Benjamin Zephaniah describes himself as a "Poet, writer, lyricist, musician and naughty boy." He is the son of a Barbadian postman and a Jamaican nurse and was born in Handsworth the 'Jamaican capital of England'. Benjamin attended over 15 schools as a child, moving regularly with his mother to evade his father, who was abusive. Unusually, Benjamin grew up separately from his siblings, who stayed with their dad. This means that the brothers and sisters are not close, and have almost the opposite story to tell about their childhoods. In this episode we talk about that, about what brotherhood means, about being the 'cock of the school' and how community organising after the death of Benjamin's cousin did something to repair the sibling bonds. ** Keep listening to after the music for a poetry treat!**

Relatively is brought to you in partnership with leading family history website, Findmypast. With family records you won’t find anywhere else and easy-to-use tools to help your family tree bloom, Findmypast is the perfect place to explore your ancestors’ amazing stories. Start building your family tree for free at Findmypast today.

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Pastor Mick Fleming ("aka El Bish") runs the Church on the Street in Burnley, which does incredible work helping those living in poverty. But it's a far cry from where Mick began. In this episode, Mick and his sister Sarah (collectively known as 'Flembos') talk about their sibling journey from playing out happily on the backstreets, to sudden tragedy and trauma to a life marred by violence and crime, before finding faith and freedom together. It's a rollercoaster of a tale which has attracted interest from the Prince and Princess of Wales - who wrote a foreword to Mick's book 'Blown Away' - and now Netflix, who are reportedly talking about adapting his life story for the screen. The episode also talks about the power of a mother's love and the value of a good old practical joke.

TW: contains account of sexual assault and death. It also mentions guns and violence and references drug use.

Relatively is brought to you in partnership with leading family history website, Findmypast. With family records you won’t find anywhere else and easy-to-use tools to help your family tree bloom, Findmypast is the perfect place to explore your ancestors’ amazing stories. Start building your family tree for free at Findmypast today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manni and Reuben (Booba) Coe are two of four brothers. Reuben is the baby of the family and was born with Downs Syndrome (or Up Syndrome as he would like to rebrand it.) The pair lived together for years and are exceptionally close. However, a spell apart during the pandemic was bad for Reuben as you will hear - and he doesn't speak very much at the moment. We talk about all that, about having a sibling with additional needs and about the book that Manni and Reuben have written together: brother. do. you. love. me. 

Relatively is brought to you in partnership with leading family history website, Findmypast. With family records you won’t find anywhere else and easy-to-use tools to help your family tree bloom, Findmypast is the perfect place to explore your ancestors’ amazing stories. Start building your family tree for free at Findmypast today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Happy Pear brothers David and Stephen Flynn were joined at the hip until they were 18. Active happy lads, they grew up in Ireland in a culture they described as sporty and masculine - with lots of drinking. As identical twins they played plenty of tricks: sharing teenage jobs and one on occasion trying to nick the other’s girlfriend! Voyages of self discovery taken in their 20s led the boys to give up alcohol, meat and begin a movement back in Ireland together. We talk about that, about trying to attract attention as a twin, about identity and how a place can shape you and about having a soul-mate for life.

Relatively is brought to you in partnership with leading family history website, Findmypast. With family records you won’t find anywhere else and easy-to-use tools to help your family tree bloom, Findmypast is the perfect place to explore your ancestors’ amazing stories. Start building your family tree for free at Findmypast today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Writer, broadcaster and journalist Caitlin Moran is one of 8 siblings. Her sister Caz Moran is a comedy writer and together they wrote ‘Raised By Wolves’ about their unconventional childhood in Wolverhampton. In this episode they talk about that and about: feminism, wet towels, boobs, libraries, homeschooling, being cheerful and optimistic when you have no right to be and escaping your home town.

Relatively is brought to you in partnership with leading family history website, Findmypast. With family records you won’t find anywhere else and easy-to-use tools to help your family tree bloom, Findmypast is the perfect place to explore your ancestors’ amazing stories. Start building your family tree for free at Findmypast today.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Relatively is BACK for a brand new season. Download and listen over the holidays: the PERFECT excuse to escape from your *own* brothers and sisters.....

Relatively is the podcast which takes grown up siblings back to their shared childhood before returning them to their present day relationship.

Expect: nostalgia, honesty, teasing and fun.

Relatively is in partnership with Find My Past, which is offering you the chance to start your family tree for FREE! Head to www.findmypast.co.uk

Happy Christmas and lots of love for 2023, Catherine x

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award winning comedian Tom Ward and his sister Charlie (Char-Lart) share a lot of things: a belief that we should take climate change more seriously; an ability to hold a tune and the traumas that surviving a childhood in a fundamental church (and for a short but damaging time a cult) left behind. The bond created by that experience is a 'gift' of sorts. The pair are incredibly close and despite living 200 miles apart are in constant contact. We talk about that but also about Harold and Madge from 'Neighbours', teenage kicks and a brush with the law. PS Listen *right* to the end ....

Tickets for Tom's excellent Edinburgh festival show 'Anthem' are HERE

Our sponsor for this third season of Relatively is Findmypast, the exclusive online home of the 1921 Census. Joining Findmypast gives you access to a unique snapshot of life one hundred years ago. Plus, with extensive British and Irish records and fascinating newspaper archives, you can answer those burning questions you have about your family, your past and yourself. Where will your past take you? Join Findmypast to find out.

25% off any subscription on findmypast.co.uk using the discount code: RELATIVELY25

Simply enter the code at checkout and the discount will be applied. Offer ends 31st July

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Nighat Arif and her little brother Irfan Arif came to the UK from Pakistan as children. Now Nighat works as a GP and is the resident doctor on BBC and ITV. Irfan is a criminal barrister. They have 3 younger (equally successful) siblings, too. "We are basically the migrant dream!" In this episode Nighat and Irfan talk about resilience, setting a good example, creating a village, the value of education .. as well as terrible careers advice, Tintin and the Spice Girls.

Our sponsor for this third season of Relatively is Findmypast, the exclusive online home of the 1921 Census. Joining Findmypast gives you access to a unique snapshot of life one hundred years ago. Plus, with extensive British and Irish records and fascinating newspaper archives, you can answer those burning questions you have about your family, your past and yourself. Where will your past take you? Join Findmypast to find out.

25% off any subscription on findmypast.co.uk using the discount code: RELATIVELY25 - Simply enter the code at checkout and the discount will be applied

*Offer ends 31st July*

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK , we present a collection of stories moments and memories from guests on the podcast who talked about their identities with their siblings. Stories from Westminster, the North of England in the 80's, the Millennium Eve and school days under Section 28. Memories of brothers and sisters supporting each other and providing unconditional love, even when the world could be a bit tough. Contributions from: Gok and Kwoklyn Wan; Angela and Maria Eagle MPs; drag queen Divina De Campo and Carys Cliffe and interior designers and TV presenters Edward and Sophie Robinson.

Our sponsor for this third season of Relatively is Findmypast, the exclusive online home of the 1921 Census.

They have published a helpful blog about researching your LGBTQIA+ ancestors HERE

An article about coming out to your siblings is HERE

Joining Findmypast gives you access to a unique snapshot of life one hundred years ago. Plus, with extensive British and Irish records and fascinating newspaper archives, you can answer those burning questions you have about your family, your past and yourself. Where will your past take you? Join Findmypast to find out.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis and Megan grew up in Birmingham in a busy household, where both parents worked shifts and it is fair to say the “ chalk and cheese” duo took a while to form a close relationship. Lewis went to Oxford to university leaving Megan at home to support their mum though some mental health difficulties, which was "tough". In this episode we talk about that and about ace grandads, being a podgy kid, your mates thinking your mum is fit, The Crystal Maze as well as taking advantage of your sibling and learning to depend on them, too.

Our sponsor for this third season of Relatively is Findmypast, the exclusive online home of the 1921 Census. Joining Findmypast gives you access to a unique snapshot of life one hundred years ago. Plus, with extensive British and Irish records and fascinating newspaper archives, you can answer those burning questions you have about your family, your past and yourself. Where will your past take you? Join Findmypast to find out - until July 31st, listeners can get 25% off any subscription with the code RELATIVELY25. Enter the code at the checkout.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.