Episodes

In this episode of the Surviving Siblings podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes Anne Pinkerton, who shares the profound story of her brother David, who tragically passed away after a fall while hiking in Colorado. Anne delves into their unique sibling bond, her grief journey, and the process of writing her book to honor David's adventurous spirit. Tune in to hear about the emotional complexities of sudden loss and the path to healing and remembrance. In This Episode: (0:01:00) - Anne's Family Dy...

In this episode of the Surviving Siblings podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes sisters Corrie and Brittany Fentress, who bravely share the heart-wrenching story of losing their two sisters, Ashley and Emily, to addiction and suicide. Corrie and Brittany discuss their close-knit family dynamics, the deep bonds they shared as siblings, and the devastating impact of losing not one, but two sisters. They also explore their individual grief journeys, how they have processed these profound losses, and ...

In this heartfelt episode, Jackson shares the profound journey of losing his younger sister, Lauren, when he was just 10 years old. Jackson reflects on the unique bond they had, with Lauren’s vibrant and fearless personality, and how her sudden death in a tragic bus accident forever changed his family. Jackson opens up about the complex emotions of being the oldest, becoming an only child, and later a big brother again. He also discusses how his family coped with grief and the unique challenges ...

From childhood memories of Mike singing and dancing to his career as an award-winning blues musician, Ginger’s story is one of love, loss, and the challenges of navigating life after such a tragedy. She delves into the complexities of coping with Mike’s epilepsy, which played a significant role in his passing, and how their family dynamic shaped her grief process. His unexpected passing in 2019, due to complications from epilepsy, left a profound mark on Ginger’s life, as well as on the countle...

From being born into a family with Kristi already navigating the challenges of Rett syndrome, Kourtney’s story is one of dedication, loss, and profound love. Kristi was born in 1965 with a rare neurological disorder that affects primarily girls, which led her to lose many of her early developmental skills between 6 and 18 months old. The disorder wasn’t formally diagnosed in the United States until 1986, so for the first 21 years of Kristi’s life, the family had no name for what she was living w...

In this deeply personal and emotional episode, Sidney Savoie shares the story of his sister Dottie, who tragically passed away from a drug overdose in August 2020. Sidney opens up about their childhood, growing up as siblings with contrasting personalities, and the powerful bond they shared despite their differences. Dottie was adopted into Sidney's family before he was born, and Sidney reflects on how much he owes his existence to her. Growing up with a passionate and vibrant sister, Sidney re...

In this heartfelt and deeply moving episode of The Surviving Siblings Podcast, host Maya Roffler sits down with Janine DeTore, the youngest of seven siblings, to share an intimate look into her life, her incredible bond with her sister Angela, and the profound grief she endured after losing Angela to cancer. In this episode: [00:00:57] Family Dynamics – Janine discusses her role as the youngest of seven siblings and her relationship with Angela. [00:02:52] Childhood Memories – Stories of Ange...

In this heartfelt episode, host Maya Roffler speaks with Diana Hunter, who opens up about the loss of her brother Tyler. Diana shares her story of growing up with her three younger brothers, the unique sibling bond she shared with Tyler, and the challenges he faced with asthma and addiction. Diana reflects on her family's complicated dynamics, her role as a "second mom" to her younger siblings, and how Tyler’s passing deeply impacted her and her family. Throughout this conversation, Diana and M...

In this emotional episode of the Surviving Siblings podcast, host Maya Roffler welcomes Heather, who shares the devastating story of losing her brother Casey to gun violence. Heather takes listeners on a journey through their close sibling bond, the tragic circumstances of Casey's death, and the lifelong impact of his loss. She opens up about navigating grief, seeking answers, and finding healing over the 30 years since Casey’s passing. Heather’s story is one of heartbreak, resilience, and hope...

Claire Thompson’s journey is one of resilience, loss, and healing after the devastating loss of her brother Rob. From their tight-knit sibling bond growing up in Scotland to the tragedy that would redefine Claire’s life, this episode explores the profound grief and transformation that comes with sibling loss. Rob, a charismatic and creative soul with a love for video editing, music, and fine whiskey, was tragically taken in 2014 due to an unprovoked assault in Glasgow, Scotland. Claire shares t...