Podcasts about sibling loss

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Best podcasts about sibling loss

Latest podcast episodes about sibling loss

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Dr. Ken Doka on the Sibling Bond and Disenfranchised Grief

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2026 31:45 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Angela Dean talks with surviving sibling Dr. Ken Doka, the grief scholar who coined the term disenfranchised grief. Ken is Frank and Dot's kid brother. His brother Frank, thirteen years older, died a few years ago after an illness. He spoke about the relationship of his living sister Dot, who helped raise him.Together Dr. Doka and Dr. Dean talk about why the sibling bond is so often overlooked, how grievers process loss in different and equally valid ways, and what it means to enfranchise your own grief when no one around you names it.In this episode you will:Hear how Dr. Doka came to study grief, and his own experience of losing his brother Frank.Learn why the sibling bond is the longest relationship most people have, and why it is so often disenfranchised.Learn the difference between instrumental, intuitive, and dissonant grieving, and why no single style is the right one.Be inspired to enfranchise your own grief, create your own ritual, and find a grief professional who actually fits.Connect with Dr. Ken Doka:Kenneth Doka at TAPS: https://www.taps.org/kennethdokaHospice Foundation of America: https://www.hospicefoundation.orgContent warning: This episode discusses the death of an adult sibling from illness, childhood cancer and pediatric illness, perinatal loss including miscarriage and stillbirth, twin loss, and a brief reference to a murder in the host's extended family.Mentioned in the show:Hospice Foundation of AmericaAssociation for Death Education and Counseling (ADEC)The Compassionate FriendsThe Surviving Sibling's Bill of RightsIf you are struggling, in the United States you can call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. The Crisis Text Line is available by texting HOME to 741741.Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR 

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
"Were You Close?" A Surviving Sister's Writing Quest

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2026 51:22 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with surviving sibling Anne Pinkerton, author of Were You Close? A Sister's Quest to Know the Brother She Lost. Anne's brother David, twelve years her senior and an elite athlete and radiologist, died suddenly in 2008 after falling while hiking a 14er in the Colorado mountains. More than seventeen years later, Anne shares how losing the big brother she worshipped reshaped her understanding of sibling loss, continuing bonds, and the power of writing through grief.Anne and Dr. Dean unpack the question that gives the book its title, "Were you close?"  as well as why it's far too blunt a tool for the complexity of any relationship. They talk about the hierarchy of grief that pushes surviving siblings to the margins, the disorienting limbo of those first days, the strangeness of out-aging an older brother, the small signs Anne takes as a hello from David, and how a bereavement writing group became an MFA and, eventually, a published memoir.In this episode you will:Hear Anne's story of losing David and what it means to be a surviving sibling nearly two decades on. Learn why "Were you close?" and questions like it can leave grieving siblings feeling unseen  Be reminded that there's no timeline for grief and how writing through grief aids memoriesExplore how  joy and gratitude can grow alongside the loss.Connect with Anne Pinkerton:Website: https://annepinkertonwriter.com Read  the bookInstagram: @annepinkertonwriter Faceboo: TikTok: @annepinkertonwriter Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR 

Our Dead Dads
Suicide Grief, PTSD, Sexual Trauma and Finding Hope Again with Erika Shershun - Episode 85

Our Dead Dads

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2026 65:52


WHO THIS EPISODE HELPS:Anyone struggling with suicide grief, PTSD, sexual trauma, survivor shame, unresolved loss, complex grief, childhood trauma, ambiguous grief, or the long-term effects of living in survival mode.WHAT LISTENERS WILL GET:A powerful conversation about trauma recovery, grief healing, nervous system regulation, suicide loss, resilience, boundaries, and how healing remains possible even after decades of pain and silence.DESCRIPTION:Erika Shershun joins Nick Gaylord for a deeply personal conversation about grief, trauma, suicide loss, healing, and resilience. Erika shares the story of losing her father to suicide at age fifteen, the devastating impact of growing up without emotional support, and how unresolved grief shaped much of her life. She also discusses surviving multiple sexual assaults, discovering how trauma remained stored in her body for decades, and the moment she realized survival mode had been controlling her life. Together, Nick and Erika explore PTSD, ambiguous grief, nervous system dysregulation, boundaries, trauma-informed care, and the realities of healing after profound loss. Erika reflects on the later suicide of her brother, the lessons she learned through her own recovery, and the work she now does helping survivors reclaim their lives. This episode offers hope, practical insight, and an honest look at what healing truly requires. If you've ever felt trapped by grief, trauma, shame, or silence, this conversation will remind you that healing is possible and that you are not aloneTHIS EPISODE ANSWERS: How does suicide loss affect a child for the rest of their life?  Can trauma stay trapped in the body for decades?  What happens when grief and trauma go unprocessed?  Why do survivors often remain stuck in survival mode?  Is it ever too late to heal from trauma and grief? KEY TAKEAWAYS: Trauma can remain stored in the body long after the original event has passed.  Healing does not erase painful memories, but it can remove their power to control daily life.  Unexpressed grief often resurfaces physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  Recovery is rarely linear, but meaningful progress is always possible.  Boundaries, self-awareness, and trauma-informed support are critical parts of healing. Support the showGIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.griefisnotadirtyword.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/griefisnotadirtyword Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/griefisnotadirtyword TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@griefisnotadirtywordYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-gaylord/

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Finding Hope After Surviving Sibling Loss with Dr. Heidi Horsley

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2026 51:13 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Angela Dean talks with surviving sibling Dr. Heidi Horsley. Heidi is Scott's big sister. Scott died about 40 years ago in a car accident at 17, alongside their 17-year-old cousin Matthew. Heidi is a licensed psychologist, an adjunct professor at Columbia University, and the co-founder, with her mother, of the Open to Hope Foundation.Together they talk about the difference between sibling loss and parent loss, finding hope after a sudden death, and the way sibling loss reshapes identity, family roles, and decisions about the future. In this episode you will:Hear Dr. Heidi Horsley's story of losing her younger brother Scott and her cousin Matthew, and the night the call came.Listen to hear how the devastating loss changed her fundamentally and how how others reacted.Learn why sibling loss is treated differently than parent loss and child loss, how family identity gets rewritten, and how purpose can emerge slowly after sudden death.Be inspired by the community Dr. Horsley has built for other bereaved siblings, and the work she has carried out in Scott's memory for four decades.Find hope in the kind of relationship Dr. Dean and Dr. Horsley describe in the episode, between siblings further along in grief and those still in early loss.Connect with Dr. Heidi Horsley: Open to HopeContent warning: This episode discusses sudden death and a fatal car accident.Mentioned in the show:TAPS, Tragedy Assistance Program for SurvivorsThe Compassionate FriendsSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR 

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Surviving Sibling Loss: Tough Love, Sudden Goodbye

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2026 56:39 Transcription Available


Amanda Miller is Shawna's big sister and one of her surviving siblings. She lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and shares about losing Shawna in a sudden car crash on January 19, 2024. Shawna was 30 years old, pregnant, and the mother of an eight-year-old son. Amanda speaks as a surviving sibling and describes their relationship as close, with both care and conflict. The same crash also killed Shawna's partner, Jett's father. In a single moment the family lost Shawna, her unborn baby, and Jett's dad. The episode focuses on sibling loss, family roles, and the practical and emotional demands that followed the death. Amanda talks about taking on caregiving and decision-making tasks for her family, including helping with guardianship for Jett, Shawna's son. She also discusses surviving sibling loss in the context of a blended family, grief counseling, and why both kids and adults need bereavement support.In this episode you will:Hear how Amanda took on a big-sister and caretaker role for Shawna, and how that shaped their bond.Learn how the family handled guardianship and other immediate responsibilities after the crash.Gain insight into the impact of sudden death on siblings, parents, and children.Explore how grief counseling and family grief resources supported Amanda and Jett.Understand the ongoing practical tasks involved after a death, including probate and the sale of Shawna's house.Discover how Amanda and her family keep Shawna present in everyday life.Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of sudden death by car accident, pregnancy loss, and the death of multiple family members in a single event. Resources are located below.Episode Resources: In the US:- Call SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), text your 5-digit ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U), or contact a peer support warmline.- For more immediate crisis, call 911 or 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.International:In the UK: Cruse Bereavement Support, a bereavement charity with  a helplineInternational crisis lines and warmlinesMentioned in this episode:Brighter Days Family Grief Center - aTwin Cities nonprofit offering family bereavement support and grief programsFamilyMeans  - Stillwater, MN nonprofit offering grief counseling and family support services, formerly the Center for GriefThe Compassionate Friends -  an international organization with chapter and online support groups, including a dedicated sibling groupCamp Erin  - a free bereavement camps for grieving children and teens ages 6 to 17, offered nationwide through the Eluna NetworkSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMR 

Going Thru It
The One With Ro

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2026 39:08


There are some people you meet in life who just feel different. Ro is one of them. She came into Adam's life in 2021, and it's no surprise she was the one who had his heart. She's truly one of a kind. Someone special, funny, strong AF… and someone who shows up in a way that changes the people around her. This conversation is about them. How they met, the fun they had, the concerts, the trips and the random moments that made it all feel so easy. It's also about who she is. And why we all love her. We learned a lot from Ro. We still do. And we're all better because of her.  

Going Thru It
The One With His Friends

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2026 82:01


This Friday marks two years of Going Thru It… and it's Adam's birthday. So this week, we did what felt right. We sat down with three of the people who knew him best. Christopher Salviano. Zak Kaslow. Jonathan Collazo. Three friends. Three completely different relationships. Three versions of Adam that somehow all feel exactly the same. We talk Jersey childhood memories, Knicks games, college roommates, camp chaos, and the very specific things that made Adam Adam....from warm soda and Tupac loyalty to obsessive hyper-fixations, inside jokes, and a sense of humor that not everyone got… but the right people really did. More than anything, this episode is about friendship. The kind that spans decades. The kind that shows up in the big moments and the completely mundane ones. The kind that doesn't go anywhere. And the kind that, even now, still feels very much alive.  

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Half of Myself: A Surviving Sibling's Story of Losing Andy

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2026 55:43 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Dr. Valerie Lentine, a surviving sibling and physical therapist. Valerie's only sibling, her younger brother, Andy, died suddenly in 2022 at 22 years old. Three years in, Valerie opens up about what it has meant to walk through sudden loss, the identity shift she captures in her own words when she describes feeling like "half of myself," and what it takes to keep Andy close. In this episode you will:Hear Valerie describe who Andy was, the ordinary morning that changed everything, and what a surviving sibling carries out of a hospital. Learn why a surviving sibling who is also an only sibling faces a specific kind of grief, and why sibling grief so often ends up at the bottom of the grief hierarchy. Be inspired by how a surviving sibling carries her brother forward, and hear her name a long-term fear many surviving siblings know but rarely say out loud.Content Warning: This episode discusses sudden traumatic loss, traumatic brain injury, and the withdrawal of life support.Connect with Valerie Lentine:Instagram: @val_lentine (https://www.instagram.com/val_lentine) TikTok: @valerielentine22 (https://www.tiktok.com/@valerielentine22)Send us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMRCredits:The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss  is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026     Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward)      Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean     Licensed for use to The Broken PackNow available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: ...

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
A Surviving Sibling's Story of Caregiving, Loss, and Finding Joy Again

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2026 58:41 Transcription Available


In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Earla Legault, a surviving sibling, grief advocate, and co-author of Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward. Earla lost her younger sister, Leigh-Ann, to pancreatic cancer after serving as her caregiver for three months at home. This episode explores what sibling loss looks like when you're also the caregiver, how a surviving sibling navigates the grief no one talks about, and how Earla found her way forward through writing, drawing, and a grief buddy.Earla and Dr. Dean also discuss why sibling grief is so often unspoken, what it means to lose the person who was the glue in your family, the difference between acknowledging a death and accepting it, and how continuing bonds show up in birds, pink skies, and grief dreams. Earla shares how she and co-author Monica Murphy went from strangers on Facebook to grief buddies to published authors, and why she believes finding your nature is more useful than any coping mechanism. In this episode you will:Hear Earla's story of sibling loss, their long goodbye, and what she calls the learning times of caregiving. Learn why sibling grief goes unspoken and how family dynamics shift when the glue is gone. Be inspired by how a surviving sibling found a grief buddy, co-wrote a book, and built a community around saying their names.Connect with Earla Legault:Instagram: @sibling.grief.budsBook: Living with Sibling Grief: Imagining a Way Forward Grief Matters: https://griefmatters.ca/blog/drawing-through-the-grief-of-an-adult-siblingSend us Fan MailSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT, GTMRCredits:The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss  is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026     Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward)      Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean     Licensed for use to The Broken PackNow available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: ...

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Brilliant Disguise: A Surviving Sibling's Memoir

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 18, 2026 47:10 Transcription Available


Send us a message!In this episode of The Broken Pack: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Susan Kellam, journalist, surviving sibling, and author of Brilliant Disguise. Susan lost her brother Robert to suicide and has spent decades untangling the shared childhood trauma that shaped them both in very different ways.Hear Susan's story of growing up as Little K to Robert's Big K, and how being his sister defined her before she ever defined herself. Learn how writing a rock and roll memoir unexpectedly became the vehicle for processing her brother's death, her childhood, and the warning signs no one recognized at the time. Be inspired by Susan's willingness to sit with the hard truths of sibling loss, childhood trauma, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and her belief that understanding your story is worth the years it takes.Connect with Susan Kellam: Website: https://www.susan-kellam.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kellam400/Book: Brilliant Disguise: A MemoirContent Warning: Information presented in this episode may be upsetting to some people. It contains talk of suicide.Resources:If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts, support is available.In the US:988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741SAMHSA's National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or text your 5-digit ZIP code to 435748 (HELP4U)For more immediate crisis, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency roomWarmlines by state: https://warmline.org/warmdir.htmlAmerican Foundation for Suicide Prevention: https://afsp.org/International:Warmline directory for trained peer support in 20+ countries:  https://tinyurl.com/mr3ctvea (some may be hotlines)Support the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook:  @BrokenPackInstagram:  @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpackSign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FTCredits:The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026     Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward)      Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean     Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™ Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: ...

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
Shining a Light on Sibling Loss, Addiction, and Life's Little Pleasures

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2026 51:26 Transcription Available


Send us a message!In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Nina Rodriguez, creator and host of the Grief and Light podcast and online grief support platform. Nina lost her only sibling, Yosef, to fentanyl poisoning in 2019. This episode explores the unique layers of sibling loss, the shame and secrecy that can surround addiction, and what it means to continue being a sister after your brother is gone. In this episode you will hear Nina's story of growing up as Yosef's big sister and how his loss became the catalyst for Grief and Light.You will also hear about the complexities of sibling grief including identity after loss, the unspoken grief hierarchy, birth order dynamics, and why the five-year milestone isn't the finish line you think it is.Be inspired by Nina's commitment to shining a light on grief, honoring Yosef's legacy, and embracing Life's Little Pleasures.Connect with Nina Rodriguez:Podcast: Grief and Light  (available on all platforms)YouTube: YouTubeSubstack: Resting Grief FaceFree Download: Grief Tending ToolkitSocial Media: @griefandlightResources:In the US:If you believe you are witnessing an overdose, call 911 or your country's emergency number immediately even if you are administering Narcan.Call SAMHSA's National Helpline is  1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U) or call a warmline.For more immediate crisis call 911, 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.Peer support: https://warmline.org/warmdir.htmlInternationalIn the UK, related resources: https://tinyurl.com/3fknb36cPeer supporSupport the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook: @BrokenPackInstagram: @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpack Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FTCredits:The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward) Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™ Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tiny...

Terrible, Thanks For Asking
Dead Sibling Society (Part 1)

Terrible, Thanks For Asking

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2026 85:09


 If you lose a spouse, you're a widow. If you lose your parents, an orphan. But we don't have the language for someone who lost a sibling – your first friend, your first ally, your first enemy (probably, at least temporarily). Grief always feels like a gut punch, but losing a sibling is a unique kind of pain that we don't talk about enough.  So today, I'm joined by Steph Wittels Wachs, former TTFA guest and sister of comedy legend Harris Wittels, who died in 2015 of an accidental overdose. We're talking about what losing a sibling means and sharing the notes, advice and insights from people who know what it's like to live in the world without their siblings. Cited in this episode: Rogne, S., Grotta, A., Liu, C., Berg, L., Saarela, J., Kawachi, I., Hiyoshi, A., & Rostila, M. (2025). All-cause mortality around the anniversary of a sibling's death: findings from Swedish National Register Data. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY. https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwaf213  Tatjana Gazibara, Katherine A Ornstein, Christina Gillezeau, Melissa Aldridge, Mogens Groenvold, Merete Nordentoft, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Bereavement Among Adult Siblings: An Examination of Health Services Utilization and Mental Health Outcomes, American Journal of Epidemiology, Volume 190, Issue 12, December 2021, Pages 2571–2581, https://doi.org/10.1093/aje/kwab212  Davidson, D. (2018). Sibling loss - disenfranchised grief and forgotten mourners. Bereavement Care, 37(3), 124–130. https://doi.org/10.1080/02682621.2018.1535882   Herberman Mash, H. B., Fullerton, C. S., & Ursano, R. J. (2013). Complicated Grief and Bereavement in Young Adults Following Close Friend and Sibling Loss. Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269), 30(12), 1202–1210. https://doi.org/10.1002/da.22068     Watch us on YouTube here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey's album on Spotify and Apple! LINKS TO RELATED EPISODES! https://feelingsand.co/podcasts/terrible-thanks-for-asking/86-sundays/  https://feelingsand.co/podcasts/terrible-thanks-for-asking/what-does-all-this-loss-mean/  Don't you want someone to take care of you?  _ Right now, go to Quince.com/TFA for free shipping and 365-day returns. That's a full year to wear it and love it. And you will. Now available in Canada, too. Don't keep settling for clothes that don't last. Go to Quince.com/TFA for free shipping and 365-day returns. Quince.com/TFA Shop my favorite bras and underwear at SKIMS.com. After you place your order, be sure to let them know we sent you! Select podcast in the survey and be sure to select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Right now, our listeners get an additional 15% off any annual membership at MASTERCLASS.com/TFA. That's 15% off at MASTERCLASS.com/TFA. With evening and weekend course options, Fordham's online MSW lets you keep working while earning your degree, completing the program in as few as 16 months. Learn more and apply at fordham.edu/TTFA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Going Thru It
Control Is an Illusion with Mickey Rapkin

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 26, 2026 49:57


It's one of those weeks where the headlines feel uncomfortably close to home. Between James Van Der Beek's death from colorectal cancer and Eric Dane's ALS diagnosis, it's hard not to think about your own health and mortality. So we brought on our friend Mickey Rapkin — journalist, author, former GQ editor, and yes, the guy who wrote Pitch Perfect before it became a major studio franchise. In August 2025, Mickey's older brother Jon died from brain cancer. We talk about sibling loss (aka the worst club), the sacred inside jokes, the random movie lines that become part of your daily language, and how grief rewires you on a cellular level. We also get into Mickey's Men's Health piece about cancer screenings — the big question of how much do you want to know, what testing can (and can't) do, and why “control is an illusion” is both depressing and… oddly clarifying. Mickey Rapkin for Men's Health: Am I Seizing Control of My Health or Driving Myself Crazy?  Connect with Mickey on Insta  

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
A Christmas Loss. A Surviving Sibling Who Changes Lives.

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2026 57:15 Transcription Available


Send us a message!In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Dr. Christina Zampitella, a licensed psychologist, thanatologist, and founder of the Center for Grief and Trauma Therapy in Delaware. Dr. Z lost her brother Damien to a drug overdose on Christmas Day when he was just 22 years old. This episode explores the lifelong impact of sibling loss, the complicated grief that comes with loving someone through addiction, and what it truly means to carry your sibling with you. In this episode you will:Hear Dr. Z's story of how losing Damien became the foundation of her life's work.Learn what surviving siblings need to know about grief integration, STUGs, maintaining a continued bond, and why there is no "getting over it"  Be inspired by Dr. Z's resilience through cumulative losses & her commitment to honoring those she has loved and lost.Connect with Dr. Christina Zampitella: Website: https://www.centerforgrieftherapy.com/staff/dr-christina-zampitella-ft/ Podcast: Phoenix Rising with Dr. Z — available on all platforms YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UC-jU_InSFb-lXZhRkWaDDIw Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixrisingwithdrz/ All links: https://linktr.ee/phoenixrising_drzResources:In the US:If you believe you are witnessing an overdose, call 911 or your country's emergency number immediately even if you are administering Narcan.Call SAMHSA's National Helpline is  1-800-662-HELP (4357) or Text your 5-digit ZIP Code to 435748 (HELP4U) or call a warmline.For more immediate crisis call 911, 988, or go to the nearest emergency room.Peer support warmlines by state : https://warmline.org/warmdir.htmlInternationalIn the UK, related resources: Support the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook: @BrokenPackInstagram: @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpack Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FTCredits:The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward) Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™ Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tiny...

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss
The Broken Pack Returns: Surviving Sibling Loss, Grief, & What's Next

The Broken Pack: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2026 14:27 Transcription Available


Send us a message!After more than 18 months of silence, The Broken Pack™ podcast is back, and Dr. Angela Dean is sharing everything.In this return episode, Dr. Angela Dean, psychologist, thanatologist, bereaved sibling, and host of The Broken Pack™, opens up about why she went quiet, what grief looked and felt like from the inside, and what is coming next for this community of surviving siblings and sibling loss survivors.Where Dr. Dean Has Been: After nearly five years since losing her brother Tony, something shifted in fall 2024. Despite consistently showing up, recording episodes, building community, and training with Dr. Robert Neimeyer at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition, she found herself unable to continue at that pace. She reflects on the paradox of avoiding her own grief while pursuing advanced training in grief therapy, and why she needed to step away from narrating loss in order to actually live it.The Personal Losses Behind the Silence: An adult child moving across the globe, shifts in family dynamics, estrangement, and the growing weight of being her parents' only living child, a reality her brother Tony is no longer here to share.What Brought Her Back: A grief retreat through the Portland Institute reconnected her with her purpose. After recording an episode with Karin McLean, Dr. Dean began noticing signs from Tony, wolves, Pittsburgh references, and childhood memories only he would have known.Big News for Surviving Siblings: The Broken Pack is expanding to welcome ALL sibling loss survivors, including those who lost siblings in childhood or before birth. The Wild Grief newsletter moves to Substack, and a sibling loss book club is launching.Upcoming guests: Dr. Christina Zampitella, Nina Rodriguez, Dr. Heidi Horsley, Susan Kellum, Karin McClean, Anne Pinkerton, Earl Dawn Legault, and sibling loss survivor stories from Valerie, Amy, Paige, Amanda, Jayden, Deidra, and many more.Support the showIf you would like more information or to share your own sibling loss story, please contact Dr. Angela Dean at contact@thebrokenpack.com or go to our website, thebrokenpack.com. Please like, subscribe, and share! Please follow us on social media:Facebook: @BrokenPackInstagram: @thebrokenpack TikTok: @the_broken_packYouTube: @thebrokenpack Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.substack.com/ Thank you!Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FTCredits:The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by Not Done Here Media"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. Joe Mylward) Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean Licensed for use to The Broken Pack™ Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tiny...

Peaceful Exit
The ABCs of Grief with Jessica Correnti

Peaceful Exit

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 17, 2026 37:40


Child life specialist Jessica Correnti helps kids and families navigate loss, change, and big life transitions. In this episode, she tells Sarah why children often experience grief in short emotional "bursts"; why they process grief best through play; and why it's best to talk to kids honestly about death and dying. Jessica also shares  her deeply personal story of pregnancy loss, and how that experience inspired her books, "Forever Connected" and "The ABCs of Grief" series.To learn more about Jessica's work, please visit https://www.kidsgriefsupport.com/

Going Thru It
Take On Me

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 12, 2026 25:55


Super Bowl Sunday is an actual holiday in the Shakoor family. This week we're talking hosting, nostalgia, the collective viewing experience, and why the West Coast kickoff time just hits different.Jill's back at work with mat leave officially in the rearview mirror and the whiplash is real. Holly starts a writing class and immediately spirals after reading something very personal out loud. Vulnerability hangovers are real.We get into evolving friend groups, mommy-and-me leveling up, and why Take On Me, specifically the acoustic version, will never sound the same again.Still going thru it. Still taking it on. Take On Me (acoustic) Connect with US on insta  

Going Thru It
Radically Honest with Sophie Ragir

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2026 56:46


We recorded this on January 9th, when things in our world already felt heavy. But by the time this episode airs (January 29th), it somehow feels even heavier… so we're really grateful for conversations like this one.We're joined by Sophie Ragir, a coach and creative who's lived through major loss and came out the other side with a clarity we honestly found inspiring. We talk about grief (the messy, non-Hallmark version), the beauty and sometimes even the humor in the transition and how loss can sometimes become the thing that pushes you toward the life you actually want.And yes.....we talk Heated Rivalry. So if you didn't fully get your Ilya/Shane fix at the top of the month, consider this your bonus round. Meet Sophie Ragir Permission Slip and other Sophie musings. *This one really hit. Connect with Sophie on insta 

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope
332: Sibling Loss: Understanding the Unique Grief of Your Surviving Children (with Bobby and Gabby Bisterfield)

Grieving Parents Sharing Hope

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 20, 2026 82:45


Sibling loss runs far deeper than many people realize. When a child loses a sibling, they lose not only shared memories of the past, but also the future they imagined growing up together. For bereaved parents, this grief can be especially painful to witness—because sibling loss is rarely talked about and often misunderstood. Siblings who lose a brother or sister are often called the forgotten grievers. While much of the support and acknowledgment rightly centers on parents, surviving children may feel overlooked, unsure where their grief belongs, or hesitant to express their pain. Many parents are left wondering how to best support their children while navigating their own overwhelming loss. In this episode, Laura is joined by two guests who have each experienced the profound loss of two siblings. They also share a unique family connection as father and daughter-in-law. Together, they offer honest insight into what sibling loss truly feels like, what grieving children often carry silently, and how parents can gently and intentionally support their surviving children through the loss of a brother or sister. Whether you are a parent seeking to better understand your child's grief, or someone wanting to acknowledge the often unseen pain of sibling loss, this conversation offers compassion, clarity, and hope for walking this road together. Bobby is married to his wife, Amy, and together they have four adult children. He serves in the Air Force and lives in the country near Wichita, Kansas and is the Founder of Sibling Lifeline. Bobby is deeply committed to service both in uniform and in the community. He volunteers with Make-A-Wish, the Wichita Children's Home, and the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS). He is also actively involved in leading fellow Airmen into the local community through various youth outreach events. In his personal time, Bobby enjoys spending time with family and friends, walking trails, and playing sports. He carries the memory of his two brothers, Robert and Carl Bisterfeldt, both in Heaven, which continues to shape his compassion for others and his dedication to serving those navigating grief and loss. Gabby is married to her husband, Caleb, and together they share life with their two amazing cats, Miles and Willow, along with their dog Murphy. She works in business management and lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. Gabby is the Co-Founder of Sibling Lifeline. Gabby enjoys spending time with family and friends, running, and traveling. She has a deep passion for serving others and volunteers with several nonprofit organizations. Having both a brother and a sister in Heaven, Caleb Lillis and Jessicca Haveman, Gabby brings compassion, empathy, and lived understanding alongside those navigating grief and loss. Links Mentioned in this episode: Find comfort in The Bible's Grieving Parents now on Kindle or PDF while the paperback edition is on its way. If you would like to receive a weekly word of hope alongside thousands of other bereaved parents, click here. To learn more about Sibling Lifeline and connect with Bobby and Gabby, click here Bereaved siblings can join the Facebook community here Click here to support the podcast, keep it ad-free, and get exclusive content. Birthdays: We lovingly remember and celebrate the lives of: Ryan Hines was born on January 7 and is forever 27. Luke Joseph Raymond was born on January 18 and is forever 30. Joshua David Raymond was born on January 18 and is forever 34. Jeanette Marie was born on January 19 and is forever 36. Visit gpshope.org/birthdays to submit your child's name and date so we can honor them, too. The special song written for our children's birthdays I Remember Well can be heard here. Remember to Hold On Pain Eases; there is HOPE! www.gpshope.org To have Laura come and minister at your event, contact us at office@gpshope.org. Grieving Parents Sharing Hope (GPS Hope) is here to walk with parents through the darkness of child-loss, guiding them to a place of hope, light and purpose. It is a safe place for anyone who has lost a child from this earth. There is no shame or judgment in where you are in this journey, including if you are struggling in your relationship with God or your faith has been completely shattered.

Journey with Jake
From Sibling Loss To Living Epic with Zander Sprague

Journey with Jake

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2026 37:05 Transcription Available


#201 - Some stories hit like a wave and then teach you how to breathe underwater. Our conversation with Zander Sprague does exactly that, moving from the shock of losing his sister to murder to the hard-won wisdom that comes from advocacy, travel, and choosing the next brave step.Zander opens a window into the often-ignored world of sibling grief. He explains why brothers and sisters become invisible mourners, how that silence delays healing, and what simple acknowledgment can do for a family. We trace his path from writing Making Lemonade to serving on the board of The Compassionate Friends, and we unpack practical ways to support “sibling survivors” with empathy, language, and presence.Adventure threads through everything. Zander defines it as seeking new places and doing what scares you, then proves it with stories: a misread note in Tasmania that turned into a farm lunch and a nine-hole pasture course, and a first safari sighting of lion cubs who later became the famed Mapogo coalition. Those moments illustrate how travel builds courage, how kindness creates opportunity, and how serendipity rewards people who show up. We also dig into his “epic” framework: structure lowers stress, courage embraces detours, and progress starts with one step forward. From dealing with flight delays to releasing a book after years of doubt, Zander shows how to turn friction into momentum.If you're navigating loss, craving purpose, or waiting for a sign to begin, consider this your nudge. Hear the tools, borrow the mindset, and start your own pilgrimage today. Subscribe, leave a review to support the show, and share this episode with someone who needs a reminder that the next step counts more than perfect certainty.To learn more about Zander and his work visit zandersprague.com and give him a follow on Instagram @epic_begins.Want to be a guest on the show? Send me a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/journeywithjake 

The Surviving Siblings Podcast
Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss

The Surviving Siblings Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2025 75:16


On episode 10 of season 8 of The Surviving Siblings® Podcast, guest host Chelsey McHale takes over the mic to interview podcast founder and host Maya Roffler in a deeply personal and reflective conversation. With 2026 marking 10 years since the loss of her brother Andreas, Maya opens up about what this milestone means to her, how her grief has evolved, and the legacy her brother continues to leave behind through this powerful community. From the early days of navigating violent loss to founding the podcast, the summit, and a thriving support network, Maya shares what she's learned from interviewing over 70 siblings, including her own personal growth, struggles, healing, and mission. This candid and vulnerable episode is a must-listen for anyone feeling stuck in grief, facing complex sibling loss, or wondering how to honor their loved one with grace, authenticity, and community. In This Episode: [00:00–03:00] Anniversary Reflections & Feeling the Weight of Year 10 Maya shares her emotions around approaching the 10-year anniversary of Andreas's death, the pressure that comes with milestones, and the peace she feels from honoring him every day. [03:00–07:00] How Maya Stays Spiritually Connected to Andreas From sunflowers and champagne to nature walks and old episodes of The Office, Maya shares the personal rituals that bring her comfort and connection. [07:00–12:00] Signs From Andreas & Spiritual Moments She talks about powerful signs—from sunflowers in strange places to her dog Bonnie—and the deep belief that our loved ones are always with us. [12:00–17:00] Fear of Forgetting Their Voice Maya addresses a common fear among grieving siblings: "What if I forget what they sounded like?" She discusses how memory, dreams, and digital archives play a role. [32:00–37:00] Holding Onto the Bond Without Feeling Stuck What does it really mean to "move forward" without "moving on"? Maya explains how honoring your sibling is healthy and how to combat the pressure of getting "unstuck." [37:00–43:00] Parent Grief vs. Sibling Grief Maya addresses one of the most asked questions: "How do I grieve when I have to be strong for my parents?" She challenges grief hierarchy and gives permission to prioritize your healing. [43:00–47:00] Does It Get Easier? Maya's Most Frequent Question Her honest answer: yes and no. Maya breaks down why grief evolves, how the pain shifts, and what healing can look like years later. [53:00–58:00] Balancing Your Grief with Your Parents' Pain She dives into the invisible pressure placed on siblings to suppress their grief in favor of their parents—and why that has to change. [58:00–1:03:00] The Surviving Siblings Summit: Goals & Vision Maya gives a behind-the-scenes look at the summit's evolution, why virtual events matter, and the future of this movement—including a possible retreat. [1:03:00–1:12:00] The Power of Community & Friendship in Grief Chelsey and Maya close with reflections on their friendship, the healing power of this community, and why this show exists: to keep sibling stories alive. Listen to the full episode of "Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss" now on all major platforms. This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings® Connect with Chelsey:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelseym07?igsh=enBrZjR5Z29lOGh0 Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chelseymchale?_r=1&_t=ZT-923QkdiG4bd Connect with Maya: Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/ Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@survivingsiblingspodcast Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast

Going Thru It
Siblings, Loss and the Long Game. A Conversation with Stephanie Wittels Wachs

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2025 56:39


This week, we're joined by Stephanie Wittels Wachs—author of Everything Is Horrible and Wonderful and co-founder/Chief Creative Officer of Lemonada Media (home of her own podcast Last Day and Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus). We talk about losing her brother, Harris Wittels, the anger that showed up early in her grief, and how learning more about addiction as a disease changed everything. Stephanie shares what it's like to parent while grieving, why humor is “not disrespectful—it's oxygen,” and how legacy lives on in tiny family moments (yes, we are referring to dinner at Chilis or Benihana). It's a conversation about love, identity, and finding actual joy again....without pretending the hard parts didn't happen.Everything is Horrible and Wonderful: A Tragicomic Memoir of Genius, Heroin, Love and Loss by Stephanie Wittels WachsLemonada Media Make life suck lessLast Day Podcast Connect with Stephanie on insta Connect with Lemonada on insta 

Grief Out Loud
Mourning Air - Leena Magdi On Grieving Her Brother And Her Homeland

Grief Out Loud

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2025 44:45


When Leena Magdi's younger brother, Hamoodi, was killed, her world shifted entirely. In her debut book Mourning Air, Leena explores how grief reshapes identity, faith, and love. In this conversation, Leena shares what it meant and means to be Hamoodi's sister, how sibling grief is often dismissed, and how writing helps her navigate the grief. Leena also shares about her family's forced displacement after war broke out in Sudan less than a year after Hamoodi's death - and how she's learning to grieve both her brother and her home.  We discuss: What it means to be a sister after a sibling dies The invisibility of sibling grief Finding connection through spirituality and writing Grieving a home and a country - and the additional losses her family experienced in fleeing to Egypt from Sudan after war broke out How Leena stays connected to Hamoodi About Leena Magdi:  Leena Magdi is a Sudanese-American writer and poet, author of Mourning Air, and mother of two. She was born in Sudan, raised in California, and currently lives in Egypt. You can find her on Instagram @xleenamagdix and TikTok @xleenamagdix. 

Grief 2 Growth
Deb Strebel: Turning Sibling Loss into Legacy Through Memorial Jewelry

Grief 2 Growth

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2025 69:43 Transcription Available


Send me a Text Message- please include your contact information so I can respondIn this deeply moving episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian Smith sits down with Deb Strebel, founder of Lee Alexander & Co., to explore the rarely discussed experience of sibling loss — and how creativity can be a powerful path through grief.When Deb lost her 15-year-old brother Lee to sudden myocarditis, her world shifted forever. What followed was a painful but transformative journey through trauma, therapy, and eventually purpose. That purpose? Helping others carry love forward through custom, heirloom-quality memorial jewelry.Together, Brian and Deb explore:

Mental Health News Radio
Grief in Peace: Healing, Sibling Loss, and The GRIP Spot

Mental Health News Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 25, 2025 36:55


In this moving episode, Christal Pennic, LPC-MHSP—licensed therapist, grief advocate, and host of The GRIP Spot—shares her journey of surviving sibling loss and transforming pain into purpose. Christal founded The GRIP Spot (Grieve In Peace) to give voice to the often unspoken stories of grief and to remind us that healing is possible, even when life feels broken into pieces. Through her counseling work at The Grief Center in Nashville and her podcast, Christal creates a space where authenticity, vulnerability, and compassion lead the way. Listeners will be inspired by her honesty, her mission, and her dedication to helping others navigate the universal experience of loss.Learn more about Christal and her work:Website: thegripspot.comYouTube: The GRIP SpotAbout Christal:With a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling and a Bachelor's in Psychology, Christal's approach to mental health combines academic rigor with the personal insight gained from her own experience of sibling loss. As the owner of The Grief Center and a former Mental Health Practitioner with the Tennessee Department of Children's Services and Metro Nashville Police Department, she has extensive experience in community counseling, crisis debriefings, employee trauma/grief education, and youth development. Christal is trained in Brainspotting, facilitating deeper healing for individuals coping with trauma, and she extends this transformative work into workshops for organizations. Her passion for mental wellness is also expressed through The GRIP Spot podcast, which offers a safe space for surviving siblings and grievers to find solace and community. Credentials:LPC-MHSP – Licensed Professional Counselor – Mental Health Service ProviderEducation – M.A. in Mental Health Counseling, B.A. in PsychologySpecialization – Grief counseling, trauma therapy, and post-traumatic growthExperience – Owner of The Grief Center; former practitioner at TN Dept. of Children's Services and Metro Nashville Police DepartmentWe are honored to welcome Christal Pennic and The GRIP Spot to the Mental Health News Radio Network.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/mental-health-news-radio--3082057/support.

End-of-Life University
Ep. 518 What My Brother Knew: Grief After Sibling Loss with Kristina Amelong

End-of-Life University

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2025 60:53


Learn about a memoir that discusses sibling grief and the spiritual transformation that can occur after loss. My guest Kristina Amelong is the author of the memoir What My Brother Knew about the death of her younger brother when she was in her teens and her journey from loss and abuse to healing and spiritual… Continue reading Ep. 518 What My Brother Knew: Grief After Sibling Loss with Kristina Amelong

Holding the Light
Aiden Deans: Self-Reflection After Sibling Loss

Holding the Light

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2025 42:37


We're honored to sit down with Aiden Deans, who at just 12 years old, lost his older brother Austin to an accidental drug overdose. Ten years later, he wants to talk about his experience, both then and now — the grief, sometimes anger, the stigma surrounding his passing, but always the deep love that remains. He reflects on family, addiction, finding his way forward after loss, and bravely honoring both his brother, and his grief journey. This is also conversation between Colby and Aiden, who share their personal perspective and support on sibling loss with each other, and our listeners.What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message.Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert. EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.Our podcast's theme music is As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999). Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy!We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you've learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can't wait to hear from you!Love what you heard? leave us...

Fireside with Blair Hodges
Relationscapes: “The Disenfranchised Grief of Sibling Loss,” with Anne Pinkerton

Fireside with Blair Hodges

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2025


“Relationscapes” is the current podcast by Fireside host Blair Hodges. Enjoy this sample episode! Be sure to subscribe directly to Relationscapes now, because this episode will fall out of the Fireside feed next month!

fireside pinkerton disenfranchised grief sibling loss blair hodges
While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss
266 | A Lifeline for Bereaved Siblings ... with Bobby Bisterfeldt and Gabby Bisterfeldt

While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2025 88:46


As bereaved parents, one of the most pressing questions we grapple with is this: How do I help my surviving children? We want to support them well, but sometimes we're met with silence or withdrawal. It can feel like we're walking blind through their grief. That's why I'm so honored—and genuinely excited—to share this episode with you today.In this important conversation, I'm joined by Bobby and Gabby, a father-in-law and daughter-in-law who have each experienced the loss of not just one, but two siblings. With honesty, faith, and compassion, they invite us into their stories—stories marked by sudden loss, complicated family dynamics, delayed grief, and eventually, renewed hope.Together, Bobby and Gabby talk about:Why surviving siblings may struggle to talk to their parentsHow grief changes over time, especially as siblings matureThe impact of loss on their relationships with their parentsHow their own faith has been both tested and strengthenedPractical ways parents can support their children through sibling lossThey also share about the ministry they co-lead: Sibling Lifeline, a retreat-based community that brings adult grieving siblings together for connection, healing, and hope. The work they're doing is so needed—and I believe you'll finish this episode feeling both better equipped and more hopeful as a parent.Whether you're longing to understand your child's grief, or you've experienced sibling loss yourself, this conversation will speak to your heart. Links from the Episode:Sibling Lifeline WebsiteSibling Lifeline on FacebookSibling Lifeline on InstagramI would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

InKredible Kids
Missing Shmuly: A Conversation for the Nine Days

InKredible Kids

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2025 54:19 Transcription Available


The Nine Days before Tisha B'Av are a time when we remember what we've lost—the Beis Hamikdash, of course, and so much more.In this very special episode, I sit down with four amazing siblings from Ramot, Yerushalayim—Moshe (15), Nachi (13), Aaron (12), and Leah (9)—who share their story about their little brother Shmuly a”h, who passed away when he was only two years old.They talk about how they remember him, how their family keeps his memory alive, and how his short life still makes a big difference in their home. From a special memory box with Shmuly's toys, to birthday cards they write him every year, these kids show us what real love, pain, and nechama look like.We also speak about how missing Shmuly helped them understand what it means to miss the Beis Hamikdash—and how their pain helped them feel more for other people in Klal Yisrael who are also going through hard times.When Nachi says, “When Mashiach comes, Shmuly will come too,” it's a reminder that our personal tefillos and dreams are all part of the bigger picture of geulah.This episode is emotional, inspiring, and so real. It will help you think about the Nine Days in a whole new way—with heart, with hope, and with love for all of Am Yisrael.

Grieving Voices
Michelle Vignault | My Quest To Create a New Normal After Sibling and Spouse Loss

Grieving Voices

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 90:49 Transcription Available


This week's guest is Michelle Vignault, who opens her heart about the unimaginable journey of losing both her brother to suicide and her husband within just six months. Michelle shares how she was suddenly thrust into solo parenting two daughters, ages 2 and 4 while navigating her own overwhelming grief. With raw honesty, Michelle reveals how writing became her lifeline—beginning as simple notes and evolving into heartfelt letters to her best friend before ultimately becoming her book, "Hold Back the Rain," titled after a meaningful Duran Duran song that resonated with her struggle to withstand life's torrential challenges. Despite eight years passing since these profound losses, Michelle vulnerably shares her recent unexpected grief relapse, reminding us that healing isn't linear, and even when we feel strong, grief can suddenly knock us off our feet. Our conversation tenderly explores how Michelle has broken generational patterns by creating space for open communication with her daughters. She uses honest, distraction-free moments to help them process their feelings while allowing herself to express her own sadness and anger authentically and openly. The poignant image on her book cover—capturing Michelle with her daughters as they release her husband's ashes—symbolizes their transformed family and the quiet strength they've discovered together. It offers listeners a touching testament to how families can find their way forward through devastating loss with love, honesty, and resilience. Michelle's story reminds us that while we cannot hold back the rain of grief, we can learn to dance in it, finding moments of connection and growth even in our darkest hours. Her journey inspires us to embrace vulnerability as strength and to recognize that healing happens in community—whether through writing, honest conversations, or the simple act of showing up for ourselves and our loved ones day after day. RESOURCES:Book, Hold Back the RainBook, Send Victoria a text message! Support the show_______NEED HELP? National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Crisis Text Line provides free, 24/7 support via text message. Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained Crisis Counselor If you are struggling with grief due to any of the 40+ losses, free resources are available HERE.CONNECT WITH VICTORIA: Instagram Website LinkedIn Facebook This episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief. Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a sup...

Where's The Grief?
Author Earla Dawn Legault - "Living With Sibling Grief - Imagining A Way Forward."

Where's The Grief?

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2025 76:31


In this episode I talk with my good friend and fellow bereaved sibling, Earla Dawn Legault about her book, "Living With Sibliing Grief - Imagining a Way Forward." After the death of her sister Leigh-Ann, Earla struggled to find support for her grief, finding very little in for those who had lost a sibling. Even her local grief support groups in Canada seemed too general to understand what she was going through. Enter Monica Murphy, a fellow bereaved sibliing who was also struggling after the death of her sister Darcy. Together Monica and Earla wrote a book about their experiences and struggles that truly showcases the power of peer support, and all the connection that comes from putting ourselves out there. Follow more of Earla at https://linktr.ee/siblinggrief  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibling.grief.buds/   GET THE BOOK At Amazon  Grief Matters ‘guest' cartoon - https://griefmatters.ca/cartoons/where-are-all-books-about-adult-sibling-grief Grief Matters blog - https://griefmatters.ca/blog/drawing-through-the-grief-of-an-adult-sibling  

Going Thru It
Finding Purpose in Grief with Jessica Fein

Going Thru It

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 55:10


In this week's episode, we sit down with author, mother, and fellow podcaster Jessica Fein, whose journey through loss and resilience is deeply meaningful and helpful for anyone going thru it. Jessica has endured the heartbreaking losses of her mother, father, two sisters, and her 17-year-old daughter, Dalia—each shaping her understanding of grief, love, and the strength it takes to keep moving forward.Her memoir, Breathtaking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes, offers a deeply moving look at life with Dalia, who passed away from MERRF syndrome, and explores the depths of loss and resilience. Featured in The New York Times, Newsweek, The Boston Globe, and HuffPost, Jessica's work sheds light on the power of storytelling and the beauty that can coexist with griefDespite experiencing unimaginable loss, Jessica walks through the world with all the grace and has made it her mission in finding purpose in pain and connection in sharing her story. We are honored to have connected with her and it's our privilege to be able to  share her wisdom, strength, and perspective with this conversation.Bottom line, even in loss, love endures. About Jessica FeinI Don't Know How You Do It Podcast Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams and Broken Dreams What exactly is MERRF Syndrome? Connect with Jessica on Insta 

Grief Out Loud
How Many Siblings Do You Have? Navigating Sibling Loss with Judy Lipson

Grief Out Loud

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2025 30:28


In this episode, we talk with Judy Lipson, author of A Celebration of Sisters. Judy shares her journey of sibling loss, reflecting on the deaths of her sisters—Margie, who died of anorexia, and Jane, who died in a car crash—and how their absence shaped her identity. She opens up about the complexities of sibling grief, the impact of Margie's long battle with an eating disorder, and the moment when the grief she had pushed aside for so long finally caught up with her. Through writing, ice skating, and organizing a fundraiser in their honor, Judy found ways to reconnect with her sisters and keep their memory alive. She also discusses the evolving landscape of sibling grief support and how sharing her story has helped others navigate their own losses. We Discuss: Growing up as the middle of three sisters The shock of losing Jane when Judy was 25, and then Margie nine years later The challenges of grieving while balancing responsibilities How ice skating and philanthropy became outlets for her grief The changing landscape of sibling grief support What she's most proud of in her grief process Resources & Links: Judy Lipson's Website: judylipson.org Subscribe to Judy's Substack: judylipson.com Book: A Celebration of Sisters – Available on Amazon and local bookstores Dougy Center Resources: dougy.org  

Holding the Light
Margaret Reilich-Godino: Adolescent Sibling Loss

Holding the Light

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 37:05


Sibling relationships often have a unique dynamic, shaped by shared experiences and a deep, sometimes, unspoken bond. Margaret was just 13 when her older sister and best friend Maiah, died in a tragic accident. Adolescent grief can have a profound impact on your life. Five years later, and now just 18 years old, you'll be inspired by her mature, charming, real, and insightful perspective on sibling loss. We have opened a listener line! If there is something you've learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, leave us a voicemail message. Some of your comments might even be used in a future Holding the Light podcast episode. You are also welcome to let us know what you think of the episode, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call the listener line and leave a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can't wait to hear from you!What did you think? Share your feedback in a text message.Holding the Light is an original, monthly podcast created and hosted by Monica and Colby Charette, edited and produced by Monica Charette, with support from Julia Vigue and Sophia Speeckaert. EMAIL US (shineoncass@gmail.com) with questions, comments, or a request to join us as a guest. We also welcome you to visit us at ShineOnCass (www.shineoncass.org) where our family continues to Shine the Light of Cassidy.Our podcast's theme music is As Long As You Love (Scarlet Wings) written and sung by Cindy Bullens, from the album Somewhere Between Heaven and Earth produced by Blue Lobster Records (1999). Available on CD or download at www.cidnybullens.com. Mention Holding the Light Podcast and receive a signed copy!We want to hear from YOU. Leave us a voicemail! If there is something you've learned in your grief journey that might be helpful for others, we invite you to leave us a message. We will listen to every one. Some might even be used in a future episode. You can also let us know what you think of our podcast, suggest a topic, or request to be a guest. The number to call and leave us a voicemail is: 617-302-7373. We can't wait to hear from you!If you appreciate our grief podcast and would li...

Fighting For Joy
Episode 93: Fighting for Joy Through Sibling Loss

Fighting For Joy

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2025 63:16


The topic of sibling grief is near and dear to my heart. Not only did I grow up in a home affected by the death of my sister, I've also watched my own children bravely grieve the loss of their big brother. It feels like we don't hear much about this unique kind of grief so I'm grateful for my guest today, Jena Sietz, and her willingness to share about her fight for joy after losing her little brother Brett in 2018 at the age of 26. So much of our childhood can't be separated from our siblings. Our lives are intertwined. Siblings bear witness to our experiences. They knew all the versions of you growing up. They share the memories and inside jokes. As someone once said, “Siblings help hold your childhood.” So when a sibling dies, there is a lot to grieve. Part of you dies with them. And there's so much to be processed as life moves forward because you just always assume that your sibling will be there…standing up for you at your wedding, playing the role of aunt or uncle for your kids, and helping you with your parents as they age. There's a need to have more conversations about this devastating kind of grief. Listen in as Jena shares about her brother Brett - his life and his death and the impact that grief has had on her fight for joy. I hope this episode sheds more light on sibling loss and encourages conversation around this topic. If you've lost a sibling, my hope is that you feel seen and that you are encouraged to keep going with your own fight for joy. If you know someone who has lost a sibling, I hope this episode prompts you to acknowledge their unique grief (even if it was decades ago) and better understand what it feels like to experience the death of a sibling. *Don't forget that as a Fighting for Joy listener you can receive 10% off of your first month of counseling services from BetterHelp, my podcast sponsor. Check out my link at betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy. Christian counseling can be such a huge help in this broken world and a major tool in the fight for joy. ** If this episode was encouraging to you, I'd like to ask you to please consider rating the Fighting for Joy podcast, and even leaving a review. Once you find my show, scroll down to where it says “tap to rate” or “write a review”. Tapping to rate literally takes a second or two, and writing a review can be quick as well. Just sharing that you enjoy listening, or that it's an encouragement to you is enough. The longer I do this the more I understand how helpful those ratings and reviews really are, so thanks for considering this. It means a lot!

Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart
171. Let's Honor Sibling Loss with Annie Sklaver Orenstein

Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 19, 2025 50:37


"This grief is so hard because we cannot control it." We've all experienced something unique in our grief stories, but when it comes to sibling loss, there are some aspects even the experts don't understand. Sibling loss is a woefully underrepresented area of grief support, so when Annie Sklaver Orenstein lost her big brother, Ben, she realized her work as a qualitative researcher could be a great gift to the community of sibling loss survivors. Her book, "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief" is a masterclass in self-awareness and cultivating the type of support you need through the loss of a sibling (and anyone else, of course). Links + Resources from this episode: Annie's book and website Connect with Annie on social media Learn more about Restorative Grief Become a Patron of the podcast

Fighting For Joy
Episode 89: Fighting for Joy Through the Holidays - Part 1

Fighting For Joy

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 10, 2024 45:46


My grief journey has connected me to thousands of hurting people. Almost every week I have the privilege, although its a weighty and costly privilege, of spending big chunks of time listening to, giving witness to, and holding space for people's pain. I ALSO get to see pretty beautiful and tender glimpses into people's healing, progress, and returning joy. This past week, as I was interacting with people in both places, I thought to myself, how can I connect these two groups of people? How can I encourage those who feel pretty hopeless with testimony from those feeling hope-FULL? I wanted to connect people lacking joy with people who are experiencing joy again, especially during this time of year, the holiday season, a time of year that can traditionally feel extra sad and heavy for the hurting. My idea was to do something similar to what I did back in 2020 when we were all thrust into quarantine and isolation during Covid (Check out Episodes #25, #26, & #27). During that time, there was a lot of confusion, fear, and loss. Often when we are in situations and seasons like that, we need each other to bring encouragement. Sometimes we need to borrow strength and hope from others. Soooo, I put a little request out on social media a few days ago asking people to send me an audio message sharing some ways that they are fighting for joy right now - practical things that help them get through the holidays. I was so emotional listening to these messages as they came in. These friends of mine are joy fighters! They have hard stories, and in many cases they are still walking through VERY difficult things. But they took on this little assignment in hopes of helping those of you listening…to bring encouragement to someone who needs it. Maybe that's you? If so, I'm glad you found this episode and hope that it helps you.Today you'll get to hear Part 1, about half of the people who will share.Then, in a couple of days I will release Part 2 and you'll get to hear from the rest of these amazing people! And to each person who submitted a voice memo and participated in this "joy project", THANK YOU! You are all so special and your stories matter. I know you can testify to the brokenness of this world and/also you keep pressing forward with hope! I'm so proud of you for fighting for joy! Thank you for helping others in the fight as well. *Don't forget that as a Fighting for Joy listener you can receive 10% off of your first month of counseling services from BetterHelp, my podcast sponsor. Check out my link at betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy. Christian counseling can be such a huge help in this broken world and a major tool in the fight for joy. ** If this episode was encouraging to you, I'd like to ask you to please consider rating the Fighting for Joy podcast, and even leaving a review. Once you find my show, scroll down to where it says “tap to rate” or “write a review”. Tapping to rate literally takes a second or two, and writing a review can be quick as well. Just sharing that you enjoy listening, or that it's an encouragement to you is enough. The longer I do this the more I understand how helpful those ratings and reviews really are, so thanks for considering this. It means a lot!

Where's The Grief?
Author Annie Sklaver Orenstein - "Always A Siblling"

Where's The Grief?

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 82:01


In this episode, I talk to author Annie Sklaver Orenstein about her new book, "Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide To Grief." After years of struggling with her own grief after the death of her brother Ben to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie began writing what ultimately became the book that she wished had existed when her loss was fresh.  As a skilled reasearcher, Annie surveyed and interviewed dozens of other bereaved siblings, weaving their stories together with her own, along with detailed references to so many of the resources and support that is out there. We obviously talk (and bond) over the fact that bereaved siblings are often overlooked -  hence the Forgotten Mourners moniker, and how impactful it is to finally have found a community and a vocaulary to talk about our siblings with. We also talk about the surreal expereince of having to sell and promote someting so deeply personal.  Get the book and find out more about Annie! https://www.amazon.com/Always-Sibling-Forgotten-Mourners-Guide/dp/030683149X https://www.annieorenstein.com Follow Annie on Instagram @AnnieSklaverOrenstein

Unarmored Talk
Surviving Sibling Loss: Grieving an Army Medic Brother Lost in Combat

Unarmored Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2024 22:53 Transcription Available


Send us a textIn this episode of Unarmored Talk Podcast, Dr. Dawn DiRaimondo, a Clinical Psychologist, shares her journey through sibling loss after her brother Michael, an Army flight medic, was killed in Iraq. Together, we explore the often-overlooked grief of surviving siblings, who are frequently overshadowed by society's focus on parental loss. Dawn reflects on how this experience reshaped her career and her insights as a therapist, as detailed in her book, Surviving Sibling Loss: The Invisible Thread that Connects Us Through Life and Death. Through personal stories and expert insights, this episode offers understanding and support for those navigating grief and cherishing loved ones amidst loss. Whether you're navigating your path of sorrow or supporting someone who is, Dawn's empathetic approach and expert insights provide solace and guidance for those grappling with grief.Guest Link:https://drdawndiraimondo.com/Support the show Watch: Unarmored Talk Playlist Mario's Socials: Parade Deck Support My Nonprofit: Still Serving, Inc. Email: host@unarmoredtalk.com

Nothing Was The Same Grief Podcast
Ted's Story: Sibling Loss, Estrangement, and Insights from a Therapist on Grief

Nothing Was The Same Grief Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2024 77:24


In this episode, Jocelyn and Ted delve into his experiences as a therapist, exploring the profound lessons his work has imparted about therapy and the complexities of grief. Ted shares his personal journey through loss, including the suicide of his best friend and the estrangement from his mother and brother. This heartfelt conversation provides valuable insights for anyone navigating grief in complicated relationships.A song from Ted that might be helpful as you navigate through the field of grieving: https://youtu.be/tFGs7HP15d4Email us: Nothingwasthesamepod@gmail.comFollow us onInstagram: @nwtsgriefpodcastTikTok: @nwtsgriefpodcastYouTube: @nothingwasthesamepodcastSubmit your story or topics you would like to hear on our website: nwtspodcast.com

Where's The Grief?
Chef Dan Budd

Where's The Grief?

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 1, 2024 71:25


Hooray! In this very special episode, I got to talk with Chef Dan Budd, owner of Taste Budd's Cafe, and former teacher at the Culinary Institute of America. As many listeners of the podcast know, my brother Russell was about to graduate from the CIA when he passed away in 2002. Dan Budd was more than one of Russell's professors, he was a mentor to him, and an early employer to take Russell under his wing.  No stranger to grief himself already, Dan's sister Laura died two years prior to Russell, oddly enough on the exact same day, July 6th. Laura's death to a rare brain tumor changed the way that Dan thought about his ability to harness his own energy in support of creating good in the world. We talk about how family dynamics can change after the loss of a sibling, and the profound bonds we create when talking with others who have been through something similar. We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and the danger of bees!   Check out Taste Budd's in Red Hook, NY!  Taste Budd's 40 West Market Street Red Hook, NY 12571 Follow Taste Budd's on Instagram!    

Love Drops with Natasha Smith
Annie Sklaver Orenstein on Sitting with Sibling Loss

Love Drops with Natasha Smith

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 38:49


In this epiosde, Annie Sklaver Orenstein, a qualitative researcher, oral historian, and storyteller who has spent over adecade collecting stories from people around the world joins Natasha for a much needed conversation on Sibling Loss. They discuss Annie's latest book, Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief, a practical, compassionate guide to sibling loss, with research, stories, and strategiesfrom someone who's been there.Tune in and join the conversation. Let us know what resonates with you. Main points:Acknowledging the Unique Grief of Sibling LossIdentity and the Loss of a SiblingThe Power of Sharing Stories and ResearchMoving Forward and Honoring SiblingsHelpful Links:Join the newsletter | Sign up for monthly encouragement from Natasha here.Get your copy of Can You Just Sit With Me? Get your copy of Always A SiblingConnect on Socials:Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | PinterestHost & Guest: Natasha Smith (Host)Annie Sklaver Orenstein (Guest)Support the Podcast:Become a monthly Partner

Grieving Voices
Annie Sklaver Orenstein | Sibling Loss: Forever Ben's Sister

Grieving Voices

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 81:50 Transcription Available


Send Victoria a text message!With over a decade of experience collecting stories globally, this week's guest and author, Annie Sklaver Orenstein, has been featured on platforms such as NPR and Time. Her book, Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide to Grief, is an empathetic resource for surviving siblings—a group often overlooked in mourning.Annie shares her insights about sibling relationships being some of the longest-lasting bonds in life. This perspective offers new dimensions to understanding grief, especially for those who haven't experienced sibling loss themselves. She emphasizes that siblings spend more time together during childhood than with their parents—highlighting how integral these relationships are.Annie shares her personal story of losing her brother Ben, who was killed in Afghanistan after enlisting pre-9/11 with aspirations to serve politically and make impactful changes. The raw recounting of receiving the devastating news underscores the surreal nature of loss and its immediate emotional upheaval.Key Takeaways:Sibling Relationships: Often our longest-lasting bonds, crucial yet frequently neglected in grief discussions.Suppressing Emotions: Surviving siblings might downplay their grief to protect grieving parents.Anger & Coping: Allowing oneself to feel intense emotions like anger can be vital for healing.Cultural Misunderstandings: Children aren't necessarily emotionally equipped despite exposure; they need support tailored to their developmental stage.Grief's Unique Forms: Each person's process is distinct; societal stages don't capture every individual experience.Annie highlights that while society often overlooks sibling mourners, acknowledging their unique grief journey is essential. Her advocacy through writing serves as a reminder that all forms of grief deserve recognition and respect.Ultimately, this episode sheds light on navigating complex emotions following a sibling's death while stressing self-compassion and honest emotional expression as pillars for coping with such irreplaceable losses.RESOURCES:Annie's Book | Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to GriefEp. 68 | Ken RossSupport the showThis episode is sponsored by Do Grief Differently™️, my twelve-week, one-on-one, in-person/online program for grievers who have suffered any type of loss to feel better. Click here to learn new tools, grief education, and the only evidence-based method for moving beyond the pain of grief. Would you like to join the mission of Grieving Voices in normalizing grief and supporting hurting hearts everywhere? Become a supporter of the show HERE.

The Grief Mentor with Teresa Davis
112 | Managing Unique Grief/Sibling Loss and Only Child Loss

The Grief Mentor with Teresa Davis

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 3, 2024 41:26


Greiving Mom,  I have so much to share with you today. I can hardly wait to get started. My cup is full, and the Holy Spirit has a message just for you today. If you're tuning in and you're having a rough grief day, today's episode is for you. If you're a parent of an only child that has left this earth, today's episode's for you. If you are a parent that has surviving children, today's episode is for you. If you are a grieving parent, friend today is going to  lift your spirits.  It's going to give you hope for tomorrow, but most importantly, it's going to give you strength for today because that's what you need strength to live the day you're living. You might want to grab a notebook and pen. The main points today are: Only Child Loss Surving Children Sibling Loss Need Some 1:1 Time With The Grief Mentor? Book Your Call Here Watch the Free Grief Masterclass Here!  Discover Peace In the Chaos of Grief (No more feeling lost) Gain Tools For The Journey (Remove the overwhelm) Hope For Your Future ( Your going to make it) Leave Me A Message On Speak Pipe Here Listen To My 5 Most Downloaded Episodes Here The next Grief Mentor Support Group Meeting is September 19th, 2024. How do I attend? Become A Grief Mentor Insider Here Order the devotion book: Finding Hope And Healing In the Midst of Grief Here Journal: Here Podcast referred to In episode: Sibling Grief/ The Forgotten Griever with Bethan Sullivan  

Life With Grief Podcast
068. Grieving Gently with Libby Mitchell: Parent & Sibling Loss and Navigating Our Transformation

Life With Grief Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 57:49 Transcription Available


Libby Mitchell of Grieving Gently has such a profound experience with not only loss of loved ones (her mother and a sibling), but a deeply touching story of loss of health and sense of self & identity—and the healing journey that has come along with all of this! Libby is a trainee counselor and published academic author with research experience in psychology and health. She specializes in grief and loss, and is passionate about helping people feel heard and less alone within their grief experience—much like myself. This is why I resonate with her and her work so much, and why I wanted to share her story and expertise! Grieving Gently welcomes all forms of grief and loss, and offers 1:1 holistic grief support. She has such a calming presence that I know you're going to feel from wherever you're listening today! You'll see exactly how fabulous and knowledgeable she is in this episode, and I'm so excited to share it with you. I hope you enjoy this inspiring conversation! Connect with Libby: Instagram: @grievinggently Email: libby@grievinggently.com Website: https://msha.ke/grievinggently Work with me: 14-Day Relief in Your Grief Challenge: https://lossesbecomegains.com/relief-in-grief Explore my Intentional Life After Loss membership: https://lossesbecomegains.com/membership Work with me one-on-one: https://lossesbecomegains.com/work-with-tara Connect with me! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lossesbecomegains/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifewithgriefpodcast/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/losses.become.gains Website: https://lossesbecomegains.com/ Shop the LBG Daily Journal: https://lossesbecomegains.com/journal By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of Tara Accardo, or used by Tara Accardo with permission. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including—without limitation—reproduction, retransmission or editing of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of Tara Accardo, which may be requested by contacting hello@lossesbecomegains.com. This podcast is for educational purposes only. This podcast is not intended to be a substitute for any necessary therapy or counseling to address deeper, past-focused traumas. We don't attempt to give answers, fix, diagnose, or treat grief. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

The Power of Love Show
Navigating Sibling Loss & Trauma: Sara J. Cobb on Building a Community of Healing & Hope

The Power of Love Show

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2024 52:34


On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Sara J. Cobb.
Sara J. Cobb is the founder of ‘My Grief Connection', a dynamic hub of grief resources and a growing community dedicated to supporting those who are grieving. 
Her passion for grief and mental health education stems from a blend of personal interests, strengths, and transformative life experiences. 
Sara's journey to connect fellow grievers with healing resources began after enduring her own devastating losses—the tragic deaths of her two older brothers, 43 years apart—one by a freak accident and the other by a murder-suicide. 
Through sharing her story of living with sibling loss and trauma, Sara finds purpose in guiding others toward hope and healing. 
She is a certified domestic violence treatment program facilitator and is pursuing a Master's degree in Counseling at Northwest Nazarene University.
Learn More About Sara & My Grief Connection: Website: MyGriefConnection.org Facebook: My Grief Connection Instagram: @My_Grief_Connection YouTube: My Grief Connection LinkedIn: Sara J. Cobb 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mygriefconnectionInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_grief_connection/YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@mygriefconnectionLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarajcobb/
Learn More About DDJF:Website: DDJF.orgInstagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation X: @DDJFoundation 
Leave a podcast review: 
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Prefer to listen as a podcast? Click here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846
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Grief & Happiness
Always a Sibling: An Insightful Perspective on Sibling Loss with Annie Sklaver Orenstein

Grief & Happiness

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 34:29


When an adult son dies, it is usually expected that the other siblings take on heavy duties like identifying a body, planning funerals, or even getting the terrible news first and being responsible for breaking it to the parents. This is done to alleviate the monumental pain of losing a child, but only few consider the extreme pain a sibling endures.In this episode, I'm joined by Cultural Researcher, Author, and brilliant Storyteller Annie Sklaver Orenstein. After Annie's brother was killed in Afghanistan, she went to every bookstore looking for something that could help her deal with her pain, often overshadowed by her parents' pain. Not finding a single piece of literature on sibling pain was her key motivation to pen "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief," a book she wished she had 15 years ago.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Annie's unique perspective on grieving a sibling, why it often goes unacknowledged, what coping mechanisms she developed, and the thought process that led her to write a book. You'll also hear Annie's thoughts on the therapeutic value of putting feelings and emotions on paper, acknowledging and accepting grief's diversity, rejecting the idea of right and wrong forms of grieving, and so much more.Tune in to episode 250 of Grief and Happiness to learn more about the thoughtful and practical resource Annie Sklaver Orenstein created for forgotten grievers.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Annie talks about what most sibling grievers have to deal with during their loss (2:30)What readers can find in "Always A Sibling" (8:20)Why write a book about it? Annie talks about how writing about her grief helped her get through it (14:30)Is there a right or wrong way to grieve? (20:30)"It's just not helpful for me.". Annie shares a valuable lesson she got from an honest answer (26:20)Connect with Annie Sklaver Orenstein:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramBook: Annie Sklaver Orenstein - Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to GriefLet's Connect:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookInstagramTwitterPinterestThe Grief and Happiness AllianceBook: Emily Thiroux Threatt - Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss
202 | Hope Dawning (Part Two) with Susan Morrison

While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss

Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2024 31:50


Susan Morrison is my guest again today in the second half of this two-part episode.  She shares about the loss of her only sibling, her sister Stacy, when she was a teenager, and the impact that has had in her life.  We also discuss the “before” and “after” of child loss and hear some of Susan's favorite scriptures.  Finally, she shares about the Hope Dawning ministry she founded for bereaved moms and her desire to inspire other bereaved parents to find ways they can serve those who are grieving in their own communities.  Once again, I believe you'll be blessed by listening in!   Click HERE to listen to the first half of our conversation.  Click HERE to learn all about the Hope Dawning ministry!I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message!All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss
199 | Sibling Loss: The Forgotten Grievers with Bethany Sullivan

While We're Waiting - Hope After Child Loss

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2024 54:09


Today's episode features a presentation on sibling loss from last fall's Our Hearts Are Home conference, led by my daughter Bethany Sullivan.   My husband Brad and I also make an appearance in her presentation, and you'll hear a very honest discussion between the three of us about things we did right and things we did wrong as we continue to parent her through her grief.  It's a live presentation in a church, so the audio is not quite as good as if it were recorded in a studio, but hopefully that won't be too much of an issue for you.  This is an episode you'll want to listen to yourself first, then maybe share with your children to open up lines of communication about their own grief.  I hope it is a blessing to you.  All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org