Heather Loses Garrett To Accidental Overdose
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 5 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Dr. Heather Taylor, a surviving sibling, therapist, and grief advocate, who shares the story of losing her brother, Garrett, to an accidental overdose, and how that loss completely reshaped her life, her career, and her mission in the grief space. Heather takes us back to her childhood growing up in a small town in Washington State, where she and her younger brother Garrett were raised surrounded by nature, imagination, and a deep sibling bond. They were each other’s constant—playing outside,...
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Erica Loses TJ To A Car Accident
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 4 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Erica Bohn, a surviving sibling who shares the story of losing her brother, TJ, in a car accident over 30 years ago, and how that loss shaped her life, her healing, and ultimately her path into helping others. Erica takes us back to her childhood growing up in a close-knit Midwestern family. Both she and her brother TJ were adopted as babies, raised in what she describes as a loving, “perfect” family, until one summer night in 1995 changed everything. TJ, just weeks away from starting his senior...
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Gyani Loses Pete To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 3 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Gyani, a surviving sibling and grief professional, who shares the story of losing his brother, Pete, to cancer, and how earlier loss in his life shaped the path he walks today. Gyani takes us back to his first encounter with grief at 13, when his father died of cancer. Raised in what he describes as a “Leave It to Beaver” style family. Mom, dad, and five boys—he reflects on how grief rippled through their family system like a bomb, in a time when there were few tools or conversations available to...
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Earla Loses Leigh-Ann To Pancreatic Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On Season 9, Episode 2 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Earla Dawn, who shares the story of losing her sister, Leigh-Ann, to pancreatic cancer. Earla takes us back to their childhood on the prairies, four siblings, endless fun, and the kind of relationship that started with “fighting like cats and dogs”… and grew into a deep, lifelong bond. Leigh-Ann was the polished one, the “always put together” sister, a devoted mom, a dog lover, and a woman who reinvented her life, starting over after divorce, and eventually moving across the world to Spain in...
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Stephen Loses Stacy To A Car Accident
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 1 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast® host, Maya Roffler is joined by Stephen Stott who opens up about the tragic loss of his sister, Stacy, to a car accident 24 years ago. Stephen was just 16 when his life changed forever. After being "voluntold" to accompany his sister to a cheerleading camp six hours away, he shared a moment of deep personal truth with her the first person he ever came out to as queer. Just days later, on the drive home, they both fell asleep behind the wheel. Stacy didn’t survive. Stephen did. What follows is a deeply moving story of grief,...
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Chelsey McHale Interviews Maya Roffler On Sibling Loss
The Surviving Siblings®
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...
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Katherine Loses Colin To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 9 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Katherine Mandzak, a writer and advocate, as she opens up about losing her beloved younger brother Colin to a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer. From growing up as inseparable homeschool siblings to navigating a shocking cancer diagnosis, Katherine shares the raw reality of becoming the only surviving sibling and how her identity, grief, and life path were forever changed. She walks us through the six-month rollercoaster from diagnosis to hospice, the sacred final moments, and the...
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Dan Loses Patti To Appendicitis
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 8 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler speaks with Dan Dunsmore, a devoted brother, father, and educator who shares the heartbreaking story of losing his sister Patti at just 13 years old to a sudden and misdiagnosed case of appendicitis. Dan takes us back to 1968 in South Knoxville, Tennessee, and walks us through the idyllic beginnings of his childhood, followed by a series of devastating family losses, each one reshaping the course of his life. Dan opens up about the traumatic last words he spoke to Patti, the moment he found himself alone in a...
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Dawn Loses Justin To Suicide
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 7 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Dawn, a surviving sibling who opens up about the unexpected loss of her brother Justin, just weeks before his wedding day. Dawn shares the full arc of their sibling bond, from pranks and family laughter, to the hidden pain Justin carried, to the shock of losing him to suicide in 2013. Through her storytelling, Dawn brings light to the complexities of grief, sibling guilt, the impact of hidden addiction and gambling, and the long road toward healing. This conversation is a tribute to Justin, a...
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Tommy Loses John To Addiction & Tim To Cancer
The Surviving Siblings®
On episode 6 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler sits down with Tommy, a surviving sibling who lost two brothers—John to addiction and Tim to cancer. Tommy shares a powerful testimony of family, trauma, guilt, grief, and recovery offering a rare and vulnerable glimpse into what it means to survive sibling loss from two very different but equally devastating causes. Raised in Queens, New York, Tommy opens up about growing up in a family marked by love, loyalty, and generational addiction. He candidly recounts the progression of his brother John's substance use...
info_outlineOn episode 5 of Season 8 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host, Maya Roffler welcomes Brennan to share the devastating and unexpected loss of her younger brother, Jackson, during a freak storm in 2019. What begins as a reflection on their sibling relationship through childhood, divorce, and young adulthood turns into a powerful story of trauma, survival, family dynamics, and what it means to rebuild, both physically and emotionally.
Brennan takes us back to life growing up in the Mississippi Delta, the evolution of her bond with Jackson, and the unique pain of being the only surviving sibling. When a storm tore through her hometown, uprooting trees and altering the course of her family’s life in an instant, Brennan was thrust into a nightmarish journey of grief, resilience, and reconstruction, literally and emotionally.
The episode dives deep into themes of sudden loss, natural disaster trauma, complicated family dynamics, anticipatory grief, and healing through change. Brennan shares how she supported both of her divorced parents in uniquely different ways, helped rebuild the family home, and eventually made a life-changing move across the country that helped her begin healing.
In This Episode:
(0:00:00) – Meet Brennan and Her Brother Jackson
Maya welcomes Brennan, who shares stories of growing up six years apart from her brother Jackson and how their sibling dynamic changed over time.
(0:03:00) – Childhood, Divorce, and Reconnection
Brennan reflects on how her parents’ divorce affected her relationship with Jackson and how their bond began to strengthen as they got older.
(0:05:00) – The Day Everything Changed
Brennan recounts the tragic storm that took Jackson’s life, the chilling phone call from her father, and the frantic drive through fallen trees and flooded roads to reach her family home.
(0:07:00) – A Father’s Desperation and a Devastating Scene
She shares the harrowing details of her arrival: her father soaked and shivering, first responders delayed, and the realization that her brother was already gone.
(0:09:00) – A Freak Storm with No Warning
Brennan explains the storm conditions and how a misreported tornado warning led to five massive oak trees being uprooted one of which landed directly on the home’s front door.
(0:11:00) – Shock, Rescue, and Reality Setting In
She describes the painful wait, her father's rescue attempts, and the surrealism of those first few hours of grief.
(0:13:00) – Storm Preparedness, Tornado Drills, and Coping with Chaos
Maya and Brennan reflect on growing up with tornado drills and how this tragedy added a new, personal layer to those experiences.
(0:23:00) – Planning a Funeral Through Grief
Brennan takes the lead on planning Jackson’s service, navigating her parents' conflicting wishes, and honoring her brother with a celebration at his childhood church.
(0:26:00) – A Standing Room Only Memorial
The funeral draws a massive crowd every seat filled, and hundreds standing. Brennan reflects on how that overwhelming support was both shocking and comforting.
(0:29:00) – Back to Work and Back to the Build
Just days later, Brennan returns to work and begins helping her father rebuild the house, an emotional and physical labor of love that spans over two years.
(0:33:00) – Grieving Through a Pandemic
She shares how grief collided with COVID-19, slowing down the rebuild and affecting her mental health, her parents’ well-being, and their support systems.
(0:35:00) – A Fresh Start in Las Vegas
Brennan talks about the pivotal phone call from her mom asking her to move across the country. Without hesitation, she says yes.
(0:44:00) – Helping Her Mom Through Grief
She reflects on moving in with her mom, their evolving relationship, and witnessing how differently each parent handled Jackson’s death.
(0:47:00) – Two Parents, Two Grief Journeys
Brennan discusses how her dad grieved through action, while her mom grieved through emotion, and how she found herself trying to show up for both—while still navigating her own loss.
(0:50:00) – The Only Surviving Sibling
As the only surviving sibling, Brennan opens up about feeling lonely in her grief, questioning her place in her parents’ world, and learning to own her voice and her story.
(0:56:00) – Advice to the Newly Bereaved
Brennan’s parting words are powerful: “Give yourself grace. Don’t bottle it up. If you don’t let it out, it becomes a monster.” She encourages all siblings to reach out, speak up, and find safe people to lean on.
Listen to the full episode of “Brennan Loses Jackson To A Storm Accident” now on all major platforms.
This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®
Connect with Brennan:
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/19cVFTC25o/?mibextid=wwXIfr
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Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brennansaulter?_t=ZT-8y3tkBQ2egx&_r=1
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brennansaulter?igsh=ZWJ1ejZzamxzNWNx&utm_source=qr
Connect with Maya:
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Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/
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Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/
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Twitter: https://x.com/survivingsibpod
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Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com
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Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
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YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast