Kara Loses Brandon To Emphysema
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 7 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Kara Leigh, a surviving sibling, who shares the story of losing her brother Brandon after a long battle with addiction—and the unexpected reality of learning his official cause of death was emphysema. Kara takes us back to her childhood growing up in a family of three siblings, where Brandon was her older brother and she fell right in the middle. Their early years were filled with opportunity, family vacations, and a life that, on the outside, looked stable and full. But underneath it all…there...
info_outline
Teri Loses Joey To Marfan Syndrome
The Surviving Siblings®
On Episode 6 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Teri Gosselin, a surviving sibling, speaker, and grief advocate, who shares the story of losing her brother Joey to complications related to Marfan Syndrome—and how that loss forever intertwined grief, love, family, and purpose in her life. Teri takes us back to her childhood growing up just outside of Washington, DC, where she was the oldest of three. From the moment Joey was born, she stepped into the role of protector, advocate, and “sissy”—completely devoted to her little brother. Their...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineOn Episode 7 of Season 9 of The Surviving Siblings Podcast®, host Maya Roffler is joined by Kara Leigh, a surviving sibling, who shares the story of losing her brother Brandon after a long battle with addiction—and the unexpected reality of learning his official cause of death was emphysema.
Kara takes us back to her childhood growing up in a family of three siblings, where Brandon was her older brother and she fell right in the middle. Their early years were filled with opportunity, family vacations, and a life that, on the outside, looked stable and full.
But underneath it all…there were early signs of something deeper. Brandon began using substances at a very young age—long before the family fully understood what they were facing. What started as experimentation quickly escalated into addiction, creating tension, instability, and emotional strain within the household.
Kara shares what it was like growing up alongside addiction—navigating fear, unpredictability, and the weight of trying to protect both herself and her family. From cleaning up messes to stepping into a role of responsibility far too young, her childhood and teenage years were shaped by survival as much as they were by love.
As they moved into adulthood, their relationship became a cycle many siblings of addiction understand deeply: connection… distance… hope… heartbreak.
In January 2022, Kara’s life changed forever.
She didn’t receive a phone call from family. She didn’t hear it from authorities. She found out her brother had died… through Facebook. What followed was chaos, confusion, and a desperate search for answers—trying to piece together what had happened, where Brandon was, and why no one had contacted the family directly.
The initial assumption was what many feared: overdose. But nearly a year later, after waiting for the autopsy results, Kara learned something unexpected. Brandon’s official cause of death was emphysema—not overdose—despite substances being present in his system.
This revelation brought a different kind of grief.
A different kind of processing.
And a deeper reflection on how addiction had impacted his life… without being the final cause.
Kara opens up about the complexity of losing a sibling to addiction—the guilt, the boundaries, the “what if” questions—and what it means to love someone deeply while also protecting yourself.
She shares her journey through therapy, writing, and healing… including beginning a book to honor Brandon not just for his struggles, but for who he truly was as a person.
This episode also explores the emotional weight of reading an autopsy report, the reality of delayed answers, and the layers of grief that come with unexpected twists in loss.
In This Episode:
(0:00:00) – Meet Kara + Remembering Brandon
Kara introduces her family dynamic, growing up with her older brother and younger sister.
(0:02:00) – Early Addiction + Family Impact
How Brandon’s substance use began young and quickly affected the entire household.
(0:05:00) – Growing Up Around Instability
Navigating fear, tension, and survival in a home impacted by addiction.
(0:07:00) – Taking on Responsibility Too Young
Kara reflects on stepping into a caretaker role and protecting herself.
(0:10:00) – Adulthood + Cycles of Addiction
The ongoing pattern of hope, relapse, and trying to maintain boundaries.
(0:15:00) – The Complexity of Loving an Addicted Sibling
Balancing tough love, boundaries, and deep care.
(0:24:00) – The Night Everything Changed
Kara shares the moment she learned of Brandon’s death—through Facebook.
(0:30:00) – Waiting for the Autopsy
The emotional toll of waiting nearly a year for official answers.
(0:33:00) – The Truth About Brandon’s Death
Learning his cause of death was emphysema—not overdose—and what that meant.
(0:42:00) – Remembering the Whole Person
Why it’s important to honor both the struggles and the goodness of someone’s life.
(0:48:00) – Grief Isn’t Linear
Breaking down myths around grief and what it really looks like over time.
This episode is sponsored by The Surviving Siblings®
Connect with Kara:
-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karafitzluss?igsh=OHI2dXB5dXhqZmlj
-
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@karaleighlussier?_r=1&_t=ZS-91tnLBADBDe
Connect with Maya:
-
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/survivingsiblingspodcast/
-
Maya's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mayaroffler/
-
Website: thesurvivingsiblings.com
-
Facebook Group: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
-
YouTube: The Surviving Siblings Podcast
-
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheSurvivingSiblingsPodcast