adulthood.
  • Those roles resurface in adult interactions, causing old patterns and conflicts.
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