In this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss, Dr. Dean talks with Kate Chertik, a Pittsburgh woman navigating the devastating grief of losing her brother, Larry, to a fatal scooter accident caused by a city pothole. As a surviving sibling, Kate shares her raw emotions, the impact on her family, and how she turned her grief into advocacy for scooter safety. This episode explores the complexities of sibling loss, the importance of support systems for surviving siblings, and the power of turning tragedy into action.

In this episode you will:

• Hear Kate's powerful story of losing her best friend and brother in a tragic scooter accident has led to advocacy for scooter safety and creation of a support group for sibling loss survivors.
• Be inspired by Kate's resilience and unwavering commitment to honoring her brother's memory.

Support the Show.

If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, 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: @BrokenPack
Instagram: @thebrokenpack
TikTok: @the_broken_pack
YouTube: @thebrokenpack

Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.com/newsletter

Thank you!

Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT

Credits:

The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by 27 Elephants Media

"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. MYLWD.)
Licensed for use by The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3vx3kk46

On this episode of The Broken Pack™: Stories of Adult Sibling Loss, Dr. Beth Hoffman, a surviving sibling, joins Dr. Dean to discuss the loss of her sister, Emily. Emily was tragically killed in a pedestrian accident. Dr. Hoffman shares how she navigates life as a sibling loss survivor following Emily's sudden death, including her experience in the ICU and honoring Emily's wish to be an organ donor. They discuss the complexities of sibling grief, the importance of normalizing conversations about loss, and the different ways people cope with the death of a sibling. Dr. Hoffman also discusses the challenges of navigating grief in a society that often avoids conversations about death and the importance of recognizing the different ways people experience and process loss.

About Dr. Beth Hoffman
Dr. Hoffman is a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh, specializing in the intersection of popular media and health. Her work explores how television, social media, and other platforms can be used for health promotion and education, as well as the spread of health misinformation. She also teaches courses on community health and entertainment media.

More About Emily:
Caring Bridge - https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/emilycrew
Donor Tribute on UNOS - https://unos.org/donor_tributes/emily-hoffman/

Honoring Emily:
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh's Catio (in Emily's Honor)
Emily Johanna Hoffman Fund - supporting STEM & experiential learning programs, and other Pittsburgh nonprofits .

To learn more about organ and tissue donation and to become a donor, please see:
In the US:
1. Donate Life America: https://donatelife.net
2. United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) - https://unos.org/transplant/facts/
Globally:
https://tts.org/isodp-resources/isodp-organ-don

Support the Show.

If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, 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: @BrokenPack
Instagram: @thebrokenpack
TikTok: @the_broken_pack
YouTube: @thebrokenpack

Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.com/newsletter

Thank you!

Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT

Credits:

The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by 27 Elephants Media

"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. MYLWD.)
Licensed for use by The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3vx3kk46

In this raw and heartfelt episode of The Broken Pack™:Stories of Adult Sibling Loss, Taylor bravely shares her experience as a surviving sibling after losing her brother Ben to Adderall addiction. Through tears and laughter, she explores the depths of sibling grief, the unexpected signs that Ben is still with her, and the ongoing journey of navigating life after loss. Taylor's story offers solace and hope to others facing the complexities of sibling grief, while shedding light on the devastating impact of addiction.

Content Warning: This episode discusses the loss of a sibling due to substance use disorder and may be upsetting for listeners who have experienced similar losses or have experienced substance use disorder first hand or in loved ones. Listener discretion is advised.

About Taylor:
Instagram: @infertileandimpatient

Resources:
-If you believe you are witnessing an overdose, call 911 or your country’s emergency number immediately even if you are administering Narcan.
-In the US,, please 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.
- In the UK, related resources: https://tinyurl.com/3fknb36c
-In the USA, warmlines by state : https://warmline.org/warmdir.html
-A warmline directory for trained peer supports in over 20 countries can be found at https://www.supportiv.com/tools/international-resources-crisis-and-warmlines (some may be hotlines)

Adderall Addiction: https://americanaddictioncenters.org/adderall

Support the Show.

If you would like more information or to share your own adult sibling loss story, please contact me, 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: @BrokenPack
Instagram: @thebrokenpack
TikTok: @the_broken_pack
YouTube: @thebrokenpack

Sign-up for Wild Grief™, our newsletter: https://thebrokenpack.com/newsletter

Thank you!

Angela M. Dean, PsyD, FT

Credits:

The Broken Pack™ Podcast is produced by 27 Elephants Media

"If Tomorrow Starts Without Me" © ℗ 2023, 2024
Written by Joe Mylward and Brian Dean
Performed by Fuji Sounds (feat. MYLWD.)
Licensed for use by The Broken Pack™
Now available on all streaming platforms including Apple Music & Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3vx3kk46